La Barcaza Wedding Reception?

FormosaDeb · January 17, 2011

Hi Everyone,

My fiance and I got engaged on Christmas Eve and I have been lurking around this site for 2 whole weeks! Since we had previously discussed how our wedding would be like, we both know we want to go to somewhere in the Caribbeans. With the help of many reviews on this site, we had quickly narrowed our search down to Majestic Colonial/Elegance. I am looking into the idea of having the wedding reception on the La Barcaza yacht after reading many happy reviews here. While I'm waiting for a price list (I just emailed Flori), I have a few questions that maybe someone could help me out!

1. The Majestic Wedding Package of $1750 (cocktail reception + dinner not included) indicates that this fee is waived when you book 15 rooms or more for 7 nights. I have read somewhere that if the travel package (flight + room) is purchased with a group rate, then this will not qualify the free wedding condition. Is that true?

2. After the wedding ceremony but before taking off for La Barcaza, do you usually pay for the cocktail reception at the resort for your guests while you are taking pictures?

Thank you!!

Debs

Jenandroger · February 3, 2011

Hi Debs!

We are having a beach ceremony at 1 p.m then a sunset cruise at 5:30 on La Barcaza.

I read the same thing about booking with a group rate so I asked my WC.

The answer I got from the resort was that it doesn't matter where they come from, if everyone has different flights or if a group rate was used as long as you have 15 rooms booked for 7 nights, you're golden.

After the ceremony there will be the champagne toast and photos with the family, friends..but I don't think the cocktail party is necessary for everyone since your guests can easily find something else to do...hang at the beach, pool or go for a nap while you're off taking photos. The beauty of a destination wedding is flexibility. Just do what seems right to you, and I am sure your guests will love everything about the day/week! Have fun!

Mslite · February 23, 2011

I am having my reception on La Barcaza as well. Are you going to use centerpieces for your reception?

FormosaDeb · February 23, 2011

Hi Jenandroger,

Thanks for your post! We have decided to have the reception on La Barcaza and are in the middle of communicating with Flori to get the detail to wire over the deposit.

When is your wedding?

Debs

Jenandroger · February 23, 2011

Mslite: I think we'll use the bridesmaids bouquets as well as some small candles we'll be bringing with us. I am also playing with the idea of decorating with some hanging tissue poms in our wedding colours. Not sure about that yet though.

Formosa Deb: Yay! Congrats to you and your man and I am so happy to hear that you've decided to go with La Barcaza!

We're getting married on May 11th and I am so so so happy we found this as an option for our guests. I will keep you posted for sure and let you know how it goes!

FormosaDeb · February 24, 2011

Congrats!! It's coming up! I'm so excited for you. If you can keep me in the loop that would be great!

What time would you get picked up to head to the boat if the cruise starts at 5:30?

I like the bridesmaid's bouquets idea for centerpieces...multi-tasking!

sebitasalejo · February 26, 2011

Hi guys

I recently returned from Punta Cana. I had my reception at la barcaza and it was simply theeee best choice.

A few pointers:

*don't worry about how to entertain your guests between the end of the reception and pick up time. Between the bride being late to the ceremony and getting everyone together for a worthy group picture time will fly by and you wont even notice.

*If you take a lot of decorations you will be charged a fee (I was charged $100).

*My advice to you is don't take candles. I took floating candles as well as pillars. They were not even lit up cause the wind is so strong.

*Don't worry about carrying centerpieces (unless you take the flowers from the ceremony). I took three glass cylinders per table. Two arrived in pieces even though they were very well wrapped and the rest I had to leave there because it was just a big hassle. If anything ask Fiori to uses the glass cylinders Diana left them!!!

*Fiori will tell you to bring towels as they don't have.

*Be prepared to pay for an extra hour because time goes by so quick you wont even notice. You'll want to keep partying. Our bestman paid for our extra hour -so nice!

*Bring a pashmina or a sweater. Like a said, it is super, super windy.

Don't hesitate to hit me up via private messages if you have any questions. I am no longer as active in this forum as I used to be, so I will probably not notice if you ask me a question on this thread.

Enjoy your reception.

Ah! and don't use Arrecife photography. They're awful.

Mslite · February 26, 2011

Jenandroger what are you doing about your cake? Bringing it on the boat? Also I have communicated with Flori as well and she informed me that I can bring additional liquor on the boat because they package I am going with they only serve beer and "white" liquor. What package are you going with?

Mslite · February 26, 2011

Congratulations and thanks for the info.

FormosaDeb · March 2, 2011

Originally Posted by Jenandroger

Hi Debs!

We are having a beach ceremony at 1 p.m then a sunset cruise at 5:30 on La Barcaza.

I read the same thing about booking with a group rate so I asked my WC.

The answer I got from the resort was that it doesn't matter where they come from, if everyone has different flights or if a group rate was used as long as you have 15 rooms booked for 7 nights, you're golden.

After the ceremony there will be the champagne toast and photos with the family, friends..but I don't think the cocktail party is necessary for everyone since your guests can easily find something else to do...hang at the beach, pool or go for a nap while you're off taking photos. The beauty of a destination wedding is flexibility. Just do what seems right to you, and I am sure your guests will love everything about the day/week! Have fun!