beantown13

Hi Ladies, My wedding is less than 3 weeks away at the Now Larimar resort! I've been following everyone's posts and participating (not as much as I should sorry) over the last several months. Congrats to all the brides who recently were married at the Now Larimar and thank you so much for sharing so much information, pictures, etc. I am excited to put the finishing touches on my wedding plans and finally be in Punta Cana!! As you all know its been challenging througout this process due to the lack or communication and the back and forth with pricing and options available. I just wanted to say to those who are yet to solidify there wedding details that you should try to negotiate pricing as much as possible and get everything in writing if you can. We started our process with Claribel and once she left things quickly turned into a nightmare. Just trying to get people on the phone or replies via email was much too much effort in my opinion for a bride to have to put forth for their wedding when they are paying a good amount of $$$. Mercy has been as helpful as she can be but it took several phone calls, emails, and even contacting AM resorts general management to finally start getting the answers we were looking for. With 3 weeks out we still have a good amount of details to sort out but Im putting my trust in Mercy to make it all come together and have it be an amazing experience in the end. As for suggestions for vendors: You can always use outside vendors, dont let them tell you otherwise. The hotels prices are nearly double what some of the other vendors charge and even if you have to pay a vendor fee, it will still end up saving you $. My suggestions for vendors are the following. Photo/Video: HDC- great reviews, very personable, and had great rates on both video and photography packages (try to negotiate a higher discount then they offer if you're getting a photo/video package through the) Florist: El Tronco Floristeria (Rosa is amazing but if you dont speak spanish it may be a bit challenging. I would send an email in English and immediately follow up with a phone call to make sure they received it) DJ: DJ Mannia had very reasonable prices and they are even providing my table linens and chair bows for the reception (a third of what the hotel wanted to charge me....$5 a napkin and $25 a tablecloth is ridiculous!!!) My fiance speaks Spanish which has truly been a huge help trying to get through to people at the hotel as well as negotiate with hotel and vendors.. I suggest if you know someone close that can speak the language it may be a big help to you as well. I did as many DIY projects as I could to keep costs down and I am bringing two suitcases to get welcome bags, extra decorations, etc. down to the DR as was suggested to avoid shipping stuff down there at all costs. Im curious as for those who have shipped stuff down before their wedding how that turned out?!?! Best of luck to everyone who has begun planning their dream wedding at the Now Larimar... I hope planning for your special day is a wonderful experience. Persistence in communicating and follow up really seems to be the key with planning a destination wedding! We're having a large wedding (appx 100 people) during their busiest week of the year so I'll be sure to follow up with the details of my April 20th wedding and how everything came together!!! Cheers! ~Kimberly

Hi Alana, Would you be so kind as to email me the cost breakdown for 2012 and the spa menu?? I'm starting to a get a bit nervous, I have been calling the hotel religiously for the past week and I cant seem to get a hold of anyone..not the WC's nor the spa people. I think the Now Larimar might have bit off more than they can chew. I am getting married in April and I have alredy seen messages from 5 other brides on here getting married the same week. I know its a busy time for weddings, I just hope they havent overextended themselves and made us promises they cant keep. I went down in September for a week and we met with Claribel a few different times to go over stuff, but now that she isnt there I dont know how things will go down. In the meantime Im trying to be positive and just control what I can and have definitely added some DIY projects to my list!!! Anyone has questions about the hotel itself, suggestions for receptions, rehersals, etc. feel free to reach out. I may have some pictures from my trip down there too. We ended up taking our engagement photos with the hotel photographers while we were there on vacation/business. kimberlymmendonca@gmail.com Thanks and Happy Planning everyone!!

Hi Mayrose, Would you be so kind as to email me the pics of the flowers that are available and the prices for extra services. Thank you! ~Kimberly kimberlymmendonca@gmail.com

Hi Vav, Anyway you could try to email the attachment of the extras to me? kimberlymmendonca@gmail.com Thank you!!!

Hi Ladies, I'm planning on getting married next april at the barcelo punta cana and have been catching up with all the information you've been sharing on the forum. So helpful already in helping to make decisions. I was wondering if anyone had pictures to share of the reception sites. I was hoping to do the Marlin but after reading Dania's post about how it only holds 60 people I guess our only option is the El Paris ?!?!? Could you share a picture or two of what the reception space looked like for your wedding day?!?! Thanks again for all the wonderful advice...I'll share any additional info that has been mentioned on here when I meet with Ariana in a couple weeks.

Hi Ladies, Thanks to all for all the helpful information and positive feedback posted. I am getting married at the barcelo punta cana next april and I'm anxious to get more information regarding reception sites, outside vendors used (photographers, florists, linens, decorations, Bands or DJ's). Arianna has been quick to reply to my emails just not as clear in explanation as I had hoped. I'm glad this site is available for idea and info. exchange. I'd appreciate any information those who've had their special day there can share. Thoughts on the reception sites, pictures, any of this would really be helpful. Please email at ezvaletservices@gmail.com if possible! Thanks in advance!