2015 Grand Palladium Punta Cana Brides

[Jc14]

OH also, for an outside photographer, what is the vendor fee? could i get them a day pass instead if it's cheaper?

[shevette925]

@@Jc14, No problem! We will be doing the more traditional ceremony. I'm not a huge fan of sand ceremonies, so we will be skipping that. I'm trying to think of something else to do in place of it. Any ideas? 

 

Also, I'm pretty sure that you cannot mix and match the decor from two wedding packages. Something about, they have to stay true to the Karen Bussen designs. So if you wanted to mix and match you have to use the Simple Stunning signature package, this is the only way to get around it unfortunately.

 

The vendor fee is 500 USD. Unfortunately the only way to get around this is if your photographer is staying at the resort. You could price it out to see if its less expensive to put your photographer up for a night.

[Jc14]

@@shevette925 Nice! we will be going with the contemporary ceremony - no sand ceremony either! it's not our thing. i think we will be keeping it more or less the same as i think it already sounds great! mayeb u could have friends or family do the readings?

 

yea i have a feeling you're right. if that's the case, i'll prob go with the ocean pearl pkg.

 

omg seriously? i thought it was like $150? is it possible to use a day pass instead?

[shevette925]

Yeah I'll probably have my brothers read a passage so they can be involved. I always think to myself what am I gonna do with the sand afterwards?? lol, but I know a lot of people like to have it as a keepsake.

 

I don't think you can use a day pass. It sucks because I think just about a year ago the vendors fee was around 100 dollars, but you know they try to get as much money out of you as they can. Definitely double check with Carolina on the day pass, it won't hurt to ask. But I wouldn't get your hopes up on that one.

 

Honestly, it would probably cost less to pay for one night for your photographer, just a thought.

[Jc14]

@@shevette925 Yes I'm going to ask Carolina about doing that!

 

Has anyone booked a room for a night for a vendor? Also, has anyone booked or used an extra room for their groom to spend the night, since it's tradition for the bride and groom not to spend the night before their wedding together? (not sure if we will go with this tradition - but it has crossed my mind)

 

Also, another thing has been checked off my list. I've booked HDC as our photographer and I'm super excited about it! What should I do next??

Edited May 22, 2015 by Jc14

[Jc14]

@@shevette925 i forget - are you bringing your own photographer or using an outside one? If it's the latter, are you paying the vendor fee or the hotel stay?

[Jc14]

Hi All,

 

I have asked Carolina twice now about having our outside photographer stay at the resort to avoid the vendor fee. Both times she has (copy and pasted) this answer to me:

 

If the couple is bringing their own photographer or videographer from their country and he/she is part of the wedding guests, no fee is applicable.  

 

I'm not sure what to do with this information. It doesn't really help... anyone have advice?

[shevette925]

@@Jc14,  I'm actually having my ceremony and reception at the Jellyfish. The vendors fee was one of the reasons why I moved mine off site. Jellyfish doesn't have a fee for vendors. In terms of Carolina's response, I would take it as a loophole. So if your photographer is your "guest" i.e on the guestlist, you pay for their meal at the reception (which you would do anyways), and they stay at the hotel as a guest, then there is no fee. I am pretty certain about that because my wedding planner suggested it as a way to work around the vendors fee. 

[Meandhim]

@@Jc14

I doubt that Carolina is aloud to tell you how exactly to get around paying the vender fee, especially in writing. I think she is trying to throw you a hint... So if your photographer is from Punta Cana they will have to be on your guest list as @@shevette925 said, and they will count as regular guest in your package price. You may be able to get away with a guest pass as they are a local guest. Check the requirements (hours &price) and rules of a guest pass. But worst come to worst you will have to pay for an overnight at the hotel.

 

 

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[Jc14]

@shevette925@Meandhim Thanks for your advice, ladies! I think I'm going to go ahead and book one night's stay at the resort for our photog and hope for the best. My concern is subsequently being charged the vendor fee on top of that. Let's hope that does not happen!!