Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[disazaja]

Hi girls! I forgot to mention! You get a wifi code as a club premium guest and you can share this code! Also, you can get as many codes as you want! So my husband and I asked for 4 and have it to some of our friends and family... The other club premium guests do the same so almost everyone had wifi! The wifi gets disconnected when you aren't using it so you have to keep logging in but at least you can communicate somehow! Also, here is the video! It is long because it has part o the ceremony! We didn't get te gold video package bc the husband felt weird being recorded while he got ready lol https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgzvms3c6hzv1x9/Boda%20Barcelo%20Deluxe%20-%20Marzo%2023%20-%20Diana%20and%20Andres%20HD.mp4

[NettyD]

Hi Diana!

 

I am new to the forum and your review was really, really helpful! Thank you for sharing. 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! 

 

Originally Posted by disazaja 

hi girls!!!! I am back from my wedding and honeymoon!!!! this is going to be such a lenghty post but I am trying to be as detailed as possible!!! let me know if you have more questions and I will post pictires later today!!! some wedding background... catholic ceremony on the chapel, 50 guests in total, tangerine package, reception at bar Higuey, 4 hours of reception (paid 1 extra hour), used tropicla pictures for pictures and video, used the DJ the resort uses, brought a lot of decorations with me but also got some centerpieces at the resort, wedding planner was Lianny, stayed at BBPD from 03/19/13 to 03/24/13 then moved to Majestic elegance for honeymoon from 03/24/13 to 03/30/13. wedding colors: tropical, mostly hot pink and apple green. Used apple vacations as my travel agency for the guest rooms and I loved working with them bc at the end I got a HUGE discount! my honeymoon was half the price!!! ok now the details! got there on tuesday at 2 pm, loved the airport, easy customs, bring $10 in cash to pay the entrance fee... got to the resort and I paid for the jr deluxe suite ocean view.... they upgraded me to the panoramic suite! and wow! it was huge and beautiful!!! totally worth it... they had champagne, rum, and t-shirts for us there. meeting with Lianny at 4 pm went smooth, she had my file ready, we went over cake details, flowers, we met the photogrpaher (Sofia) who is really cool and sweet, as well as the DJ who was also cool and definelty understood what we were going for... we had more female guests than males so we wanted more of a group party, not like couples dnacing merengue or bachata and he nailed it.... we set the rehearsal time wiht Lianny and we agreed on meeting on thursday to give her all the decorations, and make the final payment. after the meeting we went to the seafood restaurnat, I personally didnt like it but it was ok... then we went to put the welcome bags together.... Wednesday, guests started to arrive, we had the couples massage! great massage and the facial was amazing! no extractions, just peeling, mask, a vitamin C cream... my skin was radiant afterwards, we stayed at the hydrotheraphy (club premium gets access to this daily) and it was nice too, it was fun. We started to run to the Bavaro Beach (adults only) bc most of our guests were staying there.... this is important... BBPD guests in club premium can go to the buffet, and bars at Bavaro Beach, BBPD guests not in club premium can go to the pool and beach but they wont allow them at the buffet or bars at Bavaro beach (adults only). Bavaro beach guests have access to everything at BBPD but they have to pay $15 for the japanese and french restaurants. If they are club premium on Bvaaro beach they have access to everything. We had a 1 hour (it turned into 2) casual photoshoot on the beach with tropical pictures and the pics came out amazing.... it was part of the Gold package (more about this later) Wednesday we went to la fuente, spanish resturant and it was better than the seafood... good paella! at night we met some friends and went to the show at Bavaro beach, it was micheal jackson night, it was fun.... Thursday... we didnt stop all day!!!! welcoming guests, running around, met Lianny at 6 to give her all the decorations, some candles for the tbales, crystals for the centerpieces and lights, some paper pompons for the ceiling, some floating lotus for the pools around Bar Higuey, tbale cards, tbale numbers, guest signing book, fans for the ceremony, and some crazy hour hats and masks.... we proceeded to make final payment nad no surprises on prices or anything... only thing that was wayyyy more expensive was hte confetti machine, I thought it was 250 but it was 850, so we got rid of it! then at night we went to dinner at the mexican restaurant, it was really good! then went to the club and it was empty at 11 but then all the guests were there so it was fun! Friday we welcomed some more guests, hanged out at the beach, played volleyball and then had a welcoming cokcatil at the rooftop of the spa, the infitiny pools terrace, everyone lovedddddd the venue, we rent it for an hour and had cocktails and appetizers, by cocktails I mean one type of fruity drink but unlimited LOL if anyone wanted somethign else they had to walk to the bar... we gave out guests the welcome bags which they loved.. the welcome bags had a pen, lipbalm, koozie, advil, alkaseltzer, pepto, sunscreen wipes, hand sanitizer, mints, bug repellent wipes, thank you note, wedding day pick up time and place, guest list with room numbers. After the cocktail, bridal party, parents and us went to the chapel for the rehearsal, Lianny was there and it was relaly quick, 15 minute max.... after we headed to the japanese restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, we were 24, so it worked out perfectly, we got 2 hibachi tables.... we only paid for the guests staying at bavaro beach and not in club premium, it was only like 8 of them.... food was really good and we started a war of which tbale was the loudest LOL it was a fun time! after that it was sleepy time for me... but the guests went to the club again and they had a blast..... Saturday! wedding day! woke up early, and got breakfast in bed with my mom.... club premium gets free room service, the food was good! then started to get ready to head to the spa, where my bridesmaids (6 of them) already were doing their hairs and makeups.... 5 of them did their hair their as well as my mom, 2 guests, 2 grandmas, and myself and everyone was really happy with the result, they have the latests hairstyles and are very accomodating and sweet.... Yaniri castillo ( i think that hers name) was the lady that did my hair trial and makeup before in september and she remembered me... she did my hair and makeup I loved it! only thing is that I brought my makeup since they dont have a lot of colors there.... so according to Lianny, we could had lunch at the spa, since I had club premium I had to just et room service delivered to the spa, well no, they dont allow food at the spa or bridal suite!!! I was starving! and they wouldnt let us bring food, so they offered us cookies and fruit but that wasnt enough LOL so my stylist suggested my mom and the MOH to sneak food in their bags LOL they went to the sports bar, got mini sandwuiches and cookies and chicken fingers and we all ate there LOL so keep that in mind... I had no other time to eat before!! tropical pictures went to the groom's room (our room) to take getting ready pics at 3 and she took my getting ready at 4, I lovedddddddddd the pics, you will see them later as well as the video, both the photographer and videogrpaher were really nice and professional.... we got the birdesmaids bouqets and mine and Lianny met the guests and took them to the chapel on the train.... then she came to pick us up in golf carts..... the chapel had the submerged orchids on the floor and some flowers on the altar.... cermeony was short, the priest was sweet and nice, after we had group pics, then bridal party pics and our pics taken on the beach, la fuente and japanese restaurnat trees..... everyone was enjoying the cocktail hour at hoyo 19, next to the chapel, guests said the appetizers were good and same unlimited fruity cockatil as on welcoming party.... we got to the reception at bar Higuey at 730... it was decorated beautifully.... however, I could notice right away.... not all of the floating lotus were there (Lianny later explained that the weight string was too short mmmmm idk about that) and all the pompoms werent there either....w.e it was beautiful anyways but I did get bothered about that...so be careful about what you bring and how many.... Maybe I bourght way too many and it was a lot of work for her.... also, the orchids on the centerpieces ($50 each) were fake!! yeah probably only my mom, mother in law and I noticed but still, Lianny never mentioned they were fake or anything! I could have brought them from Michaels!!!!oh well..... cake was amazing! the flavor and decoration! I went wiht vanilla with dulce de leche filling, the food was amazing too nobody complained, actually guests said it was the best food of their whole stay... we picked the caprese salad, fish and creme brulee.... the music was great and the MC was great on keeping track of time and when to do things like the toast, the bouquet toss, etc etc.... everyone had a balst.... Lianny srated giving out the hats, masks, and neon sticks for the hora loca and everyone went crazy!!! it was really fun.... when the 4th hour was almost over, Lianny asked me if I wanted another hour, but I said no, we just met at the club after going to the rooms and changing!!! we danced unitl 4 am and it was sooooo much fun!!! then we went for midnight snacks at strikers and thats how our night ended.... once we got ot our room, it was full of petals and realy pretty.... ohh we also had the photobooth at the reception, it was ok.... 350 for an hour and they gave us a CD with the pics.... i dont think it was worth it! Sunday we got breakfast in bed, packed, went to say bye to our guests and headed to the majestic for our honeymoon. So I hate to compare but I am glad I picked the BBPD for my wedding, the majestic was nice (it was my second option for the wedding) but it wasnt as big, not as many restaurants and people werent as friendly... I dont know what all those tripadvisor reviews aboiut service at BBPD are about!!! they were so nice and sweet all the time! at Majestic everyhting was a hassle! and they wouldnt say hi to you.... it was nice bc it was my honeymoon and we got to relax and spend quality time but it has nothing to compare to BBPD! also, things are as well kept, like you see little things here and there that are annoying.... that never happened at BBPD, all the gardens, beach, pools, restaurants were decorated so nicely and clean and pretty, at Majestic I missed those things!! anyways so I went to pick up the pics and video at barcelo punta cana, next to majestic and to my suprise, Sofia edited 400 pics!!! the gold package only includes 150 :S ugh I couldnt pick so she gave us 3 opitons, like more pirted pics, all in cd, etc... we ended up picking all the pics on CD and a DVD slideshow, 2 posters, 15 8x10 pics and the video, but we had to pay more :S the husband was not a happy cmaper bc he feels they did it on purpose LOL they knew we werent going to be able to pick only 150 out of 400 pics LOL oh well you only get married once ahhaahahhaahha in conclusion!!!! i am soooo HAPPY I picked BBPD! the other resorts dont compare!!! we also took a tour so the bus stopped in other resorts and noup... nothing like it!!everyone had a blast!!! nobody got sick! and dont believe on the tripadvisor reviews.... ohh try to speak spanish as much as you can, they do like that!!! but if you are nice to them, they are really nice too!!! I will post the pics later! some friends have posted pics on facebook (Diana Isaza, [email protected]) already and have tagged me! you can add me on facbeook if you want to see them.... and ask me any questions

[Reign14]

Originally Posted by disazaja 

 

Hi girls!

 

I forgot to mention! You get a wifi code as a club premium guest and you can share this code! Also, you can get as many codes as you want! So my husband and I asked for 4 and have it to some of our friends and family... The other club premium guests do the same so almost everyone had wifi! The wifi gets disconnected when you aren't using it so you have to keep logging in but at least you can communicate somehow!

 

Also, here is the video! It is long because it has part o the ceremony! We didn't get te gold video package bc the husband felt weird being recorded while he got ready lol

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgzvms3c6hzv1x9/Boda%20Barcelo%20Deluxe%20-%20Marzo%2023%20-%20Diana%20and%20Andres%20HD.mp4

 

Awwwww lovely ceremony. You had the perfect number of people and the chapel is perfect. You guys look really happy. Congrats again!!!

 

I don't like to see video of myself but since I'm planning to go with TP I may have to consider the videography. I may regret not recording everything.

 

And thanks for the heads up on the wifi. Good to know!

[Parrish]

disazaja, Your wedding looked beautiful! Congrats? I have been trying to find a flower to put in my hair. Yours was so pretty. Is it a real flower or something you brought with you? Thanks!

[MissJali]

OMG Diana you looked beautiful!!!! I loved the video, thanks for sharing and i'm glad you shared the etsy link where you got the girls dresses. My sister was bugging me to ask you but someone got to before I did. Thanks again for sharing and Congrats again!!!

[disazaja]

Originally Posted by Parrish 

 

disazaja,

Your wedding looked beautiful! Congrats?

 

I have been trying to find a flower to put in my hair. Yours was so pretty. Is it a real flower or something you brought with you?

 

Thanks!

hi Parrish!

 

I borught it with me! I got it on etsy from butterfly enchantress.... they have beutiful flowers!!! they are handmade and look real

[Trish Upshall]

Hi ladies!! first of all I want to thank everyone who did comment and answer my questions a few weeks ago...I just haven't had the chance to get on and reply!

 

We have officially booked our wedding at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe for April 2014.  We will be getting married on the 25th I am soo excited and relieved that it is booked and now we can start planning!!

 

I would like to say I could not have made my decision ont his resort without this board!! seeing all the beautiful weddings that have taken place their and the great reviews make me soo excited to start planning (despite the fee issues and extra costs which seem soooo freaking aggrivating!) this resort looks amazing and i can't wait to go!!

 

Happy planning everyone!!

[NettyD]

Hello!

 

Have any of your girls had any luck using travel agencies? I am signed up with destination weddings.com but they are quoting me higher for my guest's packages than we had originally agreed. Just wondering if anyone else had dealt with a similar situation

[Reign14]

Originally Posted by NettyD 

 

Hello!

 

Have any of your girls had any luck using travel agencies? I am signed up with destination weddings.com but they are quoting me higher for my guest's packages than we had originally agreed. Just wondering if anyone else had dealt with a similar situation

Hi Netty,

 

I haven't decided whether I'm using a TA but I have seen quite a few brides on here warn against using destinationweddings.com for this. A few popular agencies are Apple and Delta Vacations, both of which I've heard good things about. Some ladies on here have said it's better to just let your guests book on their own through orbitz, expedia, etc. for the best prices. I'm thinking of going that route. With a TA you have to be organized and your guests must be prepared to book extremely far in advance. 

 

The only benefits I can see with using a TA is that guests can set up a payment plan, and usually the couple get a pretty good discounts on their rate. But the discounts that TA's claim to offer your group seem to be a joke, since by nature of the business they have to mark prices up to make a profit. But they're good to use for negotiating with hotels (which you don't really need to do with BBPD) and organizing your guests' reservations. 

 

I don't know if I'll use one....I'm torn.

[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!