Excellence Punta Cana Brides Thread

[Boston Bride 2009]

It is adults only. You can not have children even for the ceremony. If folks stay at another hotel they will have to pay $80 for a day pass to come to your wedding.

 

Strawberry,

 

I'm not sure what others have done but I'm bringing my centerpieces with me with a TON of candles. I know the hotel said they have candles but I don't know what they look like or how much they cost. Again don't know what others have done for the tables but I'll either just show mercy and Ana what I want or take a picture and give it to them. I'm sure they will make it look AMAZING!!! I do have Pastor York scheduled for our ceremony. There is a thread on here about him. All very good feedback.

[Boston Bride 2009]

Girls who are already married did you have a videographer from photosouvenier? If so, how was it?

[Dolcenotte12]

Yes we had a videographer through Photo Souvenir. Arnando did our ceremony video. We chose not to get a video of anything else as we are not really into wedding videos so much. At first, I thought that we were not going to edit the video and just keep it as is, that is, until I saw it. It was funny and cute and all, but it would not have been good to show other people. The music from Domingo the sax player was not uniform in sound because Arnando would stop and start again at different times. And there were def some parts that were too boring. And we really wanted our grandparents to be able to feel like they were there, so we chose to get it edited ($200 extra) and well worth it. They add a little introduction to the resort and the video is seamless and the music is smooth and crisp (Domingo gave them his cd of the songs of he played at the wedding) and at the end, they have the credits of everyone in the wedding party. Our families loved watching it so much, they cried.

 

However, in my opinion, the slideshow is really the best way for people to experience your wedding day as it goes from getting ready, ceremony, bridal/family pics, you and your husbands pics, reception, and Trash the dress pics. It is set to beautiful songs that you can pick for each part and has the most awesome technology. Check out the wedding slideshow samples on Photo Souvenir's website.

 

Punta Cana Destination wedding photography

 

The ceremony video is special in its own way because it really shows the moment you get married and you saying your vows, which people want to see if they were not able to make it.

 

Also, for any of you that choose to get an album through Photo Souvenir, I highly recommend upgrading to the digital album. What a beautiful layout Leather Craftsmen (manufactured in US) and Severine (Photo Souvenir) created of the 150 images I selected (which was so hard to narrow down by the way with so many beautiful photos). I have not received it yet, probably in the next month it will come. I read that it takes 15 or more people to put together one leather craftsmen album!!! Compared to the Elite album (which costs extra anyway) the Leather Craftsmen takes the cake!!!

 

Of course it always helps when you have such a nice person to work with, who is always available, and puts up with your indecision about certain things like Severine did!!! I highly recommend this book and will tell you more when I get it!!

 

Michelle

[nbulldog19]

quick question...i have heard from other destination brides that when booking their hotel room, they booked a cheaper room cuz most resorts will upgrade you for being a bride and groom. Also we r having like 70 people stayin at the resort. What are u guys doing? Booking a cheaper room or splurging for the room you want?

 

thanks-Nicole

 

ps-Mercy is now my wedding coordinator too, dont know what happened 2 Ana but Mercy seems great 2

[Boston Bride 2009]

Michelle, thanks for your response on the videography. You have been so helpful answering my questions!!!

 

For rooms our TA offers an upgrade based on the number of rooms we book. So we are getting 1 upgrade from what we select. Because my TA is so very very special (sarcasm) I still don't know what category room we are booking. It's been 2 weeks now....I just want to pay for this trip and she can't get me an answer. To answer your question we are not going with a cheap room my hope is to end up in the master suite.

 

Also, I think if you book more than 20 rooms you get your room free or $ towards your room from the resort. I had asked Ana about that when I first started planning and she confirmed this. No idea if it's changed. We are two rooms short right now but am hoping some people might suprise us and book.

[Dolcenotte12]

There are many factors that influence your room placement. It definitely depends on the occupany of the resort at the time you will be there. If it is full, you might not get any upgrade. As Boston said as well the more rooms you occupy might make them want to give you an extra bump up. It may depend on if you are returning guest or not. It also depends on who checks you in if the wedding coordinator did not make prior arrangements. It also depends on which room you have booked already. It is good practice and very kind that they usually upgrade brides because it makes them feel very special.

 

Boston, I don't know about getting the room free with a certain amt of rooms, definitely the $850 wedding cost gets deducted if you have rooms booked for over 7 nights and many guests. I would reconfirm that so you don't get disappointed and if its right, way to go!!! LOL

 

Boston, I'm living through future Excellence bride's weddings as mine is over, but I do have beautiful memories!!

[Boston Bride 2009]

Yea, we don't have 20 rooms so I'm not banking on it. For the discounted wedding I'm hoping to negotiate because we aren't staying for 7 nights but my brother has the imperial suite for 8 days and my mom has the excellence club honeymoon suite for 7 nights plus 13 other rooms with a variety of days and levels. Keeping my fingers crossed because I'm banking on the $850 to go towards flying our photographer down...my super secret suprise for Benny!!!!

[Dolcenotte12]

I'm sure they will give you the $850 discount off the wedding package bec you have a decent amt of rooms booked and in particular the Imperial Suite, that should be reason enough right there! LOL Aww good luck!

[Boston Bride 2009]

I told my brother we are having a bunch of parties in his room and I am taking it over for our wedding day!!!!

[Dolcenotte12]

Why is he in THAT room and you are not LOL