Dreams Puerto Aventuras Brides - POST HERE!

[toniron]

I also recommend doing a TTD session if possible.  We had a blast doing it!  Again we used Fine Art Studios.

 

Toni

[xo-tammy-jim-xo]

Hi Toni! Sounds like everything turned out perfect for you! Congrats! Were getting married there 2/22/14. I have a few questions... does el patio have a patio overlooking the ocean? Did you do any group excursions? If so which ones do you recommend? What time was your wedding? What room do you recommend? TIA! [ quote name=toniron" url="/t/27596/dreams-puerto-aventuras-brides-post-here/2790#post_1946350]I just got back from DPA!  My wedding was perfect!  Jacki was unbelievable and she took care of everything. We were going to have our reception on the beach after I read some of the El Patio reviews.  Two weeks before the wedding Jacki told me that El Patio was available.  We decided to wait to make a final decision until after we arrived at the resort.  I am so glad we ate dinner the first night at El Patio , the place is beautiful.  We met with Jacki the next day and booked it.  We hired an outside vendor for our DJ and saved $$$$.  The light up dance floor plus the DJ was $1200 and was totally worth it.  The light up dance floor at the resort is $900 and the DJ is $220 plus 11% tax.   We hired Fine Art Studios and that was the best decision.  Their work is incredible and they were just fantastic to work with.  We have seen three teaser photos and can't wait to get the rest.  We selected the ultimate package and then opted for the buffet dinner.  Having the buffet allowed more people time to dance and have fun vs the plated dinner.  We had over 40 people at the wedding and wanted to have a good time and dance after dinner. We brought some decorations and Jacki had them set up.  She took care of everything and made it so easy.  El Patio was not too hot we opened the doors and windows and it was great.  I hope this is helpful, please let me know if anyone has questions.  Toni 

[xo-tammy-jim-xo]

Also what was the total you ended up spending for 40 people? Did you do a private cocktail hour or just send everyone to the bar? I appreciate your feedback!

[jrack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toniron 
 

I just got back from DPA!  My wedding was perfect!  Jacki was unbelievable and she took care of everything. We were going to have our reception on the beach after I read some of the El Patio reviews.  Two weeks before the wedding Jacki told me that El Patio was available.  We decided to wait to make a final decision until after we arrived at the resort.  I am so glad we ate dinner the first night at El Patio , the place is beautiful.  We met with Jacki the next day and booked it.  We hired an outside vendor for our DJ and saved $$$$.  The light up dance floor plus the DJ was $1200 and was totally worth it.  The light up dance floor at the resort is $900 and the DJ is $220 plus 11% tax.   We hired Fine Art Studios and that was the best decision.  Their work is incredible and they were just fantastic to work with.  We have seen three teaser photos and can't wait to get the rest.  We selected the ultimate package and then opted for the buffet dinner.  Having the buffet allowed more people time to dance and have fun vs the plated dinner.  We had over 40 people at the wedding and wanted to have a good time and dance after dinner. We brought some decorations and Jacki had them set up.  She took care of everything and made it so easy.  El Patio was not too hot we opened the doors and windows and it was great.  I hope this is helpful, please let me know if anyone has questions. 

 

Toni 

 

Glad to hear that you had a wonderful time!!!! Would you mind telling me a little bit about your ceremony? and how the officiant was? Did you have any group dinners aside from the reception? If so, where? and did you have to book it?

[toniron]

We sent vows to Jacki and the officiant read those. He was amazing. We had music for the wedding party then I walked down the isle to canon n d. After the ceremony we walked out o halo by beyonce. Our unity ceremony was a lock and key one. We had locks made that were engraved. We had a reading with that and we threw the keys into the ocean. We had two readings during the ceremony as well. I think it was just perfect! We had an ocean view room on the preferred level it's worth it. We were originally in a honeymoon suite with an ocean view. Jacki had us moved to the 7th floor and it was great. We had dinner the night before with the ladies only (24) and the guys had theirs (16) they don't charge us extra. We had three long tables next to each other at Portofino and the guys had two tables at ocean side. I didn't want to pay private function fees. We had the buffet for dinner and mix and matched from five menus. The food was amazing and everyone loved it. It's cheaper as well it's like $38per person over 20. We did the gold menu for the cocktail reception and it was delicious. Toni

[jrack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candi16 
 

Oh man, I am so happy I found this thread!!!

 

My FI and are days away from booking our May 2014 DW at Dreams PA and I am curious about the resort staff's hair and makeup team.  We're pretty sure we're going to book the Gold Pacakge (I'm sure the Silver would suffice but my FI is pretty insistent on the Gold!) which includes the hair/makeup service so I was hoping for any feedback on the pros, cons, other suggestions and definitely am hoping for pictures!

 

I've had my hair and makeup done without trials when I've stood in friends' wedding and I've never had a problem until this past October which is why I'm now having anxiety!

 

Is it best to do a trial and if so did they charge?  How soon do I make an appointment for me and my girls?  Is it not worth it and I figure out a plan B??

 

I plan on reading all of the posts on here looking for other helpful hints and tips so thank you to all who already posted such wonderful feedback to help us newbies!!

 

Do anyone have any pictures or pricing for hair and makeup?  Or did anyone book an ourside vendor, and who did you book?

[toniron]

The makeup artist at the resort are great! It comes with some of the packages. The cost for makeup was $50 for my bridesmaids and hair was $50 as well. They did a great job!

[sherryro13]

Just a few questions regarding the music system.  When walking down the aisle and after the ceremony is there anyone to look after the music?  I just need to know if I need to designate someone to work the ipod during the ceremony or if Jacki or someone else does this.

 

Also, has anyone used the resort dj for the reception dance?  Did you contact them ahead of time with music preferences and songs for first dance etc?

 

Thanks for any help/info you can give

[Candi16]

Just a few questions regarding the music system.  When walking down the aisle and after the ceremony is there anyone to look after the music?  I just need to know if I need to designate someone to work the ipod during the ceremony or if Jacki or someone else does this. Also, has anyone used the resort dj for the reception dance?  Did you contact them ahead of time with music preferences and songs for first dance etc? Thanks for any help/info you can give

I had the same questions as Sherryro13 regarding the ceremony music....does Jacki or someone from the resort look after that or do we need to designate someone?

[ChelseyB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherryro13 
 

Just a few questions regarding the music system.  When walking down the aisle and after the ceremony is there anyone to look after the music?  I just need to know if I need to designate someone to work the ipod during the ceremony or if Jacki or someone else does this.

 

Also, has anyone used the resort dj for the reception dance?  Did you contact them ahead of time with music preferences and songs for first dance etc?

 

Thanks for any help/info you can give

 Jacki has an amazing helper. and i cannot remember  her name right now, but she was the one there during the ceremony with me  and she took care of it completely.  whenever there was a song that needed to be started at a certain time she did that.  we just had everything labled in our ipod real well.  during the reception our ipod just mostly played on its own unless it was like the first dance or the father daughter dance etc, and then the planner took care of it flawlessly.

chelsey