Holly22

If you have the chance of living for free and saving take it!!! Especially if you all get along. Its so hard to save for a house once you start renting. There is always things that come up. Even if your FI goes back to work its still a struggle. If you can save for a downpayment I would for sure. That way your rent is actually going to your own place and not paying someone elses mortgage. We did it all backwards. We moved out had kids now getting married.... A house is so far in the future. I hate paying rent! lol

Has anyone used or going to use the carribian trio?

I'm just going to buy the disc if its not too much. The boat reception is 3 hours. We are doing dinner. You can pick an option that is 2 hours/cocktail hour as well. The lady I talk to is Flori. She is really nice and helpful. If you want I can send you the info if you are intersted. I emailed her today asking what happens if it rains. I have seen a few girls on here that have gone on the boat and loved it! I know someone who just went to the resort and loved it. They said it was updated in alot of areas. Maybe that was why all the construction was going on? I hope so anyways! haha

I'm sorry but I would NEVER leave my kids with a stranger in a different country. Not to sound rude but if someone asked me to do that I wouldn't go. I like the idea of asking older guests that might not be out as late to watch the kids if you really are against it. I have a 2 and 1 year old. I'm lucky because both both sets of grandparents and one set of great grandparents are going. They are going to watch them if we want to stay out late.

Thanks, I just read more into it and don't think I have the will power anyways lol I recently lost 20 pounds on a spinach/ green smoothie diet. I haven't gained any back from it so I will try that for the remainding time till my wedding and see if it helps.

I went for 15 in a lay down bed. I know it was WAY too long. Just my back side is really burnt. The front is burnt but not that bad. I will go alot less next time for sure. Thanks for the advice : )

Has anyone tried the lemon/pepper/maple syrup cleanse diet? Beyonce apparently lost 20 pounds in 14 days. I would love to lose that much before my wedding. Even 10 would be great. I think I may try.... running out of time. Anyone one try? Did it work?

I just bought unlimited tanning for a month at the closest tanning place. I'm so burnt after one time. Exactly why I have to tan. I'm so pasty and freckly if I don't pre tan I will be a lobster in the DR! haha

Do you have the price for individual ones? Or smaller packages? I have the one with the wedding packages. I believe they are $1300 US? The same cost as my whole wedding at the resort. Francelia said that you can buy pictures or the disc and not have to get the whole package. I hope this is right. About 6 months ago photocaribe stopped replying to me as soon as I said I wasn't going to get the full wedding package. I can fly my own photographer and let them stay a week for that price. I wish I could afford it. I wanted to use a photographer from down in the DR who was half the price. I can't bring him on the resort............

Quote: Originally Posted by DressedInWhite I was married at the Bavaro Princess at the end of January... Don't get your hopes up to high. Nothing was terrible but they are very poorly organized and it reflects in the level of service they provide. We ordered the "Princess Package" and requested to have the ceremony on the beach. Despite the On-lookers which for the most part are controlled by resort staff, the beach was far and away better than the gazebo choice. There was another wedding down there at the same time and members of their group directly told me the bridge and groom wished they had chosen the beach. The gazebo is NOT intimate, unless you have a total of four people. The bridge and groom are raised way above the audience and are really all that close. Trolly's around the resort are continusly driving past the ceremony site and are loud and serve as a huge distraction. THe beach has the natrual beauty and simple set-up that I do no regret for a second. Only in a few shots did we have anything un-slightly and out of over 300 photos that's not bad. We upgraded to the private-beach party. This was a bit of a dissapointment. If you are going to do it, you better pray it doesn't rain. I understand there has to be a rain alternative but at this resort it SUCKS! it's a small banquet hall with old carpet terrible decorations and was the worst part of our day. I almost cried when I found out exactly where it was, but they didn't tell us we had to move there until 2 hours before so there wasn't much we could do. If you are going to have the beach party negotiate a head of time a back up location. I would suggest trying to bargain to have it at the licey resaturant as it is almost always empty and there is a small cafe at the side that is not in use in the evenings. I didn't know about this until after our reception, but I am sure if you push hard enough you could make happen. If you do not choose to have a private reception you get a portion of an a-la-cart for two hours. No music. No private bar... nothing private As for the details of the ceremony, again don't expect that the amount of planning and detail you put into that moment will be reflected in the way you are treated. When we got there, despite NUMEROUS emails, Francelia did not know where we wanted the ceremony or at what time. The judge (civil ceremony) had not even been confirmed and we didn't know the time of the ceremony for sure until a day and a half after our meeting appointment. We had it at 3:00. Perfect time. The sun was up, it was warm, and gave lot of time for pictures after and before dinner. We had a friend do almost all of the photos. We did get the 15 included with the princess package and they were beautiful, however you do not own the prints and you will not have a digital copy of them. To get a CD will cost you extra. The honeymoon-suite vs platinum suite! THis was a big issue for me. We had a large group and so to thank us our travel agent book us a honeymoon suite. If you are considering upgrading to this i would NOT recommend it. Instead, go for the plantinum suite. All of the same things are included but the rooms are much newer, closer to the beach, have more in-room alcohol and the platinum lounge with free internet and private bar is well worth it. Had I known this a head of time I would have asked to be switched. I am not on this site very often anymore but if you have any more specific questions i'll try to answer them. I just added a post for some questions I had about the marriage certificate so I will try and check back often. GOOD LUCK Thank you so much for the info! We upgraded our room but did not get the honeymoon. I'm happy now because I thought we should have before. Did you get your hair done at the salon? How was that? Do you remember how much extra photos are? On top of the 15? Photocaribe will not respond to me despite numerous emails. How was your flowers? Did you get the resort ones? Also did they allow you to pick the sashes for the chairs? Did your guests have a good time at the resort? I'm so nervous now ...

Quote: Originally Posted by Carish_02 @ Holly 22- We got the Princess package. Not too sure if I'm gonna add more stuff to it because it already have tons included. We've decided on the gazeboo because it's more itimate. A lot of people are saying that the beach has too many people "watching". (I would really feel uncomfortable) The beach would be a great background though. I think we are getting 4 or 5pm not really too sure. Is the dinner on the boat the resorts? Or it is from outside?? How many people are you bringing with you? We have 20 people including us, mostly family and close friends) Are you bring a close friend that is a professional photographer or were you planning on hiring someone? Why can't you bring a photographer? Is it because the photographer is not staying at the resort? My friend is a semi-pro photographer and he will be staying at the resort, do you think I'm gonna have a problem with him taking pictures? Well hopefully the pictures you guys take will be HOT! I'm sure you will LOVE them, then you can buy more. I think you can try and barter with the price. Did you buy your wedding favours? What is it? I'm debating if I should just buy something in Dominican, so I don't have to lug them around. I know everyone in this forum is going to be married at Dreams. I really wanted to be married there too but all Dreams resort is over booked for May already. It's okay Bavaro Princess looks promising. Yes, it's great that I can talk to you. thank god i'm not the only one getting married at Bavaro Princess. I think either place would be great! I hate the idea of ppl looking as well. We got the Wedding boat. Its an outside boat. It cost the same as the private places there so I thought it would be a nice idea for the guests and us. We get to bring our own music so I liked the idea of it being private. I haven't even thought what will happen if it rains. I have to email her to see. We have 26 going including us. Mostly family. You won't have a problem if your friend is staying at the resort. They told me no photographers from the Bavaro area. I am pretty upset about that. I still don't know what I'm going to do about photos. I don't have wedding favours yet. I like your idea! I was going to do something with starfish. I have about 30 but I'm not too sure. I wanted Dreams as well! I'm kind of regretting it. When we booked we had a really good group rate. I thought it would be fair to go with that rate so our guests wouldn't have to pay as much. A few people I know have been to this resort and loved it so I hope it all turns out. I'm a bit nervous after reading the latest reveiw.... lol

I don't know if I'm ready haha. Its so hard to really know what to expect. I was getting the princess package but we decided to do the legal stuff here so I'm just doing the infinity one. I'm not telling the guests so hopefully they won't find out. I've added things onto the package. We are going to get the carribian trio and a few other things. What package are you doing? I'm doing it on the beach. My friend went to a wedding there and the bride did it in the gazeboo. It was really nice! I always wanted to do it on the beach with the ocean in the backround so thats why. Have you decided where you will do it? Our ceremony is at 12. I asked to move it to 1 because we are doing the wedding dinner on the wedding boat. I hope we can. I just worry it will be really hot. Are you getting photos? I was really upset because I found out you can't bring a photographer from the DR to the resort. She told me 15 professional photos are included which is nice. I guess I can buy more if I like them. We are only a couple weeks off! I never really see anyone else on this site that is getting married here. Its nice to meet someone else : )

I've booked the wedding boat! I'm so excited. Flori is great to talk to and very helpful!

I'm getting married there April 26th 2010 My friend went there a few years ago for a wedding and said it was great. I hope the same. Have you been talking to Francelia? She has been very helpful.

I used to live in NY and I prefer JFK. I didn't think it was that bad. I wouldn't want to drive that far to the airport tho. I'm between two airports each are less the 40 minutes so I guess I'm lucky. Either way I'm sure he will just be super excited to fly down and marry you!!! PS I love your wedding date ( my bday) ; )

Thanks everyone! I will look into it for sure. I'm staying at the Bavaro Princess. It was between Bavaro and Dreams. I really wanted Dreams but got a really good group rate. I went with the good rate for my guests. I'm kicking myself bad. I just hope it all turns out.

Thanks! I really am thinking of calling and talking to some manager. They never told me once. In the contract I had to send the option for the 15 pictures for $200 was in it. Maybe that will get me somewhere at least. I'm so upset with this resort. From the start I was led to believe that it had a wheelchair accessible room. I have talked to two WC about my best friend being in a wheelchair and how we will do the ceremony. A day before final payment was due my TA called and said they have NO wheelchair accessible rooms! WHAT! She is still able to have some movement and has her own portable bars but it is the point. I have been asking my TA to reserve the room for almost 6 months. Apparenlty they have been giving her the run around as well saying they can't book it so far in advance. Then last minute all of a sudden there is no room? I am so laid back about everything. I'm starting to snap. haha

Do you mean the day pass? I did ask and she said no. She said no local photographer is allowed on the resort. The photographer I was talking to said he had showed up to do a wedding and they wouldn't let him on the resort! Apparently this is new at my resort. The only way I can have a non resort photographer is to fly my own which cost more. Maybe I should try and take the risk.

I wanted to vent somewhere and thought maybe some of you could give me some advice. My resort told me after I had already found a photographer that I could not bring a non resort photographer to my wedding. I was ok with this until I saw the prices. The cheapest package was $1200 american. Now I know that might not be alot for some but its almost double the cost of the package I was going to get with the other photographer. Not to mention his work is alot better. I simply can't afford it. Its double the cost of my actual wedding there! In the package extras it says you can get 15 photos for $200. I was going to settle for this because at least its something. They then informed me that the option was no longer available. So basically I'm out of luck. I'm so angry I would never have gone to this resort if I had known this before. I sent a email to my WC almost a month ago now asking for some options and she won't respond. She usually responds within a few days I am so sad at the thought of not having pictures at my wedding. I only want a few nothing outrages. I know some guests will be taking some pictures but most are in the actual wedding party. One of my bridesmaid is having marriage problems so her husband is no longer coming. She is bringing a girl I have never met before. That is fine I'm happy she can have someone come! I was thinking of asking if she would mind taking pictures. I have a really good camera. I just don't know if that is rude? We will be paying for her to go on a boat and have dinner and all the wedding things. I have never met her so I don't know if it would be offensive. Do you girls think its ok to ask her if she would take pictures?

My payment was sent on friday. I haven't heard from you so I was wondering if you recieved it?

I'm interested in the chair bows but only need 26 will you seperate?

I'm so sorry. It takes alot to make me cry but I am bawling. I can't even imagine what your friends must be going through. I have a three year daughter and I can't even imagine. No child should ever have to go through this. Its so unfair. Maybe there is something special you can think of to still make her feel included. Or maybe a nice video of the wedding with you all saying how much you love her and feel her there with you. So she knows how special she is. I'm sure she already does but I mean that could make her smile. My heart is breaking thinking of her and the family... your all in my prayers.

You should send her a text message saying " Thank you for being so helpful and supportive. I will not require your help as my BM any longer. I thought this was fair so you can recover from your illness. PS f U " HAHA ok maybe thats petty but I mean common that is horrible!!! I think what is worse is her putting that on her status full out knowing you would see it. It shows she does not care. Forget about people like her. I know its hard but at the end of the day you are marrying your best friend and the man you love. Don't let ANY selfish person ruin it. I think you have shown how mature you are so far because anyone would have snapped by now. All the best in your wedding. As long as you remember why your having a wedding and how much you love your soon to be husband everything will be perfect. Don't let these witches have the power to ruin something so special!

I was so against having it here but changed my mind. We are getting married here first. Its so much easier. I won't be telling any of the guests. Not only is it easier but in my wedding package is a $1000 dollar difference from civil to symbolic. Crazy! We are getting married here as soon as possible. I'm a bit confused already! haha it doesn't take much ; ) How does it all work in Ontario? Can you just go to city hall get the paper and then get an officiant? Or is there more to it?

I understand completly how hard it is financially. I would think it was wrong if it was some random. You said that this sister was like a mother to him so I can kind of see where the other sister is coming from. If she was like a mother its probably breaking her heart she cannot attend. I don't think they were trying to be rude. I think they all probably just want her to be there to share your special day. It cost alot for everyone to go. She is probably thinking if they can all pay thousands to come you guys can help as well. I'm not saying you should or she is right. I can just see where she is coming from. If she was a mother type figure to your FI, I think a couple hundred extra to spend to make sure someone so close to him will be there is a wonderful gesture. If you cannot afford it then you can't. You shouldn't feel bad! I just can see where they are coming from here.