Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

Reign14 · April 19, 2013

Originally Posted by BeccaJayne

Hi girls,

So glad I could be of help. I just remember our planning process and the lack of information was the hardest part of it. Here are some answers to your questions:

Netty D- no regrets about the Strawberry Package. We had ourselves plus 30 guests, so we were right in between the two packages and when we really thought about what we wanted (and my husband's disinterest in spa treatments) we opted to save a little money by going with the Strawberry Package. And yes, you can pick all of your colors. They have about 20 to choose from. One colour is free, any additional colours have a charge (not sure how much it is though). Although our wedding colours were pink and orange, we opted to go with just orange since I was concerned about their pink fabric clashing with my bridesmaids' dresses. The bouquets had both pink and orange though.

Reign14 - I found this site quite late into my planning and didn't spend much time on it beforehand simply because I was really busy at work and didn't have the time. Also, as someone in the web design industry, I find the user interface to be somewhat cumbersome, which was definitely a hindrance to me using the site. Unfortunately we did not receive a refund for the cancellation of the beach reception - the wedding is entirely paid for on the day you meet with the wedding coordinator and the contract explicitly states that no refunds will be issued for cases like that. Like I said to Netty D - we had 30 guests and we do not regret not getting the Tangerine Sunset package. I'm not sure what other wedding planners charge and there are a lot of variables that go into the rates. PM me if you want to talk more about that. Finally, a tour operator is companies like Transat Holidays or Air Canada Vacations - I'm not sure where you live, but in Canada, these tour operators put together the entire travel package - chartered flights and all-inclusive accommodations - since direct flights to the Caribbean from Canada are hard to find.

Thanks Becca, so helpful. I just may PM you!

natalieblev · April 19, 2013

Originally Posted by misskay

Hi Ladies!

So excited finally booked our trip now getting invitations togther, only thing stressing me out right now is still have not heard back from Susana and it hs been 3 weeks since my last email with her.... not sure whats going on now.... anyone had this long of a time before a response?

Miss kay the sooner your date is the more contact you will have (and faster). Expect about three months out before you get quick replies since they do so many weddings every single day. Kinda sucks, but just know they do start really kickin in gear when your wedding is closer.

misskay · April 20, 2013

Miss kay the sooner your date is the more contact you will have (and faster). Expect about three months out before you get quick replies since they do so many weddings every single day. Kinda sucks, but just know they do start really kickin in gear when your wedding is closer.Â

thanks so much for responding to me, that calms my nerves about when the date get closer only thing is waiting to find out from he judge does it usually take this long to confirm a date ? I really want to send out my invites but want to put date and time of ceremony on... Hope I hear soon want to give guest enough time

natalieblev · April 20, 2013

Originally Posted by misskay

thanks so much for responding to me, that calms my nerves about when the date get closer only thing is waiting to find out from he judge does it usually take this long to confirm a date ? I really want to send out my invites but want to put date and time of ceremony on... Hope I hear soon want to give guest enough time

Yeah I didnt have to deal with the judge thing, but from this forum I can tell you it seems like a little wait. Also, they may give you a time you do not want. (A recent bride got the time of 11am for her wedding!!) so you may have to go back again to try to get a better time. Hopefully though it will work out the first time around!

lyolchik · April 20, 2013

Hi, i was wondering if i can email you and ask couple of questions? or you can email me and i will reply with questions, at [email protected] we are getting married in november and we are very nervous about what and how to go about add ons. thank you

MrsShoreytobe · April 22, 2013

This is wicked, lots of canadian ladies up in here I'm from new brunswick but good ol' Alberta is now home

rebecca, awesome review, thank you for that! In case you don't see this, I'll PM you about some q's I have if that;s ok!

Katie

tricia-m · April 22, 2013

Originally Posted by candacey

Tricia-m.... A fellow Winnipeger! So cool!! Feel free to ask me any questions... I'll do my best to help.

Hi Candacey! Thank you for responding! First off congratulations and second, when is your wedding? We're planning for November 2014.

Bjeantil · April 23, 2013

Does anyone have a picture of where their DJ booth/table was at their reception at bar higuey?

Jdunn · April 23, 2013

Hello! So, I just got married at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe! I have been reading this blog for many months and never posted anything until now. I feel like I need to give back since the blog helped me so much with the planning!

We got married in the garden gazebo, had a cocktail hour and then a reception in the Ibiza ballroom.

In a nutshell, I would highly recommend this resort for a wedding and for a vacation! It exceeded my expectations in every category! My wedding coordinator was Susana. She definitely did a solid job.

Here is my advice...

Don't underestimate the humidity (especially when it comes to your hair), the wind, and the crowds.

We watched many weddings during the week we were there. The weddings on the beach and at the beach gazebo were comical. It was so windy (on some of the days) and so loud. I highly doubt any of the guests were comfortable, let alone heard anything! We were standing pretty close to one and couldn't hear the musical trio at all.

Complete strangers will gather around the beach gazebo or your huppa on the beach. For the beach gazebo, brides have to walk down the main path from the hotel, with people literally at your feet (in the pool). In one instance, everyone started clapping as the bride walked passed them. It's not private at all. You're just a few steps from the nearest lawn chair. I don't understand why they would put the gazebo right there!

If you definitely want to get married on the beach, I would get married in front of building 1 or 2 (near the adults only hotel). It's very quiet over there (for whatever reason). Another wedding we watched was in front of building 5 and 6, which are the largest of the buildings with the most rooms. It was a circus and the bride didn't look happy.

I was so bummed we couldn't book at Bar Higuey because it looks so beautiful in all the pics. I'm so happy we didn't. Trust me - climate control and no bugs are way more important to your guests. Our groomsman wore linen suits and they were sweating through them (and we were inside). They were dancing up a storm! Outside would have been terrible!

The garden gazebo is soooo pretty and private. It's also on the adults only side, near the convention center and bar higuey. You could hear everything (the pastor, the trio) and never once did I see someone who wasn't invited to our wedding. It felt very special.

Since it's on the adults only side, they took everyone there via the trolley and took everyone back to the BBPD where the Ibiza ballroom is located. I thought it would be a hassle for guests but it wasn't at all. It's a pretty, short ride and it looked fun! They decorated it with white balloons. It was so nice to go back to the other side because everyone stayed at the Palace. So, if anyone wasn't feeling well or wanted to change clothes (which some did), they could walk to their rooms. It was perfect! The ballroom was beautiful!

I was super stressed about Susana, the food and the DJ. Susana definitely isn't the best wedding planner around but she's solid. She can keep up with fast talking Americans (haha) and she gets what you want. She's organized and there were no unexpected or hidden costs with anything.

The DJ and MC were great too. The MC spoke great English. He was fun, very attentive to what we wanted, he played our requests and nailed the introductions. It would have been boring without the MC (I think).

The food was awesome except the cake (it was dry). We stressed about giving everyone the same dinner. I just didn't want anyone to think we were cheap. Ummm, no. The presentation of the meal was very upscale. Actually, the presentations at most of the a la carte restaurants were impressive and the wedding was no exception. Also, remember you're at an all inclusive! Guests can eat whatever they want, whenever they want. If people were flying in just for 2 days for your wedding in Colorado and this was the only meal they were getting--that changes things. We had some foodies there too and they said this was the best wedding meal they've had! We got the caprese salad, chicken pesto, and creme brulee. My dad loved the creme brulee but I think it was just okay. I'm like a creme brulee connoisseur! It didn't have the crusty top!

The flowers were to die for! I had white roses and white lily's. The lily's wilted a little but they were still sooo pretty. Those flowers are included in your package too! The bridesmaids were $30 each.

I wouldn't have paid to have the bridesmaid hair and makeup done. First of all the prices jumped from $60 and $70 (what Susana quoted me) to $75 and $85 (when we got there). None of the bridesmaids liked their hair, except one. I didn't love my hair either. I should have did a trial or just did it myself.

Here are some more tips...(that could save your hours of time and heartache )

1. Don't buy from Factory 21 for your OOT mugs. The ink on them all speared off. I was pretty embarrassed but the mugs were still a hit! Everyone used them at the pool and the beach

2. Don't buy the hibiscus flower tote bags from Oriental Trading! The ink dyes on your skin and clothes. I was 2 for 2! Ugggh.

3. If you need a veil, I bought mine on etsy and it was soooo beautiful and inexpensive!
megsveils

http://www.etsy.com/shop/megsveils

4. If you need a rhinestone belt, I also bought it on esty! It looked like a $400 belt, seriously. My seamstress couldn't believe how much I paid. Amaleeaccessories

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/123287836?utm_source=transaction&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=shipping_notification

5. I did starfish place cards. I bought the starfish from ebay...white finger starfish 2-3"

http://stores.ebay.com/wagnerssouthernstore

6. Organza bags (to put all the medicine in for OOT bags) from

http://www.yourorganzabag.com/

7. This might be the best resource yet!! One of my bridesmaids told me about this bridal shop in Minnesota that sells wedding dresses/bridesmaid dress/MOB dresses, etc. Their prices are almost always cheaper than anywhere else. We ordered all our bridesmaid dresses from them. They have the best customer service too! They always answer the phone quickly and they're super helpful! I wish I would have found them before I ordered my wedding dress because I could have saved money!

www.weddingshoppeinc.com/

8. Oh and I save $160 by getting all the guys to wear boutonnieres I found at Hobby Lobby. They are just plain white roses. $3! Hah! And they also go on sale for 50% off! They are "real touch" flowers and no one knew! Susana pinned them on everyone and they looked awesome!

9. Looking for linen suits? I feel like I'm in sales Perryellis.com has great sales and free shipping offers. That's where we got the linen suits and they look awesome! Dillards and Macy's had the same suits but not as cheap at the time.

10. Ties were hard to find. We ordered a few from thetiebar.com and www.cheap-neckties.com. They both had fast shipping and good quality ties but we ended up going with ties we found at Brooks Brothers outlet for $20 each!

11. We had a rehearsal dinner on the La Barcaza boat. Some other brides recommended it. If I could do it over, I wouldn't have spent the money. First of all, the boat only goes about 3 football fields away from the resort. You can see the resort the whole time. I thought we'd get to the see the island a little. Several other excursion boats parked right next to us, so not sure if they're even allowed to go anywhere else. It felt like it was a hassle for the guests. It was a hike down the beach, then into 3 different dingy boats (to get us over to the big boat). The La Barcaza boat looks kind of cheap. It needs a new paint job. It felt cheapy, even though we paid $65pp. The guys on the boat were fun and the food was decent but I don't think it was worth it.

12. Oh, and one more thing...the Hoyo 19 restaurant (which is at the golf course) is great! On their website it reads that the restaurant just serves snacks during the day and then you need reservations at night for dinner. They lie. It's not snacks. It's a full restaurant and you never need reservations. So if you don't feel like eating breakfast and lunch at the buffets every day...head over there!! The turkey wrap and bacon cheeseburger are great!

Okay, I'm tired! Woooo! Good luck to you all! Our wedding was awesome and yours will be too! You picked an awesome resort for your wedding. You'll see!!!