jessi4d

We did the symbolic ceremony, called the renewal of vows. It was totally realistic, we wrote our own ceremony that my grandfather performed. We are going to the JOP today, in fact, to make it legal, since we had no time before we left.

The private reception was $1000 for unlimited guests. We thought about having a beach reception, but without knowing in advance how many people were coming, and at $60/head, we needed to be able to budget in advance. The cost of DJ seemed reasonable, but that's probably b/c I'm in north Jersey and it's really expensive here.

The only reason I would recommend the spa for hair is that they really know to use a lot of hair spray. You will need it. If you do your own hair, use at least 3 times as much hair spray as you think and then spray again for good measure. It is windy on the resort and super windy on the beach.

It didn't rain, it was just cloudy. But the photographer said that was the best possible outcome, since it wasn't hot, and people weren't squinting in the sun for pictures. Plus the water looks AMAZING against the sand and sky in all of our pictures. The music was played by a CD player. I don't think Carolina has an ipod dock, so I would burn all of your music for your ceremony on a CD before you leave. And if you have additional music for a DJ, put that on a separate CD since it was a PITA to get the CD from Carolina, to the DJ, to the videographer for the the DVD. We cut the cake during the reception, but if you aren't have a private reception, I think you cut the cake during the toast right after you walk out. You and your wedding party go, have a few moments to yourselves and then we went back for a toast and pictures with all of our guests. We paid for the photographer and videographer to stay for the reception, since I really wanted pictures of the whole night for memories. You won't remember everything so I wanted great pictures to remind me, and it was only an additional $300 for both.

Completely agree with DJ Mannia. Carlos is the best and we had the best time. $800 for 4 hours.

Any other question, feel free to ask. It's all fresh still and of course I love talking about my wedding!

I think the only thing I had a issue with was the spa. Services- 2 pedicures, 3 manicures, 1 makeup, 6 wedding hairdo's. Price- $893, ($200 on nails, $693 on hair/makeup) without tips, totalling more than $1000. It would have been cheaper to bring our own from NY!!! But our hair stayed in place during the entire night, which is saying something, since it was WINDY on the beach! They know how to use hairsprays, those girls! But $1000 is way too much to spend on hair. We had only budgeted $500 on this, so there was a little sticker shock when I went up to pay, since this was my treat for my mom and bridesmaids. I'm glad I paid, since I couldn't imagine asking everyone to pay for their trip and then $120 for hair also!

We had a reception at El Bohio restaurant, right off the beach near the pool at the Palace. We had the private reception, since we wanted a DJ and first dance and such. We went with Carlos at DJ Mannia (we didn't have to pay for a day pass for him, but we did for the photographer) and he was the greatest!! $800 for a great night. We gave him our first dance song and father/daughter, mother/son and some other songs that we liked and he had all the rest of the music picked out from that. Every song he played was perfect. Right up our alley. My H and I have been to 7 weddings in the 2 years we've been together, so we made a treat for our guests and played everyone's first dance songs again, which got everyone up and dancing and then moved to "dance songs". Dancing the whole night! Which is not bad for a group that is usually the ones sitting at the bar when dancing is going on....

We had the traditional setup, with an aisle made of coconuts on the sand. It was lovely. We got married at 5pm, since our only other option was 1pm (the 3pm slot was taken by a bride with a legal ceremony, which depended on the judges availablility). We found out the time the day before we got there and then Carolina updated our photographer with details. We used Michael Weiler with weddingspuntacana and can only say the best things about him. We've been married for 4 days and we already have out wedding album, a video, 100 photos and a DVD with over 500 pictures. Brides who have been married for a year don't even have theirs yet! Every picture was wonderful and he was very accomodating. Nothing bad to say at all about him or his videographer.

Hello ladies- Well we are back from a beautiful week in the DR, in which every day was sunny except for our wedding day. I wanted to post some pics, but I'm at work, so I'll try again later. I can answer some questions though. As for making a renewal of vows look "real", don't worry about it. We had my grandfather perform the ceremony and didn't sign a fake paper. No body noticed. just like nobody notices when people sign the marriage certificate at regular weddings. There was a sound system available for walking up and down the aisles, and that was included in the package. There are several colors of chair sashes available (we used the aqua ones) but if you want a very specific color, you might be out of luck. The bouquet that is included in the package was nice, but since I had a specific look in mind, I upgraded my bouquet, my bridesmaids, my mom and MIL coursage and bouts for the men for $200 total.

Just a quick note to tell the brides not to freak out too hard. We leave next Tuesday for our wedding next Saturday (!) and Carolina didn't start getting back to me until about 2 weeks ago. Her new email is [email protected] for anyone who didn't have it. There is an "s" after wedding, which is why my email weren't going through. We aren't going to be able to make many of our decisions, like cocktail hours or ceremony decor, until we get there. Which my FI reminds me is why we chose a DW!

Ok, I'm totally freaking out. I am getting married at the Grand Palladium on Feb 20, 2010 and all of my emails to Carolina are bouncing back. I really wanted to get the final details worked out (centerpieces, chair ties, etc things I would have to buy and bring with me if I have to) and now I can't even contact her. I have 78 days til my wedding! Ok, freak out over. Whew.

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 Tanya & Joe: November 4, 2009 - Palladium Palace, Punta Cana 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 Tara and Philip: December 7, 2009- Majestic Elegance 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 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 12, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana February 2010 Anne & Tim: February 20, 2010 - Jellyfish Restaurant (Staying at Melia) Jessica & Chairoj: Feb 20, 2010 - Grand Palladium Palace Resort 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 Erin & Pat March 27 2010 - Dreams Palm Beach Lindsay & Seth March 28 2010 - Paradisus Palma Real April 2010 Courtney & Michael April 13, 2010 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana Tracy & Mike - April 13, 2010 - Grand Palladium Royal Vanessa & Eddie April 16, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Steph & Jason April 16, 2010 - Grand Palladium Palace Punta Cana Alli & Darren April 19, 2010- Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Tammy & Ryan April 19, 2010- Grand Paradsie Bavaro(Alli were getting married next door) Crystal & Tyler April 20, 2010-Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Jennifer & Trevor April 21, 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) Iris and Mike May 27, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Rebecca and Hector May 27, 2010-Grand Palladium Punta Cana Shanelle & Michael ~ May 28, 2010 ~ Paradisus Punta Cana Susan & Roberto ~ May 28, 2010 ~ Dreams Punta Cana Valerie & Jake May 29, 2010- Dreams La Romana Melissa & Jason~ May 31, 2010 Paradisus Punta Cana June 2010 Bobbi And Tyler: June 4th 2010 Majestic Colonial Jen & Joe: June 5, 2010, Dreams Palm Beach LaToya & Micah: June 18, 2010 Dreams Punta Cana July 2010 Natasha & Benjamin - July 2, 2010 Dreams Punta Cana Lynette and Darnel July 13, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Laura & Zach July 15, 2010 - Majestic Colonial or Grand Palladium Palace Jenn & Andrew - July 21, 2010 - Majestic Colonial, PC 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 Denise & Julio: August 7, 2010- Punta Cana- Melia Carib Tropical October 2010 Autumn & Dominic - Oct 16th, 2010 - Dreams Punta Cana Michele & Andrew - Oct 19th, 2010 - Majestic Colonial Luciel & Emil - Oct 20th, 2010 - Melia Caribe Tropical July 2011/ 2012 Yvonne and Andrew- last week of july 2011/ 2012 (money dependant), dreams la romana

Rgonzales- We booked our rooms, our parents' rooms and our attendants' rooms early since we are traveling during peak season. After that, I'm not worrying too much about everyone else RSVPing. Apparently, Carolina doesn't need a headcount until we arrive, so there's no problem with people booking last minute. Thank goodness we won't have to keep on everyone for final headcounts like traditional weddings. We can only remind them that the longer they wait, they more they will pay in airfare....

beachbum- I emailed Carolina this weekend and am waiting to hear from her about the private reception. I also am planning the DJ so that I don't have to make a playlist! FI and I have completely different tastes in music so that would just be a disaster.