Kel123073

Megan, Just wanted to first congratulate you and your hubby!!! and secondly to thank you for sharing such a great planning thread. I "borrowed several things from your posts" as well as many others. This site has been a lifesaver for me in planning. I wouldn't have known where to even begin when planning. I stumbled upon BDW and was amazed at all the brides on here sharing such amazing thoughtful DIY projects and touches to make our destination weddings so special! Thanks, Kelly

I sent them!

I can send you the photos if you like!!

Thanks so much! I actually don't have a template... I bought the pack of avery postcards at staples and used the avery template online, then uploaded photos from our vacation to punta cana! was pretty simple, hope that helps!

Thank you so much for sharing your pics! and the video clip....amazing, I loved them and you look absolutely gorgeous! congrats again!!!! kelly

Thanks:))

Awww glad I gave some good news! Lol They give you a reservation for up to 20 people 10/table! They give u a choice of several restaurants and confirm which one csn accommodate you when u arrive! ( I saw another bride had two group dinners and was thinking of aski g if they will accommodate a second!

You have a great budget so my only question is have you looked into the privatizing packages because I think a lot of that extra stuff like a welcome bbq was included! You also have the option of hosting a group dinner for up to 20 for the purpose of a rehearsal dinner and that is included! My advice would be to use all the extras your package offers! Have fun planning!!

angel n jewels, we had a budget somewhat...we just took the package (chill out chic) and then looked at the extras pricing sheet and checked off our must haves (at first it was overwhelming, but we kept it simple. intially we wanted a lot more extras but decided on our must haves) DJ, chinese lanterns for special lighting, centerpieces, and boutennieres which I still can't spell....lol We kept it pretty simple. They worked with us and our budget for centerpieces and other flowers! We booked our rooms and flights seperately when we found better deals! We are flying first class, which was important to us. We are bringing down OOT bags and some other diy things, so to avoid shippping fees or extra luggage fees that was our choice. I used miles for one upgrade and we paid for the others... It is all about you guys and what is important! Try and stay calm, enjoy the process, and let them do the work! I didn't want to have a wedding here and go thru the stress I watched friends go thru but I had my stressing out moments and it really isn't worth it! I have total confidence that we are going to have an amazing wedding. Bianca and Lara have been wonderful! We chose this resort because we stayed there for a week and both absolutely loved it! We felt confident that our families would have a great and memorable trip and I am leaving in three weeks from today! Super excited!! kelly

Hi Any area that is totally private, like a private room or private restaurant is an extra expense. We are having our cocktail Hour and Reception at the Olympus Terrace. It is a beautiful spot, kinda off to the side between the main pool and the beach area. We are having both there because if we had the cocktail hour somewhere else you have to hire the Dominican Trio or something like that in order to have music. We hired the DJ an extra hour which was a little less exspensive then the Dominican Trio, although that would have been fun. I was a little torn.... but I am just rolling with it! We only have a total on 21 people coming including us so privatizing just wasn't worth it! Hope that helps. kelly

Thanks so much for the info! That is kinda what we were planning on doing.... possibly a reading, the sand ceremony and I am kinda diy projected out.....lol I have no desire to do a program! Congrats again!

@ll117 Thanks so much for sharing your pics are awesome and u look beautiful! I have a question.... Do we have to do our program ourselves? Readings etc?..the ceremony wording? I never asked and am now wondering? Thanks so much! Kelly

@ angelnjewels we didn't do the group rate in the end.... My family all got better deals booking air and hotel together! We are getting married in July and most people booked back in January average price was $1500 per person air and hotel for 7 days 6 nights from newark nj direct flights! And that is in the reserve! Honestly it is worth it to do a package especially since u are paying for your parents! My sister her husband and two kids paid 3200 for 5 nights air and hotel in the main resort for 5 days for nights total for everyone.

ev.... I am so sorry you are going thru all this.... Hope you are feeling a little better ! In the end your wedding will be amazing.... and worth all your planning.... I have had my weeks in tears as well.... and kinda wishing we eloped but glad we didn't in the end! Had my details all finalized today! Bianca in the Romance Department has been wonderful! I definitely was starting to stress but got things in perspective and I know everything is going to be amazing! She has been wonderul thru this process! Just can't wait to get on that plane.... get to the resort and spend an amazing week with all my family that made such an effort to come! It means so much to us and we are super excited to show them Punta Cana and the Paradisus Palma Real...especially the Reserve. Just hoping my sister and her family are able to travel! She is 5 months pregnant and been having some issues, they ended up putting her out of work til after she delivers! And really looking forward to my parents enjoying this trip with us and their brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews! Memories that will last a lifetime! My family has had a lot of ups and downs this year and I can't wait to take this trip with them! Kinda part of the reason we wanted a destination wedding....we knew how special it would be for those who would be able to come! I do feel bad that everyone can't be there but we are following our dreams! Ev I give you a lot of credit having an AHR.... that was never even an option with us.... family kept asking but we just said we are having our reception In DR and we are paying for it ( I think people assume it is free, because it is an all inclusive ) it may not cost as much as a wedding in NJ but it is what we are doing and my mom and dad totally backed us up! the whole wedding process is truly stressful whether you are doing it in the states or destination.... everyone has something to say but in the end it is between you and your fiance and those immediate family members who you are closest too Can't wait to see more pics....as all our June brides get back! Thanks for sharing and Congrats!! xxoo

We are flying buisness class as well for that reason! Lol plus I used miles.... We must be on the same schedule! We had our civil legal ceremony today! And I have been finalizing our extras as well:) your pic is beautiful... We were so informal, I just wore a floral maxi dress... But the ceremony itself surprised us both! It was really beautiful..... Hope the next few weeks go smooth for u! That definitely is a lot on your plate....Before u know it you will be on a plane and in the moment.

Thank you that's very sweet!

Best of luck to everyone whose day is fast approaching! So exciting!!!! Can't wait to see more pics!

Thank you both for sharing your photos! Absolutely gorgeous! You were both stunning brides and everything looked beautiful! Kelly

also minimus.biz was a great find

Target in the US....I got most of my OOT bag stuff there

Congrats!!!! And I am glad u had such a great experience! Can't wait to see pics:)

is anybody doing their own centerpieces? and what type are you doing? I wasn't blown away by any... and I have beautiful centerpieces from my shower...

I just saw your post and it kinda clicked....is she with the actual resort or is she from the office in Miami? Initially you deal with the wedding dept in the Miami office they take care of contracts etc.... Not sure if that is what is going on, but was just a thought... That sounds very unusual.... I had my date confirmed within a week of starting the process

Thanks, I was actually looking for the shout wipes when I found these!

Like I said I wasn't sure I think it is for a legal ceremony... We are doing symbolic... Too much hassle for a legal lol! And I am a little worried about too much sun!!! I get a great tan but my face does tend to burn so I am planning to go easy in the sun in the days leading up!