ToyaToyaToya

Wait...the hotel is letting you work with Caribbean Celebrations directly??? Renee told me that i have to go through her and she would send Lara all of my requests. I suspect they are DEF trying to charge me more for centerpieces and decor than if i went directly through the vendor. Who approved this for you? (so i can ask them instead of Renee) I'm pissed!
 

Originally Posted by LalaJ 

I am using this particular vendor because the hotel allows you to work with them and no guest pass is required. They have done many weddings at the hotel. I will be getting some things from them and some things from the hotel's in-house decorators. Caribbean Celebrations is cheaper for some things such as centerpieces and other decor. They also have great service and get back to you promptly which I really appreciate. On the other hand, there are things that I wanted that are cheaper at the hotel which is why I'm using both.
 

 

you shuold call the miami office asap and ask to speak with Marlyn or a manager. That is rediculous!
 

Originally Posted by smr6281 

Hi everyone! Just wanted some advice if anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. My fiance and I submitted a proposal to Hard Rock for May 18th about a month ago. 2 weeks later we got a message pretty much stating they got it and that I would hear from someone. Two weeks after that we got an email stating our time was not available. I have since sent e-mails requesting dates with the 4pm time we want and have called a couple times...now what?? We haven't even booked anything and its been a month. I'm just getting anxious and would like to know if any of you went or is going through the same thing. Thanks!!

The sapphire collection (also diamond, ruby, amethyst etc) are the Hard Rock's old decor collections that were for 2011 wedding packages. Because some of us booked in early 2011, they are allowing us to keep those packages. I believe any weddings after June will have to be Colin Cowie collections only.
 

Originally Posted by Jay Berry 

where are the brides finding the "saphire collection" and other collections for the wedding? Can someone post a link with photos and potential prices, only thing see it the Colin Cowie or complementary packages, theyre nice but i would like to know of other options

Vane,

Just got off a call with Renee, and she just got back from punta cana this week. she told me that she thinks Roxy Ballroom is the best. below is te hlink she gave me.

http://vipeventspuntacana.weebly.com/hotel-photos.html
 

Originally Posted by Vane23 

Does anyone know what's the difference in ballrooms? Is one nicer than the other, or location, or is all a matter of size?

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

Vanessa

Nice! I get to the resort on the 14th. Hope all goes well! We are doing a symbolic ceremony...we heard its way easier. Any luck with communication this week? I had to send a not so friendly email, and now I have my second conf call set for next week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngCory 

Hello all!
 

My fiance and I are getting married at HRPC on May14!  I see that some of you will be there getting married in the same time frame!

 

We have had zero communication from our WC (Maylen) & are extremely frustrated.  Countless emails, phone calls (both to her and also through the hotel), posts on HRPC Facebook page....and still haven't gotten our questions answered.

 

Are any of you doing the civil ceremony?  I'm working on getting all the paperwork done, but since I haven't gotten response from HRPC, I figured I would ask here....

 

Regarding the translation of documents, does this include the wedding contract, declaration of single status, birth certificate?  Anything else?

 

We were happy to have found this site & this thread!!

Thanks Lala,

How do I figure out who my onsite coordinator is? I belive its Nancy, but I've tried calling the wedding office in Punta Cana and no one answers...just voicemail. Do you typically speak to them on the phone or via email?
 

Originally Posted by LalaJ 

Toya,

 

You could give your guests two options and have them choose before hand. Then you could let the hotel know who will be eating what. This would also entail for you to do assigned seating which could get complicated. The other option is for you to choose two entrees from the menu for all your guests. So everyone gets two main courses which are served on the same plate. That's what I chose to do. The only thing is that there are so many menu options that it could be hard to narrow it down just to two.

 

By the  way, have you tried contacting your on site WC? Your wedding is only 1 week after mine so you should be able to speak with someone in the hotel already.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Quote:

 

How are you all getting in touch with Renee? She doesnt answer my calls, and takes weeks to respond to emails.

Also, does anyone know how the plated diner menu works? Do I have to choose one main dish option for everyone? That sounds a bit absurd...

I get married there May 19th!!! will you still be there? i get there on the 14th! How many guests are you having?
 

Originally Posted by JJ512 

Hi!!  Yay!! I am so excited! You will definitely see us there!! We bought our plane tickets today, we arrive on May 8th around 1pm.  My wedding planner from destinationweddings.com has taken it as her mission to get them to contact me, if they don't this week I will definitely call the hotel so thanks for the tip.

 

What have you decided to do for your wedding? where are you getting married on the beach or in a gazebo? Did you pick a theme? So far we are doing the complimentary theme with a few add-ons because we are right on the beach and my bridesmaids are wearing different colors.  How many people are coming to your wedding??  So happy to find someone going though this mess too!!

 

-Jacqueline

Those set up fees are absurd! i planned on having my friends and cousins set up the table decor. I will def have to talk to Renee about this.
 

Originally Posted by Teenyclt 

r and k 2012

 

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner! I had a conference with Renee on Tuesday. We are having our ceremony at 2pm. We havent decided which beach location we would prefer yet. After speaking with Renee we decided to do our cockatil reception at 4pm followed by our reception from 5-8. Then our plan is to have all of our guests get comfortable if they choose to and head to a bar or the club. Our plan is to have every event outside but are waiting on a few more pictures to be sent before we decide which location we want for each. As of right now it looks like we have a little over 100 people with deposits down...we def were not planning on that many attending lol. So we do qualify for the unlimited functions. I have the same concern as you about the weather and it being windy or cold for outside events. I am not sure what to expect in terms of weather so I plan on researching that. I will def make sure to bring all documents to ensure they dont try to change the rules or throw extra charges in there anywhere so thanks for that info. We do plan on using the in house photographer. What is your plan for that? I was unaware that they charge for every chair over 30 with the complimentary package. I dont know if you have heard the same thing. Renee also told me that they charge to set up any decoration that you bring yourself. $200 to set up ceremony decor and $100 per table for reception decor and only staff is allowed to set up any decorations. I dont know if anyone has any info on this because I havent seen this info before. Are you going with a decoration package or do you plan on bringing things yourself? Also, Renee informed me that she is no longer handling our wedding because she will only handle weddings from the 16th to the end of the month for the Hard Rock. Were you told the same? Have you spoken to her since your conference? Thanks!

Unfortunately I'm carrying the cake with me on the plane.

Originally Posted by Vane23 

That's Gorgeous! How are you getting it there?

 

I am bringing a fake cake with me and having the resort just serve a sheet cake. http://ultimatefakecakes.com/wedding_cakes.html

Originally Posted by Vane23 

Does anyone have any ideas on cake options??

Their website is http://www.weddingsandeventsinpuntacana.com/. you should also search them on facebook to see up to date pics. i dont think they are as nice as Di Fiore, but they are the best i've seen in the punta cana area.
 

Originally Posted by Vane23 

Hi Toya!

 

I wanted to use Difiore based out the capital, I'm going to call the hotel directly and speak to Nancy. Can you send me the info for carribean celebrations?

Thanks!

 

Which decorating company were you looking to use? They are allowing me ot use carribean celebrations (per Nancy at the resort).
 

Originally Posted by Vane23 

My Wedding is October 12th, I signed my contract in 2011 and that's why I argued that the private functions should not be limited to 3 hours since I was not aware of that when I signed the contract. I definitely have to make some time to call the hotel directly and speak to the WC on site, I wanted to hire an outside decorating company that my photographer has worked with and I absolutely love their work, but I can't bring any outside vendors. Some of the resorts prices are way to expensive so I might end up bringing in some of the decor.

 

Lala! My wedding is May 19th! i get there on Monday the 14th. will you still be there?
 

Originally Posted by LalaJ 

Ladies,

 

My weeding is on May 12th and I was tired of waiting to receive a call from the on-site WC so I called the hotel directly. Jaqueline de Leon is my WC, has anyone worked with her? I should be receiving an email from her today to get the ball rolling, will let you know how it goes. I completed my site inspection last August so I pretty much know what I want but I have to see if all the changes they've made recently will affect my current plans.

Reneee also told me that Smile Market is their new photographer,..no longer HDC. Has anyone else heard this? Also, there is no way 3 hours will be enough for my cocktail hour and reception...i am worried.

Has anyone looked into any hairstyleists in the DR? I have very curly african american hair and i'm very nervous about the humidity!

@Brit Your Pics were awesome!!! I think i'm going to move forward with HDC as well. Do they touch up the pics before they send them to you? Did you do a trash the dress session? Also, how big is the covered area on the Element Terrace? Do you think I'd be able to fit all of the tables (for 75 ppl) and a light up dance floor? we'd just have the lounge decor and beds arranged around the outdoor portion of the terrace.

@Gina I want to bring my own overlays as well (thinking pink rosettes). Have you found any good linen rental places in NYC? i've just been looking online but I'd love to use someone local. Also, did you finalize your menu yet? i want to print menu cards as well, but am nervous abut finalizing food options without tasting any of it. 

@Vane your friend's pics are amazing! thanks for sharing. I"ll def need to bring a lot of decorations with me as well, but i was told the resort will not accept packages sent before the wedding. Did your friend take all of her decor with her on the plane?

Has anyone done this in Punta Cana? I'm getting married at the Hard Rock Punta Cana, and i'm scared to ask them because they denied my request for fireworks.

Good luck Brit!!!!! cant wait to see pics!

Originally Posted by britb618 

Hey ladies! I am leaving in a week for my wedding at Hard Rock! I will post reviews when I get back and plenty of photos!!!

Gina! Thanks so much for the video!!! You've put a lot of my fears to rest. We have 113 room nights booked so far, so I may do a party bus to one of the night clubs in the area after the wedding reception since we're saving so much money.

This is so helpful!! thanks so much!!!

Originally Posted by LalaJ 

Hi Toya,

 

The wedding coordinator at The Hard Rock informed me that you can ship decorations directly to the resort but it is not recommended. The Customs Departments in Punta Cana is very strict and could seize your package. The resort is not responsible for claiming items at Customs, so your package could be stuck there and potentially lost. In addition, if you ship a large amount of the same item, Customs may think it's for business and you may be taxed on it. In other words, don't do it. I don't want to run the risk so I'm planning to ask my family to help me take all the things I'm taking to the resort in their luggage.

 

As far as the outdoor reception, the event has to end by 10:30am.  
 

 

This is great! Thanks Brit!!!

Nice!!! I do have a few questions!

Can you confirm with them that you can ship your decorations directly to the resort, and if you can have an outdoor reception that lasts later than 10pm if its on one of the terraces. Thanks so much and good luck! Take lots of pics!!!

Originally Posted by LalaJ 

Beachbride, so sorry to hear that. I've made all my arrangements directly through the hotel's wedding department. They were able to block the rooms farely quick, all I had to do was pay for my hotel stay to guarantee the room block. Hope this helps. Good luck! 

Hi Beachbride,

I believe you can bring your won decorations; you just cant have anything shipped directly to the Hard Rock. Call their main number and ask to be transferred to the wedding department if you have any other decor questions.

Originally Posted by beachbride312 

Can you bring your own decorations?

Thanks again for the info! I'm still in the planning stages, but it seems like our frustrations are the opposite. Nancy doesnt answer ANY of my emails, but Marlyn seems to be very helpful! i think its because my wedding is so far away, and Nancy is probably busy helping brides with weddings that are coming up soon. Did you use the resort's photographer? Will you be posting some ceremony and reception pics? Congrats again!!!!
 

Originally Posted by Raazzy5711 

Hi Ladies,

 

I had my wedding at the Hard Rock on May 7th.  I did qualify for unlimited events and I had a private reception in one of the ballrooms because I had 102 guests.  I had a beautiful ceremony and reception but I want everyone to pay close attention to your bills.  I am still dealing with charges being moved to my bill from some of my guests rooms seven weeks after the event.  My group coordinator was Marlyn Tobon and she is AWFUL!  She hasn't returned emails from not only me, but some of her colleagues who are on-site trying to handle these issues for me.  If I don't hear anything from them before the end of the month I will be filing a suit against them.  

 

On the other hand, Nancy and her team in the wedding department are great and I love them!  It just sucks that accounting drama and how they don't even care that I am out $1,000 after spending 30 times that isn't a concern for them.  

 

Good luck to you all and if you have Marlyn, request someone else!

 

I will post pictures of my wedding in the planning thread.

 

Y~