Excellence Punta Cana Brides Thread

[amberdgraham]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolcenotte12 I would definitely go with Photosouvenir (on the resort). They take fab pictures. I had a beach photo shoot done with them last year. Great prices, beautiful results. They are also in very high demand and we are lucky to have them on site with slots available for us. They are booked up for a very long time otherwise. Unless you have a photographer you are bringing from home, I would stick with them. Ask your wedding coordinator to forward your email to the photographers. That usually gets a response. Wow, I didn't realize how many WC's there were at Excellence!! I guess they are really busy!! Well Ana did tell me there is a wedding pretty much every day in July! I dont know how they handle it...but they do!! Amber, I'm doing the beach bbq buffet for the reception, but for my welcome/rehearsal dinner, I need to pick a menu. Did you have to pick one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert? Or did you have a selection of 2 or 3 choices? It's going to be at Toscana.

Michelle -

I'm actually not doing a rehearsal dinner, just hoping I can ask Ana to do a reservation for 18 at one of the restaurants the evening before (I know they typically don't do that). The night everyone arrives is the resort beach party, so I'm using that as a welcome dinner.

Since I'm a silver package, I don't know that I had the beach BBQ as an option, I had three different set menus I could select from, though Ana did let me switch out a soup due to allergies.

Hope things are going well, we're getting really close!!!!

[amberdgraham]

Quote:

Originally Posted by showe Thanks for the great posts! My FI and I are going to be married there on July 31, 2009!!! I can NOT wait! I have been talking with Massiel. I don't plan on an elaborate party, my main focus is the photographer....I've emailed the one recommended by the resort but haven't heard from them. Does anyone have other suggestions? Thanks!

showe!

Congratulations! There are so many of us in July! I can't wait until we can all post our pictures!

Amber

[Dolcenotte12]

Hey Amber, thanks for the info. I am actually just doing a welcome dinner too. It's like a two in one rehearsal/welcome since the last bunch of our guests are arriving Friday, we figured we would do it Saturday. Or is Friday better..what do you think? I know people want to get settled and some may arrive in the evening so I don't want to rush them. Its a good idea to do the beach party for your welcome dinner since you aren't having the reception on the beach. You will love the beach party, it's beautiful, that's why I picked that same scene for the reception. They are having the pool soiree (outdoor setup in the main plaza near the pool) the night I want to have the welcome dinner, but I did not pick that because the food will be too similar to my wedding menu on the beach!! Don't want to overkill the buffet idea!! LOL

 

I've been talking with Ana and I think we are having vegetable centerpieces for the reception tables carved into hearts and wedding bells! I didn't want flower centerpieces. And fruit centerpieces attract bugs. Ana said this would be a first but she and the head chef like this idea. Interesting right? We'll see! LOL

 

3 months!!!!! I so wish we were there at the same time so we could have met up!! Oh well, we will share pictures!

 

Michelle

[haskinl]

Hey...i'm continueing my search for the perfact Destination and I've come across Excellence. I see that it both meets the requirments set by my fience and myself. Just tying to get the most for our money...in these time.

The resort is beautifull and accomidating. I love the privacy it offers and with no kids.

I do have questions though...

Do you get o pick your own color?

Can an outside photographer be used?

Does the resort give discounts to parties of 7rms or more?

(Don't have enough pnts to open attachments yet)

 

Thank you - Lonna

[haskinl]

When did you start planning? We are looking for a Febuary 2010 wedding and I've found not alot of packages are out yet. Should I wait a little longer for more packages and deals to come out??

[blushingbride]

Wow, your girls' wedding plans sound great! Dolce, I love the veggie centerpieces - very different!

 

haskin, welcome to the thread!! Photosouvenir is housed @ Excellence and if you run a search on the forum you will find lots of great reviews and wedding pics from past brides. I will be booking them for my wedding. You will find lots of info on the forum that will help you make the right choice for your perfect day. Best of luck planning!

[Boston Bride 2009]

haskinl,

 

I started working with Ana last summer for our November 09 wedding. My mom and I visited in October and sent in our date confirmation form shortly after our visit. We started working with a travel agent form destinationweddings.com (who is AWESOME) in November. Flights only book out 300 days ahead so you may have to wait some time. Your travel agent can get you group rates or you can go through the hotel. You have a lot of freedom to make your ceremony and reception how you would like it.

 

Ana sent me quotes for photography. Does anyone know if Photosouvenier is the standard photographer for excellence or do you have to specify ahead of time?

[amberdgraham]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haskinl Hey...i'm continueing my search for the perfact Destination and I've come across Excellence. I see that it both meets the requirments set by my fience and myself. Just tying to get the most for our money...in these time. The resort is beautifull and accomidating. I love the privacy it offers and with no kids. I do have questions though... Do you get o pick your own color? Can an outside photographer be used? Does the resort give discounts to parties of 7rms or more? (Don't have enough pnts to open attachments yet) Thank you - Lonna

Lonna,

1. Yes, you can pick your own color, I know Jaslyn had Tiffany Blue and Tangerine, I'm doing Teal and Orange, other brides have had red, blue, whatever. For your tables and such you may want to bring your own table runners, or you can get flowers and such in your colors to set the theme (They're a bit expensive). If you bring favors and other things in your colors, there's a lot of ways to incorporate them. Check out the thread on centerpieces (you can search for it) to see interesting ways people have tied their colors in.

2. We are using an outside photographer that we're flying in from the states (a family friend).

3. Discounts - Unless they've changed it, yes. If you have five rooms for 7 days or more (or a combination similar, we have 9 rooms for anywhere from 3-8 days), you can get the basic wedding package free ($850), or if going with a higher package you can discount the $850 off of it. For room booking, I believe if you have 10 or more rooms your tour operator may offer a discount, as well as the airlines. I recommend working with a travel agent on this, we have ours through AAA and she's been great!!

Let me know and I can send the attachments to you, just PM me your email.
Amber

[blushingbride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boston Bride 2009 haskinl, I started working with Ana last summer for our November 09 wedding. My mom and I visited in October and sent in our date confirmation form shortly after our visit. We started working with a travel agent form destinationweddings.com (who is AWESOME) in November. Flights only book out 300 days ahead so you may have to wait some time. Your travel agent can get you group rates or you can go through the hotel. You have a lot of freedom to make your ceremony and reception how you would like it. Ana sent me quotes for photography. Does anyone know if Photosouvenier is the standard photographer for excellence or do you have to specify ahead of time?

I think most brides booked directly with photosouvenir. I know that when I asked my WC the options for photography at the resort, she advised that I contact photosouvenir for booking my date. I hear they book up quickly!

[blushingbride]

All 2009 brides, when you worked with Ana or your respective WC, what was the protocol for choosing your bouquet colors? Did you tell her as soon as you booked your wedding date or did she ask as your wedding date got closer?