Married or going to be married at Grand Palladium Punta Cana?

[Chule0307]

Chell44,

 

Thank you so much! I will do that then

[sheila2011]

Thanks for posting the pics of the beach party! I am planning to do this as well. I'm not sure about the decorations, but I don't think I will be bringing down any decorations either.....maybe the setting will be enough for people! As for other details, Carolina told me we figure most of that out when we get down there. I am trying not to get too anxious about the details! But it's starting to get hard!! Geez, if I am this anxious now when we're just less than two months out what will I be like next month?!

 

Our plan for the day is ceremony at 430pm in gazebo (symbolic, oh crap I have to figure this out), then the champagne toast and pics of everyone, semi private dinner at well whenever at La Uva is my preference (we have 32 people, so I think essentially we'll have a private reception), then the private beach party (with the resort DJ, we plan to bring burned CDs with some of our essential songs).

 

My dress is also done! I went to my fitting this morning and they are done my alterations and they look great! Now I have to watch what I eat and exercise for the next two months....this Christmas will not be the best!! I also had my boudoir shoot done last night and I was so nervous/scared but it went really well and I cannot wait to see my FI's face when he sees my pictures!

 

How is everyone else's planning going? Any Carolina updates? If I hear anything from Carolina I will keep you guys posted!

[kitty25967]

 

 

Originally Posted by Chule0307 

 

Kitty,

 

Thank you so much!!! You have been such a great help.Thanks for the pics on the beach... I see the pics of beach party and must say that I am not impressed... I hope DJ Mannia sends you those pics...would love to see them...I also have contacted DJ Mannia and plan on having them DJ my beach party. How far in advance would you recommend on booking him?

Your day sounds like a dream come true The layout of your evening sounds perfect! I also agree about the cocktail hour . 

 

I'm getting married on July 26th, 2011, what is your wedding date?

 

 

 

 

I would suggest booking ANY outside vendor ASAP.  As soon as you and your FI decide on something you would like, don't wait to book.  DJ Mannia only has, I believe, 3-4 slots available at a time, and they stay booked.  As mentioned above, they are VERY popular on this site and very well known.  I lucked out and they had 1 slot available and another bride asking so book soon if this is what you want.  I haven't read anyone post anything negative or have any regrets in spending the extra $ to have DJ Mannia.  Also, there are a few great photogs that are often discussed on this forum that book fast as well.  Once you decide on one book as soon as you know so you are not disappointed later, plus it gets it all out of the way so you don't have to worry.  ...you snooze, you loose =)  Also, another popular "booking" is Pastor York.  He is discussed A LOT on here!  I have booked him as well.  To my knowledge, he is the only English speaking Pastor in the area, and he is very familiar with the ceremony process.  He is very nice and prompt to respond.  He will send you a full ceremony reading for you to review and edit as you wish.  The ceremony includes all the "traditionals" plus readings and sand ceremony.  Hope this helps.

[natalie1987]

Shelia2011 .. I was wondering who you did your boudoir pics with? I want to get them done and not sure which photographer to go with in Edmonton; they don't have any in Fort Mcmurray.

[Chule0307]

Hey Kitty,

 

Thanks for the info. I have contacted DJ Mannia and I want to book but I have no clue how many people will be attending my wedding! I'm freaking out. He asked me and I told him the truth but he has no responded yet...I hope he does. I have also emailed Pastor York and he is very kind and prompt. He is charging me $300 for my symbolic wedding...not bad. Better than having Carolina perform the ceremony...lol...

Hey are you going  to be getting real flowers or silk flowers? I like the idea on the silk flowers but I am afraid that they may look too fake...what do you think?

[sheila2011]

hey Natalie,

 

I used FirstBlushPhotography. She is actually based out of Bentley but drove up to Edmonton. Her website address is http://www.firstblushphotography.com/ and she also has a facebook page set up. Suzanne made me feel really comfortable and supportive. She also did boudoir pics for another friend of mine! Good luck!!!

 

Originally Posted by natalie1987 

Shelia2011 .. I was wondering who you did your boudoir pics with? I want to get them done and not sure which photographer to go with in Edmonton; they don't have any in Fort Mcmurray.

[richarsd]

Can you give him an estimate of the number of people, just so they have an idea? Maybe they need to know that to plan stereo equipment? I can't see them charging more for a large group versus a small group...not sure why the number would matter at this point..a confirmed wedding booking should be enough, you'd think.

 

I'm definitely going for real flowers...I do think the silk ones, even though beautiful, look fake to me but I'm a huge gardener and love flowers so real ones are a must for me. Lots of brides do get the Real Touch flowers before they go down there though! At least with silk you can probably get exactly what you want a lot easier.
 

Originally Posted by Chule0307 

Hey Kitty,

 

Thanks for the info. I have contacted DJ Mannia and I want to book but I have no clue how many people will be attending my wedding! I'm freaking out. He asked me and I told him the truth but he has no responded yet...I hope he does. I have also emailed Pastor York and he is very kind and prompt. He is charging me $300 for my symbolic wedding...not bad. Better than having Carolina perform the ceremony...lol...

Hey are you going  to be getting real flowers or silk flowers? I like the idea on the silk flowers but I am afraid that they may look too fake...what do you think?

[richarsd]

They have chair sashes and some organza "streamers" for the gazebo/chuppa in various colours for the ceremony...turquoise, hot pink, chocolate brown, yellow, etc...someone posted a pic a few days back. You can basically, as Chell said, pick everything when you're down there a day or two before the wedding...you will meet with Carolina (the wedding coordinator) then. I know 1-2 days does not seem like much time for her to organize everything for your wedding but it is...she does it all the time. You may want to decide, however, on what sort of reception you'd like because that part may require a bit of advanced planning...do you want a semi-private dinner (included) or private dinner ($1000 extra) which is mandatory I think for groups of 20 or more, a beach reception ($60 per person), etc.? A lot of us end up bring a few extra decorations down for the tables at the reception (ex: candles, coloured napkins, lanterns, etc.)...not necessary but an added touch if you're into that sort of thing.
 

Originally Posted by mishi071411 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chell44 

when you say details  what do you mean?

Details as in... What I want. If I am having a party... what my colors are, my flower choices, my ceremony site. My travel agent communicated to her that I wanted a beach wedding, and I've been confirmed for that, but that's it so far.

[sheila2011]

I didn't realize that the private dinner was mandatory if you have a group of more than 20 people!! We have more than 30! I will have to email Carolina and double check. Does anyone else have more than 20 people? This may change my plan of the beach party afterwards.....hmmm, decisions, decisions.....

[caribbeanLover]

for the OOT bags, I am sure you'll get them there safely and Carolina will take very good care of them, Yes I kept saying 'Who knew Destination weddings were so stressful' but once you get there your realize half your planning was for nothing!!! As Carolina does everything.

 

Beach Party, I was also thinking of the hanging lights but I am so glad I didn't bring them... there really is no where to hang them, and there are plenty of light to see. The decor they do for you, as you can see from the pics are great, plus it's night... and their drinking no one cares.. they just want to have fun and dance.

 

Flowers: I didn't want to spend 25$ on my bridesmaids flowers (I only had 2) so I made some from the dollar store, they were pretty and no one knew the difference. And they didn't get damanged in the luggage. I bought mine (I upgraded) and I bought DH's bout and his best man (that's all the groomsmen we had) and 2 for our moms.

Since I wasn't even for the girls and boys, I had DH and his best man waiting at the alter, while my girls walk down alone. It was perfect!! you could consider this. This way FI isn't all alone waiting lol.

 

If any of you have any questions, pls just pm me, it's a lot easier then reading through 5 pages lol. You're all so much more chatty then we were (I was also on April 2010 brides, that's where we did our chatting lol) wish we had all sorts of info that you guys currently have.

 

Happy Planning ladies!! :)