Introduction
The adage “you get what you pay for” is often a reliable measure, but our experience with Dream Events by JMD defied this conventional wisdom. Our chosen package was modest in cost, yet the level of service we encountered was extraordinary. From the outset, it was evident that Dream Events possessed a unique ability to transform wedding aspirations into breathtaking realities. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with an unparalleled sensitivity to the needs of their clients, set them apart as an exceptional choice for couples seeking a truly unforgettable celebration.
A skillful and lively host, very helpful staff and coordinators, a talented venue stylist, delectable and generous food servings (good job catering team), and of course, as indicated in the title, outstanding at handling clients with disabilities (more about that later).
What are the Strengths of Dream Events by JMD?
The team at Dream Events by JMD exhibited exemplary professionalism throughout our interactions. Their attentiveness to our desires was evident from the initial consultation, where they patiently listened to our vision for the wedding. The subsequent contract was meticulously drafted, clearly outlining the services to be provided and demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
Beyond the business aspect, the true magic unfolded on the wedding day. We were truly amazed at the service they provided, which is hard to find among budget coordinators like them in the Philippines nowadays. The dedicated staff transformed our chosen venue into a captivating wonderland, flawlessly executing our Christmas-themed vision. Every detail, from the elegant table settings to the enchanting lighting, was meticulously considered. The culinary experience was equally impressive, with delectable dishes that delighted us and all our guests.
Exceptional Care for Their Clients with Disabilities
A cornerstone of Dream Events’ exceptional service is their unwavering commitment to inclusivity. As a blind couple, we approached the planning process with a degree of trepidation, uncertain about how our needs would be accommodated. However, Dream Events alleviated our concerns from the outset.
Right after informing them of our situation, we immediately clarified a few things for them. They must treat us the same as their other clients. No highlighting our disability whatsoever; they would do the whole program without any mention of our disability… Well, they’ve done an awesome job! How they assisted us throughout the day, how they oriented us for each task, how they helped in every part of the wedding without making us feel awkward, and how they found ways to make the event as smooth as possible despite some challenges.
Of course, there were adjustments, but it felt like they Googled everything beforehand or attended disability awareness or sensitivity training. In that aspect, we were definitely impressed, with almost nothing negative to say! Ms. Jamelah was so helpful that it felt like we wanted to be friends with her!
Ms. Jamelah, the lead coordinator, demonstrated a remarkable level of empathy and understanding. Her proactive approach ensured that we were fully involved in every aspect of the wedding planning process, providing clear and detailed explanations at every turn. The entire Dream Events team embraced our unique circumstances with grace and professionalism, creating an atmosphere of comfort and support.
On the wedding day, the team’s expertise shone through. They seamlessly integrated accommodations for our visual impairment, ensuring that we were fully immersed in the festivities. From guiding us through the ceremony to assisting with the reception, their efforts were nothing short of exceptional.
Dream Events Production’s Photo and Video Services
The photography and videography team also exceeded our expectations. Their clear and concise instructions made it easy for us to pose and capture beautiful moments. The resulting wedding video highlight was a masterpiece, expertly edited with a perfect blend of visuals and audio.
Our SDE turned out beautifully, and we were very happy with the result based on the descriptions from those who could see the seven minutes and three seconds video highlight they edited. We also loved the background music we requested, and the audio editing was clear without clipping. We just wish we had known about the specific pricing for extending the video length earlier, as we would have opted for a ten-minute highlight instead. Nevertheless, the overall quality of the work was undeniable so it’s fine with us.
Are we Satisfied with the Hair and Makeup provided by Dream Events?
The bride and I were satisfied with the hair and makeup (HMUA), which were fresh and light yet highlighted our natural look. Both artists were friendly and admitted they had some hesitation when they learned we were blind, but they still did their job correctly.
Their willingness to confront their preconceived notions is a testament to their professionalism and dedication. It is disheartening to realize that such reservations still exist in our society, but we hope that by sharing our positive experience, we can encourage others to approach individuals with disabilities without prejudice. Ultimately, we aspire for a world where differences are celebrated, and everyone is treated with equal respect and dignity, regardless of their abilities.
Areas for Improvement
Not-so-good experiences we and our guests had before and during the wedding day
It would sound like flattery if we only mentioned praises here. We wrote this review to help readers make informed decisions about available service providers like Dream Events by JMD.
While our overall experience with Dream Events by JMD was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few instances where service fell short of our expectations:
- Sound System Issues: A delay in setting up the sound system caused a disruption to the ceremony timeline. Additionally, technical difficulties with the provided flash drive impacted the music selection.
- Hair and Makeup: While the bride was satisfied with her hair and makeup, some members of the wedding party expressed dissatisfaction with the results. Furthermore, a pre-agreed-upon request for the bride was not fulfilled as planned.
- Seating Arrangements: The provided seating arrangement was not adhered to, causing some confusion and inconvenience for guests particularly our families and relatives.
- Giveaway Distribution: There were errors in distributing the planned giveaways to the intended recipients.
- Outdated Checklist: Despite providing a detailed and updated checklist, Dream Events relied on an outdated version, leading to minor logistical challenges.
Issues with the Lights and Sounds by Dream Events
First, regarding the sound system which was also under Dream Events: The ceremony was delayed for almost an hour because they set up late. Some music tracks couldn’t be played because, according to them, the flash drive we provided was corrupted. That could have certainly been avoided if only the DJ had arrived early, done a sound check, and tested the flash drives. If that didn’t work, we could have found another way since we had a backup on OneDrive that could have been downloaded. What we know is that they should have been there at least two hours ahead. So we think that would have been enough time to solve issues such as this. Good thing and good job for them that they had internet access and managed to download some replacements though not completely. It was unfortunate because some songs we edited couldn’t be played. Because of this, we highly suggest everyone reading this post especially those potential clients that you start using cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive, and move away from physical storage for critical things like music playback for events; to avoid similar situations like this moving forward.
Hair and Makeup Unfulfilled Request
Regarding the HMUA, we had a request agreed upon days before the event with an additional payment of course, but it wasn’t fulfilled on the day. Fortunately, they found a way, and we saw that they did their best. However, aside from the bride and groom, they did not retouch the mothers and female squad who availed of HMUA service before the ceremony. Some entourage members were not very satisfied with the HMUA, but to be fair – we think that’s personal preference and subjective.
Seating Arrangements were Completely Disregarded
The seating plan we provided wasn’t followed, including the specific table assignments. It’s really disappointing because the bride, who is a Swiftie, carefully selected Taylor Swift album names for the table names and thoughtfully assigned guests to each table based on her criteria. Our squad and some immediate family members were placed at the back, and due to space limitations, they could hardly see what was happening in front. We also learned that some venue properties, specifically chairs, were replaced, which was obviously beyond our control.
Issues in the Distribution of Giveaways
Also, specific giveaways were not given to the intended recipients, like they were mixed up or not given at all.
Dream Events and Their Outdated Checklist
During the preparation months, Dream Events was very responsive to our chat messages, regularly following up and checking in, which was far better than the feedback we read about other coordinators in various FB groups. However, they didn’t pay much attention to the checklist we updated with the latest changes. This led to some surprises during the event, as we assumed they were well-informed since we made sure the updated details were well-formatted, organized, and complete. Despite the difficulties we faced using accessibility tools for computers and cellphones, we made the file format easy for them, converting it to image format besides PowerPoint for easier access via Messenger. Unfortunately, they did not update their end, and the outdated version of the checklist was printed out. That was a bit disappointing for us because the last thing we wanted was a disruption in the program flow, though in fairness, the whole event still went smoothly and as planned in general.
Conclusion
Despite these minor setbacks, Dream Events by JMD delivered a truly unforgettable wedding experience. Ms. Jamelah’s exceptional leadership, combined with the dedication of the entire team, created a magical atmosphere that will be remembered for years to come.
Overall, those minor mishaps were acceptable, especially since, for the most part, the event could be considered a success. We are very thankful that we chose Dream Events by JMD in a time when frauds and scammers are rampant. They were even very lenient with payment terms, which we think is a bit risky for their part. Society thrives on trust and confidence, but this changes over time due to unfair practices by some.
We are grateful to the Lord for introducing us to Dream Events by JMD, led by Ms. Jamelah, because without them, we wouldn’t have had a memorable wedding that we will forever cherish. Thank you so much, Dream Events by JMD!
Do We Recommend Dream Events by JMD?
We highly recommend Ms. Jamelah as host and head coordinator for her skills and dedication, Dream Events Production for their expertise and professionalism in photo and video, Dream Events catering for their beautiful setup and styling, delicious food, and menu selections, and all their tie-up suppliers who gave their best for us to have a meaningful wedding! Their collaborative efforts resulted in a truly unforgettable celebration that exceeded our wildest dreams. The attention to detail, creativity, and seamless execution from each team member made our special day not only (almost) stress-free but also filled with joy and love. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and are forever grateful for the memories they helped create.
