saragray

If photography is something that's important to you, then I strongly suggest bringing in your own photographer so that you can pick someone who is going to understand your priorities and want to spend lots of time to give you what you want, instead of someone whose allegiances are to the resort. Lots of times you can find a U.S. photographer that can travel pretty inexpensively and that can save you money in the long haul over hiring someone local or extending the included photographer's time. They will also be willing to plan your trash-the-dress session for another day and their whole time in Punta Cana can be totally focused on you, your day, your experience and creating some wonderful memories for you. Good luck to you!

I'm with the other photographers that posted here - it's not too late, but it might be soon! For instance, I am not booked that day yet but all my other weekends in October are already spoken for. Get in touch with some photographers (this forum is a great place to start since these photographers are interested in destination weddings and often willing to travel). Don't overlook U.S. photographers who travel - that's often a great way to save money, with travel prices down especially! Good luck!

Those are pretty, but I think they might be really beautiful and elegant in plain white, and save you some cash. I have photographed weddings with parasols before and they are so classy and beautiful - good instinct! Good luck with everything!

I haven't rented one myself, but my feeling is that once you tally up all the fees and required vendors at a big resort, getting a villa might end up being cheaper even if they initially look like they'll be close to the same. If you've got the villa, you can feel free to bring in some of your own food, let people stay and go when they please and you'll be the one calling all the shots on the vendors you use and the time everything takes. Good luck!

So beautiful! What a great spot to get married.

Melissa: My sister has been to Roatan twice and totally loves it. She says it looks like something off the front of a postcard all the time, and the people are wonderful. Have fun!

I have to agree with James here - I think that if photography is important to you, it's a very good idea to pick a photographer based on their work and not their location. Travel to Hawaii isn't much these days, and because it's such a destination for weddings, their prices can be inflated anyway. But if you hire a photographer from the mainland that charges reasonable fees for travel, you could actually end up saving money. Good luck - and let me know if I can help with anything.

How terrible! I can't believe that hike in prices, especially when so many places in Hawaii are having such trouble right now. I don't know if you have flexibility on time, but I always thought it would be cool to have a brunch reception - you could drink mimosas, have breakfast foods and perhaps save some money. Of course, that means moving your ceremony up, but it may mean you're able to keep the costs down a little. Good luck! It'll all work out.

Sometimes the best thing is to go with your gut, even for the sake of peace of mind. If your home wedding coordinator is really good and organized, that alone can be priceless. With travel costs lower now, it can even end up saving you money if you're from a part of the country where costs are lower. Remember that wedding coordinators in big destinations build in the price of their convenience and being so close by, when someone with lots of experience (doesn't matter where) could be less expensive and really have your back, instead of being so entrenched with the vendors that you feel like you've been hustled. Good luck with everything!

Melinda: I would definitely check to make sure you'll be able to bring in your own photographer - nothing worse than being blindsided by that! If by chance you're not allowed to do that or the fee will make it cost-prohibitive, I might suggest that you bring along your own photographer anyway, and do an after-wedding session. You'll be in such a beautiful place that it'll be easy to do lots of photography outside the actual "wedding" while you're still all gussied up. That way you've got your bases covered and lots of beautiful images to remember the day by. Good luck!