Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[minigodiva]

Hi brides, I've been following this feed for months, it's been very helpful.  I have a question that I haven't seen anyone comment on, have any of the past brides, or future brides considered tipping the wedding coordinators?  If so how much?

Hi! I think there was a past bride who mentioned tipping $100 for WC, dj, whoever else you want to tip. that was of course maybe a wedding last year or two? I don't remember and this thread is def too long too back read. Hehe. I do agree with the current brides to tip 200 for WC and maybe a present. No idea what present yet but just to say thanks

[minigodiva]

thank you for the advice. I want an elegant feel to the wedding and the ballroom and rooftop deck are just going hand in hand for me. and wow 120 that is quite the list. I'm trying to trim the invite list but every time I talk to my mother, FI or grandmother (whos also my travel agent) the list just increases more and more. we started at about 45 guest and now were going into the 80's and still adding. :shots:   a question for you ladies. what is everyone doing about save the date and invitation timing. I was thinking of sending my save the dates, rsvp's and an enclosure with accommodation info and after everyone rsvps sending out invites. 

I sent our save the dates around 9 months from our wedding. I think just do it the earliest possible that you can bc your guests might need to ask for days off from work or plan/ set aside money for the trip, etc. So the more time you give them, the better. For our invitations, I'm hoping to send them out 4 or 4.5 mons before the wedding. it seems early but as my friend said, if guests haven't booked 2-3 mons before our wedding, they are most likely not even thinking of going :/ and it's so I can set an earlier RSVP so I can prep OOTs and programs etc. And hopefully avoiding having to cram or overwhelm myself. Happy planning!

[SoonMrsD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovelyGemini 
 

 

The only issue is that they don't have a bar there, it's such a peaceful place because it's pretty isolated. The closest bar is off the rooftop and people would have to walk back and forth. I found some pics on my phone from the last time my FI and I were there. 

 

 

MY FI would kill me if he knew I posted this pic of him, LOL! Oh well, anything to help us ladies plan! I took this pic from almost the edge of the area, you can see it's pretty big. The bar (which is not always open, btw), it located right at the center of the picture, just to right right of where my FI is standing.

 

 

This long walkway would make an awesome path when it's decorated for the wedding. I have some photos somewhere of how it looks when set up for a wedding. I'll search around my computer for them.

 

 

This is from the first time we came, weather was perfect that day!

 

 

I was planning on doing some kind of informal welcome gathering at the Sports Bar they have there, Strikers. It's very nice looking (I know what kind of picture the word "sports bar" might trigger) and has a ton of seating along with an "American-type buffet" with like wings and burgers. Its also open 24 hours and has a small theater for big sports game and a pool table area off to the side. No real dress code though, not like the a la carte restaurants. The other idea I think would work well is the "Bar Carey", it's a really nice indoor bar located near the lobby. It's a little more of a quieter spot but has couches and stuff to hang out on. My family can get a little rowdy so I chose Strikers for us. I included it as part of the "itinerary" in our passport invite.

 

I really only have pics of our drinks from each time we went to Strikers, LOL. we made friends with one of the bartenders who still remembered us the 2nd time we went this past summer. So this picture is really only helpful to show you... ummm the cool drink he made and the very nice lighting at Strikers. haha Really though, its the classiest, nicest sports bar I've ever seen.

 

 

 

I felt bad reposting all the pics haha

 

So the rooftop has the bar out of the way? That sucks!!! The FI wants it so we shall see, I will talk to my WC to have a pop up bar hahahah jk

 

My WC Aris recommended the lobby bar for me (Bar Carey), but again depending on how many people we could go to strikers. Also, need to give out our welcome bags at the welcome drinks thing I plan on having because BBPD wants to charge us $10 per bag handout...so no way I'm paying for it!

 

Strikers will be great for the guys, I'm getting married during Football season so FI already has his eye on Strikers for Sunday Funday Football lol lol

 

Do any of these places have authentic Dominican Food?

[misskay]

Hi! I have Susana, too. how did you find out you are assigned a different WC? I haven't heard of feedbacks on Laura. The lady who recently responded to my email was Ramona. She said Susana is on leave and she is just replying to my e-mails but I'm not sure whether I still have Susan or Her. when is your wedding? mine is in May, so I'm not sure maybe Susana will be back to work then? Happy planning!

The wedding manager emailed me and told me. Susana is about 8 month pregnant I believe so she's expecting the baby soon ...sad she won't be there buy very happy for her! Haven't heard anything about Laura ... But so far she is just as good as Susan ! He is very quick to respond and she get everything done quick ... I was really nervous and there was some confusion at first with my request that were played already so she worked it out ! I'm getting married dec 4 sooo excited

[MissJali]

Quote:

Originally Posted by misskay 


The wedding manager emailed me and told me. Susana is about 8 month pregnant I believe so she's expecting the baby soon ...sad she won't be there buy very happy for her! Haven't heard anything about Laura ... But so far she is just as good as Susan ! He is very quick to respond and she get everything done quick ... I was really nervous and there was some confusion at first with my request that were played already so she worked it out ! I'm getting married dec 4 sooo excited

yea Susana's actually due on my birthday so she's a little more than 8 months prego but all of the wedding planners are in the loop and all are great. I have Ramona until Susana gets back.

[Tina G]

Hi everyone!

 

My fiance and I are currently choosing between BBPD and two resorts in DR for October/Nov 2014. I was wondering if anyone is planning a huge destination wedding like we are, 100-150 guests, and how it all worked out for you. It seems like since our party is so big we are going to have to use the ballroom for our reception. Any tips on how to lower costs for such a huge wedding but still have a personalized wedding and make guests leave with a lasting impression?

[minigodiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by misskay 


The wedding manager emailed me and told me. Susana is about 8 month pregnant I believe so she's expecting the baby soon ...sad she won't be there buy very happy for her! Haven't heard anything about Laura ... But so far she is just as good as Susan ! He is very quick to respond and she get everything done quick ... I was really nervous and there was some confusion at first with my request that were played already so she worked it out ! I'm getting married dec 4 sooo excited

Yea, I'm happy for her, too and for you!  Dec 4 is coming soon!  Very exciting!  Have fun and let us know about your experience

[minigodiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissJali 
 

yea Susana's actually due on my birthday so she's a little more than 8 months prego but all of the wedding planners are in the loop and all are great. I have Ramona until Susana gets back.

Hi Jali!  Advance happy birthday  When is it exactly?  Yea, Ramona is replying to me recently, too.  She is really nice.

[minigodiva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonMrsD 
 

 

I felt bad reposting all the pics haha

 

So the rooftop has the bar out of the way? That sucks!!! The FI wants it so we shall see, I will talk to my WC to have a pop up bar hahahah jk

 

My WC Aris recommended the lobby bar for me (Bar Carey), but again depending on how many people we could go to strikers. Also, need to give out our welcome bags at the welcome drinks thing I plan on having because BBPD wants to charge us $10 per bag handout...so no way I'm paying for it!

 

Strikers will be great for the guys, I'm getting married during Football season so FI already has his eye on Strikers for Sunday Funday Football lol lol

 

Do any of these places have authentic Dominican Food?

Hi!  Do you know how big Bar Carey is?  I wonder how many people will fit and if you can reserve it or if other hotel guests are there, too.  I saw one picture online that shows the from and the bar with like a lounge, but I'm not sure how big it is.  I wanted a welcome party too to give the OOT bags and so friends can meet and mingle.  After I saw your post and noting that with our friends, we can all get rowdy/loud too, so I was thinking of moving mine to strikers as well.  I did want Bar carey though because it looks nice on the pic.

[SoonMrsD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by minigodiva 
 

Hi!  Do you know how big Bar Carey is?  I wonder how many people will fit and if you can reserve it or if other hotel guests are there, too.  I saw one picture online that shows the from and the bar with like a lounge, but I'm not sure how big it is.  I wanted a welcome party too to give the OOT bags and so friends can meet and mingle.  After I saw your post and noting that with our friends, we can all get rowdy/loud too, so I was thinking of moving mine to strikers as well.  I did want Bar carey though because it looks nice on the pic.

 

Well my WC told me its pretty big and not that crowded since its near the lobby, no reservations but I'm sure your WC can save you a certain area so something like that. I am doing this on a Friday so the night before my wedding but before dinner so people can get their goody bags, some drinks and go drop their stuff of at their room then go to dinner and get some rest or wake up with sunglasses and a hangover haha .... We are doing Strikers the day after the wedding since it's Sunday Funday and my FI already has it planned haha