Mrsoats

Call Isaac directly right now. I spoke to him approx an hour ago on the phone. Call his US number and it will connect you to him in Punta Cana. He's probably getting a million emails right now. I was VERY stressed out when I heard and realized it could be worse like your situation and I truly feel for you. In all honesty I'm not sure what I would do if i were you. But I can tell you this, I went for a site visit to Kukua, Jellyfish and Huracan (mayte is there now) and Huracan was completely out of the question, didn't even think for a second I would choose this place. Unfortunately to me its too rustic.... the beach isn't private, it has low ceilings, sand practically inside the restaurant, and alot of pillars/columns that make the place feel less open. Although i would love to follow Mayte I cannot if thats my only choice. Id rather take the chance somewhere else Goodluck with everything! Please keep me updated on your decisions and what you find out as I may end up back at Jellyfish in the end.

In case you all haven't heard Mayte is no longer at JF. I guess we will see what happens over the next few weddings... I'm not sure about their refund policy, I think you just need to contact them and see what they say.

YAY! I paid my deposit today and officially locked in my date for JF! Can't wait to start planning

Ok Canadian brides... easiest and cheapest way to send the deposit????

Past brides or for anyone that knows for sure... how long is the drive from Majestic to Jellyfish???? I was under the impression it was only about 20min but someone mentioned to me 40min.... what is correct? Big difference

Past Jellyfish brides that only rented the bottom and beach out.... did randoms end up coming to eat at the restaurant upstairs and did it bother you? Thanks

LOL no....... I'm such an indecisive person its crazy!!! Have you????

well for pictures i just googled Huracan Cafe wedding... theres only been 2 weddings there so far. I emailed them for more info. Its cute but a little too rustic for me. Plus the beach wasn't very private for the ceremony compared to JF and Kukua.

Also one more question! For brides that didn't pay AMEX or credit card for their restaurant portion but paid in cash...do you still pay the 18% taxes?!!? If you pay cash in most countries you don't pay the tax lol...... anyone know the answer to this question or ever asked Mayte or Isaac?? Also still hoping someone has answers to my previous questions!

Past or present brides I have a couple questions for you I forgot to find out when I did my site visit and well emailing is impossible to get a response.... Does anyone know if that bridal suite is air conditioned? I want tiffany/chiavari chairs for the ceremony and reception. I noticed some past brides with "upgraded" chairs during the ceremony but they always seem to use the Jellyfish chairs for the reception. Is that by choice or can you not use the tiffany chairs for the reception? If you can, do they charge you for a second set of chairs or do they just move the chairs inside after the ceremony???? Help please!

I liked Royalton better for a couple reasons.... Newer, I found each and every worker was very smiley and wanted to chat with you while I found some Now Larimar employees were not so nice and pleasant. The rooms were fine in Now Larimar and standard rooms come with a jacuzzi while Royaltons don't but Royaltons are brand new. You have to beware of the new section at Now, its very far from the beach while all the Royalton rooms are centrally located. You get free wifi all over the resort including on the beach which I know isn't too important but for some it is. You can get wifi at Now larimar for $60 a week. Don't forget the awesome splash park! It was great for adults and children. I think there was 7 different large waterslides, plus a wave pool and a kiddie park...great for all ages and no lines up. I liked the crowd better at Royalton, I found there were less english speaking guests at Now. The perks for Now would be that its closer to Jellyfish for you and I did find the buffet was a little more americanized than Memories. I unfortunately did not go into Royalton's buffet. That being said I enjoyed Royalton's a la cartes way more than Now. 100 guests, thats awesome! Hmmm hard to say... I'm sure they've had that many guests before...you definitely cannot have the dance floor inside... Have you asked Mayte or Isaac about capacity? Would they put some of your guests upstairs? I have lots of photos if you want me to email them. Its cool that we are both getting married next May and struggling between the exact same resorts and outside venues! When in May are you having your wedding? Let me know if I can help with group quotes for your guests (I'm a travel agent) as I'm dealing with that right now for myself

Yes she did. Tiffany chairs are $6 per chair I believe.

I have been asking myself that same question since I got back from my visit LOL I think that you can't go wrong at either place. They were both very nice just different. Jellyfish is a little more open concept with high ceilings feeling alittle bit bigger whether that is actually true I'm not sure. JF has a wider beachfront property but I question if they whole area you see is theirs and not some public space as well. Maybe someone on here would know? I've seen local children playing soccer and people walking around the property during weddings. Also I've heard that you can hear the music playing from the neighbouring stores around JF. Some brides have complained about this during ceremony. That being said Kukua does have a bit smaller "backyard" BUT it is definitely all theirs. There is no way of any gawkers on the left where Gran Bahia is because theres a few buildings there and trees. The only place you could potentially get gawkers is at the waterline which would be true for both places and I guess theres a chance someone stands at the fence on the Riu side....though I feel like that would be unlikely bc there was no one laying there when I went to visit. Even if someone was there its wide enough that they won't hear you saying your vows or be in the background of your photos. Plus I think the gazebo is a little higher up on the beach from where the Riu fence ends. Kukua has a pool which looks very nice and could be used at the end of the night if you're feeling adventurous lol. JF has nicer chairs that are included... I would be less likely to rent Tiffany chairs at JF than at Kukua. I think because Kukua has less weddings you will get better response to questions and concerns during the planning from Bego versus Mayte. I don't know.... I feel so conflicted lol

$1200 is just the decor, another $1000 for exclusivity. Well I'm leaning towards Kukua but I haven't actually booked yet, still trying to decide between Kukua and Jellyfish but the main difference between these places and a resort like Now Larimar is there is SO MUCH more privacy. I felt really bad for the brides and grooms getting married at the beach while i was staying at Now Larimar. There was like 300 half naked people 3 feet away from them listening to their vows and standing in the background of their photos. And theres some really rude disrespectful people out there that will walk right up to the gazebo while you're getting married with their camera. Also I like the idea that I'm the only bride getting attended to that day. Now Larimar has anywhere from 3-5 weddings a day, all usually between 3-530pm. I also think that Bego or Mayte (wedding coordinators at Kukua and Jellyfish) will put a lot more "heart" into decorating and setting up your day. These are my opinions from what I noticed seeing some weddings and meeting with all the coordinators from Jellyfish, Kukua, Royalton, Now Larimar and Huracan Cafe. Hope this helps!

I just came back last sunday from 7 day trip to Punta Cana to check out Now Larimar, Royalton, Kukua, Jellyfish and Huracan. I may be able to answer some of your questions. You're trying to decide between having your wedding at Now Larimar or Kukua?

Unfortunately we did not stay at the Royalton but I did do a site visit of the area plus some of the facilities were shared with Memories so hopefully i can give you a decent idea... The resort is very modern and beautiful, beach was very nice. The beach wasn't too crowded though the spots with shade were always taken. We showed up at the beach around 845am so I'm not sure how early you need to go for shade. The only restaurant Memories guests were allowed to use was their casual beach buffet. The food there was excellent. I did manage to have a dinner at the steakhouse because if I do my wedding at Royalton that would be the menu I would choose so the manager allowed me. I was floored by the food at this restaurant. I swear the filet mignon I had was better than any Keg or Ruth Chris filet I've had before! Honestly I couldn't stop talking about that entire meal all week. The service was excellent! So friendly and everyone had a smile on their face. They showed me their cheapest room and it was very nice, I know my guests would be happy with it (no tub though, need to upgrade). Regarding ceremony locations... They have the Beach gazebo. Very nice but be prepared for at least 100 half naked people standing 3 feet from you while you say your vows. That gazebo is the main walkway onto the beach. Very pretty though if you don't mind an audience! They have their other gazebo near the lobby. This was personally my favourite though still not quite private. Again it is the main walkway to the pool and beach from the lobby and they said they cannot close it for the ceremony. I would say that this was more private though than the beach. Now they are currently building as we speak their third gazebo. I had a peek from a far. It is located between the Memories and Royalton. This will definitely be the most private location because there are doors you need to walk through and then the gazebo is in a clearing in their little jungle they have. Its kind of like a lagoon in some areas with water so my only concern with this location would maybe be mosquitoes? For reception my two favourite private locations was that area in the center of the resort were ceremonies can take place. And second favourite location would be a terrace area between the two pools right by the beach. Its covered with that white tent they have in a few of the areas of the resort which I'm sure you have all seen in photos. Let me know if I missed anything!

Hey Ladies, I'm a travel agent here in Canada. I am planning a wedding for myself May 2015 and thought it would be a good idea to see the most popular Punta Cana wedding venues for not only myself but for my future brides. I just got back yesterday from Punta Cana. I went with a bridesmaid to check out resorts and venues. I stayed at Memories, Royaltons sister property (Royalton was fully booked) for 4 days and stayed at Now Larimar for 3 days. I did a site visit at Jellyfish, Kukua and Huracan. If you have any questions I may be able to answer them. Even after seeing all these properties and what they have to offer I'm still not 100% sure which one I am choosing but I did definitely eliminate some options after seeing the wedding locations and witnessing some weddings. Let me know if you have any questions!

Hi Ladies I just started looking at this resort for my May 2015 wedding. I was wondering if one of you could help me out since you have to wait so long for an email response. Is it possible to have your ceremony directly on the beach, not in that gazebo? If anyone has any price lists, menus, decoration or other attachments the resort may have sent them could you send me them as well? I'd love any information. I want to be fully informed on costs before making any firm decisions Also is there a charge to have your reception in the Seaside Grill? I noticed in the wedding information package online it states that there is an extra fee to have your reception in a restaurant or ballroom..... Other than the Seaside Grill is there any other restaurants brides have done their reception? Anyone ever have a chandelier in their wedding gazebo? cost associated? Thanks!!! [email protected]

Hi I am currently looking into a wedding at Sonesta Maho.... I can see you set your wedding at Now Larimar in Punta Cana....What made you decide against Sonesta Maho? Thanks for your help! I agree there isn't much from past brides but the thought of getting married in St Maarten is exciting!

Thanks girls! I'll look into PSAV and Zuniga for decor.

Ok so JSAV just gave me a quote for 2 speakers and a subwoofer for 5hrs...$1350.. That is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard and I don't remember other brides paying that much to rent speakers.... Can anyone tell me how much they are paying? The quote for 5 hours with a DJ was $2150...These people are DREAMING.

With the complimentary package, does anyone know if that crystal chandelier and strings of crystals come with the package or is there an extra fee for those? If so how much? Does anyone know how much those fireworks are at the ceremony if you get the complimentary package? If you hit 75 room nights and get the free private function does that eliminate the $50 per person dinner fee? Thanks!!

Thank you! I'll check it out

I absolutely LOVE them! Do you mind me asking where you ordered them??? Thats a great idea for the RSVP... I personally think its easier for people to pop on the computer to reply versus going to the mail box.

For past BP brides.... Do they really shut down your wedding at 10pm? How strict are they on that? Thats sooo early!!! And does anyone know what time ballroom receptions need to end at??