TA Patty

Thank you Leslie for your kind words! It's a pleasure working with you and your guests. TA Patty

Welcome! I am one of the BDW TA's and I specialize in Punta Cana. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or provide any information for you., Thanks! TA Patty

Thank you Leslie for your kind words! It's a pleasure working with you and your guests. TA Patty

Hi Jennifer - Glad to assist! Please send me a message at my email [email protected] and I'll send the info. Thanks! Patty

Hello! The Best Destination Wedding agents do not charge any additional service fees. Our job is to find the best rates possible for our clients and provide superior customer service. We are all certified destination wedding and honeymoon specialists which means we have completed many hours of training and continue to participate in ongoing education, site visits, seminars in addition to our years of experience. We take some of the planning burden off of the wedding couple and serve as a central contact point for the couple and their guests for their travel arrangements and for any questions with the destination, resort, etc... Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding our services. Thanks! TA Patty

Not to mention WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!!!!

Congratulations to all of the brides! I am the BDW TA specializing in the Caribbean including Punta Cana. I have been to both Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance and they are wonderful resorts! I've been following some of the posts and thought I would add a bit of information that is important to remember when comparing rates. 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 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. We work with a variety of wholesale tour operators and because of the volume of business they do typically have rates better than you will find anywhere else including going directly to the resort. In addition to all of this, WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!! A few to things to remember when comparing rates - Not all rates are the same. Even if you are traveling at the same time and staying at the same resort as another group, depending on when each group was booked rates could and most likely will be different. Resorts are constantly offering new promotions and terms & conditions of booking can change too. A promotion that was available 3 months ago, 1 month ago or sometimes even last week, may not be available today. Resorts have high and low seasons. In the case of the Majestic Elegance Resort, rates drop after April 30, 2013. So a group traveling in May will most likely have lower rates than a group traveling January - April 2013, even if they booked at a later date. There are also differences in booking a group block versus individual reservations. Our BDW "Group vs Individual Reservations in a Nutshell" is below. This explains in detail the differences when considering whether a group block or booking individual reservations is right for you. This is our "in a nutshell" version of group vs. individual booking procedures: When you do a group block, you always know you have the rooms, and the price will not go up, but if rates go down, the hotel and tour operator will usually accommodate a price drop and make an adjustment. With blocking group space, you must have a minimum of 10 rooms. Typically, this is the best way to guarantee that you will get the most from the resort in terms of upgrades, complimentary events or free nights. Some definitely offer more than others in terms of incentives. It is all laid out in a contract that the hotel proposes, and the tour operator, myself and you all sign. The perks and freebies are all spelled out for you. A deposit of at least $100 per room is due within about 1 - 2 weeks of getting the contract set up. Usually this would be coming out of your pocket, since it is not likely that the guests would be booking or putting up money this early. Then as time goes on, if your guests want to add additional rooms, or arrive early, or stay late, or fewer nights than you have booked requests can be adjusted within the block. Group rates are not always lower than what you can find shopping as an individual, but most times, they are. Something to consider when shopping and comparing an individual rate, it will be the rate for ONE room only and this rate will change as the availability at the resort changes. With a group contract your space and rate is guaranteed for as many rooms as outlined in the contract. Final payment for groups is usually due about 65 days prior to departure, and once all payment is in the rooms can be nonrefundable if the hotel chooses. Travel insurance is highly recommended. Alternately, you can have your guests all call one central agent, and as for me, I keep track of everyone, booking them the lowest available pricing as they come, (price matching and such if necessary), and you as the wedding couple have no financial responsibility for any of the guests bookings. I still will gather up all the bookings and I write to the hotel manager just before your arrival asking for any possible amenities they can offer the group and especially for you yourself, but this is NOT guaranteed to get you an upgrade or free party or anything. Also, the hotel COULD possibly sell out, and then late birds could find that they are out of luck with no rooms left. Airfare: Either way, unless the entire wedding group is coming from the same city, and traveling both directions together with no changes or deviations, it does not make sense to try to block airline space as a group. It is best to have each of the guests book air individually either through me as part of the package, or just on their own, letting me know their flight schedules so that I can provide airport transfers to and from the hotel. Once airfare is booked, there are no price adjustments. So I hope that explanation helps a bit! We work with both types of wedding groups, and find that both ways of booking have their bonuses and drawbacks, we just have to find what will work best for each bridal couple and go from there! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks! TA Patty

Hello! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like any additional information. happy to assist. Thanks! Patty

Please email me at [email protected] and I can send the attachments to you directly. Thanks Patty

Hello! I have worked with several brides who have held their wedding and reception at the Jellyfish. It's beautiful and I have attached information about the restaurant and their wedding packages. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! TA Patty Jellyfish-Punta Cana.pdf JELLYFISH_WEDDING_BROCHURE.pdf

Thank you Kelly!!!

Thank you Kelly!!!

Oops posted under wrong thread. Please disregard post above.

Oops posted under wrong thread. Please disregard post above.

Hello - Your TA should be able to match the rates you received from the resort. Go back and let her check. Good luck! TA Patty

US STATE DEPARTMENT - SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP): Before traveling outside of the United States please take the time to visit http://travel.state.gov for up to date passport requirements and to register for the SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP). You will be able to register your travel outside of the US with the US State Department and they will be able to keep you up to date with the latest safety and security announcements. Your enrollment can also help them reach your family and friends in case of emergency. Visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html for more information and to register an upcoming trip.

Great. Thanks for posting!

Hi Celia - I understand your concerns and I know they are diligently working to asses the damages and get the repairs underway as quickly as possible. I would think they would be able to complete repairs before October 2012. I'll post updates as I receive them and we'll do our best to keep you informed. Thanks! Patty

Hello ladies, Welcome to the forum! I visited Dreams Palm Beach, Dreams Punta Cana and Excellence Punta Cana last summer and they're all great resorts! I posted photos of these resorts plus others I visited ~ Paradisus Palma Real, Majestic Elegance and Majestic Colonial ~ Best Destination Wedding › Galleries › TA Patty's Photos › Punta Cana June 2011. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Thanks! TA Patty

On Sunday April 15, 2012 Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana suffered damage due to fire. Fortunately no one was injured and I just received the information below from the VP of Sales & Marketing for Majestic Resorts. They are in the process of assessing damages and working diligently to make sure all scheduled weddings are accommodated without interruption. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. I will continue to post updates as I receive them. TA Patty Hello Patty, We have received word for the Majestic Colonial (see below email). Please note that Travel Impressions will not be re-locating any of our clients since there was minimal impact. Kind regards >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dear Partners, First and foremost we would like to apologize for the delay in this communication. We wanted to send you a complete and thorough evaluation of the situation, both of the physical condition of the property as well as the Guest experience. We are very proud of our team as I look back to the events of Sunday evening and the last 48 hours of the job that our employees did, both during the crisis and in the follow up since. Thankfully and most importantly no employees or guests were injured. On April 15, 2012 we experienced a fire at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana and we were forced to re-locate some of our mutual clients in other hotels, as a precautionary measure. There was and is in fact no damage to any room what so ever, we evacuated as a precaution as a result of the volume of smoke in the hallways of buildings 1 and 2 only. The following areas have suffered some structural damage: · Beach Restaurant · Spa · Wet Bar · Pool – As you may recall the pool of the Majestic Colonial, is over 400 meters long, with a hidden dividing wall at approximately 300 meters. We have currently re-opened the largest portion of the pool and it is completely operational. The area closest to the ocean/beach restaurant is closed. The balance of our restaurants, bars, facilities and services remain completely operational for our clients on site. Clients staying at the Colonial have been given access to the Majestic Elegance facilities as follows: · Access to the Beach and swimming pools · Access to all a la carte restaurants · Access to all bars · Access to the entertainment theatre · Access to the spa ($) Additionally we have opened for daytime service at Majestic Colonial some facilities that are normally only available at night. · Parrots Bar · Plaza Bar · Matsuri restaurant · Taino restaurant · A beach palapa is now open on the beach for drinks and snacks We are happy to report that both of our hotels Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance are completely full and we have no issues operationally. Additional employees have been hired to provide extra service to our customers. Weddings and Groups : Our wedding department is working on a one on one, basis with all the brides to relocate any dinner or reception events previously planned at the Beach restaurant, we have many different options for them both within the Colonial and also are offering the faculties’ at Elegances. Important to note that neither of our Gazebos were affected, and wedding ceremony have continued as normal at the Majestic Colonial. The wedding events held in the last 48 hrs. have been a tremendous success and the feedback from our brides is very positive. The architect and engineers of the Majestic Colonial have arrived from Spain today to evaluate and give us an report on how best to proceed with the repairs of the damaged areas. Once we get their professional opinion and deadlines for reconstruction we will send you an update. We are working closely with your local representatives, and we’ll keep you updated regularly with any news, improvements or changes. We ask that you share this information internally as well as with the travel agency community. Thank you for your continued support of Majestic Resorts, please do not hesitate to contact to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. With kind regards, Ricardo Espinosa VP Sales and Marketing Majestic Resorts

On Sunday April 15, 2012 Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana suffered damage due to fire. Fortunately no one was injured and I just received the information below from the VP of Sales & Marketing for Majestic Resorts. They are in the process of assessing damages and working diligently to make sure all scheduled weddings are accommodated without interruption. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. I will continue to post updates as I receive them. TA Patty Hello Patty, We have received word for the Majestic Colonial (see below email). Please note that Travel Impressions will not be re-locating any of our clients since there was minimal impact. Kind regards >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dear Partners, First and foremost we would like to apologize for the delay in this communication. We wanted to send you a complete and thorough evaluation of the situation, both of the physical condition of the property as well as the Guest experience. We are very proud of our team as I look back to the events of Sunday evening and the last 48 hours of the job that our employees did, both during the crisis and in the follow up since. Thankfully and most importantly no employees or guests were injured. On April 15, 2012 we experienced a fire at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana and we were forced to re-locate some of our mutual clients in other hotels, as a precautionary measure. There was and is in fact no damage to any room what so ever, we evacuated as a precaution as a result of the volume of smoke in the hallways of buildings 1 and 2 only. The following areas have suffered some structural damage: · Beach Restaurant · Spa · Wet Bar · Pool – As you may recall the pool of the Majestic Colonial, is over 400 meters long, with a hidden dividing wall at approximately 300 meters. We have currently re-opened the largest portion of the pool and it is completely operational. The area closest to the ocean/beach restaurant is closed. The balance of our restaurants, bars, facilities and services remain completely operational for our clients on site. Clients staying at the Colonial have been given access to the Majestic Elegance facilities as follows: · Access to the Beach and swimming pools · Access to all a la carte restaurants · Access to all bars · Access to the entertainment theatre · Access to the spa ($) Additionally we have opened for daytime service at Majestic Colonial some facilities that are normally only available at night. · Parrots Bar · Plaza Bar · Matsuri restaurant · Taino restaurant · A beach palapa is now open on the beach for drinks and snacks We are happy to report that both of our hotels Majestic Colonial and Majestic Elegance are completely full and we have no issues operationally. Additional employees have been hired to provide extra service to our customers. Weddings and Groups : Our wedding department is working on a one on one, basis with all the brides to relocate any dinner or reception events previously planned at the Beach restaurant, we have many different options for them both within the Colonial and also are offering the faculties’ at Elegances. Important to note that neither of our Gazebos were affected, and wedding ceremony have continued as normal at the Majestic Colonial. The wedding events held in the last 48 hrs. have been a tremendous success and the feedback from our brides is very positive. The architect and engineers of the Majestic Colonial have arrived from Spain today to evaluate and give us an report on how best to proceed with the repairs of the damaged areas. Once we get their professional opinion and deadlines for reconstruction we will send you an update. We are working closely with your local representatives, and we’ll keep you updated regularly with any news, improvements or changes. We ask that you share this information internally as well as with the travel agency community. Thank you for your continued support of Majestic Resorts, please do not hesitate to contact to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. With kind regards, Ricardo Espinosa VP Sales and Marketing Majestic Resorts

Hi Amber - What a great blog! Lot's of helpful information and I loved reading your story. TA Patty

Thanks Erica!!! It's been a pleasure working with you and your guests!

Thanks Erica!!! It's been a pleasure working with you and your guests!