foxytv

Great to see you on here, Les & Lynda! We hope to make it to Cabarete on a return trip to the DR in years to come...

I think its great that you are starting the process early. We got engaged in June 2006 ... but then my fiance left for Iraq and was gone 14 months. So, we weren't married until April 2008 ... and truly, having that much time to plan and save money and research was a blessing. The time will FLY by! Feel free to read my review (the link is in my siggy). We LOVED Paradisus Punta Cana and I highly recommend it.

Ah, boy oh boy how I hope DH can use the webcam on his next deployment. He has been gone since June (stateside, just in training) and we have only been able to talk on the phone about 5 min every day and sometimes texts.

Our actual wedding and reception ran just under $4k ($3820 to be exact). I posted a breakdown in my review thread. *Here's the link to my thread - my first post breaks down our totals and how we got our invoice down from $9K to $4K* http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t20973 We had 40 people and did a beach reception with a buffett and open bar for 3 hours. Our rehearsal dinner was at one of the restaurants but since we did not privatize the restaurant, there was no charge. They just sat us in a section away from everyone else and it was perfect. We did our wedding and reception with the "a la carte" pricing instead of using a package and b/c of the # of people we had - it was a lot less expensive than using a package - and it was exactly what we wanted. Of course, that $8K did not include travel/accomodations/incidentals (dress/invites/OOT bags/etc).

Ah, Casa de Campo was recommended to us by some friends who have been there and it sounds like it is absolutely spectacular. I haven't been there, nor do I know much else about it - but I am sure your DW is going to be off the charts there! Love the DR!!

Beautiful! Love them both!!!!

I am a PPC Bride and I can tell you, Betty, it was absolutely amazing! We wouldn't change a thing about our DW! Let me know if you have any questions! Best of luck with all your planning and CONGRATS!

The hotel room safes are definitely NOT a safe bet. My SIL had cash stolen from their safe at our DW ... and another bride had their camera and computer stolen from their room during their wedding ceremony the day before ours. We lock stuff in luggage inside of luggage, like Morgan does. That has always worked well for us. Along with the Do Not Disturb sign as backup. We were worried about having things stolen during our wedding ... so I left out my fake e-ring in case any thieves decided to try it ... but the ring was still there and it didn't seem as though anything was touched. My SIL was the only one who had anything stolen - but definitely DO NOT use the hotel room safes.

Scuba - Like some of the others have mentioned, you may want to reasearch ovulation calendars a little more before thinking a wedding cruise baby may be possible. I wish you luck - but there's just as much timing necessary as there is luck.

I had a good friend/BM back out about 6 months prior ... and she blamed it on money - although when DH and I offered to cover her costs, she still wouldn't go (she had already put down her deposit, which she lost). I can't say what is going on with your friend but could it be deeper than $$? Jealousy? Envy? I never did find out why my BM decided to back out. She hasn't spoken to me since she sent me the *email* saying she wasn't going ... so obviously there was more to it than $$ ... but I hope you and your MOH can find a way to make it work so she can be there to stand next to you! xoxo

Quote: Originally Posted by Jaime+Brandon How's everyone?! My DH just got a webcam so i got to actually see him the other day! I definitely recommend it! Jaime Jaime - I love the webcam! My DH wasn't allowed to use one during his last tour - but *hopefully* we will have a little one when he leaves again next year ... so I am praying he will be able to use a webcam then ... so baby and Daddy can see and talk to each other. Quote: Originally Posted by Jenamie oh yes I love the webcam!!! You can not be in a military relationship with out one hehe Though the one thing I cant live with out are my mil wife/ SO friends its my other fave forum hehehe Jen - You will have to direct me to that military wives forum ... I don't know anything about it!

Thanks Tammy. That is really good to know about calling the hotel to confirm your reservation if you book through a third party. We usually book direct through the hotel, or use a TA, but I have certainly used Orbitz and other discount sites before for flights and rental cars.

OMG MarieSam .... fabulous pics and I know the best are still yet to come! Akumel sounds absolutely AMAZING and like heaven on earth! I have added it to my list of plces to visit - and stay in your private villa!!!

A friend of mine does Park Lane Jewelry p/t and a bunch of my extended friends (whom she did not know) have become loyal Park Lane Jewlery fans. We all have parties and seriosuly we have all bought ssoo much jewelry. She loves doing it and says she makes good money - plus gets free jewelry. I would totally look into myself if she hadn't already gotten a firm hold of all my friends purse-strings, lol. I also used to be a consultant for The Traveling Vineyard. I LOVED it and while I didn't make a ton of money - the experience did help me land a f/t wine job!

PS - that looks like Matt Lauer at your Table #5!!! :-)

OMG Moe! This was some AMAZING planning that you did! I am ssoo in love with your BD book. It is so THICK - it must have cost you a fortune. And the pics are smokin' hot! LOVE the t-shirts/tanks for your guests .. man, seriously you did a fabulous, over-the-top job on all of this!

How did I miss this review for a year now, LOL. Great review and great job with the details. Viviana must have just left between my and your weddings! Miguelina watched over our ceremony and reception and was great as well. I think she is even still there now, which should be reassuring for new brides! PPC was absolutely unbelieveable! Can't wait to go back again! SHYBEAR - There are numerous reviews of PPC on here, as well as pics. Just search through the DR thread ... you can also read my review and see pics by clicking the links below in my siggy.

Of the ones you posted pics of ... #1 is my favorite. I think it looks amazing on you - even if it is a larer size than you need. I can only imagine how fabulous it would look on you in your size!

It really was a beautiful memorial. I only caught bits and pieces today ... but I have the Dateline special on now...

CONGRATS and welcome! Your countdown is on! Time will fly by between now and your DW date! Best of luck! It will be wonderful. Punta Cana is AMAZING!

Yay CONGRATS!!!!! Best of luck in the months ahead! It is going to be fabulous!!!

We have been married for over a year as well, and while we are not living abroad ... I still have not *legally* changed my name. I have changed it on my drivers license and on my bank accounts, etc ... but not with the Social Security office. Every time I think I have time to do it, something comes up or I don't have our marriage certificate with me. Ugh. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just change it when you get back to the States or via mail if that works!

Thanks Rebecca! I've been looking for your posted review or pics (we love PICS) from your PPR wedding. Are you going to post any of that? We honeymooned at PPR so I am always anxious to see what other people think about the resort and how their pictures look. Especially since you did the garden wedding!!! POST POST POST!!!!

Ann - I can't believe you are already there! It seems like just yesterday you were talking about it! So glad you all made it there safely, even if the flight wasn't very restful. I am sure you be settled in and making friends in no time!

Quote: Originally Posted by Rebecca76 Hi Beach Brides, Here's a Beautyful beach wedding that happend on JUNE 22nd!! D. Jones Photography - Studio News: Gonzales-Retzlaff wedding I Do you know the bride/groom or are you with D. Jones Photography?