TA Patty

There are also services who assist for a fee: http://www.wedo.com.do/

You are urged to contact the Dominican Republic Services regarding any clarification or additional questions you may have. Please also confirm with the hotel you have chosen for your wedding if they require your birth certificates to be legalized or only translated is enough, and that your wedding date and details are confirmed. YOUR WEDDING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC You will need two witnesses holding valid passports who can be travelling with you or you can ask local hotel staff to witness your wedding. The following documents are required to get married in the Dominican Republic. Note that legal transcripts of birth certificates, single status affidavits and divorce certificates need to be prepared in the country where the documents were issued. Original birth certificates. Send two photocopies. Valid and signed passports. Send two photocopies of the main page. Notarized Statutory Declarations of Single Status done according to the sample. Bring or send one original and one photocopy. Please see attached sample of a Statutory Declaration of Single Status. Divorce certificate or death certificate (if applicable). Send original or notarized photocopy and two simple photocopies. In both cases, a minimum waiting period of ten months applies before a woman can remarry. The 3rd and 4th documents are translated and legalized by the Dominican Republic Consulate. The birth certificates have to be translated into Spanish as well. Please note that your first, middle and last name must be the SAME in your passport and statutory declaration. If name is different on your birth certificate, please indicate that in point 1 of your declaration. Fees: $100 US each legalization, $40 US each translation Note: Some hotels in the Dominican Republic may charge legal fees for the authentication of documents legalized by Dominican Consulates abroad by the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs. Please note that some Canadian institutions require the Dominican Marriage Certificate to be translated and legalized by the Dominican Republic Consulate in Canada. Please contact Dominican Republic Services for further details. A sample copy of the Statutory Declaration of Single Status is below, as provided by the Dominican Republic Services in Toronto. STATUTORY DECLARATION OF SINGLE STATUS (Please do not just fill in but retype the whole document) CANADA ) IN THE MATTER OF: Province of __________ ) the marriage between ) [full name of both parties as in passport] ) I, [Full Name as in passport] of the City of __________, in the Province of ________ DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY DECLARE THAT: 1. I am [full name as in passport], born as [name as it appears on Birth Certificate] on [date of birth] in [place of birth]. 2. I am a Canadian citizen with passport No. _______ who resides at [full address]. 3. I intend to marry [full name as in passport] in the [Hotel Name] in [City], Dominican Republic during the week of [week of marriage]. 4. I am single and have never been married before. [if divorced, please put: I am divorced as per divorce certificate No. ________ as of {date of divorce}. During my previous marriage I was known as [name as it appears on divorce certificate]]. To the best of my knowledge and belief there is no legal impediment or other lawful cause to prevent me from getting married. 5. I am currently employed as a [occupation]. 6. The names of my parents are _______________, Mother and ________________, Father. AND, I make this Solemn Declaration conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath and by virtue of the Canada Evidence Act. DECLARED before me at ) [City], Province of ________, ) _____________________ Canada, this __ of _______, 200_ ) [full name as in passport] _______________________ As a Notary Public Contact Information: Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United States: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington DC 20008 Phone: (202) 332-6280 web: http://www.domrep.org/ Dominican Republic Services - Toronto 2727 Steeles Ave. W., Ste. 301 Toronto, Ontario M3J 3G9 Phone: (416) 739-1237 Toll-Free: 1-866-535-7776 Fax: (416) 663-1973 E-mail: [email protected] Web: Index Dominican Republic General Consulate - Montreal 1470 Peel St. Suite 263 Montreal, P.Q. H3A 1T1 Phone: (514) 284 - 5455/6600 Fax: (514) 284 - 5511 Dominican Republic General Consulate - Toronto 347 Bay St. Suite 904 Toronto, Ontario M5H 2R7 Phone: (416) 369 - 0403/1602 Fax: (416) 369 - 1685 Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada 130 Albert Street, Suite 418 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 Phone: 613-569-9893 Fax:: 613-569-8673 E-mail: [email protected] Web: Embajada de La República Dominicana en Canadá | Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada | Ambassade de la République Dominicaine à Canada There are also services who assist for a fee: http://www.wedo.com.do/

Good Morning - A map of the resort is attached and the garden view rooms are the ones on the far right hand side. Best wishes with your wedding! TA Patty

Good Morning SammyAnna - I'm so sorry to hear you're having these difficulties. One suggestion I can offer is ask her to copy you each time she responds to a guest via email. We do this with our brides and it keeps them in the loop as to who is contacting us and booking. Good Luck! TA Patty

Congratulations to all our brides! If you are considering your wedding at Now Larimar Punta Cana something to keep in mind is the location of their deluxe garden view rooms. The deluxe garden view rooms are located in the area behind Now Larimar & Secrets Royal Beach (it was formerly another resort). These rooms do not have beach front access, you have to cross over the main road in & out of Now Larimar & Secrets Royal Beach and are also a fair distance from the main resort ares. Please see the resort map below and feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any further questions. Thanks! TA Patty Now Larimar Punta Cana Tropical View Rooms are located in the purple squares. Garden View rooms are located in the green squares.

Hi Lauren ~ Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I have been to both resorts and they are both nice. It just depends what you're looking for in a resort. Melia Caribe is larger than Now Larimar but the standard rooms at both resorts are comparable in size, Now Larimar is slightly larger with 495 vs 450 sq ft. I thought the grounds at Melia Caribe were nice, lush and tropical and I really liked the Royal Service. We had dinner at the Mexican restaurant at Melia and it was very good. We didn't get to sample the restaurants at Now Larimar but they had a good variety. If you have any additional questions please feel free to conatact me at [email protected] or 866-208-8681. Thanks! TA Patty

Below is the information I received from our HRPC account manager regarding the beach closure. Weddings are still being done on the beach at the opposite end. I hope this helps! TA Patty Effective September 7th, and for the next 90 days, a portion of our beach will be closed for the creation of a wave breaker. The approximate completion date is December 12, 2012. This wave breaker will provide added safety for guests who choose to take advantage of our expansive beachscape while vacationing at the resort. This project is being carried out by professional contractors who specialize in environmental benefits and solutions that provide added safety to those who want to go into the ocean. During this time, a perimeter will be set into place to clearly mark the project area and to ensure guest safety. The rest of the beach, in addition to the resort poolscape, will still be accessible to all. We thank you for your understanding and will continue to update you regarding this project.

Hi Karolina - I'll send you the info via email. There is paperwork you will need to complete beforehand. Thanks TA Patty

Hi Lindsay - Email me at [email protected] and I'm happy to send them to you. Thanks! TA Patty

Hi Jamielynn - I just want to confirm you received the information I sent yesterday? Thanks TA Patty

Hi Kimmy - Congratulations! Glad to help and answer any questions you have, I just sent you a PM. Thanks TA Patty

Hello! I just returned from a trip to Punta Cana. We stayed at Hard Rock (it is awesome!) and toured 6 other resorts - Majestic Elegance, Dreams Palm Beach, Ocean Blue & Sand, Gran Bahia Principe Amber & Esmerelda, Now Laeimar, Secrets Royal Beach and The Jellyfish! It is awesome and pictures are attached!!! It's open and airy with lots of ambiance and right on the beach. It's a one lane bumpy ride in and out but definitely worth the ride. Mayte and I had planned to meet up but unfortunately my schedule was changed last minute and we missed each other. Mayte works individually with each couple but she sent me an estimate of pricing so my brides booked at the Jellyfish could get an idea of pricing. Please see below. If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 866-208-8681. Thanks! TA Patty Hi Patty, I work under quotes, so personal for each bride, but I can give you a estimate or general for some things, after that, the brides send me pictures from things they like and I quote in base of that requires. I´m not like hotels has packages and after thake comision for everything, the quote I get, is the quote I charge. But for my experience I can make you a list for you know more or less: Dj and sound: 700 us and includes MC, lights, micros and a sound ceremony. No limit time, they stay here from guests arrive to the couple decided to end!! For decor and ceremony set on the beach for less than 50 pax is around 1.500 us all included, names cards, menu cards in wedding colors and under the pictures of the bride, all is possible. No chrage for candles or colors. Flowers: depend a lots for the type of flowers, roses are not the same price than orquids, and depends as well for the design. But more or less is: Bride bouquet: from 100 us to 150 us Bride maid´s: from 40 us to 75 us Botounieurs: 10 to 15 us Corsages: 25 to 45 us petal bags: 12/15 us depends on the colors Centerpieces : that is difficult, because it just depends on the design, quantity of flowers etc... Cake: design, cover, decor... from 5 us to 7 us per person Cup cakes: form 2 us small ones to 3.5 us the bigers ones.... more desserts are possibles. Dance floor: simple on the sand with lightling, pappers lamps: 200 us white wood dance floor with lights: 350 us Led dance floor: 500 us Fire work volcans for dance floor: 100 us Lounge forniture: white sofas, tables etc.. 200 us a lounge for 10 pax included decor and pillows in colors. Projector and screen: 250 us Alive groups for cocktail hour: 250 us/ 300 us depends on the instruments Fire show: 350 us 4 dancers 20 minuts show Crazy hour: Full show, assorted of styles : 850 us Transportations: 2 ways 7 us per person. Cigar rollers: 350 us And any thing you want, I can get for you!! I hope all of that is useful for you, but I repeat, all is personal depends on the couple ask me for. Un abrazo Mayte

Good Morning - I just returned from DR and we stayed at Hard Rock Punta Cana. It's an awesome resort! We met with the wedding & group sales manager last week and were told the onsite WC's will not begin working with brides prior to 30 days to your wedding. Up until that time you need to work through the Miami office and the onsite WC's have been instructed to not even respond if a bride contacts them before the 30 day mark. Apparently they are very strict with this policy and will not budge. All communication must be with the Miami office until you are assigned your WC 30 days prior to your wedding date. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. TA Patty

You're welcome.

Good Morning ~ I just sent you information in PM. Please let me know what questions I can answer. Thanks TA Patty

Hi Far18, Be persistent and keep in contact with them. I am working with a bride and we have been trying to get the same information. We were given a contact email for an onsite WC but no luck there either. I contacted my business development manager for the resort and I'm waiting to hear back from her. I will post when I get information. Hang in there!

You're welcome!

You're welcome!

Hello Michelle - Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Unfortunately the resorts and WC's are not always the best about replying in a timely manner. I am a BDW TA specializing in Dominican Republic. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Thanks! TA Patty

Location/Geography The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Republic of Haiti. The country is the second-largest island in the Caribbean, with a surface area of 48,198 square kilometers. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and to the south by the Caribbean Sea. Population The population of the Dominican Republic is more than 8.5 million people. Time Zone Local time is Caribbean Eastern Time (GMT -0400). In the winter it is an hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States. The Dominican Republic does not practice daylight savings time, as is customarily done in the United States. Capital City The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, which is the oldest city in the new world. It has a population of almost 2.5 million people. Government The Dominican Republic's political structure is based on democratic principles. Every four years the country elects its president, vice president and legislators. Language Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, you'll be surprised how many hotel and tourist destination employees speak English, French, German and Italian. If you decide to venture outside of the tourist areas, it is helpful to learn some basic phrases in Spanish. Currency The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency of the Dominican Republic. You can find out the exchange rate at www.xe.com/ucc. Major credit cards and travelers' checks are accepted at many of the country's tourist locations; ATMs are located in almost all of the Dominican Republic's cities, as well as at most resorts. Climate The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate year-round. Depending on your location, a typical day could have full sun or a combination of sun and clouds. Their average annual temperature ranges from 66° to 93° F (19° to 34° C). The coldest season is between November and April, and the hottest season is between May and October. The Dominican Republic is an incredible island paradise in the heart of the Caribbean. The country shares a border with Haiti on the second largest island in the area, "Hispaniola." Occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island, the Dominican Republic is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. As part of the Tropic of Cancer, the Dominican Republic has a breathtaking topography. Mountains, valleys and beaches make up the diverse photogenic land. Three large mountain ranges run through the island, including the nearly two-mile high peak of Antilles. In fact, nearly half of the island is taken up by the large mountain ranges that run through it. The Dominican Republic also has the lowest point in the Caribbean, Lake Enriquillo. It is one of many lakes, lagoons and rivers that accompany the Dominican Republic's 1000 miles of beautiful Caribbean beaches. There is plenty to explore, as the country is made up of more than 30,000 square miles of lush tropical islands. Surrounded by the Saona, Beata, Catalina and Alto Velo islands, the country spans 178 miles from north to south and 242 miles from east to west. If you are setting sail for the Island like its famous first visitor, you can find it on your GPS at 19° 0' N 70° 40.02' W. As part of the Mona Passage, the Dominican Republic also has world-class fishing. Since temperatures range between 93 º F (34ºC) and 66 ºF (19ºC), the weather will always be ready for an adventure.

Hello Andrea - Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I am a BDW TA specializing in the Dominican Republic. I have lots of experience, have been to Punta Cana and I am visiting again in early October. I am so excited and will be staying at the Hard Rock Punta Cana! Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of service. You can contact me directly at [email protected]. Thanks TA Patty

Hello Valerie and Katy - Congratulations on your upcoming weddings! I am one of the BWD Forum TA's and I am happy to assist with your cruise wedding. I was in Alaska last September aboard the Golden Princess and the ship and location are spectacular. Alaska is breathtaking! Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any information for you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thanks! TA Patty

Hello Valerie and Katy - Congratulations on your upcoming weddings! I am one of the BWD Forum TA's and I am happy to assist with your cruise wedding. I was in Alaska last September aboard the Golden Princess and the ship and location are spectacular. Alaska is breathtaking! Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any information for you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thanks! TA Patty

Hello - I just recently saw your post. Not sure if you received any answers but I'll share my opinion and hopefully answer your questions. Your destination wedding is your special day and everyone wants to get the best rates possible for yourself as well as your guests. Absolutely rates are important, but making sure that you have an advocate working for you is also important. All of the TA's from the BDW Forum are certified destination wedding & honeymoon specialists. This means we have participated in hours of training, product updates, seminars and site visits where we visit the destinations and properties and tour all aspects of the resort. There are numerous continuing education opportunities each year as well as the opportunity to meet with our local resort and wholesaler representatives. This along with years of experience in working with groups allows us to provide our clients with the best service possible. Part of this service is working to get our clients the best rates possible. My job is to make your job of planning a wedding less stressful and handle the travel arrangements for you and your guests. We do not charge any service fees and we are paid by the supplier once travel is complete. In addition to working with destination wedding groups planning their wedding at a resort I also work with cruise weddings. The same criteria applies to cruises as well. I have been on several cruises in a variety of locations and on a variety of cruise ships. I am a Certified Master Cruise Counselor with CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association. In the past several years cruise lines have become very strict with pricing and do not allow "discounting". With this rates should be the same no matter where you book unless an agency has group space. If our agency already has group space on a cruise then we can book into the group and take advantage of any pricing discounts and or perks. If not then I can create a group and block space for your group. I was in Alaska last fall and it is beautiful. Pricing is available for 2014 on many of the cruise lines and Alaska is a very popular destination. Ships tend to sell out early. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or if you would like any further information. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thanks! TA Patty

Hello! All resorts charge a fee for guests who are not staying on the property. Typically a "day pass" can run between $75 - $100 per person, per day and guests would also be responsible for their own transportation between resorts. Majestic Elegance has specific policies regarding their fee's for outside vendors. If you are considering bringing your own photographer, videographer, hairdresser etc... onto the property make sure you confirm the vendor policy and day pass fee in advance with your wedding coordinator. In some cases fee's for outside vendors can exceed $300 per person per day. Below is the response I recently received from the Majestic WC when I requested rates for outside vendor fee's. I have attached the resort policy letter. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks! TA Patty Good Morning, Could I please get the day pass rates for an outside vendor, hairdresser, photographer etc.. Thank you Good morning Patty That is not as simple as that, we will need to be asked for each vendor they want to bring to the resort since it may be allowed or not based on the resort policies so if you can be more specific, we will give you the information. Regarding outside photographer / videographers attached you will find the resort policy Kind regards Sandra de la Cruz Majestic Resorts - Outside Vendor Memo Wedding Photographer updated (6).pdf