Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[trivera5521]

Coco: As long as your wedding package includes a private reception your good. It gives you the option of the Banquet room or Bar Higuey. As you know the beach reception is an additional cost. Not sure if you've read through the posts however Bar Higuey is located near the convention so when booking this space they tell you that if there is a big convention going on the day of your wedding they may have to relocate your reception to the Banquet Hall. She does say they will compensate accordingly but who the heck knows what that means LOL. I cant speak on the civil ceremony as we are not getting married by the judge and so they confirmed me for 4:00 already. I am also not at all impressed with Tropical Pictures, primarly because I have been emailing them for weeks, seriously like months now and not one email response from them! Yea I am not putting my special day in your hands if you cant even return a $&*^$ email! Not to mention I cant seem to find a whole lot of brides that have direct experience with them. They website is gorgeous but really of course it is...they are in a very competitive industry and post only the most gorgeous pics. We are from CT and so its about $500 to fly to DR from NY so I am hiring a photographer from FL and flying her in. (About 1/2 to fly from FL to DR that is why I chose  FL) Her prices even with travel comes out to less than Tropical Pictures. Let me know if your are interested in her website info. Maybe if we both book her she will reduce her fees that much more.

 

Disazaja: I made my deposit via the wire and after days of emailing Marlene to confirm and no response. I decided to call the bank directly in MIA to confirm receipt of the wire. I jsut wanted to be sure my money wasnt floating around in some off shore acct. Very type A and needed that reassurance. Marlene actually got back to me nearly 3 weeks after the wire to confirm. I would say keep ALL documentation and emails just in case. Have you hard from Tropical Pictures???

 

Gosh...sorry I wrote so much, you dont tend to realize you've nearly written a book until your done LOL!

[cocoHolly]

Thanks disazaja and trivera! Does anyone know if there is an addiontal charge to have the table and chair linens with the Strawberry Passion Package? I absolutely love the 3rd table from the picture above (the one with the solide blue table cloth) and I know the center piece would be an additional charge...but I am wondering if the table set up like that would be included or extra! Does anyone have a pdf of extra costs they could send me in regards to the Strawberry package and decorating??! I e-mailed Marlene yesterday asking the same questiosn, will probably get an answer next month haha so thinking someone on here may be able to help me sooner!!!

[disazaja]

 

 

 

 TRivera - so my dad lives in Miami, where the bank is located, and he went and took the check personally .. I just want an email saying that everything is confirmed and reserved ahhaha I'm such a control freak!!!

I sent an email to tropical pictures and nothing so I just called them. The girl said she was going to give my message to the wedding contact and she will get in touch with me by email. Hopefully she will reply sometime next week... If not, I will call back and let you what they say. I am interested on your FL photographer though, in case Tropical Pictures doesnt work out... do you think you can send me the website? maybe they will do a group package LOL

 

Coco- The linens are included and you get to pick colors, but the flowers are definetly extra. Lianny sent me a pdf with prices and some more pics of flowers. please see attached.

 

 

Prices.pdf

[disazaja]

TRivera - My parents live in Miami, so they actually went to the bank and give them the check personally, I just want an email form BBPD saying everything is reserved and confirmed hahaha Im such a control freak!!!!!

I just called Tropicla Pictures and the girl I talked to is going to give my message to the wedding contact, she is supposed to send me an email. If they dont reach out to me in a week, I'll call again and I'll share any info I can get from them.

However, your FL photographer sounds like an amazing option! do you have the website so I can check it out? I wonder if they would really give us a group discount LOL

 

Coco - I have a list of prices I got last week from Lianny, please see the PDF below and some more pictures she sent me. I think the linens and chairs are included and you can pick your colors, however, any type of decorations are extra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS.pdf

[trivera5521]

Ladies: I'm curious for those of you that are having your weddings in Punta Cana give or take a week from 5/18 what are you doing for photography? Really struggling with this and the obligation to use resort photographer: Tropical Pictures grrrr. Seriously considering flying someone in. Hoping to find a good photographer from the FL area because is sooo much cheaper to fly to DR from FL then from NY. Just not sure where to start...Thoughts?

[disazaja]

So I just had an idea, but I need to see how doable it is. Instead of flying someone, maybe find a DR photographer and pay for one night stay for them, that way they are considered guests.

 

Since I am going in August-September I could actually meet them and see their portfolios. Here are 2 of the websites I came accross while doing the research:

 

http://bluelagoonstudio.com/punta-cana-wedding-photography/

 

http://www.hdcphoto.com/

[trivera5521]

disazaja: Go ahead girl you are seriously getting shit done!! LOL love it!! Any idea what these costs? Are these the cakes included in the packages or are they extra? Fabulous idea about the DR photographer!! I would email both of them and see what they say and if they would be open to the idea. I wonder since they are DR photographers if Marlene would still allow them without the extra fee even though they are staying at the resort?  The Florida photographer I found is just her, she doenst travel with an entourage this is her website. http://maridarrwelch.com/ I am supposed to skype with her on Sunday will keep you posted!

[sunny55143]

Ladies, I'm pretty sure that as long as your photog is a guest at the resort, ie paying for a room there, they shouldn't charge a fee. They say no outside, professional photographers, but ours was clearly a professional with her 4 huge cameras and lenses and they didn't say anything or charge us. We had her stay for 6 days though. Also, for what it's worth, I get the feeling that real flowers are kinda expensive to get down there. We found this to be the case with Barcelo and with Jellyfish, where we had our rehearsal dinner. Just something to keep in mind as you are doing your budgets and picking decor. Just my two cents!

[JRM426]

Oct. Bride- so glad everything worked out for the best. I'm sure your day will be a special day no matter where it's located. I'm glad you're honeymooning in DR...spectacular!

Tamara- beautiful dress and so awesome you're going to be on TV. Make sure you post the air date once you know so we can watch live!

 

As for table decorations....here are where some hidden costs come up.

 

From Marlene when I asked about certain set-ups: Note I have the Tangerine Package

Included you have white napkins, color napkins are $3usd

Those are based plated that are not included in your package, each is $3usd- we have in gold, silver and raffi

Tifany chairs: range from $4-7usd

Tablecloths (she didn't say so I assume they're free)

 

Hope this helps

[JRM426]

I have an  local DJ who I hired and said was a "guest" but am only going to get a day pass for them in case anyone wants to hire a local photographer and not pay for a nights stay. I believe guest passes are $50 each. They won't know the difference since technically they're supposed to allow guests from outside to attend your wedding without staying at the resort.

Originally Posted by sunny55143 

Ladies,
I'm pretty sure that as long as your photog is a guest at the resort, ie paying for a room there, they shouldn't charge a fee. They say no outside, professional photographers, but ours was clearly a professional with her 4 huge cameras and lenses and they didn't say anything or charge us. We had her stay for 6 days though.
Also, for what it's worth, I get the feeling that real flowers are kinda expensive to get down there. We found this to be the case with Barcelo and with Jellyfish, where we had our rehearsal dinner. Just something to keep in mind as you are doing your budgets and picking decor.
Just my two cents!