Debs

We chose the Dominican because we know tons of people who have been there and love it. It's so funny. I'm on a few Canadian boards and we are crazy about the Dominican! On this (mostly) American board, you guys are crazy for Cabo! It's interesting!

Yes exactly. Believe me, I never heard of them before moving here. It's more of a small town thing, I understand. So, here's the components to a buck n doe: 1. Cover at the door. This generally covers the cost of booze. 2. Cheap drinks. HAHA Enough to make money but not so much that people will go to the bar instead. 3. Games games games. There's a crown and anchor (kind of like roulette but the wheel has symbols) Loonie toss. Slap a 40 ozer of whisky on the floor and from about 50 feet people toss loonies at the bottle. The one closest gets the bottle. I've lost tons of $$ on that one at b&d's I've been to haha.

mmm ebay.. my worst nightmare!! Haha. I'm totally addicted

I guess the DR government is realizing that by increasing the fee, they are losing business.. From Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service Quote: New tax makes weddings expensive The president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, Luis Lopez was critical of the government's decision to double the tax on weddings in the DR. As reported in Hoy newspaper, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) ruled that as of January, foreigners choosing to marry in the DR would have to pay US$500, up from US$125. Lopez called this a blow to the celebration of weddings in the DR. In 2006, 90,000 foreigners chose to marry in the DR. He said this would affect weddings that have already been booked, because the couples will have to pay the difference or cancel the ceremony. He considered the US$500 tax excessive. In the US, persons can get married for just US$15. "We are concerned that some sectors do not understand how tourism industry works. Decisions like that reflect the fact that it is not understood, because our competitors are not being taken into consideration", he said. He criticized the fact that the country is becoming one of the most expensive in the region. Some hotels are encouraging couples to get around the fee by getting married in the US, and then staging a symbolic ceremony in the DR. This is prompting us to get married at home with a JP first andhaving a symbolic ceremony... it's just too much with the translation of docs as well (i've been married before.. so $$$)

Ok, I'll play! I wanted something very unique for my ring, and he really stepped up to the plate: I'm probably going to get a plain platinum band to go with it. Anything more would be too much I think.

We picked the week first then the date, 4/22. I have a really bizarre aversion to odd numbers, so this is pretty even! 4/22/08. We then realized it's FH's parents anniversary date too!

As long as the family drama works out in your favour, it's all good!!

We are having a Buck and Doe before we leave, so that will cover the party aspect for people who can't go to the wedding. Plus, our friends all trade off on a holiday party (1 friend does christmas, another new years canada day etc...) Ours is May 2-4 so we will be having a party anyway. So it won't be a big production. We will likely invite more than the usual number of people though, and maybe have a pig roast. mmmmm....

YAY! I'm a bit far off, but you never know what you might find!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Julesr I can't find her, are you sure that is her name? I would love the template for this. I'll second that!

So my question is... Do you think (or would your guests think) that they are being cheated by not seeing an ACTUAL legal wedding? Do you feel like you are deceiving them? Are you going to tell your guests that it's not the real thing? This has been discussed on a number of boards and want to get everyone's feedback, as we are considering the same thing (though we are getting married in the Dominican).

There is a place I stop in before I go to work that makes the most amazing smoothies but they are expensive!! I try and watch what she's doing so I could maybe make them at home (I got a magic bullet for Christmas) but she is sly and makes them behind the counter so I can't see LOL. Anyone know how to make smoothies? I have a bag of frozen berries and protein powder, but what else do I need?

I just bought the Jeanette Jenkins video from Walmart for $14. It is a double disc with 8 workouts on it! It has pilates and yoga, as well as a kick-a$$ kickbox routine for a little more cardio. I alternate all the programs so I don't get bored and it's all on one disc! Here is her website: TheHollywoodTrainer.com

Plus it's not like it was yesterday, it was last year. Don't stress!! Fact is, I kind of decided on my hotel based on recommendations from people from another board, not actual people I have met! HAHA so, this is even better, IMO

I would feel honoured in a way, personally for a friend to get married at the same place I did. I guess because to me it would be a compliment that she enjoyed my wedding so much, especially if it was a super positive experience. Why risk going to an unknown hotel if her wedding was so good? Definately make it your own and there should be no problems

woo that is small! Anyway, it says on it: Chris & Deb A Carribean Wedding Holiday Ocean Blue Golf & Beach Resort Punta Cana, DR April 20-27, 2008

We are using a picture from our resort and putting it on magnets: That's probably small but it's sized for the magnets

Quote: Originally Posted by A10CALGAL Debs - you have 14 months till you get married! This is enough time to save the $$ you need for your wedding. Be realistic about what you can save & make that be your budget. Between now & your wedding date you will have the opportunity to get -2 tax refunds (hopefully!), 1-bonus from work, and you will have time to save something every month. Oh, ya for sure, we are saving $100 a month, plus we'll get about $2,000 back from taxes (YAY!). We are then not using our holidays this year so our V-pay will be another $1200 for me and $1800 for him. Then we'll have a buck & doe, which we'll make at least another $2k. So we should be ok. It's just the beginning stuff (deposits etc) that's we'll have to fork out because we don't have anything saved yet. So that's about what, $8500? Thanks for the advice though. I'm going to sit down Sunday and actually work some figures out.

Hi May! I'm just north of you in Orangeville, and new to the board as well! So very informative, you will love it!! My friend was married in Cuba a couple of years ago and it was absolutely FAB. My FI and I are getting married in the Dominican.

Hi! I'm Deb and Chris and I are getting married April 2008 at Ocean Blue Golf and Beach resort in Punta Cana. I haven't seen any posts or anything from anyone else on this site on this hotel, but other boards I am on has had quite a few ladies get married there. From what I've heard it's absolutely fabulous!!

Holy moly, we made our decision on time and date and we haven't even talked budget yet with FI, but I think I better sit down PDQ and figure this stuff out!! I was thinking $8K tops but most of your budgets blow this out of the water Looks like I got some figuring out to do One Question though, do you couples have the cash for this stuff? Or is this going mostly on credit? My FI and I have some debt, but certainly don't have any savings to speak of that we can pay for this thing cash. It's stressing me a bit

Thanks ladies!! It was so super easy because the templates were already there, it was just as simple as filling them all in!!

Here's a picture of a silk bouquet with stephanois.

Here is our site. With the exchange it was pretty good, and by paying $$ you don't get the ads like you do on some of the free wedsites, I didn't like that at all. (Here you are trying to book your friends in for a group rate, and there's ads for CHEAP PUNTA CANA HOTELS!!) lol Anyway, here's our site: our site!

I have seen on ebay they have the new kits available too for a reasonable price that gives you all the info you need. I was thinking of doing this as at least a starter. Just put weight watchers into the search field.