LovelyGemini

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.

Oh no, really?!! I really thought that was a fee they charged for using the outside vendor. Ugh, that really upsets me. I was actually considering using hdc or another vendor also. That really sucks

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.

Lol, same here. And both my family and his are Hispanics, Dominican and Peruvian, gotta deal with their procrastination on both sides. I'm worried about people deciding their whole family and all 4 kids are invited when I was clear on the invitations who is invited to attend the ceremony and reception. Little kids have no business attending a wedding. You wanna bring them along on your family vacay, that's your business but please be aware there is free daycare at the resort from 9am-midnight. FYI for those allowing children, don't remember if I shared this. Under 3 there is no charge, ages 4-11 are half-priced, as far as the wedding is concerned.

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJali So exactly 6 months from now...I will just have arrived in Punta Cana for my wedding week!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!? LOL AHHHHHH!!!! LOL yea, it hit me last night when someone mentioned, "wow, exactly 7 more months left until your wedding!"

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJali ay yi yi! im praying for less than 55!! I got my first "declined" RSVP today and in my head I was thinking "YESSSSS two less people!!" LOL, terrible I know, but the rising cost of this wedding is giving me nightmares. I hear you though, your ceremony's on the pier right? I remember BBPD telling me there was a limit for having it there.

Hmmm... I couldn't tell you, I haven't asked Aris about using him or his packages. Wait, is the hotel package $300 more for the fireworks than DJ Mannia charges? Or vice versa?

I was quoted 1300 for the full MC and DJ package for 3 hrs which supposedly includes the "cold fires" or "flares" or whatever the heck they're called and "robotic led lights", not sure what THOSE are... Maybe pillars? If you choose not to have a DJ and just hook up an iPod or something, they charge $400 to rent the sound system which includes a mic if I'm not mistaken.

Quote: Originally Posted by SoonMrsD We are all mostly for DJ Mannia, the resort recommends him and he has amazing reviews. Plus a friend of a friend had him for her wedding 2 years ago. Good Luck on your wedding and planning! SoonMrsD, do you know if DJ Mannia is one of the DJ's that our WC's give us the pricing for? I chose the package that includes the MC, but don't know if DJ Mannia has to be booked separately or has a different price list. I've also read great things about him.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jcastro0124 Hi Melissa, Are you a May bride also??? Our date is the 2nd of May. I have the following so far: -personailzed bags -hand sanitizer -advil, pepto, for the hangover -aloe vera -sun screen -welcome letter -I want to buy the door hangers (where did you get yours?) I actually hired my photographer from here, flying her out and having her stay at the resort for a couple of days. She will be covering other activities, apart from the "day" JCastro, I saw you're also from NY, where did you find your photographer? I don't mind the style of TP, but their package prices are outrageous! I really wanted someone who could take pictures of our stay out there, at least while we're with most of our friends and family.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bjeantil As promised...... Please check out the blog posting of my wedding and trash the dress session at http://mwsphotoblog.com/berlourde-sean-say-i-do-in-dominican-republic/ blog my photographer created. Enjoy. gorgeous pictures! congrats again and thanks for coming back to share this with us!

Quote: Originally Posted by Trish Upshall ok so i am probably the WORST when it comes to wedding planning! My wedding is still 7months away (April 2014) I have the date booked and ceremony time and reception etc...but haven't booked or discussed anything else with the coordinator. Which I believe from reading through the past comments, is no longer working there so I emailed the other day and still ahven't heard back. Should I be booking and reserving a dj this far in advance? and with decor etc do I need to let them know colours or does most of this get dealt with once we are there? I am the WORST wedding planner ever!!!!!!!!!!! Ps.. Thank goodness for this thread or else i would be even more lost! I love all the pictures and posts from all the past weddings!! Makes me so excited for mine!! Trish, when are you in April? I'm April 5, 2014, but I've been so nervous planning for everything that I've asked my WC tons of questions via email and also went over a couple things face to face when I met with her back in July, like colors and stuff. I've read most WC's send you some sort of questionnaire to go over everything about 2 months before, but I would send sample pics of things you want, like colors, cake, centerpieces, etc so they can tell you what's possible and what may not be. Only because they love to charge "extra" for every little thing, I feel it helps to know budget-wise what you may be paying extra for.

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJali oh[que name=LovelyGemini" url="/t/65076/barcelo-bavaro-palace-deluxe/1890#post_1945756] On top of the DJ, you have to pay $15/pp for the extra hour. Supposedly it's to cover the cost of drinks or whatever. I'm definitely doing the extra hour as well, even though it's gonna run us about $2k just for that ONE extra hour. Even a reception hall in the US gives you at least 4 hours, they sure know how to get every extra penny from us destination brides! LOL oh gosh how many people are you having? LOL! wayyyy too many! We're thinking anywhere from 100-120, hopefully no more than 150. We both have very large families!

On top of the DJ, you have to pay $15/pp for the extra hour. Supposedly it's to cover the cost of drinks or whatever. I'm definitely doing the extra hour as well, even though it's gonna run us about $2k just for that ONE extra hour. Even a reception hall in the US gives you at least 4 hours, they sure know how to get every extra penny from us destination brides! LOL

Tell me about girl, every time I go back and look at our budgeting and costs I have to pour myself a big glass of wine first! The only saving grace is the fact that I know I would be paying more for a wedding here at home with all the people who would come.

Of course, this forum is one of the few, if not only resources we bbpd brides have to get info, always willing to share whatever info I can get. Aris told me that conditional on how many guests I end up having, since it's a large group (we're expecting at least 100-120, maybe even 150!) she could allow me to rent the cylinder vase with the mirrored plate at $20 a table. For once, I actually got them to bend a little and all I did was say I'd bring my own flowers LOL. Give it a shot, looks like they're willing to bargain on some stuff. Now let's see what I can do with that darn drapery!

WHATTTTTT???!!!! I think I'll do just fine without the draping. My reception will be in both of the Mallorca ballrooms and I'm not about to pay close to 5 grand for that. They're out of their minds!

grrrr... figures! I wonder how much it is, did you happen to get a quote?

Anyone know if the drapery decor is included in the Tangerine Sunset package? I've seen it done with some of the other brides who used Bar Higuey, but my reception will be in the Mallorca ballroom since they can't accommodate the number of my guests anywhere else. The ballroom is beautiful but I think the drapery would be a nice touch.

LOL! Thanks for clearing that up. I'm so clueless, I've learned more about fabric and decor planning this wedding than I have my entire life.