Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[mbrady117]

Triviera I am more than happy to help. I am totally not trying to have people in the background of my pictures. It was perfect and when you go and it you'll understand. I just saw myself walking down to my fiancée and started to cry. That's how it was when I found u dress and I knew. Hey I appreciate the compliments lol. 

 

Nrbc, I don't know about your cocktail hour. I don't believe it's an extra charge with our package. If you have a different package or on another day than your wedding than probably a charge.

 

The patio is great for a cocktail hour. 

 

[stefkva]

Congrats on your engagement!

[sunny55143]

Sorry for the confusion, we are doing welcome cocktails on the roof terrace (I think Marlene calls it the Chill Out Roof Top the Wednesday before the wedding - it's the first official wedding event we have planned for guests.  We're trying to sort that out right now because Marlene says that there is a children's show in the theater at 8pm so we should start the welcome cocktails at 7.  With a lot of people getting in that day and 7pm being prime dinner time, we are looking at other location options...which sucks bc I really want to do something on that deck.  I guess we could still hang out there "unofficially".

 

Since our ceremony is in the garden area next to the convention center/Bar Higuey, I think our actual wedding cocktail hour will just be in the same area.

 

The pier looks really awesome for a ceremony!  If no one else is unexpectedly going to come we might be able to do that too!

[sunny55143]

Hello again ladies,

 

Just wanted to let you guys know about a couple of hidden costs that I have uncovered in my most recent emails with Marlene.  

 

Our package (Tangerine Sunset) includes a music trio for an hour for the ceremony.  I asked Marlene if we could have the trio play after the ceremony during the cocktail hour and play our own music during the ceremony.  She said we could but we'd have to pay $250 for a music system which includes a microphone.  This is not explicitly listed in their price list and I sorta assumed something like that would be included for the ceremony (silly me).  I'm trying to find out from her if a microphone will be necessary (I imagine it would be) for people to hear us, so that will probably be some extra $$ we weren't planning to spend.

 

The other thing is that if you want chairs other than the covered ones with colored sashes that they show in their pictures, they have Tiffany chairs and white folding chairs.  However, they cost $5.50 and $4.00 a piece, respectively.  I know this is a fairly common practice among the resorts but in initial emails with Marlene, she only stated that they can do different chairs but didn't say there was an extra cost associated with that.  I was hoping to do Tiffany chairs but I'm not paying an $300+ for them!

 

Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know (and sorta vent!).

 

Triviera, are you getting ready for your site visit or have you already gone?  Can't wait to hear what you think!

 

 

[mbrady117]

So for the Tiffany chairs they are $16 a chair. I know it's steep but we are only using them for the pier ceremony. Its good to point out that there are lots of unexpected costs when you add things. 

 

I hope your getting ready for your visit and we wanna hear all about it. Glad that you will be going with a lot more knowledge then we had to ask the appropriate questions. 

 

 

 

 

 

[polishprincess7]

Hi everyone!  Can't thank you all enough for all your input and advise, we too are getting married at Barcelo on May 26, 2012.  So many details to planning this.  It feels good to know we have each other to talk to.  Thanks!  Since we will not be visiting Barceloo before the wedding those of you visiting, please share and take photos.

[KaylaMoCanada]

Hi, I'm new at this but saw your post about getting married at the BBPD in Punta Cana - May right?  Have you been in touch with the wedding coordinator (I think it's Marlene) and how is planning going?  I'm hoping to learn all the tricks and get informed before I get right into the planning.  I have emailed the resort and am waiting to hear if they can book me in Dec 29, 30 or 31/2012 - not sure if they do Saturday's, Sundays or stat holidays???  Do you know?

[trivera5521]

Ladies I am back from the site visit on Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and just about done with my review!!!!  I cant wait to share and hope to post by EOD =)

[trivera5521]

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe Site Visit Recap:

 

Hi Ladies!! I just got back from our site visit at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and rest assured guys we chose an amazing resort to have our weddings!! I visits with 4 resorts and this one took the cake.  I have so much to say that I don’t know where to begin LOL! I apologize in advance because this will be a very lengthy post. In all my research I never came across this and so I thought it was important to share with you. DR charges people to enter and leave their country. This fee is paid at the airport, $10 to enter and $20 to leave. Yup I too was a bit shocked. We somehow managed to not pay on the way out but we were forewarned that this is their fee. It is def a good idea to include this in any welcome packets or info pack you send to your guests for budgeting purposes. We chose to rent a car to conduct our site visits and OMG what a mess! DR doesn’t seem to believe in traffic lights, street signs, stop signs or anything that would create organization to their driving system. It was almost as if everyone plays chicken when driving, total madness! That made it obvious that we needed to find a resort that had enough things that our guests wouldn’t need or want to venture out of the resort.

We arrived at the Barcelo’s main entrance and there stood security.  Before they allowed us in they called in with Marlene to confirm we had an appt since we didn’t have any sort of reservation confirmation. It was nice to know that just anyone cant walk onto the property. So we drive in and immediately you notice how well kept the grounds were. It was very “pretty†(unlike the Barcelo Punta Cana that we also visited) a gorgeous golf course, tennis courts, paddle ball, soccer field, etc. The lobby is gorgeous and this resort is HUUUUGE. The decor throughout is very modern/chic. The hibachi restaurant is amazing, as is the steakhouse, and the 24 hour sports bar that has a movie theatre type set up to watch games on….all the restaurants have an amazing décor to them and very upscale feel. There are a ton of stores; I would consider it a mall honestly. They have an amazing section for kids that were def a huge plus for us. We saw the ceremony locations and the gazebo is very nice as is the beach area. They do have security to keep other guests away but it is in a public place so keep that in mind. The pier is amazing as well; I think it’s an additional $500 to have that area for your ceremony. They have a roof top area that can be used as a welcome party or cocktail hour but it has a fee of $500 as well. Very nice space though! There is a $7.00 per person cost to have canapés during the cocktail hour. If you can afford the additional $500 I would consider the pier for your ceremony its very nice a bit windy but more intimate then the other options.

We actually met with Jeanne not Marlene and she was pretty on point, very organized and prepared for our meeting. We went over all the pricing and “extrasâ€. We are going with the Strawberry package and as a previous bride mentioned the Tiffany chairs are extra to upgrade your open bar package to an international from national bar is $7pp per hour. The hoopa and runner is $350 inclusive of floral decor. The package comes with the white chair covers and the colored chair sashes. They have quite a few color options as well. If you choose a color they don’t have in stock of course there is an additional fee. The reception spaces are a typical indoor ballroom or what they call bar-higuey. Amazing space and you can do tons of stuff with it. It has one of those long rectangular pools throughout (more for décor, I think its called a lounging pool) and it has a ceiling but no walls so rain or shine it’s a go! We chose this space and I will purchase a décor package to add the drapes from the ceiling and a bunch of other fun décor things. They package doesn’t include centerpieces so keep that in mind, I decided to do my own and prob just have them shipped. The cake is included and the amount of tiers varies on your party size, typically a 2 tier cake. I have to say that the only thing I DO NOT like about this venue is there menu options or lack there of. (PM me for menu)Everyone has to eat the same thing which sucks! The options aren’t by any stretch anything that would make you think carribean or DR. Just typical…boooo. I just about turned blue in the face trying to get them to budge on this one and it was a no go not for any additional cost. Oh also, another thing that I was broken up about is that they don’t allow you to have wish lanterns on this resort =( I was sooo sad about this, it was the one thing I really really wanted. Apparently it’s a fire hazard. So desperately trying to find something just as fabulous that would be a bit interactive, fun and incorporate our guests. Any ideas ladies? You can rent the DJ system for $400 for the 3 hours or the actually DJ for $480, needless to say that was a no brainer. Umm what else?? Oh so as you ladies know they have a waiting list for 2013 so be sure to get your forms in and when the calendar opens in April they will contact you. At which time 30% is due to book. All the ceremonies have a fee except the civil ceremony. Just an FYI the prices that we have are 2012 packages and they did tell me that prices would be going up for 2013, she could give me a definitive number but she did throw out $500. I have a ton of pics but cant upload b/c I don’t have permissions so PM if your interested in seeing them or have an specific questions. They use Tropical pictures as their resort photographer and so I have their pricing and meet with someone too. Not bad ladies, not bad at all. We did a photo shoot while there with another photographer that I can also share if your interested. Overall good experience and we are very excited about our choice!!

[trivera5521]

Oh sorry one more thing, as far as the Carribean Trio is concerned most packages include it for 1 hour, they prefer to do it during the ceremony b/c technically the clock continues to run during the ceremony and they arent playing. Then it overflows into your cocktail hour for the remainder of the hour (about 1/2 hour) You can however opt to not have them during your ceremony and just have them during the cocktail hour or you can just hire them for an additional hour at $200p/hr.
 

Originally Posted by trivera5521 

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe Site Visit Recap:

 

Hi Ladies!! I just got back from our site visit at Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and rest assured guys we chose an amazing resort to have our weddings!! I visits with 4 resorts and this one took the cake.  I have so much to say that I don’t know where to begin LOL! I apologize in advance because this will be a very lengthy post. In all my research I never came across this and so I thought it was important to share with you. DR charges people to enter and leave their country. This fee is paid at the airport, $10 to enter and $20 to leave. Yup I too was a bit shocked. We somehow managed to not pay on the way out but we were forewarned that this is their fee. It is def a good idea to include this in any welcome packets or info pack you send to your guests for budgeting purposes. We chose to rent a car to conduct our site visits and OMG what a mess! DR doesn’t seem to believe in traffic lights, street signs, stop signs or anything that would create organization to their driving system. It was almost as if everyone plays chicken when driving, total madness! That made it obvious that we needed to find a resort that had enough things that our guests wouldn’t need or want to venture out of the resort.

We arrived at the Barcelo’s main entrance and there stood security.  Before they allowed us in they called in with Marlene to confirm we had an appt since we didn’t have any sort of reservation confirmation. It was nice to know that just anyone cant walk onto the property. So we drive in and immediately you notice how well kept the grounds were. It was very “pretty†(unlike the Barcelo Punta Cana that we also visited) a gorgeous golf course, tennis courts, paddle ball, soccer field, etc. The lobby is gorgeous and this resort is HUUUUGE. The decor throughout is very modern/chic. The hibachi restaurant is amazing, as is the steakhouse, and the 24 hour sports bar that has a movie theatre type set up to watch games on….all the restaurants have an amazing décor to them and very upscale feel. There are a ton of stores; I would consider it a mall honestly. They have an amazing section for kids that were def a huge plus for us. We saw the ceremony locations and the gazebo is very nice as is the beach area. They do have security to keep other guests away but it is in a public place so keep that in mind. The pier is amazing as well; I think it’s an additional $500 to have that area for your ceremony. They have a roof top area that can be used as a welcome party or cocktail hour but it has a fee of $500 as well. Very nice space though! There is a $7.00 per person cost to have canapés during the cocktail hour. If you can afford the additional $500 I would consider the pier for your ceremony its very nice a bit windy but more intimate then the other options.

We actually met with Jeanne not Marlene and she was pretty on point, very organized and prepared for our meeting. We went over all the pricing and “extrasâ€. We are going with the Strawberry package and as a previous bride mentioned the Tiffany chairs are extra to upgrade your open bar package to an international from national bar is $7pp per hour. The hoopa and runner is $350 inclusive of floral decor. The package comes with the white chair covers and the colored chair sashes. They have quite a few color options as well. If you choose a color they don’t have in stock of course there is an additional fee. The reception spaces are a typical indoor ballroom or what they call bar-higuey. Amazing space and you can do tons of stuff with it. It has one of those long rectangular pools throughout (more for décor, I think its called a lounging pool) and it has a ceiling but no walls so rain or shine it’s a go! We chose this space and I will purchase a décor package to add the drapes from the ceiling and a bunch of other fun décor things. They package doesn’t include centerpieces so keep that in mind, I decided to do my own and prob just have them shipped. The cake is included and the amount of tiers varies on your party size, typically a 2 tier cake. I have to say that the only thing I DO NOT like about this venue is there menu options or lack there of. (PM me for menu)Everyone has to eat the same thing which sucks! The options aren’t by any stretch anything that would make you think carribean or DR. Just typical…boooo. I just about turned blue in the face trying to get them to budge on this one and it was a no go not for any additional cost. Oh also, another thing that I was broken up about is that they don’t allow you to have wish lanterns on this resort =( I was sooo sad about this, it was the one thing I really really wanted. Apparently it’s a fire hazard. So desperately trying to find something just as fabulous that would be a bit interactive, fun and incorporate our guests. Any ideas ladies? You can rent the DJ system for $400 for the 3 hours or the actually DJ for $480, needless to say that was a no brainer. Umm what else?? Oh so as you ladies know they have a waiting list for 2013 so be sure to get your forms in and when the calendar opens in April they will contact you. At which time 30% is due to book. All the ceremonies have a fee except the civil ceremony. Just an FYI the prices that we have are 2012 packages and they did tell me that prices would be going up for 2013, she could give me a definitive number but she did throw out $500. I have a ton of pics but cant upload b/c I don’t have permissions so PM if your interested in seeing them or have an specific questions. They use Tropical pictures as their resort photographer and so I have their pricing and meet with someone too. Not bad ladies, not bad at all. We did a photo shoot while there with another photographer that I can also share if your interested. Overall good experience and we are very excited about our choice!!