trivera5521

Can you guys share what the rates are for RSE? How many hours?

Sorry for the mutliple posts however I did find something on them. They were 2 cases reported to a "ripoff" company website. Check it out..


http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/Bridal-Home--Milano.aspx

Originally Posted by Traci7642 

Has anyone heard of http://www.milanobridal.com?  I'm not sure if they're a knock-off or not but the prices are extremely low.  I'm curious though because it's advertising the actual designer so I don't know how that works if it's a knock-off.  For some reason I thought they couldn't make it appear as though it were designer.  Has anyone used them? 

Traci, I have yet to see any reviews on this vendor and their website only has pics of the designer pics none of the ones they have actually made. Which raises some suspicion. I have emailed him for pictures. Also I will tell you that the # on their website although a local # is somehow forwarded to a phone in CHINA! So a chinese woman picked up..I thought that was a very good look. There customer service answered me within a few hours also!! Now if we can just see some of their work or a bride who has used them we would be good. This was his inital reply to me when I asked about him advertising actual designer dresses and clarification that they were in fact replicas:

We are professional wedding dress designer and manufacturer headquartered in Suzhou，Jiangsu Province，China. The dresses on our website are made by our company. We ensure that the dress will be 90%-95% close to the original. Due to the nature of the handwork required, 100% same as the original can not be garanteed,however,your 100% satisfaction and reliability can be garanteed.with quality fabrics, excellent handcraftsmanship and special attention paid to details, every gown has been made to be finest in quality and fit.

We sell such quality dresses at a much lower price is because we operate at a much lower cost and much lower margin. We don't have catalogs, television ads, etc. , but we do have 24 hour a day customer service, risk-free internet purchasing, the best merchandise, the best return policy, and the best prices.
 

Your 100% satisfaction is what we strive for. If you are not satisfied with the dress, just return it to us within 7 days(from the day you received your dress)，We will return your money（actual money not store credit）to you with the purchase price. There is no restocking fee on returned item. You should be responsible for the return shipping cost.

Thanks and best regards
Sophia

Originally Posted by Traci7642 

Has anyone heard of http://www.milanobridal.com?  I'm not sure if they're a knock-off or not but the prices are extremely low.  I'm curious though because it's advertising the actual designer so I don't know how that works if it's a knock-off.  For some reason I thought they couldn't make it appear as though it were designer.  Has anyone used them? 

Amelia can you please send me the info for the cigar roller as well please? So in essence we would need to pay a vendor fee for him too? Is that how it works? Also, who is Ocean Blues photographer?

[email protected]

Thanks!!
 

Originally Posted by Amelie-Mellow 

I have the details on the Cigar Roller, if you send me your email I can send them to you.

Does anyone have any info on who the resort uses for photography and what their vendor fees are for using an outside photographer? We are doing site visit in 3 weeks and this is by far the most reasonably priced resort for us and our guests and I love the pictures. For those who have already had their weddings here can you provide some insight...how was the food? Reception? We are looking at the Strawberry Passion package and wanted to know if the 3 hour receptions that are included in the packages buffet style, plated or fixed menus? Also just curious what you ladies did for music? Our particular package includes decorated wedding location, soooo what did you spend on decorations for the reception area?

I know I am asking for alot but puuhlease help us brides that are still trying to narrow it down. I will def post pictures and a full review upon my return!

I absolutely will!! As I previously mentioned, have you looked into Barcelo Palace Deluxe? I to have been turned off by the reviews at Barcelo Punt Cana. I know you cant make everyone happy but the complaints seem to the same pretty much across the board. And they havent gotten any better to date. For my guests in May 2013 the difference per night from Barcelo Punta Cana and Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a matter of $30 and the reviews are soo much better and the grounds that much nicer/prettier.  As far as the photographers are concerned. Most resorts are contracted with a particular company and then they charge you a vendor fee if you choose to use someone other then "their" photographer. I am also looking at PPC and their fee is $125 compared to Ocean Blue which is $50. All that to say the fees vary from resort to resort. I have an email into Arianna (Barcelo Punta Cana) and Marlene (Barcelo Palace Deluxe) about the fees. As soon as I hear back I will let you know.

Originally Posted by LivFontan13 

My wedding is going to be on May 4th, 2013 and I am thinking of having my wedding there as well. I am now terrified because I went on TripAdvisor and some people love and some HATE IT! The things that they hated scares me!  When you get back from your trip next month, PLEASE post pictures so that we can see what it is like. The only other thing (and I don't know how common this is there), but they don't allow to you bring in your own photographer!  I read some of the posts on here and found a few good photographers and the hotel won't let you bring in anyone external- which I thought was really weird.  Maybe all of these things can be worked out, can't wait to see what you bring back!

 

-Olivia 

Mari, we are doing site visits next month. Did they charge you an extra fee for the taste testing? Also, any chance you have a list of questions that you may have taken with you from venue to venue that are imperative to ask? Oh and what other resorts did you see during your site visit? I have 5 on my list and need to cut one out b/c of time. I have PPC, Melia Caribe, Ocean Blue, Barcelo Punta Cana, Barcelo Bavaro Palace. Suggestions?

 

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

@trivera5521:  Thanks for the info on Theresa's service fees!  Her rate doesn't sound too bad actually, I thought it'd be more.  However; I think I'm going to pass on getting an additional planner.  Right now I'm in "lock down saving mode", so EVERY penny counts.  

 

 

PPC brides:  I did speak with the Romance department in Miami, specifically with Marilyn who is the manager, regarding the new external vendor fee they added.  She confirmed this is true; however the fee would only apply to external vendors if you booked your wedding @ PPC in 2012.  Luckily, I booked my wedding in Dec 2011 (for 2012) so I am excluded from this.

 

Also, my FI and I decided that we are having a maximum of 70 people, thats it (I still think too much but I'm letting it go).  Anyway, I've been so stressed out trying to figure out where to have our reception because according to all the documents I've received the maximum capacity in most of their spaces is only 60 people, and I thought we'd have to go with the ballroom which I really disliked or worse yet, have to privatize a restaurant which would be a minimum of an additional $5,000 (for El Romantico) and as high as $9,000 (for the Gabi restaurant).  These options were EXTREMELY worrisome to me because once you privatize a restaurant, you are not able to apply a wedding package to it, you have to itemize absolutely everything (except the food and drinks).  Needless to say...I wanted to cry everytime I thought about it.  

 

Anyway, I had a call with Veronica from the Miami office to go over these issues because I didnt want to have to privatize a restaurant but wasnt quite sure how to calculate everything correctly using their budget calculator file.  After my call today I feel much better; we will continue our conversation tomorrow because she had to leave the office.  She did explain several things to me and told me the pool terrace AND foyer/terraces which say "maximum capacity 60 people" can actually fit about 72 people.  Granted, it'll be a little tight, but its do-able.  

 

Here is my suggestion to all PPC brides that are doing a site inspection..I'm offering this up because it's a lesson learned for me:  Try to get your hands on the most recent budget calculator from PPC BEFORE you go for your site inspection (get it from the Romance Dept in Miami which is their headquarters).  Also, when you are at the property doing your inspection, do a tasting from the plated menu AND the buffet menu.  We only tasted the plated menu, but really like the pool terrace for our reception and plated menu is NOT an option there because there are no restaurants near the pool terrace.  So, if we do it there we are forced to have a buffet style meal and we didnt get to taste the wedding menu for buffet style!  Also, during your site inspection, ask, ask, ask, and ask some more!  Ask anything and everything!  Now looking back, I wish I would've asked about space constraints with dance floor added, extra lighting fixture costs, seeing examples of their centerpieces (if you choose to get if from them), see the space for a semi-private rehearsal dinner, etc.  Just keep asking questions and dont be afraid to speak up!

 

Hope this helps you all in some way.  As I continue to get information, I will share!

Thanks ladies! @ Samantha thanks! I to have been in touch with Arisnna shes a big help and very much on top of thing. Have you looked at Barcelo Bavaro Palace? it's a step above Barcelo Punta Cana.  It's absolutely worth looking into just as resonantly priced for both weddings and guest.  I am doing site visits next month and plan to come back with a full review! 

Ms. Clarke are you going back to DR just to visit? I thought your wedding had past?
 

Originally Posted by MsClarke724 

I leave on Sunday!!! Ahhhhhh!!! Can't wait!!!

Ugh Ladies I need you help! I sooo want the Lazaro 3819 floral embroidered dress. Of course its out of my budget and I am hoping to find one of these companies that can make me a replica. The only problem is that its so detailed with embroidery and consists of multiple colors that most cant do it =( I appreciate their honesty but I am still hopeful to find a company that feels confident enough to take on this job. I dont have permissions to upload so here is the link to the dress as I want it.

http://www.jlmcouture.com/Lazaro/Bridal/Additional/Style-3819

Does anyones knockoff dress consist of embroidering?? If not, has anyone come across a seller that does work like this??

HELP GUYS?!!!!!!!!!

WOW thats identical to the inspiration dress!!
 

Originally Posted by exquisite02 

Ladies, so last time I posted I told you that my mum decided to order/buy from a dhgate seller instead of going with the company that I used for my dress. I used dressilyme and wrote a long review on here. My mum got a few quotes: Shades of Pale's cheapest quote was $150 US Dressilyme's quote was #167.58US plus shipping plus costom sizing. She found a seller on dhgate called Bestdavid. Bestdavid has 98% positive feedback. Bestdavid was selling the dress for $128  canadian dollars and free shipping so she ordered from best david after she did a live chat with them. She order this dress on January 11, 2012 and recieved the dress today January 18, 2012. Overall, my mum is very happy about this dress. The quality of this dress is amazing. The craftmanship is stunning. The dress is fully lined and stitched beautifully. The flowers on this dress is stunning. Her only complainst are the color of the dress is a little darker and that the bust is a little tight. I think the bust size is 1inch too small and she is not used to wearing a built in bra. I think it will be okay once she tries it on a couple more times. She can't gain any weight in the next 4 months lol. In real life the dress doesn't look tight at all and she has a lot of room to move around. This is the dress right out of the bag! I think this dress is perfect for my wedding in May and she can wear it again after my wedding.

 

 

 

Marie what did HDC charge you for your engagement photos?
 

Originally Posted by marielatica 

Hi ladies,

 

I'm planning my wedding for January 19th 2013 in Punta Cana. My FI and i are heading to PC in 2 weeks and i can't wait to take a decision for my wedding venue. I really want a Catholic ceremony at a Gazebo and something very affordable for my guest. My TA recommended us to visit Majestic Elegance, Dreams Palm Beach, Iberostar Bavaro suites and Grand Palladium Palace. I'm also doing my engagement pictures session over there with HDC.

I'm super excited and anxious!

Kristen if you dont mind me asking how much did you pay round trip? We too are flying out of JFK in May 2013 so prices are def not out yet however your wedding in June is a good comparison.  We are going down for site visits next month and our airfare was close to $500...it is during the week of Valentines day so I am hoping thats whay it was soo much. Anyway let me know. Thanks!!~

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristen6212 

We had a similar problem a couple weeks ago, we booked our airfare months ago with American airlines leaving from JFK going to Punta Cana and a couple of weeks ago my travel agent contacted me saying American notified her that all of their non-stop flights to Punta Cana are now connecting flights.  I was soo mad when she told me this, cause I was not going to have a connection.  Our only other option was to fly Jetblue, which we orignally did not go with because they do not have a closet for bridal dresses where as American did, but that was our only other option or leave out of Newark which is farther away for us.  We checked the price of Jetblue and it was a couple hundred more than what we paid, so I waited a couple weeks cause it was the holidays and stuff and I just didn't feel like being bothered or stressing over it.  Last thursday i checked prices again and they went down to almost what we paid originally and we had the travel agent re-book us with Jetblye and get us our refund from American. 

 

Besides not having the closet on Jetblue to hang my dress in, which I'm going to make sure they find somewhere to put it or I'll hold it if I have to haha in the end it all worked out for us.  Are you using a travel agent?  I would just keep checking prices and I would still wait to book, we waited months at first because airfare was so much but it eventually went down.  Are you in New Jersey?

 

Good luck and I know its hard but try not to stress it just yet

Maridr I contact Theresa and this is what she quoted me:

Base rate for my full service is $875.00CDN. Any wedding over $10,000.00 will be 10% of the final invoice total. This includes my full support and complete planning from the moment you book, until the moment you say “I DOâ€
 

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

Ayansi08:  Is Theresa's fee as wedding planner high?  I also had the pleasure of working with her shortly before she was let go, and she was wonderful.  Unfortunately, by the time I actually paid my deposit and locked in my date, she was already gone.  I may very well reach out to her.  I already booked PPC for my November 2012 wedding, and all of the posts on here are starting to really concern me.  

 

I definitely DONT want to use Arrecife.  I dont like the style of their photography...I've seen so many of their photos on blogs and they leave me un-impressed.  I'm leaning towards HDC...so I need to get on the ball very quickly about finding out for sure what all these penalties and extra fees are.  PPC is very expensive and even though I'm having about 80 people for my wedding, they weren't willing to provide a group rate unless I signed a contract...which I'm not willing to take on that financial responsibility.  Its ridiculous that they are now trying to find ways to upcharge bridal couples now for not using their preferred photographer..which sorry to be blunt...SUCKS A$$.

 

 

Great choice!! What was the vendors name???
 

Originally Posted by alj1118 

So I have gone through every single page of this forum...yes...it took a while.    I fell in love with Vera Wang's Gemma and she was way beyond my budget---no hope.  So I ordered a replica off ebay.  Seller has great feedback---100% positive.  Seller was quite responsive to my questions...and I ordered a custom sized Gemma replica.  

The one I bought from ebay was about $170 including shipping.  (insert GASP here). I know...I know!!  I was totally ok with losing all of the money and having to buy another dress.  In fact....I had prepared myself for the odds of having a hot mess show up at my door and having to start the search again and accepted that prior to buying it. However....I just received my photos from the seller and I am very happy.  For the price, I think I got very very close to the look of the $6,500 gown. She even replicated the "Blizzard Beading".  I don't have the dress itself yet...so I will write  a full review when I can try it on.  But I am VERY happy with the initial photos.  I have asked her to make it slightly sweetheart on the neckline, but below are the photos she sent. I don't like the sash she tied on.  I'm going to remove that and buy a sparkley one from Etsy.  Also---I requested a lace up back so I could tighten it to nip in my waist a bit and thought this would give me flexibility on the fit since it was made to my measurements.  But I have heard that sometimes they end up tight.   The seller's name is Vivian and she was in China so you have a few minor language issues...but she was very responsive on email.  

WOW...so close to the inspiration dress! The only apparent difference of course is the belt. If you can I would just have them add a bit more bling to it.  It seems a bit plain and almost just blends with the rest of the dress. Unless of course you meant for that then its still fabulous!!
 

Originally Posted by helen9 

Stunning and great choice!! Love the lace/ruffles combo!
 

Originally Posted by kristen6212 

This dress is absoluetely gorgeous!!! Beautiful!!!

 

You look amazing for just having had a baby!!! And love the dress!!!
 

Originally Posted by Danielleski 

 

 

I just had a baby 4 months ago so i ordered one size smaller. Man i'm nervous it wont fit when i go in for the fitting. but the sample i tried on was a little loose i do except to loose some baby weight. fingers crossed. Ahhh

Picture perfect!

Nicole did you decide to do the site visits next month? We have just finished finalising our airfare and accomodations for our site visits next month. We are visiting Paradisus Punta Cana, Barcelo Bavaro, Barcelo Punta Cana, Melia Caribe and Ocean Blue and Sand. I am hoping to cut down this list by atleast one resort in consideration of time. Where were you planning on visiting and have you touched base with the WC? I guess its not standard to be able to try the food on a site visit huh? Can anyone add some input on this...is there a seperate cost to taste the food when your doing a site visit. Food is super important and could potentially be a deal breaker for us.

Ugh I am just so anxious to lock down a venue so I can send out the STD's!!

Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole0513 

Hi Ladies! I am a 2013 bride as well!...hopefully May 25,2013 in Punta Cana. We want to go for a site visit in early February to make our decision of where we want to get married. Hopefully that is not too late as I see some of you have your date already booked!! A year and 7 months away and I am already feeling behind!! lol Right now I'm in the gathering as much information as possible phase..so hopefully soon we can narrow down the front runners...

Eva, how did the finished postcards look? Are you able to send along a pic? That sure is a great price!!

 

Originally Posted by Eva1love 

I also started working on my wedding website... it's looking better and better every day! I am thinking of sending save the dates this Oct. I did something simple its a postcard with only the month, year, location and our website info all on the sand with a starfish... not the actual wedding day or the resort as all that is still in the works... but I want to allow my guests as much time as possible to plan. I will then send an official one when we book the resort. 

I was able to buy 300 postcards at www.postcards.com for $42.15 with shipping included - and that's with 2-sided printing because I included our address on the back side of the postcard... this is under .15 a pc... they only sell in increments of 100, 300, 500+ but it looks really nice and I can't wait to get feedback  

I'll try my best to upload a pic for you girls to see...  

 

xo 

 

Hey I am just curious...you previously had your wedding date for May and changed it to January. Any particular reason why. We are also planning for mid May but I hear thats typically a rainy month and I am sooo afraid of that. Thoughts?
 

Originally Posted by beachbride2013 

Hi all!!

 

I am also a 2013 bride!! We are planning for January 5, 2013. We have mainly been looking at Negril, but am now looking at Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana.

Ladies we can finally say we are getting married next year!!! Woohoo!!! Generally most resorts/venues wont book more than a year in advance. March 2013....just a couple of months and you are good to go!! Good Luck!

 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Does anyone have any idea when pricing may be available for March 2013? I am soooo anxious to confirm a date so I can get going on STD's, etc. etc.....

I have a travel agent from Blue Petal calling me tomorrow - does anyone have any information/reviews on them?

Depending on how that call goes, I'll also be going out to some local (eastern Ontario) travel agents and seeing what I can find out.

 

I'm so excited to start planning! Also, so glad I found this forum!

Great example as to why I LOVE this blog and all of you super helpful brides!!! Thanks a million Jessica...and wow they are super reasonably priced!! B/T/W my other color is turquoise so not sure when your wedding is but if your looking to sell any of your things, please keep me in mind =)
 

Originally Posted by mrssuzuki87 

Go to http://www.weddinglinensdirect.com/

 

I got my turquoise linens here and I absolutely love them!!

 

I searched "coral" and they have that color...hopefully its the shade you want.

 

Hope this helps!!

Jessica

Lovely!! What was your inspiraton dress? And if you dont mind me asking what was the total cost from Jasmines?

 

Originally Posted by rawalter 

Sorry about the multiple posts