Tam's Dream's Punta Cana wedding review

[Tam]

Ok, where do I start??

Quick FYIs first:

 

-The resort is an hour from the airport.

-Bring bug spray for at night if you're prone to getting bit... they do spray, but I still got a few bites.

 

We met with the WC Deyanira 2 days after we arrived to pick out menus, etc.

We got married at the gazebo as the beach was way too windy almost all week long and I wasn't having bad hair!! We did not pay the extra $350 for them to decorate it either as we thought it looked pretty enough on its own. We didn't have the champagne toast for everyone either as they wanted to charge us $15/bottle when you could go to the bar and get the same stuff for free..

 

We ended up getting the trio to play from 5-6 during our "silver hors' duevres" package.. we didn't pay the extra because we had more than 20 people either and still had leftovers. (I didn't really care for them to be honest) We were doing pictures while most of this was going on.

 

OUr reception was on the Himitsu terrace which was nice, but if you can, get the Bordeaux. I would have rather had the Bordeaux (a lot smaller and more intimate). They block it off for you there, whereas at the Himitsu everyone can watch you. We did have our own private bar and wait staff and our WC stayed with us the entire time. You could see the ocean and the gazebo from the H terrace and at the Bord. you could see palm trees and the ocean.

 

Because it was so windy, my centerpieces didn't turn out or my cake table.. both required tealights.. I was pretty bummed about that as most of the reception was at night when it was dark.

 

My BMs walked down the aisle to a Bachata song (don't know which one) and then I walked down with my parents to Pachebel's canon in D (I know, not too original). My WC performed the ceremony as we got married legally the day before we left at City Hall... I honestly couldn't be bothered with the translating and notarizing of everything.

 

Our WC through flower petals after the ceremony was over and my DH and I did have a champagne toast ourselves.

 

A couple of observations on the side:

Girls, if you haven't picked your dresses yet, make sure you don't get a satin one.. they are very heavy and hot! You will sweat to death.. I got married in Jan, and it was 90degrees everyday. I can only imagine what it will be like in July!

For the guys, get them to wear short sleeves.. we made our guys wear long and they were sweating a lot.. linen pants might be good too!

 

The hair salon was really good, though I admit I was really nervous about having my hair done by someone I've never met before! I showed her a picture I brought and she did it perfectly... I guess they do this all week long right?? Deyanira made my appointment for me without my even asking!! We made my BM appts. None of us had our makeup done as I had a guest who worked for clinique there do it.

Some of our guests had a couples massage and a spa massage and said they were really good.

 

Also, I really regret not staying at least a few more days if not a whole week on our own.. We totally felt obligated to spend time with everyone especially those we don't see that often.. not that it wasn't fun, but (esp. for us girls) there's no downtime to relax yourself..

 

The food in general was ok.. we got the platinum dinner package and paid the extra b/c we were over 20. I actually was really disappointed with our dinner but it could be b/c I was totally feeling like I was going to be sick throughout our meal... (not sure why, everyone seemed to think it was from nerves/exhaustion.. I think my dress was too tight and no, I'm not pregnant!!)... Our guests did say the food was good though and I did enjoy the vanilla cake after dessert.

 

The dishes we had were: lobster tower (which isn't a tower) and doesn't have much lobster in it, but there was plenty of avocado and onion in it, I thought it was gross, but others liked it.. then came the tangerine sorbet which I didn't try...felt too gross.

We got the lobster/steak dinner with veggies, again I didn't like it, but everyone else did.

After dinner we had khalua chocolate cake with nuts.. didn't try that either, heard it was good though.

 

We didn't end up getting the grooms room the night before our wedding day, as the hotel apparently was at capacity, but did get the upgrade to a jr. suite for free. It was way bigger than the standard room and has a jacuzzi on the balcony which we didn't use but some of our guests did. (not ours).

 

The pool was good, really big, had floaties and a swim up bar. Our kids with our group really liked it too as it has a floating rock climbing wall. The chairs sometimes were a pain to go search for, but most of the time we got some.

 

Do the TTD session!! It was one of my favourite parts... I almost backed out of doing it, but am so glad I did. It was soooo fun. People were cheering us as we jumped in the pool and in the ocean. We didn't have a photographer as one of our guests graciously offered to do it.. that's why I have my pics already too.. (which are on facebook under DPC brides).

 

Tipping: We tipped the WC $100 and each wait staff for our wedding $20 each. NOt sure if that's good or not... our WC had a bit of a look on her face when I handed it to her. Couldn't make out if it was shock or disgust HOpefully neither...she was awesome. (she aslo was the one who pushed for us to get our room upgrade when the front desk told us no)

Also met Sharron for any of you girls who have her.. she's very nice too.

 

I left my TTD dress there for whoever to use (locals, etc) and left my tealight holders and candles there as well... mostly just b/c of weight restrictions.. brought my centrepieces home though which I don't know if I want to sell yet or not... not that many of them so I might keep em.

 

Well, that's about all I can think of for now..though I'm sure I have left stuff out...

Overall a really good experience, would totally do it again.

[Tam]

I forgot about the flowers.. I brought real touch ones down and also used the bouquet the hotel gave me too..

[lrdavis23]

Great review Tam, thanks for easing alot of our worries, we have all been planning together and I'm glad your wedding was everything you wanted it to be and you looked gorgeous.

[amygirl1169]

Awesome review! Thanks for posting

[baj]

great review thanks for sharing

[Tam]

I forgot to mention music. We brought our own ipod and docking station. My DH had it set up to play everything in order, but ended up getting so drunk he screwed it all up!! Had there been no errors, it would have worked out great....

[PynkLemonade]

Thanks Tam for the great review! Your pictures are great, no worries, you looked beautiful!!!!

[ebredhawk]

tam - i have to ask becaues it is my one, irrational fear... did the WC do okay with your ipod for the music before and after the ceremony? you had deyanira, right?

 

i have music to play while guests sit down, then a groomsman is playing the guitar for the processional. then we have a very specific song to play after the ceremony. do you think she'll be able to handle this?

 

of all the things, this is what i worry about...

[PynkLemonade]

Tam:

 

I sent you a list of questions to your email. Erin, I was concerned about the ipod issue to as well as what the chairs look like with out white chair covers. I really would like to do sashes only, but if that's not an option then I work around that. Thanks Tam!

[Tam]

Hey Misty,

I sent you a reply!