Just Booked Melia Caribe Tropical for Nov 2011!

[jarmbruster]

Exciting!! Congrats! I live in BC and will be travelling out of Calgary....can you give me a rough estimate as to cost for this resort? We are still trying to decide on a resort in Punta Cana, we will be going during the last week of November. How did you decide on this resort? There are so many...LOL, it's overwhelming!!!

[domin2011]

They also offer what they just call a legal ceremony.. It is an extra 900$ on top of the price of the wedding package.

[domin2011]

From Edmonton in Feb. It is $1709 before taxes if you go with a group bigger than 10 people. The reason, but not the only reason we picked this resort is because it includes 4 rounds of golf at the cocotal golf resort for all of the guests... That and it has swim up barS- its nice that they have more than one little one because in the past we have had a lot of fun meeting up at them.. (we are going with 43 guests so hopefully they have a big one) there are also 3 (I think) large pools so if it is too windy to be on the beach have good odds if getting a beach chair (or 45) at one of them .. Another reason is that they have many different a le carte restaurants and there is no limit to how many you can book. We initially picked this resort because it is absolutly beautiful; no other resort even comes close to this one.

[jennyalisha]

I'm in the process of getting a quote for November 10 - 17th.. our wedding date is booked but just need to figure out the pricing. We've been thinking about doing a "broken package" where we figure out just the hotel costs and then flights costs later - that way, people can book flights however they want. We could have a group rate with Westjet or people could use points to book Air Canada, or use expedia.. it offers the most flexibility. But one of the travel agents we've been speaking to insists on booking a total package with flight and hotel included. We'll see what his package prices come back at and decide from there.

 

I've heard only good things about the Melia as well!

[domin2011]

Well there is a benefit to booking through a travel agent... Different airlines offer different perks... Transat air lines gives one in 26 free. Everything....also our travel ahant gave us a 3 piece luggage set, free invitations, free baggage tags for everyone and free thankyou cards for us to send after... Maybe a good deal....

[Mufin1785]

What TA did you use???  

[destination_diva]

Hey Girls!!

It's been so long since I've been on this site...I was waiting on Laura my WC to get back to me with a confirmed date. It took her forever!! But we now have November 21 on hold we just have to send our deposit in!!! Yay! Feels so good to have the date finally officialy set! Phew
 

Originally Posted by jennyalisha 

I heard back about the date right away but that was before the WC I'm dealing with (Laura) went on holidays. Maybe you should give them a call?

 

I think I'll be using Arrecife for videography but still deciding on the photographer.. we may be bringing one from Calgary (Bud Moore). I met him at a bridal show in Calgary - he has amazing passion for what he does and I'm positive the photos will turn out great. If you're interested, I could talk with him to see if we could share his costs.

 

Laura said that if you decide to use another local photographer in Punta Cana that isn't Arrecife, you may be charged a $1,000 copyright fee. If you bring one from home, the fee won't apply.

Jenny,

What is the official date of your wedding? I might be interested in sharing a photographer, I don't want to have to pay the extra $1000 (which Laura confirmed to me would be charged if not using Arrecife). Does your photograpgher have a website I can look up to get an idea of his work? I'm going to take a look at Arrecife's work on their facebook page but the prices/packages that she sent me an email about seem a bit odd, it doesn't look to me like you get a disc of all the pics they take if you go with the printed package, and looked to me like the biggest CD package was 50 pictures?? That does not seem like very many  

 

We already have 23 people booked for our wedding!!   It's gonna be quite the party week!

 

Destination_Diva (Kyra)
 

[jennyalisha]

Hey Kyra,

 

Would have loved to share a photographer but our wedding is on November 12th so he will only be there until the 16th

 Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! I haven't logged in for a while.. how are all the plans coming along? We just started booking guests.

[destination_diva]

Hi Jenny,

 

I've been looking at local photographers now and I think we might go with HDC, their photos are stunning and their prices are compairable plus they will give you the disc with all the photos from the day, unlike Arrecife.

Plans are coming along nicely! I've got my dress ordered now and looking at BM dresses. I think we have all but 1 couple booked and we are at 46 including us!! I am so happy that so many friends and family are going to make the trip!!

I hope all your planning is running smooth too!
 

Originally Posted by jennyalisha 

Hey Kyra,

 

Would have loved to share a photographer but our wedding is on November 12th so he will only be there until the 16th

 Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! I haven't logged in for a while.. how are all the plans coming along? We just started booking guests.

 

[destination_diva]

PS...

We now have our official wedding date booked......November 21! Has such a nice ring to it