Dreams Riviera Cancun - Brides post here (new thread)

[dimplesandsuga]

TigerLily

 

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING, BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!  Your centerpieces ....the tall ones, are how I planned on going, only i'm using ostrich feathers of Royal Blue and Fucschia.  What were the 2 green and yellow cards that were in the sand in the wedding photos?  Also, the hanging white ball laterns, did the resort provide this?  I'm probably going to upgrade when I get there as we have the comp package but I think I want the Ultimate as more and more people keep calling my TA and are planning on attending, I'm at 48 now and that doesn't include the wedding party of just six.  Could you tell me what they give you, what I should def plan on bringing and what would you do different? Also the decor for the ceremony, did you bring that?  if so, where did you get them from?...the chair sash and the archway colors.   Thank you and Congratulations again!!!  I'm 05/12/2012

 

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

Hi everyone,  I haven't been on for quite a while (too busy with projects!). I had to stop logging on bc everytime I did, I added to the diy list, lol. Anyhow, my FI (now husband : ) and I got married at DRC on Saturday, Dec 3rd. We're both extremely happy with our decision. The resort is gorgeous, staff is friendly, and even our picky eaters raved about the food.

 

Yamina is great- she's very friendly and did a wonderful job with our wedding...and she managed to pull everything off exactly how we envisioned it. (I had Ana before, so I was only in contact with Yamina for a few weeks). I brought her two- yes two- large suitcases full of stuff- and everything worked out fine. Anyhow, here's our slideshow. If anyone has any quetions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll try to answer them as best I can.

 

Our slideshow: http://031211primus.dreamsriveriacancun.adventurephotos.com.mx/#/primus-1/

 

 

 

[TigerLily]

I know it's alot, but if you can budget it in, the dance floor was totally worth it... I'm sure every wedding is different, but at ours, everyone loved it- immediately after dinner, people got up and started dancing. I think it helped define the dance space (people were dancing around it too). There was a lot of drinking going on and we had no issues with anyone falling off lol.
 

I purchased my camera from Ebay- it was a $130 bundle for the camera and 50 wide films. I'm going to be selling my camera on here for $40 plus shipping. PM me if you're interested. We only used it that night : )
 

Originally Posted by Kmarch85 

Your photos are amazing! Thank you for sharing.  I am so happy that I have Anel for my photography too.  I also did the full day coverage.

 

Did you think the dance floor was worth it?  I am debating whether or not to have it.  Makes me nervous that people might fall off of it.

 

I am also going to use your idea for the photo guest book.  Where did you purchase your camera? 

Thank you!

 

95 days! so much to do.

Also can you list what you did for your OOT bags?  I am in a stump.
 

 

 

[TigerLily]

Thanks dimples...congrats on your upcoming wedding (it comes sooo fast).  The 2 cards in the sand were our ceremony programs. We just did half in yellow and half in green. The resort did provide those hanging white lanterns. I've seen them in photos hanging down from a pole vertically, but she said hanging them across was an option so we went with that. I forget how much they were...$150 maybe? WOW, you have a lot of people going! That's gonna add up fast... I brought ALOT of stuff with me, we had 2 large suitcases full of just wedding stuff. Luckily my parents brought one and his parents took the other. I'll be 100% honest, it was kind of a pain lugging all that stuff there, but we saved SO much money, even paying $60 for extra luggage fees, that I'm glad we went that route. If you're loaded and have a huge budget, then the resort will provide almost anything you need- but it'll cost you.

 

The fabric for the chuppah, for example- I believe the resort charges $300 or something crazy. I was looking for chiffon fabric that wasn't too expensive. Even at $5 a yard though, it was coming out to about $100 ( the chuppah is 8' on all sides, so I figured I'd need about 10 yards each for both colors I wanted to use). When I didn't find anything I liked, I looked for similar fabrics and found a very inexpensive organza, which isn't as flowy but did the job, since they had to tie it down around the poles anyway. It was pretty windy while we were there. Anyhow, I purchased 10 yards of each color for about $20 from http://www.giftsintl-us.com/products.php?cat=59  And that's with shipping! $20 for 20 yards def beats paying $300.

 

Chair sashes and table runners I bought myself from http://www.prestigelinens.com/. Cheaper than the $5 a sash the resort charges. I think the only additional thing I used from the resort was the lighting and dance floor (only bc that wouldn't fit in my suitcase lol). We brought with us the sashes and runners, chuppah fabric, table centerpieces, diy ceremony programs, paper fans, sand ceremony frame & sand, ceremony aisle decorations (starfish and raffia), maracas, guest book, camera, and props, tray and sea shell escort card holders + escort cards, and our cake topper. My mom & I also made my 2 maids of honor's bouquets since the resort wanted $60-$100 each (my flowers were real and included in the wed pkg).

 

Oh and PS: I think you were the one that mentioned Sky Lanterns in previous posts. I had asked Ana about these MONTHS ago and she said, sure no problem. Wouldn't you know that I get down there and Yamina tells me that, sorry, Ana made a mistake, those aren't allowed here-protected area.  Wonderful! I'm glad I spent my $ and lugged them down there for no reason. The ONLY reason I didn't put up any kind of a fight is because, like i said, it was super windy and we wouldn't have been able to set them off anyway.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimplesandsuga 

TigerLily

 

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING, BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!  Your centerpieces ....the tall ones, are how I planned on going, only i'm using ostrich feathers of Royal Blue and Fucschia.  What were the 2 green and yellow cards that were in the sand in the wedding photos?  Also, the hanging white ball laterns, did the resort provide this?  I'm probably going to upgrade when I get there as we have the comp package but I think I want the Ultimate as more and more people keep calling my TA and are planning on attending, I'm at 48 now and that doesn't include the wedding party of just six.  Could you tell me what they give you, what I should def plan on bringing and what would you do different? Also the decor for the ceremony, did you bring that?  if so, where did you get them from?...the chair sash and the archway colors.   Thank you and Congratulations again!!!  I'm 05/12/2012

 

 

 

[TigerLily]

One last thing...I just have to post our cake topper- sooo cute- loved it- from Etsy seller Mud Cards. It's us and our 2 cats

 

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/mudcards?ref=seller_info

 

[juliej84]

What a great review! TigerLily--thank you for all of the information you have given us!! I wanted to ask you, did you have to pay for the chuppah itself for the beach?

 

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

Thanks dimples...congrats on your upcoming wedding (it comes sooo fast).  The 2 cards in the sand were our ceremony programs. We just did half in yellow and half in green. The resort did provide those hanging white lanterns. I've seen them in photos hanging down from a pole vertically, but she said hanging them across was an option so we went with that. I forget how much they were...$150 maybe? WOW, you have a lot of people going! That's gonna add up fast... I brought ALOT of stuff with me, we had 2 large suitcases full of just wedding stuff. Luckily my parents brought one and his parents took the other. I'll be 100% honest, it was kind of a pain lugging all that stuff there, but we saved SO much money, even paying $60 for extra luggage fees, that I'm glad we went that route. If you're loaded and have a huge budget, then the resort will provide almost anything you need- but it'll cost you.

 

The fabric for the chuppah, for example- I believe the resort charges $300 or something crazy. I was looking for chiffon fabric that wasn't too expensive. Even at $5 a yard though, it was coming out to about $100 ( the chuppah is 8' on all sides, so I figured I'd need about 10 yards each for both colors I wanted to use). When I didn't find anything I liked, I looked for similar fabrics and found a very inexpensive organza, which isn't as flowy but did the job, since they had to tie it down around the poles anyway. It was pretty windy while we were there. Anyhow, I purchased 10 yards of each color for about $20 from http://www.giftsintl-us.com/products.php?cat=59  And that's with shipping! $20 for 20 yards def beats paying $300.

 

Chair sashes and table runners I bought myself from http://www.prestigelinens.com/. Cheaper than the $5 a sash the resort charges. I think the only additional thing I used from the resort was the lighting and dance floor (only bc that wouldn't fit in my suitcase lol). We brought with us the sashes and runners, chuppah fabric, table centerpieces, diy ceremony programs, paper fans, sand ceremony frame & sand, ceremony aisle decorations (starfish and raffia), maracas, guest book, camera, and props, tray and sea shell escort card holders + escort cards, and our cake topper. My mom & I also made my 2 maids of honor's bouquets since the resort wanted $60-$100 each (my flowers were real and included in the wed pkg).

 

Oh and PS: I think you were the one that mentioned Sky Lanterns in previous posts. I had asked Ana about these MONTHS ago and she said, sure no problem. Wouldn't you know that I get down there and Yamina tells me that, sorry, Ana made a mistake, those aren't allowed here-protected area.  Wonderful! I'm glad I spent my $ and lugged them down there for no reason. The ONLY reason I didn't put up any kind of a fight is because, like i said, it was super windy and we wouldn't have been able to set them off anyway.

 

Quote:

 

 

[dimplesandsuga]

OMG!!! Thank you for telling me about the sky laterns.  Yasmina actually told me it was ok and I bought them, but now I have time to return them.  I would have been so mad!  Well I think some folks are still in the stage of saying they are coming, I'm really counting on 20-30 and that's it.....HOPEFULLY!  I don't know how much this wedding is going to cost, were saving but I'm worried we won't have enough money....I'M ACTUALLY TERRIFIED!!!!  All in all, decor aside, if you dont' mind my asking, how much did you budget for vs. actual cost.
 

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

Thanks dimples...congrats on your upcoming wedding (it comes sooo fast).  The 2 cards in the sand were our ceremony programs. We just did half in yellow and half in green. The resort did provide those hanging white lanterns. I've seen them in photos hanging down from a pole vertically, but she said hanging them across was an option so we went with that. I forget how much they were...$150 maybe? WOW, you have a lot of people going! That's gonna add up fast... I brought ALOT of stuff with me, we had 2 large suitcases full of just wedding stuff. Luckily my parents brought one and his parents took the other. I'll be 100% honest, it was kind of a pain lugging all that stuff there, but we saved SO much money, even paying $60 for extra luggage fees, that I'm glad we went that route. If you're loaded and have a huge budget, then the resort will provide almost anything you need- but it'll cost you.

 

The fabric for the chuppah, for example- I believe the resort charges $300 or something crazy. I was looking for chiffon fabric that wasn't too expensive. Even at $5 a yard though, it was coming out to about $100 ( the chuppah is 8' on all sides, so I figured I'd need about 10 yards each for both colors I wanted to use). When I didn't find anything I liked, I looked for similar fabrics and found a very inexpensive organza, which isn't as flowy but did the job, since they had to tie it down around the poles anyway. It was pretty windy while we were there. Anyhow, I purchased 10 yards of each color for about $20 from http://www.giftsintl-us.com/products.php?cat=59  And that's with shipping! $20 for 20 yards def beats paying $300.

 

Chair sashes and table runners I bought myself from http://www.prestigelinens.com/. Cheaper than the $5 a sash the resort charges. I think the only additional thing I used from the resort was the lighting and dance floor (only bc that wouldn't fit in my suitcase lol). We brought with us the sashes and runners, chuppah fabric, table centerpieces, diy ceremony programs, paper fans, sand ceremony frame & sand, ceremony aisle decorations (starfish and raffia), maracas, guest book, camera, and props, tray and sea shell escort card holders + escort cards, and our cake topper. My mom & I also made my 2 maids of honor's bouquets since the resort wanted $60-$100 each (my flowers were real and included in the wed pkg).

 

Oh and PS: I think you were the one that mentioned Sky Lanterns in previous posts. I had asked Ana about these MONTHS ago and she said, sure no problem. Wouldn't you know that I get down there and Yamina tells me that, sorry, Ana made a mistake, those aren't allowed here-protected area.  Wonderful! I'm glad I spent my $ and lugged them down there for no reason. The ONLY reason I didn't put up any kind of a fight is because, like i said, it was super windy and we wouldn't have been able to set them off anyway.

 

Quote:

 

 

[dimplesandsuga]

Were not super rich, that's for sure. So for the ceremony programs...I know I need to print those before we leave to go down there...how will I know how the events for the evening will go, plus wedding programs are detailed...I'm still working on the details, I feel like I will never have the details nailed down and I dont' want to print them and make a mistake.  For the isle, where did you get decor big enough for that?  Are they picky as to the type of runner you put down or what would you recommend...They do provide one right?  I'm having my bouquest and boutonnieres made from real feel flowers, got the whole bunch for $200 and that includes Mom's corsage, dad, father of groom, groom, 3 groomsmen and 1 ring bearer and 1 flag boy and 3 bouquest for my attendants.  Where did you find Maracas?  I would love to find some white, pink and royal blue ones. Our colors are Royal Blue and Fushia with a silver lining.

 

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

Thanks dimples...congrats on your upcoming wedding (it comes sooo fast).  The 2 cards in the sand were our ceremony programs. We just did half in yellow and half in green. The resort did provide those hanging white lanterns. I've seen them in photos hanging down from a pole vertically, but she said hanging them across was an option so we went with that. I forget how much they were...$150 maybe? WOW, you have a lot of people going! That's gonna add up fast... I brought ALOT of stuff with me, we had 2 large suitcases full of just wedding stuff. Luckily my parents brought one and his parents took the other. I'll be 100% honest, it was kind of a pain lugging all that stuff there, but we saved SO much money, even paying $60 for extra luggage fees, that I'm glad we went that route. If you're loaded and have a huge budget, then the resort will provide almost anything you need- but it'll cost you.

 

The fabric for the chuppah, for example- I believe the resort charges $300 or something crazy. I was looking for chiffon fabric that wasn't too expensive. Even at $5 a yard though, it was coming out to about $100 ( the chuppah is 8' on all sides, so I figured I'd need about 10 yards each for both colors I wanted to use). When I didn't find anything I liked, I looked for similar fabrics and found a very inexpensive organza, which isn't as flowy but did the job, since they had to tie it down around the poles anyway. It was pretty windy while we were there. Anyhow, I purchased 10 yards of each color for about $20 from http://www.giftsintl-us.com/products.php?cat=59  And that's with shipping! $20 for 20 yards def beats paying $300.

 

Chair sashes and table runners I bought myself from http://www.prestigelinens.com/. Cheaper than the $5 a sash the resort charges. I think the only additional thing I used from the resort was the lighting and dance floor (only bc that wouldn't fit in my suitcase lol). We brought with us the sashes and runners, chuppah fabric, table centerpieces, diy ceremony programs, paper fans, sand ceremony frame & sand, ceremony aisle decorations (starfish and raffia), maracas, guest book, camera, and props, tray and sea shell escort card holders + escort cards, and our cake topper. My mom & I also made my 2 maids of honor's bouquets since the resort wanted $60-$100 each (my flowers were real and included in the wed pkg).

 

Oh and PS: I think you were the one that mentioned Sky Lanterns in previous posts. I had asked Ana about these MONTHS ago and she said, sure no problem. Wouldn't you know that I get down there and Yamina tells me that, sorry, Ana made a mistake, those aren't allowed here-protected area.  Wonderful! I'm glad I spent my $ and lugged them down there for no reason. The ONLY reason I didn't put up any kind of a fight is because, like i said, it was super windy and we wouldn't have been able to set them off anyway.

 

Quote:

 

 

[dimplesandsuga]

OH OH OH....Almost forgot, Napkins.....should I bring cloth napkins as well as the printed kind or do they offer those?
 

Originally Posted by dimplesandsuga 

Were not super rich, that's for sure. So for the ceremony programs...I know I need to print those before we leave to go down there...how will I know how the events for the evening will go, plus wedding programs are detailed...I'm still working on the details, I feel like I will never have the details nailed down and I dont' want to print them and make a mistake.  For the isle, where did you get decor big enough for that?  Are they picky as to the type of runner you put down or what would you recommend...They do provide one right?  I'm having my bouquest and boutonnieres made from real feel flowers, got the whole bunch for $200 and that includes Mom's corsage, dad, father of groom, groom, 3 groomsmen and 1 ring bearer and 1 flag boy and 3 bouquest for my attendants.  Where did you find Maracas?  I would love to find some white, pink and royal blue ones. Our colors are Royal Blue and Fushia with a silver lining.

 

 

 

[TigerLily]

-Julie, the chuppah (with white fabric if you want) is included- no extra charge for this.

 

-Dimples, the ceremony programs are one of the last things I printed and made before we left (maybe like 2 weeks before). I was getting stressed out about the details too, so my solution was to keep it really simple. I wanted them to look nice, but I know that some people barely glance @ programs, and most end up in the garbage. I just browsed thru some of the ones girls posted on here and pieced together ideas. My biggest headache (and probably a breeze for some) was picking out the music. I starting thinking about it too late and it was stressing me out.

 

-I just used the aisle runner they provided- that was fine for us. It kind of just blended in with the sand. I'm sure if you brought your own they would put it down.

 

-I bought my maracas @ http://www.amols.com/browse/search?page=2&sa.x=17&sa.y=10&search=maracas. They were great, and the maracas came quickly and undamaged. It's cool that they say Mexico on them too. If you want fancier ones, you can visit http://mishkadesignspv.blogspot.com/2008/09/maraca-by-any-other-name.html. More expensive, but custom to your design and colors. I'm glad we didn't spend extra $ on this.

 

-We didn't bring napkins at all. We just used the white cloth ones they provide. You can bring almost anything you want and they'll set it up for you.

 

-As far as budget goes, I know it breaks every rule in the book, but we didn't really set one. Not to say that it was unlimited (by any means), but it wasn't set in stone. We just figured roughly around $8K-12K (including our stay), and we came close to that- maybe closer to $12 though... I saved all my receipts but havent tallied them up yet. We both got better jobs about 5 months ago & that certainly helped.

 

If you're really picky (I mean anyone), I would highly suggest setting things up the way you want @ home and bringing a picture of the setup with you, that way there's no room for error or misinterpritation.

 

This is the way I had wanted the fans and programs set up on the chairs, but again, it was too windy and didn't happen... they didn't bother opening the fans because if was so breezy and comfortable, and the programs would have blown away...they just handed them out.

 

 

 

[juliej84]

TigerLily--Thanks for answering my questions as far as the chuppah goes!!!
 

Originally Posted by TigerLily 

-Julie, the chuppah (with white fabric if you want) is included- no extra charge for this.

 

-Dimples, the ceremony programs are one of the last things I printed and made before we left (maybe like 2 weeks before). I was getting stressed out about the details too, so my solution was to keep it really simple. I wanted them to look nice, but I know that some people barely glance @ programs, and most end up in the garbage. I just browsed thru some of the ones girls posted on here and pieced together ideas. My biggest headache (and probably a breeze for some) was picking out the music. I starting thinking about it too late and it was stressing me out.

 

-I just used the aisle runner they provided- that was fine for us. It kind of just blended in with the sand. I'm sure if you brought your own they would put it down.

 

-I bought my maracas @ http://www.amols.com/browse/search?page=2&sa.x=17&sa.y=10&search=maracas. They were great, and the maracas came quickly and undamaged. It's cool that they say Mexico on them too. If you want fancier ones, you can visit http://mishkadesignspv.blogspot.com/2008/09/maraca-by-any-other-name.html. More expensive, but custom to your design and colors. I'm glad we didn't spend extra $ on this.

 

-We didn't bring napkins at all. We just used the white cloth ones they provide. You can bring almost anything you want and they'll set it up for you.

 

-As far as budget goes, I know it breaks every rule in the book, but we didn't really set one. Not to say that it was unlimited (by any means), but it wasn't set in stone. We just figured roughly around $8K-12K (including our stay), and we came close to that- maybe closer to $12 though... I saved all my receipts but havent tallied them up yet. We both got better jobs about 5 months ago & that certainly helped.

 

If you're really picky (I mean anyone), I would highly suggest setting things up the way you want @ home and bringing a picture of the setup with you, that way there's no room for error or misinterpritation.

 

This is the way I had wanted the fans and programs set up on the chairs, but again, it was too windy and didn't happen... they didn't bother opening the fans because if was so breezy and comfortable, and the programs would have blown away...they just handed them out.