DEH83

Thanks everyone, for your words of wisdom!!!

So everything has turned out well; amazing what one day can do! My TA spoke back and forth with Sunwing, and got our price back down to the original price which we're very happy with. They have also apparently changed their policy as of yesterday that once you book the minimum 10 people for your group, that the rate will stay the same no matter when you book, unless it goes down, then guests will get the cheaper rate.

I know that maybe it would be better for us to wait it out a bit to get an even cheaper rate, but I think just for the peice of mind and planning wise, it's worth it for us to lock it in now.

So we are doing what some of you are doing. Our family will put their own deposits in, and we are putting in depsoits for 12 more people who were sure are coming, but might need some time to round up their cash (There are a lot of weddings in the next while!). So that money will get re-routed to pay for our trip and whatever is left will paid directly to us.

So everything has worked out so far...a lot can sure change from one day to the next!

Dianne

Shankd,

It's not just you!! I am getting married at GP on April 21st. Carolina was very loose with giving me a time. Originally she said 1pm, but then she said it might change, depending on the judge's other activities that day. (There are only 2 judges in all of DR apparently!).

We are actually having 2 "weddings" while we're in the DR on that day. First We will sign our papers with the judge, whenever it is it is confirmed, and then we have an english minister doing our ceremony later in the day. He is very flexible with times that day. It's actually nicer this way because I wanted to have my wedding later than 1pm.

Basically, they are so easy-going down there, and plan hundreds of these a year - they're pros! From my conversations with Carolina about these same concerns, I really got a sense of ease that everything will work out. But it's hard to not have full control!! I think as long as you know 100% what day you will be married on, try not to worry about the smaller details.

Maybe push back though and see if there is another day open that week, I don't know if I would want to be married the day before we leave. But not the 21st of course!!!!!

I don't think I have a bad TA either, Maureen! She is actually my cousin, and I know she is doing everything she can for me. The 7 days is a Sunwing policy. i think I will see what else she has to say, and get her to also look at other oporators as you mentioned. Also, I guess I'm just wondering, too, might it be best for us to wait a bit to have it requoted, will the prices come down? My TA says it can go either way, and she would advise me on this one way or the other because it's kind of a gamble, which I understand from her point of view.

Amarillis, were you really happy with ACV? i have heard great things about them, but I believe they are more expensive, and I am trying to keep this affordable for my guests. My fiancé and I were thinking of putting down the deposits ourselves, too, but we had to wait to get a better read on the number attending.

So I'm sure many of you have been through something like this or have some good advice for me I hope! I am completely new to this travel stuff, so I don't know what to really do...

We received a quote that was valid for 7 days to use kind of as a pricepoint to determine the resort we are staying at. Once we had our Save the Dates out, and everyone knew about our wedding, we had to get it requoted, then people need to book within the next 7 days.

Well we received the new rates from the 3 cities we have people coming out of, and all of them went up about 100 dollars. Now I know it's not a huge difference, but still, it's so frustrating! We are getting married at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana in April 2010, and the company the quote is through is Sunwing..

So what is your advice? Our TA is trying to get them to go back to the other rates, since we can guarantee 20 people book right away. but if that doesn't work - should we wait it out?

I don't know, I'm not a gambler, so the whole thing scares me, but I don't want to feel like a I got a bad deal either...

I do not plan on putting anything on my invitations about a registry, and it was not mentioned on our STDs either. I think traditionally the information is supposed to be spread through word of mouth from your parents, MOH, etc.

We did put the following on our website though:

Your presence is present enough!

As many of you will be making the journey with us to our wedding in Punta Cana, please do not feel that you have to give. We recognize that a destination wedding is a significant investment of your time and money, and having those of you who can attend would be the best gift of all.

For those of you who would like to contribute, gift registry information will be available at a later date.

I don't think it is implying either that we expect people who can't attend to get us a gift either. Remember your audience - they're your family and friends, so you know how they will receive your wording.

We are going to have a honeymoon registry, as well as a traditional registry. Like many of you, we've lived to gether for a long time and own our own house; we don't really need anything, but I have family members who are pretty old school, and would just love to have the chance to buy us a set of sheets!

I used VistaPrint for my Save the Dates, just a week or so ago. THey have a really great promo going on right now (at least in Canada, but I'm sure it's in the US too). Postcards are actually FREE right now. I ended up paying 50 in total for 100 postcards - 20 for having a coloured back (wasn't part of the free promo), and 30 for priority shipping. I got them in 3 days!

I was like you, and in a bit of a rush. I plan on doing boarding passes for my invitations since I will have more time. I used Adobe InDesign to create mine. It is nice because it gives you more opportunity to personalize, but VistaPrint also has templates you can use.

So my STDs are done and mailed now. I designed them in Adobe InDesign, and had them done at VistaPrint (Which is having a huge sale - I actually got them for practically free - just paid for the coloured backside of the postcard).

I am really happy about the way they turned out but a little piece of advice to anyone else looking to use VistaPrint - do not put a border around your postcards like mine. They do not cut them very well, and they can appear uneven. Luckily I had 100 of them, and only needed about half. I sifted through them to pick out the best ones. My fiancé thought I was crazy!

Anyways, here they are. I wasn't entirely happy about the border thing, but no one else had noticed until I pointed out, and you can't beat the price. In total, including priority shipping, I paid something like 50 dollars!

June 2009

melnb & FI: June 2009 - Paradisius

FYB87 & FI: June 2009 - Resort undecided

Rosanne & Alex: June 24, 2009- Dreams Punta Cana

Sue & Steve: June 30th, 2009 - Riu Palace Punta Cana

July 2009

Kylie & Chris: July 1, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

Amber & Seth: July 2, 2009 - Excellence Punta Cana

Nadia & Julian: July 3, 2009 - Excellence Punta Cana

Lori & Justin: July 8, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical

Nathan & Brianne July 15th- Dreams Punta Cana

Jess & Dan: July 27, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

Jenn & Chris: July 31, 2009 - Riu Palace, Punta Cana

Cecile & Nord: July 24,2009-Moon Palace, Punta Cana

August 2009

Shannon & Rich: August 5, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

Hayley & Nick: August 10, 2009 - Paradisus Punta Cana

Ana & Adam: August 15, 2009 - Iberostar Punta Cana

September 2009

Clare & Ross: September 7, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed)

Chris & Martin: September 9, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed)

Lori & Keith: September 9, 2009 - Excellence, Punta Cana

Kenya & Eddie Sept. 12, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

Kim & Jason September 18, 2009 - Dreams Palm Beach

Kristy & Vince: September 19, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

October 2009

Carmen & Tiny: October 09, 2009 - Catalonia Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana

Jeannie & Jorge: October 10, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

Jen & Dave: October 10, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

Darcy & Dave: October 11, 2009- Melia Caribe Tropical- Punta Cana

Angela & Jason: October 20, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

Kelly & Pablo: October 22, 2009 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana

Jenny & Matthew: October 27, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical

c & d: October 27, 2009 - Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana

November 2009

Veronica & Paul: November 5, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

Lisa & Jim: November 5, 2009 - EdenH Real Arena Punta Cana

Sandra & Rob: Novemeber 7, 2009- Ocean Blue/ Sand Golf & Beach Resort

Erin & Trent: November, 9, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical

Rosa & Eddie: November 10, 2009 - Barcelo Bavaro Palace

Leslie & Gerry: November 16, 2009- Majestic Colonial

Andrea & Chris: November 24, 2009, Majestic Elegance

Krista & Dave: November 25, 2009 - Sirenis Tropical

Annida & Sante: November 27th, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana

December 2009

Julie and Rob: December 4, 2009 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana

Amber and Dan: December 5, 2009 - Majestic Colonial

Nonnie and Marj: December 10,2009-Grand Palladium Punta Cana

Beth and Ian: December 12, 2009- Excellence Punta Cana

Lindsay and Tracy: December 31, 2009 - Majestic Colonial

August 2009

Tasha & Jamil: August 1, 2009 - Excellence Punta Cana

January 2010

Jacqueline & Craig: January 5, 2010 - Sirenis Tropical

Nicole & Michael: January 23, 2010 - Bavaro Princess

Shelby & Michael: January 23, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

Jocelyn & Michael: January 25, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

Lisa & Adam: January 2010, Dreams Punta Cana

Nicole & Chad: January 13, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

February 2010

Anne & Tim: February 20, 2010 - Jellyfish Restaurant (Staying at Melia)

Amber & John: February 27, 2010, Paradisus Palma Real

March 2010

Jennifer & Cory March 13 2010- Palma Real Punta Cana

Kim & Ron March 17, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

Diane & Devin March 25 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real

Anna & Lawrence March 26 - Majestic Colonial

Lindsay & Seth March 28 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real

April 2010

Vanessa & Eddie April 16, 2010 - Majestic Colonial

Steph & Jason April 17, 2010 - Grand Palladium Palace Punta Cana

Crystal & Tyler April 20, 2010-Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana

Helen & Scott April 21, 2010- Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana

Dianne & Adam April 21, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana

Jess & Aaron April 22, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

Stacey & Eric April 22, 2010 - Dreams La Romana

Erin & Jeremy April 28, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

Amanda & Craig April 28*, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana

May 2010

Jennnifer & Trevor May 11th 2010 - Majestic Colonial

Rosa & Larry May 15th, 2010 - Excellence Punta Cana

Heather & George May 15th 2010 - Dreams La Romana

mary & joey may 21st, 2010- dreams punta cana

Lauren & Nate May 18, 2010- Majestic Colonial

Sara & Adam May 22nd, 2010 - Indecided, Punta Cana (Palladium, Dreams, Iberostar or Excellence)

Valerie & Jake May 29, 2010- Dreams La Romana

June 2010

Bobbi And Tyler: June 4th 2010 Majestic Colonial

July 2010

Lynette and Darnel July 13, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana

Liz & Miguel - July 26, 2010 - Undecided location {Santiago, Puerto Plata, or Punta Cana

James and Jessica- July 17, 2010 -Paradisus Punta Cana

August 2010

Jeanette & Julio - undecided Punta Cana, (PPC or PPR) Aug 2010

Linda & Robin: August 3, 2010 - Paradisus Punta Cana

July 2011/ 2012

Yvonne and Andrew- last week of july 2011/ 2012 (money dependant), dreams la romana

Military Mrs, I noticed you're from NS! I'm orginally from there too!

Thanks so much everyone for your warm welcomes! I have been creeping around this site non-stop. There is so much great information!! We have a wedding date set at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana for April 21st, 2010. I can't wait. Planning DW seems like a lot more fun than a traditional wedding!

I'm so excited, we just secured our wedding date for April 21st, 2010!!

It took us a couple of weeks of going back and forth witht he WCs. I emailed both Carolina and Isyuney. We are staying at the Punta Cana, and from what I've read on this forum, Isyuney used to be in charge of weddings there, however, we have only ever spoke with Carolina. In the package she sent us yesterday, it only has her contact info for the whole resort.

Carolina has been really great, really some of the time that's passed was my own fault, but yesterday we emailed back and forth for an hour or so to firm up the date. It's such a relief to have so we can start booking!

Hang in the Military Mrs...sometimes, it takes some "reminders". My TA also emailed them for me as well.

Hello All!

My name is Dianne, and I am from Ottawa, Canada. My fiancé and I will be getting married in April 2010 in Punta Cana. We are still looking into resorts, but I think we are really liking the Grand Palladium Bavaro.