Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

[sunny55143]

Thanks for the review, trivera, and welcome back!  Sounds like we had VERY similar experiences down there, especially the rental car experience and crazy driving.  We were using a cartoon-y map to get around too and missing turns all over the place, but definitely got to see how charming PC is outside of the resorts.  I don't remember having to pay the $20 on the way out, but we definitely included the $10 entry fee on our website and our welcome packet.

 

You mentioned that you have the pay extra to have the draping decor at Bar Higuey - is that because it's not included in your wedding package, or is that extra no matter what?  Did they have a catalog of pictures for you to look at?  Marlene keeps promising one and I have yet to see it.  Are we allowed to "decorate" that pool in Bar Higuey? (flower petals, floating candles, etc.)

 

That SUCKS that you weren't able to get anywhere with them on the reception menu options.  We actually just set up a phone call with Marlene this Friday with that specific purpose in mind.  Maybe we can work on her a little more.

 

What are wish lanterns?  Are they those white tubes you light inside and release into the sky?  Sorry they won't let you do those.  I would suggest sparklers but I've read elsewhere on this forum that some DR resorts don't allow those either, plus you aren't supposed to travel with them.  What about bubbles, streamers...?  Not very original.

 

I would love to see your pictures, as it was dark for most of our tour through the property.  Have you uploaded them to a photo sharing site?  Can you PM me with that info?

 

Thanks!  Glad you are still all in for Barcelo after the visit!

 

 

 

 

[trivera5521]

Sunny: Apparently the draping decor is not included in any of the packages. The most expensive package includes basic decorations for reception area but that's primarily table decor (ie: centerpieces, etc) I havent received a catalong but Jeanne mentioned its an entirely different company that provides this service. I do have 2 pictures of the space decorated with the draping. What is your email address? When you speak to her on Friday can you ask her again about the pricing for that? Although I am 15 months early its still a good idea to get an idea of the cost even if its a ball park figure. I didnt even ask about decorating the pool which is a fab idea, can you ask her that too and let me know?

 

Ugh I cant tell you how much the menu issue sucks! Have you seen the options? I was like really? And yes the wish lanterns are lit and eveyrone lets them go into the nights sky at once. Its amazing. We were in PR last week and saw it first hand it was soo pretty!

 

Please keep me posted on your call with her and what the outcome is on the menu options. Thanks!

[polishprincess7]

 

Trivera,

 

I can't thank you for the detailed review with all the information regarding your visit to Barcelo.  We have been communicating with Jeanne via email and are going with the Strawberry Package as well.  With our wedding coming up so quickly (May 26, 2012) I'm trying to get everything organized and planned before the big day.  I would love to see your photos as I think this would help me out.  We are having our ceremony at the Gazebo on the beach.  I would love to hear more about the reception ballrooms and see any photos you may have.  Did you get to see the bridal room in the Spa area?  If so, details of what it looks like please.  Trying to figure out if there is room for all my bridesmaids to get ready here as well.  If anything changes for the menu options, please let me know.  

 

 

[polishprincess7]

Hi Kayla,

 

Yes We are getting married May 26, 2012 at BBPD and I do know they have weddings on Saturday since we are getting married on Saturday.  I also believe they do not do Sunday weddings.  The first thing you want to do is confirm your wedding date with BBPD.  If you have not been able to connect with Marlene, then talk with Jeanne Feliz ([email protected]), who works with Marlene and coordinates weddings as well at BBPD.  They have several packages to chose from and after you pick your package they have many extras for an additional charge.  One thing to remember is both Marlene and Jeanne are on island time, they will tell you they get back to you within 48 hours (or longer), but continue to stay on top of them and they will respond.  Jeanne has been very helpful and has send some photos as well.  Good Luck with your wedding planning!

[trivera5521]

My pleasure! PM your email so that I can send along my pics. I dont believe I took pics of the bridal suite but I did see it and I didnt take pics of the ballroom because I wasnt in the least bit interested in it. Honestly I just felt we are going all the way to paradise to have our reception indoors in a ballroom? It wasnt for us. It was just like any other ballroom/banquet room nothing chic about it nothing amazing or fabulous. I am sure it looks quite different and an entirely different feel when its all decorated. The bridal suite was very nice and spacious its located in the spa which is fabulous. The bridal suite is very nice and if you can afford it then its a nice perk. I dont have a bridal party persay so I dont know that we will encure the expense. Go to utube and search http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiGpQ2tPU5E (Dave and Selina's wedding, November 14, 2011) this brides video has a section while she is getting ready in the bridal suite and you can see it first hand. How many girls will you have in your bridal party? I guess thats a bigger question.

 

Have you tried to change the menu options with Marlene/Jeanne? I hate them! Grrrr. Are you using their DJ services?
 

Originally Posted by polishprincess7 

 

Trivera,

 

I can't thank you for the detailed review with all the information regarding your visit to Barcelo.  We have been communicating with Jeanne via email and are going with the Strawberry Package as well.  With our wedding coming up so quickly (May 26, 2012) I'm trying to get everything organized and planned before the big day.  I would love to see your photos as I think this would help me out.  We are having our ceremony at the Gazebo on the beach.  I would love to hear more about the reception ballrooms and see any photos you may have.  Did you get to see the bridal room in the Spa area?  If so, details of what it looks like please.  Trying to figure out if there is room for all my bridesmaids to get ready here as well.  If anything changes for the menu options, please let me know.  

 

 

 

[sunny55143]

Happy Friday, Ladies!

Just wanted to let you know that we spoke with Marlene on the phone this morning.  Regarding the reception menu, she pushed back a lot on giving us an option for the main courses (it will be a problem if people want to start changing their choices, etc.)  My fiance explained that he used to work in banquets and understood that it could be an issue but that people from the states are used to having an option for dinner and are aware that they will have to stick with their choice and won't be switching it around and making it difficult for the waitstaff.  SO, finally she agreed that we could do two options...but there would be a fee associated with it.  Of course!  We have to send her our two choices for the main course and she will be able to tell us how much extra it would be.  If you've been in contact with Jeanne, feel free to use us as precedence on that but be aware that Marlene very begrudgingly agreed.  But, sort of a win, right?  Yay??

 

Trivera, the draping in Bar Higuey was included in my decorations package (we are doing Tangerine Sunset), so I wasn't able to get a price.  But she said they could also do floating candles in the pool around the reception area for $7 each - I am going to ask her to send pictures of those.

 

Hope that was helpful!

[trivera5521]

Woohooo Sunny!!! This is great news! What 2 options are you looking to use for your main course? Also, please let me know when she gives you the pricing. I am so curiuos what they will be charging for the convenience of having 2 options....still seems insane to me that we have to pay for that but such is life I suppose LOL. It's all about money right LOL. I am waiting for the pricing for the decor packages including the draping we dont have enough people to upgrade to the Tangerine package but depending on what the seperate price is for the draping it might be more cost effective to just upgrade. Really $7 for each floating candle. I wonder if she will allow us to bring our own???

 

Thanks a bunch and this is super exciting that she has agreed to do the 2 options for the main course. I will def be name dropping when I speak to her LOL.

[sunny55143]

 

Hey everyone,

 

So we FINALLY got a cost breakdown from Marlene for having 2 dinner options.  She said it's $16 per plate for fish or beef, and $10 per plate for chicken.  So, because we have our reception included in the Tangerine Sunset package, we would hypothetically decide that chicken is our main option and if 15 people wanted beef, we would pay an extra ($16 x 15) for them.  It was confusing at first because I thought she wanted to charge us both $16 and $10 for everyone's meal which would have been ludicrous.  We are most likely going to be doing the pesto chicken and beef tenderloin as our options.  

 

By the way, I think that there is a different menu to select from if you have a private reception included in your package vs. adding one.  I have a doc from Marlene that is just for the "ballroom receptions" with no listed costs, and another one that has menu breakdowns for $40/$50/$60 a plate.

[Oct 2012 Bride]

Thanks for the pictures. They are nice. I roof looks really niiiice. But we may just do the bar-higuey to stay with in budget. I do like that pool. I think it should give us enough of a "look". I sent them an email requesting information and to potentially start the process. Wish us luck!!

[Oct 2012 Bride]

Trivera5521

 

Which for resorts did you visit when you did your site visit? My FI wants to know if you visited Ocean Blue by any chance. We have been looking at both this week.