maridr2012

I wish I could say Im not going to let it get me stressed out if people book or dont rsvp or this or that..but the truth is, I am getting VERY stressed out. We budgeted for about 70 people to go to our DW. We announced we were having a destination wedding over a year ago when we got engaged. Everyone acted super excited and told us they would DEF be there. Then the save the dates went out in February, we got very little feedback from our guests on whether they'd think they'd go. So we had to "guess-timate" for about 70. Tomorrow our formal invitations are being mailed out...and I'm so stressed out I swear I find a new gray hair every day..I'm not even kidding. Only 10 rooms have booked, and that was only because we harassed our immediate family members and wedding party and explained we couldnt block rooms (at discounted rate) unless there was a group contract for minimum 10 rooms. I've received a phonecall or email or text at least once a week since the save the dates from people telling me they arent sure if they can go...flights are so expensive...they dont know if they can bring their entire families, blah blah blah. This is all from the same people who jumped with joy when we announced our DW...and were harassing US for the save the date. What makes me even angrier is I'm not asking these people if theyre coming or not..they know theyre being invited and feel the need to tell me all the time how expensive it will be. Honestly...I really can't wait for this to be all over. It's been largely a miserable experience. My FI is also equally stresed, and its causing us to fight alot. I sometimes wish we would've just eloped and not said anything to anyone about it. But...I don't want to sacrifice the dream I envisioned from when I was a little girl just because people are ruining this experience. I do keep trying to remind myself that NOBODY will care as much about this wedding than I will, because its not their day. But..it still BLOWS.

We also thought about flying to another island to honeymoon a few days after the wedding. But we opted not to because we didn't want to spend yet another day traveling. However, Puerto Rico is a great option, as is Cuba which are both short flights. My FMIL very generously is paying for us to use her timeshare. We are going to La Romana about 2 hours away from Punta Cana and are staying at Dreams. La Romana is a great option because it offers several activities outside of the resorts whereas Punta Cana doesn't.

Well, none of the brides here are forcing anyone to come to a wedding, so if a single can't suck it up for a few hours and mingle with the other singles then that's too bad. Ideally, it's also a vacation for the guests. And I don't think any of us who are not inviting Plus 1's are intentionally trying to spite anyone or leave anyone out; but it becomes a very difficult choice between picking someone's boyfriend/girlfriend or "date", or inviting another dear friend or relative that you really want to include in your event. The tough part is, that if you don't invite that single person at all, it causes even more hurt feelings, and that's the last thing anyone wants to do. With that said, I probably wouldn't want to go alone either, but if it's a close enough friend/relative that I want to show my support for and I can afford it, I'd suck it up and go. I'd bring a few friends along that can hang out on their own the day of the wedding.

Lol. The audacity of ur aunt to give u unsolicited options for ur wedding. Hahaa. Lately I've been getting a lot of calls, emails, and text messages from friends and relatives complaining about the price of flights. Like...I have the secret magic phone # to call the airlines and have them lower the prices. Mind you, we are still 6 months out from the wedding. I don't know how many times I've had to say, "setup an alert on Kayak, and prices typically go to standard fare prices about 3 months out for the Carribbean". And I also have folks complaining about possibly having to take a flight with a layover to keep it affordable. Imean really. Is a 90 min layover that terribly hard if you want to save $ and see us married and enjoy a great vacay?!!

Ha...I'm glad I'm not the only one that dated for a long time before getting engaged. We dated for 5 yrs before he asked. I had longed for it for years but it wasn't happening. I had given up on the thought of it...I even planned on ending it for good immediately after our vacation. But then, he did the unthinkable, he proposed while we were vacationing in Aruba! It took me COMPLETELY by surprise but afterwards I reflected and realized all the signs were there, it was so obvious but I didn't see it b/c I was so jaded about the whole thing. We did get alot of "FINALLY" and "about time" which was annoying, I wish everyone could've just said "congrats" n left it at that.

We booked HDC Photo & Video in Punta Cana for 6 hours. They're doing getting ready pics, ceremony, bride & groom pics, family n group shots, and part of reception. Hour ceremony is @ 4:30, and we have a cocktail hour plus a 4 hour reception. I would've loved to do " First Look" pics but my FI isn't about it either, lol. He's turning out to be alot more traditional than I thought.

I personally did not have to do a deposit for the 10 room block. My contract was that the group rate was only if I had 10 rooms booked within 30 days of signing the contract. Each guest was to call in and pay a deposit within the 30 days. If I didn't have 10 rooms with deposits paid, my credit card would then be charged a penalty. Each guest can select the date they wish to arrive and room category they want.

For the singles I've only addressed it to the 1 person being invited. I'm hoping people know etiquette and if it isn't addressed as "...and Guest" they'll know it means it's only them. But, I guess I'll know if they know etiquette when I start getting the RSVPs back lol. I did get asked by some friends if they could bring a date when they received the save the dates.. So those people already know I'm only inviting them.

LOL! Right...like I am really going to plan my wedding around your kids school holiday. ummm....NOT.

Its always such a difficult decision to have to decide if a guest can have a plus 1. From the beginning we decided due to budget AND space constraints that only married, engaged, or couples living together would be allowed a plus 1. The exception to that were our wedding attendants. 1of my bridesmaids has a significant other who can't go due to work so shes bringing her sister. And thebest man is in midst of a breakup so we think he's bringing a guy friend who the family has known for years, so it works out. I've had several guests ask if they can bring adage and I've been lucky to not get any guilt trips when I explain they can't due to space constraints. They will bring the date on vacation and immediately after our reception everyone will re-group at the disco. Hopefully if we get enough declines I may be able to include them!

I sent out save the dates in late January, but didn't have a group rate until a few months later. My TA suggested I only set the group rate for 10 rooms so I wouldntbe liable if I had a lot of rooms left over. I took her advice and the 10 rooms were booked almost immediately by our immediate families and wedding party as we knew they wouldn't flake out. My invitations will be going out in June so I'm hoping the guests start booking right away when they get the formal invitation. And, I can add to my block of rooms as each new guest contacts my TA and pays for their deposit.

I haven't had my wedding yet, but I was concerned about the fabric for the same reason as you. I decided on silk taffeta. It's so lightweight and a breathable fabric yet still luxurious!

This is a great thread! My wedding is on Nov 9th. We sent out save the dates in January, when we officially booked a venue and date. Our families already knew we'd be having a DW as we had decided that as soon as we got engaged the year before. I just ordered invitations and will mail them out 1st week of June, with RSVP July 14th. That'll be about 3 1/2 months before the big day. It's not terribly early, especially given that our wedding website (printed on save the dates) did provide travel agent info and resort name so folks had plenty of advanced notice. Besides, our group travel arrangements for resort stay require all guests' final payments be made by end of August. So, an RSVP that is 3 1/2 months prior should be fine. I only wish I would've ordered the invitations a little earlier since I'm only giving guests 6 wks to reply, but then again, they've known about it for months.

Cortney: Can you tell me what items the resort did provide for you? I find I'm going a little nuts over what I need to bring with me and where to get it from and what I will need to pay extra for. For example: I love your escort table, I'm thinking of doing something very similar with sand dollars or starfish which will double as a favor - x-mass tree ornament. But, did the resort provide you with a sand tray, or did you have to bring that on your own? Also, I think you did OOT bags which I also am doing. Did they charge you extra to give those to guests? I thought I would put them together myself since I'm getting there 4 days before the wedding, but was hoping to just give them to Miguelina or something and have it given to the guests upon check-in or put in their rooms. How did you handle this, did they charge you a fee for that? And last question (for the day), can you please share where you got the plate for guests to sign? I love that!

Wait...theres another band at the Gabi Club?! How did I not know this?! I was there in December for 3 nights and never heard of this...I was aware of the one in the lobby (they're great by the way).

We budgeted $27k for our wedding. That includes our 6 nite stay, the highest package for our ceremony & reception for about 70 guests, photography & videography, attire, gifts, OOT bags, invitations, decor, our flights, etc. I'm actually hoping that we dont have the 70 people coming as that's taking a big chunk but we'll see. Most of our guests are staying for 3 nights which will cost them $870 per couple, AI (not including air).

Thx for the info Cortney! I emailed my coordinator at the PPC Romance office about the escort card table and she told me they can provide a table for $25 with a tablecloth, and my bridesmaids can just put the cards on it. Shes also getting info for me on the card box. I see you got the bridal suite to get ready, I already reserved it since I have 4 girls and I'm sure my mom and his mom will be in there too! Was the food they brought in enough to hold you over? Also, how long was your reception? I'm torn on whether I should add another hour to make it 4. Currently it's from 6-9 pm but I'm nervous it'll go by too quickly, with intro, first dance, father daughter then mother son dance, speeches (we r only doing best man speech), cake cutting, dinner & dancing. Yikes! It goes by so quickly! What are your thoughts on the standard length allotted for reception (3 hrs)?

Hi Cortney. Did you work with Lara of Caribbean Celebrations? They're the company Paradisus uses to decorate. I ask because I'm putting together details for the ceremony and reception. Caribbean Celebrations is charging me $85 + tax just to set up the seating card table. I think that's crazy! Did you have a seating card table for your reception, and did you just do that yourself/bridesmaids or did you have to pay for it? Also, did you bring a gift card box with you for your reception? They're telling me they don't provide that and I can ship it down or carry in my luggage (I don't like either option).

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Janine - and Leila too actually: As I've been working with Veronica of the Paradisus Romance office, she has told me that I really do need to work hand-in-hand with Lara of Carribean Celebrations. Don't worry about complicating things.. Lara handles all of the decorating aspects of your ceremony and reception. The only thing she does NOT handle in regards to decorating is fresh flowers - that has to be done thru the Romance coordinator. Hope this helps! Good luck

Yay! Congrats on your wedding! Beautiful pic by the way : ) Can't wait to hear all about it and see pics! You'll be bombarded with 100 questions by me and all the other brides, haha.

Im not getting married at Dreams since I fell in love with another resort in Punta Cana...BUT...my honeymoon is now officially booked at Dreams La Romana! Yay!!! I'm uber happy that I am able to get the best of both worlds! The only reason I didnt choose Dreams for my wedding was it was a bit harder to get direct non-stop flights there and I wanted to make traveling very easy for my guests...Punta Cana offered so many direct non stop flights so we decided to get married there. But I've seen all the pics and reviews on Dreams, and La Romana is such a cute little town and offers so many activities that it's going to be the perfect get away after our wedding! Looking forward to all the comments and feedback from everyone on this property. Adesir8...I may very well see you there as I'll be checking in on November 11th, the day after your wedding. Cheers! : )

Hey Janine, sorry to hear you're having a hard time. The last thing you need is to feel this anxiety only 2 months out from your wedding! I have been working with Veronica from the Romance office, she's in the same office as Cemone. I have absolutely LOVED working with Veronica. She is extremely helpful, very responsive and is full of ideas. Just know that the prices they're quoting you for things you're asking for isn't up to them personally. Veronica has also quoted me on some things that I thought were too pricey, but she's also given me other really nice more affordable options when I explain I can't afford to spend X amount of $ on whatever item it is, and she's full of great ideas. My wedding is still a bit over 6 months out, and Veronica and I have calls every 2 weeks. I really didn't want to have to worry about trying to come up with decor, times, etc. only 3 months before. I've also been communicating on a regular basis with Lara from Carribean Celebrations, the company they use for decorating. Lara has also been very helpful. I suggest maybe talking to Cemone and explaining you need more support from her, and if that doesn't work ask for another coordinator..try Veronica. And, don't feel like you're being a bridezilla or feel bad about asking to work with someone else. These girls are professionals and I'm sure they've dealt with their fair-share of anxious brides...hey its only natural to feel that way! Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress and how it goes on your special day @ PPC!

I think I now have some what of a better grip to our songs: Processional: Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Bride entrance: Canon D Recessional: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz Wedding Party entrance for reception: undecided...waiting for the wedding to get closer for the newest cool song Bride & Groom Entrance: also undecided, waiting for date to get closer for cool new song. But for now, I'm really liking FloRida's "Good Feeling" First Dance: Kiss of Life - Sade Father Daughter Dance: Para Tu Amor- Juanes (my parents only speak Spanish so I thought it'd only be appropriate to have a Spanish song) Groom & Mother song: totally have no clue -FI knows his mom better than I do Cake Cutting: L-O-V-E - Joss Stone We're having a "Carribean trio" perform for our cocktail hour..it's supposed to be a live entertainment little surprise for the guests. I must say I'm a little torn on some things: my ceremony space has a very short aisle so Canon D seems awfully long for it...lol. Hopefully I can figure it out at rehearsal. Also, it seems out of place given the modern songs used in the rest of the ceremony. But it's the only song that gives me butterflies and builds up the anticipation! I didn't realize I'd have to pick something out for the grooms entrance & paper signing! All of these song choices by the way, the groom knows NOTHING about lol. I'm sure he'll have his say. Who knew there would be so many decisions to make?!

Awesome! Yes pls let us know how it goes. What airline are you flying on? Im curious to know how they'll handle ur dress..