Tam

Cogswellgray, Have you looked at the pictures on facebook DPC brides yet? If not, there are lots of beach pics there.. I have been wasting my errand day looking at all this stuff!! Can't pull myself away..ahhh! BTW, thanks for sharing the FB info...

I sent her a reply asking about the unity sand tradition too, not sure what that is about.

NS, no, I was saying your info was better... Here is what Deyanira wrote me: Hi Tamara! I hope you are doing well. Being honest, this is not a tradition that we Dominican have or do a lot. However, we can gladly perform the coins ceremony for you if desired. Please, find its history below: History The custom of the wedding unity coins originated in Spain. The madrina de arras holds the thirteen gold unity coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the bride’s dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom. The most practiced ceremony is the Sand Ceremony. Best regards, Deyanira Aristy Asistente de Bodas / Wedding Assistant Tel.: (809) 682-0404, Fax: (809) 468-0183 [email protected] Dreams Resorts & Spas: Unlimited Luxury AMResorts.com - Providing Unlimited-Luxury® and Unlimited-Fun® at Secrets, Dreams and Sunscape Resorts & Spas Unlimited-Luxury™. A new and better way to have it all. Voted "Best Family Friendly Resort - World" & "Best Pool - Caribbean" by Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice 2006

NSbride, PM me your email if you want and I will send you the attachment of the wedding forms....

Nonnie, That's a good link..it was more detailed than when I googled it DR traditions. I'll have to check to see if the hotel provides a silver tray...otherwise it's back to the dollar store.

I have emailed the WC at Dreams Punta Cana, but have yet to hear back from her. I have a question though, is unity sand a religious thing or a DR tradition??

I was told that even if we arrive on the Sunday (of the week we are going Jan 17-24) that it is ok for us to get married on the 20. So that would be three days including the wedding day...apparently though this is only because the 21 is not available. I guess they make exceptions??

that's a great letter/idea. You have some things in there I didn't even think of....

We were thinking of just giving the bags out before we go so we don't have to worry about it.... is that bad??

SSNM, I forgot to mention for you to check sunwing.ca too. I just went on all the websites I mentioned and the prices were $1255 + tax.

SSNM, Try selloffvacations or itravel2000. Or, when you talk to any TA, make sure you tell them you would like internet pricing or close to it. Flight centre.ca is not bad and they will price match from anyone if it's on the same day. I am currently trying to price for DPC too and am also from T.O. Right now as well, selloff is having a special that I think ends tomorrow, but the tax is only about $200 and the trip is $1238/person. This also includes for every 11 adults booked, the 12 is free. Awesome deal from everything I've seen, but they require payment in full by Aug.25. So, I am going to ask again for prices Aug. 26 and hope for at least a month....no idea why the hotel has it set up that way...and not much time to give to your guests to pay either. Don't forget too that you can negotiate price a bit .... just think that even the internet companies are still TAs do not earn their money, but I just look at it like I have already done a lot of the leg work ...finding the hotel, contacting the WC to find out dates, etc. Sorry for the long message, but hope this helps. Also, let me know if you find a good TA or price.

I have been getting quotes for approx. $1250-1350+ taxes $309+ for the third week in January, we should be having about 40 people going. Many of the tour companies like selloffvacations or itravel2000.com just give discounts for 10+ people booking, which is kinda weird as you would think the more going the bigger the discount.

We are only doing oot bags for our wedding party. I bought really good bags ($20 each)... For all guests, we are going to buy travel mugs and have our wedding location put on it. Back to the oot bags, we are also putting in towels, photo albums, floating tubes for the pool as well as the typical dollar store items... I am trying to force myself from continuing to buy more things... it's hard when I keep getting more ideas....especially from here!

I should have specified that they're for the pool to float around in...

For anyone in Ontario, I just bought my floating tubes to put in oot bags from toys-r-us and loblaws. Loblaws was slightly cheaper at $3.44/tube, kids were $1.44. TRU was $4.99ish.

I would agree with Autjo, You made it clear what you wanted. But, not to make things worse for you, if your MIL really wants to throw you a small shower and is putting up a stink, maybe just let her...it will probably be only for a couple of hours right?? And then she'll be off your back.... Don't get me wrong though, I am not an advocate for sacrificing what you want for the sake of others but sometimes you just gotta pick your battles.... Hope this helps??

Oh yeah, I think I did read that one a while ago... I'll have to email my wedding co-ord. and check with her... Thanks!!

Hello my fellow DR brides to be, Does anyone know of any DR wedding ceremony traditions? I have only been able to find religious ones but would like to incorporate some of the country's traditions. For example, I am looking for something like how some cultures jump the broom, stomp on a glass, or have a rope configured around the B&G in a figure 8, etc.

I know, I have just spent the last hour looking and now have a list of items that keeps growing!! Everything I read seems like a good idea...don't think I can afforrd them all though...ahhhh. We are thinking of putting in disposable cameras too (at least for our wedding party). So many choices and not enough money....

Thanks Ebbie, Those links are awesome and ideas I haven't thought of...

Hey there, Does anyone know where to buy cheap travel mugs? Or have any other ideas of items to put in a beach bag? So far I have beach towels, photo album, gum, travel kleenex and we were thinking about putting blow up pool mattresses..

that would explain it... thanks. I seem to be having difficulties maneuvering around sometimes....I will try the link you gave me.

Not sure if this worked first time I tried to post... Does anyone know of any places to find cheap travel mugs to give to our guests? Also, any other ideas of things to put in our beach bags that we are giving our bridal party?? We have beach towels, photo albums and just trying to figure out what else to put in... any ideas would be great!!

I too have had many voice their opinions about our upcoming wedding in DR. I would have to agree that you need to ignore it (and I know it's easier said than done) and also, I find that if I put my foot down and say "last I checked it is MY wedding". I have a lot of opinions/comments coming at me about the wedding party attire....getting pretty sick of it. I find when I say it's my wedding, it seems to shut people up. Also, it I do get to the point where I say "if anyone doesn't like it, they don't have to come". Works pretty well. Hope this helps.

Hi Irdavis, I too am trying to decide which Dreams to stay at. Friends of mine have stayed at the Punta Cana a couple of years ago where my BF's sister-in-law got married. They said it was awesome. Also, my neighbours just got back 2wks ago and said it was amazing... if you have kids going, they have a really good program. I have been feeling very overwhelmed as well as it is a lot of pressure to choose a hotel that has something for everyone!! I also heard that the beach is not quite what the pics show... not nearly as turquoise as it looks (from my neighbours) but right now it is hurricane season, so not sure... other than that, everyone I have spoken with about the hotel raves about it... 99% sure that`s where we are going to go too. Hope this helps.