LovelyGemini

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonMrsD Yeah so by Dec 6th if the rooftop is still available and we have a decent amount of people I will do it but for now its not an expense we can afford. Can anyone go to the rooftop for drinks at any time? I was thinking of maybe doing a welcome drinks there and just asking everyone to meet there and hand out their welcome bags as the resort charges $10 per bag to give out smh I thought Dec 6 was way too early but all they have to do is deposit $150pp then pay it off by June so $150 is not asking alot, it's just basically saying yes or no lol What sucks, is the late bookers!!!! The only issue is that they don't have a bar there, it's such a peaceful place because it's pretty isolated. The closest bar is off the rooftop and people would have to walk back and forth. I found some pics on my phone from the last time my FI and I were there. MY FI would kill me if he knew I posted this pic of him, LOL! Oh well, anything to help us ladies plan! I took this pic from almost the edge of the area, you can see it's pretty big. The bar (which is not always open, btw), it located right at the center of the picture, just to right right of where my FI is standing. This long walkway would make an awesome path when it's decorated for the wedding. I have some photos somewhere of how it looks when set up for a wedding. I'll search around my computer for them. This is from the first time we came, weather was perfect that day! I was planning on doing some kind of informal welcome gathering at the Sports Bar they have there, Strikers. It's very nice looking (I know what kind of picture the word "sports bar" might trigger) and has a ton of seating along with an "American-type buffet" with like wings and burgers. Its also open 24 hours and has a small theater for big sports game and a pool table area off to the side. No real dress code though, not like the a la carte restaurants. The other idea I think would work well is the "Bar Carey", it's a really nice indoor bar located near the lobby. It's a little more of a quieter spot but has couches and stuff to hang out on. My family can get a little rowdy so I chose Strikers for us. I included it as part of the "itinerary" in our passport invite. I really only have pics of our drinks from each time we went to Strikers, LOL. we made friends with one of the bartenders who still remembered us the 2nd time we went this past summer. So this picture is really only helpful to show you... ummm the cool drink he made and the very nice lighting at Strikers. haha Really though, its the classiest, nicest sports bar I've ever seen.

Quote: Originally Posted by charo11913 Hi brides, I've been following this feed for months, it's been very helpful. I have a question that I haven't seen anyone comment on, have any of the past brides, or future brides considered tipping the wedding coordinators? If so how much? Hi charo!! Welcome!! I've thought about that too. I know employees at the resort really don't make much and the WC's really dedicate a lot of time to set up your special day. I plan on tipping in one form or another, either with cash ($200?) or a really nice gift. I think it also depends on how much you spend on your package and everything.

Quote: Originally Posted by ashleymayelyn thanks lovelygemini i love the view of the resort and how quiet and peaceful it is up there and the location is great. I'm also from DR and spent an excruciating two weeks there in august, least to say i came back completely black! I'm looking more towards the ballroom but don't know if it will be too large of a room for my party (anywhere from 60-80 guests) and thats a really good point I'm going to bring that point up. LOL I hated those DR summers! On the resort, at least it's more comfortable since you always have the ocean breeze, fans and AC all over the resort. They have many different sized ballrooms, some on the smaller size. One of the Mallorca ballrooms should be fine for 60-80 people. If we reach the 120 mark we're anticipating, my WC told me they can open the divider that breaks up the two larger ballrooms. The ballrooms really are very elegant looking and when we visited, we didn't even see it set up for a party, just a conference. Plus, they can set up some basic draping like Bar Higuey and it will be included, depending on your package. Another bride also got recently married there and posted a picture of the ballroom with some really cool lighting. I've been meaning to ask my WC what they charge for that.

Quote: Originally Posted by ashleymayelyn Ive finally been confirmed for 8/23/14 at BBPD. YAY!! @tricia-m I absolutely fell in love with the pictures of the roof top deck so the ceremony will be on the roof top deck. I'm shooting for bar higuey but with my wedding being in august I'm afraid it'll be too hot and maybe opt for the ballroom with the AC. Are any of you ladies having guest at the wedding that are not staying in the resort? Some of my FI family live in the capital and they are coming too the wedding but we don't wanna have to pay for a day and night fee because the ceremony starts at 5. CONGRATS!!!! The rooftop is gorgeous and so peaceful, plus it's not in the middle of everything so it'll be very private. Bar Higuey is beautiful but believe me, DR is sooooo hot and humid in August (I spent a few excruciating summers there as a kid), you might be more comfortable in the ballroom. It might be cheaper for your fiance's family to just stay for the night at the resort, they get better pricing since they live there. Not to mention, the ride back to the capital is so long, might not even be safe to drive back after your party.

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonMrsD haha that's too funny how alike our weddings are... I have the Strawberry but my WC said I can upgrade at anytime so I will see how many RSVP by 12/6/13 - TA deadline to book at the price I got for everyone. My ceremony is on the beach as well and I'm still thinking about the cocktail hour (how much are they charging you?), my FI wants it on the rooftop as well which I have seen pictures of and it looks so nice but again it will depend on the headcount. I want AC for the reception but Bar Higuey looks so nice, how many people is the max for it? The only extra I am having is the DJ and photobooth from Tropical Pictures Yeah I'm glad my RSVP is sooner so I have time to plan... Girl I have done nothing until I get a number and I'm sure there will be floaters since my wedding is in Sept and people will try to still book ugh!!!! lol We considered doing the ceremony on the rooftop also, but I really wanted to have the ocean behind us, and why else come to Punta Cana? They're charging us $500 for the cocktail hour plus $12 per person (hence why I really need ppl to start telling me if they're coming or not ahhh). The rooftop is absolutely gorgeous, my fiance and I used to go up there before or after dinner both times we went there, its so peaceful! I'm not sure on the Bar Higuey count but I think it's like 75-80, definitely less than 100. All I remember Aris saying to us was, um yea, that's not an option for your party. LOL oh well. We're also using the DJ/MC package and TP for the video. (Which reminds me... gotta let the resort know we're going to use them!) I'm kicking myself for pushing the RSVP date back so far, but I was trying to be nice and let people enjoy the holiday season before deciding. I think using the TA will probably help you get a lot of people declining, just because the deadline is so early.

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonMrsD Who are you telling! I'm hoping alot of people can't make it. My FI wanted to invite almost everyone he knows ugh!!!! What's your package? Ceremony? Reception? Details Girl! haha Just realized the marathon here in NYC is this Sunday!!! Can't believe you have the guts to do it, good luck!!

My problem is we both have such huge families. I even left off a bunch of family members off the list that I'd rather not have around. I have the Tangerine Package. Ceremony will be on the beach (since that's really the one place big enough for all of us!), Cocktail hour on the rooftop (didn't like the idea of all my guests eating on the beach, no one likes sandy food!) and reception in the Mallorca ballroom (too many ppl for Bar Higuey and I prefer the AC environment). Extras: for now, we're considering either the Fire Show or Hora loca, plus at least 1 extra hour for the party. So far I've only had one couple decline the invitation, secretly hoping for more! But my RSVP deadline isn't until January so I'm sure all my lovely procrastinating friends and family will be waiting until the last minute. Sucks cuz that means I have to wait to decide on the numbers for welcome bags, favors, etc. still so much to do!!

Ugh I know! So much for my intimately small dream beach wedding. LOL But of course, it would cost extra... What was I thinking??! Still going to ask, it looks like it's just lighting but it really transformed the ballroom space!

Congrats and welcome back!!!! So glad to hear everything went well and I'm happy to see another bride who used the ballroom. Just wondering, how many guests did you have? Your party looked pretty big and I'm expecting at least 100! Also, I've never seen that lighting in the ballroom, did you have to request or pay extra for that??

Welcome back and congrats!!! Thank you so much for sharing! I have Aris as my WC and it's good to hear she did a great job!

Haha, serves me right for trying to be nice and actually ask for permission first. Thanks again!

Now, assuming that we were to use an outside vendor, like HDC, and pay the outside vendor fee, anyone know if we would still have to buy the photographers a day pass or something like that so they will be allowed onto the property? Assuming we're not paying for the photographer to stay overnight that is...

Quote: Originally Posted by samantha2 I received a reply from Aris and we are able to use an outside photographer we just have to pay the outside vendor fee. Although it is still cheaper to use hdc even with the fee! I'm booking hdc for the photography. They have been awesome to work with so far. Thanks for all your help everyone! Wow, that changes everything. I'm a little upset she didn't offer that to me as an option when I asked. I'm still going to try to figure out some way around this. Thanks for letting us know!

Every outside photographer I have spoken to tells me that the only real way to get around this is by paying for them to stay for at least a night or two at the resort, which is exactly what we're doing with whoever we decide to go with. Right now we're still deciding between Heather Prescott (that TRivera used and another bride on here is using) and Katya Nova, a couple who lives out in Punta Cana half the year. My WC, Aris, gave me a flat-out "NO" when I even hinted at flying someone else out there as my photographer or using someone else from out there.

He's also able to do the ceremony bilingually as well which is why we chose him. He also makes the ceremony with some religious undertones, he can do it traditionally or more contemporary, both of which are worded beautifully. I thought it would feel more like a real ceremony having him there.

MissJali, I don't know if the pastor they're referring to on the price list is pastor York, but I do know that Pastor York's fee is $350 for 2014. I'm using him for my ceremony also.

Quote: Originally Posted by tricia-m Sample of our save the dates. The back isn't completed yet. Just thought I'd share with you ladies This is super cute!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJali Are you using TRivera's photographer? Heather did a great job on her wedding. You should have no problem Yes! Her pictures by Heather Prescott came out beautifully. I've reached out to her and we're working on a package for us as we speak. And she already told me she's going back a couple of weeks after my wedding as well, I think it might be for JCastro's wedding since she gave me the info.

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJali She doesn't know what she's talking about. Your guest is YOUR GUEST. You can certainly bring someone from here. Don't even bother confirming that with her. Just do it! I think I will do just that. I'm not even going to try to rock the boat by trying to use someone from out there like HDC, even though I like their packages. I don't mind TP or their style, but they don't offer as much coverage as I want. MAYBE I'll use them for the video, I'd want a video of my ceremony at the very least.

Quote: Originally Posted by tricia-m My TA confirmed I was able to bring my photographer from home with NO extra fees. He is staying as a guest. This better not all of a sudden change. Or they shouldn't give different information to different brides. They should know we all talk! Right, this doesn't make sense to me at all. If they're part of my guest list, and I'm paying for them to stay at the resort, there should be no issues. They are technically a guest of the resort! I'm even in the process of possibly booking a photographer that a previous bride on here used without any problems back in May. I really don't understand what their problem is.