Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[Carbaholic]

Hi Ladies,

 

Ok, so I've been back for exactly two weeks and I kept meaning to post some of these.  As I mentioned previously, I really didn't pay for much extra stuff at all.  I paid for 12 lanterns (on two stands) and for 6 bridesmaid bouquets, which cost $80 each and I re-used for the centerpieces and the vases, which cost me $10 each.  That was all I added besides extra meals (I didn't have the cocktail party, I used the credit towards dinners).  I forgot to mention that I just paid for the sound technician and made a kick-a$$ playlist (I just had him play it from start to finish)!  I had one list for dinner music, one list for dancing and a CD for the first dance and father daughter dance.  It worked out amazingly well!  We had my brother in law MC, so the tech didn't have to say a word.

 

I attached pictures to give you an idea of what your set-up might look like without adding too much.  Here's what I brought:  sand dollars as place cards and a wood tray to set them in sand, tealight candle holders in teal and white (I think we had 5 for each table), LED tea lights, teal ribbon to put one strip around each chair, menus that I glued onto teal cardstock and they were tucked into the white napkins, teal sticks from the flower shop to hold the table numbers in the BM bouquets I re-used.  I brought NOTHING for the ceremony, just the flowers for the table which were included (multicoloured).  The bridesmaid dresses were a vibrant teal and that was plenty of colour.  So everything was white except for a few little touches of teal for the reception.

 

She added another 12 lanterns and the white flags for free as a surprise.  I thought it was gorgeous and the whole thing cost us almost nothing over the package price!

 

Here's the link to our slideshow but to be honest... for some reason, he chose some pretty bad shots of us to include in it.  There were so many stunning ones (that we ended up choosing) so why, I'm not sure! haha.  http://030511wolkove.dreamsriveriacancun.adventurephotos.com.mx/

 

 

 

 

Let me know if you have any questions for me and trust me when I say.. DO NOT STRESS!  It will turn out better than you can imagine, even if you do NOTHING before heading down there.  

[LindseyM]

Carbaholic!  You are gorgeous!  And you helped me so much!  I am so excited to see Dreams in person now!

[LindsayMichelle]

LCraney - Congrats!! Great review from both of you! So cute that you both did one! I can't wait to see your pics!

 

Okay, so need your advice on the timing. Our wedding is at 6 pm and we are not having a cocktail hour. What time would you say your ceremony was actually over? Right now, our reception starts at 7:30, but I'm wondering if that is cutting picture time too short?

 

Thanks so much!!

[lcraney]

Hey there!

 

We just got our picture slide show from Anel! Eeeeeeee!

 

Here are our pictures. And the song she picked was perrrrfect. I love her. Lots.

 

http://140511hyman.dreamsriveriacancun.adventurephotos.com.mx/

 

It gives a good impression of how things went. It is like a play by play! haha

 

Ok hope it helps! Thanks for all the kinds congrats, ladies.

 

I will try to answer more questions and email things to those who asked as soon as I can.

 

 

 

[brookeh68]

Carbaholic- Thank you so much for that great information- You looked gorgeous!!  We also chose to use the technician for the reception and also have a kick a$$ list of songs- I feel completely reassured now that it will work out!  We are definitely getting the laterns also- It makes the reception look so romantic!!  Thanks again for your very important info!!

 

19 days until Dreams Riviera!!

[Moments That Matter]

Hey brookeh68.  Enjoy the last few days before your big one!  Carboholic, your wedding looked amazing congrats!

[lcraney]

Hey there LindsayMichelle,

 

I think your timing it tight, but doable. 

Our ceremony was on the longer side--we wrote/organized it and it was like 4-5 pages, plus a few min each for vows, so I am guessing we were done in 30 min. 

We knew we had a short amt of time so we started pics right away at around 6pm I am guessing. And we took probably almost an hour for pictures. 

 

So say your ceremony is 6-630, then get all your group pics done right away after that, send the guests away, and you still have 30 min or so for alone pics. I would stay near the area you are having your reception, like the beach or gazebo, so that you get to maximize your time taking pics. See our slideshow pics for some great beach shots. We did not leave the area and that helped. If you want more variety, there was a little area with plants and boats we used that was right next to the ceremony area on the beach. sun was setting so it was perfect for changing up our poses. 

 

Hope that helps! 

L

[ssapper]

 

@Soon2bMrsLozada.. I finally heard back from Ana and got my questions in regards to outside vendors answered! Yay! It turns out that as of now DRC does not have an "official" policy on outside vendors but they are slowly moving towards an approved vendor list and are in the process of setting that up. It was a pain but i was finally able to get approval to use a photographer of my choosing . Im not sure if the same rules will apply to florists but I would start speaking with your coordinator about it now and see if you cant get it in writing that you can choose your own florist without added fees. I definitely wouldn't wait to get the approval to do so, as it seems like its only going to get harder!

 

@Lcranley... Thank you so much for your wonderful review! You looked stunning! I would also love your spreadsheet/time line if you wouldn't mind sharing My email is ssapper@gmail.com.

 

@Carbaholic... I love your dress!! its gorgeous! thank you so much for your review with the pictures of your reception set up. Its very similar to what im hoping to do.. lots of white and very simple but stunning!

 

This forum is such a wonderful source of information... i know im not the most active on here but wanted to thank everyone who is. Its really helped me (especially since my wedding is so far off so its difficult to get responses back from the coordinators). Thanks everyone!

[jkhowell]

Leann,

 You had a beautiful wedding and great reviews from both you and your new hubby! I know I'm like the 100th person to ask but do you mind sending me your spreadsheet as well?? My email is jaclynhowell18@gmail.com .  Thank you

 

 

Also, for those that did not or are not doing a "cocktail hour", where are you sending your guests while you take pictures??

[jkhowell]

Carboholic,

You looked so beautiful and your hubby looked so handsome on you wedding day! Congrats! I am too doing teal for my colors and was wondering if you have any decoration or decor left over you might want to sell?

 

THanks