Excellence Punta Cana Brides Thread

[TRose]

Ana sent us a sheet of available extras and it was listed for 350...maybe the prices increased? Did you look at any of the indoor spaces for the reception? I know you can use a couple of the restaurants..but would other hotel guests be eating as well in the restaurant? Thanks for all of your help!

[atrott]

Trose, I've emailed Ana about 2 dozen questions in the last few days & she's been very prompt at answering everything. Lol! It's probably my fault that she's not answering your emails because she's been busy with mine! We are booking the guitar trio for our ceremony & I was asking if they could split their time between the ceremony and the cocktail hour. She said this was fine as long as the cocktail hour was immediately after the ceremony. We're doing the ipod/speakers for the reception & she said this would be $100. On the price sheet for extras that she sent me, the Sax player is listed as $300.

[TRose]

Ana is usually really good about emailing me back (I send her way too many emails as well!) How much did you pay for the guitar trio? Also, will they be playing for the full cocktail hour?

 

I have a weird question for anyone .. some of my guests have emailed my travel agent concerned about bed bugs. They said they read reviews about bed bugs being at EPC. My travel agent fowards me all the emails so I saw it and got a little concerned.

[atrott]

The guitar trio is going to cost $250. They only play for an hour & I've asked her to split them between the ceremony & the cocktail hour. It's possible we'll have some 'quiet' time when they stop playing.

 

I haven't seen anything on bedbugs yet & I've been scouring the TripAdvisor reviews. Hopefully someone that's stayed there before will answer this one!

[nbulldog19]

Just read a couple of the recent July posts and I think that I can help a little. We actually used our Ipod with a playlist we made for the ceremony and the sound system was included. I asked one of my sisters friends to handle the IPOD just to make sure the right music played at the right time. Music was really important to us and I had a song for the sand ceremony and also an exit song on top of the bridal entrance at the beginning. She also played music while people where sitting waiting for the wedding to start. We had the Carribean Trio (same as the Guitar trio) for the cocktail hour and guests said they were good. We were taking pictures at the time so I dont know. However, the same Trio was in the mexican restaurant the next night and they really are good. We played $250.

 

As far as the reception, I couldnt decide between the cascade pool or a restaurant. I ahd my heart set on the cascade pool but am so happy I went with the restaurant. It was totally private, air conditioned, and NO BUGS. We even got to party a little later because it was inside. I loved it.

 

Lastly, I had 40 guests and none of them said anything about bed bugs. All of the room were very clean, some had a slight moldly smell but for the most part there were no complaints. Some of my guests are even heading back in April for a reunion lol. Hope this helps!

[TRose]

Since you did your reception inside...were there people eating at the restaurant while your reception was going on??

[nbulldog19]

The whole restaurant was private just for us.  The restaurant is huge because it is where the main breakfast and lunch buffet is and I could not believe the transformation.  They blocked off half the restaurant so it would be more intimate but there was no one allowed on the other side.  It was perfect
 

[TRose]

sounds beautiful. did anyone get the wedding package and use an outside photographer? im wondering if they discount you on the package. i have a photographer here that im bringing with me but i got the gold package. thanks!

[Boston Bride 2009]

We used an outside photographer.  You do not recieve any discounts if you don't use something in the package.  I also had my own make up artist and there was not a discount and no one else could use that part.

[FutureMrsBeatty]

Hi Ladies - I am leaving on Monday for Excellence!  Ahh!!  Just wanted to let you all know I think I am almost an expert, so any questions you have in the next day, feel free to pass them my way  

 

MDB - LOVE your engagement pics!!  Where were they taken? 

 

I was told ceremony music is free with a cd or ipod, but cocktail hour and reception you have to rent.

 

As far as one wedding a day, I have always been told there can be more then one, but everything suggests that there is only one.  This could be one of those language barrier things again.

 

Ok - about to tackle my neverending wedding to do list!!  Can't wait to share my experiences in about two weeks

 

Thank you all for all of your help throughout!!!  xoxo,  Lisa