foxytv

Quote: Originally Posted by amyh Aww Tammy, that sucks. I would be pissed too if FI didn't have a reaction. We put so much energy in planning something so special for our guys, I don't think they understand sometimes. Yes, try calling your photog in hopes that she/he still has the proofs. I just emailed her, so hopefully it's not too late.

I finally have everything unpacked and the BD book and card I gave to Tom before the wedding are the only things missing. I either left it at the resort when we packed up or (more likely) I packed it in the front sleeve of one of our suitcases that busted open. I am going to contact the resort and US Airways ... but I have a feeling it is gone for good. I am in tears not only b/c it's gone but b/c Tom doesn't seem to care. I guess I can check with the photog to see if she still has the proofs and reorder it but we did it almost a year ago now ... and if Tom doesn't even care, what's the point? Maybe he's just trying not to make a big deal out of it for my sake ... but seriously ... he could at least ACT like it mattered.

Wow Carly, everything looks absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see your wedding day pics b/c I know it's going to be so perfect and beautiful!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Robyn Mumford Are you freaking kidding me about the starfish All I wanted to see was a real live starfish on my trip, but did not go to Seona island..... ha! That is sooooo cool! I saw lots of fish but no starfish. Your dress was gorgeous, girl, cant wait to see your pro pics! If you get to go back, definitely go on the Saona Island trip. It was one of the highlights of our 2 weeks -- although we didn't have a bad second there the entire time!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by tevaBride02 Hey everyone, is anyone else baffled at the 17$ per person per hour open bar cost? Haven't our guests already payed thousands of dollars to eat and drink unlimited all week? I am struggling to justify spending 1800$ for drinks at an all inclusive...any thoughts? reccommendations? Foxy, can you tell me if there are any pool bars, etc near the Marino resort that everyone could just go get drinks at? I fought w/ Viviana on this upon arrival b/c none of her emails indicated that the bar was extra with the beach reception (although that was clear with the restaurant receptions). Otis1230 is right, Albufera is right by the Hibiscus bar and Marino is by both Hibiscus and Gabi Beach Bar ... so either option would work perfectly in order to avoid paying the extra bar fee. We had our per person open bar fee waived b/c I made Viviana find an email detailing that cost and she couldn't (b/c there wasn't one) and I asked repeated times via email if my figures for the cost were accurate. Our initial invoice was like $8300+ for the ceremony and reception. I got her down to $3800 ... which was just a few hundred dollars more than I anticipated. Even w/ a beach reception, if you do it near the Gabi Beach Bar ... I would skip the private bar cost. It was great for us since we didn't have to pay it and our beach reception was off from the restaurant and bar areas a bit.

Our beach reception at PPC was perfect. Not too windy at all and the temperature was great. it was initally set for 5pm, but our WC suggested that morning that we move it to 6:30 b/c of the heat. We did and it was no problem. We all just hung out in the gabi Beach Bar until it was time for sunset pics and the reception to start. I think the beach reception made it for our guests. having it in a restaurant takes away from a DW IMHO.

Quote: Originally Posted by LindsayG I feel like I haven't done ANYTHING! I am just now starting to let my WC where we want to have the ceremony/reception, planning menus, etc. Plus, I got a copy of the ceremony script for the symbolic ceremony and it SUCKS! Now I'm having to write an entire script from start to finish, and I have no clue how the spanish minister is going to read it. I'm totally guessing on locations since all I've seen is pictures. I haven't booked my photographers air or hotel yet, and I haven't bought anything for OOT bags. AAAH! Oh, and foxy, when are you going to come back so we can pester you with questions? Girl, you are going to be fine. Everything was totally PERFECT for our ceremony and reception! The script she sent you probably isn't exactly right. PM it to me and I'll highlight what was read for us. We added the Hand Ceremony (read by a family member) just before we said "I DO" -- which by the way is all we had to say, lol. I highly recommend a beach reception with the palm fronds to privatize it (didn't cost us extra for that). Hopefully my laptop will be fixed today and I can get the rest of those pics uploaded and my review written. I know you are freaking out wanting more info from me and trust me, I hate not having a computer at home to get it done! Many of the other receptions we saw on the beach were beautiful, but not private. Very near the Gabi Bar and you could see all the beach lounge chairs, etc. Because of how we had ours set up, it felt like our own private oasis. I promise to get you pics ASAP.

A bride whose wedding was 2 days before ours told us that while they were at the wedding and reception that all of their valuables were stolen from their room. Laptop, camera, cash out of the safe, etc. It seems that the resorts have a list of all wedding guests and can scan the rooms b/c they know people will be elsewhere during the wedding time. We did see two maids scoping out (or so it seemed) our room prior to our ceremony. We only had cash ... but did not keep it in the safe (my brother had about $80 stolen from the safe ... but they take money from the middle of your bills so it doesn't appear to be anything missing at first look). I left my fake e-ring out in plan view, and it was still there afterwards ... so I guess it all depends. Anyway, my advice would be to keeo valuables in a suitcase, covered with dirty clothes or something ... and locked with a luggage lock. We then put that suitcase inside of another suitcase and didn't have any issues.

It definitely happens. I have dealt with it already and in one instance, still am. I think sometimes it has to do with jealousy, and whether or not it's an intentional avoidance .... it still hurts. Tom and I have both come to the realization that our circle of friends is very likely to change now that we are married ... but we are okay with that.

Great stuff Lizz! I love your BM gifts and having just gotten back, I think the less-expensive tumblers work just as well as the more expensive travel mugs ... so good choice for saving money on that! Everything is awesome!!!

Boo! I hope you will come back to visit! Missing you already!!!! But good luck with everything and we all hope you will drop in every now and again, at least! Cheers to my BDW sista!

Get as mnay emails with the prices ahead of time and bring them with you. She did not argue with me once she realized I had everything printed out from the emails. We had to pay for the wedding BEFORE it took place, so as long as you do it that way, you won't be surprised by extra prices at checkout. We got a separate wedding invoice and had to pay it the day before.

Love them Heidi! You look beautiful and oh so happy! There are so many PERFECT ones to choose from!!!

I did OOT bags 1 per couple, and one per person for the single folks. Everyone (even the single guys) used the bags and the travel mugs. I highly recommend them. We took 2 extra suitcases (had to pay extra for that luggage) but left the suitcases at the resort so we didn't have extras to tote back. Our guests went on the Saona Island excursion, but they paid for it themselves. We just set it up and negotiated a lower rate (paid for both sets of parents to go though). It was 100% worth it according to each guest. They LOVED it (and so did we!!!)

Keep looking through this DR section b/c I have alraedy posted menus/prices/etc. I'll post my review ASAP but please bear with me ... my laptop doesn't work and I'm traveling a lot for work so hopefully it will be up in a week and I will have my laptop fixed and be back on BDW 24/7. lol

OMG it ws AWESOME!!!! Our guests all went the day we had our TTD pics taken and we negotiated $80/pp with the kids free b/c we had a group of over 20. When Tom and I went during our honeymoon it was $90/pp for us. Absolutely, totally, 100% worth it (see my Teaser Pics thread for 2 pics from our trip to Saona). I got my hair braided there for next to nothing and bought all my larimar jewlery for wwaayy less than I was able to negotiate anywhere else.

There was another wedding on my wedding day but we never ran into one another ... other than we were taking pics on the beach while they were having their beach ceremony ... but we stayed away. Both our receptions were on the beach but our was privated with palm fronds all around so people couldn't see in.

Our beach reception was $2500 plus $200 for the mic/speakers hook-up. Now, that is what we PAID although the initial invoice we were given at the resort the day before the wedding was for $8600+. I had to argue with her about the charges b/c it was completely different than what we discussed in our emails. Our ceremony and reception (private on the beach for 3 hours w/ 40 guests) totalled $3836 in all. The beach reception was absolutely perfect. I hope to get a review written in the next week.

I presume that Dreams will know/recognize the Photosouvenir staff? I only ask, b/c our photogs, who flew in from the US, stayed at a neighboring resort and just walked down the beach and met us for the rehearsal dinner, wedding and day-after sessions and didn't have a problem -- and didn't have to go through the lobby/pay for day passes/etc. Just a thought but it's risky if they know who the photogs are.

Depends on what you are looking for. If you want some nightlife ... I would recommend Paradisus Punta Cana (where we got married) and getting the Royal Service. It was a BLAST! Our honeymoon was at Paradisus Palma Real and it was very luxurious and relaxing, but not much in the way of nightlife. Either of those resorts, I highly recommend the Royal Service. It made a world of difference on our honeymoon, for sure! :-) I don't know about Excellence, but I'm sure it rocks!

Thanks for all the kind words ladies! I am still trying to get my computer to upload the rest of the pics ... but in the meantime here is a link to more pics that my BIL took. Mainly a few rehearsal shots, some wedding photos, and then just random family/guest shots. Kodakgallery.com*Join now and receive beautiful photographic prints from your camera Quote: Originally Posted by drbrainfreeze Tami: Love the pics!! You look so beautiful, happy and relaxed!! I was wondering, who are your BM dresses by? Bari Jay #249 & #251. Ours were Beige.

I had our sand ceremony vases in my carry-on handbag for the trip there. Each stuffed w/ tissue paper and double wrapped and taped w/ bubble wrap. For the trip home, we checked them. More tissue paper in the top of the one w/ the sand and then plastic wrap and a rubber band around the top. The others were stuffed with tissue and all were double wrapped in bubble wrap and then in a box that also had bubble wrap inside (and at the top) of one of our suitcases. They are all in perfect condition, with the only difference being a little extra mixing of the sand ceremony sand, which is even more beautiful now than before. Our candleholders, which were a smaller, thicker glass, I just wrapped individually in paper, placed all in a plastic bag and tucked between clothes. We had nothing break on the trip to or from. Good Luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by amyrak Wow Tami you looked AWESOME!! You can tell you looked so happy in your pics. Did you like that Soana Island?? When we went to Punta Cana I wanted to take an excursion there but we never did... Welcome back and can't wait to see more pics!! Saona Island was ssoo awesome! Well worth every penny. We went on our own during our honeymoon ... but sent our guests the day after the wedding while we had our TTD session and everyone loved it! Got some of the best deals on larimar there too!

I wore a veil and LOVED it. It was a bit windy but it made for some awesome pics!

Girl, I feel your pain. I had some really, really shitty BM experiences leading up to my wedding ... and now that the wedding is over am thankful for the eye-opening experience about what I/we expect out of friends and what some people are willing/able to deliver. I was just like you months ago, heartbroken, hurt, angry, almost in tears --- but truly like these others BDW ladies had to tell me ... NO ONE cares about our wedding as much as we do. I tried to let that be my foundation, and it helped ... but the hurt feelings still remain for things that no one helped with, etc etc etc. Just remember that in the end, its you and your man and as long as you are in it together -- it everything will be perfect. And I just got back from my our honeymoon less than 24 hours ago so trust me! :-)