Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

[Amy&JordanNovember2008]

Hello and Welcome!!

We are getting married in Punta Cana at the Gran Bahia Principe in November, Have never been there but have heard that it is a beautiful resort!

[tifo11]

Hi Melissa,

It seems we are in a similar situation. I'm planning on Punta Cana in June '09, but that is as far as we have planned. I too am looking for advice on the best resorts/packages, etc. Good luck!

[melnb]

Have you ever been to the Dominican Republic?

[Jenn3878]

to the forum! Congrats & Have a great time with your planning!

[kristyny2]

I'm Getting married in Punta Cana too! Were doing it on April 4th 2013 in Paradisus Punta Cana the coordinators there are great so far!  I was looking at majestic elegance but they didn't my date but they seem great too.

[Candace Mark]

I would be very scared to get married in the DR right now. Look at this story. It is crazy!!

 

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/3255411-from-wedding-bells-to-dominican-jail-nightmare/
 

[mairelys]

Oh my!

But I mean you can't get scared by reading one story. Things like this happen in Canada too. 
 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2013/03/20/calgary-remand-beating-russian.html

[Candace Mark]

Very true, however I doubt we would hold two men in a Canadian prison for 3 months while we investigate a fight they had nothing to do with. It is sad that this happened right on resort as well.

 

I am suggesting new brides that are looking for venues do not use the DR (if possible) as away to show the DR that we stand as one and we will hit them were it hurts...there pocket books. Tourism is a huge industry for this country. There are many other great locations that offer the same result. I posted this so that other brides would know whats happening and make a sound decision if they are still looking for a wedding location. This would show a tremendous amount of support to a man who did nothing wrong other then protect his new wife from harm. 

[mairelys]

If this were a regular occurrence, I would agree. But we can't boycott countries over isolated incidences.  
There is no need to be scared to go to the DR. If you are scared, perhaps stay on your resort and don't go out at 3 in the morning. 
(They actually weren't on the resort, btw: "Vernon, who runs a design company with his wife, Anne, said the wedding reception at the Bahia Principe Esmeralda resort wrapped up at about 11 p.m. and the newlyweds and about 10 of their friends went off to dance at a disco. He said 3 a.m. found them getting a bite to eat at a 24-hour buffet table.")

I don't know, I think being put into jail over Facebook comments, and then failing to have adequate security and being beaten while you're waiting for bail to the point that you will never recover from the brain damage is pretty bad.
And if you want to find horror stories, you can for any country. 

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/athens-man-may-face-terror-charge-in-jamaica-after/nQtcH/
 

Here's a whole book about unfairly imprisoning foreigners in Canada. 

http://www.amazon.ca/Guantanamo-North-Terrorism-Administration-Justice/dp/1552662799