laraandshane

We got married on Sunday, September 1, 2013. We used HDC Photo and got their least expensive package ($650). We used the photographer for the ceremony, beach session at Jellyfish and reception shots. The next day we had our photos from them in our hotel lobby. We went on our honeymoon right after thats why. We wanted Katya but she was out of town at the time. In addition, we went low/saved on the photography but went all out on the video with Cores Films. WHICH I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT!

Here are some pictures of my wedding! Thank you again Mayte!!!!

I wrote this long review and it says it is under review because I new to this website! Ahhhh

NUESTRA SENORA DEL PILAR REVIEW: I was so adamant on getting married in the church. I felt like that we definitely wanted God to be part of our marriage from the beginning with the ceremony! That being said, the church was beautiful, especially in pictures. However, we had a share number of hiccups with the ceremony at this church. For example, we did all the paperwork and sent it to Father Lacaille months before the wedding. We were told there will be a priest that spoke English there for our ceremony. Our priest spoke little English and majority couldn't really understand him. We also, planned with Father Lacaille the ceremony timeline and even sent him a program we had premade for the wedding. The priest completely went off his own timeline/agenda and did not follow the program. We planned first reading, second reading and psalm. He botched my brother's speaking psalm and the Communion part! Father Lacaille sends couples a Q&A Word document to help assist with any questions. I asked to have a meeting with him and he couldn't meet with us prior to the wedding. I have my top suggestions for you below: 1. Demand that you meet with Father Lacaille or the priest that will be doing your ceremony PRIOR to your wedding. If he says they are too busy, ask again if there is any way because this would clear up any misunderstandings and there won't be any surprises like we had! 2. Ask the priest to not use the microphone if you are having a small wedding. We had 32 people and the priest used a microphone. Horrible idea! The church is a small antique old church; thus, the microphone added an echo plus a not so fluent English speaker made it very difficult to understand. 3. Please have the fans going prior to the guests arrival. There isn't any air conditioning in the church. It helps with the comfort for you and your guests. In the end, as an Event Planner and bride you have to accept that something will go wrong on your wedding day. You must enjoy even the mistakes because it is too foolish to dwell because it goes by so fast. Also, whether the fill in priest was last minute or not, it was beautiful! We would've changed some things but in the end we are still very happy we got married at Nuestra Senora Del Pilar. HDC REVIEW: Hmm... where do I begin? Everyone on this board raved about HDC and Arnaud. Well like the story with Father Lacaille, we assumed Arnaud will be photographing our wedding. Well surprise! On the day of the wedding, he sent a different photographer. Our photographer was very nice and professional. However, I am a fan of Katya's work and love how she captures the ambiance with the food, scenery and little details that make the photographs ART and TIMELESS. We love our photos but here are some suggestions if you do use HDC: 1. Have a meeting with the real photographer that will be doing your wedding. 2. Ask your photographer to capture the little details at your wedding...For example, we were instructed to pose the "Charlies Angels" pose with my husband and bridesmaids. Also, the groomsmen and hubby carrying me...a little cheesy! Instead, I wished we had more shots of the food, scenery of the blue ocean in the background and decor Mayte so beautifully put out. 3. Take guests photos with you and your hubby BUT make sure you get photos with different backgrounds! We have a million pictures of our guests posing with us with palm trees in the background and only a handful with the blue Punta Cana water in the back. Anyways, we had 398 photos in the end. Arnaud came to our hotel the next day and gave us the CD with pictures. Great turn around nonetheless! Also, all in all the photographer did take about 12 outstanding pictures that I absolutely adore! So yes go with them but just use some of my suggestions to really get your day captured!

FUTURE BRIDES! I just got married on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at Nuestra Senora Del Pilar and reception at JellyFish restaurant. I love Mayte and so will everyone that has a wedding there. She does an amazing job and this is coming from an Event Planner in Washington D.C.. She really made me feel like the bride and not an Event Planner on my special day. Feel free to ask me any questions and I can help respond to some of your questions. Resort: We stayed at The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real. Best decision ever. It was luxury to a max! In addition, we had very picky travelers on on our trip and they even were happy with the hotel and food. Photographer: We went with HDC photography. Our initial request was for Katya, but she was out of the country Crazy Hour Show: Speaking of being not boring! The Dominican Crazy Hour show savvvvvvved our wedding! I say this because most of my wedding guests were shy, older and more on the serious side! I was kinda wondering if my boring crowd would even dance! And trust me, I have coordinated plenty of weddings where the guests are very laid back and don't really party and it makes the wedding so ordinary! Brides, this is the one day of your life to celebrate! But once the Crazy Hour show arrived, the party began! Even my hubby's parents that are divorce and don't get along got to the dance floor! It got so fun and wild that after the fire show, my hubby and I jumped in the water. LOVED IT! Anyways, congrats and happy planning

Correction they do not do weddings on Sunday.

Mady, When is your date? The priest told me Mayte has to reserve it. Did you already make travel arrangements and invites out like me? Also, the priest said they do weddings on Sunday! This is really giving me anxiety.

Thank you! I just called tonight and Raluca (the lady that seems to always answer the restaurant line) told me Mayte wasn't feeling well. I wrote her an email regarding it be URGENT!

I hope she answers! I called her multiple times even on her cellphone! The priest sent me an alarming email regarding my wedding date Sunday, September 1,2013 was not scheduled by Mayte. I have all reservations and am in the middle of Pre Cana courses to get married at Nuestra señora del pilar and reception at Jellyfish. I am freaking out! Please Mayte reply to my emails!!!

I hope she answers! I called her multiple times even on her cellphone! The priest sent me an alarming email regarding my wedding date Sunday, September 1,2013 was not scheduled by Mayte. I have all reservations and am in the middle of Pre Cana courses to get married at Nuestra señora del pilar and reception at Jellyfish. I am freaking out! Please Mayte reply to my emails!!!

Thanks Pokeyholly! Where are yours...I love looking at others' invites!

Sorry here is the postcard we made! Enjoy