EVKnowsitall

LUCKY!!!!! But honestly- after a point you're just like "whatever people" When my first sister complained it upset me but when my second sister complained I was like "honestly if you can't make it, you can't make it. You have until June to decide so that's plenty of time" but I definitely ended up having to ax my sisters from the bridal party because I need stability in my bridal party, help with planning and glue gunning things lol and if they can't decide whether they want to attend, they should just be guests. It sounds horrible to say but my sisters missed my 21st bday, my graduation, my engagement- just about most of my big milestones so I can't say I was terribly surprised. Now I've made my sisters sound like horrible people lol They really aren't- we just don't agree on the role of family.

I got conflicting information from my WC. I asked specifically about the $9,000 fee for privatizing and she said because I chose the Aqua Package- it was actually $3,500 to privatize the restaurant and not the full $9k. The more expensive package you choose, the less the privatization fee is. I think if I had more people coming I would totally do it- but we have so few guests its just not worth it. Although I think its gorgeous as well. I also asked if we could use the Gabi terrace without paying the fee and they said no- the fee applies inside and outside the restaurant. That sucks! I wish I could use it. I find the options limiting if you are unwilling to spend extra money. I didn't know brides in PPC could use PPR facilities. Had I known I might have chosen PPC to save our guests money because I'm tired of people complaining lol. But when they do- I tell them to check Expedia or to look at a Sandals resort- by contrast Sandals is waaaaay more money and Expedia had the rooms at PPR at $449 per person per night. That's definitely not what we are paying. And I have a travel agent so people can pay as they go.

LOL Just the way my crazy mind works haha. But the truth is, if you had asked me a few years ago what was important- I was more obsessed with the wedding itself than the marriage. I reached a place where now the marriage is my concern. I am eager to start a family and get on with the rest of life. Sure I want our wedding to be perfect- but other people need to understand it is a sacred event that is about two people who truly love each other and are ready to vow to be together through it all. I actually love my pre-marital precana classes that I take with my fiance because I took them so I could get married in a Catholic church and didn't think a couple who has been together for 6 years, and living together for three, would have anything to gain from the classes but I was wrong. The priest said "We spend all this time finding the right dress, the right cake, making invitations- but no one takes time to work on what's important- the marriage." I think about that quote whenever I feel myself getting upset over trivial things. You're right- it's not a horrible thing to ask people to vacation with you. People act like its a burden. But if you can't go say no- I'm not offended. I get more upset when people feel the need to give me their laundry list of reasons why they can't attend because I feel like it turns into them trying to make me feel guilty for my decision. "I can't go because I'm trying to visit my dying grandmother and my dog needs to be boarded and my son is turning 21 and I have another wedding. I wish you were getting married here." Someone actually told me "you have to understand the burden you are placing on people." I'm like I didn't force anyone I invited you! Can't come- I'm fine with that. Want to join in? WOOHOO! lol My friends responded a lot more positively than our families. My friends were like "You are smart. I wish I had a destination wedding. Still paying for my wedding and it was over before I even realized."

Haha that's true. I didn't even try to hit 150 at first. I just had a ton of questions especially because I joined before selecting a property and using this forum helped me narrow the field. Then I realized I didn't have the ability to open attachments- which isn't too much of a deal breaker. I can still post pictures in my posts and see the ones people upload that way do ah- no biggies.

http://m.pinterest.com/smethingvintage/aqua-blue-wedding-shoes/

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2011/03/29/aqua-shoes/

Oh my word. The back on that is a stunner. I love it!

Well you will get conflicting information on this site because some brides say you can get around it and others will say you can't. I guess every experience is different. I wasn't a fan of their TTD at all but I have seen some nice event photos- but not enough to convince me they were the right photographer for us. I say do your HW and pretend the fee doesn't exist. Find a few photographers you love and see what the terms are. If it fits in your budget- go with one you love. I found a few in DR that I really liked, they just weren't available on my date. It really depends on what are the things you care most about on your day and for every couple its different. Photography was a very big deal for us. So we didn't cut corners there. As far as the fee goes- here's the deal- and my info is both straight from the resort and 2 photographers including my own- The fee is because the resort has an exclusive agreement contract with Arrecife to use them. That was a poor decision if you ask me. I have no clue why they would enter into an agreement that iron clad but whatever. If a couple is interested in using an outside vendor- they must pay a $1,000 fee to "break" the exclusivity agreement. When I explained this in the PPC thread, one of the brides said her WC told her the fee was charged to the photographer and not the couple. Are you kidding me? Of course the couple ends up paying it because the photographer is going to put it back on the couple. Why would they pay the fee? So that WC is living in a bubble. She had the nerve to tell the bride "the fee is assessed to the photographer for him to shoot your day. The couple doesn't pay the fee." And in fact- that goes against what my WC told me. You also have to pay for a day pass for your photographer to access the resort so its actually $1,100 and not $1,000. Balderdash! The fee is really designed to pigeonhole you into using Arrecife because before they instated this craziness- brides were constantly bringing in outside photographers and Arrecife was not doing any business. To discourage brides they created this fee. Majestic has one too- theirs is $300. But $300 is an easy pill to swallow, $1,000? Not so much. Brides try to get around the fee by booking a room for their photographer and saying the photographer is a friend who is taking pictures. That might work if your photographer plans on taking iphone pictures, but the minute she/he whips out a professional camera- the gig is up. And I spoke with another bride who said she tried this "trick" and she ended up having to have the photographer put the camera away and there is minimal coverage of her day. I'm sorry- but at that point, I'd just pay the fee. So here's the real question- do you like Arrecife enough to make them your photographer and save yourself the $1,100 fee?- If yes, will you truly be happy with the photos? Don't book them unless you absolutely love them! My friends have horror stories about their wedding photos (Different photographers, not Arrecife). My friends is still waiting for her photos 3 years after her wedding- and it was because she went with a friend to save money. She said she regrets it and wished she had picked the photographer she wanted- but they were trying to save money. In my humble opinion- photography lasts after everything else is gone. So skimp on the invitations and make them, make your own centerpieces, downgrade to a cheaper package, invite fewer guests, cut out souvenirs (that end up in the garbage or as a dust collector) skimp on the DJ if you have to- BUT NOT THE PHOTOGRAPHY! We are currently using the Aqua package but we may downgrade to the Chill Out Chic.

Ha I call them hooker heels too. They also have less appropriate names. I think every bride needs both! You aren't going to be on the beach the entire time and you arent going to be on solid ground the whole time either.

These are so cute because it looks like your shoes have veils!

Haha thats been my line! "Whoever doesn't come can see it in pictures" and people told me I was being obnoxious. But I agree. For this one day- we should do what is right for us. I'm not twisting anyones arm to come. Wedding always get made about everyone else. Thats why we decided destination- our wedding, our terms. As far as I'm concerned, I can show up with my groom and while I want my loved ones there, I can't stress whether or not people are coming. It will all be ok. I had my little meltdown- but I'll be fine. I'm putting my foot down on this one. I always sacrifice for my family- for this- I'm not backing down. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Oh that's cool- that must be the new promotion for 2012-2013. The last deal was the one free room for every ten. Thats the promotion we were offered. No free cocktail party. Are most of your guests flying in on Wednesday? Well if its free forget La Barcaza! LOL nothing better than free. Thursday is a good choice because this way, if people go overboard on the drinking they will still have a day to recuperate before your wedding. Are you planning on having a rehearsal dinner for your bridal party on Friday? I think at least 1 activity a day with the couple and guests keeps everyone in the loop. It's such a big resort that if people aren't rooming close to each other, it might be hard to corral guests. Are you planning on creating an itinerary for guests? Also, are you doing welcome bags? I'd like to do welcome bags with some fun goodies, a thank you note, and itineraries so people have an idea of our schedule. If you make an itinerary you could indicate that Friday is a free day for guests and make some activities optional for guests. But I'm sure everyone will want to mostly hang together. I'm hoping thats the case with our guests. I know some of my family doesn't travel often and has never been to DR so they will definitely be following me around haha. There are some cool activities at the resort like shows and water sports. You can add them to the itinerary as options for people to get together and chill.

Thanks. Zoetry is breathtaking! Same here- we wanted to do adults only but there were three kids to consider- my 13 year old godsister, my niece, and my nephew. Well my godparents- their older daughter got engaged and is getting married in May- so they cant come to our wedding. And my niece and nephew belong to my two sisters who after all was said and done- decided not to come. So now we have no kids coming...GRRRR! LOL I know PPR is a beautiful property and thanks for telling me about Now. I stood at Secrets in Mexico- part of the AMResorts family that owns Zoetry, Secrets, Dreams, and Now properties. At Secrets- the food was delicious. I didn't eat anything I didn't enjoy. I'm curious about the food at PPR but I love the variety. Honestly- when my fiance and I travel we have a kick ass good time without anyone else there so I will just mentally prepare and resign myself to that mindset and whatever happens, happens. Whoever comes- great. Whoever doesn't- Oh Well.

Congrats! I hope your day is everything you dream of. Beauty and sunshine! Whew for the downgrade! lol

See what I mean- We make all these accommodations for everyone else and its OUR weddings! I wish I was more like my fiance and could say "forget everyone else" but I can't! We had our hearts set on Mexico and I just saw a glass chapel called Our Lady of Guadalupe- that if I knew about beforehand, guarantee I would not have moved my wedding to DR. We went with DR bc soooooo many guests said they would absolutely not go to Mexico. And now look- we only have 10 people booked and its looking like we'll be lucky if we get the 24 who are included in the package. I just want to get married because my fiance and I are travel bugs anyway. We can get married and then go see the world without the hassle of everyone else and their complaints lol

So of course- Davids Bridal steals all my ideas! LOL I changed my mind so many times and settled on a palette of blues- thats what I've been saying for months now- peacock blue, navy blue, and aqua. Low and freaking behold I get an email from Davids today saying "FALL TREND- Blues" with this picture attached...lol That is my color scheme. Like my fiance says "there are so many weddings you think anything we do is unique?" LOL Darn it!!!!! I thought this was unique because none of my friends have done blue- and its my favorite color but I wasn't sold on the Aqua because its quite common- so I obsessed over the peacock- then my fiance picked a dark blue suit and we added the navy so it would match. DAVIDS BRIDAL GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!!

Luck*

I feel like eloping every day. Especially since my dress is already done and thats what I was waiting for. But it would kill my mother. Honestly I just want to get married and make babies and buy a house. I spent all my life dreaming of this perfect wedding and discovered its a bitch to plan. I just got into a fight with my sisters- they are twins, both supposed to be bridesmaids and both of them are not coming. They told me its too much money. My sisters. the same people who encouraged me to have a destination wedding in the first place because a wedding in the states was typical, not my style, and boring. I planned it for Mexico- my sister complained. She already was planning a visit to DR. I switched partly because of her. Now she isn't coming. I cried to my fiance that we should have just eloped. I hope things work out but I'm not feeling optimistic at all. I would have better look throwing my invitation on Craigslist than sending it to my family.

I thought this whole time they were on the same property. I knew they were owned by Melia but I didn't know Melia owned all those other properties. I considered NOW Larimar as well. They have a bowling alley!!!! LOL But I thought it didn't look as luxurious as the Paradisus resorts. I have never even seen pictures of PPC. I'm kind of upset with myself for not researching more. I fell in love with Majestic but they didn't have our dates. I got a calling card and called around and I didn't like the way they handled my inquiry. I believe the girl said I was "being difficult" because I wanted a Thursday, Friday or Saturday and she suggested I get married on a Wednesday. Anywho- I still considered them. My choices were Now, PPR and Majestic. I mapped out the pros and cons of each. And voila! A choice was made. I researched reviews and was please with the reviews for PPR If you don't mind my asking- what's cheaper about PPC? The wedding packages themselves or the cost of the rooms for guests. I'm kind of kicking myself for picking such an expensive property but its my fiances fault really. It was his favorite. The beauty doesn't even make a difference honestly- because we are getting married off-site in the church and to be honest- every reception pretty much looks similar to me. I just found a location in Mexico I'm in love with. And I'm super kicking myself for that- bc Mexico was our original location and we switched to DR for our family who complained. The complainers? They all backed out. That's what I get for trying to be considerate. Like my fiance always tells me- think about yourself because no one else will. Shoot- should have listened.

Thats all well and fine for them to tell the photographer they should pay the $1,000 fee but guess what- lol the photographer is going to charge the couple that fee so her response is silly in my opinion. The photographer isn't going to say "gee I'd love to pay $1,000 to shoot your wedding" Even my wedding coordinator made it clear we would be responsible for the fee. Introduce me to a photographer who will agree to pay that fee without charging the couple and I will book him...lol As far as the guests- I'm sorry if I confused you. I didn't mean guests couldn't take pictures. I meant that if you hire a photographer and book them as your "guest" and try to get away with them taking pictures by saying they are a friend just taking pictures- thats where you encounter the problem. They aren't going to let someone with a professional camera take pictures at the resort. Friends with iphones and personal cameras- not a problem, but anyone busting out a professional canon camera with lenses etc- yea they will say something.

Haha yea. It's like a kid being told what to do. I was stuck between Paradisus and Majestic and was pushing towards Majestic because of the fee but when we used the wedding calculator from Paradisus and compared it to the same things we would purchase at Majestic- apples to oranges Paradisus was only $1,000 more- and it was because of the silly fee. So i figured- we will just pay it bc we were more enamored with the Paradisus Property. I'm Paradisus Palma Real though- where is the Paradisus Punta Cana? I thought they were neighboring resorts right next to each other.