Liss2626

I leave Tuesday and my wedding is next Friday. SOOOO nervous. Any former brides do the buffet??? We are doing Buffet numero uno. We have total 48 people coming. Please pray for more sunshine than rain

I'm going to assume Gara is no longer there because she was my WC initially and now I only he emails from Yessica. It's fine by me because Yessica is such a sweetheart and is very responsive to me. To the ladies who say she isn't - I thought the SAME thing at first. But as my wedding date gets closer the more timely her responses are. I guess you have to keep in mind they deal with tons of Inquiries daily and have to prioritize them in terms of wedding date maybe? And I actually did call the resort once - there is a number on the website... It is overseas so u have to have international calling (I had to use my dads phone, haha) and I asked to speak with a WC. I spoke with Carolina and she reassured me (there was confusion about my reception location). She even emailed me (at my request) confirmation of what we discussed. I plan on printing out all of my confirmation emails and bringing them In a binder wih me just in case.

June 22 for me

Welcome and happy planning to everyone! We are getting married in less than 4 months - I can't believe it! I had a question - for the veteren brides still subscribed to this thread - did you purchase a meal for your dj and photographer? Just working out my budget as the last of my RSVPs come in! We have 50 guests, plus our two children. Can't wait Hope to hear from someone soon.

Check out plumeriasweddingflowerboutique.com and wedideas.com. There have been ONLY positive reviews About these shops' "real touch flowers." I also hated the idea of fake flowers but one look at either of these women's impeccable work changed my mind. I placed my order w plumeria last week. Personally, I got bouquets but I also know they do centerpieces!

You're pictures just got me so pumped for my wedding I'm so glad you posted them. You look so pretty!

thank you so much! Did you happen to ask her at all about Out of Town bags and delivering them to rooms?

Grace! I'm so jealous you got to visit. I'm also getting married at the gazebo. I'm so glad you had a great experience. I can't wait to check out your pictures!

That is good to know - we only have two kids (my own!) so far. I'm wondering what they will be charged for the reception (they will be 3 and 11 months). I'm assuming the 11month old will be free because I'll just probably pack his own food for the trip.

We are definitely bringing our own - just something simple and inexpensive. My future MIL found these cylinder glass vases from the dollar store. We r going to submerge a flower, securing it with wire to rocks at the bottom of the vase, and add a floating candle!very inexpensive but looks so pretty! What were u thinking? We obviously won't put them together till we get there!

Depends on what you like I will say I have read more positive reviews on the himitzu terrace. I had anxiety about where to have my reception too but then I just remembered that we will be in paradise and ANY spot will be beautiful, you know? Congrats on setting a wedding date!

Anyone include an itinerary for the OOT bags? We are wanting to do a rehearsal dinner (just at one of the restaurants there so it's all inclusive - not the formal private one they offer) but how am I to know when to plan it? When did the WC contact everyone for a rehearsal?

Thanks! Did any of you ladies see your groom before the wedding? Because of time and "sunlight restrictions" - haha - we may have to do this. However, my sister in law did that with her wedding in November and it was actually a very special moment captured by the photographer - they called it "the revealing" or something like that. They made her groom stand with his back turned and then she went and tapped him on the shoulder. His face as she turned around was my favorite picture! However - I'm not sure if I feel like having ALL my guests see me. What do you all think?

Love the pictures! You are a beautiful bride! And now I'm all about getting a silly pic... As for Dillards,,,we don't have them around here...did you order online by any chance? Sometimes doing that can be a bit tricky with fit, etc. Just curious

I'll check out old navy for sure!! And I'm soooo glad I'm not alone in my flying fears...I think I may need something prescription strength!!!

Hi Jenn - welcome I'm not sure if they have any deals for young kids - we are in a bit of a unique (or, maybe not) situation in that we already have two children and they are booked in my parents room (They will be three and 11 months at the time of the wedding). They did not allow them to be booked in our room because we chose to get a swim-up room and there are no children allowed in these types of rooms, so my parents ended up getting the family suite. (I have the best parents in the world.) I also know that for the reception kids eat for half price, but other than that I'm not sure. Have you talked to your travel agent about getting a group rate? Mine is still looking into it for me and our wedding is in June. I think it's considered after there are 10 rooms booked or something but I can't be 100 percent positive. TJC - I had NO idea about that fee! I guess that also applies to my dj as well...lean something new everyday...ugh. Also - this might sound kind of dumb...but do any other brides have a fear of flying like I do??

Good I'm glad you got started with the photography hunt! Question for all past brides and maybe even brides-to-be - How long is your wedding reception? There's nothing I can do to change it now, but my ceremony is at 6, cocktails at 7, reception 8-11 (and nothing can go past 11). I feel like that isn't enough time and I'm worried that the whole dancing part will be 45 minutes!! We're not doing too many traditional things - just the first bride/groom dance and father/daughter mother/son dance and a little "family" dance (we have two children who will be three and almost 1 by June). We have DJ Mannia booked also, which I'm excited about. Hopefully dinner won't last longer than an hour? We are doing buffett style so I feel like that will at least go a little faster...not that I want to rush people...but you know what I mean. So can someone share their experience w/ a shorter reception? Did you go out after? I also decided on getting Natural Touch flowers from Plumeria Flower Botique. Roberta has been amazing to work with and I can't sing her praises enough. As soon as I get my boquets I will share a little review! (I'm getting "my" flowers through the resort because of my wedding package including them...but everything else I'm getting through Plumeria and Roberta is working to coordinate everything, including a floral hair piece for me and a cake topper.) Speaking of cake...I've heard that it isn't necessary to get a huge cake...for example if we have 60 people, we could get a cake for 40. Anyone else hear that? I know not everyone will eat it. We are much more of a drinking and dancing group...

Hi grace! Welcome And oh my goodness!! 200? That's great - sounds like it will be some amazing memories ahead. I saw those Tiffany chairs too and they are so beautiful - but I think it might be one of those things that only YOU notice...when you ask your guests what they remember most about your wedding ceremony, it's going to be about how beautiful you looked, how happy your future husband was, the breathtaking scenery...not the chairs so maybe spend your money on something special other than the chairs - like a menu upgrade or extra champagne or flowers ...or massages for you guys everyday! Ive only read good things about hair and makeup - I've heard it might be helpful to bring your own foundation and brushes though - just one brides advice to me that I'm taking - and of course bring a picture of how you want your hair. I keep reminding myself that these stylists do this eeeeevery single day so they must know what they are doing. I have a 6pm wedding in the gazebo too We are using HDC photography - I couldn't beat the prices and they have impeccable communication I've only heard great things about Caribbean emotions too! Again, welcome to the forum!

From the WC's I've spoken with - as far as the symbolic ceremony goes - there isn't any paperwork that needs to be brought with the couple because there is nothing "legally binding" happening in the country (and hopefully we will be the only ones who know that!!) Thanks for the heads up DominicanLeila!

Andrea - I like that idea of not exchanging rings. I think some people suspect that we are going to do it beforehand but I don't want them thinking they are witnessing a fake ceremony so I'm going to have to tell a little white lie. The more I think about it, the more I think we will do it before. We will say our vows legally at home but the exchange of rings before our family and friends at DPC will make it OFFICIAL and that will be the date we celebrate our anniversary - the date we exchange rings on June 22 in PC. I mean...can't we just make our own rules here? ) And we were thinking the khakis idea too with a white shirt...if anyone has some suggestions on where to shop on a budget please chime in I like that we have this forum going. It's nice to be able to share my anxieties with people who understand! I think I mentioned this before but I think we are going to get "real touch" flowers for the bridesmaids and groomsman. I've heard wedideas.com and plumeria flower botique are two good ones that have received great reviews by ladies on here and on sites like theknot and weddingwire - Plus they are the most reasonably priced I've seen so far. They are also cheaper than what's offered at the resort (I think those are 55 where as a small real touch boquet is 40 and you have more control over what flowers are used!) My bridal bouquet comes with the ultimate package so I'm just going to have to take a chance with that one! Again...just rambling off some nonsense!

Oh - and what's everyone's fiance and groomsman wearing??? I want to do the khakis and white shirt thing I think...and flip flops - although he's not convinced on the flip flop part.

I am thinking they might be able to accomodate you if you have more than 40 people if you increase the number of people per table (8-10) and talk to your WC about it. I also wouldn't be afraid to call them. Their phone number is on the website (it's an international call, so I had to go to my parents house and use their landline because my cell phone wouldn't allow me to dial out - ha!). Anyhow, I called and spoke to a WC about a question I had about food allergies and a change in the wedding package I chose and I felt that I really wanted to talk to a human being about it so there would be no miscommunication. I believe I spoke to Carolina - she was SO sweet and helpful. You just have to be ready to repeat yourself a few times because of the language barrier - but that's what you sign up for when you have a destination wedding What is everyone doing for their ceremony? We are doing a symbolic ceremony to avoid the headache and cost of the paperwork, etc. But here's my little issue - do we get married "legally" before or after we go? I'm so back and forth. The only people who will be there will be my mom and dad and my grandparents because they are obviously unable to travel to another country at this stage in their lives. First I thought I would definately want to do it before we go to just get it over with - but then would it seem less "real" when we are doing our ceremony in PC? Thoughts? Ideas? And is anyone writing their own vows?

Cuces! In an area where my emails are not going thru - will resend as soon as I can

Sent!!!! Hope it's helpful! So when's everyone's wedding date?! Interested in hearing about everyone's plans we r June 22 on the portofino!

Andrea - Just sent them your way! I love the ivory cala lillies and roses combo!