HELP!! JUST REALIZED MY WEDDING IS ON HOLY WEEK!!!

[jade1977]

Anyone have any experience with Holy week in the DR? I have been down there on another occasion when it was just ending and it was pretty busy. Unfortunately, I assumed that Easter was in the beginning 2 weeks of April, but it is on April 24th, 2011. Holy week falls on the week before Easter Sunday. I am really worried, because we had excursions and activities planned for our guests and from what I have been reading on the Signature Vacation website, that all motorized watersports, the disco, the casino and excursions will be closed from Wednesday April 20th 2011. Effectively that shuts down any trips we had planned and our guests will be staying at resort and not enjoying the full Dominican experience. Some of the people that our coming have never traveled before and we have been hyping up the excursions and nightlife. Does anyone have any suggestions or can give me any reassuring news about that week...

[jerzshortstuff]

I read on another forum that MOST closings for Holy Week typically effect Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I am not sure how many places close for the whole week or not. I know I was worried when I was planning, but found out it is before Easter, not after (which is the week I am getting married). Maybe speak to your resort wedding coordinator and see if they can be of assistance! Good Luck!

[fmichelle]

My wedding is April 25th, the day after Easter.  I too totally stressed when I found this out too, (after my parents and some others had already booked) but after much research, it really looks like only motorized water sports are effected.  Most excursions should still be running up through Saturday, but probably not Sunday.  A lot of the resorts get really crowded over the Holy Week, so that may be the only inconvenience.  I would contact the excursion operators directly to make sure. There is supposedly so much to do anyway, that your guests shouldn't notice much difference.  What resort are you staying at? I would possibly do a search on Trip Adviser with the name of your hotel and "Holy Week" to see if anyone mentions it.  Hope that's helpful. 

[fmichelle]

By the way, if either of you are still looking for a photographer, one my longtime friends attending the wedding is actually a destination wedding photographer and as sweet as can be.  She said she'd be interested in shooting for another bride (or two) while she is there.  Her website is www.jessicaconroy.com  Let me know if you're interested in working with her.