Liss2626

Hi Andrea - from all the information I've received from the WC's the wedding and cocktail hour (unless otherwise specified i think?) are in the same spot. Hope this helps! Who is your WC? I feel like I've actually spoken with everyone there at this point! Also received some pictures from a WC of bouquet examples and the buffett menu for 2012 plus pricing if anyone is interested - I'll email it to you! Elissa

Sorry - I'm back again. Brides...does anyone know if they have calla lillies as an option for bridal bouquets? Or can anyone send me a picture of their bridal bouquet? I am getting the ultimate package and it comes with the bridal bouquet - however, I've been looking at wedideas.com (real touch/silk flowers) for my bridesmaids bouquets/bouts because it will save me a lot of money. I want them to match my bridal bouquet but I need to know first what they offer Any help would be great!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do that, Angela. I see what you are saying about the food allergy thing, etc. Now - I've received a document from a WC informing me that one of the options is about 45 a person. Isn't that pretty much what I would be paying for a sit down? I mean if it ends up being the same price as it would for a sit-down then I really have no problem with the buffett. Price is the only thing (unfortunately ) I'm concerned with - aren't we all? And I'm sorry I'm not really sure what you mean when you said: "My coordinator Gara had confirmed that there would be a difference in the charges for up to 20 people with the ultimate wedding package if you have the buffet so that will help. " I think I'm a little slow tonight. Actually, I know I am, because I wrote above that my reception was only an hour - it's actually from 8-11 - OOPS! Big typo on my part. We actually booked HDC photography - he is SO responsive whenever I get in touch with him and I've read decent reviews on this site about them so I'm happy with my choice. I think I'll just end up doing as many family and bridesmaids shots as I can in the "getting ready" stage of the wedding and then cram as much as we can during the cocktail hour! We have him for about 5 or 6 hours. I'm not so much worried about getting shots from the reception because I know our guests will be taking their own pictures as well. Good call on bringing my iPod. I'm going to do that, too. Just have to think of some good songs now! What did you have playing on loop? We were going to write our own vows - but I don't think we have anyone but the WC who would be willing to do the symbolic ceremony Hopefully the vow part will help us make it as personal as possible. You're so lucky that your brother did that for you - it must have made it so special. Again, THANK YOU! Hope to hear from you soon Elissa

Oh! Good! I was hoping to "meet" someone who would be there when I was. I've been so concerned about all the theft I've been reading about too and had the same questions as you regarding cash, etc. Anyone have any advice for us? Janine - I do have times for everything but only because I was persistant to a fault...wedding is at the gazebo at 6, cocktails at 7 and reception on the portofino at 8. Then I'm assuming we are going to the disco or whatever it is afterward because I know that receptions can't go any later than 11.

Ska- gorgeous pics! Thank you for sharing your experience!!

PS - oops! Forgot to also ask; -what is the best way to deliver out of town bags? Did anyone just do te delivery service for three dollars? -did anyone mail anything down beforehand? Elissa

Wow. I just love reading everyone's reviews and I hope after my wedding (6/22/12) I can help others like you all have helped me! Angieinthesun- you look so pretty! So I'm wondering about a few things - trying to be as laid back as possible but that's not always easy. Can anyone possibly help me out with these questions: -we booked the ultimate package. It comes with the Gold dinner and silver bar. However we are almost at 60 people booked and may be forced to get a buffet - not too crazy about that idea but whatever. Now...will they deduct the amount of the gold dinner from the ultimate package if I'm now paying for a buffet? Has anyone else run into this??? -my ceremony is at 6, cocktail hour is from 7-8 and reception (portofino 8-9). I'm trying to schedule pictures - did anyone just end up missing cocktail hour because of pics? I hate to do that but I don't think I will have a choice unless I want to see my fiancé before the ceremony (which wouldn't be completely awful but still) -we r having a symbolic ceremony - is this performed in English? -for anyone who had the buffet - does that also include open bar? I think Carolina said it did come with the silver bar? -we r having a dj (mannia) and I'm having the carribean trio play at cocktail hour. Do the WCs offer options on what I walk down the aisle too? Or am I responsible for this? Thabk you so much for your time!!! Elissa

Soon2bemrspierce - I'm suprised to hear that - and even more suprised that you were able to get group rates already for next year. What travel agent are you using? I'm going to contact mine (my wedding is planned for 6.22.12) and see what I can find out price wise and see if they are comparable to the ones already offered and report back

Hi everyone - I'm still so new to this forum, I hope I'm posting in the right place! I would like to make my own centerpieces. Has anyone else done this? How did they turn out? did you ship them 2 months before your wedding or did you bring them on the plane with you? Looking for ideas that aren't too "heavy" haha. Also - for your OOT bags (LOVE those towels btw...), did you ship them beforehand, hand them out at the resort, or hand them out before you all left? Thank you all so much for your time and help - this website has been amazing so far. Liss (Dreams Punta Cana bride, June 22, 2012.)

KWaller82 - I sent you a PM with a few questions - hope that is ok! Thanks for your input.

WOW! They look awesome. I will def be checking out VistaPrint. Are you sending out formal invites as well, or are you just doing the whole RSVP information online? (Seems convienant enough...). I still have to get our wedding website up and running! Although I do have until June 2012. Another question for you - we are doing Dreams Punta Cana - did you work with your WC to arrange the rehearsal dinner/rehearsal for the wedding? Is any of that included in the "all inclusive" part? Liss

Wow, everyone - thank you SO much for your quick replies. I appreciate your kind words and your great suggestions, really Did any of you include your wedding website information on your STDs?

Since letting some people know we were planning a destination wedding, we've received some negative feedback from a few friends and family, namely "who do they think they are expecting us to spend that much? along with constant reminders that "no one will want to come." I know I'm not alone. I was planning to send STDs to everyone (about 150ppl) I would invite to an "at home" wedding because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. I do NOT expect even a quarter of those people to attend, but I still wanted them to feel included, if that makes sense. (We are not having an at home reception for money reasons, but my mom is throwing me a bridal shower.) In an effort to help my friends and family understand that I don't expect ANYTHING from them (even a gift if they can't come, I don't want people to think I'm gift grabbing by inviting) I wanted to include a little note/poem enclosed with the STDs that basically says "We know you will be with us in spirit if you aren't able to make it, we know having a wedding in Punta Cana makes it difficult to attend, we would love it if you were able to come but understand if you can't, don't feel like you have to send a gift," WITHOUT sounding so tacky! Is there a more eloquant way to say these things? I'm really losing sleep over this because I don't want people thinking I expect the world from them. This wedding is about me, my fiance, and our little girl (and one on the way). Help? Anyone? Liss

Hi! Veronica - I have 6/22/12 as my wedding date at Dreams Punta Cana. We chose summer because our wedding party has several teachers in it. I also had no idea where to start - I recommend contacting a travel agent (we used Liberty Travel, I visited their website and entered my info and got a phone call the very next day from a very knowledgeable person who has dealt with Dreams before. Once I contacted her, she contacted Dreams Punta Cana on my behalf and we went from there. Last week I put a deposit down on my date and am waiting to hear the next steps next week sometime. So I would suggest starting there! Congratulations to all the 2012 brides! Liss

Thank you so much for the reply! I have read a little about DJ Mannia, but how does one go about booking him specifcally? Or, is he the only dj used by Dreams Punta Cana? Do you mind by any chance if I ask how much he costs and what exactly that cost includes? I'll take a look in Dreams Punta Cana Brides, like you said - I was there before but just found it a little difficult navigating through every single post to find stuff; I'm still getting the hang of this stuff Again, thank you so much for taking the time to reply! (ps - how many ppl are you having at ur wedding??)

Hi everyone - this is my very first post. My fiance and I have just decided on a destination wedding and plan to travel to Dreams PC in June 2012. I'm working with a travel agent but would love to hear some first hand experiences from some of you who have been there! Here are some of my questions and I'm so sorry there are a lot but ANY advice would be SO SO appreciated: -What area is the "best place" to get married/have the reception? I've heard the Bordeaux? Do they have to be in the same place? -Did anyone get married in the US before they went to avoid having the extra cost of the civil ceremony/translating things? -Did anyone use the DJ? What was he like? Did you choose a song list or just let them choose? Was it necessary to have the dance floor and the whole nine yards? -Did anyone just bring their own iPod docking station and do it that way? -How were the pictures/video that came along with the package? -How did hair and makeup go at the spa??? -was the "ultimate package" worth it? I beleive we are going to end up with about 40 people or so, give or take a few. -What about "after" the ceremony? My family and friends are partiers and we'd all want to keep the party going afterward...is there a club/bar open late night? Thank you so much for your time, Liss