fmichelle

Hey Showtime, Â We've invited about 40 or so. We knew going in to it that we NEEDED our families there and anyone else who came would be a bonus, but after going through this forum and seeing how many people others have booked, it's kind of depressing. We aren't doing formal invitations, which may be part of the problem. We created a website on mywedding.com and sent our save the date through there then sent a follow-up email about a rates and how to get the best prices. Do you think we should send a more formal "invite" from the website requesting people to RSVP? I'm not stressing, afterall, if more than 20 book, we'll have to pay more for the cocktails and reception When did you send invites? How many do you have booked?

If you are still looking for a photographer in Punta Cana and you're getting married around April 25th, a good friend of mine who happens to specialize in destination weddings is coming down with me and would be interested in shooting for someone else as well while down there. Feel free to check out her site and blog at: Â http://jessicaconroy.com/ Â

Hello all! My name is Francine and my FI and I are getting married on April 25th at Excellence, Punta Cana. We're staying there for a week and then transferring over to the Majestic Elegance for four days for our honeymoon. We're extremely excited to be having a destination wedding. Can't say all the family and friends are as thrilled as we are, but we know that as soon as they arrive, all will be forgiven  FYI, a really good friend of mine happens to be a wedding photographer that specializes in destination weddings and she is not only coming down with us, but is shooting our wedding as well AND a TTD session! I know that there are a ton of wonderful photographers in Punta Cana, but if anyone is still looking for one around our date (April 25th, 2011) feel free to PM me or contact her directly through her website (and check out her work while you're there!)  http://jessicaconroyblog.com/ http://jessicaconroy.com/  Â

If anyone is getting married in Punta Cana near end of April 2011, a great friend of mine who also happens to specialize in destination weddings will be coming down with me to shoot my wedding. She hasn't settled on dates yet, but would love to have the opportunity to shoot another one or two while she's down there. Feel free to PM me or contact her directly through her website (and check out some of her work as well) Â http://jessicaconroyblog.com/ http://jessicaconroy.com/

Any late April 2011 Punta Cana brides still looking for a photographer? I just found out that a good friend of mine who happens to specialize in Destination and Beach weddings is not only coming to our wedding, but has agreed to shoot it as well! She hasn't booked her exact dates yet, but if you are looking for an awesome photographer around April 25th, feel free to PM me or contact her directly through her website (and while you're there, you can see some of her beautiful work as well!) Â http://jessicaconroy.com/ http://jessicaconroyblog.com/

Hey April Brides! I just wanted to let all the Punta Cana brides know that a very good friend of mine who is a wedding photographer who specializes in destination weddings (and beach shoots) is now not only coming to my wedding, but is shooting it as well! I feel so lucky. But if anyone in the Punta Cana area is still looking for an awesome photographer around my date (April 25th) she's available! Here's a link to her website and blog with samples of her work. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I've known her since high school and she is so sweet and awesome to work with! Â http://jessicaconroy.com/ http://jessicaconroyblog.com/

Hey ladies! Hope the planning is going well for everyone. Any suggestions on how to get those guests who seem to be dragging their feet to book their flights? I know I'm seven months out, but I really want to start planning/buying things that are guest dependent and I feel like I'm at a standstill. I've let everyone know that the 2011 rates are going up the end of October (although now it looks like it's sometime in November on Excellence's own website) but so far we've only got our families booked. Â On a positive note, a friend of mine who happens to be an amazing wedding photographer has decided not only to attend my wedding, but shoot it as well! She's done destination weddings in the past and she does a ton of shoots on the beach (we live in Southern California) so I know my photos will be beautiful. If anyone is getting married around my date (April 25th) and is still looking for an awesome photographer, let me know or contact her directly through her website (you can also check out her work) at http://jessicaconroy.com/ or http://jessicaconroyblog.com/.

Some websites say you have to, while a couple others say "some states in Mexico require chest x-rays." You should check with the wedding coordinator at the resort. But the blood test is definitely necessary. I heard they can even come to your hotel room with sterile needles. Regardless, that was when my FI said the DR was the way to go. There is the 3 day requirement, but some resorts aren't that strict about that. Other than that, it seems pretty easy.

In my opinion, David's Bridal has good prices on their dresses, but that's where the benefit of shopping there ends. My experience wasn't terrible, but I can totally see where other brides have had difficulties. They definitely seem to be understaffed and the staff that they do have isn't as knowledgeable as other salons. I was very surprised that after finding a dress I loved in a price range I wanted to pay, the price for alterations was astronomical, including the ridiculous prices they charge to add a bustle?? Doesn't seem like anything that complicated. Â My recommendation?? Find a dress you love, make a note of the style number, and find it used online. There are a TON of sites (oncewed, recycledbride, weddingdressmarket, even eBay and Craigslist). I lucked out and found the exact dress at less than half the price, the bustle had already been added, and now all I need to pay for is shortening (it's a corset back) at a local dressmaker. The bottom was a little bit dirty, but I'll be cutting that off, so no worries! Â Most salons cut out the tag that tells you the designer and style number, David's Bridal makes it easy with their online catalogue. Hope this helps! Â

-Showtime1111 Thanks so much for the info, I've heard that about the mosquitoes, I figure we'll just play it by ear when we get there, part of the reason for have the DW is to go with the flow and not stress too much. Since you're been there so much, have you ever stayed at the Excellence Club? We booked it for ourselves for 7 nights to get the free wedding package, and I know we're supposed to get our choice of room in the level we book (based on availability of course...as usual with these things Just curious about your thoughts on that, or anyone's thoughts for that matter. The restaurants you named sound great, I'll definitely keep them in mind! 217 days to go....couldn't be any more excited!

October 2010 Glenny & Anthony - October 9th, 2010 - Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Kim & Anibal - October 9th, 2010 Riu Palace Punta Cana Tee & CJ - October 10, 2010 - nh-Royal Beach Punta Cana Autumn & Dominic - Oct 16th, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Michele & Andrew - Oct 19th, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Luciel & Emil - Oct 23th, 2010 - Catalonia Royal Bavaro Sarah & Erik - October 23rd, 2010 - Melia Caribe Tropical Angi & Tony - October 24th, 2010 - Paradisus Punta Cana Monica & Brandon - Oct 29, 2010 - Excellence Resort Punta Cana Ulonda & John - October 29, 2010 - Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort November 2010 John & Rikki - November 8, 2010 - Dreams La Romana Terra & Chris - November 10, 2010 - Majestic Elegance Punta Cana Dana & Mike - November 16, 2010 - Grand Palladium Bavaro Tiffani & Merlin- November 21, 2010 Paradisus Palma Real Taniya& Kendell- November 1, 2010 Dreams Palm Beach Michele & Jon - November 22, 2010 Majestic Elegance Carol and Matt - November 19, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana December 2010 Eliana (username) and Miguel - December 1, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Atrott (Username) - December 6, 2010 Excellence Punta Cana Coley88 (Username) - December 11, 2010 - Paradisus Punta Cana Nicole & Keith - Dec. 11th 2010 - Majestic Elegance Erin & Omid - December 18, 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real January 2011 Marian & Manav - January 8, 2011 - Melia Caribe Tropical Katie & Tim - January 10, 2011 - Majestic Colonial Katey & Brian: January 11th 2011 Melia Caribe Tropical Punta Cana Ashlee & Daniel - January 12, 2011 - Paradisus Punta Cana Lisa & Dave - January 13, 2011 - Majestic Colonial - Punta Cana Laura & Dustin - January 14, 2011 - Melia Caribe Tropical - Punta Cana jerzeegirl (username) - Jan 17, 2011 - Majestic ?? Shawana & Scott - January 24, 2011 - Gran Bahia Principe -Punta Cana Pam & Cem - January 27, 2011 - Majestic Colonial - Punta Cana Kasia & Rob - January 29, 2011 - Majestic Colonial - Punta Cana BeachBrideSoon - January 31, 2011 - Majestic Colonial - Punta Cana Shannon and Chris - January 2011 - Punta Cana, undecided - Iberostar, Excellence or Dreams February 2011 Renée & Paul - February 3, 2011 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana Chantale & Marcel - February 10, 2011 - Bavaro Princess Suites & Casino Carey & Marc- February 17, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana Nathalie & Maurice - February 18, 2011 - Catalonia Royal Bavaro Diana & Manny - Feb 19 2011 - Gran Bahía Príncipe Bávaro. Meredith & Mark - Feb 20, 2011 - Excellence Punta Cana Sherri & Ryan - February 21, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana Jenn & Kraig - February 25, 2011 - Majestic Elegance Amanda & Jason - February 26, 2011 - Riu Palace Punta Cana March 2011 Chris & Wendy, March 5, 2011, Majestic Elegance, Punta Cana Sonya & Serge - March 14, 2011 - Ocean Sands, Punta Cana Khalia & Questle - March 14, 2011 - Excellence Punta Cana Jessica & Josh - March 25, 2011 - Iberostar Bavaro  April 2011 Isabel & Francis April 5, 2011 - Grand Palladium Palace Andi & Jed - April 8, 2011 - Iberostar Bavaro Pierre & Shannon - April 12, 2011 - Grand Palladium Bavaro, Punta Cana Ali & Jeff - April 13, 2011 - Bahia Principe, Punta Cana Cindy & Chole April 14, 2011- Dream Punta Cana Ashley & Johnathon April 15, 2011- Barcelo Punta Cana Ryan & Chantelle April 21, 2011 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana Alex & Francine April 25, 2011- Excellence, Punta Cana Paul & Lindsay - April 28, 2011 - Grand Palladium Bavaro Colin & Kayla - April 28, 2011 - Gran Bahia Principe -Punta Cana Tracy & Keith-APril 29, 2011- Grand Palladium Punta Cana Natalie & Kyle - April 30, 2011- Grand Palladium Palace Jamie & Mark- April 30, 2011- Majestic Elegance Punta Cana May 2011 Brianne & Eric - May 2, 2011 - Ocean Sands Punta Cana Sandy & Aaron - May 4, 2011 - Dreams Palm Beach Jenn & Ngai - May 5, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana Vanessa & Noel - May 6, 2011 - Paradisus Palma Real Naeemah-Anne & Claudy -May 7th 2011 -Paradisus Palma Real Eugene & Jennifer - May 7, 2011- Dreams La Romana Amanda & Jay - May 9, 2011- Melia Caribe Tropical Lindsay & Cam - May 10, 2011 - Paradisus Punta Cana Jodi & Darryl - May 11, 2011 - Dreams Palm Beach Michelle & Dave - May 20, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana Michaela & Stew - May 21, 2011 - Gran Bahia Punta Cana Theresa & Johan - May 22, 2011 - Paradisus Palma Real V. Danielle & G. Alan - May 28, 2011 - Dreams La Romana Ryan & Stephanie - May 30, 2011 - Majestic Colonial June 2011 Flore and Marek-June 11, 2011-Paradisus Palma Real Shannon & John- June 16, 2011- Iberostar Bavaro Qubi & Rukiya - June 18, 2011 - Dreams Palm Beach, Punta Cana Jim & Laura - June 21, 2011 - Dreams Punta Cana, Punta Cana Eric & Anna - June 25, 2011 - Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana July 2011 Ashley1316- July 8, 2011- Bahia or Majestic Torie and Matt - July 4th 2011 - Grand Palladium or Catalonia Natalie and Brian- July 16, 2011 - Majestic Elegance July 2011/ 2012 Yvonne and Andrew- last week of july 2011/ 2012 (money dependant), dreams la romana October 2011 Quiyana & Damien - October 15, 2011 - Riu Palace, Punta Cana December 2011 Robyn & Ky - December 2, 2011 - Majestic Colonial

Hey ladies, congrats on all the hard work. I'm an April 2011 bride myself. I've done the whole working out/eating right thing for a while now (just not both at the same time---totally frustrating) BUT, recently I finally got it through my head that if I wanted to finally get bikini ready for the first time in my life I have to do both together. AND, the most important thing I realized was that hours at the gym working out in the "fat burning zone" does virtually nothing. I've been doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred and even though it's only 25 minutes a day (it's every day BTW) it's INTENSE. I'm only 20 days in and I can totally see a difference. Of course, I'll have to continue working out and counting calories (thanks to the Livestrong app on my iPhone, it's pretty manageable) after it's over, but the whole HIGH intensity workout is what's finally gotten me over the hump. Just thought I'd chime in with my two cents, for what it's worth. Jillian kicks my butt! Â Oh, and I'm really glad to see that no one is doing Atkins (low carb) to loose weight. It totally slows your metabolism and if/when you go back to eating carbs the weight comes back with a vengeance and is even harder to get off. Trust me, not worth it! Â Keep up the hard work ladies, you'll be so glad you did when you walk down the aisle, I know I will

Welcome to the forum, totally understand the stress you're going through. Although I ultimately went with an Adults only (Excellence Punta Cana), something that may be a nice alternative is the Majestic Elegance that has an Adults only section (we've decided to switch to that hotel for our honeymoon) Since they are part of the Majestic Colonial Resort that is very family friendly and even more affordable, you may get the best of both worlds. And you also won't have to worry about guest passes for the day of. Just a thought. Good luck! Just so you know, after you choose the resort, it all gets much easier and less stressful!

Congrats on your engagement, and I'm sure I'm not going to be the last to welcome you to the forum. Like a lot of other brides-to-be, I too was deciding between Mexico and the DR. The prices were more attractive in Mexico (being from Southern California) but after my FI heard about the blood tests and chest X-rays, he was not to keen on it. We ultimately decided to to with Excellence, Punta Cana and we couldn't be happier with our choice. The planning has been very easy. The WC has been great getting back to me, answering all my questions. We have a lot of friends from New York who have been to the DR many times and absolutely love it there. Â We also liked the fact that there are a TON of affordable excursions that are easy to book and they pick you up at your resort including zip lining, xtreme dune buggy rides, safari, etc. We figured that there would be something for everyone, including the aforementioned casino option. Â If you have any questions about the DR or Excellence, feel free to PM me. Whatever you choose, you'll have an amazing wedding, it's your special day and it'll be perfect.

It seems like this thread has been inactive for a while, but being a SoCal Destination Bride, I thought I'd revive it. I'm in Sunland and my wedding is 4/25/11 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Any past or future destination brides care to do a meet up? Would love to swap ideas and stories, who's down?

meridithota-thanks for the info. We've invited around 40, we're hoping for around 20, so far only immediate family is booked. I emailed one of the travel agents through this site and contacted two others and their prices around always a couple hundred more than going through Orbitz directly for flight and hotel. I'll check out the site you recommended. Either way, I figure once enough have booked, I'll contact my WC and hopefully she can make sure the rooms are kind of close together. We're going to be in the Excellence Club though because price wise it made sense to get the discounted Excellence of Love wedding package. I've found that flight prices alone are fluctuating a lot, but the package deals are staying pretty similar. I recently sent an email out to all potential guests letting them know that hotel prices are going to go up the end of next month and package deals seem as good as they're going to get right now and suggested they book. Â Griselda actually just sent me the extras price list, menu options for the cocktail hour and dinner, and explained just what you wrote, but thank you so much. Sometimes I hear from her right away, and sometimes it takes a bit. But I'm being patient, already trying to get in the mindset of "island time." I've heard the mosquitoes are pretty bad at night by the cascade pool, so we may end up doing an indoor reception (based on availability, I guess...) I'm looking forward to checking it all out when we get there. Do you know if we get to sample any of the food from the menus at our meeting when we arrive? My FI really wants to make sure we provide our guests with tasty options. Â Thanks for the info! When is your wedding? We're April 25th!

@mdb, I'm confused though because from what my WC Griselda is saying, the Judge will show up when the Judge shows up, and that's when we will do the "official" paperwork. She said he may come the day before (although I doubt it, being Easter and all) the same day as our ceremony, or the day after. So, I'm not sure why it matters who performs the ceremony since the legalities reside with the Judge, who won't even be there for the ceremony. Who performed your ceremony and when did the Judge sign the papers? I read elsewhere that it's better that the Judge doesn't perform the actual ceremony because then it would be in Spanish, translated by the WC, and we wouldn't be able to do any personal touches. Is there something that Pastor York does that makes it more official/legal? Thanks! Â @meridethota, her name is Griselda. She's been pretty good at getting back to me quickly, although the confusion of Holy Week and whether the DR celebrated Easter Monday threw us for a bit of a loop (considering we'd already booked our flights, hotel, etc)

Hi shanelle, Â I know you replied to this thread a while back, but I just wanted to touch base with you because I too was married before. I contacted the Dominican Consulate in Los Angeles directly and was told they charge $135 to legalize/translate my birth certificate (and I need to contact the State of Illinois prior to get an apostle attached first), $75 for my FI's birth certificate that first needs to be stamped by the Russian consulate (although he's an American citizen, he was born there), then $120 per single status affidavit and then $135 for up to 3 pages of my divorce decree (I'm assuming they only need the first page since that's all the Passport office needed to change my name back) totaling $535. Are you saying for all your stuff (including the divorce decree) it was only $350? I'm confused as I assumed going directly to the consulate would save money...any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi ladies, been busy checking flights and everything. Where have you found that best flight deals? I tried with a couple travel agents and their prices weren't even as good as Orbitz, which was discouraging. My FI and I are booked, my parents, his parents, and his aunt/uncle. I was hoping to have a point of contact for potential guests to book easily and cheaply.  Also, I was wondering if anyone knows about the Silver Dinner that is included in the Excellence of Love Wedding package. Is that a private reception, or just dinner in a semi-private area of a restaurant? If we wanted the beach or the cascade pool, does that incur an extra charge? Also, if we wanted to set up an iPod as our DJ, do they charge extra for a sound system? And how would that work if we were in one of the restaurants? Now that are officially booked, I decided it was time to get down to brass tacks  At least I have my dress, right?

Hello Ladies, Â Just found this forum. We're getting married at Excellence Punta Cana April 25th! Although, now after reading about the Holy Week, I'm concerned the Judge won't be able to sign our papers that day (some places say the Holy Week lasts through Monday) I promptly emailed my WC at the resort (her name is Griselda and she has been really quick with every reply) so hopefully it won't have been an oversight booking us that day. Â We set up a wedding website on mywedding.com and sent our STD through there. We're not expecting a huge crowd, mostly family and a couple friends, so we couldn't justify spending tons on invitations. The whole point of the DW for us was to keep it simple and relaxed. Â I bought my dress already! I found one I liked at David's Bridal then searched and found it used online for less than half the price! I'm waiting to get it altered though...we've still got 8 months! Â My fiance and I are booked (flight and hotel) although we're going to switch to another hotel after the wedding, still procrastinating on booking that. A few family members are booked and a few friends have said they're coming for sure. Â So excited! Cannot wait! And glad to be a part of this forum too! If anyone else has any more info on the Holy Week issue, please let me know. As far as I could tell, it just looked like the motorized water sports won't be an option for the first part of our trip. I emailed the hotel directly as well. I'll let you know (of course, every resort probably has different rules) Â Congrats to everyone! I would post of pic of my dress, but don't want to take the chance of my FI seeing it!

@Diva, try this website instead. That was the address in the menu bar when I did it, I don't know why when you click it directly it doesn't take you to the right place. Anyway, try this with the same calculations: Â http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/

gamcdiarmid-  The website is:  http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar2.asp  Put in the month, year, and the following numbers--  Latitude: 19N Longitude: -70.6667W GMT: -4  No daylight savings  And you'll get a calendar of the month showing you the times you need. Hope that helps.  meridithota: My wedding was originally scheduled for 5PM and she moved mine up to 5:30PM. Since we're in April, I'm assuming we should be okay. Use the website above to get the best idea of you'll need to try to switch it back.

Hi Ladies! Â Our wedding is now booked at Excellence on Monday, April 25th, 2011 at 5:30PM. I was originally concerned about the late hour, but I did an internet search and based on the longitude, latitude, and time zone of Punta Cana, I found an internet site that gave me sunset and twilight hours based on any future date. Looks like we'll be getting married at Golden Hour (sorry, I'm actually a wedding videographer on the side and know how important lighting is). I'm in touch with the resort and my WC told me that the Judge does not perform the ceremony, but only shows up at the end to sign the paperwork. Does that mean that we can have a friend perform the ceremony, or does it need to be a minister of some sort to make it legal? We're not religious, and therefore don't want any type of religious ceremony, and just thought that having a friend perform the ceremony would be a nice touch. Any info on that would be greatly appreciated. I happen to live about 5 minutes from the nearest Dominican Consulate, so I'll be going directly to them for all the translations and preparing of the documents. Congrats to everyone on their upcoming nuptials!

Thank you for all the info. You are right, I feel really lucky that they are at Excellence. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to go with a smaller package, but at least I know that whatever I go with, it'll be beautiful! Thanks again!

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I just reserved our wedding at Excellence on April 25th, 2011. We couldn't be more excited. Especially after so much research on so many different resorts. Your pictures are amazing, thank you so much for sharing. I noticed that Photosouvenir is the resort photographer at Excellence, so does that mean that those are the photographers included in the wedding package at the resort? You obviously did more than the 24 included photos, which is what we want to do, but how much extra is their photo package? Do you know if the 24 included photos are just for the ceremony or does it include any getting ready and/or bride/groom shots? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!