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Kyky, It looks as though you are at the same resort only the other side. I'd be interested in any information that you receive regarding the photographer. Was it the resort photographer that you approached.

We are not doing the oot bags as we are expecting between 50 and 60 people to join us and we thought that once we started to fill the bags, it would start to get a little expensive. Don't want to be cheap but do want to give something nice. For those who want to do something different, I went to Bowrings and found a candle set - three candles - Sun, Sand & Surf for $ 4.99, they were on clearance for 75% off the original price. We will give the candle sets to each couple and then buy something different for the single gals & guys. Gals - maybe the picture coasters - glass with places for pictures. Guys - not sure yet. As the candle sets are rather heavy, we thought we would give our thank you for coming away with us gifts to everyone just prior to us leaving for the south. Any thoughts

Just wondering when is it best to book the photographer. We have booked the resort and have the date but still have not totally decided on the wedding package. Do you think that we should be trying to contact the resort photographer now.

We are getting married in April 2010. Due to the group travel rate that we got from our travel agent, our guests can get upgraded if they book and pay a deposit by the third week of August. So we only had less than one month to try and get as many people booked as possible. We put all of the resort, travel and wedding information on facebook and sent out emails to others. These only went out less than one week ago and my Monday morning our travel agent advised that there were 14 people that have booked. We will then send out proper invitations to everyone about the destination wedding along with the Cdn wedding reception information sometime in January 2010. We are getting a good response so far. There have been about 40 people confirm on facebook that they are looking to come away with us. This is getting so exciting.

bahiabride2010 How many people are you expecting for your private wedding reception. Have you actually chosen a wedding package - if so, which one. Are you going to have more people than what the wedding package allows. We are thinking about the Blissful Love package but it only allows for 30 guests. We could have between 50 and 60 people at what looks like $ 40.00 US a person. If we have a private wedding reception - then there will be another cost. Not sure what the Dinner & Open Bar charges are for. Wouldn't the food & liquor be included if you get a private wedding reception especially if they are going to charge us for each extra person. Which location did you choose for the private reception. And does anyone know the difference between the Gazebo 1 and Gazebo 2.

We are getting married on April 15, 2010 and are expecting anywhere between 50 to 60 people. Keep in mind that these are from the people that say that they are coming but so far only 14 have actually booked. We were originally thinking about oot bags and I actually started a list of things that I could start to buy but the number and the price were getting a little too much. I don't want to be cheap but still need to keep the costs down as we are also having a wedding reception in Canada in May 2010. While I was looking around during lunch hour, I happened to see a candle set at Bowrings that has three candles - Sun, Sand and Surf. It seemed appropriate. They were 75% off for a sale price of $4.99. I was thinking of giving these to each couple and then buy something different for the single guys and gals. Hoping that this will be more economical. What do you think??

Nyssa, Thank you so much for this review. Congratulations on the wedding and I am so glad that everything turn out so beautifully. We are having a wedding at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro on April 15, 2010 and we are still in the process of trying to decide some of the items. So if you don't mind, I would like to ask you some questions: 1. the wedding questionnaire says that you have a choice of beach, gazebo 1 or gazebo 2 for the ceremony. Do you know the difference between gazebo 1 and 2. 2. how many people attended your wedding. 3. which wedding package did you choose 4. the outside location looks perfect. Which restaurant was it and did you have a private ceremony. 4. you had mentioned that you only had about 1 hour for dancing. Was that because you had to be out by a certain time. I know this is a lot of questions but would really appreciate any assistance as we are finding this whole process a little overwhelming when we haven't been to the resort and don't want to make the wrong choice. Looking forward to your response. Thank you again.

Natasha, Thanks for your reply. Do you know if you have to reserve the Garden Grill terrace? I am asking because the resort could have 2 to 3 weddings in the day and if each group has chosen the Garden Grill, could there be a conflict for using the terrace.Have they said how long you are able to use the terrace before being told to move to another location. Have you considered taking an Ipod docking station rather than renting the sound system equipment.

jerseykitten - thank you for your response. Since we went through a travel agent and group bookings to reserve the resort for a specific week, it was the travel agent who contacted the wedding co-ordinator to see about getting us a wedding date. It was very stressful as it was looking like we would have to change our week as they couldn't seem to get a date for the wedding itself. So finally on July 31st we received the information that the date of April 15th was set. We know that we have to put a 10% deposit based on the wedding package but do not know how long the date of April 15th will remain ours as we decide which package to take and get our deposit to the resort.

After reading everyone's messages, I can't believe that we are so far behind. At least it feels that way. So far all we have booked is the resort and had the wedding date set. Still a little concerned that the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro may give away our date. Not sure when they need the 10% payment sent since we haven't picked out the wedding package yet.

Hello all April 2010 brides. This is great to have a thread just for this special month. We are having the wedding on April 15, 2010 but haven't sent anything out to our potential guests yet as the wedding date was just provided two days ago. We have gone through to get a group rate from the travel provider to get a better package deal. We had to pay a deposit of $ 200.00 for 10 people in order to hold the spot. My Mom has paid the entire deposit until eveyone has started booking. It seems like there is a special promotion that if we can get 15 people booked prior to August 21, 2009, then the bride would be free. What do you think the chances are in having 15 people actually book by that date considering we haven't sent out invitations yet. Also this may seem like a stupid question but what did everyone use and how did they communicate the Save the date.

We are having a wedding in April 2010 and are having trouble with the wedding packages. They seem like they could get expensive, if you are having a larger group. We are expecting up to 50 people. Does anyone know if you have a private reception in one of the restaurants, do you have to pay for the meal and liquor above what we will already have to pay for the extra people. In addition, we are looking to have a dance after the dinner. It looks like we will take an IPod and have a playlist. Does anyone have a suggestion or know where you can have the dance again without being charged an additional price. Would be great if there was somewhere outdoors that we could set up and have everyone enjoy themselves. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

We have our wedding in April 2010 at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro. If we choose the private reception do you know if they will change the liquor prices are per some of the informaton that has been sent to us as part of the wedding packages. Also, are you allowed to have music at the Garden Grill for dancing. Do you know if there is a spot for dancing. What are you planning

We have a wedding planned at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro in April 2010 but are having trouble determining that exactly we will be paying for when choicing a wedding package. It seems from other reviews on different sites that you may pay for more than you think and it seems rather expensive. Has anyone being married in 2010 choose their wedding packages as would like to correspond with yourselves. Thanks

We have a wedding booked at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro for April 2010 and have tried to find the MSN Group for the brides but can't seem to get in. Thought it would be helpful to read about the different questions and ideas from the other brides. Any suggestions