mdb

Hey Girls, Is there anyone who has had a legal ceremony at the resort? I am wondering if your received your marriage license? We were married in August and still have not received it. They said it should arrive in 12 to 18 weeks from the date of our ceremony and it has now been 25 weeks. They have told me three times now that they should have it and were going to send it the following Friday. And... Nothing yet. I got another email last Monday saying they would send it Friday... but nothing. I'm just curious if anyone else is having the same issues. It is beginning to get frustrating. Thanks, mdb

Girls, Make sure that you take all of your copies of your emails on what they quoted you. Especially if they are quoting you different amounts. Also, if you are not getting through to your wedding coordinator, wait a few days. When they have off, they get 3 days off in a row. They work 10, and get three off. However if you are not hearing anything, email Anna let her know that you haven't heard back and ask the questions in the email.(I believe she may oversee everything with the weddings) She always responds promptly. Her email is [email protected] I would take your own sashes because they only run $1 on some sites. I took fake flowers and I was glad I did. From what I heard, the bags that they charge $5 for are small. maybe you could ask how many bags you would need to fill the aisle. I know that they do not exchange anything that is included in the packages. Also, I have seen photos from the photographer, (we brought our own with us though) If it is included in the package, I would just have the resort take pictures also. ( our photographer stayed on the resort so we did not have to pay the fees) Good luck girls. Don't stress!!! everything ends up being better than you have imagined on your wedding day.

Okay let me try to answer some of your questions. ... @f michelle- we tipped our WC 50... some tipped more, some tipped less. I know that someone said that that tipped 100. I would say that it is a personal preference! Just tip what you feel you should tip.. Without the WC things wouldn't have fallen in place the way that they did!!! : ) @stepahy0930- I got the least expensive package because there were only 12 of us including my husband and I and the two photographers that we brought with us. Included in that package was flowers for the cake table, Two flower arrangements for the posts, an aisle runner (it is included but they didn't put it down for some reason) I didn't stresss the small stuff. and tiki torches to line the aisle. This also included cake and whatever else was listed on the web. oh oh it says private dinner for two but make sure you request that and set that up with your WC. we forgot all about that. We didn't hire pastor york, we used the judge. I will tell you that she speaks spanish and then the WC will translate. That didn't bother us ... my thought was... we're in their country and that's the language that they speak. : ) and it saved the extra expense ... I thinks someone wrote that pastor your was like 300 ... I could be wrong though. Diva- my husband got a room near the excellence club and the air worked better, but other than that, it was the same! I hope this helps ladies

@ fmichelle, how dressy is your dress? the shoes are nice but don't look very dressy. Then again, if your dress is long, you won't see them... and it is your day and all about what you want. : ) @ Diva- The girl who did my make-up was amazing. I too was worried before I went but I'm so glad that I had them do it at the resort. I wouldn't say that are the most sanitary,(I think they use the same applicators on everyone) so I might suggest that you bring our own applicators if that bothers you.

I'm not sure but I think you have to be legal prior to having a symbolic there.

The food was great at every restaurant. There wasn't on meal that I didn't enjoy! Actually everyone who was with us said the same! Chez Isabelle (french) was by far the best. My wedding meal was the greatest. : ) We booked the travel through the online site where we booked. : ) It was a small Van and we dropped people off at other resorts along the way. The trip was about an hour.

Sorry, I just sold these!

The fans, sashes and feathers are sold. Sorry I still have the dress left! : ) Let me know if anyone is interested.

They are from Allure Bridal. http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=568

I have one bouquet for sale. : ) They aren't real touch but they look great! My be great as a toss bouquet if you have more than one bridesmaid in your wedding.

I would send a more formal invite, even if it is one that you make yourself. On that, I'd put an rsvp date and have them send you their confirmation number. This way you will be able to order chair sashes and other items that you will need an exact count on. Just my thought. : )

Hi Ladies, I have 10 turquoise and 11 green sashes. $5 plus shipping for all. I'm just trying to get rid of them. I"m moving at the end of Oct and just want to get rid of them. Â Let me know if anyone is interested. Â The picture below shows how I tied them both on the chairs. : )

Diva, There weren't too many days that the water was calm but, it is amazing when it is. Attached is a pic I took on a calm day.  You won't be disappointed!  I don't have blue water for my wedding pictures because the sun wasn't out but my photographer said it was better that way because we weren't squinting ..  Also, there are less peepers watching the wedding.

Hello Girls, I still have everything available.  I'm willing to take 30 plus shipping for the dress, or best offer.   8 rafia fans $5 plus shipping 10 turquoise chair sashes  and 11 green apple chair sashes-  $10 for all plus shipping Peacock feathers Trash the dress Â

We booked through Cheapcarribean. I was the least expensive for our guests also. they pd. about 2300 for two ppl for 6 nights I believe. Thats with flight and everything.

@fmichelle, I believe it was the judge who married us. She had us sign paperwork right after the ceremony . It was in spanish and was translated to english by the WC. We didn't personalize anything. If we didn't need to translate, it may have only been about 4 minutes : ) lol. We only had parents and sibling attend so we weren't too concerned about a big elaborate ceremony. I didn't use pastor York but from what I understand, if he performs the ceremony, then the judge would need to come to have you sign the papers to make it legal. And I also heard it was in English. I hope this helps : )

Thanks, I hope everyone has a perfect day, just as we did !!!

Hey girls, I posted some things for sale if anyone is in need of sashes, TTD or rafia fans  http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/63676/for-sale-rafia-fans-chair-sashes-trash-the-dress

here is a link. I tried to post individual pictures but they wouldn't post : ) Â Â http://www.krossroadsphotography.com/Weddings/Weddings/5672554_jZY89#980516691_8QEr4 Â Â Â The dress is the one in pictures 3, 4, 5, 6 - it has pickups and - beading under the chest , Strapless and ties up the back. If you would like to see more pictures, I would be happy to email some to you.

For those of you having a small wedding or needing some extras, I have the following:  8 rafia fans $5 plus shipping 10 turquoise chair sashes  and 11 green apple chair sashes-  $10 for all plus shipping Peacock feathers Trash the dress(it was a prom dress, champagne in color, Size 3-  originally $180, asking $40 plus shipping.  Not altered,  Only the straps were removed. : )   Let me know if you are interested. : ) Â

Make sure that you take some extra chair sashes with you. Â They can tie them around the three other tables that they have there during the ceremony. Also , the banister like thing that you walk over to get to the beach. Â : ) Â Â

They sent me a simple paper asking what flowers, cake, and other extras that I wanted. Â It was like called a pre wedding survey or something like that. Â I'll try to find it on my computer. I knew what I wanted prior to arriving because they sent me pictures of the cakes and flowers. I also took my own sashes and a few other items like peacock feathers for the table at dinner. Â I just basically went over all of that during the 20 minutes. Â I talked to her about how to tie the sashes on the chairs and also about the specifics of the tables and the ceremony set up at the rehearsal. : ) Â We arrived on Saturday and the Wedding was on wednesday. : ) Â Questions are perfectly fine, thats how I found out so much. Â I learned more from my questions to everyone on here than I did the wedding coordinator. Â

Excellence Punta Cana Review 5:00 ceremony on the beach, August 11, 2010 Booking- A We booked using Cheap Caribbean. It was very easy and by calling to book our family, we were able to get everyone on the same flights. We also had transportation booked directly through Cheap Caribbean. We did not have any problems with transportation. : ) Destination Wedding- A+++ A destination wedding was perfect for us. Although some friends wished they could have attended, we did not invite any friends or extended family because our closest friends would not be able to attend. However, we loved every minute of this and would not change it or anything. Resort A +++ The resort was absolutely amazing. After about an hour drive to the resort, we were greeted with a cold towel and a cold glass of champagne. We arrived before check-in so we walked around the resort. When we arrived in our room, our bags had been delivered, and we had fresh fruit and a bottle of champagne waiting for us. We did not book an upgraded room and were 100% satisfied with everything. At first, we thought we would have preferred a room with a better view, but after a few days we realized that we could enjoy the sunlight that came from the patio door, and continue to have privacy in our room. The rooms that our family was in had a beautiful view of the cascade pool and you could hear the waterfall. However, we realized that we loved the privacy of our room. Rooms- the AC wasn’t that great, however, my husband said the room they gave him the night before the wedding had excellent AC. Service- Amazing. They do everything they can to go out of your way to take care of you. The very first night, 10 of us went to spice. We all sat at one table and they filled our table with plates and plates of appetizers. (We probably had about 8.) This was great, rather than everyone ordering individuals, we all shared and were able to try everything. Spice was fabulous. Food-I must say that I loved every meal while I was there and we ate at every restaurant. Most of then twice! WC prior to arrival-Isyuney Isyuney was my original wedding coordinator who responded to the emails that I sent. She responded to most emails pretty quickly, however she would only answer one question at a time. If I had a list of 5 questions, she would answer one and reply and the rest would go unanswered. I quickly learned that if she didn’t respond to my questions, I would either send one question at a time or email here and Anna at the same time and my questions would be answered. WC on arrival- Griselda A+++ Two days before we left, Griselda began responding to my questions. Then upon arrival, she was our wedding coordinator. We met with her for about 20 minutes on the day that we arrived. She asked us all of the same questions that are in the questionnaire that they send you. She didn’t have a copy of the one that I sent but that is probably because those questions allow them to arrange for a DJ or other entertainment that you may want at your wedding. Also, we were able to change some things that we may have originally written on the questionnaire. Griselda was very friendly. I will say, I was a little concerned because she would just say, “ok†when I told her how I wanted the chairs and other things for the ceremony. She didn’t write anything down. (I made a simple list and gave it to her because I was a little concerned) BUT… no worries ladies EVERYTHING was more perfect than I could have imagined. I would suggest just taking the questionnaire with you to make sure that they ask you everything. : ) Because at first I forgot to mention that some of my family also needed their hair done. I figured they knew from the papers. But no worries, she called the spa and made arrangements for everyone. Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner B I have been in two weddings and during rehearsal, someone always tells everyone where and when to walk and where to stand, Griselda didn’t do this. But no worries, just ask questions and she will answer everything. Rehearsal dinner was changed three times by the coordinator, but that didn’t bother us. We were on vacation and we’re very flexible. First were to have a sit down dinner at Tuscana, we chose a menu for that dinner. Then Griselda informed us that she forgot that the restaurant was closed that night so we would have it on the beach with Dominican buffet. Then, they were worried about the rain, so right before dinner they changed it again to the Dominican buffet, but inside of Tuscana. This really didn’t bother us, we just went with the flow. Dinner was great. However, looking back we wish we would have had a sit down dinner in one of the restaurants. But then again, that was with a set menu and then people woudn’t get to eat what they wanted. So I guess the buffet allowed everyone to choose their own dinner. Spa I went to the spa around 1:00 to have my pedicure and manicure. It was so relaxing . After my nails were done, we went back to my room to have my hair and nails done. They said that the air in the spa wasn’t working well so we went to my room. Two of the ladies from the spa came so that they could do my bridesmaids hair and my mom’s. I also had my make up done. The girl, ( I wish I could remember her name) did amazing. My hair looked better than the picture that I brought. Also, if you don’t bring a picture, they have a book with pictures in it. They are the professionals and they did fabulous. Flowers A+++ I brought the bridesmaids flowers from home. But I chose the lilies. I originally wanted the calla Lilly but I decided to go with the Lilly. The bouquet was absolutely amazing. I never imagined that it would look like it did. The picture has babies breath with it but I told her to leave that out and put the leave under the flowers. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!. My husband also wore a lilly. These were all included in my package. I must say, I’m not a big flower person, mine always die, but my flowers were BEAUTIFUL!!! Wedding A+++++++++ My day was absolutely perfect. The wedding was at 5pm. I had the bridesmaids with me in the carriage and my father waited for me so that he could walk me down the aisle. The microphone wasn’t working at first when the officiant started talking (again, this didn’t phase me) Honestly, I think they fixed it but I can’t remember. The ceremony was in Spanish and the wedding coordinator translated it in English. They didn’t tell me this ahead of time but I found out when she started speaking : ) Again, no worries, I was in their country. After the ceremony, we were served champagne and we cut our cake on the beach. It was absolutely beautiful and the cake was delicious. I chose a cake from a different package but just a smaller version. : ) I also brought my own ribbon for around the cake. We then went around the resort to different spots to take photos. I brought two photographers with me. Dinner We had our dinner in Chez Isabelle. Because there were only 12 of us total, we only had dinner, no reception. Griselda, set up the table better than I had requested. I brought stones for inside of the vases and ribbon for around the top of vases along with peacock feathers and ribbon for the napkins. It looked absolutely amazing. She added water and floating candles to our vases. I couldn’t have asked for anything else. : ) Also, dinner was absolutely the best yet. However, I only had two bites because I got sick and had to leave the restaurant. So my wedding night was cut short, no dancing at the disco and no watching the Michael Jackson show. But hey, I’m just thankful that my sickness held off until dinner. : ) It could have been much worse. Our day was perfect. I couldn’t not have asked for anything more. Griselda did a phenomenal job. Cake- A Although I only had one small bite of the cake, because I got very sick, everyone told me how great it was. We had vanilla cake with raspberry icing. Everything was Beautiful. It was the wedding of my dreams.  Here is a link to just a few of our photos  Â

When we had our wedding, we were told that in order for it to be a legal ceremony, a friend or someone who we brought with us could NOT perform the ceremony.  This has nothing to do with it being religious or now. Our ceremony was legal but not religious.  Hope this helps. : )  I got married this august at 5:00 and we took pictures until dinner time and that was around 7 and we ran out of light.  Didn't get some pictures that I wanted. I would say make sure you leave enough time.  The cascade pool is pretty private and very beautiful.  I would say that it would probably be pretty buggy by the beach.  Although it would be beautiful. Â

I'm back and everything was PERFECT. Â I'll be sure to post a full review in just a few days. : ) Â : ) Â Â