Thanks ladies...i am glad you are all enjoying always happy to bring sunshine to other brides

YAY for all the April brides with upcoming weddings...cant wait to hear your stories and see all your pics!!! lots of luck and love to all of you XO

Hi there

congrats on picking your resort and date...its very exciting and you will LOVE PPC!

I was married this past October at PPC and i absolutely loved everything. 

I personally found arrecife to be very rude and pushy and to boot, expensive!!!!!!! I brought an outside photographer and got my day of pics, all day and night, Trash the dress and a regular photo shoot around the resort (i used these as my engagement pics since we never had any done)...my photog also included my boudoir shoot here in Ottawa. On top of that i got ALL of the pics on a usb drive (i ended up with about 3000 between all the photo shoots) he edited his favorite pics (200 pics +) and i was able to go back if i had other favs i wanted him to edit. It cost me the cost of his trip and that was it! I highly recommend you shop around. If you can make arrangements to pay someones trip, you will get so much more for your money and you wont have to pay the vendors fee 
 

Originally Posted by jocel26 

Hi ladies!!

 

this forum is awesome! i have learned alot!! i just gave my deposit today for PPC for wedding date 1/23/13. it is unfortunate to hear about the outside vendor fee though i dont like being forced to use this photo vendor, i like to have options. but if we can get away by getting the vendor one night room, then i think it will still be worth it especially since the rates for the on-site vendor are a bit pricey.

 

for brides that have already gotten married at PPC, did anyone use arrecife? if so, how did your pictures turn out? do they also do video?

they sent me a quote and it also mentioned the item in blue below. did anyone purchase additional photos from them and if so what was this discount.

 

thanks in advance!!

 

Regarding to the packages, we have 3 different packages:

• Small: 34 pictures in a CD (ceremony and beach) $400 USD.
• Medium: 50 pictures in a CD (room, beach and ceremony) $600 USD.
• Big: 70 pictures in a CD (room, ceremony, beach, 2 hours reception) $840USD.
• Trash the Dress: 20 pictures added to the package you want (small , medium or big) $200USD 

Days before the wedding we will have a meeting and we can talk  about all your expectations and info confirmation for that special day.

One of our photographers will be attending to your wedding, he will take around 300, all in color and then he will choose the best ones to edit them and show you the next day(s) of the wedding.

The photographer can leave between 100 to 200 photos edited, (depending on the time he spends with you) he will show you the selected and edited photos and will present to you various options, all edited photos, originals, DVD slideshow for a good discounted price.

 

 

Norma, WOW~~ good work, you are stunning. 

Since you may have the write up for the other ladies, i'd love it if you could share your cleanse and diet/excercise tips as well with me? 

<3 XOXO 

Hi cdc  

I hosted a welcome dinner the day after we got there and we handed them out to everyone that evening as we thanked them all for being there with us...it worked well that way and everyone shared in the excitement together as they looked at all their stuff
 

Originally Posted by cdc150 

Anyone who gave out welcome bags at the resort, how did you do it?

I have a solution for that...i used this company for several purchases with companies that only shipped within the US....

http://www.myus.com/en/alias-landing/

Originally Posted by Butterfly67 

Hi Kim

 

Have you ordered from minimus?  I looked into their international shipping and from what I understand, you need to open an account at a company that will give you a US address and then it will be sent from there.  They have sooo many great travel items, I really want to place an order but wondered if anyone had ordered yet?

 

Norma   

 

wooooooooooooooo those are awesome! great find!

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

i found shoes!! i wasnt even looking and found shoes!!!! i have never purchased anything from beyond the rack before but finally made my first purchase!!

 

if anyone hasnt checked it out here is a link. you need an invite but its free!!

 

http://www.beyondtherack.com/member/invite/B148585B

 

 

now drum roll......

 

Hi Krysta...Jack Johnson is definitely a good choice like the other ladies have suggested. I am biased though since i walked down the aisle to one of his songs I used the hawaiin version of better together because it felt tropical and better together is mine and hubbies song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2KYTOw5Fm4

I always loved this song, its very upbeat in comparison to Jack Johnson and a fun one...always makes me smile when i hear it  young folks peter bjorn and john http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIRE6iw-ws4&ob=av2n

i also got your PM and will put some stuff together for you to look at
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

so i am trying to figure out music choices for the wedding ceremony.... i dont want to plan every minute of the ceremony since it just means things will go wrong.... but i want to use marry me by train for the processional but does anyone have a great song for the recessional? i would love something up beat..... but not sure what would be good.... any suggestions?

 

 

That's very exciting. congrats on booking a date...now the planning REALLY begins

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Krysta - I personally also love Jack Johnson, and think he has some great songs for your recessional

 

So ladies - I officially heard back from the hotel today! We are booked for April 11th, 2013 at Ocean Blue - Punta Cana, AND the minister (we are doing legal down there) has booked us in for 4:00 pm. I am soooo excited!

 

Confirming our wedding date has to be one of the best Valentine's Day gifts ever!

 

Hi Krysta

I have this really cute idea that might work for you....it brings a bit of beach home

Hopefully i can explain this right....Think folded cards with a die cut window for the front of the card (any size and placement you want) on the inside you would have those mini zip locks from the dollar store and you could fill them with sand and mini sea shells and glue it to the frame of the window....the paper then folds over and glues so you wouldnt see the ziplock....so basically when the card is open and in its raw un-glued form it would be 3 panels.....does that make sense??? super cute and really easy to do. If it doesnt make sense PM me and i will send you some sketches and explain in more detail Definitely unique and super pretty 

not sure how DIY you want to get though!
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

hey... we didnt really have a theme but if we did i guess it would be beach, our colours are turquoise and white. i like hibscus flowers and used a stamp on our invitiations, but any beachy thing like starfish and plamtrees.

 

we are doing a outside BBQ so we are going to try to replicate the beachy feel too....

 

any ideas?!

 

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOO thats awesome...who did you go with?
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

 

I GOT A PHOTOG!!!!!!

 

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!

 

 

I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!

welcome back MRS! how exciting. Cant wait to see your planning thread and pics. congrats.
 

Originally Posted by torilynnsmith 

Just wanted to thank Norma and the other Canadian brides for the well wishes.  We had a wonderful wedding day and lucked in with our weather for sure!  I will be posting my planning thread (after the fact obviously) once I received some of my photog pictures back!  Congrats Krysta on booking a photographer, I truly believe everything happens for a reason and though we lost 2 photographers Amanda Shepard of Backroad Photography who ended up coming with us was ABSOLUTELY the best we could have had!  If anyone is looking for a photographer definitely check her out!!!
 

 

 

definitely Amazon like one of the other ladies said and also beyondtherack

Originally Posted by acornk 

I'm having a hard time finding shoes!

 

Anyone have any online sites that they order from? I live in Fort McMurray so I am very limited, and I'm looking for purple shoes

 

Thanks!

Whats the theme of your wedding? color theme? Item theme (star fish etc) 

did you want the beachy feel for your AHR? 
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

So since pretty much everything is done for my DW i thought i might get started on my AHR stuff!

 

But now I am stuck trying to find a creative idea for the AHR invites....i need something to compare to the awesome boarding pass invites that i did for the wedding!!

 

ANY IDEAS?!? Or suggestions?!

awwww thanks and no problem. Thought i would share because the "bigger" dresses always get written off for DW and i was reading the uncertain bride posts....DEFINITELY GO WITH YOUR GUT!!! I'm so glad I did
 

Originally Posted by elissae 

.All I can say is, "WWWWWOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!"  Get a load of that dress....the skirt is MAGNIFICENT.  You sure carried that off, Janet!  So feminine looking...spectacular pictures.  Thanks for sharing!!!!!
 

 

We rented the catamaran through our tour operator representative. When we had the orientation meeting and she was describing all the tours and excursions i told her what i wanted and i didnt want to be with a group of other people so she made a few calls and for $240 and we rented the catamaran for half a day including transportation to and from resort. It was for our TTD....that pic was the only pic in the bunch from the TTD the next day. the Catamaran owner was great and really enjoyed the experience..he got in the water and helped with my dress and everything....it was worth every penny and we got some great pics that day

Originally Posted by kellygrrrl 

LOVE that first shot of you both - where'd you get the boat??

 

 

Thanks so much Krysta! 
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

wow beautiful pictures!! You are breathtaking in this dress!!

 

Put it this way.....you are on a beach, under the sun....you are going to be hot if you got married in a bathing suit That's what i told myself when making my decision. Just make sure you have bottles of water handy to stay hydrated (that applies to any dress and any one). I was sweaty under my dress for sure but i would lift it a little now and then to air out LOL and there was a nice breeze by the beach so it wasnt so bad and as you can see in the pics i'm not a sweaty mess

I think you need to wear what you love...its your chance and your one special day! do what makes you happy and feel like a queen! 

I was going to change out of my dress but i wanted to wear my wedding dress for as long as possible!
 

Originally Posted by JessiTaylor 

Quote:

I love your pictures! I was just thinking about what you said about not discounting the bigger dresses -so you weren't too hot?! I love some of the bigger dresses but im worried about overheating and generally being a sweaty mess =S

 

Fiance has suggested i wear a bigger dress for the church ceremony and legal ceremony (and photos) and then something simple for the reception so im thinking about that - seems a bit extravangant though!

I think you are asking me since this post came soon after i posted the pics LOL so if so, its made by Allure and the model is 8810
 

Originally Posted by SoonToBeMrsSer 

OMGOSH WHO MAKES THAT DRESS?? I absolutely adore it!

Thanks so much! I actually brought a photographer with me (he is also a friend) his name is Denis Murphy of Studio Four 30. You are going to love PPC!
 

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

Wow that is an amazing dress and you are stunning in it!  I'm also getting married at PPC in November 2012. May I ask who ur photographer was?  I'm searching for 1 now and I really like how he captured ur special day!
 

 

 

I agree!!!!!!!!! if you wear something to please someone else you will regret it forever

Originally Posted by Sharon99 

I LOVE it! Its so pretty! Screw the family..if you love it, wear it! Your day not theirs!
 

 

AMEN!

Originally Posted by dallace 

totally agree!! I had a few ppl tell me my dress was "too big for the beach, you want a light flowy one". Originally thats what I had envisioned...but then I tryed my dress on lol. I mean its not SUPER huge and poofy like one of the other ones I really liked but its pretty poofy. I may melt on the day of the weddign but it will totally be worth it because to me, my dress can't be replaced!! I wouldn't trade it for any other dress! I've actually even thought about putting one of those little portable battery powered fans in my garter haha - might help cool the lower half off! YOUR dress, YOUR day, do what makes YOU happy!! =) Pain in the rear trying to please everyone, and it's not possible. I'm figuring this out the hard way lol

 

I always thought the same about "bigger" dresses for a beach wedding until i fell in love with my dress and went with it anyway....it ended up looking amazing in pics and i loved it So dont discount the bigger dress yet ladies Happy Dress shopping! <3

my hubby wont let me dress my dogs LOL

you're rockin that dress!
 

Originally Posted by dreamspcbride78 

This is my dress selection by Alfred Angelo, I love it and its comfortable!

hahaha MCree that second pic is hilarious! my leia always bites Kaylee and she always has that "WTF" look on her face too  

my best friend dresses up her chiwawas all the time...send me a link to your site
 

Originally Posted by CanadianLindsey 

This id Domo, my "Knight in Shining Armour"! My husband and I run an online dog clothing company so this is just one of his many outfits!! Lol!! If anyone ever needs puppy clothes or even doggie wedding tuxes/dresses let me know!!

I got a spray tan before i left but i made sure a few months before to go for one to test it out. Instead of just going to a standard tanning place i did some research and i went with a lady who sprays body builders before competitions. Her tan looks so natural and it worked well for me. It cost $50.00 tax in

be careful though because another girl that was on the trip with us went for a spray tan and she was soooooooo orange and hers started to streak and get blotchy. However after one exfoliating shower she was able to smooth it out
 

Originally Posted by capecodder 

Are any of you ladies getting a spray tan before you head down south?  I would go tanning but I really don't want it.  Anybody had experience with spray tans?  All I can think about with spray tans is Ross from Friends getting the spray tan and who orange he looked. Lol!! 

She has a good eye for texture and i like her style. Ultimately though you need to go with your gut. if you love her style and you think this style of photography is what you want for your wedding pics then go with it but if you have any inch of doubt, keep looking. i know you are running out of time but don't settle...you found her so you can find someone else. I personally love her style but its not our decision to make.  
 

Originally Posted by Krysta lee ann 

ok so i found this girl and she might be the photog i go with!! she is a bit more than i wanted to spend but i think she might be worth it..... will you ladies take a look and be honest on what you think!!!

 

http://www.realimagephotos.net/

 

 

THANKS!!

i sent you a pm
 

Originally Posted by Butterfly67 

 

 

I like your thinking Janet!!!  I'm the type of person that would watch it over & over too...lol  Could you send me the details?  And I would love to see your video, Thanks for offering.

 

Video Punta Cana. The service and work Florian offered us was amazing. within 2 days we had an amazing trailer emailed to us and the Thursday before we left the resort to go home Florian hand delivered our DVDs ...he did great work at a great price.

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Who was your videographer? I'm considering one in PC as well for April 2013

 

Hi Norma

Hiring a videographer was the best money i spent for my wedding. I watch my video all the time and my videog was fantastic! i can provide you his details if you would like. I also posted the little trailer he made for me when i got back. If you didnt see it i would be happy to send it to you  
 

Originally Posted by Butterfly67 

HELP!!

 

Been on the fence about hiring a videographer for the wedding, but now I really want too!!!  But I'm so concerned about having to pay the $300 vendor fee or resort charges.  Especially since I'm dishing that out for our photographer. 

Any advice ladies????

 

Thanks

Norma

This is still crazy to me. If i want to bring a photographer (assuming i was planning now) to the resort to take my pics and they have to pay $1000, essentially that means i have to pay the fee because my photog will charge it back to me

Hi Joda

I was born and raised in Montreal. I moved 11 years ago but all my family is there. Are you going to wedding show this weekend at palais? 
 

Originally Posted by joda 

Hi ladies! Just thought I would pop in and say hello. Anyone else in Montreal around here? Or having a wedding at the Now Sapphire?

i will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you 
 

 

that's is what i am hoping for! hopefully someone at a decent price is still available....