vav11238

Ok, here's a picture - not of the exact rings but close.

heavenone, same with my FI. He just decided on titanium and I figured - why not?!?. We're getting ours from an etsy seller - Minter and Richter. It's beautiful because there's an anodized purple on the inside - which is one of our wedding colors. http://www.etsy.com/shop/MinterandRichterDes?ref=seller_info

Hopefully you'll all be able to open this file up since it's a pdf and check out the pricing. Figured it be easier than sending to you all one at a time. But if it doesn't work, let me know. UPDATED Now Larimar Punta Cana extras 23.11.2011.pdf

Hello ladies!!! Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and an exciting new year...but it's 2012 and time to get married!!!! My giddiness aside, what's brewing within? I've gotten a response from AMresorts about the platform and this is what the verdict is: Hi Valerie- Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials and thank you for choosing Now Larimar Punta Cana. I see you have a question regarding the wooden platform cost for the fountain area. I apologize for the confusion, but ultimately that is the cost of the installment. Because this piece is rented from an outside vendor, that is the price has been arranged. As you know, the wedding coordinator (Claribel) sends images of multiple set-ups (with and without the walkway) and then provides a quote based on the decor and arrangements that are asked for. Because the walkway was not mentioned it was not included in the quote; hence, only now mentioned in recent communication. As a destination wedding bride myself, I empathize with you, but unfortunately as this is an item that the resort has to rent, we don't have much control. We will certainly learn from this and make brides are completely clear on what the set-up they requested will include. I will say that I have seen many weddings at Now Larimar and they have all been gorgeous. The team there is amazing and they will make your day absolutely incredible. Best, Amanda Amanda Davis Product Manager, Romance AMResorts 7 Campus Blvd. Newtown Square, PA 19073 610.359.6781 [email protected] I think this answer sucks but am letting it go, so it doesn't affect the wedding. I'll simply have the gazebo set up further away from the fountain and ask to have the seats circling the gazebo rather than behind it. Plus I'll have the fountain fully on during the wedding which should make for lovely pictures. Bright side! I currently have 40 people set to come and think that'll be just as lovely. Also, for those of you asking for the price of extras, a new updated price list was sent to me, pm me if you'd like me to email it to you or contact the WC. It has all the extra costs for the fire dancers and musicians - etc, which the initial price list didn't. Incredibly helpful in tallying up the cost of this festive occasion.

Having just returned from the my folks house, where my Macy's registery is registered we got loads of stuff, at various price ranges and largely from people who aren't coming. My shower is in two weeks and will see how much more we get but I think it was best that we registered or the people not coming would have just gone rogue.

I completely agree with you. I, too, use to work at a the largest store for registering and people would be frantic about gifts. And it's been a recent thing, not writing where you're registered within invitations. What I did - ordered a separate little card that had our monogram and behind it that the couple were registered at Macy's. And I chose only one store to make it easy on everyone (mainly me, I live abroad and when I'm in the states I'd rather not have to run around a hundred stores). If you're going to have a shower, you really should register. Just make it vast on high and low price points.

It's all about what is a priority to each individual. I've been incredibly understanding to everyone when I planned to have the wedding in DR. It is the cheapest, most affordable place to have a vacation. I wanted to book a high-end, pricey hotel but changed, largely for, my brother who has a family of five. I toiled for weeks comparing prices making sure kids would be staying for free. I sent him a massively early email letting him know to begin saving for the flights (my sister works for an airline and we get massive discounts), and the hotel. Our parents had already offered to cover the cost of passports. Plans were being made to cater to him and his family because the only people I cared be there beyond me and the fiance is my immediate family. Without a cost being sent to him, he called me and said no matter what my nephews and his wife weren't coming because they couldn't afford it. With eleven months to save?!? With massive flight discounts??? With our mom covering three passports??? With kids stay free??? And then I heard he brought a flat screen TV with his tax return. Because that was his priority. In the end, I had a hissy fit, shed tears in public, wrote a scathing blog post and called my parents who sorted it all out. After that, I decided I really could give a crap who will or won't be there. Most of my close friends won't. Non of my FI's friends will be either (though in all fairness traveling from the UK is a massive commitment). I've 60 people the majority of which are my parents friends and second, third cousins. You just have to think about you and the FI in these cases because in the end, he's the only one you'll looking at.

We debated about it as everyone who plans a destination wedding must and we did. People will give if they can and those that cannot won't. Also, we invited 120 people with 50 attending. All the ones who aren't will - according to my mom, since they are largely her friends - buy the most expensive of gifts to compensate. I had also intended on writing a 'your presence is our present. please do not give us wedding gifts' or something corny like that on our wedding website but my parents told us not to. People who cannot afford it don't need to be told. They no their bank accounts but why turn cash away from those who can. So instead, I sent private emails to my friends to make sure they knew that I'd rather them attend then ay gift they'd give. And they all loved that. They did, however, get us engagement/shower gifts. Typically the lower priced items but still gifts are gifts. I say go for it!

The almanacs mean that the sun is completely below the horizon. You'll have a few minutes left of sunlight before it's gone. I've scheduled our wedding for 4.30 which means by 5, when we'll be taking the pictures, you'll get a good sun through the clouds glow. Or at least, that's what I've been told. I've spoken to three photographers and was told that you want the day to have broken to get some great pics of the sky. In the day it'll be too bright and at night just dark.

The piece of wood is from Innovart. I'm trying to find the head NOW resorts corporate number to ask why they don't own the walkway themselves? It doesn't make sense to suggest something that you can only have for such a ridiculous price. $500 I could understand but $1500, I'm still wrapping my mind around that. Also, it's more for the DJ because of the equipment. I know from another wedding because the DJ had so much stuff to bring in and wire up that they charged more. $150 for the photographer isn't bad though.

I think they're the standard ones you get if you sign-up for the Divine package. You get the chair covers, table and gazebo decor all in white. You wind up paying for the colors you add to it. But the covers are only included, as far as I understand from reading the package list, if you have the Divine package. Without I think it's $15 per chair or something mad like that.

Hi everyone, more pictures just gotten from Claribel. Two at the fountian (without the costly $1500 slab of wood to cross the fountain), one on the beach and the last is at Castaways.

I think that's a brilliant idea, Skygirl! I'm always up for voicing my opinion. And FYI - call. I called today after not getting a response for four weeks and Claribel immediately was so sorry and my emails were up on her screen that minute. I asked for price lists and what was sent to me were emails full of pictures but no prices. So because of this, I am now bringing all of my decorations. I will only be paying them for their time to put it all up and the few fresh flowers I want - nothing more. Claribel sent me an Innovart power point presentation of what they do and various presentations but there isn't a price insight. My cost conscience mindset is none too pleased. Plus I haven't gotten any real info on the DJ or photographer and I'm 70 days away. If any of you want the presentations, pm me your email address and I'll forward it on. They're massive files though. Oh and she also sent me some more photos. All of the ones at the fountain have no piece of wood. And the last picture is at Castaways.

teamboy I meant to connect this link for you to see where all the resorts are in Punta Cana: http://puntacanatv.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/PUNTA-CANA-AREAS-MAP.pdf Hope this is helpful!

This is merely my two cents but do not let people stay at either or. For one, Now and Dreams aren't that close to each other so you and your FI will be running back and forth or will be told that half your group was feeling neglected. NOW and Secrets however are next to each other though Secrets is adult only which can give people without kids the option to have a quieter resort experience. But still, you'll be running back and forth. One of the first things I told all the invitees was that they had to stay at the same resort. I know it doesn't fit into everyones budget but I didn't want the hassle of people not making events on time because they were elsewhere. Or not feeling as if they were getting to see enough of me or my parents. You want to enjoy, what you're considering to be the BIGGEST event of your life, if you're going to frazzled and tired than it will be hard. Pick a place and know that while you're there, it will all work out wonderfully.

No, Sarah's right. Right now, I'm feeling as if there are a lot of potential hidden costs that you can get hit with once you're on the resort about to have your wedding. And it is hard to get any answers. I've been emailing Claribel or three weeks now and have yet to hear back from her. Same goes with Innovart too. Katusha telling us that to get married at the fountain you need to rent that piece of wood for $1500 still has my mind reeling. So now, I'm buying my decorations for the reception and bringing them with me. Sarah - as for what I'm planning to do: Friday - first night ppl are flying in. I'm telling them to have dinner where ever they want and to meet up at nine at a specific place for drinks. Saturday - more ppl will be flying in but in the afternoon I plan on having a bridal luncheon at one of the resort restaurants. I figure if a group gathers somewhere then what can they say to us. Of course, that means they'll be no decorations but for now this is how it'll work. Saturday night it's do as you please night (except I know my MOH is planning a girls lingerie party). Sunday - We're booking an excursion - either a tour of Santa Domingo or the islands. Both are all day events. Monday - the morning they get to rest and relax. The wedding is at 5pm. With the divine pkg you get the dj for 2 hours and I'll book him for another 2 hrs then those who want to party, we're heading to the club. Tuesday - once again, we're all going to meet up at the same restaurant for brunch. So we can say our goodbyes. This is all tentative, of course, but how I'm seeing it planned out. I've been told by two friends who had similar weddings to not over plan peoples days. Yes, they're here for the wedding but they also want to get a little vacation in too. So I've allotted free time for them. I currently have fewer people so it's easier to do a flash mob sort of thing and the resort will have to deal with it. I'm looking forward to hearing what else Kat and Moni have to say.

I also, showed my FI dresses in the beginning of my search just to get a sense of what would want to see me in. Other than that, he has no idea what I'm wearing. And that's because, he's going to love you in whatever you wear on that day. Just like, you will him. My FI who had planned on getting a bespoke suit made, changed his mind and has decided to wear a kilt instead. Sure, I'd prefer him in a suit but it's his wedding day too and he should give a nod to being Scottish if he wants to. Because I live in another country and am not surrounded around my super close gf or family, so I went shopping on my own first. Made three appts in one day and got a feel for what looked good on me. Initially I wanted a full lace, backless gown with a mermaid-like flair. On my own, I found out that that look didn't really suit me. Found a couple I 'kinda liked' and resumed my online search. I found two more labels I liked, found the shops that sold them - which, sadly, are in two completely different parts of London - and tried on some more dresses. It wasn't until had three styles I really, really liked before I had two friends come with me. I totally understand not wanting to make people spend there days helping you find a dress. In the end, I took my two friends to lunch inbetween the massive travels to see the dresses. And in the end, I chose one of them that day.

Ladies, I highly recommend that you check out the other forum for NOW Larimar : New Resort Opening May 1 2011" NOW LARIMAR ~ PUNTA CANA One recently wedded bride has posted incredibly helpful information and a few pictures (with more to come).

I totally understand and THANKS so much for this! I've been trying to get a price list from Innovart for weeks now and have yet to hear back. And I'm annoyed that you aren't told that you have to rent the platform to walk across the fountain. $1500 is worth mentioning - earlier on than when brides get there. I'm sorry that the weather didn't cooperate. But it is also dependent on the time of year. I've been to DR in winter and summer, it is far windier in the cold months but as we get closer to spring and summer, it won't be so much. Since my wedding isn't until late Feb, I think I'm going to hold out and have the reception on the beach with the sky lanterns. I'm thrilled to know that they are allowed! I've been thinking about DIYing quite a bit of stuff, so the cost of rentals from Innovart will be far lower. Once fully rested, can you forward me contact info for the DJ, if you have it? I contacted DJ Mannia and I'd rather stick to the hotel DJ, if it will be far cheaper. That and I'm having problems getting any response from Claribel again. Oh, and thanks for the OTT heads up. I've scratched off mugs and a few other things but my bags will be filled with similar items. Looking forward to that! Thanks again!! Looking forward to more pictures.

Thing is I don't remember. There are two pictures of the restaurant - Castaways (the people holding sparklers and the other set-up). Then there are the two on the beach. And the final one is another restaurant on the property (with the rose chairs) but I don't have the name of it.

Try on loads of dresses and go with your heart. I went to six different places and tried on, at least, 8-10 at each place. You may find something in between, that you'll both love.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Crinkle-Chiffon-Floral-Print-Dress-84168 It wouldn't attach properly. So here's a link instead.

This is what I may wear at the end of the reception. Though my plan is to wear my dress the whole way through...but it's super tight on me now and I'm thinking after drinking and eating, I may change my mind. It will also be the dress I wear to our AHR.

A great find!!! If you're in the states (or like me and abroad but sending everything to your parents who live in the states) and planned on doing a small health kit, I found this site: http://www.first-aid-product.com/industrial/name-brand-medications.htm It's got name brands at super affordable prices. I'm going to order Advil, Pepto, bandaids and such from here. Hope it's helpful!!