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Hi kmc, this is also a concern of mine...I have yet to send my invites out yet but I already know some friends/family have mentioned concerns about lack of lunch included. If there are guests that plan on staying in their own room but refuse to pay the rate, they can always stay at a hotel nearby that will allow single bookings. AS for guests not staying the entire 4 nights, you could offer to just pay the room rate for the final night as a compromise. Â I do have a friend getting married in December (just a month before my wedding) and it's an all-inclusive where several people have been getting a great rate of $700 for the week; I don't think that is helping my case! But I take it as it is -- if we end up with empty rooms, so be it; the people who really wanted to be there will attend. Â I've had plenty of married people tell me (random strangers at that..) that you're never going to make everyone happy but you should really only try to please two people - you and your future hubby; it is your day after all!

Hi all! Hi Kelli! - congrats on booking at PF! I was scared too when you see that big total on the contract and I've also booked without visiting but all these brides like Magalie and Kate write so many wonderful details about this place it's hard to think it is a bad choice! Â We've ended up actually picking Welcome Dinner for the first night , Mexican BBQ the next night with Fried Ice Cream and Puerto Vallarta dinner on the rehearsal night with Churros. Â For the welcome dinner night we might end up with the Margarita bar as Melissa (wedding planner) had mentioned that guacamole is complimentary on the first night arrival. But I've also enquired about Mexican wedding cookies -- we might do it as a station or possibly as wedding favours.....they said they could do three diff flavours: guava, lemon or traditional with nuts. Has anyone had mexican wedding cookies before?

Hi Kate! I found your review finally and it's so helpful thanks!

Congrats again Magalie! Your blog is awesome and your wedding pics turned out gorgeous! It's been awhile since I've searched this forum but do any of you former PF brides have suggestions for the food/beverage stations and what is your advice on the nights/days to have them on?

Thanks! You've been an amazing help -- I am so lucky to have found this forum! p.s. Love your blog/wedding website and your photos...

Thanks for the advice! And congrats on your big day Magalie!!! your teaser photo looks amazing! Did you wait to book the flights until just before the wedding?

I would agree with Magalie -- the final cost on the contract was a little heart stopping. I wanted to ask how quickly any of you brides booked a group rate on flights? I tried to do so through Flight Centre for a January 2011 wedding but the rates were very high from Toronto and Vancouver. Any suggestions?

Hi Vanessa! Congrats on booking your date! I can only speak of the interactions we've had with Michelle Turner but she's been awesome so far. We booked her about a month ago after securing our date and she was extremely quick to respond to our emails. We also love her portfolio and blog - she seems very experienced. Michelle happened to be at the hotel shooting a wedding when we decided to book her so Lindsay was able to negotiate a great rate for us and Michelle was easy to book right away. Perhaps Beth is on assignment somewherE? I agree with Kate's suggestion -- contact Lindsay/Blaire and see if they can get in touch with her. I'm officially pooped out from Olympic stuff in Vancouver- olympic hangover! I'm glad to be back perusing this forum again for great ideas! Kate thanks for updating us on the recent changes at the hotel. I met a few people over the past few days who said that PF was in the older part of town with not much to do...it gave me some doubts but I'm pretty sure we made the right decision to book!

Hi again! Thanks for the advice - we ended up going with Michelle Turner. We like her portfolio and my fiance was a little weary of having to pay the cost of coverage and hotel stay for a photographer locally. We just sent in our contract and it did state that US photographers brought into the resort were only allowed if they had not worked with the hotel before. There is also a $250 fee for the wedding day and they need to provide the photos on a CD for a slideshow and sign a release form or pay another $500. Perhaps this is a new clause given that you didn't know about it? Given that added cost, we thought it would be best to use Michelle ! and we like her photos too. BTW Magalie, I thought you might enjoy this link to a great etsy site i found : Art and Custom Handmade Papel Picado by aymujer on Etsy I was thinking about ordering some banners to add to the decor -- looking at your blog header picture, I thought you might also want to take a look!!

Hi all! Thanks for the warm welcome. My real name is Ivy -- so excited about starting planning! We have never done a site visit , we picked the hotel simply based on TripAdvisor reviews, this forum review and the best vision of what we were looking for. We were looking for a small hotel with a more intimate setting that was also within the budget of our guests! We originally were looking at T&C (too expensive, no AI resorts) and then switched our search to Dominican Republic. However, I kept coming across reviews of Playa Fiesta and couldn't deny that it had everything we were looking for. I've seen enough photos from everyone's blogs/posts that I am confident it will be awesome. I have about 2 months to pick a photographer which is plenty of time I suppose. Thanks for the advice Magalie! I asked about outside photographers and they requested that outside photographers that have never been to the hotel before. So I won't be able to really check out Amber Hughes (her website looks great though!) as an option. I haven't yet had a chance to look at Beth's website but I will do that!

Thanks for the welcome! Hi Magalie! - I checked out your blog and your great reviews helped me seal the deal at PF. I wanted to ask, I think you mentioned that you had done research into photographers in the VAncouver/BC area-- do you have any recommendations? We are considering Michelle Turner but photography is one area we are willing to splurge a bit. Thanks for any help!

Hi all! My fiance and I have just booked at Playa Fiesta for January 4-9th , 2011 and a wedding date of January 7,2011! I have been lurking/reading the forums and have been so impressed with all the reviews of your wonderful weddings at this hotel! Can't wait to get more planning done soon! Have a great time Crystal!!!

Hi BikeGirl! I will definitely keep you updated should I find a travel agent. My cousin works has a few contacts in travel and she met someone recently who supported your statement that your money goes much further in sept/October in DR. Apparently prices go up after Nov 15? But my primary concern was hurricane season -- thanks for clearing that up! I guess mid/late November should be safer.

hello! My fiance and I were planning on a November 2010 wedding in the DR. Does anyone know if it is a risky month to book a wedding? Also, anyone have travel agents to recommend for Toronto area? (we are coordinating from Vancouver but Toronto is where most of our family/guests will be flying out of) Thanks in advance!