Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[mtrevena]

Hi ladies, I have read through all these posts over the past few months, but have not yet posted myself.  The majority of my questions I believe I have gotten answers to, except a few questions below.  If any of your have answers to them can you please respond?  I would greatly appreciate it!  :]  Also, please feel free to email me for any answers as my wedding is now only 2 months from today.

 

- In the list of what's included with the packages (Strawberry & Tangerine) it says that "payment of tax for judge or minister" is included, but then on the list of extra's it is $550 for the Judge for a Civil Ceremony.  Do any of you know if that $550 is an additional fee, or if that's the tax they're referring to that is included?

 

 - We're having a rehearsal dinner at the steakhouse the night before the wedding, for those that have been here or already got married here, how was the food?

 

 - We were told that the ceremony will be in Spanish, does anyone know if it's a Civil Ceremony if there are options to have it in English to be official?

 

 - We picked the Beach Gazebo for our ceremony location, and now I am a little leery about that after some reviews.  The gazebo is beautiful, and is what drew me to this resort in the first place, but I have read how some people say due to the location they wouldn't pick to get married there.  I just love how it looks with the water in the background, does anyone have any thoughts/opinions on this location?  If there or at the beach itself, I assume there will be people nearby, I am just wondering if by 5pm if it will have calmed down, and not to worry about it.

 

Thanks much!

Mandi

[sunny55143]

Welcome, mtrevena!

 

How exciting that your wedding is only 2 months away!  I bet you are so pumped!

 

- I don't remember having to pay anything extra for the judge.  It's been a while since I looked at the price list but I think that the Additional Services list is just an a la carte list of prices for items if you were to pay for everything separately.  The lower packages must not include the judge.  So if your package lists that the judge is included, I wouldn't worry about that $550.

 

- Steakhouse was yummy!  We ate there twice during our stay and were surprised by the quality of steak there for an all-inclusive. 

 

- The civil ceremony does have to be performed in Spanish.  What happens is that the judge will say everyting in Spanish and then your WC will translate in English for your guests.  I didn't think it was that big of a deal, and it was probably a unique little detail of our wedding for our guests.  Marlene never really told us what he would actually be saying so it was surprise up until the ceremony.  There are some funny little idioms in the script, like, "you have come here to change your legal status from single to married", or "if anyone has any legal reason why these two should not be wed"...which led to smart-ass friends saying to us after, I had a reason, but it wasn't legal so I didn't say anything.  We and our guests thought those little quirks were funny.

 

- I agree with you that the beach gazebo is gorgeous.  I'd say 5pm that it won't be AS crowded as during the day but there will definitely still be a lot of people around, unfortunately.  It's really up to you how important the back drop is for your wedding vs. how private you want it to be.  

 

Hope that helps!

[cotyshea2013]

What about bringing your own music during the ceremony? If i have a song i want to walk down the aisle to or music to be played as guests arrive?

[trivera5521]

Coty if your bring your own music for the ceremony or cocktail hour you have to rent the system to play it on and its a ridiculous fee, well I thought so anyway.

 

Sunny...just want to say thanks for coming back to help us out. Your insight and opinons have been most helpful =)

[Bjeantil]

The steakhouse dinner is this included in the all inclusive or is this a restaurant that is not included? How far in advance to you have to make reservations?

[mtrevena]

Thank you sunny55143, yes, your responses definitely help!  It's tough to know as far as location, thanks for your input.  Now that I'm only 2 months out I am finally starting to make decisions... They finally sent me some options and pictures, yet I am still waiting for info, so I still have many decisions to make.  Any input is greatly appreciated!  :] 

[mtrevena]

Originally Posted by Bjeantil 

 

The steakhouse dinner is this included in the all inclusive or is this a restaurant that is not included? How far in advance to you have to make reservations?

Hi Bjeantil, the Steakhouse restaurant is included, I believe it is just the French restaurant that is only for the Club Premium guests without an additional charge.  But I believe anyone can eat at the French restaurant for $15 per person if you are not a Club Premium guest.

 

The Steakhouse is available to reserve for a private party for up to 40 people.  We are having our rehearsal dinner there the night before the wedding, and it is at no additional charge, which is nice.  Just so you know though - it is a set menu, you have to decide on one of two menu's, with the exception of any vegetarians, they will make a vegetarian dish for those who require it.  I don't think there's a time limit for the reservation, as long as they have it available on the day that you pick.  We reserved it in April for our October wedding.

 

Hope this helps!  Let me know if you have further questions.

[Bjeantil]

Thank you very much MTrevena! I am getting married August 3rd, so I will be reserving around Jan/Feb.

[Bjeantil]

Hey all!

I am aware we can not use outside photographers. But I did read in this forum we could as long they were guest....I am thinking about using HDC photography in Punta Cana and would be paying for a night for them to stay at the hotel or pay for day pass..would this be acceptable?

[trivera5521]

I would def ask, as I dont believe that is acceptable but if it is then you just found a loop hole!

 

On another note, the tables seem awfully plan with just the runner, bows and centerpieces. Did or is anyone planning on bringing things to jazz up the tables, chargers, napkin rings, IDK something?