MissJali

Hi Girls I'm back from my site visit! I am so happy with the resort. But now I'm getting panic attacks that there are only 299 days left until the wedding! Hoping to work on those invites as soon as these last 2 weeks of school are done!!!

Parrish Congratulations hunny!!!! I was there the same time you were, I think it was you in the spa pool as I walked by with my fiance to go to see Susana. Hehe!!! Glad you had a wonderful time. Love your dress!!!!

Congrats JCastro and Welcome!!!!

Hi T!!! I didn't see any beach weddings, probably because i was there midweek. Wahh!!! I would've loved to see that and a pier wedding. Towards the back of the Bar Carey, I saw a few trays set up and guests grabbing a few apps from back there but not sure a lot of people knew to go back there. I sure didn't until i saw someone go back there. Susana gave me the menu and told me the same thing we knew...any other food option besides the main one we choose is extra. She did not mention anything about stupid place cards with the guest's food option (I read your post) and actually she probably had just finished speaking with you or something before we walked in. LOL If i were you, i'd say screw the place cards, let her deal with it! I didn't have anything services done at the spa, I decided to be a good girl and not indulge too much as I'm going balls out on everything for the wedding. BBPD won't know what hit them! LOL

Hi Girlsss!!!!! I've been MIA doing a wedding site visit in DR (actually just an excuse to vacation) I ordered my dress from babyonline and it was actually delivered to my office yesterday. Kinda don't want to see the coworkers but hoping my mom will make a stop by my office on her way home from work today so I can finally breathe at the anticipation. If not, we'll be able to see on Monday! Nervous!!!!

Here's my review as promised! We arrived on sat may 4. We were greeted by another huge group checking in also. Check in was fast, we had booked the deluxe room near the golf section. the room was great but they gave us 2double beds and because i'm spoiled, i almost always upgrade oncei get to a resort. That wouldn't happen until monday becuase the club premium rooms were all booked, too mamy large groups. We did upgrade to the jrsuite deluxe for$25/night and reception was really helpful. they made sure to give us aking bed as they knew we were a couple. I didn't do much recon as i was on vacay too. The buffets are huge, lots of food choices, food was good. Although there were large groups checked in, we never had a problem finding chairs at the beach or pool. Animation team was wonderful, there was always some activity you could join, i wasjust too shy. Dance lessions are at thebeach around 4pm. The pool bartenders are a little slow, as they are catering to the people on thebeach, the pool and the swim up bar. I personally am not having my ceremony at the beach gazebo. I chose the pier. We saw a ceremony on that gazebo around 1pm and there were lots of people cheering on the couple as their ceremony took place. No one was really rude and only cheered after the couple kissed. If you really want a private ceremony, choose the garden gazebo. Me, personally i dont mind the extra well wishers. The steak house was really good. Appetizers are buffet style but everything else is served. I had the churrasco and it was sooo good. The servers were great also. My fi had the salmon and loved it as well. The japanese restuarant is always a pleasure. Our cook could've been more funny but it was a good experience overall and the food came out great. What got me really excited was actually running into the photogapher from Tropical pictures who did our engagment session last year at Barcelo Punta Cana on the beach while we took a picture with the monkey and he remembered us before we recognized him!!! Hard to tell if he'll be there in March to do thewedding but hopefully he is. The theatre has changed so much, there are 2 levels and the second level is less crowded and easier to get drinks. It is true that the rooftop deck is right across the theatre. We stopped in and my fi fell in love with it and almost wanted to change the ceremony location but at least at the pier at 5pm, there's a breeze, on the rooftop it was blazing hot, no shade, etc. we figured we'd chill there unofficially with people. The bar carey is beautiful and i will def use that as the location for my welcome drinks. They have lots of sectional sofas which provide that intimate setting. It seems to never be too crowded as you cant smoke in there, i loved that people couldn't. Lol We met with susana for about 30 min as many of myquestions have been answered through thisthread. Thanks girls. She's probably in her early 30s and her english is perfect. She seems to possibly have grown up here in the states and went back to DR. She seems cool but empahized that i don't need to email her with the same questions over and over, as my date gets closer she will def be bothering me regarding details and stuff. I did see a sample of the ceremony script and am overall pleased by it. Also she said for bar higuey 30-40 paper lanterns is sufficient. I completely trust these women to pull off a beautiful wedding so i will try not to be bridezilla and just take care of things on this side. We did see the bar higuey and it is beautiful!!!! So happy we got that location for thr reception. Tamara was worried about the weather but everyday was beautiful out there, it rained wednesday like after 6 and we spent the most of the rsin in the pool until they kicked us out and had a drunken good time trying to find our room. We ended up going to strikers, food was always there and hot. And the bonus for me was the fried calamari!!! They must have known i was coming. The disco is great. Theres a huge screen in the room and as the music plays, you can watch the video. The vip section is on top, not sure how fun that wouldbe. I am missing a million things but if you guys have questions, i can def try to answer. I will also post pictures later of the gaezbo, pier, roof top deck, and bar higuey. this trip just made me more excited for my upcoming wedding and knowing that my guests are going to have a blast! As everyone had been extremely helpful and cordial.

hi girlssssss!! I'm back from my wedding site visit!!!! ug they've done such a renovation . the resort is beautiful!!! I will write a review for the brides to be who haven't had a chance to visit. I can't wait for these 9 months to fly by! i'm so jealous of Tamara!! Trivera, don't fret and enjoy your day!! if I don't speak to you before you leave, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I think the cocktail hour is included in this package b/c the PRIVATE reception is not. It says a reservation at a specialty restaurant for up to 20 pple for dinner. I guess that's the trade off.

Haha I have to warn my FI right before I jump into wedding talk..."Let's talk wedding, promise no more than 5 min...but what do you think about...?" LOL His eyes glaze over after about 2 min and it's back to "whatever you want baby, you're the bride"

MissKay, I'm not certain about Canada as I live in NY but for the same reason that they want to give you an early ceremony time is exactly why my fiance and I decided to just get married legally here and have a symbolic ceremony out in DR. It was just easier and i don't have to worry about depending on the judge and perhaps having my time moved in an emergency. it just seems to be less stress for me and that's the whole point of us having a dw. We will probably go to the courthouse right before we leave to DR and keep it a secret.

Of course I'm on here when I really should be doing school work. SMH and yes...a frozen margarita sounds great right now!

I'm actually doing mini Barcelo bottles since I'm getting married at the Barcelo and my guests are a bunch of partiers!

I'm actually doing mini Barcelo bottles since I'm getting married at the Barcelo and my guests are a bunch of partiers!

Oh wow! You're getting married at the same resort!!

I've never had a problem with that happening traveling to DR. Then again, I don't exactly itemize what I have with me on the customs forms. I'm not there to sell anything so for me, it has no value.

I think im doing a ton of DIY projects including centerpieces (my resort charges an arm and a leg) and OOT bags. Since you're also getting married in Punta Cana, what a lot of brides have done is, just pack an extra suitcase with their DIY, decorations, etc and pay the extra fee. That way no stress and you know it won't get lost!

Hi Girls!!! I've been MIA as school is starting to interfere with my life!!! But on a good note, just wanted to update you girls and let you know I leave on Saturday for my site visit!!!! I will keep you girls updated!

Yessssss!! I'm waiting for my other dress to come in from Babyonline. She quoted me $189 for the Allure 8959. So depending on how happy I am with my wedding dress...I will order it from babyonline for the reception dress.

Does anyone know if babyonline has any good experience with lace dresses? I'm thinking I might get the Allure 8959 as a reception dress. Let me know please!!

EdyGisselle, Here's the thread to mine. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84411/jalis-diy-boarding-pass-stds-pics#post_1887448

Thanks so much for your review qschuler! I will definitely look into some of these sites you've pointed out!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

I also had a question, did any brides use a projector for like a slideshow?? Is it even possible?

Well Girls, I think I found my MOH dress. I'm not having official bridesmaids (i think, LOL long story) I sent the link to my sister, she liked it, we ordered it. Once it comes in, I'll be sure to post photos! Can't beat the under $40 mark, so hopefully it's everything we hoped for. It comes with optional straps also! and it's one of my wedding colors! http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress&ProductID=2000042554&VariantID=

Ugh I'm soooo jealous!! Mine didn't look this good at all!!!!