vav11238

That's what I was going to do but my colors are purple or lilac. I'm hoping Vicky's brings out a few new colors. The ones at Vicky's are also cheaper.

Just so you know there already another thread going for the Paradisus. May want to check that out.

Ok ladies, I have my confirmation, save the dates are (all almost) in the mail and wedding website is up. What does a bride not getting married in their hometown do next? I'm waiting to go dress shopping when I'm back in the states. I'm looking for my OOT bags. I know I want to get totes that say 'I <3 DR' on the them and still need to figure out what I'm putting in them (other than rum, of course!). But what else is of importance? Oh, and how are you giving requests to the WC? Are waiting till you know everything you want to have there or are you sending emails as you go along?

I had a similar issue too. My confirmation said that I needed a priest at noon - when it should have read symbolic at 4.30. Claribel changed it quickly and sent me back a new one. Here's her email: [email protected].

Just got my SAVE THE DATE cards from the postman and am truly excited now!!!! Welcome TJ!!! The group is fun and you'll get loads of info. Sarah - will totally email you. Am very interested to know what you've planned so far. Ever since I settled on NOW I've backed away from planning anything else really. Just wanted to sit and enjoy being engaged again. Of course, now I've got to settle on a places to have engagement parties - London in July and the other in New York in August. Then it's full steam ahead with wedding planning. JBMarch - you're right. I'm going to call Claribel later on today and see if I can get a hold of her to ask a few more questions.

Leah - what person on etsy are you ordering them from? I'm also going to get these dresses. Vicky's has them online but as a pencil bottom. Sadly they don't have my color there and I'd rather not have my BMs pay $130. But the ones I saw on etsy, for some reason, were different lengths on everyone. If you've found someone else, please pass it on. Thanks!

Dee - when did you send off your reservation money? I sent mine earlier in the week, I cc'd Claribel and got my confirmation three days later. Sarah - I'm planning on being at the resort from the Tuesday the 14th so I'll be there for your wedding. What colors are you doing? We're doing purple, lilac and white. And would up for going in on things like lanterns, signs and such. We should chat about it. To everyone - are you doing everything at NOW? The FI and I are thinking of planning a drinks/bon-fire somewhere else because I'm kind of bummed that NOW doesn't allow it (or so I was told by the TA I fired). So I've been reading a bit on the Jellyfish and am going to see if I can do something there. Has anyone else considered this sort of thing?

Hi there and CONGRATS!!! There are a few threads here already talking about just this. It is hard and you will get stressed about - please be aware - but you'll be fine. I was using a TA (travel agent) that I found on here (the name resembles the name of this site but they actually aren't affiliated). They weren't my cup of tea (read a bit crappy) so we parted ways. Beware of agents trying to push you towards resorts they have packages with or that they'll recoup money from. The creator of this site actually also has an agency. There TAs have been raved about in the reviews section for TAs. They also have a banner that appears in the right hand corner every now and again. Click on it and fill it out - someone should contact you. Luckily for me, my sister is a flight attendant and the TAs through her job helped me get my package and settle on a resort. I'm letting the guests get their own flights. I tried to set up deals but it seems far easier to do it that way. I also think most internet savvy people will always think they can get a better deal than what is being offered by the TA and may just prolong things. But before you get a TA, get a short list of hotels that you've researched online. Some TAs will only price quote 3 places so it's better to not waste your time with hotels you would never consider. Read the forum commentary on lots of the different resorts. I ruled out a few because brides were having trouble getting in touch with the on-site coordinator or you had to use their photog. Hope all this helps. I'm a little over a month in and have learned loads already. Good luck!!

I did get rates and they're good. I'm waiting to hear back from my TA about incentives. I'm going to let people book their own travel because trying to secure it hasn't been so good on my end and I'm not going to keep tying up money in deposits for group travel. Thing is I live in London, UK now and it got incredibly hard to find a state side TA to do flights for all my US peeps and folks in the UK (apparently airlines frown on that). So I'd have to find two different TAs. I will be sending out loads of reminders for people to book their flights and am telling them that there's a special deal if they book before a certain date - to not have any slow poke planners. I too am planning on visiting. I'm going to go with my sister & mom in September - still sussing out the dates though. Need to also go dress shopping while I'm stateside. So what are your colors? We've decided on purple & lilac. And that's as far as we've gotten. How far along are you?

NOW Larimar February 20, 2012

I'll be a NOW resorts bride too!!! Sent off my deposit & reservation form today! Feels like a tremendous weight has been lifted. So thrilled. Also ordered my STD postcards - I'm getting hitched on February 20, 2012.

This map has been so helpful!!! Thanks, you've been a huge help.

That's a great rate! When is your wedding date? My TA is currently checking out prices for NOW and I'm interested in whether we're getting wedded around the same time. I'm the of 20th Feb, 2012.

My wedding is in Feb and I still haven't picked a place yet. Simply because of the pricing issue. I know that I've chosen the high season so it won't be as cheap, as say July, but still, what they quoted was way out there. I've several people that are families of five.

I too loved it but when I got the prices (that I posted earlier) realized I'd be pricing out my whole family. I've spoken to two TAs who both said that the Paradisus and Zoetry resorts are the most expensive on the island. They then told me I can get the same level of luxury at better costs at a few other locations. I'm waiting to see the difference in price packages. As for incentives - I got none of that either. A TA is looking into it because if they'd offer one room free for every 5 or 7 booked then that's at least a discount you can pass on to the guests. Or kids free. Or something...will let you know once I hear back.

Have you gotten any suggestions other than click the top? I clicked the top and still haven't heard back.

Thanks for posting! I wonder why they set up so many chairs when there weren't people to be in them? Hmm...and not a fan of the non-private beach either.

I haven't done any site viewings yet but am planning on heading down later this month but will have to chose a place before then because we're set for a wedding in Feb 2012. I'm trying to decide between Paradisus, Majestic, Now or Riu Palace. I'm basing it off of the websites, reviews written on here and Travelocity and incentives given. Good luck and Congrats!

Thanks! We looked at a few places in Mexico but my FI wasn't so keen. We had said DR and he has his heart set on it. Now I'm wading through options in Punta Cana. But thanks again!

Many of them offer a tube top top at an additonal cost to put underneath for larger busted ladies. That way you can wear a strapless bra with it. I've chosen this style for my BMs and two of them will need to buy that so they can wear the dress comfortably. I've researched it loads. Now of course, I just need to see them in it....

Of course, they only have a certain number of seats available but it's worth looking into. Hope this helps!

Our wedding is scheduled for Feb 2012 and my planner went online to quote me prices. Flights from NY for that time she quoted as $770 round trip. Quite excessive if you ask me. I've flown to DR twice on vacations and never paid anywhere near that much. I then tried looking on my own and couldn't find prices in the states (did find some on British Airways for £400 which isn't bad at all). Now, I'm going to call group travel at the airlines directly to see if they can offer a great discount if people buy in advance. Figure it's worth a try. I'd rather everyone fly in together, if possible. Saves me from having to run down and greet people all day.

I'm getting my save the dates done now and am not putting an exact location. I was brought down to earth by family who figured that $200 a night was a bit much. Personally, if you have a website set up and decide to change the location, post it there and everyone will understand. I'm still considering two others but I almost sent off the deposit on Friday.

Yup, I got rates and they are a bit steep. For us: Option 1 Luxury Junior Suite with Private Garden Departing 2/22/2012, Returning 2/29/2012 Staying at Paradisus Punta Cana Total Price for 2 People: DWT Preferred Pricing: Total: $3,266.00 Here's for a couple staying 4 days/3 nights w/o kids: Staying at Paradisus Punta Cana Total Price for 2 People: DWT Preferred Pricing: Total: $1,380.00 And this is a couple 4 days/3 nights w/ 2 kids: Staying at Paradisus Punta Cana Total Price for 4 People: DWT Preferred Pricing: Total: $2,200.00 Now, my dates are for Feb 2012 which is still in the high season. If you're planning outside of that, you may fare better. I'm now looking into a 4 star just to compare before committing.

You are not alone! I've been going through lots just trying to settle on a place.