"New Resort Opening May 1 2011" NOW LARIMAR ~ PUNTA CANA

[djmags15]

Hi Ladies!

 

  I am new to this forum and would really appreciate any feedback, suggestions, recommendations, etc from you all.  We are thinking about changing our wedding resort location to NOW Larimar and are hesitant about doing so since we have never been.   We had actually booked with another resort in Punta Cana, put down a deposit, sent out our save-the-dates and everything.   Our TA helped us price out everything based on 2011 prices for our guests, and we just met with her yesterday and they are astronomical.  We want people to actually come to the wedding and would feel horrible for them to pay so much so we decided to change the resort after all we have planned for (ahhh).  

 

I loved our previous resort's wedding location options and packages especially since we were able to visit and meet with the WC in person....now we are back to square one and we are confused!  We are debating between Dreams Punta Cana (which we stayed before 3 years ago) and NOW Larimar.  It makes us nervous to book somewhere we have never seen in person, but that's why we need as much feedback, pictures, etc as possible.  Please let me know how your experiences have been through this process, how the WC is, and send any pictures.  We felt like we had made so much progress before and now we are starting from scratch and it is frustrating.  I am just glad to be able to get married on a beautiful beach and get feedback from some ladies going through the same thing.  Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

Dolly

[jbmarch2012]

Hey Ladies! Just wanted to share with you--- If you have time, check out your local Michael's, the $1.50 bins in the front of the store are on sale for $0.50. I got a bunch of travel playing cards, luggage tags and flower brooches... There are some travel themed stuff you guys might be interested in and a few things you can add to the OOT bags

[Skygirl]

@ DJmags15 :how many ppl will be attending

I would look at the resorts that have great promotions at all times. Larimar/Ocean Blue/Iberostar/Rio they to me have very reasonable prices,and they all are very nice resorts. Also when are you getting married?maybe the prices are out for this resorts and month that you are trying to have your wedding. After you get an idea for the resort price, gather the info for the wedding packages and also see if they even available for the time that you need. Im sure everything will work out for you. Good luck
 

Originally Posted by djmags15 

Hi Ladies!

 

  I am new to this forum and would really appreciate any feedback, suggestions, recommendations, etc from you all.  We are thinking about changing our wedding resort location to NOW Larimar and are hesitant about doing so since we have never been.   We had actually booked with another resort in Punta Cana, put down a deposit, sent out our save-the-dates and everything.   Our TA helped us price out everything based on 2011 prices for our guests, and we just met with her yesterday and they are astronomical.  We want people to actually come to the wedding and would feel horrible for them to pay so much so we decided to change the resort after all we have planned for (ahhh).  

 

I loved our previous resort's wedding location options and packages especially since we were able to visit and meet with the WC in person....now we are back to square one and we are confused!  We are debating between Dreams Punta Cana (which we stayed before 3 years ago) and NOW Larimar.  It makes us nervous to book somewhere we have never seen in person, but that's why we need as much feedback, pictures, etc as possible.  Please let me know how your experiences have been through this process, how the WC is, and send any pictures.  We felt like we had made so much progress before and now we are starting from scratch and it is frustrating.  I am just glad to be able to get married on a beautiful beach and get feedback from some ladies going through the same thing.  Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

Dolly

 

[Skygirl]

Jumior member, wohoo!i can open attachments. so excited!

[alexdiaz24]

Hello,

 

I am having trouble opening the link you sent but if the wedding you posted took place on 8/6 and the bridesmaids are wearing a coral color dress, that was my wedding.  Not sure if the link you posted is the same as the one below.  This is the wedding video trailer. 

http://vimeo.com/27441559

 

Our wedding was beautiful and well worth the hard work - all 162 guests had a blast and cannot stop talking about what a great time they had at the resort and the wedding. 

 

Our catholic ceremony took place in the fountain at 5pm - Gary and his team set-up a wood plank over the fountain area to serve as an aisle - very elegant and pretty.  Our cocktail hour took place in the lounge/club while the bridal party took pictures in the garden and beach.  The reception took place in the theater.  We had a DJ and a band.  We paid extra for tiffany chairs, plate chargers, wall draping, dance floor with LED lights - stylish white lounge and bar area around the dance floor, centerpieces, etc.

 

However, with every good thing there come a few bumps on the road.  Off the top of my head, here are a few tips I hope you will find useful.

 

1. Claribel is a great wedding planner, however, emailing her everyday will not serve you any good, especially if your wedding is a year from now.  My husband is Dominican and I travel to DR every year.  Their culture is very laid back.  They will not act until the last minute, but it WILL get done and exactly how you want it.  For example, I sent Claribel and Gary (from Innovart Decorators) pictures and descriptions of what I wanted months before the wedding and when I arrived 3 days prior to the wedding they were asking me for details.  Thank goodness I took all my pictures with me. 

 

2.  Arrive at least 3 days prior to you wedding - for the same reason I mention above and bring all the pictures/descriptions of items you want including your hair style and makeup

 

3. Bring cash or certified checks to pay for video/photo/vendor/hotel etc - they will not accept personal checks and if you use your credit card your CC company will charge you an international exchange fee

 

4. Bring any songs you want to use for your reception/video/photo slide show on a CD

 

5. If your hair and make-up are included in the package - go with Odalys (spa manager).  If your bridesmaids/guests want to have their hair done, there is a beauty salon right outside the hotel - (the hotel employees take you in the golf cart) that charges dirt cheap for any style do.  The hotel prices are pretty pricey.

 

6. Below are the vendors we used for our wedding:

Claribel - Wedding Planner

Gary - Innovart - Decorator - [email protected]

Ricardo - WBA Photo Shop - Photographer - [email protected]

Florian Koetter - Videographer - [email protected]

 

Feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected] if you have any questions.  I don't usually login to this site so emailing me directly is best.

 

Good luck!!!!

 

[djmags15]

Thanks Skygirl.  We are expecting approximately 60-80 people to attend (40 alone with just immediate family and bridal party + significant other).  We are more than likely leaning towards NOW, and this thread has really helped us believe that this would be the best choice for us.  Our original date was set in June and we hope to be able to keep the same date if possible (where ever we decide).  We are in the process of communicating with Claribel; but as we all know, planning from another country takes patience since it takes quite some time for responses.  Thanks for your feedback and support!

[Skygirl]

thank you for for the information alexdiaz

[moniwoni]

Hey ladies just wanted to check in & see how everybody's planning is going?? CRAZY weekend here on LI with hurricane Irene.... gotta get back into action!!   November is around the corner. The brand new spa grand opening is planned to open NOV 1st!!! It has a full bridal suite;)  

[Eva1love]

Great forum!

 

Congratulations Alex! The vidoe was amazing!! Great color choice! I'm looking into a nice Orangy - Tangerine with Yellow myself

 

I'm looking into this resort as well... although my wedding isn't until 2013 I want to get started NOW... lol

 

has anyone received a quote for land prices? what are they like? for guests staying 4 nights etc...

also do they have any deals for children? just curious... I'm waiting on my TA to get back to me for the prices although I know with it being a 2013 wedding chances are they will not confirm anything.

 

thanks in advance for your time and help! I look forward to hearing from you!

 

xoxo

[Skygirl]

@Eva1Love. Larimar doesnt charge kids under 12yo for stay. The only thing they charge is tax. If you are planning for 2013, you most likely will not be able to get prices yet...Happy Planning