JRM426

I have an local DJ who I hired and said was a "guest" but am only going to get a day pass for them in case anyone wants to hire a local photographer and not pay for a nights stay. I believe guest passes are $50 each. They won't know the difference since technically they're supposed to allow guests from outside to attend your wedding without staying at the resort.

Oct. Bride- so glad everything worked out for the best. I'm sure your day will be a special day no matter where it's located. I'm glad you're honeymooning in DR...spectacular! Tamara- beautiful dress and so awesome you're going to be on TV. Make sure you post the air date once you know so we can watch live! As for table decorations....here are where some hidden costs come up. From Marlene when I asked about certain set-ups: Note I have the Tangerine Package Included you have white napkins, color napkins are $3usd Those are based plated that are not included in your package, each is $3usd- we have in gold, silver and raffi Tifany chairs: range from $4-7usd Tablecloths (she didn't say so I assume they're free) Hope this helps

Ladies, I really do think they prioritize their responses based on when your wedding is. Marlene has been pretty responsive lately, which is still shocking to me considering the fact that it used to take weeks for her to respond when my wedding was more than a year away. Now that it's less than four months away, she responds within a day and is now asking me for more details. So don't fret, once your day gets closer, you'll start getting your responses in a more prompt fashion. Btw, after the judge was confirmed it took her another 3 weeks to send me an itemized bill for the 30% deposit...even after I harassed her with emails almost everyday. In the meantime, this forum is your greatest resource! Hope that eases some of your minds.

Hey, I paid for their services but I have yet to actually talk to anyone from the company. I'm assuming once the date is closer they'll contact me...or at least I hope so. If I haven't heard from them a month before, I'll contact them. I recall sunny saying she met with them during her 3 hour meet with Marlene, so I'm sure it'll be fine. When I went for their site visit they showed my fiancee and I books of their work and everything looked great and professional. Hope that eases your mind. -Johanna

My family is from DR so my guest list right now is up to 60 and I suspect it'll be in the 80's by the time the total is tallied up, which is why we chose the Tangerine package. 35 is such a nice number, I kind of wish I had a smaller wedding....I'm getting married at the garden gazebo and the reception is in Bar Higuey in the convention center. The ballroom is a regular looking ballroom....if I were you I'd see if you can get a beach reception...it'd be a lot nicer than being indoors. She had also given me the option of using the Presidential Suite at one point but it's pricey to book for one night; it's really nice though and accomodates your number of guests. Is yours a symbolic or civil wedding? Right now ours is civil but the paperwork hassle is making me want to just get married here in the states and do the symbolic wedding down there. Besides, we could only get the judge for Friday since he's not available on Saturday so technically the ceremony will be symbolic. Eh, we'll see. Have fun during your visit. We met Marlene last year in August...I think I made the mistake of speaking Spanish and she wasn't the most receptive person to deal with...when we do end up arriving in September, I'm sticking to English! If I can help you in any way, let me know. -Johanna (aka JRM426)

Darn I wish she had passed me along to Susana as well. I get there Tuesday the 25th. I choose the Tangerine package, which did you decide to go with? How has Susana been, more responsive than Marlene? I have to say though, Marlene has been responding quickly lately. I almost fell off my chair the other day when she emailed me back a day later! I'm Johanna btw. Maybe we can gang up on her if we want something and perhaps she'll budge, lol...we'll see.

We'll be getting married very close in time! Mine is at 5:00pm. Perhaps I'll see you at the salon!!! Really exciting. How's your planning going so far? Is Marlene your contact as well?

Hey JGWedding2012, I just realized we have the same wedding day. What time and where are you getting married? JRM426

sunny-you're review was a breath of fresh air, you're pictures look beautiful CONGRATS again and THANK YOU for your invaluable insight into the crazy world of Marlene and BBPD WCs T-Dawn- I wired the money to their Florida account busybride- They really do nickel and dime you...it was quite frustrating considering the fact that Marlene was appalled during my site visit when I told her about all the little things that Paradisus charges for but are at least upfront about it...she joked and said 'they'd probably charge you for breathiing' when in fact I feel like she's doing the same thing. But keep in mind, a destination wedding is still about 20% less than a local wedding, especially here in the states. ncordero6504- I wasn't satisfied with Marlene being the mediator between us and the DJ so I actually hired DJ Mannia, whom has never played before at their hotel, and am paying for their day passes to they can have access to the resort. I feel more comfortable knowing that they're going to be DJing considering their great reviews; they are costly though...4 hours is $900. Hope this helps ladies! JRM

Sorry I haven't been on the boards lately. She quoted that to me via email, which is what I copied and pasted. The price increase could be due to the fact that you're wedding is next year and they always increase the price for each package and the extras every year. Sorry I can't be of much more help....if she does quote me $12 later on when it comes down to paying for everything, I have the email as back-up...

Hi ncordero6504, The cocktail hour is extra: 1) Cost for cocktail hour, per person/per hour including drinks and hors d'oeuvres? $10usd x person with canapes and a cocktail $ 23 usd x person included canapes and national open bar for 1 hour. I've asked Marlene about five times for the canapes menu, she has yet to respond. As for a children's menu, I think that's something you'd have to ask for specifically since I believe they don't have one. As for the centerpieces, yes you're right; they have a strict policy regarding no outside vendors. However, you can bring other decorative items. We're bringing our own napkins as well as Chinese lanterns. Hope this answers you're questions.

Hi Trivera, I did book Bar Higuey and thus far have not heard anything about it being double booked. Fingers-crossed this doesn't happen. I'm already frustrated with her lack of communication so I wouldn't be surprised if she pulls that out of her hat. Thanks for the advice, FYI...we have been keeping every correspondence and when she suddenly forgot a detail we had confirmed I just emailed her her response back to let her know that she's going crazy. Sigh....

Hi, I'll be getting married at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe September 29, 2012 and wanted to get your feedback on your experience with the wedding coordinator thus far. I find that sometimes getting information from her is like pulling teeth and that she's not the most forthcoming when it comes to costs. Also, I find she's forgetting details of the wedding that have been confirmed. Have you had this experience? If not, how have you been able to communicate with her. I'm dealing with Marlene not sure if you're dealing with someone else. I'd love to know how your wedding turns out. Congrats and hope all goes well. Johanna

As of now I'm using the travel agency/website destinationweddings.com...they were the ones who got me in contact with each hotel's wedding coordinators and was also able to provide us with group rates (which included airport transfers to and/from hotel) for each of the resorts we're interested in. All of our guests will book through them and they have different payment plans available in case a guest can't pay the money upfront. It was just a $50 deposit to start, which counts towards the cost of the airfare and stay. Just curious, since we were considering Ocean Blue and Majestic Elegance why you ended up choosing Barcelo? Ladies, any other help you need, let me know. Thanks.

You should be able to get a discounted rate through your travel agent. I had my travel agent look at a variety of hotels and Barcelo came out to be the least expensive..we got it at $356 per person for a 3 night/4 day stay. Definitely talk to your travel agent, they have group rates and will be able to block a number of rooms for you. What other hotels did you visit, if you don't mind my asking?

Hi, I'm new to this site and am considering having my wedding in September 2012 at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe. Any details about how your wedding went, the wedding coordinator and your guests experience in general would be greatly appreciated. I haven't really been able to find any information about weddings there. Thanks