POP Riu Bachata Jan 3 09

saraece · January 7, 2009

Here I am back from the most awazing trip. I am bad because I don't have pics yet but I did just get back on Monday. But I will post ASAP I promise!

The Resort

The Riu Bachata is a 5 star resort. Food was great, pools and beach fantastic. Views are unbeaten. Freindly staf working way too hard. Didn't visit the a la cartes as I travelled with my two little ones, but you had to reserve the day of (usually by 8am) and often times pesky weddings filled up half of the resturants so there was limited space. Rooms were pretty standard. We were upgraded to an ocean view room so we watched the sunset everynight. North Americans need an adaptor to use plugs. The front desk lent them out for a $2 deposit but did run out sometimes.

Pre Wedding

Met with the WC the day after we arrived. At the meeting we picked the flowers, resturant, seating time, location of wedding. We went through paper work and signed a bunch of stuff. Took about 45 minutes. We didn't see the WC again until wedding time. Which was great.Our wedding was free becasue we stayed a min 5 days.

Extra costs for us $560 USD in paper work costs while there - marriage certificate and such. (spent about $500 CDN in paperwork costs before hand translating and notorizing) $150 USD to the minister because we got married on Saturday - his day off. $105 USD in flowers for the Bridesmaids GM MOB FOB and sister of the groom and two bags of flower petals for the FGs. $45 for hair day of. Total extra cost $1360. Our package price for the one week AI (Including flights) was 1499.

Wedding day

Woke up (after spraining ankle night before - long story left to another thread) put foot up. FI brought me breakfast in bed. Hobbled to bar area waited for BM's to go to hair salon. Appointment at 11 am but went early as I hadn't decided what to do with my hair. Still had no idea when I sat down in the chair, but they did a fantastic job. All four of us got our hair done and one fo the BM's got her make up done (with only 2 ladies working ) we took almost 2 hours. We grabbed a bit to eat and was back at my room to get dressed and put make up on at 1:20 weddign at 2pm. Boys met WC at 1:45 to get flowers put on and be brought down to the beach. She dropped our flowers off and came back to get us at 2 (ish) we walked down to the beach (2 min away) and the ceremony started. They have a arch there decorated with flowers and it is quite shady. Chairs were covered with bows tying them. Our backs were to the ocean and we faced the guests. The minister stood directly in front of us with the translator (WC) standing right next to him blocking most peoples view. They spoke quietly so many didn't hear them. After rings were exchanged we said our own vows which everyone could hear. We signed the book, had a toast got rice thrown at us (resorts custom) and took many pictures. We asked a friend of ours to take photos so hopefully I will see them soon. We met him back on the beach for sunset photos.

Reception

Dinner was at 8:30 at the Steakhouse. It was the normal a la carte menu with appetizers served buffet style. My three vegetarian guests got to eat off the Italian menu. Everyone loved the food. They set our tables off in our own "wing" of the resturant even though they could have sat probably 20 more people there. They set the tables up like a U so we had a head table. The flowers from the beach now decorated the tables. We were 31 all together. We had brought our docking station and Ipod and played it. Although everyone brought out there Ipods so our playlist didn't get played (oh well everyone had fun) we tipped the wait staff to stay late as they were off at 10:30 and we stayed until midnight. They provided a three tier wedding cake and it all worked out well. We had our first dance and didn't tell anyone that it was a dance mix. Starting off slow then moving through 5 fast songs which we danced to. It was really fun. It started with the Calling then the Oh oh oh of Kung fu fighting...so silly, but a blast.

I will post pics when I can. But that's it so far!!

BachataBride · January 7, 2009

YAY Sara!!! You look so cute in your siggy & it's sounds awesome!!! I will definitely be in touch before I leave for more info!! Only 11 more sleeps until we leave!! I can't wait to see the pics!! So much for the "free" wedding right!! hahaha

KHarrod · January 7, 2009

Great review, thanks for sharing. I hope your ankle feels better soon.

Amarillis · January 8, 2009

Great review!!! Congrats Mrs!!!!!

ginalynn · January 8, 2009

I cant wait to see your pictures. THe review was great. We had originally planned on Jamaica, but since we are changing the date, we are also considering changing the destination.