SSNM

So it sounds like you went with one of their packages and not a free package? My understanding is that the packages include taxes and gratuities.

Thanks for the cudos Tara! I was hoping that this topic would engage further discussion on travel safety and not on the particulars of this case. It could have been a $2 ring and it would still have hurt me as much (I hate to lose things let alone have them stolen). Thanks for your perspective too on cost. It should definately be acknowledged that people choose to spend their money differently and that should not be judged by anyone but the spender. Here is the link again to the travel safety post: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t40699

sonic:boom

starbucks:sugar free vanilla syrup

Well everyone else said it beautifully so I can only echo their advice and say don't invite them if you don't want them there. If you don't want to get into the nitty-gritty of why, then don't -- you don't have to because it is your wedding and you decide who you want there, plain and simple. In fairness though, I think wedding etiquette is not something widely known among people. I didn't know a lot about wedding etiquette until I started planning my own wedding. I have had many people assume they are invited to my wedding which really overwhelmed me. Some people just don't catch on and so you have to forgive the odd slip up. But stick to your guns.

So they don't tax the wedding packages or the other add-ons (i.e. decorations, photography, music, etc)? What about service charges of 10% that they add to the food packages? Do they not add that to other areas as well?

I wouldn't. It just doesn't seem fair pay for the day pass for some people who already chose a cheaper resort and then the people who stayed at the resort for the higher fee don't get a break. If I paid for one person's stay for the wedding day I would feel obligated to pay for everyone's day stay which really isn't practical unless you have a huge budget to work with.

Welcome ashore bestdestinationwedding.com!

Welcome ashore Jennib! I am sure you will find the information you are looking for. Just use the search function in the upper right corner and you will pull up a lot of stuff. Cheers!

Is it wise to not say anything about the resort day pass and risk a guest booking somewhere else and then being surprised at the resort on the day of your wedding? I know some of my potential guests will be looking for the cheapest option possible which may not necessarily be my resort. I could just not mention other options, but then I feel I would run the risk of a guest being put out $100+ by not giving them full information. It is not in my budget to cover these day passes and I don't think it is right, considering I would not have put money towards anyone's cost to stay at the resort where the wedding is hosted.

Thanks a lot Dmitri! Some great advice for the unseasoned traveller like myself!

Can one book a preferred deluxe room at Dreams Punta Cana and still be eligible for a free wedding? They seem to rank rooms differently than Dreams Palm Beach. At Dreams Punta Cana, the honeymoon suite appears to be lower ranked than a preferred club deluxe room and the wedding section of the Dreams PC site says that you need to book the honeymoon suite or higher. Dreams Palm Beach seems to rank the honeymoon suite higher than the preferred club deluxe room. The honeymoon suite is also considered preferred club. The website for Dreams Palm beach also states you must book a honeymoon suite or higher. Thanks for your help.

Thanks for the clarification.

What is the difference between asking for a specific type of gift and registering in terms of etiquette? I mean, are you not basically asking that people should get you a gift if you register?

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Maureen Yes, it is also rude to show up to a wedding with no gift, but the guest should be able to choose any gift they like and not feel pressured to put a dollar amount to it. Sustained. Some people may get you a really nice gift that is in their budget. If you ask for money, they may feel the would have to give more than they would have spent on a gift -- totally get it, though they run the risk of getting a gift that the bridegroom will probably re-gift later or sell or return.

hope to have one soon : a drivers license

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild SSNM, I also agree that gifts are a bonus. Plenty of people show up at weddings without gifts, especially at a DW. People spend a lot of money to attend these functions. If they get you a gift too that is fantastic. If they don't, so be it. At least they were there! Change the way you look at it and the universe may reward you with better gifts than you could have asked for Starchild, in the context of a DW, yes, gifts are definately a bonus and should not be expected after a guest paid a huge chunk of cash to be at your wedding. But a local wedding, I believe is different. Again, I put it on the same level as tipping. Not mandatory but the unwritten rule says you do it (unless the service was sh*t).

Decorate:wedding

I believe DR is just as safe to travel to as any other popular carribean spot. This story, honestly, sounds like one of those freakish incidents where the accounts of the events really don't add up from either of the two parties involved (I researched it on the net and there are a lot of holes in this story from both sides, probably due to pending legal actions). The truth here may never be known. I think the only take-home points from here are to 1. Be smart with your valuables to minimize the chance that this will happen to you. 2. Have the numbers to the embassy of your country in the event that you end up in a crisis. 3. Have the number to your tour operator or whoever you booked your trip with for support. 4. Please, insure your $25K ring. Now my question: What are measures that other people take to prevent theft/loss? Maybe someone has a unique strategy they use? An water-proof pouch? Hide their credit card in a sock? Lock up the suitcase? These would be more practical things to talk about and quell some fears.

Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa sorry to be so blunt but gifts are a bonus and not an expectation . I beg to differ. Like I said previously, you wouldn't show up at a wedding and not bring a gift. That would be considered just as rude as you would consider asking for money rude. Kind of like tipping at a restaurant. They say it is optional and you would consider the waiter rude if (s)he asked for a tip. But if you didn't tip, the waiter would think you were a huge douche bag. Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa [why not just register at Bed,Bath & Beyond - you can return EVERYTHING there for cash!!! Interesting...I never knew you could do this. But are there not policies against this sort of thing (i.e. only a certain amount of products can be returned). I mean, they are not a bank and I can see where many people would treat them as such.

Welcome ashore bestdestinationwedding.com. You'll find the answer to your question and more on here. Just start perusing the site and you'll find tonnes of to-do lists and planning threads of how other brides got started. Use the search function near the top of the screen to help. Happy planning!

Hello Lindsey! Welcome ashore best destination wedding! You'll find a lot of great info here

Welcome ashore!

Welcome ashore!

Welcome aboard! Lots of RIU info here so you have definately come to the right place!