Princess402

Quote: Originally Posted by amandalovesryan i stayed at casa del mar. we flew into punta cana and it was a long drive. the resort was nice. very pretty. awesome snorkeling! don't remember the wedding gazebo. the price was great. the food just okay. i will see what pics i have. Sorry to keep adding to my own thread but I just came across the picture of the wedding gazebo that I had seen before and thought I would post it: It's not spectacular or anything I know, but it just really strikes me as so beautiful.

Hey did you guys see? The Sunscape Casa del Mar now actually is Dreams La Romana! (I didn't think the conversion would be THAT fast.) Check it out: Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa: Unlimited-Luxury® Defined

I would say this is as official as it gets: Marriage in the Dominican Republic I don't see anything here about a residency requirement (i.e. 3 day rule). There is paperwork that needs to be completed/authorized in the Dominican though so maybe that's why the resort is telling you 3 days because that's how long it takes to get that done?

Quote: Originally Posted by kevsgirl Is there any way that he could dictate a short letter that could be read aloud during the ceremony or during the reception? That way everyone would know that he was thinking of you and he'd have a part to play, even if he's not really going to be there physically. I think that this is a really good idea. Plus this way it's not like people are being asked to "remember" him, you're basically hearing his thoughts and feelings as he is currently alive to think them/feel them even though he can't be there to witness your day in person. The webcam is great idea also.

I am reading this at work and totally wiping away the tears... it's really beautiful and I would love to borrow it for my own wedding in some way. I also wanted to put a little picture of him, like in a locket or something, on my bouquet. My dad passed away 3 years ago from cancer... it's so hard for me to imagine my wedding without him, but I know that he will be there. On his last day in the hospital he was unresponsive and we were all saying our goodbyes and I love you's but weren't really sure what he could here if anything. Well, when I had my time alone with him I told him how much I regretted that he would not be able to walk me down the isle when I get married, how much I was sad that his grandkids would never meet him. I asked him if he would please be there at my wedding, whenever that would be, watching over me, and at that moment he squeezed my hand so hard, I knew he heard me and was saying yes... I said in surprise even "you know what I'm saying daddy, you can hear me!" and he squeezed my hand again. Ok, now I am on the verge of bawling again. Anyways, I think that poem is perfect for the occasion... maybe I will print it out really small and hang it with the picture of him on my boquet, or maybe I will put it on a chair saved for him.

Quote: Originally Posted by amandalovesryan i stayed at casa del mar. we flew into punta cana and it was a long drive. the resort was nice. very pretty. awesome snorkeling! don't remember the wedding gazebo. the price was great. the food just okay. i will see what pics i have. Pics would be great! There is a new international airport in La Romana so hopefully we could avoid the drive in from Punta Cana... and maybe the food with improve with the Dreams conversion? What did you think of the area while you were there? Was there much to do off-resort? Did you feel safe off-resort? Or if you didn't go off-resort, was there enough to keep you happy and entertained at the resort? Thanks so much, sorry for all the questions!

Those really are some beautiful pictures! That church is amazing, although I think the wedding gazebo at the Casa del Mar looks pretty nice too

These are so beautiful... I love the ones that are sexy and sultry, but also love the playful fun side that was shown! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun doing this shoot!

Anybody have any info on La Romana, DR? I see a lot of info on Punta Cana for a DW on here... can anyone help me with a "La Romana vs Punta Cana" comparison? The reason I'm asking is because apparently the Sunscape Casa del Mar is being converted into a Dreams (Dreams La Romana) this year and looks really beautiful.

Thanks guys, I'm feeling reassured so far. I know that my trip is by no means going to be smoke free, but at least if it is smoke-free indoors, people tend to be considerate outdoors, and non-smokers outnumber the smokers, that will be fine with me!

It's REALLY beautiful! Congrats on finding "the one"... referring to the dress I mean, hehe

Ok this might be a silly question, but I'm wondering what the smoking policies are like at hotels in Cancun/RM? I am from Vancouver, Canada and I'm used to our bylaws where you basically can't smoke anywhere public, definitely not indoors and not even outdoor patios, public bus stops, etc. I'm a non-smoker so that works for me, but some of my wedding guests are smokers. Ideally I would love for them to be able to have a smoke somewhere, but I personally hate having my day at the beach ruined by someone smoking next to me, or the worst is having smoke from the next table waft my way while I am trying to enjoy a nice meal! At this point I haven't decided on a wedding location but am most interested in the Dreams, Real, and Sandos resorts. However, I'd be interested to hear about any "smoking" experiences in the area. Thanks!

That is so true! As hard as you might try, you can't please everyone... So I would say that if you can't please everyone, you should at least make sure to please yourself!

I totally feel for your dilemna! I was kind of caught off guard at the prices of nice hotels in Cancun/RM but mostly because my mom's family always goes for way cheaper (from what I hear). But the thing is that when I look at where they have stayed in the past, I'm sure they had a great time, but it is nowhere that I would ever even think of having my wedding! So I am having a bit of a hard time with my mom too at the moment... every place I show her she says looks "so fancy" with a nervous disaproving voice, which means "it looks too expensive!". Your FI (and my mom!) has to realize that yes this can be a fun family and friends vacation but first and foremost it is your wedding. I think you should try and keep costs in mind, and maybe compromise at say a $2000 per week max... at that price though you will still have a very nice resort for you and your guests. One other thing you may want to consider is booking a resort that has a variety of room categories so that your guests can save money by booking a lower category room but you can still splurge if you like and have the oceanfront suite of your dreams! So, no I don't think you are crazy. You should love your wedding location, not settle for it so that everyone can afford to come. Hopefully you and FI can compromise a bit on what's an acceptable rate for your guests to pay and find something great that will suit everyone.

I must say, I am BLOWN AWAY by some of the rings on here! Here's my e-ring, FI picked it out all by himself =) I really love it and it is SO sparkly!!

Thanks Antonia! I didn't realize that the beaches were public, I thought that only guests of the Royal could use the Royal beach... or does only apply to using the actual beach chairs?

Hi Antoniya, thanks for such a great review, and your pictures really are beautiful! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. First, you mentioned that most of your guests stayed at the Royal but not all. I'm guessing the ones with kids stayed at the Gran across the street. How did that work out for you? I REALLY love the look of the Royal but I worry about making guests with kids stay over at the Gran. And I know that guests of the Royal can go over to the Gran, but if I'm paying for the Royal I'd like to use the facilities/beach at the Royal for the most part. I read on another thread that maybe guests at the Gran could purchase day passes for the Royal - do you know anything about that? Second, I totally want to hire Mannia Cancun for my DJ stuff. I read on another thread that your DJ, dance floor, speakers, lighting etc is included in the reception price of $50 pp. Did your reception include the cost of using Mannia, or did you have to pay extra? Thanks so much! Angela

Quote: Originally Posted by aeroo Guests at the Gran Porto can use the facilities and restaurants at the Royal if they buy a day pass at $20 per person per day. I believe Royal guests are allowed to use facilities and restaurants at the Gran Porto for no charge, although I am not sure 100% on that one. But since they are sister hotels they have some sort of exchange for sure. Is this true? $20 for guests at the Gran to be able to also play at the Royal each day isn't all that bad. I was thinking about having my wedding and staying at the Royal but felt bad about the idea of having guests with kids or a tighter budget sort of sequestered over at the Gran... I mean a big part of the reason I want a destination wedding is to have a big family vacation! So, I kind of moved on from my Royal dream, but if this $20 a day thing was correct I may need to start considering it again...

You look amazing, and it is exciting to hear from a bride who got married at the Gran! I must say, I was SERIOUSLY considering the Gran when I first started looking for wedding locations but was horrified by all of the overbooking reports on trip advisor. Did you or your guests have any problems with this?

That's great that you're going for a site visit! I hope your trip is wonderful and Dreams meets all your expectations. Can't wait to read your review when you get back! Can you tell me what the lagoon is for? Like can/do people actually swim in it or what? One of my concerns about the resort in general is the pool size...

I like the baby idea... or, if your group is the fun-loving silly/naughty type, you could say something like "ok so everyone's already married, but whoever catches the boquet will be the next one to get some nookie tonight!" hehe

Thanks, that helps a lot! I'll have to keep looking into Sandos Playacar, but will probably pass on Sandos Caracol...

This is amazing! And making me a little teary too! I think you just might have the best sister ever

Note to self not to book with Sunquest then I guess... that would drive me CRAZY!! Glad everything ended up working out for those that did have their flights moved so far =)

Quote: Originally Posted by ccarmany23 Hi everyone- I just stayed at the Sandos Caracol last week for 2 nights...is there where your wedding is? I don't have many pictures (sorry...)! What did you think of the resort? Did you see any weddings while you were there? Thanks!