LovelyGemini

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!!

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

Ok I'm glad you are having your wedding before me because it looks like I might be having a large number of attendees too ...  I have mixed emotions about it! Girl, everything is usually extra but it all depends on your package

We are back from our dream,, wedding!!! Ladies stop worrying!!! They are experts!!!

Ladies,  We just came back from our wedding stay at BBPD. Let me tell you. THE BEST WEDDING EVER. Literally, almost every person that came (we had 43 people), said it was the best wedding that they have ever been to. The photographer. AMAZING. We used Tropical Pictures. The whole stay was absolutely amazing and I wish I could do it all over again.  I will say, I was wicked nervous before we left, only because, it's a horrible feeling only talking to the WC through email, but we met with Arise the day after we got to BBPD. We finalized everything that day. Easy. Took an hour at the most. Cake decision. Boom. Photography decision. Boom. Food. Boom. We added the cocktail hour, amazing. It was well worth the money, and we had it right on the beach where we got married. Arise really takes all of the worry off of your shoulders. She really is amazing, and we had absolutely NO issue at all. The only MINOR hiccup was that the judge that married us was a half hour late, which wasn't even a big deal at all, and they just moved the reception time back, so it wasn't affected at all. The professional photos came out AMAZING as well, we had Micelia. Couldn't have asked for a better photographer. I'll post pictures asap, or I can email them to you. And if you want to email me for anything my email is [email protected] There were 3 weddings happening at the same day/same time ish, and you would NOT EVEN KNOW. They take you on the trolley from the ceremony to the reception area. We all WOOOO'd whenever we saw people. Awesome ride.  The food, really good. We got the tomato and goat cheese salad, awesome! The main course was the chicken, I didn't like it too much, but I don't like chicken on the bone. Other people loved it. We got the creme brulee, along with the cake. BOTH AMAZING.  For the cake, we got 3 tiers all different kinds. The first layer we got vanilla cake with strawberry filling, second, vanilla with pineapple filling, and the top was the vanilla with guava filling. ALL AMAZING. The ONLY thing I could say bad about this place is that when we were trying to check out, there was confusion about us paying for the wedding. We paid for it a week before we left the resort at the front desk (they actually charge everything to your room, so you have to pay for it there and not at the wedding department). When we were checking out, they said that money wasn't applied to our room yet, even though we had a receipt. So our only wish is that there was better communication with that kind of stuff. Other than that, it was the best time of our lives and we would definitely recommend this resort. So, ladies. Do NOT WORRY AT ALL. It WILL be the best day of your life.

I didn't really ask if it was an option. In my emailed I just stated that I would be using an outside photographer. Not sure if that approach would work for you or not. I'm also thinking that the vendor fee should cover the day pass!

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!

Anyone find out any more about using HDC at our resort?  I'm so confused!!  Really want to book them but don't want to book and then be told "no way".  Thanks!

hes just a pastor in the Punta Cana area that does the symbolic ceremony if you choose not to do the Catholic ceremony. people like him bc he speaks perfect English

Does anyone have any information on this pastor that appears on the price list for $300? Do we know if this is Pastor York?

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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.

Okay ladies, so this photographer thing is really driving me nuts at this point so I asked my WC, Aris, what is the policy for outside photographers and if I could bring someone from the states instead. This was her response:

"El punto es que no aceptamos proveedores externos, y aunque usted lo traiga de su país sigue siendo un profesional externo."

****Basic translation for my non-Spanish-speaking brides: HELL NO*****

WTF?! It is my understanding, from this forum and other brides who HAVE brought someone from the states or anywhere else, that as long as they are included as a guest of your wedding that there are no consequences. 

In my inquiry, I mentioned to HDC that I would have to speak the BBPD to verify their policy on external photographers. HDC replied back saying that BBPD does allow outside photographers but they charge a fee of $1000. This could be simply because they don't want to lose business from us, but even still, I was leaning more towards flying someone out from my local NYC area for a couple of days. 

bc the fee isn't the option they offer. its the penalty if they find out you snuck in an outside vendor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissJali 


yea the thing is the stress if bbpd decides not to let them on the property

If you pay the outside vendor fee, why wouldn't they? Isn't that the reason for the ridiculous $1000 fee?

I WISH someone would try to keep them out after I pay that fee, my inner bridezilla WILL make a very ugly appearance if that were to happen. LOL 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissJali 
 

Idk...I've done my calculations...even paying the vendor fee HDC still comes out cheaper than using Tropical Pictures for photo and video....ehh we'll see. I just want someone familiar with the resort b/c I dont want to be giving anyone a tour of great locations to take my photos.

REALLY??!! WOW, that's crazy. I never got a quote from them because I always figured it would come out to be more expensive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yessi 
 

 

When I spoke Marlene, she did mentioned if the person taking your pics is part of your wedding group  then its ok, you don't  have to pay the fee. Bc I am bringing my own photographer, I am just paying for her room and flight so I am making her part of my wedding group...

A couple of the other brides here have done that too, they found local photographers in their area that were willing to travel over and booked them a couple of nights there. I'm just trying to find one that will be worth paying for their flight and stay... while still getting my money's worth in photos. Tropical Pictures at the hotel is so pricey for the amount of coverage (time) and photos they give you, its ridiculous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonMrsD 
 

 

 

Send me your email and I can give you their rates, well what I have for HDC but the thing is that BBPD won't let you use them unless you pay the fee of $1000 for them being an outside vendor - 

That vendor fee is freaking outrageous, I've heard other places like Majestic only charge $300 or so for outside vendors. I'm still on the hunt for either a local NYC-based photographer or an outside vendor out there worth paying the vendor fee for. I've contacted a couple people including this couple at Katya Nova that travels all over but will actually be in Punta Cana for the date of my wedding. I wonder if they'll still charge me the outside vendor fee for them... 

I know they don't charge the fee for an outside officiant like Pastor York. I've asked him to officiate my wedding and as per my WC, there is no additional vendor fee for him. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yessi 
 

Hi Ladies,

 

At what point do we start working on menus for the reception?

Welcome to BDW Yessi! My wedding is also in April, a few weeks before yours, on the 5th. I would recommend you make your plate choices before you send out your invitations, so you can ask your guests what they would prefer, especially if you're expecting at least 50 guests. And that way you'll know which dish to make your main dish and how many you will have to pay extra for the second choice.

I wish I had done that with mine, my invites already went out and my WC just told me I would need to let her know everyone's food choices at least 1 month before I arrive! I guess it's because of the size of my guest list. Now I have to backtrack once I get all my RSVPs and ask them individually what their entree choice will be!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngeliniC 
 

I leave next saturday for my wedding, Sept 17th is the day and i couldnt be more excited. I was worried when i got the email saying Marlene is no longer there and Aris has now been assigned to me. I just felt relief when i read that lol

 

I hope everything goes as smooth as everyone elses did

You're in great hands with Aris! She's such a sweetheart and always responds to emails within 48 hours, even though my wedding is 7 months away! When you meet her, she'll make you feel as if you've been friends forever. I'm sure she's on top of things and if you email her, she'll be sure to get back to you ASAP.

UGH!!!!!!!! Im waiting for mine! These freaking hispanics know they aren't going but wanna wait until the last minute so i have to call them and hound them for the rsvps and make it awkward. Im looking forward to declines!! LOL yes on the pier, so please no more than 55 people or some of them will be watching from the beach. I  have my heart set on the pier