Meandhim

That's very kind! I hope that your good Karma comes back two-fold! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Congrats!!! This site is so helpful! Happy Planning Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

*Cross post* Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal because I have no idea? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant. I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available. I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go. Any advice or thoughts Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

*Cross post* Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal because I have no idea? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant. I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available. I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go. Any advice or thoughts? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

*Cross post* Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal because I have no idea? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant. I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available. I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go. Any advice or thoughts? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

*Cross post* Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal because I have no idea? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant. I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available. I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go. Any advice or thoughts? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant. I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available. I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go. Any advice or thoughts?.. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Awesome planning thread!

Feels like I'll never make it to 150! This is a good idea for a thread tho.....lets get those post numbers up....anyone else sick of this winter!! I'm dying to be in Punta Cana now!

I'm glad I found this thread....I'm starting to panic I feel like I should be booking something!! We want the date of April 1st 2015 at specific resort...I'm trying to book the date myself with the resort...most of the TA's I talked to wont do that part....but will a TA get a better deal for the wedding package? So Confused!

I also went to the same expo...found it was really uninformative since I already know where I want to go. The one Vendor I went to see didn't even show up! I put my name in for a quote but still have got nothing. Not a good sign...I think I will end up going with just a regular travel agent!

Thanks for Sharing

Thanks for Sharing

So just sent in a date request for April 1st 2015...just waiting on confirmation

Call me crazy....but I swear I had 53 posts the other day when I logged out for the night but I went in the next day I was back down to 41..what the Heck!? am I losing my mind? or do I just not understand how this works?

Grand Palladium Punta Cana, They have a great kids program...plus they have bikes you can rent, tennis courts, Mini golf, archery, basketball, soccer....and a bunch of other things.

Love the Marriage certificate Idea!!

Great Planning Journal! I cant wait to get to 150 post so I can see more of your pictures.

My wedding is April 2015 in Punta Cana I'm going to be sending out a save the date, it has the Hotel Name, Punta Cana and the Actual wedding Day Date on it. it's also has a line saying: "Check out our wedding website for all wedding and travel Info." We also have our contact info for the guests who don't have Internet...My Nan...but I'm pretty sure my Parents will inform her. I am making my STD's myself and when they are finished I will post a picture The website was free at www.mywedding.com...there are other sites where you can get free pages or you can also pay for a site. one the site I have The travel agents contact info and all the prices. The hotel & destination info, things to do, thinks to pack, schedule of events. Documents / shots needed.. etc. Pretty much anything they will need to know. My friend started a facebook group for her travel info because she needed to get the info out fast before the offer expired. Guess it depends on your situation.

The store where we got our rings will let you take the prototype so my fake one will look identical to my real one for the pictures and things but I don't have to worry about losing it. If I were taking the real thing....CARRY ON for sure! wouldn't let that out of my sight!

I've never heard of a Stag and Doe party to help pay for the wedding until I moved to Ontario, and I must admit that the idea always seemed a little strange and unfair to me, but to each their own, everyone has their own traditions and I'm not knocking it. We are going to an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and our usual traditions are a bachelor / bachelorette party, and a bridal shower....these are usually thrown by the family / bridal party. I have informed my friends and family that because they are spending so much money to go my wedding I don't expect any of those things and if they do choose to have them we can do it at the resort where everything is free or close to it . I'm also NOT registering for any gifts or suggesting Green Back, I'm just going to ask that people share their vacation pictures as my gift, I love pictures...even bad ones. We are paying for the wedding ourselves and the budget is tight, tight, TIGHT! I know that I will have to do without some things at my wedding, but being a guest of a couple of DW's, one all-Inclusive and two not, I understand the financial strain it could have on some guests and I've heard some of the complaints from the other guests. So I just want everyone to have fun and stress free vacation together without extra this and extra that. I want them to look back at our wedding and think of how much fun it was rather than how much money it cost them. It's a always a tough decision when it comes to friends, family and money...good luck!

Until I started planning my wedding I had no idea what an OOT bag was...so chances are your guests wont miss it! I think your favour idea is great! I'm not sure if I will do favours or OOT bags yet until I find out how many people are going. I hoping not to bring too much stuff...extra luggage cost are high these days! I've also been thinking that maybe I'll take everyone on an excursion in lieu of OOT or Favours, you get a discount when you have a large group. It will depend on the price and if I can find one that is right for everyone... I think memories are better than stuff. Any opinions???

Good Idea...I'm having a hard time picking and I don't want to hurt peoples feelings

We are having our wedding at an all inclusive kid friendly resort. I live away from most of my friends and family. I am just about the only one who does not have kids...some of the kids I have never even met in person, or haven't seen since they were born because we live so far apart. So I am giving my guest the option to bring them if they choose. I'm sure I would love to party with my friends and family kids free, but I also want to see the kids too. I know that's not for everyone. I just attended a DW in Jamaica at an all inclusive adults only resort. It was great, very relaxing, and a lot of partying and fun! However my friend found that those friends and family who had children some were not able to attend or only 1/2 of the couple were able to attend causing Issues with single rooms, some people also didn't realise it was an adults only until after they had put down a deposit and then had to back out while not getting their money back. I would suggest giving plenty of notice, playing up as an adult fun get away to your guests. and maybe suggest sharing rooms to your split couple guests to lower the cost for them. Plan the wedding YOU want...and enjoy it!

We are getting married either before or after we go just to avoid the huge amount of paper work, and costs. We are not telling our guests because as far as I'm concerned our DW is our REAL wedding with real vows and real meaning, although it's not legal. We were thinking of legally getting married after the wedding as a surprise for our grandparents who can make it down south and are feeling a little left out. So our Idea is that we pick them up under false pretences....go get legally married somewhere with them as witness's....and then take them out to dinner. So is this a bad idea or a good one...opinions needed! please help?