Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[LeydiBug]

Kelvin and Leydi Friday July 30, 2010

 

John and Lili Sunday August 1, 2010

[normajeane77]

Thank you for the information about your visit..

Our wedding is April 11, and I have been so worried about the privacy, or lack thereof, at the wedding gazebo area.

I did email Ana about it, but I wasn't very reassured by the response I got.

If I still had the option of going to a different resort, I would also be looking into other options..I will be irate if there are people sitting 5 feet from our ceremony in their lounge chairs..I'm not the bridezilla type, but I think that would put me over the edge!!

I do have a question for you..is the beach pretty at least? the water looks pretty blue in some photos, but not so great in others I've seen..

Thanks again for the review!

[normajeane77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taranyc hi everyone. we just got back from our weekend at dreams riviera cancun...we set it up with ana to view the site, etc. for our sept. 26th, 2010 wedding (our location and date are now changed). arriving onsite, i was immediately happy about our decision to have our wedding at drc...the lobby was amazingly beautiful and i loved our room. everything changed when i saw the pool area and beach. all along i've been like, "those reviews cannot be right...we're different, it's going to be great regardless of the look of the pavilion...the site can't be that bad" etc. i was wrong. here are my impressions of the site and what lead us to rent a car, drive an hour farther down to dreams tulum and book our wedding there. pool area/pavilion to begin with, the pavilion is right on top of the pool area. no matter what, you are going to have people all around you. in addition, the barracuda bar is right below it...just next to the huge kids playground swing set. the pavilion area is so small and the strange thing that you stand under looks even smaller in person. You’re there, you’re getting married and just below you are tourists on swings, people in bikinis (that shouldn’t be in bikinis), kids in the pool, chairs everywhere with rust orange towels on them…it’s just not nice…not for your wedding…and especially not if because you are paying for a wedding and all of your guests are paying to stay there as well. the nice thing is that the palm trees have metal star lanterns hanging from them and they look beautiful at night…actually, the whole pool area is pretty at night and most of the people are gone by sundown…but the sure are there when you’re saying your vows. we saw a couple of receptions out there and they looked nice (on the pool deck). they will add lighting if you ask for it…one reception had a buffet and all along it were the hanging tin stars behind a thin gauze of light blue silk…it was really pretty. beach we had the opportunity to see a wedding on the beach (the first row of chairs were not removed yet). It was a small wedding (appx. 10-15 people), but they were right on top of the guests lounging in the sun. there was an older man sitting right next to the wedding in a speed-o…just too much. the best part was when the group of drunk 40-somethings walked by (mid-ceremony) in nothing buy their bikinis, frozen drinks in hand and started to woo hoo. it’s just not my thing and that pretty much put the nail in the coffin regarding my wedding at drc. I cannot begin to tell you how upset I was over all of this. I remember when I first found the resort…I was so excited, it looked so perfect online. one thing…i’ve read that there is a more private place to have the ceremony, but I did not see that on the beach. The beach itself is rather small and very packed. Note…the ceremony area is just off the palapa rows next to the kids swing set/slide area. in the end, we didn’t even meet with ana…we knew our first day that this was not the place for us. I would suggest that you do a site tour (if you can…ana will work with you on rates for the weekend visit). we ended up going down to dreams tulum (we had visited once before) and met with aurora who gave us a tour. the beach site is great because it’s away from the crowd…there are so many options for the reception…ooh, and there is a beautiful chapel that looks like rustic mexico (I don’t think it even needs decoration inside). dreams tulum felt more fun and lively than drc (I’m not sure how to describe it...drc was just blah) and the beach is larger. while beautiful, the resort and it’s wedding areas seemed so cramped and overcrowded…it wasn’t even at full capacity. the guests I saw (during the wedding at drc) couldn’t have care less that someone was getting married…they just sat there, had phone conversations, ordered drinks…it was so sad. I’m sorry to go on…I wrestled with how much I should say. this has been a great thread and I’m sorry to leave it…the drc brides have been a great resource for info and ideas. thank you all! xo, tara

Thank you for the information about your visit..
Our wedding is April 11, and I have been so worried about the privacy, or lack thereof, at the wedding gazebo area.
I did email Ana about it, but I wasn't very reassured by the response I got.
If I still had the option of going to a different resort, I would also be looking into other options..I will be irate if there are people sitting 5 feet from our ceremony in their lounge chairs..I'm not the bridezilla type, but I think that would put me over the edge!!
I do have a question for you..is the beach pretty at least? the water looks pretty blue in some photos, but not so great in others I've seen..
Thanks again for the review!

[normajeane77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura22610 I have the buffet options. I will copy them here so everyone can see. It seems as if there a few different "themes" and I guess you just pick one? I am not sure if you can substitute or change things. We are having the buffet because we couldn't choose a dinner that everyone would like. For example, we have a couple people who are vegetarians, some that don't eat red meat, and some (like me!) that don't eat seafood. It would have been way to difficult to choose a menu!! We are having 30 people. So, here are the menus.....(there are also a couple vegetarian buffets - if anyone wants to see those, let me know and I will post!) Mexican Buffet Dinner Salad bar Shrimp Ceviche Calamari Ceviche Fish Ceviche Guacamole Mexican salsa Beef Salpicon Hot dish Chicken tamales with mole sauce Hard shell beef tacos Chicken fajitas Mexican rice Melted cheese with Mexican sausage Cheese turnovers Show cooking Tacos pastor style Mexican flank steak on the grill Desserts Mexican flan Fried Mexican pastry Buñuelos with caramel sauce Caribbean Buffet Dinner Salad bar Crab salad Tuna salad Tomato and smoke salmon Avocado and shrimp salad Tropical fruit salad Green salad Hot dish Rice with beans and fried plantain Chicken breast filed with vegetable served with mango sauce Sea bass filet with coconut sauce Mix vegetables with garlic butter Stuff potatoes with bacon and cheese Show cooking Baby back ribs with rum BBQ sauce Beef kebabs with mushroom and bell peppers Dessert Pineapple turnover Warm apple pie Chocolate cake BBQ Buffet Dinner Salad bar FIELD GREEN WITH QUESADILLAS CROUTONS CURRIED CHICKEN DALAD FRESH VEGETEBAL PASTA SALAD THREE BEAN SALAD ROASTED POTATOS SALAD CRANBERRY-WALNUT CABBAGE SLAW CARROTTE AND RAISIN SALAD HOT DISH CAJUN GRILLED CORN BAKE POTATOS WITH BACON AND GLAZED ONIONS GRILLED TERIYAKI MUSHROOM SMOKY GRILLED VEGETEBAL RICE WITH BLACK BEANS SHOW COOKING BEFF AND PORK RIBS ON THE BARBIE TUNA AND SALMON KABOB MARINED WITH LIME AND HERBES GRILL JERK CHICKEN BREAST DESSERT MILLEFEUILLE WITH MASCARPONE AND STRAWBERRY BANANA FRITTERS WITH ICE CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH PEACH

thanks for posting the buffet options!
Do you know how the menu works? Do you only get to choose one option for salad, hot dish, etc? Or does it come with all of the different dishes on the list?

[normajeane77]

I was reading over some of the posts about photographers and packages, but I was hoping someone could help clarify a few things for me!

 

We booked the Ultimate Dreams Package, and it includes 50 photos..but what does this mean?? Do we get the photograper included for the 50 photos, or do we have to pay separately to book him/her??

 

Does anyone has any info in writing regarding this, from Ana?

 

I'm totally confused about the photography and how it is priced with the ultimate dreams package

 

Also, does Ana book the photographer for you when you tell her who you want, or is that up to me?

 

Thanks alot!

[normajeane77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCBlondie has everyone (or anyone) decided on their bridesmaid dress colour? Now that I see the flower options I am not sure what colour I should be thinking...any suggestions?

I actually have decided on short, black dresses! I think they will look great with bright, tropical flowers!

[Princess402]

Quote:

Originally Posted by normajeane77 I was reading over some of the posts about photographers and packages, but I was hoping someone could help clarify a few things for me! We booked the Ultimate Dreams Package, and it includes 50 photos..but what does this mean?? Do we get the photograper included for the 50 photos, or do we have to pay separately to book him/her?? Does anyone has any info in writing regarding this, from Ana? I'm totally confused about the photography and how it is priced with the ultimate dreams package Also, does Ana book the photographer for you when you tell her who you want, or is that up to me? Thanks alot!

My understanding is that you will have a photographer included for a certain amount of time to take pictures of your ceremony (how long you'll have the photographer for, that I'm not sure) and you will receive 50 photos as a part of your package. I imagine that you could buy more if you like them. The photos that are included with the package will be taken by the resort photographer... I can't remember who the resort photographer is but I'm sure this is mentioned elsewhere on this thread... I think they are called Adventure Photos or something like that? If you've booked the ultimate package then Ana would book the photographer for you for your wedding, but you may want to check with her exactly how long you have the photographer for to make sure you get the coverage you want.

[rdsjcr]

I have emailed Ana as well stressing my concern about the privacy issue... she has not yet responded... (can't say I am too surprised though) But honestly, I agree-- the more of us that stress the importance of it to her- maybe things can change!!

[Boo]

Hey guys its been a couple of days I almost feel out of the loop

 

November 19, 2010 - got contract in hand but not signed yet

 

I am doing my ceremony at Secrets Maroma (dont recommend splitting to anyone, I think I am just in too deep but that is the most expensive thing now about our wedding, big yikes!) and when I had spoken to Ana about that, she said that she is aware that many couple are choosing to go else where, she even said that her and management is moving the site of the beach ceremony and although no weddings have taken place there yet she told me she will email me pictures as soon as one does happen - dont want to jump the gun but I think it is good news. Ana mentioned moving the site, if you are looking at the resort now its at the far left by the volleyball court the space wedding structure thing and the bar, and they will move it way right I think maybe even just past the resort? cause I guess that is a quieter side in any case.

 

I am looking at these lights under the table, has anyone used them? If I do a solid overlay do you think it will still work?

[Princess402]

Happy New Years girls!!!

Here's our list of upcoming weddings at DRC as we head into 2010:

 

Laura & ? - 2/26/2010

Carina & Ari - 2/27/2010

Pam & Kevin - 3/9/2010

Ashley & Perry - 4/4/2010

Amber & Jeff - 4/10/2010

normajeane77 – 4/11/2010

Kcgcristyn - 4/17/2010

Stephanie & Jamie - 4/24/2010

Jennifer & Michael - 5/7/2010

Jessica & Robbie - 5/15/2010

Margaret & Matthew - 5/15/2010

Megan & Jason - 5/21/2010

Ashley & ? - 5/30/2010

Rachelle & Randal - 6/3/2010

Nancy & Bruce - 6/11/2010

Erica & John – 6/19/2010

carlychristine - 6/22/2010

Evelilna & Phil - 6/25/2010

Allison & ? – 7/24/2010

Kelvin & Leydi - 7/30/2010

John & Lili - 8/1/2010

Casey & Ron - 9/18/2010

Vix1383 – 10/16/2010

Emma & ? - 10/23/2010

rdsjcr - 10/24/2010

wisconsionbride - 10/28/2010

Rachael & Alex - 10/31/2010

April & Reggie – 11/6/2010

boo (reception only) - 11/19/2010

Tracy & ? -11/26/2010

lnf_munchkin - 11/27/2010

Angela & Craig - 12/8/2010