Reign14

You have to tell us how your wedding was!!!

Here is the link to our pictures: http://www.tropicalpictures.com.do/bodas/chinelo-alexander

I did do welcome bags. My MIL and SIL made them. We had our welcome reception at Bar Carey which is the perfect location for it, and they handed them out there. I did decide to use the resort's centerpieces and I was extremely pleased with how they turned out. I chose one of the more reasonable priced ones and it was gorgeous. So glad I went that route instead of trying to DIY. It would have been too much added stress on top of everything else I had to do. It was about $45 per table and we had 5 tables so it wasn't outrageous. Worth it IMO. I did a rehearsal dinner at the Santa Fe Steakhouse. A reservation for up to 20 in a private area is included in the package. It was perfect. I don't think you can get a reservation for 20 or a private room at any other restaurant on the resort. For some reason I can't figure out how to attach pictures on here, but here is a link to my pinterest board with photos of all the details. Enjoy!

Yeah they probably don't have an option for just the ceremony since the reception is included in the package price. It may not be worth it for you to pay for the package and just do the ceremony. The package includes the ceremony & reception venues, decorations, dinner, cake, and even an officiant. So I'd either have it all there or have it elsewhere if I were you. You can always do your rehearsal dinner or a day-after dinner/excursion at the other location you like.

Yes!!!! Last Saturday. And it was perfect! It was beautiful. Ask me anything. I was there for 10 days (it was our honeymoon too) and I probably saw 5 or 6 other weddings. The resort is gorgeous no matter where you have it, I can't say enough about how awesome the hotel is. All of my guests LOVED it. We had been there before which gave us extra comfort in our choice, but this time around was even better. Service is unsurpassed. And no one got sick! Elizabeth is an amazing WC. Love her! The details I can think of: We had it at the garden gazebo and Bar Higuey for the reception Pastor York was the officiant for the ceremony We used the DJ & MC there who were great. The DJ played like 2 songs I had never heard then stuck to my playlist for the rest. The MC was really good. Tropical pictures was amazing... both photography and video. Thy definitely get you in the end by making you want to buy all of the photos, so we did. I was worried about how the bouquets and centerpieces would turn out but it all looked lovely. All of the planning and details came together beautifully. There were a few things that didn't go as planned (such as I was mysteriously missing several place cards by the time I got to the resort, but Elizabeth reprinted them for me. And about 10 guests declined last minute due to a death in FI's family) but not everything is in your control, and in the grand scheme of things they don't make or break the day. I also did not bring a sand ceremony kit (thought they'd have it to purchase at the hotel) but Elizabeth helped us improvise. The ONLY thing I would have done differently at the reception is choose the beef tenderloin rather than the sirloin steak. It wasn't all that great. The pesto chicken was descent. The chocolate fondant dessert was only OK. The shrimp ceasar salad in a parmesan cheese bowl was amazing and so was the cake (vanilla with strawberry filling). We booked the Jr. Suite Deluxe Club Premium and were upgraded to the suite, which was lovely, and big! Club premium is worth it if you're getting married. The perks make a difference in your experience. April is the perfect time of year b/c it wasn't too hot and humid. And only rained once overnight in the 10 days we were there. It was gloomy a few days though, but we got lucky and had perfect weather. I thought the ladies in the salon did great hair and makeup. Bring pictures and they'll replicate the look pretty closely. And be vocal about what you like and dislike. I will say it generally helps your entire stay if you can speak some spanish b/c a lot of the employees surprisingly don't speak/understand english well. Including the salon workers, but the salon manager does. And obviously the WCs do. The massage included with the package was nothing to rave about but the facial was amazing. We booked an excursion the day after thru La Barcaza... a boat ride, which was awesome. The only downside is since they aren't affiliated with the resort, it was difficult for the rep to meet me in the lobby to make the payment, and my group had to walk all the way to the end of the adults side to catch the boat b/c they can't come onto the BBPD beach since it's private. I'd recommend maybe booking with an excursion company affiliated with BBPD to make things easier. Although we had a wonderful time on La Barcaza. It was 3 hours, took us snorkeling, then to the natural pool where the water is shallow and clear, there was open bar, a DJ who played great music, and they served lunch (grilled chicken and steak kabobs, plantains, and fries) and everyone loved the food! Let me know if anyone has any other questions.

I just wanted to say that I'm 2 weeks away from my wedding at BBPD!!! I'm excited, anxious, and calm all at the same time. Any last minute advice is welcome!

Beautiful slide show and wedding! The chapel is gorgeous. Thanks for the advice. We are going on a Wed, marrying that Sat, and staying until the following Friday. It's our honeymoon too so we figured we want to relax even after all the guests are gone. Thank you so much for explaining which rooms are which. We went ahead and booked the Jr. Suite Deluxe Ocean Front Club Premium for all the nights. I want to get upgraded but don't want to risk not having a nice room if they can't. Happy to hear that people loved the reception food...the pork sounds tempting! As of now we're doing the chicken and steak. Thanks for the makeup recommendation too! I may contact her. Think I'm gonna go with one of their $45 centerpieces. I'll only have like 5 or 6 tables so I'm just going to factor it into the budget. To me it's worth the convenience of not having to do it myself.

Going to e-mail you with questions and would love to see pictures!

eri9384 Great review and congrats. So glad to hear everything went well. My wedding is in April (finally) and I'm getting excited. Been planning on here since 2013!!! Interesting that you went with the fish and pork. How were they? Sounds like everything turned out great. The cocktail hour at La Palapa sounds like a good idea. I saw the space during my visit and it's pretty nice. I agree that Hoyo 19 is a good place for a rehearsal dinner for no extra cost. It's so secluded I didn't even see it on l my visit, and we went to the water park more than once! Where did you have your reception? Also what were your colors? Looking for inspiration. Did you let the salon do your hair? Did most of your guests stay on the same side of the resort or was everyone spread out? Regarding the upgraded room, we booked the Junior Suite Deluxe. My plan was to book one room below the highest you can get, and hope for an upgrade. But I'm actually not even sure if I booked the right room. Do you know the name of the room you booked and the one you were upgraded to? I've heard of the grand maser suite (the highest upgrade available, of which there are only 2 rooms), and the Club Premium Panoramic Suite. If you can help with what room I should book that would be great! How long was your boat ride and what was included? I read on here that La Barcaza is a really nice boat tour, so I am planning to book with them. They offer a 3-hour boat cruise that takes you out to the natural pool which is shallow where you can snorkel. They have an open international bar on the boat and I chose the package where they will serve grilled chicken, steak, and veggie skewers. It's $1200 overall, and minus our deposit, it would come to $50 per person. I am hoping this is worth it! Also, how long did you stay! How long before the wedding day, and how long after? I may consider flowers from Michaels or AC Moore, but I think I need to see them in pictures. Please share some pictures of your wedding/reception if have them!

I was told there is no fee to use Pastor York. But it looks like you got married last week so you likely know this already! Hope it went well and please share a review if you can. My plan is to make a reservation at the Japanese restaurant where they have hibachi style tables. If there is a reservation limit I will also tell my wedding party o make their own reservation, and then ask to be seated together. Seems like the Japanese restaurant is ideal for large parties because the tables already accommodate big groups. The Sports bar and Hoyo 19 (near the golf course) seem to also be places that may be able to accommodate large groups. Although the Sports bar is VERY casual. Hoyo 19 is a much nicer dinner spot. Also, Bar Carey seems to be the ideal spot for a welcome reception.

The centerpiece costs are out of control! I too am struggling with whether to pay way too much for the minimalism that they call a center piece, or attempt to bring the stuff to make my own. The outside vendor fee is a whole 'nother annoying topic. I think I'll just be going with Tropical Pictures.

LovelyGemini: Awesome review and lovely pics! you were a gorgeous bride! I think I have my ceremony scheduled at 4PM so we don't lose sunlight for pictures. But the dusk is beautiful too! Glad everything worked out and thanks for all of the tips.

OK so I didn't see any weddings while I was there I only saw a reception going on in Bar Higuey on Saturday the 26th and heard the music playing. The place was lit up with colors...it was so pretty. Hope your ceremony and reception were everything you had hoped for! Please let us know how it went when you have a chance. Thanks so much, we're excited! Now that I've seen the resort it's easier to make my wedding decisions. Think I'm going to go with the Garden Gazebo for the ceremony location since it's shaded (and we'll have the little one) and then Bar Higuey for the reception since it's right there. This way the guests don't have to walk far to get from one place to the other. We'll head to the beach for pictures so they won't be able to see us take them, so I just have to find something for them to do in the meantime. I was thinking cocktail hour, but I'd almost prefer to extend the reception instead (since you said it's worth it). So my new dilemma is what to do with the guests for the 30 mins-1hr we're taking pics. Doesn't look like I'll be able to incorporate the rooftop into my plans b/c it's so far out of the way of the ceremony and reception locations. I'll be using Bar Carey for the welcome reception b/c it's sooo nice and they have a bar right there. Thanks for your help and all the advice!!! Hope married life is treating you well!

I was just at the hotel this past weekend for a vacation/site visit. I met with Elizabeth two days ago...she's my new coordinator as well since Susana is no longer there. Elizabeth is a sweetheart and seems very capable. She said she's been working at the hotel since December, and used to work for a Melia hotel so she has experience. She picked me up in a golf cart from the adults only side and took me on a tour of the ceremony and reception locations, and then to her office for our meeting. So nice. Try e-mail her again, as she just e-mailed me our new confirmation yesterday. If not, I'd just deal with Daniela since she seems to be the one responding. Perhaps try calling Mon-Thurs to find out what welcome gathering they're referring to. Most of their weddings are Friday and Saturday (none on Sunday) so early it the week is the best time to get in touch with them. I plan to do my welcome gathering at Bar Carey since it's so nice. It's the most beautiful bar/lounge I've ever seen. And it's huge so there's plenty of room for multiple parties, if needed. Elizabeth mentioned that it's also the standard meeting spot for guests before they're taken on the trolley to the ceremony location. Another good location for a welcome is the Chillout Rooftop, although there's no shade. But I found that the sun wasn't beaming this time of year, it was hot but bearable and not very humid at all. I think it gets worse in June/July/Aug. The bar is several feet away, but there were servers taking drink orders when we were up there. Bar Carey is a more central location though. You can't miss it. Go for that. That may be what they're referring to anyway. Good luck! Just got back from my site visit/vacation yesterday.Let me just say that I knew the resort was nice, but I was blown away by how classy and beautiful it was in person. We stayed on the adults only side, and the room was decent, but I hear they're much nicer on the Palace Deluxe side so we'll do that for the wedding. And the guests most likely will too. (I knew that from what other ladies have posted but we wanted to make this a relaxing vacation- i.e. no kids running around, crowds, etc.- so we chose to stay there anyway). The pools are awesome, the beach is beautiful, the ceremony and reception locations are amazing. Everything was so nice. We upgraded to Club Premium and had pretty good service, I can't complain at all. And the perks were worth it too....free massage, access to the spa, wifi, room service, etc. We met another couple that stayed on the adults only side too and said their service wasn't good, but they didn't do Club Premium. I have to say though... this place is like 100+ small businesses being managed like a well-oiled machine. I don't know how they do it. It's huge. Everyone was very professional and pleasant. The only time we had "bad" service was at the buffet on the Palace Deluxe side, but that is probably because it was so busy. The food was good though. The service at the adults only buffet was MUCH better, but the food wasn't as good (presumably b/c there's less people so there's less options and the food is refreshed less often). But we always found something to eat. I will say that the employees try to speak English, but they prefer Spanish so it's easier to communicate if you speak and understand Spanish well or are with someone who does. I speak Spanish and my fiance is from DR so we didn't have a problem communicating. A few other random things I liked: -Kids water park and Pirate's island -Golf Course -Restaurants were very nice (Japanese and Steakhouse [filet] were the best, Italian and Mexican didn't do it for me) -Shows every night were entertaining,. very talented performers -Pools were huge and clean. Palace Deluxe side had a swim-up bar -Lots of places to lounge...Sports Bar, Bar Carey, Rooftop, etc. -Resort is big but walkable -Trolley came often, never had to wait long -Always food and drinks when you need it -Bar Higuey, Rooftop, Garden Gazebo, Catholic Church all beautiful -Beach is clean, sand is soft, water is a beautiful clear blue -Not far from the airport or the excursion locations I'm glad I went in person to get a better feel for where everything was and how the hotel is situated. I know my guests will have an amazing time there. The beach and pools are lovely and there is a lot to do. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm glad I chose this hotel and I am looking forward to the next visit and the wedding!.

We haven't chosen a new date just yet. We had one, but then we found out we're expecting (yay!) so we're working on a new date. I just saw your pictures....BEAUTIFUL! You chose a great photographer....love it. You guys look great together and the pier is an awesome ceremony location. I'm now looking for ways to save on the extras! I had originally chosen the beach ceremony (with cocktail reception on the rooftop), but I'm thinking about going with the gazebo since we'll ave a little one, and possibly no cocktail reception. I wanted to use the rooftop so bad, but I think instead we'll have the informal welcome reception there. Still not sure if we'll extend the wedding reception and have a photo booth. Was the extra hour/crazy hour worth it, you think?