islandbride8

We are having our ceremony at the gazebo and basic set-up includes white chair covers, white table linens, and a tropical floral centerpiece. For us, most of their prices are too expensive so we are bringing our own centerpieces. There's a great thread on here about centerpieces that could give you some inspiration! You can bring your own liquor and they will give you buckets to keep them cold. Also, if you want to offer some sort of bartender services you can spend $5pp/hr which includes beer/wine/champagne/sodas (much more reasonable!). If you rent the wet bar/parrot bar/ or sports bar you can pay a flat $500/hr which includes basic set up, sound system and unlimited domestic drinks.

I agree with most everyone on here. I would be very offended if someone told me how to wrap the gift i bought them! Usually at baby or bridal showers I've been to, people play the bingo game during gift unwrapping. When guests arrive they get a blank bingo card and fill in the blanks with gifts they anticipate the bride will get (tuperware, utensils, blender, ect). Then as you open your gifts people can check off the gifts they got right, until someone gets bingo! I like this idea, because not only does it give guests something to do, they have to pay attention to you opening your gifts!!! I'm sure there are other games/ideas out there, but honestly opening gifts is an expected part of showers.

I'm expecting to have between 10-20 guests (probably closer to 10). Initially we were going to have a private reception following the semi-private dinner, but i'm on the fence about this. Even if we do have 20 guests, I'm not sure how it would work out. I feel like everyone would be sitting around starring at each other and I don't people to feel awkward or out of place. Our ceremony is at 1pm and dinner isn't until 6:30, so i'm thinking an inpromtu cocktail hour at the piano bar or something. we are on a very tight budget so... not very many options! I'm torn about the first dance, I really want to have this, but not really immediately after the ceremony. oh well, i'm sure everything will fall into place!

ok, not looking too good I do know they receive their flowers on friday for the entire week. So for a wednesday or thursday wedding, your flowers are basically a week old.... Not much i can do now, guess i'm keeping my fingers crossed!

oh no, i haven't seen that one... i'm going to check it out

I think as long as you save them, you should be fine. Don't lose them or they will charge. my resort charges $90 if you lose it!!!!

the only bad review i think i've seen on there was about the weather and not having a plan B. is this the one you're referring to? I'm going to make sure when i have my meeting with my WC that we make a plan b then in case of inclement weather

I would def wear nude undergarments, so even if you can see through your dress your undies will blend with your skin

Throughout your planning you will be emailing one WC. this may or may not be the actual WC you are assigned for your wedding day. You don't find out who your wedding day WC is until you arrive at the resort. Keep all your emails to show them what was promised to you

He has two ceremony options that you can modify. Both are appx 20-25 minutes long.

Elegance... WTF why are they telling everyone something different?!?! Seriously this is crazy! I guess I'm going to appoint a family decorator, b/c no one knows who their actual WC will be until you get there. Now I'm questioning everything!!!!!

WHAT?!?! i was told by Stephany that they would take care of all the decorating! Here is our correspondance: Hola Stephany, I hope you are having a great week. I was wondering if I bring my own isle runner, chair sashes, and table runners if there would be a fee to have that all set up? Gracias, Sarah Hola Sarah!! We don’t charge if you bring the items you would like to use on your wedding day. The wedding coordinator take care of that J Good evening! Stephany Peguero García Wedding PlannerY Majestic Resorts Punta Cana " The Perfect Place to Say I Do" Tel. 1.809.221.9898 Fax. 1.809.468-4995 E-mail: [email protected] www.majestic-resorts.com

This is the exact wording the judge will use and this cannot be modified in any way. It will be said in Spanish by the judge and translated by the WC. I have seen on here where brides have the judge come to their hotel room or something be for the symbolic ceremony. if you want it done at the same time: the judge would say everything first. he would then leave and your aunt can perform her ceremony. Hope this helps Dear Friends and Family, We are gathered here today with the objective of uniting in a civil marriage Sheri and Edward who have decided to change their civil status from single, to the honourable status of being married. Marriage is an institution; it is an admirable status which has its origins in the solemn contract celebrated between one man and one woman, who of their own free will… wish to marry, with the object to love, honour and care for each other mutually. To celebrate this marriage, it is necessary that there is no opposition, if anyone here knows of any legal reason to prevent this event, must speak now or remain in silence forever. Edward do you take Sheri as your legitimate wife, do you promise to love her, honour her, care for her and protect her in the good times and the bad times, in richness and in poverty, in sickness and in health?. As a sign of this promise, please place the ring on Wedding finger of your bride Sheri do you take Edward as your legitimate husband, do you promise to love him, honour him, care for him and protect him in the good times and the bad times, in richness and in poverty, in sickness and in health? As a sign of this promise, please place the ring on the wedding Finger of your groom. I, Juan Julio Rijo, official of the civil State of Punta Cana, have heard from Edward & Sheri their wish to marry, and having heard no opposition to their marriage, having met with all the legal requirements needed by the Matrimonial Law in the Dominican Republic, on Tuesday Decemeber 9th 2008 and in front of the witnesses, I declare you, husband & Wife.

These are awesome!!! i just ordered paper from paperandmore. After playing with some samples i ordered i just know these are going to turn out great! thanks for sharing

Pastor York cannot perform legal ceremonies, they must be performed by a judge. Yes, they are only performed in Spanish and simultaneously translated into English by the wedding coordinator. Pastor York does symbolic ceremonies (you have to be legally married first). You can have Pastor York do a symbolic ceremony immediately after the Judge does the legal thing though.

did you just make reservations that day for the japanese? i asked about a rehersal dinner and our WC booked our group at the buffet for the night before, but i would rather have it at a nicer place. how many do you think could fit in the one room at the japanese steakhouse?

I definately agree with this. i only sent 36 invitations and have some people "saying" they're coming, but who really knows. It's initimidating to read on here about the huge private receptions and 50-100+ guestlists. I think this is a great thread and we should ban together to help each other with the kinks of smaller weddings. Are you guys having a private reception? we are having a semi-private dinner at the steakhouse in our resort (included in the wedding package), but are debating on the private reception after. we don't want people to feel lost if there are only 15 of us or so. I like the small, intimate feel that comes with just a few guests, but i also want to accomodate their needs and exceed their expectations. What is everyone doing?!?!

Initially i thought about having an AHR, then i changed my mind. My fiance and I both have large families and everyone whom we wanted to come, has been invited to the DW. If they aren't able to make it that's fine, but we're not going to throw a party for them when we get back either. I've been to weddings where i have to travel several hundred miles to get there. I realize we are asking a lot more with a DW, but I'm not having a reception for people who don't come to our wedding. I don't think you should feel pressure to change your AHR to accomodate anyone. As brides, this is all about our dreams and not accomodating others. Follow your heart and any changes you make should be for you and not your guests. good luck

i love this

Brace yourself, but some people think it's okay just to show up at a wedding... Crazy, I know! My fiance's cousin was getting married last year and out of no where he asked me if i wanted to go. Now, we live together and i knew we didn't get an invitation! I mentioned this and he replied, "yea, but it's family... everyone's invited!" WHAT?!?! I couldn't believe what i was hearing and after a lengthy discussion why that would be completely inappropriate, he still didn't understand the etiquite i was trying to explain (actually drill into his head!). I still can't understand why anyone would think it's okay to invite others to a wedding, or just to show up uninvited, but apparently there are people who just don't get it! Needless to say we did not attend his cousins wedding. Hopefully someone will talk some sense into theses people! If not, stand your ground and don't have a seat or food for them. Good luck

I would definately stop playing nice. This is your wedding and you should not be put in this situation. It is tricky when dealing with people you know, but she's being really unprofessional and that's poor business practice. If you didn't know her through someone else you would get rid of her right?!?! I would be upfront about your needs and expectations of her and let her know that if she doesn't meet these expectations that someone else will. I don't think you should feel awkward confronting her (if anything her brother should be uncomfortable because his sister sucks!). It will be may be uncomfortable to voice your concerns to her, but you'll be soooo glad you did. Stick you for yourself and don't let her add unneccessary drama to your planning process! good luck

Lol. Hate to admit it, but.... FI and i were in an arguement in the car one afternoon and when we pulled into the driveway i got out of the car and and threw it at him. BIG MISTAKE. in his anger he didn't try to catch it and it went rolling around in the parking lot. took me 3 1/2 hours to find it under one of my neighbor's cars Learned my lesson big time. I spent the entire afternoon sobbing as i looked for it thinking i would never see it again. Feeling like that taught me a big lesson about putting things into perspective. I don't think it's right to take it off (let alone throwing it, lol) and I can't even imagine how i'd feel if, when we're married, he took his ring off out of anger.

I would definately make sure you get a confirmation and have everything set before you book your trip. Open bar is really expensive and not worth it in my opinion, but that just depends on your budget.

Who cares what other people expect? its your day and should be celebrated in your style. I would make it clear that there will not be alcohol and that people are not allowed to bring their own. Sure some people may be disappointed, but that's better than you being disappointed, right?!?! You are celebrating your marriage and commitment to your husband and this should be done according to your style. i don't think you should feel guilty about this at all and don't worry about expectations of others. if they love you and respect you this won't be a problem. Have Fun!!!

Wow! this is awesome. I'm so stealing this!!! great job!