Tam

We used real touch flowers for our wedding and I loved them!! We got them from a company called Enchanting Memories Hamilton Ont 905-574-5665 Real Touch flowers Pat & Debbie are the owners and they do an awesome job, very easy to work with and send you pics to ensure everyone is on the same page and you are happy. They also send to anywhere is Canada or the US, not sure about overseas. Their prices are really good too....

We tried to have a mix of everything for everyone... Songs for the wedding 1) Whitney Houstonyour love is my love 2) Eric Claptonwonderful tonight 3) somewhere over the rainbow 4) build me up buttercup 5) Louis Armstrongwhat a wonderful world 6) Dexys midnight runnerscome on Eileen 7) The temptationsMy girl Kenny Rogersthe gambler 9 – Kenny Rogers/Dolly PartonIslands in the Stream 10- Kenny Rogers She believes in me 11-the commadoresbrickhouse 12- Brian adams summer of 69 13- Jimmy buffetmargaritaville 14- jimmy buffetwhy don’t we get drunk and screw 15- kanye westgold digger 16) brian adamseverything I do, I do it for you 17- plain white tsDelilah 18- kid rock picture 19- barry whitecan’t get enough of your love 20-barry white you’re the first, the last, my everything 21-Lifehousehanging by a moment 22- uncle crackerfollow me 23-beyoncesingle ladies 24-neil diamondI am, I said 25 -neilcrackling rosie 26- neilcherry cherry 27-black eyed peasI gotta feeling 28-black eyed peasboom boom pow 29-eagles hotel California 30-percy sledgewhen a man loves a woman 31-sadeby your side 32-sadeno ordinary love 33-pussy cat dollsdon’t cha 34-anne murraycan I have this dance 35-etta jamesat last 36-billy joeljust the way you are 37-joe cockeryou can leave your hat on 38-dixie chickslandslide 39-keith whitneydon’t close your eyes 40-norah honescome away with me 41- snow patrolchasing cars 42-van Morrisonsomeone like you 43-janis Joplinme and bobby mcgee 44-queenyou’re my best friend 45-lauren hillcan’t take my eyes off you 46-chantel kreviaziukfeels like home 47-blue rodeolost together 48-brad paisleythen 49-bony m Rasputin 50-bony m daddy cool 51-garth brooks friends in low places 52-lenard cohenwalking in Memphis 53-spirit of the westhome for a rest 54- barry whitecan’t get enough of your love 55-carl douglaskung foo fighting 56-jack Johnsonupsidedown 57-Israel Kamakawiwosomewhere over the rainbow 58-big and richsave a horse, ride a cowboy 59-stevie wonderyou are the sunshine of my life 60-weak in the knees (for you) 61- joe cockeryou can leave your hat on walked down the aisle to Pachebel's canon BMs walked down to a bachata (WC picked it, don't know the name) Walked back after ceremony to a conga song... it was fun. First dance – Angel, Jack Johnson Dad dance - My little girl, Tim McGraw Bouquet toss – Single Ladies, Beyonce Garter toss – you can leave your hat on, Joe Cocoker

Angel, by Jack Johnson... FI chose it.

Quote: Originally Posted by sungoddess_08 That's great, exactly what I was looking for!! I was hoping that since it's a DW and docs need to be translated, that our guests will just assume we are going it before the ceremony. So that's good to know that someone else managed to pull it off! So you only had to go a few days before you left? Was that for the license or the certificate? I am still confused over that, leaving it to the FI to look into! It was both. We paid $125 for the certificate and $300+ for the license. You get them on the same day. We had to go the week before to meet with the officiant and fill out forms so they have everything ready on the day of the ceremony. My parents were our witnesses.

Oh, I forgot too, we took down cipro (antibiotic) which we ended up giving out to those who got sick. Apparently it kills the ecoli that makes you sick, so maybe ask for that too...

We just got back from Punta Cana last week. We did take the malaria pills but I have been to DR twice before and never took anything. Others in our group took Dukerol, twin/rx and malaria stuff and they were the ones who got sick... not sure why or what it was, but ironic anyway. Honestly, if you are careful with what you're eating, you will be fine. Try avoiding anything you can't peel or that isn't fully cooked... lots of times when people get sick, it's from alcohol too! Hope this helps, and remember Immodium is your friend!

We stayed a week and so did everyone else.. What we should have done was to at least book 10 minimum if not 2 weeks but it's hard for me to take time off work... and I want a real honeymoon at some point where I want to go to Europe for a couple of weeks so it's a tradeoff I guess!! Still do at least 10 days though.

You can, but it will cost you and I'm not sure if I would chance that.. we handed out our OOt bags before we left to avoid this.

Hey Misty, I sent you a reply!

Hey Misty, I sent you a reply!

No, I didn't end up meeting Jocy or Katie (Adrian's mom).. my sister did though, but I never saw them. My review is under bride's reviews .. excuse some of the grammatical errors.. was tired while writing it. Keep in mind I only posted the GOOD pics, not the ones where I look like a heffer!! My photo album will be small!

I forgot to mention music. We brought our own ipod and docking station. My DH had it set up to play everything in order, but ended up getting so drunk he screwed it all up!! Had there been no errors, it would have worked out great....

Ok, girls, I posted my review!! My only complaint and it's not about the hotel is how I looked on our wedding day! I HATE it... it's not the photog's fault. I was totally bloated all week. I guess from flying and since I turned 30 I now bloat once a month the week before I come on.. maybe stress was a factor too Not happy with my makeup either... the eye colours are too cold for me .. Keep in mind I am only posting the good pics, not the 990 others that I spent all Sunday night crying over.. literally for 3 hours.. DH thinks I'm a nut... I told him we need to go away again so I can redo the pics, not even joking about that.. I am soo upset about this.. this is the one day where you are supposed to look your best and I think I look bad... and you have to remember I can see all the bad pics with a double chin or back fat... you can't! and to top it all off, my boobs are falling out of my dress! I should have taken off my strapless bra.. no one said anything to me and Im upset about that too... I didn't do a try on with the bra and should have, and was already late for my wedding so I didn't think to check..ahhhhhh!!! Let that be a lesson to any of you girls with girls! Ok, done venting for now.. til I look at those pics again..

I forgot about the flowers.. I brought real touch ones down and also used the bouquet the hotel gave me too..

Ok, where do I start?? Quick FYIs first: -The resort is an hour from the airport. -Bring bug spray for at night if you're prone to getting bit... they do spray, but I still got a few bites. We met with the WC Deyanira 2 days after we arrived to pick out menus, etc. We got married at the gazebo as the beach was way too windy almost all week long and I wasn't having bad hair!! We did not pay the extra $350 for them to decorate it either as we thought it looked pretty enough on its own. We didn't have the champagne toast for everyone either as they wanted to charge us $15/bottle when you could go to the bar and get the same stuff for free.. We ended up getting the trio to play from 5-6 during our "silver hors' duevres" package.. we didn't pay the extra because we had more than 20 people either and still had leftovers. (I didn't really care for them to be honest) We were doing pictures while most of this was going on. OUr reception was on the Himitsu terrace which was nice, but if you can, get the Bordeaux. I would have rather had the Bordeaux (a lot smaller and more intimate). They block it off for you there, whereas at the Himitsu everyone can watch you. We did have our own private bar and wait staff and our WC stayed with us the entire time. You could see the ocean and the gazebo from the H terrace and at the Bord. you could see palm trees and the ocean. Because it was so windy, my centerpieces didn't turn out or my cake table.. both required tealights.. I was pretty bummed about that as most of the reception was at night when it was dark. My BMs walked down the aisle to a Bachata song (don't know which one) and then I walked down with my parents to Pachebel's canon in D (I know, not too original). My WC performed the ceremony as we got married legally the day before we left at City Hall... I honestly couldn't be bothered with the translating and notarizing of everything. Our WC through flower petals after the ceremony was over and my DH and I did have a champagne toast ourselves. A couple of observations on the side: Girls, if you haven't picked your dresses yet, make sure you don't get a satin one.. they are very heavy and hot! You will sweat to death.. I got married in Jan, and it was 90degrees everyday. I can only imagine what it will be like in July! For the guys, get them to wear short sleeves.. we made our guys wear long and they were sweating a lot.. linen pants might be good too! The hair salon was really good, though I admit I was really nervous about having my hair done by someone I've never met before! I showed her a picture I brought and she did it perfectly... I guess they do this all week long right?? Deyanira made my appointment for me without my even asking!! We made my BM appts. None of us had our makeup done as I had a guest who worked for clinique there do it. Some of our guests had a couples massage and a spa massage and said they were really good. Also, I really regret not staying at least a few more days if not a whole week on our own.. We totally felt obligated to spend time with everyone especially those we don't see that often.. not that it wasn't fun, but (esp. for us girls) there's no downtime to relax yourself.. The food in general was ok.. we got the platinum dinner package and paid the extra b/c we were over 20. I actually was really disappointed with our dinner but it could be b/c I was totally feeling like I was going to be sick throughout our meal... (not sure why, everyone seemed to think it was from nerves/exhaustion.. I think my dress was too tight and no, I'm not pregnant!!)... Our guests did say the food was good though and I did enjoy the vanilla cake after dessert. The dishes we had were: lobster tower (which isn't a tower) and doesn't have much lobster in it, but there was plenty of avocado and onion in it, I thought it was gross, but others liked it.. then came the tangerine sorbet which I didn't try...felt too gross. We got the lobster/steak dinner with veggies, again I didn't like it, but everyone else did. After dinner we had khalua chocolate cake with nuts.. didn't try that either, heard it was good though. We didn't end up getting the grooms room the night before our wedding day, as the hotel apparently was at capacity, but did get the upgrade to a jr. suite for free. It was way bigger than the standard room and has a jacuzzi on the balcony which we didn't use but some of our guests did. (not ours). The pool was good, really big, had floaties and a swim up bar. Our kids with our group really liked it too as it has a floating rock climbing wall. The chairs sometimes were a pain to go search for, but most of the time we got some. Do the TTD session!! It was one of my favourite parts... I almost backed out of doing it, but am so glad I did. It was soooo fun. People were cheering us as we jumped in the pool and in the ocean. We didn't have a photographer as one of our guests graciously offered to do it.. that's why I have my pics already too.. (which are on facebook under DPC brides). Tipping: We tipped the WC $100 and each wait staff for our wedding $20 each. NOt sure if that's good or not... our WC had a bit of a look on her face when I handed it to her. Couldn't make out if it was shock or disgust HOpefully neither...she was awesome. (she aslo was the one who pushed for us to get our room upgrade when the front desk told us no) Also met Sharron for any of you girls who have her.. she's very nice too. I left my TTD dress there for whoever to use (locals, etc) and left my tealight holders and candles there as well... mostly just b/c of weight restrictions.. brought my centrepieces home though which I don't know if I want to sell yet or not... not that many of them so I might keep em. Well, that's about all I can think of for now..though I'm sure I have left stuff out... Overall a really good experience, would totally do it again.

Misty, I LOVE your shoes!! I just posted some pics on FB in the DPC section, and I will be adding more when I get a chance.. maybe tonight. I am going to do my review too but without pics as I am too impatient to figure out how to post here right now..

Hoyt75, You are NOT a bad bride at all and quite frankly a lot of what you said is exactly what I went through too... we didn't send out invites, only evites for STD (not intentional, but just how it happened)... I pretty much got flack for everything I planned or did/said from someone. I learned very quickly to smile and nod, say "that's not what I want" or "well next time you plan your wedding, you are free to do that"... and let it go. People are just trying to help really but imposing opinions on you doesn't really cut it. Just stick to you guns, know what you want and don't voice your detailed plans to too many people... I found that's where a lot of opinions/comments came in and would upset me.... I actually fee like I planned a lot of our wedding on my own without help as I couldn't take the negative comments etc. You are not a bad bride at all... this is YOUR day, not theirs and you need to stick with what you want.. and most of what is going on won't matter 1,2 or 5 years from now! just wait til we have kids!!!

I'm BAAAACK!!! I will be doing a planning thread tomorrow hopefully.. wrote most of it on the plane today. I did post some pics on FB cuz I still can't figure out how to do it here. Overall, things went well. Have been up since 4am and travelling all day so I am very tired. You guys have nothing to worry about.. Ended up getting married at the gazebo as the beach was just way too windy in the pm.

Quote: Originally Posted by sungoddess_08 Hi girls, I am wondering if anyone else is getting married prior to going to the DR. We have decided to get the Renewal of the Vows and save the paper work by getting married here first. Is there any way to trick our guests, we DO NOT want them to know about this -- they are flying all the way there to see us be married, so I would feel awful. I would love to hear any advice on how people have pulled this off, or are going to!! Thanks We got married the day before we left at City Hall with only my parents being there... we didn't tell anyone. I felt really guilty about this initially, but we didn't exchange rings or walk down the aisle with my Dad.. saw each other all day and honestly I didn't even dress up for it... I tried not to make it very special to alleviate my guilt. We will be celebrating the 20, not the 15 as our anniversary date as well. I still was totally nervous on the 20, cried going down the aisle til my Dad kept stepping on my dress, etc. We just said to anyone who asked about it being legal that we already signed papers with the WC/judge and had my BIL & SIL as our witnesses b/c there happened to be there.. then we did lie and say we were getting everything translated when we got home.. I even had a girl on our plane come up to me at the airport and give me her card because they are in the translating/notarizing business.. I told her to advertise here! Anyways, I started to ramble ... hope this helps

Quote: Originally Posted by kloc12 Hi, Has anyone been having problems with guests about the earthquake in haiti? I have been trying to reassure my guests but some ( like parents) dont get it. Has anyone just returned from there? Thanks for anyones help! Kristin Kristin, We just got back tonight from Dreams Punta Cana tonight. There were absolutely NO aftershocks. We were there when some of the big aftershocks hit too and felt nothing... it is too far away from Port au Prince.. don't worry.. no tsunami either.. again just too far and totally across land, not water.. HOpe this helps

Quote: Originally Posted by Jocy Tam, just wanted to say Good Luck for you legal day...it's today right? And safe travels for tomorrow and HAPPY WEDDING DAY and have an amazing trip!!! xx Thanks Jocy! Can't wait to finally meet you guys. You have a safe and uneventful flight too... good luck with going through security!

Thanks girls!! We did it! Officially got married today... can't believe it. Still stressing about the packing though.. haven't done it yet and we leave in 6.5 hours!

Quote: Originally Posted by lrdavis23 Me too Nat, I wish we could go with you guys lol.... I wish you guys were coming too... maybe I can swing a short trip with the FI in june/july

Quote: Originally Posted by melbeern Hi, can anyone confirm if smoking is allowed on the Dreams Punta Cana property? We have some guests that are smokers. Thanks! Mel, Last I was there, you can smoke anywhere even at the airport.. they are not as strict with their health regulations..at least not when I was there before

Quote: Originally Posted by nsbride2010 Jocy and/or Tam, I have a small favor to ask you!! Could one or both of you take pictures of the activities boards they have up at the resort? Or, better yet (but unlikely) if they have a brochure, could you bring it back? OMG and Tam, could you snag one of those brochures that Sunwing gives you in your de-briefing of the hotel and excursion options? I would love to put that in our welcome book Thanks ladies!! Nat, I will try to remember the picture of the board... the brochure will not be a problem.. I am freakin that I am forgetting something and feel like a fat cow right now... didn't lose as much weight as I thought I was going to and am a chunky monkey bride now who's going away with some skinny bitches!! (2 are my BM)! This more than anything else is eating at me and there's nothing I can do about it now... have been working out for the last 6 months regularly and only 10lbs off and about 8 inches... on a good note, my dress fits well.. just not my swim suits!!! If I didn't know better, I'd say I'm PMSing, but can't use that one for my rant... sorry girls just stressed...