Dreams Puerto Aventuras Brides - POST HERE!

[echo2_62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marryinghimagain On with my question.... has or is anyone just going with the complimentary wedding package that comes with the room bookings? I would love to hear how this worked out for you or what your details are. I right now have a deposit for the complimentary package but was considering the next higher package. However, I don't need/want all the things included in that package. We have a total of 17 (including us) people. I can't seem to justify the almost couple thousand extra (Ours is a vow renewal for our 35th anniversary but still want it to be very nice.) but I do want to have a private reception. As far as the cocktail hour, we can just go to one of the bars before dinner. I just don't know if by the time we pay for a private dinner and extra flowers (2 extra bouquets/2 bouts) if it will be close to the upgrade price anyhow Then there is the music issue. I know that we can use an Ipod but will that work for music in the gazebo for the ceremony? Can it be heard when we are walking down the aisle? Is there a place to plug in the docking station? The only things we really want are the cake and toast, a private dinner (would like it outside), the few attendant flowers and the smallest photography. I have my own decorations and small centerpieces, also an ipod if it is feasible. We would like to do a "first dance" at the private dinner. Did any of you do this when only having the "free" package? Geez, it seems like so many questions. I am starting to feel stressed that this is going to be a mess. I was hoping that maybe someone here has "been there, done that". I have emailed Jacy but never seem to get the answers I need. I am kinda scared to wait until we get there. I want to know what we are doing and be all organized. HELP!

Well I haven't officially received my confirmation number from Jacy yet, but we're in conversations to book for April 16, 2010!!! YAY!

We're planning to go with the complimentary package for ours and sounds like we have some of the same ideas you do. We're planning to have our ceremony in the afternoon, do a cocktail reception and a first dance or two, then head off to dinner. Neither one of us is terribly formal so that's why we didn't opt for one of the higher packages. I'm hoping we can work something simple out with Jacy and when you do finally hear from her, I'd love to know what she says so I don't turn around and ask the same questions!! And if you don't seem to be getting the answers you need, I'd personally just get as specific as I possibly could for what I wanted and just keep at it. From what I've heard, everyone has had a great experience so even though I'm sure to have my stresses along the way, I think it'll all work out.

My first hurdle is making sure everyone gets booked. We didn't go through a travel agent since the pricing seemed considerably higher than booking individually through a good tour operator. With guests coming from three different provinces though, I think it was just as easy this way. We'll see....

[echo2_62]

P.S. Sorry for the super long quote in my last post!! I forgot to edit out a bunch of it before sending!

[Jenna20]

Hey Meghan, that would be great if you could PM me the pricing! I have still not heard back from our TA, she was going to be away for the rest of the week and said she would let me know if anything was sent...that is if she had access to internet?? I'll keep you in the loop with what I receive.

[jawhite77]

Meghan,

 

Congrats on getting your date!!! I just got an email from Jacy and unfortunately the 5 pm dates on april 23 and may 1 are taken So now I am trying to decide if I should take one of the earlier options or pick another date, or *ugh* another resort. Do you know where you are planning on having your reception? I guess I wouldn't mind the earlier times if I knew I could still have the reception @ the Mexican restaurant. Just for some feedback, what time did other people get married? thanks!

 

jen

[marryinghimagain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by echo2_62 Well I haven't officially received my confirmation number from Jacy yet, but we're in conversations to book for April 16, 2010!!! YAY! We're planning to go with the complimentary package for ours and sounds like we have some of the same ideas you do. We're planning to have our ceremony in the afternoon, do a cocktail reception and a first dance or two, then head off to dinner. Neither one of us is terribly formal so that's why we didn't opt for one of the higher packages. I'm hoping we can work something simple out with Jacy and when you do finally hear from her, I'd love to know what she says so I don't turn around and ask the same questions!! And if you don't seem to be getting the answers you need, I'd personally just get as specific as I possibly could for what I wanted and just keep at it. From what I've heard, everyone has had a great experience so even though I'm sure to have my stresses along the way, I think it'll all work out. My first hurdle is making sure everyone gets booked. We didn't go through a travel agent since the pricing seemed considerably higher than booking individually through a good tour operator. With guests coming from three different provinces though, I think it was just as easy this way. We'll see....

I will let you know what I find out. Hopefully, very soon, I can get the answers to all the questions and nail down all the details of everything. I just want it all set so I feel like I know what we are doing before we leave. (I will also do a full review after we get home from our trip.)
We also booked everyone on our own. We have guests coming from three different states. It worked out just fine, actually I think it was MUCH easier than dealing with the TA we originally were going to have handle everything.

[Ginalyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawhite77 Just for some feedback, what time did other people get married? thanks!

Jen, I got married at 3:00 PM because there was another wedding on my day at 6:00 PM. I had my reception at the lagoon and she had her reception in the area by the gazebo where the volleyball court is. Both wedding groups were kept separate throughout the afternoon/night. I wouldn't have even realized there was another wedding until they came to the lagoon area to take pictures, but it didn't bother me at all. We both clapped at each other's group in celebration.

[kcb119]

My fiance and I are getting married at 1:00 pm (the later slot was taken), so any suggestions on how to create a schedule that runs from the wedding all the way through dinner time would be much appreciated! I'm thinking wedding at 1pm, pics until 2pm, champagne and cake after that and then there's this huge 2-3 hour gap before dinner time, which will be followed by dancing. Any suggestions?

 

Also, my fiance and I are doing a site visit of the resort next weekend (Sept. 4-7.) Is there anything in particular I should look out for? Does anyone want me to scout anything out for them?

[echo2_62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenna20 Hey Meghan, that would be great if you could PM me the pricing!

Hey Jenna... check your inbox!!

[echo2_62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawhite77 Meghan, Congrats on getting your date!!! I just got an email from Jacy and unfortunately the 5 pm dates on april 23 and may 1 are taken So now I am trying to decide if I should take one of the earlier options or pick another date, or *ugh* another resort. Do you know where you are planning on having your reception? I guess I wouldn't mind the earlier times if I knew I could still have the reception @ the Mexican restaurant. Just for some feedback, what time did other people get married? thanks! jen

Hi Jen! We're going for the 3pm time. As with you, the later times were already taken for our date but we're both actually okay with that. We're just hoping that we can have our group together for dinner at any of the restaurants other than the seafood one. I don't like seafood and it's my wedding!! HAha! And honestly the seaside grill sounds awesome to me because it's got the ocean view (so they say!) and I'm sure would have foods that everyone will enjoy.

For timing we figured - 3-3:30pm wedding ceremony, 3:30-4:30/5pm cocktail reception, cake, first dance, casual pictures etc., 4:30/5pm-5:45pm free time to freshen up for dinner (it'll be hot in that sun!) and then 5:45 meet for dinner. We don't mind if we're in the restaurant with other hotel guests anyways. And if something like that doesn't work out for dinner, then who knows! We'll figure it out soon I guess!

And if you could only book a 1pm time on the date you really want, maybe look into booking a small biking tour for your guests or seeing if the resort can help you arrange something for your guests by taking advantage of the activities around the resort. Think how fun the pictures would be to have all your friends and family dressed up and riding bicycles around the resort! Oooh! Or plan something like a scavenger hunt to keep everyone moving and in a festive sort of mood! Make sure everyone takes pictures for proof!!

Okay I'm getting carried away maybe but remember to just make the most of everything the resort and surrounding area has to offer! You'll find lots to keep everyone happy if you need to fill some time in between the ceremony and dinner reception.

[echo2_62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marryinghimagain I will let you know what I find out. Hopefully, very soon, I can get the answers to all the questions and nail down all the details of everything. I just want it all set so I feel like I know what we are doing before we leave. (I will also do a full review after we get home from our trip.) We also booked everyone on our own. We have guests coming from three different states. It worked out just fine, actually I think it was MUCH easier than dealing with the TA we originally were going to have handle everything.

I'll be the same as you.. I will totally need to know what's going on!!! And I'm really glad to hear that you also booked your trip without the help of a TA. I have some concerns that people will leave it to the last minute and everything, but then I guess that's their own choice.


Another question for the group... did you all set a date that you asked guests to RSVP by, and how did you decide when that should be? I know some of my friends will want to wait for vacation sales closer to the date, but if I'm ordering things like OOT gifts, I need to know how many to get! Comments??