saraece

I had a guest coming who is a photgrapgher so he took all my photos.

The dinner was great easy as can be, actually. We all ordered off the menu and they are quick to serve. We had a choice during our meetting with the WC about which menu our guests would get steak house or Italian. I was allowed to give my three vegetarians the italian while the other 30 got the steakhouse one. Food was good, cake was cute. We had to serve the cake ourselves though which was a little wierd. Feel free to ask me anything! Good luck on yours, I am sure it will be beautiful!

Hey Elisabete4, I was completely happy with my choice of resorts, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. When is your big day?

It was very windy on our resort as we were located on a point, so we chose to get married on the beach rather then on the beautiful cliff gazebo. We did go up there for pics after. Fantastic spot, extremely beautiful but the waves were so loud the it did drown us out a little. Even on the video it is like "man can you turn those down?"

We stayed at a Riu and got out 16th person for free, we also got a $200 Persona credit card to be used at over 100 stores and all the kids got large beach bags filled with mini balls, footballs, paddles and other outdoor toys. They were fun except we got them a day or two before we left and had absolutely no room to bring them.

I had an Ipod and we purchased the portable Bose docking station. We were so happy. People did pull out their Ipods and put on songs from their lists, but everyone had a good time. Maybe we should have told one person keep an eye on it since we had our play lists and didn't really need anyone standing at it. But I am glad we didn't spend the money on a DJ but on the Docking station because I use it every day and this summer it will be next to my pool. Way more value out of it then a DJ. IMO

I have a large sun spot under my nose above my lip, so basically it looks like a mustache. lol I keep saying I am going to tour high schools to tell girls to wear their sunscreen. I never wore it and now look... I have tried a few bleaching or chemical roll ons to diffuse it but have had no luck. When I was pregnant it got darker, so I am looking for solutions too.

We had an ipod for the reception and had playlists titled dinner music and party music. Our first song was also in a separate playlist. our best man handled the music, except a word of caution once people saw we were using an ipod everyone brought theirs and our playlist went out the window. We still had fun and I wouldn't change it, but there were some songs I wanted played that didn't get played.

My documents and costs....

Pre wedding (stuff done here about three months before and sent down)

Translate Birth certificates X2

Translate single declaration X2

copies of passports X4 (2 witnesses)

Notorize them

350 USD

Check out the Dominican website a complete list is there. We went to the consualte in Ottawa and had it done. Just check it after because they messed up the translation on ours and we didn't notice it, but the resort did and sent our TA a message to fix it before we arrive.

 

Wedding certificate took about a month and a half to reach me after the wedding and it came in Spanish. I am looking into getting it translated right now and it will cost about $50

I'll bet (now don't quote me on this since I don't even own a ShamWow) that if you run your Sham through the wash again and not put it through with a dryer sheet your Wow may return. Fabric softner (dryer sheets) are designed to stay in your clothes that is why they don't want you to use them. It will clog up your towel, but if you wash it once or twice you should get all those chemicals out and you Wow may return.

I sell Norwex (which are microfibre cloths that clean everything in your house without chemicals) and we have the same rule for our cloths but I know people have forgotten and thrown in the dryer sheet. It may reduce the life of the cloth but shouldn't ruin it instantly.

You should check here as well.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t36816

I am sick of Sharon...now "Nick isn't going to be able to resist her temtations" Why does that make me so angry??

Our resort said that the minister doesn't work weekends, but for 150 USD extra he could work on a Saturday. Never on a Sunday.

It is funny because he does two weddings every Saturday at this resort alone, I wonder how much he racks in extra on Saturday?

I didn't do either. Totally up to you.

I don't know if they would allow you to rent out the pool side bar. They seem pretty strict about shutting down the pool area on time. That being said a few hundred kept our service going and the area open later then it was supposed to. They did offer us a CD player for the beach so I know they have one that you can use.

Yep it fit into our luggage easily. It isnt' huge, but the sound quality is fantastic and it can fill a room loudly with music. Our guest knew we had it and brought their ipods to us to charge over night or for the afternoon if we weren't using it. We never put it away in a safe or anything and it was fine.

I was there the other day and have to say they are bringing in differenn items that they couldn't price at a dollar. I saw they are adding onsies (diaper shirts for babies) for $2 which is still a great price. Hopefully that is what will be happening more then just raising the price of the other $1 items.

i hope Maria is able to ease some of your worries, just remember they are very busy and hard working. They put on 2-3 weddings a day as well as meet with all the couples a head of time. Sunday is there only day off so if they don't get back to you right away that might be why. I felt that they were very acomodating and can probably help you with most of your requests. They can get you more flowers for decoration at a cost, but as far as other decor items you may want to bring what you want. I went with what they gave me and was happy , nothing too fancy but that is what I wanted.

We bought the Bose portable docking station that you charge and is good for hours. I worked out well and used it at the reception for our music. It was great in our Ipod we had a dinner music playlist and a dance/reception playlist. The system cost between 350-500 depending if you get it on sale. But for us it was well worth it because now at home we use it everyday to play music, and it cost about what a DJ would have cost us.

 

As for the beach ceremony, you will have to find out how it is set up, I came down stairs to the beach so my aisle was extra long.

I almost can't wait for the whole thing to be doen so I can start watching it over on DVD and pick up a ton that I am sure we are missing. I also love wathcing the pop video version before the new episode!

I got some totes at the dollar store and most of my guests used them as their everyday beach bag while down there.

Great review. I am glad the resort worked out well. Sounds like a fabulous place.

Is everyone posting there reviews?? Hint hint...

I do remember a certain bride harassing everyone to get their postings up and I can't seem to find her review....I'll give you a hint who I am thinking she likes this quote

 

"~ When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. ~ hee hee!!!

Welcome!! Another Canadian is always good. I can give you some advice on having a DW and bringing down the kids. We learned a lot. PM if you wish.

You can find stretchy fishing line at a craft store or the dollar store. Just be aware they come in different widths and the thicker it is the more tricky to get through some beads.

Here are the ones I made myself. I spent a ton of money on beads at a bead store (Sassy Bead co.) but ended up using all the ones I got at the dollar store. I looked through their necklaces and crafting section and found a ton for under $10. Then I used a clasp from the neckalce to fasten them in the back.