Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[LovelyGemini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by charo11913 
 

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 charo!! Welcome!!

 

I've thought about that too. I know employees at the resort really don't make much and the WC's really dedicate a lot of time to set up your special day. I plan on tipping in one form or another, either with cash ($200?) or a really nice gift. I think it also depends on how much you spend on your package and everything. 

[LovelyGemini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonMrsD 
 

 

Yeah so by Dec 6th if the rooftop is still available and we have a decent amount of people I will do it but for now its not an expense we can afford. Can anyone go to the rooftop for drinks at any time? I was thinking of maybe doing a welcome drinks there and just asking everyone to meet there and hand out their welcome bags as the resort charges $10 per bag to give out smh

 

I thought Dec 6 was way too early but all they have to do is deposit $150pp then pay it off by June so $150 is not asking alot, it's just basically saying yes or no lol

What sucks, is the late bookers!!!!

 

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.

 

[LovelyGemini]

Sorry for my gigantic post ladies, I like big pictures! 

[LovelyGemini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleymayelyn 
 

thanks lovelygemini i love the view of the resort and how quiet and peaceful it is up there and the location is great. I'm also from DR and spent an excruciating two weeks there in august, least to say i came back completely black! I'm looking more towards the ballroom but don't know if it will be too large of a room for my party (anywhere from 60-80 guests) and thats a really good point I'm going to bring that point up. 

 

I found one of the ballroom pics as they're setting up for a party. My WC sent this to me. Looks like a ballroom that's on the smaller side.

 

[ashleymayelyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovelyGemini 
 

LOL I hated those DR summers! On the resort, at least it's more comfortable since you always have the ocean breeze, fans and AC all over the resort. 

 

They have many different sized ballrooms, some on the smaller size. One of the Mallorca ballrooms should be fine for 60-80 people. If we reach the 120 mark we're anticipating, my WC told me they can open the divider that breaks up the two larger ballrooms. The ballrooms really are very elegant looking and when we visited, we didn't even see it set up for a party, just a conference. Plus, they can set up some basic draping like Bar Higuey and it will be included, depending on your package. Another bride also got recently married there and posted a picture of the ballroom with some really cool lighting. I've been meaning to ask my WC what they charge for that. 

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.  

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. 

[charo11913]

Thanks LovelyGemini.  Aris is my wedding coordinator, and up until now she's been great, answering my emails quickly and giving me a lot of information.  Just like a few other brides on this thread, I started out with Lianny, then Elias till finally ending up with Aris, which was the best thing that could've happened.  My fiance and I were thinking about giving her between $200-$300, guess we'll see how everything goes the day of the wedding.

[tricia-m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovelyGemini 
 

Sorry for my gigantic post ladies, I like big pictures! 

Awesome pictures! Thank you so much!  

[tricia-m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by charo11913 
 

Thanks LovelyGemini.  Aris is my wedding coordinator, and up until now she's been great, answering my emails quickly and giving me a lot of information.  Just like a few other brides on this thread, I started out with Lianny, then Elias till finally ending up with Aris, which was the best thing that could've happened.  My fiance and I were thinking about giving her between $200-$300, guess we'll see how everything goes the day of the wedding.

That sounds great!  My TA also advised maybe when meeting with her giving her a gift.  They are the back bone of our special days.  Why not show them we appreciate for all the hard work they have done.

[minigodiva]

Hi Ladies! I just got word that Susana is now on medical leave of absence.... That being said I have now been assigned Laura..... Has anyone had her yet? feed back please?

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!

[minigodiva]

Ive finally been confirmed for 8/23/14 at BBPD. YAY!!:cheer2: @tricia-m  I absolutely fell in love with the pictures of the roof top deck so the ceremony will be on the roof top deck. I'm shooting for bar higuey but with my wedding being in august I'm afraid it'll be too hot and maybe opt for the ballroom with the AC. Are any of you ladies having guest at the wedding that are not staying in the resort? Some of my FI family live in the capital and they are coming too the wedding but we don't wanna have to pay for a day and night fee because the ceremony starts at 5.

Congratulations! The roof top deck will look so nice as a ceremony venue! happy planning