Now Larimar 2014 Brides

[bride473473]

You can have your reception at several location with no additional cost (terrace, disco,beach, or quiet pool) But if you want to have your reception at Castaways it will be an additional $3,000 USD.  FYI: only preferred guests can eat at castaways restaurant during your stay at Now Larimar

[lisamarco413]

Thanks everyone!  This information is much appreciated!  Has anyone had their ceremony and reception on the actual beach?  I'm wondering why there is a need for a dance floor to be built, or if we could just dance in the sand?  Any thoughts?

[Kristina Simms]

@lisamarco413 We are having our reception on the beach. I asked the WC I had at the time if in her experience, most ppl had a dance floor and she said of course. I'm sure that you don't "need" it. I'm thinking we may just get the wooden one that is $350. When is your wedding?

[lisamarco413]

Thanks @Kristina Simms and @futuredejesus!  It is Thursday, May 22, 2014.

 

One of the issues now is that I want a sit-down dinner on the beach, but they say the can only accommodate up to 35 guests, anything above that will be buffet-only.  We have about 40 now so I am hoping they can work with us.  My travel agent is still waiting to hear who my wedding coordinator will be, so you all seem to be acting as my temporary WCs which I truly appreciate!  Does anyone know....

 

For a 6pm beach ceremony:

What time is the ceremony?

What time is the cocktail hour?

What time is the reception?

What time is the reception over?

 

Can we mix and match menu options? We are taking the Divine Package but want some food options from the Silver and Gold. Is this substitution allowed?

 

Has anyone had a rehearsal dinner? We don't have too large of a group but I'm not sure if one of the restaurants will take a reservations for 40, or if it is something we would have to book separately.

 

Thanks EVERYONE!

[Jahanee Conner]

@lisamarco413 this is what I received from the wedding coordinator about rehearsal dinners:

 

We can reserve a space in one of our open restaurants a la carte (upon availability), for groups up to 25 people. In case that you have more than 25 people for your rehearsal dinner, we can offer you a reservation in our Carnival International Café (buffet style restaurant). In both cases, the set up will be individual tables, for up to 8 people each one. The time of the reservation must be at 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.

 

Groups up to 25 people: A set menu is mandatory for groups larger than eight (8) people, in all a la carte restaurants.

 

Music, entertainment, or any other activity that causes uneasiness to the other customers in the restaurant are not allowed.

 

Please ask your wedding coordinator about the dress code.

 

I hope this helps!!!!

[Kristina Simms]

@lisamarco413 My ceremony is at 3pm, the cocktail hour at 3:30-4:30pm, and the reception starts at 6:30 and lasts 3 hours. I believe the 3 hour reception is standard, if you're wanting to extend the hours of the reception it is $12/pp/hour for international bar or $18/pp/hour for premium bar.

My ceremony was originally at 5 pm with the cocktail hour at 5:30 and reception at 6:30, but I requested the ceremony to be moved earlier so I had more time to get photos in before it got too dark. 

 

I would guess that for a 6 pm ceremony the cocktail hour would immediately follow at 6:30 and last an hour. And then the reception lasts 3 hours, not sure if it would be scheduled right after at 7:30 or not. I thought I read somewhere that the reception on the beach has to be over at midnight, but I'd have to try to find that again.

 

I am not sure about interchanging menu items from the gold/platinum menus. It is something that we are interested in also as we get the platinum menu but I like items from the gold menu better. I was considering just asking to have the gold menu instead of the platinum. I am going to send the WC an email with a few questions so I will ask that as well.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

 

Is anyone ordering signature drinks for their cocktail hour/reception??

[lisamarco413]

@Jahanee Conner, thank you!  I really with I had a WC assigned already!  It's frustrating to not be able to ask them questions, but you have been very helpful in her absense!  Do you know if this is the same for a beach reception rather than a restaurant reception?

 

@Kristina Simms, thanks!  My ceremony is a beach ceremony at 6 and I am thinking we may want it earlier.  Were they pretty accommodating when you requested to change the time?  We are having a civil ceremony.  Or possibly getting married by a judge earlier in the day (doing the paperwork), then going to have a symbolic ceremony that evening.  I haven't been able to get any information on the judge other than he can do it at some point in the day, haha!

 

Definitely let me know about substitutions on the menu.  It seems silly to not be able to pick cheaper options.  I'd still pay the same price, just want different things.

 

 

Thank you, Ladies!

[duchovny0901]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahanee Conner 
 

@lisamarco413 this is what I received from the wedding coordinator about rehearsal dinners:

 

We can reserve a space in one of our open restaurants a la carte (upon availability), for groups up to 25 people. In case that you have more than 25 people for your rehearsal dinner, we can offer you a reservation in our Carnival International Café (buffet style restaurant). In both cases, the set up will be individual tables, for up to 8 people each one. The time of the reservation must be at 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.

 

Groups up to 25 people: A set menu is mandatory for groups larger than eight (8) people, in all a la carte restaurants.

 

Music, entertainment, or any other activity that causes uneasiness to the other customers in the restaurant are not allowed.

 

Please ask your wedding coordinator about the dress code.

 

I hope this helps!!!!

Thank you for this info Jahanee! I was curious about this. Do you know in what instances where we'd have to pay anything? I know I'm having closer to 50 people and am wondering what my best options are. Do you know how far in advance we could set up a reservation? Who's your WC by the way?

[Jahanee Conner]

@lisamarco413 I'm not sure about that aspect. But if you have any questions that you need to me ask my coordinator, I will be more than happy to. Just let me know!!

 

@duchovny0901 My wedding coordinator is Ms. Yeomandry Collado. And I actually just sent her that question back about the a cost, (if any) for a rehearsal dinner for 35-50 ppl. As soon as she responds I will let you know!!!

[EVKnowsitall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisamarco413 
 

@Jahanee Conner, thank you!  I really with I had a WC assigned already!  It's frustrating to not be able to ask them questions, but you have been very helpful in her absense!  Do you know if this is the same for a beach reception rather than a restaurant reception?

 

@Kristina Simms, thanks!  My ceremony is a beach ceremony at 6 and I am thinking we may want it earlier.  Were they pretty accommodating when you requested to change the time?  We are having a civil ceremony.  Or possibly getting married by a judge earlier in the day (doing the paperwork), then going to have a symbolic ceremony that evening.  I haven't been able to get any information on the judge other than he can do it at some point in the day, haha!

 

Definitely let me know about substitutions on the menu.  It seems silly to not be able to pick cheaper options.  I'd still pay the same price, just want different things.

 

 

Thank you, Ladies!

 

I'm a bride from another forum but a lot of the questions you are asking are questions I dealt with. The lighted dance floor of course isn't necessary. I think people do it for ambiance or to make it feel more like a reception. We had one and we loved it. It looks great in pictures and makes guests feel like its a party. If you want to save the costs, see if the WC can rope off a "dance floor". Take ribbons in your colors and seashells or any other symbol of your wedding and create a space for dancing that is separate from the other areas- preferably in the center. You can even use rose petals to outline a "box" that could be the "dance floor".

 

As far as a sit down vs. buffet on the beach- Our resort gave us no choice. They said they could not keep the food warm for a sit down and successfully get it to the tables and it still be warm. Against my wishes we had a buffet (I thought buffets were too informal) but you're already doing a beach wedding lol its already informal! Our guests enjoyed the buffet and the food was nice and warm and people could have seconds if they wanted. It's not a bad alternative- so if they say they can't accommodate your group because you are over the # of people- don't sweat it. The buffet is great. 

 

Getting married by a judge in DR? We got married legally in the NYC court house and only did a religious ceremony in DR (which was a bit of a pain in the ass- but only because of the hiccups it caused- like losing time for pictures lol) I would say legally getting married in NY was one of the best choices we made. Instead of doing an engagement shoot, we just had our photographer shoot our "civil wedding"- we only told our moms and best man and MOH and they were our only witnesses. The photographer took our "engagement/ wedding" photos. It made going to DR a little easier knowing we wouldn't have the headache of doing all the legal paperwork there. If you get married in the church you have to mail over all the appropriate documents prior to anyway so we really just focused on planning the event once we were there. 

 

I'm only in this forum because I am nosey lol. I considered getting married at NOW before I settled on my resort so thats the real reason I am here haha.

 

Good luck ladies!