Jenn963

hi!! I think i'm too late on replying to you ..so sorry!! i went away for the weekend so I wasn't able to check. But just to answer your questions; check in was fine...we arrived at around 6pm on a MOnday evening and they had a sign with my last name for our group to check into...It went rather slow due to the fact that there were 26 of us and we all had to fill in some paperwork...but they served us some nice cold drinks so it was alright. We stayed at the 4000 block of rooms (right in front of the lobby conveniently). Restaurants....well the buffets (non a-la-carte) were fine...busy at times and waiters would sometimes forget that you had ordered a drink (1-2 times soemtimes)...and twice we ran into the problem that they ran out of cups so we had to wait on drinks....for the a-la-carte, i can't say much because I honestly didn't even have time to eat at them. I only went to ONE (Mare Nostrum) and then the one we went to for our semiprivate dinner for the wedding (El Rodizio). They are both really good. I personally liked Mare Nostrum better. The service was amazing. Please please please don't worry about the weather! it lies!! you will see once you're there. It rains for literally 5 min and then sunshine again. I checked the app before leaving and it said rain ALL week. It rained only 2 days and both days were for max 10 min and pure sunshine the rest of the day. Trust me, it's beautiful! We unfortunately did not meet with DJ Mannia before the party...I would have liked to. Same with Pastor Mark Lykins. I would have like to run through some instructions prior to the ceremony and party but I guess it couldn't happen. Either way, it all went well. I mean, they do these things on a daily basis so you are definitely covered We brought a USB with our songs...separated in folders ....one for ceremony and one for the beach party. And I wrote out the list in order (for the ceremony) for Carolina and they played them perfectly. DJ mannia has a good playlist....you tell him what sort of music you like...but if there are specific songs u want played, then i'd suggest you put them on a USB. Carolina is soooo nice. and she def has a way of making you feel at ease. EVERYTHING i asked of her was done. she is honestly amazing! I did the dolphin excursion AFTER the wedding day....I didni't want to leave before just in case of anythign lol ... good luck! don't stress! TAKE LOTS of pics and just ENJOY it because honestly the week goes by WAY too fast : ( i miss DR

AAAAAAAAAAAANDDD WE'RE BACK FROM DR!! our group was there from nov 4-11 and my hubby and I stayed till the 14th It FLEW by sooooooooooo fast and i'm having major withdrawals now re-living it all by looking at the 700+ pics and videos we have collected from friends and family.....what a great week. I must say...and you have probably read this before...but if you're at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana and you have Carolina...........O-M-G SHE IS AMAZING. I still cannot believe how on-point she is. I dont know how she does it. has multiple weddings per week (and day) and she managed to remember every single detail i wanted !!! she is so super nice!! i brought pretty much all my decor down with me and she organized and sorted everything out perfectly. I was amazed. Our wedding day was perfect!! IGNORE THE WEATHER APP....LOL I was freaking out before we left cuz it said rain rain rain all week...but it literally rained 2 times...and for 5 minutes. we had the silver package....which included the semi private dinner. our dinner was at El Rodizio...which was nice...cake was delicious...from what people tell me. I really only had that one bite that my hubby and I exchanged after cutting it lol...but all my friends tell me it was delicious! lol we had a beach party after with DJ Mannia....he was great! definitely had our party going strong...the lights, balloons, and all that extra stuff was such great add-ons to our party...it was soooo much fun! the hotel itself...hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....i expected more. Would I go back? probably not. personally, I have discovered I don't really like BIG hotels like this...way too busy for me. I was lost half of the time lol...didn't get to enjoy any a -la -cartes (besides the wedding day)...the food was the same....i think the Behique restaurant (by the pool) had the best food but they only served breakfast and lunch. no dinner but my main thing is that it's too big, too busy...to hard to get around. I wish i had thought this through better. Our guests seemed to like it though.... we went to the Ocean Blue & Sand hotel for our honeymoon....much better for me. It was more modern and cleaner...and the food was better....anddddd it was smaller! which is probably why i liked it better lol. It was quite easy to get around, it was quieter and we got to eat an a-la-carte there every day! lol I would go back there again for sure. We also made a stop at the Hard Rock Punta Cana...to check out the grounds and the casino and club there. That is luxury!!! but also...too big for me lol. It doesn't even feel like you're in Punta Cana anymore when you're inside. It is very "Americanized"....but very very nice!! the weather was amazing, like i said...ignore the weather app. i was scared about the vendors that ppl say push and push you to buy stuff....but i didn't run into that problem personally...it was pretty quiet in that sense... the staff is super friendly...i dont know how but it seemed like they all knew we were the couple gettin married because everywhere we went, they would congratulate us.....for having tons and tons of guests in and out daily but still being able to remember us, i thought it was pretty sweet. We felt special. For our welcome dinner, Carolina had a nice long table decorated for us all at the buffet restaurant...and then later for the show at the theatre...the host played a game that involved our group....including my father and my husband...it was pretty funny. We brought our own photographer down...which was amazing...she actually photographed during the week...our wedding day and a trash the dress session the next day...and even after the wedding as well...she was amazing. our videographer was Juan and Diego from Cores Films....also awesome and nice guys to work with....we got the video during our honeymoon ....they covered so much for the package we got...it is really well done. we had pastor mark lykins to perform our ceremony......he was great. the only thing is i wish we had met before the ceremony. I thought we were supposed to meet but for some reason, it didn't happen. it was awkward for me personally, to have to meet him for the first time as i walked up to the altar.....lol...also...he knocked over our sand for the sand ceremony andddddddd he almost forgot to do that whole part. lol I had to whisper it to him before he pronounced us husband and wife ...so that was also an awkward moment. But He did good otherwise. ummmm i dont know what else I'm supposed to write about on these reviews....but all in all...a good week...our group had so much fun. we had 2 birthdays, our wedding and an anniversary so everyone was in celebration mode! to all the brides leaving soon, ENJOY AND SAVOR EVERY MOMENT!!! it goes by SOO SOOOO FAST! before you know it, you're on a plane flying home again I'm currently at work just looking and re-looking at my pictures.....i miss the weather and the relaxation.....but I'm super happy and glad it was such a memorable trip for us and our wonderful group of friends and family!!! AFTER THE CEREMONY...CORES FILMS VIDEOGRAPHER BEACH PARTY WITH DJ MANNIA! GARTER TOSS TIME! OUR FIRST DANCE AT EL RODIZIO BRAZILIAN RESTAURANT FOR OUR RECEPTION DINNER...CAKE IN SILVER PACKAGE THE BEACH GAZEBO DECORATED WITH OUR CUSTOM MADE AISLE RUNNER OUR CUSTOMIZED OOT BAGS WITH OUR LOGO...PACKED WITH GOODIES (WELCOME LETTER, EMBROIDERED FACE TOWELS, FIRST AID KITS, NAIL CLIPPERS, KLEENEX, TYLENOL, PEPTO, "just married" sandal KEY CHAIN, KEY HOLDERS, HAND CREAM, LIP BALM, ALOE VERA, HAND SANITIZIER, TUMBLERS...AND I DONT REMEMBER WHAT ELSE LOL) OUR PERSONALIZED NAPKINS, OUR CENTERPIECES (I MADE AND BROUGHT THESE DOWN WITH ME TO DR), MADLIBS FOR GUESTS, FINGERPRINT GUESTBOOK (EVERYONE LOVED THIS!) tumblers: they were a huge hit!! chair sashes (provided by carolina) and DIY paddle fans I made: pre-travel brochure (from Vistaprint) sent 2 months before departure, our passport invitations, luggage tags and travel checklists centerpieces again.... hand painted by me....wooden heart from Dollarama! (unfortunately, the child who was supposed to carry this down the aisle didn't walk so her mom pulled her out last minute so i have no pictures of this at our ceremony ) kids activity book....idea from BDW forums...but i made it myself thanks to a bride on bdw forum..i "borrowed" the template for the "color our world" labels our personalized face towels...embroidered with our logo my hubby's aunt made these our luggage tags that were sent with our pre-travel brochures about 2 months before departure....bought them off eBay...

baaaah....i think i posted my "review" on the wrong forum.....SO SORRY to invade ladies lol how do i delete my post above? over 6 months on this website and I still don't know what I'm doing hahaha

Quote: Originally Posted by TealMarie I don't know how you girls are staying so cool. I'm losing my mother freaking mind here. Granted, I was cool up until yesterday when I realized it was 3 weeks until we leave. WhaaAAaa?! I'm starting to make last minute decisions like: We need a welcome dinner; NO slideshow - ain't nobody got time for that; and we NEED a wedding video! So yeah, going bride crazy here. I'm finding it simultaneously entertaining though as in reality I'm really prepared and I know I'm just working myself up because I'm anxious to get married. No card box here and there'd be no room for it. We'll go with the good old fashioned, place your cards on a table. Our luggage weight limits are so restrictive and the penalty is really high (FYI if you're flying Air Transat, look up the weight limits. It's 44lbs/person with a $15/kg penalty!), so I'm trying to be really choosy of what we bring. Plus I'm getting other people to bring stuff for me in a way. Like I asked my SIL to bring hairspray since I knew she would and I only need it for W day. I also have 2-3 days of straight up beauty appointments before we leave. It takes a lot of work to look as good as we ladies do, amirite? lol Jenn - I hope you get everything done on time. You sound like an organized person, so I'm sure you will. I really hope everyone can come back and give a quick recap of their day and vacation, even if it's without photos. It'd just be nice to hear how things went for everyone as I feel partially invested in all of your weddings and I hope they go wonderfully! lol ME ORGANIZED???? I'm a control freak....could be good...could be bad lol and yes, i am so with you when u say that you're working yourself up but in reality, you're really prepared. I think that's me...but I spend hours racking my brain on what ELSE i could give myself to do ahahah! that's terrible. I need a chill pill! or a vacation. Yes, I need a vacation!!!! I will definitely come back and give my recap on our week. I can't wait! Good luck to you!!

Quote: Originally Posted by DinaQtobe Last time I went to Mexico we had the exact same forecast. It was beautiful the entire week. We had one afternoon where it rained for 20 minutes and that was it. Blue sky all other times. All the best at your wedding, you will have an amazing time regardless!! i've never been to Punta Cana...but from what I've heard, it rains for 5-10 min and then it stops. I just hope that doesn't happen every half hour...cuz that would suck. ESPECIALLY for our pics. I want blue skies and bright sun....no clouds! I'm gonna keep my fingers and toes crossed. I am sure we will make the best of whatever kind of weather we get, but i hope, i really really HOPE it's like how you say it was in Mexico!! :S thanks!

it shows (on the weather network app) that it's RAINING alllllllll week during our stay in DR next week!!!!!!!!!!... on the day we arrive the POP is 90%!!!!!! and on our wedding day it's 40% POP!!!!!!!!

no card box here....but a million different other things lol *sigh* i hope we don't forget anything! and also I hope we don't go over our luggage weight allowance haha i'm sure this week will fly by. at work i'm somewhat behind and have to leave everything caught up and train someone to do my job....at home i gotta do laundry and pack and also prepare for halloween (my daughter is so excited).....and then the weekend it's last minute things like hair, nails, waxing etc. and then we are off!!

SEVEN days and we are out!! Gosh...I cannot be any more excited...and I'm sure this week will just flyyyy by!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Lydia1120 My wedding co-ordinator just emailed me today as well asking for the Guest List....I sent it to him but mentioned that we still had 4-8 people that were still considering and would be booking last minute, if they go. Like Jolene, I had to have my "group package" paid by August 27th. So I'm with the other ladies...I did not make extra bags for these people but I do however have extra travel mugs and luggage tags, should they decide to come, that's all they're getting. Take a deep breath/sigh and let out the annoying frustrating feelings and replace them with the feelings of happiness and excitement that you are only a few weeks away from going on your vacation of a life time. this is true......I spoke to these 5 people personally once more...and that will be my last time. There is literally 2 weeks till take off and how could they have not booked yet? I mean how "LAST MINUTE" can last minute get?? Either way, you're right. I shall not worry myself about these people. Besides, I just have the feeling that 3 of the 5 are gonna end up as NO-SHOWS...I'm not gonna run around getting more items for OOT bags...I have extra bags and key holders and tumblers...that's all they're getting. 17 days until departure!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am pretty much ready....I've already started packing lol (last week)...I am excited...so so excited.

Quote: Originally Posted by jointurks Here's mine! Haven't decided on sash or no-sash yet ummmmm i second that! say YES to the sash! lol looks lovely!

Quote: Originally Posted by TealMarie Awww, I'm glad I could help you feel better. Remember that if you don't get something done, no one will notice it's not there but you and you'll be too busy to notice anyways. I would stop buying stuff for your OOT bags and bring enough for the people you know of now. Tell the other guests (if they do end up making it) that you're sorry you don't have one for them because you finished making them a month ago. Oh well, too bad for them and in the end not a big deal. When do you have to give your caterer final numbers for the wedding? That's what I'd be annoyed about with the possible show/no shows. All that being said, I'm waiting for my meltdown as well. I like what Jolene said, we're doing these destination weddings for less stress and more fun so let's start that now! The wedding coordinator already asked for a final head count but I told her my guest list isn't final and that I may be adding more people. I would let her know 2 weeks before....which is basically next week. I do not think I should have to chase people for info on whether they are coming. They have all said "we are coming 100%" but have not booked :S so I dont know when they're planning to. It is super frustrating because of the OOT bags mainly and also, I have other things like paddle fans, and kids oot bags and activity books....thankfully I made more than enough of everything except for oot bags...so we shall see what happens. *sigh*

ummm i have a (maybe stupid) question lol....i hired a DJ company to play at our beach party.....Do i need a song list for him?? i mean, isn't that what he does....mix and play songs to hype up the party?? i do realize i need to put my CEREMONY song list in order on a USB....but that should be easy as it's only 3-4 songs...and it's only parts of the song that will be playing... but other than that....Would I really need to make a song list and have them on a usb? Wouldn't the dj already kinda know what to play or what not (and I'm sure he'll take requests)?

Quote: Originally Posted by TealMarie This is happening to me too. I keep wondering if I "need" this or that. After reading a lot of forums, tips and advice from past brides, most of them wish they hadn't purchased cake knives and unnecessary things like that. You won't remember it and more than likely your resort has one or two floating around that you can use. I talked myself out of aisle decor a long time ago. What I liked the most is the view of the beach and the water, it's already beautiful enough. No sense stressing yourself out and lugging more stuff down there. Just try and think of what's most important for the day: you, the groom, the marriage licence, officiant, vows, guests, food, drinks and good music. These are the things I remember from other people's weddings and just the general vibe from the wedding. I was in my brother's wedding last summer and the day after I couldn't even remember if they a cake at all! I had an absolute blast at it though. Your guests are there for you, not for elaborate decor, so don't stress over it. TEALMARIE!! You couldn't have said it better.....I needed to read this lol....i think i've become so super stressed and bridezilla ish with this wedding...i'm 24 days away from departure.....i have things like "oh my god i have to cut my aisle runner down from 100ft to 30 ft!!" running through my brain at like 2am...and i immediately get up and write it in my iphone as a reminder so i wont forget...lol. we chose a destination wedding BECAUSE it was supposed to NOT be stressful...but i'm such a control freak that i've made an obsession out of this wedding! I have guests that say they're coming and have YET to book...which irritates the crap out of me because I don't want to bring too many OOT bags (if they dont show) and i also don't want to not have an OOT bag for them (if they decide to come last minute).

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsHK Hey Jenn! I'm not sure where Lydia got hers, but we did a message in a bottle type thing as well, but didn't use them for seating assignments. We printed out a bunch of different drinking quotes, tea stained them and tied them up, and then had the bottles placed on everyone's tables. They were kind of like a message in a bottle fortune cookies! We got ours at Dollar Tree in Vancouver, and I'm sure most locations across Canada would have them. They were in the craft section, and they had two of the same size for a dollar (2 larger ones), or four different sizes for a dollar (2 larger ones, a medium and a small). wowwwww!! this is SUCH a fab idea!!! might have to reconsider thank you