natalieblev

Beautiful and perfect for destination!! Looks so flattering but comfortable also!!

Very nice fit!! So pretty! Love the deep back and cant believe you had such trust in alterations! But i bet youre glad you did!! Im trying to decide to have my back V'd but scared i could ruin the dress! But yours looks fantastic!

Love your dress!! Very beautiful pictures!

On using your own ceremony music...this was my experience. First they said no. Then they said I'd have to rent the stereo system for 480. But here was my question- dont the WC's or whoever is conducting the ceremony usually have microphones- ie the stereo system? Every video I see the person performing the ceremony has a mic. I know for a fact that the pastor I hired will have one so if that is explained then I don't see why they wouldn't allow someone (or do it themselves) to play an iPod or cd up to the mic/in the speaker system for FREE! that's my way of getting around it.

I think it was 480$ for the stereo system at the ceremony. Color Options BBPD[1].pdf

His name is Rick York if you google Pastor Rick York the youtubes and other forums will come up. His missionary also has a facebook and webpage. (I think I saw you mention that you were having a Catholic wedding, and just incase you did wanted to let you know he is not a Catholic Priest)

Yes Miss Jali that was my number one thing about having a DW. My FI was the one who wanted it, I really didnt because I thought I wouldnt be able to have a religious ceremony, which is really what is most important to me. He has some youtubes up too of his ceremonies...and he sends you a "religious" and "contemporary" (Though both are beautiful and religious) to chose from and also allows anything like readings, etc. I found him too through the other thread on here!

Yes you can bring your own pastor. If it is a symbolic wedding you could have anyone do it as well- your brother, grandpa, etc. No day pass fee if they are a guest at the hotel. Miss Jali I hired Pastor York who is a missionary living in Punta Cana. He has a price of 350.00 but there is no cost for a day pass (I'm not sure if the 350 covers that and he takes care of it or the fact that he has done many weddings at all the resorts and so they just don't charge a day pass fee). That also includes a speaker system so he can use a microphone. I'm getting married in the garden, but from videos I can tell he needs the mic if you are getting married at the beach gazebo or on the beach. This is only info for symbolic weddings as I believe a judge has to perform the civil.

Hi Samantha! Thought I would try to answer as much as I could, but I'm still planning too so new costs are always showing up! I'm having my reception in Bar higuey...there was no extra cost for that rather than the ballroom. I have seen where the beach is an extra cost per person, however I never asked about that. So extra costs just for reception would included DJ (between 480-1000), photography (tropical pictures has packages ranging from 700-2500 however they have add ins as well), centerpieces (the "basic one is basically a candle with pine around it, but you can always bring your own), Tiffany chairs are an upgrade, drapery/extra candles/nicer plates/bigger cake/Chinese laterns/ basically anything other than basic decoration is an upgrade. But they don't mind if you bring things in, only will not allow real flowers from anywhere but the resort! My cocktail hour is apps they picked plus one type of drink (though unlimited) and champagne for 12/person for an hour. The food menu is on this forum you can chose either a soup or salad, a main course and dessert which is all included in your package. It is 50/person over the limit of whatever package you chose. In everything though there are choices to make it more spendy or cheaper- like the DJ...you could just rent the speaker system and play an iPod but that is only 80 dollars cheaper than the most basicDJ package. Or you could do it more pricey with firworks, Emcee, etc. Bringing your own centerpieces seems cheaper to me since we have free luggage. Also instead of paying for a welcome area for 500 plus the cocktails of 12/person I am just taking tge advice of past brides and making my own welcome party by telling guests to meet at a certain time and place where we will just drink our free all included drinks! My biggest budget items so far (other than the trip itself) are DJ (1000), Photos (2500), flowers, welcome bags and contents and hiring a pastor (350). and trying to decide on Tiffany chairs now. Hope that helps a little!

I know this is not exactly the forum for it, but since we are all going to the same resort thought i would ask....does anyone have any different ideas on things to include in welcome bags? I just purchased my bags and am coming up with a list of things to include. I have the basic stuff, but thought you ladies might have more Punta Cana or specific to the resort type ideas since many of you have been there already! Any ideas are appreciated!

Curls good luck on your big day!! I obviously havent been there yet and cant answer your questions in that way but just wanted to say hope you have a great time!!m I do know that you can purchase the sand stuff from them, i was quoted 25 US dollars. If you are having the WC do your service then Im sure they will let you, with a judge I have no idea. Sunny had the trio play at hers and she said it was just fine. Im having them play my cocktail hour instead, so i didnt ask too many questions about it. I would love to know the answer to the cake cutting and toast after you get back! Something on my list too! happy New Year!

Thanks so much CocoHolly for your reply!! I was thinking the lobby bar from info from a past post, but glad you were able to give me more info!! Im trying to do things as free as possible since it is all inclusive I see no reason to pay for food and drinks! (Although i did get the cocktail hour so we can take pictures and keep our guests occupied). trivera after reading so many posts from this forum and many others i have decided to take my own! Everything they offer seems nice, but also way more expensive than bringing your own. One thing I am doing though is adding flowers to my centerpieces through them....so basically I bring all the "stuff" and then ill pay for the flowers from them. (im not doing big bouquets but smaller bottles with flowers in them so cheaper than doing both). between my parents and my Fi and I we have eight bags free so it shouldnt be a big problem to bring em in. I was just wondering for any future or past brides...did any of you use Pastor Rick York? I have him scheduled and am excited but only worry about if i need to do anything like make sure the hotel has the microphone system reserved? or anything else i may be missing? Thanks in advance!

Hi ladies! Just wondering if anyone has favors they want to share? For both the reception and the welcome bags! I love the wish laterns but our resort says no way! Won't even let us have sparklers!

Thanks aqua tracie! Merry Christmas to you too!

Thanks so much! This is actually the first time i have heard prices! I have five maybe six bridesmaids and then five groomsmen to get flowers for...making my own bouquet. I sent them a picture of what i want but its been about four months and no information at all. Its such a big part of the budget im hoping it wont be 125 for smaller bridesmaid bouquets. But thank you again for the info!! really helps get an idea.

Thanks coco Holly and Aqua Tracie for your awesome reviews!! You both look so happy and amazing!! Makes me excited!! I have a couple of questions for either of you if you have any time to answer. How did the flower process work? Did you get to pick from many choices or was it very limited? About how much do the bouquets cost if you dont mind me asking. If there a good bar close to/or with an outdoor area that I could do my welcome meetup? I have atleast seven kids coming and two teenagers so it has to be on the palace side and also something where it isnt too crazy but still fun. If either of you had children at your reception did you do anything special to keep them occupied? Like a kids table or crayons or anything? If you did welcome bags what was the one item your guests used the most? Was there anything you or your guests didnt bring that you wished you would have? Would the hibachi restaurant be a good place to fit about 45 guests for my "rehearsal" dinner. I want us all to be seated close to each other and i thought maybe since it has a "show" it would be something fun. Cocoholly- you got married at the garden gazebo which is my location also. I am thinking i want to seat my guests in front of the gazebo on each side of the walkway rather than inside...is it open to do so? Thanks again! And congratulations!

Hi Parrish For giving my guests information I decided to do a wedding website. The site not only allowed guests to check out the whole resort/what it would cost/wedding stuff...but i also added a page that will be updated closer to the date to tell people about the excursions we have chosen and how much it would cost...So if we decide say on a booze cruise, i will write how much it costs, the length of the trip and how to rsvp. On the excursions, we havent decided exctly which one to do as a group yet, but there is a website that barcelo has telling of all the excursions that are offered through them and i will include that for guests on my website as well so they can plan things for themselves. Also, like for example me and my sisters all want to do the dolphin excursion, so I will just tell me guests that is what we are doing and if they would like to come they are more than welcome. We also are doing a few cheaper or free meet ups- a welcome party which will just be a meeting at a certain time of the whole group at a certain bar where we will just all be there and drink our free all inclusive drinks! Also a bachelor/ette party for my Fi and I. *Husband is going to the cave though so his wil be considered an excursion...and then they told me we could make ahead of time reservations for everyone the night before the wedding to be somewhat of a rehearsal dinner. All of these activities I will be printing on my "week itineary" that will be included in the welcome bags. We do plan to tell our guests where we have made our dinner reservations, but other than the rehearsal it is up to them where and when they want to eat because we have guests with kids and also bigger partiers who might miss a dinner! But will just let them know incase they want to join us...that will also be in the welcome bags as we wont be able to do that until we get there. I read somewhere where it is good to get a list of your guests room numbers so just incase things do change you wont have issues getting up with your guests (you can use the room to room phone or go see them) since the resort is so large. Hope that helps. I found that the website has really helped answer alot of questions for my guests.

Has anyone been able to send the hotel pictures of flowers that are NOT roses or tropical flowers and get them to give you a price on them or even if it is available through their florist?

Hey Bjeantil My TA talked to the hotel and they said that everything would be honored and fine. Im still not too sure if they will end up putting them in the actual deluxe rooms that are now considered the adults only or move them to the nicer golf rooms, but either way they will still have access to all the bars/restaurants/etc of the Palace Deluxe.

Congratulations AquaTracie!! Your pictures are gorgeous! I love your dress too- i think i tried it on is it the allure? Thanks for easing my mind too since I am using Tropical Pictures!! Cant wait to hear your review!

Such a pretty dress!! You look amazing and your hair is gorgeous!!

So gorgeous!! You look beautiful!!

Does anyone know if the resort has popcorn?

TRivera On YouTube if you type in wedding video @ barcelo punta Cana there is a tropical pictures video there... Not sure if it's really new and it isn't at our resort, but it is something. I have actually been getting such quick replies from them on Facebook I'm wondering if you asked on there if they would post one- not sure with privacy issues etc. Also when does your say yes episode air??!!! Exciting! Isn't it dec or jan?

Miss Jali I have heard alot of great things about apple! On here actually you can search the threads and girls have great feedback. My travel agent is not a big name company but she has been wonderful so far and seems to get responses from the hotel way faster than I would so I think using one is for the best! I'm sorry about what's happening with your friend! I honestly can't compare because all my good friends got married (or divorced) really young (we are from a small town) and my FI and I get a lot of FINALLY's when people talk about our wedding! I hope you can get past all of it and know I'm sure your day is going to be just as special as you are picturing it! I know you set it back because of an illness in your family and kind deeds are always rewarded! If something won't make you happy- like co- dress shopping don't do it! No need for more stress!