Is anyone having an issue bringing in outside vendors to the Hard Rock in Punta Cana!?

I'm getting married on Oct, 12, 2012 at the hard rock and they are giving me a hard time bringing an outside photographer. According to them in order for me to have an outside photographer He has to be from the US and be a guest at the resort. Being a guest at the resort isn't a problem, but I wanted to use a photographer that resides in the Dominican Republic.

 

Just wondering if anyone is also having these issues?

 

Thanks!

That's odd, I visited the resort last month and specifically asked about outside vendors. The only thing they said was that the individual needs to stay at the resort. They never specified that the person needed to be from a particular country. That's ridiculous! Try telling them that this is someone you know that is invited to the wedding, not a stranger you're hiring.

 

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes.

thats so werd why does it matter what country they are from?

wierd**

 

It seems several of the resorts are trying to force you into using their "on site" vendors by charging you an fee if you try to bring an outside vendor. 

We were married at the Majestic Colonial in Oct/2011.  To use outside vendors they want to charge a $300 fee per vendor, and if the vendor is bringing an assistant, the assistant also needs a day pass ($100).  So right off the bat you're paying an extra $400 to get your choice of photographer/videograpaher/DJ/etc. T

They do this because they take a a portion of the $$$ made by the on-site vendors or resort recommended vendors - the mini-monopoly they've created.  To make sure they don't lose that $$$ by you bringing in someone else,  they impose the "fee".

They are particularly sticky with vendors that are local to the DR/Punta Cana ... because those vendors are direct competition to their on-site vendors.  There has been a lot of discussion about it on the Majestic Colonial Brides FB page. 

 

Not great news, but the way the game is being played, unfortunately.

 

It isn't that weird.

I was just married at Gran Bahia Prinicpe in Punta Cana and they charge $500 for an outside photographer.

 

You have to look at it this way - the resorts are private property so by using an outside photographer it's almost like "renting" the property for your pictures.  I guess it would be the same way as trying to rent time at any other private property for your own event - they usually charge some sort of fee.

 

I used the photographer at my resort and I couldn't be happier with the results.

I would ask to see their portfolio and you may be happy with the on site photographer - if not, then be prepared to pay extra no matter where you go.

 

To all you ladies getting married here Just somthing I think you should and would like to know......BEWARE!!!  When you plan your wedding you want to trust who you are dealing with.

 

Recent email that they never responded back to on tripadvisor.... they PM'd me and then nothing! 

 

This resort sucks if you ask me and I didn't even have my wedding here(stayed at another nearby resort) which I also wasn't thrilled with.... we stayed at HRH for our honeymoon.... and planed a private photo shoot here for my husband and I.    

 

My email address is xxxxxxxxxxx
I sent an email and got a response that the $400.00 dollars that you took off our bill was all you are able to do.... When we were there I let it be known that, that's a start but not enough. We had numerous issues as stated, one being with the spa. Another was we had an ant problem our entire stay even with the exterminating. When we first arrived to our room there was a chocolate honeymoon cake infested with ants. The biggest problem however is my wedding gown. The way we were treated with this issue was is appalling. I would be a little more understanding if I sent my gown to be cleaned but i did NOT. I sent it to be steam pressed. I wrote it twice on the laundering slip.....STEAM ONLY. The tag inside the gown has special instructions on dry cleaning and calls for a special cleaning, which is why I wasn't going to clean it until i returned home. I only wanted to take the wrinkles out for some additional pictures we were going to take at your resort. My dress came back to my room the next day soaking wet. The bottom of the gown which was dirty from wearing on my actual wedding day came back spotless.(proving it was cleaned) I wore the gown days before at another resort and had the same done just to remove the wrinkles before the wedding and it came back in perfect shape and that was a much smaller resort. The fact is no one is really taking responsibility for what occurred and your management made it seam as if they were doing us a favor when they took a very small portion off our bill. A whole night was ruined the night my gown did come back. I was so upset I couldn't even enjoy the evening with my husband. The amount of time speaking with the staff and management about the issues was the last thing we wanted to do on our honeymoon. As far as I'm concerned the fact that your able to just brush this off and say case closed is unforgivable and therefore we won't be returning to your resort. I posted this on trip advisor because I feel people should know the truth. I will also be posting on wedding and other travel forums as well because that is how angry I am. STEP UP and take RESPONSIBILITY for what happened.... If you wan't to use outside vendors(laundering service) Don't you think you should take this out with them??

On January 22, 2012 12:33 PM Tracy H wrote:
Hello moniwoni, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tracy Hedrick and I'm the VIBE Manger at the resort. I would like to verify if you stayed with us at our resort. Please send me your email address and/or phone number. Thank you.

Vane 23 - I'm getting married October 5, 2013, If I were you, I would just bring the vendor as a "guest" or pay for the night if they're giving you all that run around. I haven't asked but reading this information from you that's what I would do.

 

First I would like to say congratulations on your recent nuptials. When you have a moment and come down off your honeymoon bliss can you please tell me how you enjoyed your experience/wedding at the HR? Are wedding is 6 months away and I am sooooo excited and anxious. I would love to hear about your experience.