aventura spa palace

Raluca - I think you had the MOST popular dress of the year! You are the 5th bride I've seen it on (between friends, photographers pics, and here!) However, I must say... YOU pulled it off better than anyone I've seen! You were an absolutely STUNNING bride! I loved how your hair was so natural. LOVED LOVED LOVED your flower! Makes we want to give up on this whole growing my hair out! Anyway love what you've posted so far! Can't wait to see more! =)

Raluca -- you were a gorgeous bride and oh my- those pics are stunning! I was looking to get married in Punta Cana and now I am thinking Riveria Maya... and I am looking at Aventura. Quick quiestions-- did it bother you and your guests that you are not directly on a beach? How easy is it get to the beach? Also- I have a friend who does photography on the side and is willing to do for our gift, but after looking at your pics- how can I not go with him...would you say he is affordable?

 

thanks and congrats!!

FutureMrs,
I KNOOOW! When I first bought the dress in March, it was a new arrival. I was stunned - loved it. It was THE ONE. So after, I started seeing wedding after wedding after wedding - in the local paper, on my friend's facebook, even one of my friends, on the photographer's site - all in the same dress!! Even at a fitting, I walked in to find another bride getting fitted in that same dress. I didn't even want to come out of the fitting room. lol. I tried others on and told myself I can find another one, but in the end it was THE ONE, and I couldn't rid myself of it. So I told myself just what you said (which I thank you for, really!) - that I will pull it off the best and that's that.
And the reason why I chose this dress was my hair. It is perfect in my opinion for short hair. But, of course, before the wedding, I was obsessed with the "up-do" - no sites/magazines really show you short hair for wedding style...So I considered extensions heavily before leaving. But then, I told myself I want to be me on that day - and "me" is not long flowy hair at all...it's short and fun so I told myself that's what I will do. Now, not to say that I didn't have major doubts on the day of, watching another ASP bride get her long hair done so beautifully...lol...so it's really how you feel and what you decide...:-)))

Raluca

Rd,
I have been to Punta Cana twice, and I would choose RM any day for my wedding...but this is a personal decision, really....don't want to influence you...choose ASP...lol:-)))
It didn't bother me not to be on the beach - but i heard that comment many times. And I would say that if you really want to be on the beach, ASP is not for you. I wanted to be in a gazebo, mostly because I am a shoe freak and so are my bridesmaids and ...well...I couldn't have imagined my day barefoot. (shallow? yes!) Now, we did take them off for the reception, but at that point it was very fitting and romantic to do so...
Many people who dream of their wedding on a beach, actually want to do it on the sand - I wanted the ocean in the background (and what a background it was!) and for my guests to have fun not only on the day of but at the resort in general. And let me tell you, we had FUN. The activity pool was tons of fun -- not sure what others thought of our crazy group (NaM??:-))) but we participated in many events at the pool and had a riot (the swim up bar helped). So even if ASP would have had a beach, none of my guests would have preferred it over the activity pool. But it's up to you...you're the bride, you know your group and the kind of atmosphere you want. I recommend ASP all the way.
As for Sascha, I can say, yes, based on my research (and I could swear I spent 9 neverending months on the internet with photographers and other vendors) he was AFFORDABLE for what we had in mind. The fact that he has an assistant (who takes photos as well - so you get all kinds of views and as he is shooting the girls getting ready, his assistant is meeting up with the guys to get their pics) he was there for 8 hours straight (and had fun with us!) and then showed up the next morning and picked us up for another 2 hours, coupled with the quality of the shots and his personal demeanor....his services are a great deal. I had priced a bunch of different photogs all based on this forum....he had the best prices, and you didn't sacrifice quality of work. (did I brag on him enough??) If you are considering him, I think you should contact him soon because I know he gets booked up...maybe just to see his pricing and get a status on your wedding date. He had told us he had some weddings booked up in July 2010, so it's wise to get on his calendar sooner than later.

Does this help? Tootles!
Raluca

I'm going to agree with Raluca and say RM is way better than Punta Cana in my opinion. They are both gorgeous but I'm just a little partial to Mexico in general.
About the beach-a few people brought this up when they first got there but after we had pool time (at the swim up bar) and we went snorkeling...I think everyone was really pleased. We didn't hear a single complaint because everything else was so great. I, like Raluca, wanted a gazebo and the beach as a back drop "and what a backdrop it was"
I'll hopefully have my pro pics back soon so I'll post those and my review within the next few weeks (hopefully sooner rather than later). But for now here are a few from my camera:
The Cove Side:


Cove Side Gazebo (the red carpet is gone for good!):


Note: you have to walk down some stairs to get to the gazebo. Beautiful entrance though:


All the guys lined up:


All smiles:


BM playing guitar. They have a full music system if you want live music. We also hired the Mexican tri for cocktail hour (which I have no pictures of right now):


Pictures after the ceremony:


**Just a note** since we got married in November I didn't take the time into account. We got married at 4 and although I enjoyed having all day to relax and get ready...we started a little late and missed out on some great pictures. If I could go back and do it again I would pick 3. That being said if I was getting married in the summer before day light savings time anything earlier might be too hot and I would def stick to 4. All personal preference though so make sure you research what will make you most happy!!

Here is some of us playing in the ocean. They had this great (free) snorkeling tour and you saw Octopi, star fish, and tons and tons of diff fish who's names I can't even remember. It totally beats just sitting out and taking a swim...that's what the pool is for.

 

 

 

Hi ladies...

 

I posted a few pictures from my wedding in October.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've been so busy I have had no chance to write a review!

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...4/#post1095347

Sorry, I'm confused on time zones and seasons! We are getting married in June at 6pm.... what do you think? Too late??

FutureMsRell, I bet you will be okay... the sun should set around 7:30pm.

 

Here is a helpful link: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

NaM - I love your pics and can't wait to read your review!