MissJali

I am going to pray they don't break and carry them on. I have shipped things over there through the agencies like where you go and wire money to DR. It's fairly priced I'd say. They take it over by plane so it's usually there in like 2 weeks. However, i've only ever shipped stuff to my family's homes. Idk how it would work for the resort. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem but I just want to avoid as much headaches as possible. I'd rather pay for $50 extra at the airport and know I have everything with me. With my luck, i would ship things to my family and in their excitement for the wedding, forget all of my stuff!!! And I've been called Bridezilla LOL. My FMIL suggested we all just carry an extra piece of luggage depending on how many extra pieces I need. I imagine, I'll only need my one suitcase with clothes, and one extra suitcase for all the decor. I pray so anyway! LOL

SoonMrsD...of course you can. I'm sure I stole it from someone else anyway! LOL it just seems the easiest to show Susana to do. The resort already does this centerpiece but want to charge $70 per table. NO WAY IN HECK! It's easy to do also

Here's what I have in mind as the centerpieces. I know the fishbowls can be found at Michael's for like $2 each, the sand is FREE lol it's DR, the seashells I can get online and the candle too. I'm thinking like $20 for each centerpiece

Tamara, the rehearsal dinner is extra after 20 people if it's a private event like in the ballroom. You will be fine having it in the restaurant. Ibiza 1 & 2 is a private room above the steak house if i'm not mistaken. You can reserve that through Susana like Tdawn did. I plan on doing the same thing. What the heck do you mean they use DJ Mannia?? Ugh i think i'm delegating "gifts". I will tell my FI to ask his parents to take care of the dj for us since my parents are taking care of the photography. Tamara, do you help with the centerpieces?? Please don't spend $30 per table when you don't have to!!! I can help!

Tamara, I have not called directly to speak with Susana YET! I do however recommend that you call and be transferred to Susana and speak to her nicely in Spanish. Here's the number I have 809-686-5797, When i go in May, I need to have a list of things I need to ask her and get it in writing. Screw that. I know exactly what you mean! the budget just keeps increasing and we're not rich! we're the typical young couple just starting out!!

can someone please tell me what the current dj price is now?? smh this was supposed to be cheaper! Natalie let me know about the swatches i'll be back may 9. unfortunately I wont get to crash Tamaras wedding. LOL. as far as the rehearsal dinner goes, the first 20 pple are free which is just an offer from the hotel forspending so much money. when I go in May, Susana better gear up bc if I have to fight with her on prices, I will. And hopefully she will let me have the Ibiza1 and 2 for my rehearsal dinner

Tamara, did you make them yourself or did you buy them already made? seems cheaper to buy the stems yourself and make them...I'll definitely think about it. On another note, I'm wayyy ahead of the game. Just ordered the flatcard invitations i'm putting in the invitation suite I created, the thank you cards I will attaching to the raffia fans for the ceremony and the menu cards from vistaprint b/c my groupon was expiring. Only thing is this headache of the travel agency!!! I had a page in the invitation directly people to our travel agent and i'm thinking of just taking it out and if I see the quotes get better by end of may/june, just include a business card inside the envelopes. GRR!!!

Well I'm praying no more than 35 lol! But save the dates went out to 55!!! I'm just frustrated b/c I had the TA info listed on my invites as I wanted to send out the invites in like May so I could give people time to set up payment plans. But I might just take out that information. Ugh i didn't think this was so hard. Planning a destination wedding was supposed to be easier! LOL

SoonMrsD...destinationweddings.com gave me the worst quotes for the rooms!!! Apple Vacations came better on the quotes and I'm waiting for Liberty Travel and Patty from Wright Travel to get back to me. I personally didn't like how the TA from Destinationweddings.com tried to tell me how it's peak season and they're gouging me but that's the price. If he is Dominican, does he have family in DR? If so, have one of them contact the resort from that site and find out the prices in "pesos" not dollars.

But Easter 2014 is in April. It doesn't make sense, schools here in NYC go on break whenever the Easter break is.

Natalie, I have seen many brides do that recently. That's probably better than my own idea...I was thinking of nixing flowers altogether for my bridesmaids. I have 6 and at $30 for each bouquet from the hotel that's $200 that could go to something else!!!! Unless of course I were to make my own bouquets with natural touch flowers for them but I just don't want anyone talking crap about me using fake flowers...

punta bride, those came out gorge!! nice job. is it me or anyone else noticing there's a vistaprint groupon drought?

Aww Jackie, you're getting married on my mommy's birthday!!!! That's why i decided early March lol. I haven't had difficulty in getting quotes...they're just ridiculously sky high for the rooms when I know good and well what the rooms really should cost! It's so annoying, I've enlisted my family in DR's help to get me "dominican" prices on this resort. If they can't do any better, I'm letting people know to wait until like October and just book air/hotel packages on one of the many websites. I thought having a TA would be helpful b/c there's payment plans and stuff but I feel like my guests are going to be cheated.

SoonMrsD...I'm getting married in Punta Cana in March 2014. Have you chosen a resort yet? I'm getting married at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe. My biggest headache right now are the room quotes I'm getting back from certain TAs. I'm about to just tell everyone to book their packages through bookit.com or cheapcaribbean.com when they can. Seems like too much work! I'm Dominican so I know there's no way that charging over $200 a night for a room in DR during March when Holy Week is in April next year is ok! SMH

Candacey, yep i got my invoice for $4200 also.

Oh thank you for backing me up Natalie. I'm to the point where I feel like telling everyone book whenever they can but how will i get a head count? Most of my family are serial vacationers anyway and will definitely not use a TA.

Mvee, I originally stayed at BBPD in March 2009 with my parents for my mom's birthday and we just absolutely fell in love. My parents had stayed at this resort back in the early 2000s and they were impressed with the renovations and definitely the premium services. I fell in love with the Club Premium also, definitely a ton of perks and the pier that they have (where I'm having my ceremony) and just knew that I would have my wedding here. It didn't hurt that I got engaged in the Barcelo Punta Cana last year either lol.

Thanks Tamara, I will keep you updated. I'm from DR so there's no way in you know what, that quote was going to fly with me. And that was from destinationweddings.com. I am also waiting to hear back from Apple Vacations. I can't believe she even tried to quote me $1500 pp for 7 nights no air included lol

I just sent them a request. Also, my mom is calling Barcelo tomorrow and explain that i have at least 35 pple staying in the resort, they have to come correct. If not, I'm directing everyone to cheapcaribbean.com and bookit.com and just watch the prices go down and then book.

I am shopping around. I'm waiting for this chick to get back to me. B/c if it doesn't...I definitely rather book people myself through cheapcaribbean.com. Screw that! I know how "plain" those deluxe rooms are!

Girls, I have a question. I just got back a quote from one of the travel agents I'm potentially working with on the rooms. Here's what I got back: Junior Suite Deluxe. View: Garden. 7 nights $2718.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 5 nights $1998.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 3 nights $1278.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Junior Suite Deluxe Oceanfront Club Premium, View: Ocean. 7 nights $3782.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 5 nights $2758.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 3 nights $1734.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Master Suite Ocean Front Club Premium, 7 nights $4272.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 5 nights $3108.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 3 nights $1944.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Master Suite Club Premium, 7 nights $4734.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 5 nights $3438.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 3 nights $2142.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers There is a Deluxe category too that there really is no description of, it’s their least expensive room. It has 2 double beds and they overlook the golf course. 7 nights $2466.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 5 nights $1818.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers 3 nights $1170.00 total for 2 people including the round trip airport transfers. Did anyone get back crazy numbers like this?? I seriously booked to go now in May for 5 nights air included jr suite...for $1100 a person? Help!!!

Does Anyone have an updated list of these extras? I think it's time to start smooching off on the parents and in-laws to cover. LOL

Hi so after speaking to the FI, he thinks I need to put an RSVP date of September. I think that's a good time frame b/c not everyone will book thru the TA and even if they book a month before we fly out, i want a commitment. Either yes or no so I can get my ceremony stuff together. Thanks girls!

Welcome beachybride and Congrats!!!

Hi Girls, Just want to know if anyone has already sent out their invites? I'm getting a lot of slack for them not going out already as people are anxious to start booking. (I guess that's a good thing). My TA says the final payments must be made 70 days before we leave, which falls in December 2013 of this year. I'm thinking of sending these invites out by April/May and having an RSVP date of December? Is that too much time in between that pple would forget to book or rsvp? Should I make people RSVP before their payments are paid in full? HELP!!!