khomac

I think the Majestic had gained it's popularity in the past year or two. It was just built in 2005 I believe, so all the "startup bugs" are worked out and things are running smoothly. I think everything is great there, but apparently people aren't crazy for the food.

I've heard fantastic things about Megan Crouse from Weddings By Oceans... For Beachside Brides! Her info can be found at her website or Weddings By Oceans 45A West Wilmot St., Suite 206 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 2P2 T: (905) 764-2WED (2933) F: (905) 764-2921 Toll Free: 1-866-764-2WED (2933) Maybe she can do something else for you? I know my TA didn't know very much. She told me that you have to be in the DR for minimum of 3 days before you get married however those are the Mexican rules. Megan specializes in DW so maybe she is someone better to deal with? Good luck!

No, I haven't, but I've been to the Colonial twice so I'm a little biased But also it just looks like there's more information about it floating around the net and may be easier to research and plan out.

JodJ: You're wedding is in just a few days! When do you leave?! Congrats and have fun! Anna_C: What part of DR are you and your family from? My fiance is from Higuey

Colonial Facebook had a great group "Majestic Colonial Brides". I found so much more information about the Colonial. Elegance is great but still new.

Anna that's great! glad it worked out for you I'll have to brush up on my spanish. I took a semester at the college so I'll see what I can do when I communicate Thanks for the tips!

Anna C: Do you really want to split your guests up? I think if I was a guest I'd feel a little out of place or left out? Like Josh said in #2, they might not get a nice wedding table set up and instead, would just be regular hotel guests. For my friends wedding, we were right beside where the wall/curtain would come down. But because it was a nice day, it was all open so it was like we were outside. Even if you had the "free" dinner inside the steakhouse, it pretty much is still private. You don't even notice anyone around. It's frustrating that there are so many "catches" when planning these! Good luck and I hope it works out for you

Quote: Originally Posted by JodJ Would anyone be able to tell me about the private dinner at the restaurants. I know that having a basic dinner at one of the restaurants is free, but I have seen a few comments on here about having a private dinner. Does this cost extra? Also I am wondering how the tables are set up at the restaurants. I have seen a few comments that they have a nice set up at the restaurants. Are you girls bringing an extra decorations? Is it neccessary? If you have a private restaurant dinner, then it is outside on the patio. You do have to pay extra for it. As for restaurant setups and decorations, my friend had only 12 guests so the table was small and intimate. I thought it was perfect. 2 people on each end, and 4 on each side. Her $1750 package included this: Keep in mind this was Jan '08 so maybe things have changed. This centerpiece was during the document signing. I believe the co-ordinator brought it to the steakhouse for the "free" reception dinner. In the very center, they had a martinin glass filled with green water, with the Majestic's red votive holders surrounding it, in a fancy napkin display. It looks like they added another centerpiece at no extra cost, and the Majestic also provided the rose petals, and sea shells as the table decoration. I don't know if they always have these things on hand or if they are leftovers from other brides. Quote: Originally Posted by JodJ Khomac- I just talked to Maritee about how late groups can be at the Parott Bar. At the Elegance you can only stay at the Parrot Bar until 10:00 if you do not buy an open bar. She did not seem too lenient at all about this. We are having our wedding late (6:00) so I do not expect we would be able to finish dinner and get down to the bar before 9:00. It seems pretty costly for one hour! Ya, I'm not impressed with the times either. You don't want to rush yourself through dinner and always have to be worried about the time. I am considering signing the documents on another day when the judge is on site, then just do a symbolic ceremony on the actual wedding date. This allows for more flexibility in times as you don't have to wait for the judge to be available. You might then be able to have your ceremony at an eariler time.

JOSH, Can you help me? Someone said that if you don't do open bar at the beach/Parrot/Wet Bar locations, then you can only rent the area for 2 hours? Is this true? I haven't been able to get a respose from either co-ordinators. What I want is dinner steakhouse 6-7:30, then dancing from 7:30-11:00. Do you know if this would work? Do you know how flexible they are? I can't get enough of your pics! You do awesome work!

Quote: Originally Posted by rtswan Thank you khomac! This is actually the reason we wanted a destination wedding instead of having it in Toronto, but while I was planning a Mexico wedding, everything had its deadline and payment due on certain date... DR is different and I love this lay-back style Oh, really?! I've never been to Mexico and my best friend got married in the Dominican. My friend arrived at the resort, got a letter under her door the next morning, and the following day had a 30 minute meeting to discuss details. She never planned anything in advance other than the ceremony time. In the meeting, she picked her flowers, arranged for hair, arranged for resort photographer, choose the dinner location, and that was it. I couldn't believe how relaxed she was! It was incredible!

Quote: Originally Posted by rtswan Hell Majestic Brides, when do you have to pay the wedding costs to the resort? The coordinator I talked to never mentioned the due date and she said I could give her the guest count when we meet at the resort. It looks like they are very flexible and easy going but I wonder if everything could be delivered the way it's planned. Booking a dominican destination wedding is so much different than what us Canadians/American's are used to. Here we are used to booking and paying for everything in advance. I don't believe the wedding co-ordinators are concerned about anything other than scheduling a ceremony time with the judge. This allows for flexibility once you get down there as so many brides change their minds about free/private dinner, gazebo/beach ceremony, having/not having a reception. You don't have to put deposits down, and you pay I believe upon checkout. (other brides correct me if I'm wrong). It's the Dominican, they are so relaxed and care-free there. They have such a different lifestyle, and it reflects in the way they do destination weddings. My fiance is Dominican, and being with him has helped me understand why the co-ordinators do what they do. I believe you'll get everything you wanted, plus more that you never even expected Happy Planning!

Also, depending on the Photog, it's having the rights to the photo's. Because he is a profressional, they belong to him. You were simply the model to his work. I still say "Go for it!!" and post pics for us!

I think it also depends on how much time was spent doing the shoot and doing touch ups on the computer. I don't believe he would just give you the images without editing them a little. I think $200 is an amazing price! I paid $150 for a 2 hour session and got about 100 images on the CD. I would get it. I love pictures and it's something you'll always look back on. One day when you're a grandmother and your skin has lost it's youth, you'll look back and be glad you have them Just my opinion anyway! Good luck!

I haven't had time to read through all the posts yet. I'm a 2XL and I love shopping at Ricki's!! For tops anyway. Their pants go up to 18 but I'm a 22 so no luck for me Ricki's have awesome tops. I love them for summer, and for business because they are dressier. Like you lisaloo, I refuse to wear cotton tops with pics of flowers or kitties on them YUCK!! Who do they think we are?!?!?! If you're looking for awesome tops, go to Ricki's. They go great with a pair of dress pants, or with jeans!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jacilynda Thanks! Search before starting a new thread we have a thread on this: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t42896 Not once have I ever had any luck doing searches. I've tried so many different ways, and have never found anything! I even search for an exact title of a thread, and it still says it can't find anything! I must be doing something wrong. Also, I never thought of searching it. I didn't realize that any time we wanted to post something, we have to search it. I do see that it's posted in a different forum, so I know that not all brides check each and every forum. Sorry for double posting. Just trying to help other brides

I'd rather have the free wedding. My ticket was only $1323. I guess it just depends on how many guests you can book. KEEP IN MIND: In order to get the free wedding, I've heard something about the bookings have to be at the full price and not at a discount? I'm not sure. JodJ, make sure you get all the details. ALSO, there is a time limit. I think it used to be, book before Oct 2009 (for example) to get your 2010 wedding free. The deadline has passed for 2009 weddings. In this case, the free airline/hotel ticket is an awesome deal! However, I read somewhere that it doesn't include children's tickets.

I heard that Old Navy is selling their flip flops for $1 Saturday May 23rd only!! Great gifts for OOT Bags!!

Crystal, No need to defend yourself hun, I think alot of us agree with you. Money is tight lately for everyone, you want to do special things for those that are closest to you who are coming. They deserve it. You go girl! Plan the wedding of your dreams! It only happens once! But remember family IS forever and you don't want to hurt your mom. She loves you to death I'm sure. Chin up girl! us BDW ladies are here for ya!

Gina, Refusing access is normal. I had the same problem. I was just glad that they do keep us tourists safe inside. I was going on the resort just for photos however the manager didnt tell the guard that we were coming so we were not on his list. Please dont blame security, it's managements or the wedding co-ordinators. Like yourself, I had to sit outside for 40 minutes while my fiance ran around the vendors looking for phone cards so we could call the manager at the Majestic. Luckily my fiance is Dominican and speaks spanish and was able to communicate, but we still had to sit outside the gates and have all the tourist busses stare at us lol The guard refused to help us and even told us that the manager wasn't there that day which was a lie. anyway, we should be thankful the guards are doing their jobs but be frustrated with the lack of communication that sometimes goes on. I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. And I know exactly how you feel. I hope the Riu is magical for you that that you have a fabulous wedding!

I was at my local trade show here in Thunder Bay, ON. I met a local vendor who had drawsting beach bags for $3.50. It was a perfect size as a beach bag, and can also be used as a day pack for excursions. If you want it custom designed for your wedding, (screen printing, not iron on as the bag would melt due to material), they charge a $20 set up fee. I like this bag because: Of the material - sand won't stick to it Of the size - fits towel, flip flops, camera, sunscreen & waterbottle It comes in several 2 tone combinations Has a drawsting closure Can be worn as a backpack I will try to go there within the next week to take pictures and post for other brides. I also have a 5% off shipping card so I can save you a little on shipping.

Prices fluctuate like crazy. check regularly and be ready to book "spur of the moment"! October rate one day was $2000, the next day it was down to $1600, 5 days later, and it's up to $1700.

Here are my STD Boarding Passes. I went to my local printer: $0.07 - to purchase glossy paper (colour comes to life) $0.25/colour copy I only did 2 slips and therefore got 3 invites per 2 pages. 30 pages = 45 invites $.32/page = $14.50 for 45 invites I purchased 8.5 X 11 coloured construction paper 50 sheets for $9.99 and just printed the logo's from home If you want colour in your invites you can use a picture in the background like I did. People loved them. Let me know if you want the template. I did a poor job cutting them, but I didn't try very hard The inside corners could have come out alot cleaner (whoops!) http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t41077

My items are quite similar to yours and from Dollarama as well! Such a great store Question: "Tip Cards" - What did they say? I think that is a great idea and a little bit more personal as well. Resort staff work so hard. I'm having a pre-wedding party as well. All my travellers are from my home town so we'll be doing it a week before. So much easier instead of carrying them to PC, plus I've included things that they may want before the trip anyway.

Awesome! You're wedding is going to be remembered forever by yourselves as well as family & friends. Fun/funny weddings are the best!

I'm not sure, but I think once things are translated, they are only valid for 3 months. So you may not want to do it to early. Someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'd like to know for sure as well