Katiem2012

Thanks Kris, I checked it out and you're right there is a ton of info there!

I'm glad to see so many previous brides at the Grand Palladium have such positive reviews!! Does anyone know/remember how many people were seated at each table? I'm looking into diy centre pieces, table runners etc and I just want an idea of how many I'll need. Thanks!

Wow Edmonton is higher than Halifax! We're finding that Halifax is more expensive than Ottawa and Toronto, although we've all expected that... but Edmonton is even more!? thats crazy! We've been able to find flights out of Montreal (which is close enough to Ottawa we'll just have to drive) and Toronto on the same day with Transat Vacations, but Halifax departures just don't match up with any of the pkgs we've looked at, it's so frustrating!

So I'm not from the East coast but my FI is from NS! I'm just wondering if anyone here planned flights out of Hali and an airport in Ontario? We have a huge group leaving from Halifax and a group leaving from Ottawa/Toronto and we're having a really hard time matching up the flights by a day or less. Did anyone else have this issue? which travel provider did you use? Thanks!

Beautiful post! It's so true, we are the lucky ones! I totally agree with you that wedding planning and the us against the world feeling totally comes up during all of the issues that we are able to resolve together! I love my FI more and more every day and our bond keeps getting stronger!!

Haha while I don't want to give the wrong impression, I don't think we'll be putting a lot toward our guests... but one of the groomsmen and one of my really good friends might not be able to get enough cash... so we're going to see how short they are and offer to top it up... they are both really important to us and we really want them there, but they're still in university and that makes it tricky!

haha steal away! I'm glad you ladies think it's written nicely, I was a little worried I was being too direct..

I think the idea of having a stash is great! I thought of the idea when we first started planning as my FI can be pretty cheap at times and didn't want me to spend too much on my dress (his number was about half of my number ha) so I started a stash for that and will keep it going for the next 10 months for whatever else I need to spend it on! He knows about the stash and likes the idea as I'm the better saver and am better with money. He even started contributing some when I told him I was going to use some of it for guests who we know might be short a bit for the trip!

Ugh so we've now had about 4 guests including my future MIL invite people they thought would be invited to the wedding... I've posted the following on our website.... *Just a note to our friends and family. We have been receiving some questions as to whether invited guests are able to invite additional individuals to join us on the trip to celebrate our wedding. Although we certainly welcome anyone who wishes to stay at the resort during our wedding week, only those who have been invited will be able to attend the wedding festivities. We decided on a destination wedding in order enjoy a smaller more intimate celebration and have only invited those closest to us to join us on our special day and celebrations. We hope that everyone understands and respects our wishes in this matter. People seem to be getting the hint as we've had a couple apologies from the people we've spoken with!!

Ugh that situation sucks! I feel your pain, my MOH is my sister as well and she's had a problem with my FI since we started dating and keeps picking fights with me over stupid small stuff! The only advice I can give you is to try to be the bigger person and get in touch with her. It sounds like she's being very immature about the situation. It's you're wedding, one day and you're asking her to be supportive and look happy for that one day... and just to do what you want for that one day... in the big scheme of things one day isn't much and she needs to grow up and accept that... Trust me I know it's easier said than done... I'm struggling with the same thing. Hopefully she realizes that it's your day, not hers and as your MOH and sister that she needs to respect that...

ah hahaha that is so funny! It can't be real, no way!! LOL

Thanks for the vasoline tip! I hadn't even considered that my fingers will swell, and they normally do! lol

Meeshie that is such a great idea!! I've been worried about how I'm going to fit all of my clothes let alone the decorations and everything! I'm definitely going to try ziploc bags!!

Great information!! This will be great to pass along to my guests! I'll be sure to credit you JenniferSS!

So funny, whether it's true or not... haha

Hi Laurelyn, We're planning our wedding in Punta Cana in March 2012 as well, flying out of Nova Scotia and Ontario. We picked the week right after spring break as the rates are typically really high on the week of spring break. We're looking at about $1650pp for the week of March 21st from Ontario as well! I know our Travel Agent said that if we had gone a week earlier (right during the spring break) we'd be looking at about $2000/pp because of the demand that week. We're planning on locking in the rates now, and then keeping an eye out for the rates to get lower. Apparently some agents will match a lower rate... from what I've heard rates for March should be dropping by the end of Sept-October if the providers are having a hard time filling rooms... so that would be the best time to lock in and finalize a group rate... so we're having our deposits for the group rate be due at the end of September... Which resort are you having your wedding at? Ours is going to be at the Grand Palladium

Well we're flying out of Canada with guests coming from Ontario and Nova Scotia so the vacation providers we're looking at are Air Transat, SunQuest, Sunwing and Air Canada... We're finding that Air Transat and Sunwing have the best rates out of Toronto/Montreal but Ottawa and Halifax rates are a lot higher.... We did look at booking the hotel and airfare separately however found it was a lot more expensive and we would need to arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel and back in Punta Cana. I think it all depends on which airline/when you book as to what the cheapest rates are... but it's extremely frustrating!!!! I'm finding the rates are changing daily...

No we don't have a contract rate. We're going through a travel agent so the airfare/hotel are all together. We're hoping to get a rate around $1500 incl taxes per person for the airfare/hotel for the week. The rates we're getting right now are around $1650, which isn't too far off at least! We had to wait until the beginning of May to get the airfare prices for March of 2012. It seemed pretty strange to me that they don't have prices/flight plans outlined until 10 months beforehand but I guess thats how it works! lol.

Hey Letluva, We were looking at the off season but wanted to pick a date around when the majority of our guests travel south (in Jan-March)... apparently in those date ranges the end of March is the cheapest as it's typically after March break and right before the Easter holiday... the prices have dropped a bit, currently they're at $1500-1600 with the group rate... which is better then the original prices we were looking at. I do find it strange that even with booking 50 plus guests we're only getting about $50-100/person off... for the total cost. I thought we'd be looking at more of a discount. Obviously I'm totally off base with this! lol This price is way better for us though!

Great advice! Thanks for posting!

Thanks! This list is really helpful, I'm feeling a lot better with what we've done so far!

Katie & Matt March 26 2012 Grand Palladium Palace

My Fiancee and I are getting Married March 2012 at the Grand Palladium, any tips from past brides out there??

This is all great advice! I'm still in the planning stages and I've already learned that sometimes those closest are the ones who let you down and others who you haven't spoken much are first to book and are excited to share the day with you. So many of my fiancee and my relationships have been changed! I've come to count on him for so much support, he's been involved so much planning and has helped to keep me sane with the friend/family issues... what a life changing experience and I'm still 9 months out!!!

Wow, well I'm glad others are having the same issue. My fiancee and I are planning our wedding in Punta Cana in March 2012 and we're already having uninvited guests invite themselves. My fiancee's ex is actually trying to find herself an invitation as a plus one of one of his friends... it's killing me and I hope she doesn't come. She's been trying to break us up since the minute we got together and it's been horrible. I think I'll take you're advice and not let her use the group rate or attend any of the events... it's just really hard if she's the plus one of one of my fiancee's friends...and I'll still have to put up with her being at the resort.. ugh!