Dreams La Romana

[KPEG]

Thanks Dolfinluck! They released a stmt in the news today that it could reach the DR. I'm such a worry-wart with this stuff!

[odarcka]

Hi everyone.

 

I am back from DR and wanted to share my wedding experience there. First, let me tell you what my husband and I wanted from this wedding since it might differ from yours. We had 17 people there and wanted it to be more intimate and private with only closest friends and family. Like you guys, I was stressed preparing for this wedding: I brought all my decorations: lanterns for gazebo, centerpieces, shells, flowers, menu cards for the dinner table. We had the ceremony and the cocktails at the gazebo, and dinner at SSG deck.

 

Overall it was an amazing experience that far exceeded my expectations. First, Yanna was very supportive. I did not have any problems with the timeline or getting my questions answered. We met 3 days before the wedding in the lobby to discuss the details. We purchased the Dreams of Love package with dinner that was included for 20 guests.

 

I checked a few weddings from far away before my own and I loved the way the hotel decorated the gazebo with tulle. The way it looked was just magical, so in the middle of it all, I decided to have both tulle and lanterns. I was very worried about how it would look, but when I saw it walking down it looked so amazing I can’t even describe it. The gazebo is so beautiful and you can hear the waves just a few feet away. To the brides that are set on having their ceremony on the beach, I would advise to switch. There is still a lot of people hanging out at the beach at 5-6 pm and the hotel simply puts a row of beach chairs between them and your wedding. The dinner at the beach looks great though as there was one wedding that had dancing on the beach too. By that time sun sets and it becomes very private.

 

The cocktail hour was good too. I tried all the food they prepared so I could let you know now. It is of very good quality. At dinner, I was again amazed at how Yanna set up the table with all the decorations I gave her. She put a small flower under a sea shell (which I gave to her) and set up everything on time. She came up to me a few times during the night to check if the guests are ready to go to dinner and if there was anything I needed. We got food from the silver menu and it was also very delicious. We got some picky eaters and they were all pleased.

 

We brought with us a small system to play our songs and we danced right on the deck during dinner. We were finished by 10:00-10:30, then went to the disco and then went to the beach at night.

 

The hotel gives you their dj to play during the ceremony the songs from your own i-pod. I wanted everyone to stand in the gazebo surrounding us, so I did not get any chairs during the ceremony. It worked out very well, since the gazebo is pretty wide. If you have less than 20 people I would strongly recommend it.

 

Overall, I had an amazing time. When I got to the resort all of a sudden I was so relaxed and everything turned out very well. Right now I am beginning to realize how amazing it actually was. I will try to post some pics soon.

 

One more thing, I was stressed out when my hair and make up was done. They put A LOT of gel in my hair and made it look wet. She put a few flowers in my hair also and I thought she could have done a better job. I liked the way she made my skin look but I hated the way they did my eyes, so I did them myself. My advice is do the trial so you can see how good the stylist is at in various things and have one of your bridesmaids with you so they can check from the side.

 

My strongest recommendation would be to not stress out. I spent so much time and money picking out vases and flowers and beads to go in them, and my dad just got a few margarita glasses from the bar and made a centerpiece that looked much better than the one I spent so much time preparing! The large shells and a few flowers and candles on the table cost 30-50$ and looked as beautiful as 100$ vases. 

 

 

Dasha

[dolfinluck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by odarcka Hi everyone. I am back from DR and wanted to share my wedding experience there. First, let me tell you what my husband and I wanted from this wedding since it might differ from yours. We had 17 people there and wanted it to be more intimate and private with only closest friends and family. Like you guys, I was stressed preparing for this wedding: I brought all my decorations: lanterns for gazebo, centerpieces, shells, flowers, menu cards for the dinner table. We had the ceremony and the cocktails at the gazebo, and dinner at SSG deck. Overall it was an amazing experience that far exceeded my expectations. First, Yanna was very supportive. I did not have any problems with the timeline or getting my questions answered. We met 3 days before the wedding in the lobby to discuss the details. We purchased the Dreams of Love package with dinner that was included for 20 guests. I checked a few weddings from far away before my own and I loved the way the hotel decorated the gazebo with tulle. The way it looked was just magical, so in the middle of it all, I decided to have both tulle and lanterns. I was very worried about how it would look, but when I saw it walking down it looked so amazing I can’t even describe it. The gazebo is so beautiful and you can hear the waves just a few feet away. To the brides that are set on having their ceremony on the beach, I would advise to switch. There is still a lot of people hanging out at the beach at 5-6 pm and the hotel simply puts a row of beach chairs between them and your wedding. The dinner at the beach looks great though as there was one wedding that had dancing on the beach too. By that time sun sets and it becomes very private. The cocktail hour was good too. I tried all the food they prepared so I could let you know now. It is of very good quality. At dinner, I was again amazed at how Yanna set up the table with all the decorations I gave her. She put a small flower under a sea shell (which I gave to her) and set up everything on time. She came up to me a few times during the night to check if the guests are ready to go to dinner and if there was anything I needed. We got food from the silver menu and it was also very delicious. We got some picky eaters and they were all pleased. We brought with us a small system to play our songs and we danced right on the deck during dinner. We were finished by 10:00-10:30, then went to the disco and then went to the beach at night. The hotel gives you their dj to play during the ceremony the songs from your own i-pod. I wanted everyone to stand in the gazebo surrounding us, so I did not get any chairs during the ceremony. It worked out very well, since the gazebo is pretty wide. If you have less than 20 people I would strongly recommend it. Overall, I had an amazing time. When I got to the resort all of a sudden I was so relaxed and everything turned out very well. Right now I am beginning to realize how amazing it actually was. I will try to post some pics soon. One more thing, I was stressed out when my hair and make up was done. They put A LOT of gel in my hair and made it look wet. She put a few flowers in my hair also and I thought she could have done a better job. I liked the way she made my skin look but I hated the way they did my eyes, so I did them myself. My advice is do the trial so you can see how good the stylist is at in various things and have one of your bridesmaids with you so they can check from the side. My strongest recommendation would be to not stress out. I spent so much time and money picking out vases and flowers and beads to go in them, and my dad just got a few margarita glasses from the bar and made a centerpiece that looked much better than the one I spent so much time preparing! The large shells and a few flowers and candles on the table cost 30-50$ and looked as beautiful as 100$ vases.  Dasha

Hi Dasha! Welcome back and congrats!!!
Thanks for the review and cant wait to see some pics!
Do you remember what you ordered from the silver menu?

[KPEG]

Congrats Dasha and thank you for sharing your experience! I am getting excited and hoping not to stress too much more after hearing all the wonderful things from other DLR brides.

 

I also wondered about chairs for the ceremony at the gazebo b/c we only have 13 guests with us, for a total group of 15. I wonder if it's too small to have the chairs in the gazebo? I like the way it looks out along the path but I wonder if they will even hear our ceremony.

 

Anyway...I'm just thinking out loud! lol. Thanks again for sharing...hope to see pics soon!!

[Pink_Petals]

Hi Dasha,

 

Welcome back and congrats to you and your new hubby

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Im so happy to read that you had a beautiful wedding...makes me less and less stressed to see that all of the DLR brides so far have been extremely pleased.

 

 

I have a few questions for you if you dont mind me asking;

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by odarcka I checked a few weddings from far away before my own and I loved the way the hotel decorated the gazebo with tulle. The way it looked was just magical, so in the middle of it all, I decided to have both tulle and lanterns. I was very worried about how it would look, but when I saw it walking down it looked so amazing I can’t even describe it.

I never thought of adding tulle in addition to the lanterns Im bringing down with me but that sounds so beautiful. If you could post pictures of that for us that would be wonderful!

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by odarcka We brought with us a small system to play our songs and we danced right on the deck during dinner.

What kind of system did you bring down? Do you think it was loud enough?

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by odarcka The hotel gives you their dj to play during the ceremony the songs from your own i-pod.

Did you have to pay they resort dj to play the songs for the ceremony? Im planning on bringing my own sound system down for the reception but didnt know what to do for the ceremony.

 

 

 

Thank you so much

xoxo

[GEM]

Hey, Dasha, congrads! It sounds like you had a really great wedding:) Your centerpieces sound great...hope you have a pic of them:)

 

I hadn't heard about the oil spill possible reaching DR....

 

Thanks, dolfinluck! I can't wait:)

 

KPEG, don't worry about the food. In Mexico and the Caribbean (not sure where else), you should never drink the water that comes from the tap. The resorts always provide bottles or jugs of water and refill them in your room when you need more. Actually, our resort has a purification system where all of the water on the resort is okay to drink...but I personally probably won't, anyway. As far as the food is concerned, coming from someone who has been to both Mexico and DR before, the fruits and veggies are the best part! Not sure why you TA told you that. Plus, our resort has 6 golden apples (the highest rating from apple vacations), so their food I am sure is excellent. Just enjoy yourself when you go! =)

[nsimpson]

YEA Dasha!! Another successful wedding Congratulations, welcome back and thanks so much for sharing. This is what makes this forum as helpful as it can be.

[odarcka]

Thanks everyone! I am very happy my small review could be of some help.

 

Dofinluck, we picked shrimp salad, beef consomme, salmon and beef for entree, and flan for desert. For the cocktail we picked smoked salmon canape, sushi, prosciutto canape and calamari. All were very good. The soup was very light, I had the salmon which was great too. The presentation of the dishes is pretty too.

 

KPEG, you can always wait until you get there to decide whether you want the guests to be outside or inside. I found it to be less intimate with people sitting on chairs and us standing our backs to them. When I entered the gazebo it was so beautifu inside that I thought all the guests would enjoy standing around us. I also don't think there is enough room for 13 chairs inside the gazebo, since they put a ceremony table there too.

 

Pink Petals, Since we got the Dreams of Love package, the dj was included for the ceremony. They set up the speakers outside the gazebo and provided us with a microphone. I found it to be a little weird because the speakers were outside and as I was saying things, I could also here my voice outside. But since you will have guests sitting outside it would be great. Please find out from Tiara before if you do not have the package- I assume the dj would not be free than

 

Also, I found that having the speakers is helpful during the ceremony because you need loud music as you and your party are walking out. It could be windy and I don't think we would have heard the sound from the system we got. I didnt even look at what brand our system is because I was so busy, but I know it was not boss and cost under 50$. If you want I will ask Gene tonight and send you the link to it.

 

Unfortunately, my new now dad will not even show me the pics until he edits them. I also do not even know how to post things on this forum, but if you give me your email or facebook name I will send you the pics as soon as I have them.

 

About tulle, I asked them to hang them up and tigh the only the ends to the poles. That way they looked like curtains. I saw a few where they just rap them around the polls alltogether and you can't even see them! This decoration cost me 150$ extra, but that was only bacause I did not want to the extra flowers they hang (total 300 or 350 dont remember). Sorry if I missed any other questions...there is so much work for me to catch up please let me know again I will check back tomorrow.

 

And about water....Last year I was amazed that I didn't get sick from water at this resort at all (since I get sick very easily). This year I was boasting to everyone to drink tap water as much as they want and I got sick 2 days after the wedding It wasnt really bad, just stomach ache and little nautiousness, but a few people from my party got sick for a few hours too. Amy would probably know more, since she had many guests there with her. My advise is to be a little safe and order juice or coke at restaurants, otherwise it was very mild to worry about.

[odarcka]

My goodness, I should have proof read the post. Sorry for the grammar.

[dolfinluck]

Thanks again Dasha!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPEG Congrats Dasha and thank you for sharing your experience! I am getting excited and hoping not to stress too much more after hearing all the wonderful things from other DLR brides.   I also wondered about chairs for the ceremony at the gazebo b/c we only have 13 guests with us, for a total group of 15. I wonder if it's too small to have the chairs in the gazebo? I like the way it looks out along the path but I wonder if they will even hear our ceremony.   Anyway...I'm just thinking out loud! lol. Thanks again for sharing...hope to see pics soon!!

your about the same size as us, 13 ppl as of right now (waiting on one more person). I also like the look of the chairs outside plus i would be afraid of my two photographers being able to move around if everyone was inside the gazebo.