Ocean Blue & Sand-Punta Cana

erinmc · November 8, 2011

Hum.... I'm also going through a TA for the travel arrangements. I'm going through Yinette directly for the wedding arrangements. Maybe that's why???? But I don't know why I'm getting two different prices form her.

Kelly84 · November 8, 2011

@alittlerandr - I contacted Yinette and asked what things I needed to confirm befroe I arrived and she said as much as possible so I just sent her a list of all my selections and extra decorations etc. They probably won't email you so don't worry about emailing them to speed things up!!

I will be happy to give a review when I get back!!!!!!

erinmc · November 14, 2011

I hope I'm not being to straight forward, but how much are you all paying for your stay, package, photographer, extras?

I will have about 30-40 people and I'm trying to figure out my budget and I'm having a hard time getting straight answers from the WC's. Please help!!!!!

I reserved my date for 10/11/12, I would to reserve the La Brasa for a private reception. I would like the ceremony on the beach. I would like a photographer/video, maybe trash the dress. I am thinking either Sand Extravaganza or Ocean Romance Package.

Any help form anyone who have been there or going would be greatly appreciated!!

MsClarke724 · November 15, 2011

@ErinMc I am willing to tell all....We are staying for 11 nights with 6 of the nights in the honeymoonsuite - our total trip was about $5000 - we are getting a little money back since our guests booked as a group but not sure how much that will be yet.

For the sand ceremony package, we paid a deposit of $500 - the remaining balance is $1800 and I beleive that includes 40 people. Since La Barasa was already booked and we hated La Tortuga, we are opting for a pool reception. This will cost us $15 extra per person and requires a minimum of 50 people. Right now, we are at 40, so we will just pay the difference if we don't hit 50 because we really like the idea of a pool reception.

We are also paying for a DJ/MC which is $986.58. It is a bit steep but we wanted a real wedding feel with an MC rather than playing our ipod. Although I know many people have used their ipod and rented the sound system with much success.

For a photographer, we decided to bring our own. We wanted photos from absolute beginning to end as well as trash the dress and all of those packages were at least $2000. It was cheaper to pay for our photgrapher's trip for the weekend and he gave us a larrge discount - that way we will have all the pictures he takes (not just 200 or whatever the packages are) his trip was about $1000 and he is charging us $700 for all the photos he takes

We are using Pastor York who is $300 - I believe the resort's ministers also charge $300

We are having the basic decoration package for $378

Bridesmaid boquets we are going with are $50 each

Boutonnieres are $12.60 each

Centerpieces are $37.80 each

so that is about it for us.... although I think we may throw the video in there since we're only doing this once, right

Let me know if you have any questions as I have been planing this for 14 months!! Ada is probably tired of seeing my emails, but she has been soooo great.... 74 more days!!! :)

alittlerandr · November 16, 2011

@MsClarke-

Thanks for sharing! I'm curious about a few things:

-DJ/MC. In looking at the price list I received for 2012, it looks like DJ services are $350 for 1-4 hours, and MC are $250 for 1-4 hours. (I read that to mean that the DJ, for example, is $350 for up to 4 hours, not $350 per hour. Do you know if I'm correct in that?) Is yours $986.58 for 4 hours + tax, or also }+ additional hours, or ? I told Yinette that I wanted a dj, and all she said was 'ok'...nothing else. I'm thinking I should probably follow up.

-Basic decoration package is $300 in the price list I received. Does that mean taxes are $78?

Thanks so much for posting!!

Originally Posted by MsClarke724

@ErinMc I am willing to tell all....We are staying for 11 nights with 6 of the nights in the honeymoonsuite - our total trip was about $5000 - we are getting a little money back since our guests booked as a group but not sure how much that will be yet.

For the sand ceremony package, we paid a deposit of $500 - the remaining balance is $1800 and I beleive that includes 40 people. Since La Barasa was already booked and we hated La Tortuga, we are opting for a pool reception. This will cost us $15 extra per person and requires a minimum of 50 people. Right now, we are at 40, so we will just pay the difference if we don't hit 50 because we really like the idea of a pool reception.

We are also paying for a DJ/MC which is $986.58. It is a bit steep but we wanted a real wedding feel with an MC rather than playing our ipod. Although I know many people have used their ipod and rented the sound system with much success.

For a photographer, we decided to bring our own. We wanted photos from absolute beginning to end as well as trash the dress and all of those packages were at least $2000. It was cheaper to pay for our photgrapher's trip for the weekend and he gave us a larrge discount - that way we will have all the pictures he takes (not just 200 or whatever the packages are) his trip was about $1000 and he is charging us $700 for all the photos he takes

We are using Pastor York who is $300 - I believe the resort's ministers also charge $300

We are having the basic decoration package for $378

Bridesmaid boquets we are going with are $50 each

Boutonnieres are $12.60 each

Centerpieces are $37.80 each

so that is about it for us.... although I think we may throw the video in there since we're only doing this once, right

Let me know if you have any questions as I have been planing this for 14 months!! Ada is probably tired of seeing my emails, but she has been soooo great.... 74 more days!!! :)

MsClarke724 · November 16, 2011

I think our dj service was $500 because of the lights in addition to the MC fee. It is for the 1-4 hours. Any services not included in a package are subject to tax which is something crazy like 29% so that is why the DJ is so high. The DJ service is actually RLS Entertainment - they are on facebook and you can see videos/pictures of their work...

and yes $78 is the crazy tax

alittlerandr · November 17, 2011

Wow, that is crazy tax - so glad I found out about that now! Thanks for sharing

But as I understand in your post, the $2300 (or whatever it is for the Sand Extravaganza, for example) includes tax, right? It's just the extras - dj, decor, etc, that has the add'l tax?

Originally Posted by MsClarke724

I think our dj service was $500 because of the lights in addition to the MC fee. It is for the 1-4 hours. Any services not included in a package are subject to tax which is something crazy like 29% so that is why the DJ is so high. The DJ service is actually RLS Entertainment - they are on facebook and you can see videos/pictures of their work...

and yes $78 is the crazy tax

MsClarke724 · November 23, 2011

Yes - packages already include tax - it is just the extra stuff

erinmc · November 28, 2011

Thanks MsClarke724!!! You have been so much help both on here and on facebook!!

We booked out rooms but not our flight--waiting for Charter flight prices to come out.

We are trying to decide between the Sand Extravaganza and the Ocean Romantic.

We are not sure how many ppl we will have since our wedding isn't until 10/11/12..I did send out the save the dates already and thinking we will have between 30-50... I know it's a big range

We will be using our Ipod and renting their equipment.

I'm not sure what we are going to about a photographer. Maybe use the resort. I would like a video and Trash the Dress depending on price.

We are bring our own ordained minister, he's a very good friend of ours.

I didn't realize you had to pay extra for the "basic decoration package"!! Is this at the beach??? What are the details?

As for the Bridesmaids bouquets and Boutonnieres, I am making Button bouquets and boutonnieres. I"m making a Brooch bouquet for myself. (keeping my fingers crossed them come out nice)

Centerpieces--another thing I didn't realize we pay extra for.

GEEZER!!!

Oh and we might get a cigar roller!

Yes, I have also been emailing Ada and Yinette. I am probably driving them crazy!!! LOL

Originally Posted by MsClarke724

@ErinMc I am willing to tell all....We are staying for 11 nights with 6 of the nights in the honeymoonsuite - our total trip was about $5000 - we are getting a little money back since our guests booked as a group but not sure how much that will be yet.

For the sand ceremony package, we paid a deposit of $500 - the remaining balance is $1800 and I beleive that includes 40 people. Since La Barasa was already booked and we hated La Tortuga, we are opting for a pool reception. This will cost us $15 extra per person and requires a minimum of 50 people. Right now, we are at 40, so we will just pay the difference if we don't hit 50 because we really like the idea of a pool reception.

We are also paying for a DJ/MC which is $986.58. It is a bit steep but we wanted a real wedding feel with an MC rather than playing our ipod. Although I know many people have used their ipod and rented the sound system with much success.

For a photographer, we decided to bring our own. We wanted photos from absolute beginning to end as well as trash the dress and all of those packages were at least $2000. It was cheaper to pay for our photgrapher's trip for the weekend and he gave us a larrge discount - that way we will have all the pictures he takes (not just 200 or whatever the packages are) his trip was about $1000 and he is charging us $700 for all the photos he takes

We are using Pastor York who is $300 - I believe the resort's ministers also charge $300

We are having the basic decoration package for $378

Bridesmaid boquets we are going with are $50 each

Boutonnieres are $12.60 each

Centerpieces are $37.80 each

so that is about it for us.... although I think we may throw the video in there since we're only doing this once, right

Let me know if you have any questions as I have been planing this for 14 months!! Ada is probably tired of seeing my emails, but she has been soooo great.... 74 more days!!! :)

MsClarke724 · December 20, 2011

So... I figured I'd share my music playlist in case it could be of use to any of you.... In addition, I could use some help....

For dinner and dancing music, I only listed a few songs to give the dj an idea of what we like (we are an r&b/hip hop type of wedding).

The parts we are completely stuck on are the recessional and the bride and groom introduction....I am also considering changing the music that is played while guests are being seated.... let me know if you have any ideas for any of the above... 40 days to go!!!!!

weddingsongs.xls