Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[natalieblev]

Diana loved the video! The church location is so gorgeous! You looked so beautiful and it was just so sweet! Congratulations again!

[natalieblev]

Hi Netty I think there are some goods and bads to having a TA. Goods: Guests can make a small deposit usually to lock in their room rate and then can make payments to the TA. You will always have a list of who is reserved and who isn't available Some TAs might help you communicate with the hotel in getting things taken care of such as a group check in, dinner reservations or maybe wedding stuff. TAs can keep track of things like airport transfers and when people are coming in and out. Some of the bad: TAs have to charge more to make a profit. So sites like resortvacationstogo etc will have much better deals on rooms always. Not sometimes but always. So if your guests are big travelers they will do price comparison and it can get very stressful. The push to have guests book right away. And dw guests sometimes need time to figure it out. But the threat of prices rising from the TA stresses them out. So you could end up with cancellations later. People might feel screwed seeing they are paying more just to be included in your TA wedding group. That's just from my own experience. Both bad and good...weddings are stressful and it just depends on how involved you want to be. I was available all the time for my guests to call me and have me check online prices cause our TA matched cheaper prices. I didn't mind at all because I wanted everyone to get the best price. But it was frustrating sometimes. I think as the bride you want to know it all usually. So not having a TA just means you will be the TA and I guess that's up to the person to decide of they want to or not. Good luck!! And congrats!

[natalieblev]

Congrats Trish and Happy Planning! Does anyone know how much the video service is? I just realized I've never gotten any info on that service. Susanna said for groups under 20 you can get a reservation at steakhouse, seafood, Mexican or Japanese. So was just thinking if any of you ladies are having a girls/guys night out that could be perfect. I'm going to use that reservation for my bridal shower day since its just 17 women. Also when she says 30/bouquet does that mean if I sent her a picture of flowers that were more than roses she would charge more? Or just say no?

[trivera5521]

Girls see below for the Videograpgy Packages. Natalia in regards to bridal bouquet  they dont have a large variety of flowers as most people would think since they are in the carribean.  So depending on what you want if they can get them they will accomodate you but def expect to pay more...girl you should know how they roll by now LOL

 

Sun Package:

Includes Coverage of:

• Ceremony

• Edited 10-25 minutes with effects & music

• 1 copy

U$600

Moon Package:

Includes Coverage of:

• Getting Ready of Bride

• Ceremony

• Half an hour after the ceremony (Group Shots and Session)

• Edited 20-30 minutes with effects & music

• 1 Copy

U$850

Star Package:

Includes Coverage of:

• Preparation of bride & groom

• Ceremony

• Half an hour of coverage after the ceremony (Group Shots and Session)

• Reception 1 hour

• Edited 40-50 minutes with effects & music

• 2 Copies

U$1,100

Sunset Package:

Includes Coverage of:

• Preparation of bride & groom

• Ceremony

• An hour of coverage after the ceremony (Group Shots and Session)

• Reception 3 Hours

• Edited 60-80 minutes with effects & music

• Raw Footage

• 3 Copies

U$1,500

[disazaja]

Originally Posted by NettyD 

 

Thanks Reign!

 

I have a call in to Apple Vacations. I checked their packages this morning (we are booking a site visit to BBPD this summer) and they were very reasonable for just two months out- not to mention cheaper than destinationweddings.com has quoted me. I am hoping that Apple can set up a deposit/payment plan for guests as well. I will let you know what I find out! Cheapcaribbean is very fair with their prices too. I wish they did group travel though! 

 

Will keep you posted!

Hi NettyD

 

I used Apple... for me the biggest advantage was that they provided airport-hotel transfers and I was able to keep track of guests who were going easily....they arrival dates and times as well

 

another big advantage was that I got a BIG discount for myself.. I think it was around 1,500 because of the amount of guests that paid for half of our honeymoon.

[disazaja]

Originally Posted by natalieblev 

 

Congrats Trish and Happy Planning!

 

Does anyone know how much the video service is? I just realized I've never gotten any info on that service.

 

Susanna said for groups under 20 you can get a reservation at steakhouse, seafood, Mexican or Japanese. So was just thinking if any of you ladies are having a girls/guys night out that could be perfect. I'm going to use that reservation for my bridal shower day since its just 17 women.

 

Also when she says 30/bouquet does that mean if I sent her a picture of flowers that were more than roses she would charge more? Or just say no?

Hi Natalieblev

 

I think if you pick "tropical flowers" the bouquets are 30.... I had yellow lilies and some green little flowers (no idea of the name LOL) and they were 30...

 

Thanks

[MissJali]

In regards to your questions on travel agents. 

 

Apple Vacations has definitely been the fairest quote we've received. I'm waiting to see if I get better room quotes from someone who's actually out in Punta Cana and can possibly get me the prices in Pesos which tend to be lower if you are a local. Sad but true. I'm also very sneaky. I've booked my site visit(actually just an excuse to vacation) through cheapcaribbean.com and on my vouchers they've made the mistake of putting the travel company they use. I've sent them an email about arranging group packages and also with beachdestinations.com. I will definitely keep you updated. Worst comes to worst, I'm letting people book wherever they can and just asking them to email me their itinerary.

[NettyD]

Thank you all for your help! I agree that there are Pros and Cons for using a TA... the organizing and not having to deal with travel arrangements for everyone ourselves is a very nice perk. But... being cost effective is most important.

 

I'm glad so many of you had good results with Apple! I am looking forward to speaking with them and finding out what kind of awesome rates they can come up with!!!

 

For you 2014 brides- have you received the higher rate packages? Where Strawberry is around $2900 and Tangerine around $4200? It went up a bit from the 2013 prices...

 

 

Diana-

I had some questions for you based on your awesome review! I copied it below from a few pages back. 

 

 

I am finalizing the date for my wedding at BBPD for June of '14. We have a small budget and it seems like after reading through a lot of this thread that there are a lot of fees that I didn't consider- and I think we're going to be closer to $10k for either a Strawberry or Tangerine package: for 50 ppl: DJ, Gold Photo package (we might just fly in a friend- $2500 is crazy but the silver package doesn't have enough coverage included), rooftop cocktail hour ($500?) and our package ($2k with flights and hotel stay) Would you say that is about right? We have to cover an additional $4k in travel expenses for other people which puts us at around $14k total so anything we can cut or maybe discover is actually included would be helpful!

 

Did you have Tropical Pictures do your Videography- and if so would you mind sharing the cost? I think we might skip this as I read that the Gold package was $2500 which eats a lot of our budget!

 

The reception area: how much of the decor does BBPD include? Were linens and place settings included in the main wedding package? I read that centerpieces were extra; but is that the only additional fee for the decor? 

 

How many dinner options are included in the reception? I believe I read one but wanted to confirm.

 

The ceremony area: does BBPD include the runner and basic chairs as well as basic decor? Do they have a limit on chairs? You had your ceremony in the chapel so you might not know the answer to that one. 

 

How did you like the guitar trio if you had one? 

 

I'm sure I'll think of more questions! Thank you for any help you can offer! 

 

[tricia-m]

Hello ladies! New to the thread but in the process of booking my wedding date. I haven't noticed (if you have, my apologies) but have any of you ladies booked private receptions with sit down dinners? Happy planning all of you

[tricia-m]

Hello ladies! New to the thread but in the process of booking my wedding date. I haven't noticed (if you have, my apologies) but have any of you ladies booked private receptions with sit down dinners? Happy planning all of you