Grace Torres

Originally Posted by Chinanow 

 

Sisterbrides, maybe I'm just freaking myself out...but I just read the last couple of reviews on Trip Advisors about the resort and its been BBBAAADD!!! Really horrible reviews....has anyone been there before...anyone talked to their TA about where there rooms are...one of the biggest complaints was where the rooms were..which building was new and which were old and drippy and musty....

 

HEELLPP!!

I was there in January 2012 and stayed Friday to Sunday just to check out the property for my wedding and I have nothing bad to say! The food was much better than I expected...it was really good, the rooms were CLEAN, the property was well kept.

I get married there in 8 days and I also read reviews... makes me NERVOUS AS HELL so I had to stop reading them!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Tcruz21 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace Torres 

 

Hi!!

 

I made my own schedule. Here it is .(Still undecided if we're doing the bride and groom dance right after our entrance)

 

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM  CEREMONY (GAZEBO)

 

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM  Cocktail Hour/Dominican Trio (HIMITZU TERRACE)

 

7:30 PM – 7:45 PM  Guest Seating (BALLROOM)

7:45 PM – 7:55 PM   Bridal Party Entrance

7:55 PM – 8:00 PM  Bride & Groom Entrance

 

8:00 PM – 8:05 PM  Bride & Groom First Dance

8:05 PM – 8:10 PM   Bride & Father Dance

8:10 PM – 8:15 PM   Groom & Mother Dance

 

8:15 PM – 9:15PM  Dinner

 

9:00 PM – 9:05 PM   Maid of Honor Speech

9:05 PM – 9:10 PM  Best Man Speech

9:10 PM – 9:15 PM   Leslie and Randy Speech

9:15 PM – 9:20 PM   Bonnelly’s Speeches

9:20 PM – 9:25 PM  Torres’s Speeches

 

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM  DJ

10:00 PM – 10:30 PM   Perico Ripiao

10:30 PM – 11:00 PM   DJ

11:00 PM – 11: 15 PM   Bouquet/Garter Toss

11:15 PM – 11:30 PM   DJ – last dance

 

11:45  Sparkler Send off!

omg this is amazballs!!!  Your the best!

I have a very large wedding party (11 bridesmaids). It's my big fat Dominican Wedding  so I'm sure you can adjust the times to fit your wedding.

Originally Posted by msvasq 

 

oh! one more question. what menu choice did you go with

We chose the GOLD MENU for the reception dinner.

Hearts of Palm, Creole and Romaine Lettuce Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Soup

Dominican “Sanchochoâ€

(Meat Stew)

Main Course

Beef Medallions with Shrimp

with Cordial and Black Pepper Sauces

Dessert

Kahlua Flan with Coconut and Chocolate Sauces

Wedding Cake

Dominican Almond Cake

Hi! See my responses below:

Originally Posted by msvasq 

Grace, I am so excited for you too!! You and TCruz have me anxious for your weddings!!!   aww thanks! I'm very anxious for the day to arrive!

 

THANK YOU for the day of itinerary!!! this helps me out sooo much! Glad I can help

 

BTW, seriously everything you are doing is what we want!!!    I do have a few questions if you don't mind :) Don't mind at all

 

- My PRican fiance is a Perico Ripiao fanatic! That was his "must have"  I already know your wedding is going to be bananas!!! Btw, I'm curious to know why they are only scheduled for half an hour? is that all the the resort offers? 

The Perico Ripiao is $400 for 1 hour. We only want them to play for 30 minutes (but we don't get to pay half, the rate stays as is) so that's why you see that I only have them scheduled to play for 30 minutes. We will play this by ear...if we see that our guests are enjoying the band we will have them do the entire set.

 

- Who did you hire as your DJ?

I have no idea.... I booked the DJ through Deyanira (my coordiantor) We have a few favorite songs on an iPod and hard drive that we're taking with us so we're sure he plays what we want.

 

- Why does your reception end so late?? Is it b/c you are in the ballroom?

 

Because I wanted an extra hour. I smmmmoooozed my way (payng a little extra) so that my reception could be 7:30-11:30

 

 

& thank you for giving us another florist option!! I'm interested in seeing how your arrangements come out. Before I start asking around since I only have 5 tables and am still debating on what to do.

Originally Posted by msvasq 

 

So I have a main question. What is everyone's schedule looking like for the wedding???

 

I had asked the question to my WC but she never got back to me. What time does dinner start & how long does your reception end?

 

I unfortunately am having a 3p ceremony - anyone else in the same boat? if so, what are doing for the time in between then & cocktail hour??

Hi!!

I made my own schedule. Here it is .(Still undecided if we're doing the bride and groom dance right after our entrance)

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM  CEREMONY (GAZEBO)

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM  Cocktail Hour/Dominican Trio (HIMITZU TERRACE)

7:30 PM – 7:45 PM  Guest Seating (BALLROOM)

7:45 PM – 7:55 PM   Bridal Party Entrance

7:55 PM – 8:00 PM  Bride & Groom Entrance

8:00 PM – 8:05 PM  Bride & Groom First Dance

8:05 PM – 8:10 PM   Bride & Father Dance

8:10 PM – 8:15 PM   Groom & Mother Dance

8:15 PM – 9:15PM  Dinner

9:00 PM – 9:05 PM   Maid of Honor Speech

9:05 PM – 9:10 PM  Best Man Speech

9:10 PM – 9:15 PM   Leslie and Randy Speech

9:15 PM – 9:20 PM   Bonnelly’s Speeches

9:20 PM – 9:25 PM  Torres’s Speeches

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM  DJ

10:00 PM – 10:30 PM   Perico Ripiao

10:30 PM – 11:00 PM   DJ

11:00 PM – 11: 15 PM   Bouquet/Garter Toss

11:15 PM – 11:30 PM   DJ – last dance

11:45  Sparkler Send off!

40 days to go until my wedding and I've been so busy I had to force myself to stop looking at this forum! *BUT* I had to share some AMAZING NEWS for all of you brides-to-be!

The centerpieces have been my biggest challenge! I thought about making them myself but I already have way too much on my plate. I have a huge wedding (I think the biggest Dreams Punta Cana has ever seen).

We have 158 people confirmed and booked (16 tables of 10 people)

Anyway the good news is that I found a local florist who is AMAZING and will be doing my centerpieces for a little less than HALF THE PRICE DREAMS PUNTA CANA was going to charge me!

Real flowers.

My  family is Dominican and I asked around and waaaaa laaaa! The only problem is that she does not speak English! All of my communication has been in Spanish with her.... so maybe you have a friend who speaks fluent spanish who can help you communicate with her.  

I emailed her images I pulled from Pinterest of the centerpieces I want and she is going to re-create them! She is a wedding planner in DR so she has access to many more extras aside from flowers. She also offers the Tiffany chairs, decorations, candles, etc.

Here is her website:

www.magdalenaramos.shutterfly.com

Hi ! No, they do not provide menu's. I'm making my own.

Originally Posted by msvasq 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace Torres 

 

Hi Sherylh,

 

They do start at $150 unless someone has other information... My "Tall" centerpieces are $240 EACH!

Grace, do you have a pic of the centerpiece???  how many tables will you have ... that just seems like soo much $$ :/

I sent her a picture of what I want. she provided some pictures of past wedding centerpieces but I didn't like any of them. So i sent her a powerpoint presentation with exactly what I want my centerpieces to look like, my bouquet, my bridesmaids bouquets, the corsages for the moms and the boutonnières for the men. The flowers are costing me a FORTUNE! =(

 

I have 20 TABLES! $240 per centerpiece alone... you can do the math and that doesnt include the other flowers I mentioned above.

Originally Posted by sherylh 

 

Does anyone know what the price range for centerpieces are? I saw on one of the forms on facebook where someone mentioned they start at $150???! That seems really pricey... =/

Hi Sherylh,

They do start at $150 unless someone has other information... My "Tall" centerpieces are $240 EACH!

Originally Posted by Winslow13 

 

Do you really think it is a waste of money for a Dj? I was really thinking about booking one

Hi Winslow13!

I'm having a DJ because I don't want to have to worry about the music. My fiance is working on putting our favorite songs together on an external hard drive and an iPod that we plan on giving to the DJ so he can mix it in with the music he has... also, I confirmed with Deyanira (my coordinator) that the DJ speaks English and can announce the wedding party.

Regards,

Grace

Does anyone know where the corsages for the gazebo may be purchased? 98 more days!!

Originally Posted by Carolina13 

 

Hey Grace,

 

I wanted to ask you, did you have to pay extra to have the cocktail and the reception at 2 different places? I thought we only had the choice of having both at one place.

 

Thanks

Hi Carolina13,

No, I didn't pay extra. I was told the location was on a "First come first serve basis" and I booked my wedding 10 months in advance so I had free reign! Talk to your coordiantor

Originally Posted by Chinanow 

 

As an African-American Bride...will the salon be able to accomodate for hair and make-up?

Hi Chinanow

You won't have a problem.... Dominicans are known for being great hair dressers! We have every skin color and hair type you can think of! I was born in NY but both of my parents are Dominican and I am 100% confident you will be happy with your hair!

Makeup --- I'm not sure.... although I emailed the Spa directly and asked if they knew how to apply fake eyelashes and they told me yes. So boom there you go

Originally Posted by TeamMissick 

 

Hi, there!

 

For anyone who is NOT using a TA, have you contacted/researched/looked into a transportation service? I really want to have options for me and my guests and I want to list the info on my wedding website but I don't know where to start. Thank you )

 

Hi TeamMissick,

I did not use a TA.... My guests are setting up their own transportation via AMSTAR.

Here's the info:

Amstar

http://www.amstardmc.com/

1) Click on Transfers

2) Select Country: Dominican Republic

3) Select Airport: Punta Cana - PUJ

4) Select Hotel: Dreams Punta Cana

5) Select Class of Service: Private Transfer

6) Select Transfer Type: Round Trip

7) Enter your name and payment info and you're all set!

Originally Posted by Grace Torres 

 

Thank you!!! Where did you upload them? I'd love to see pics.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING! BEAUTIFUL and CONGRATS AGAIN!

Originally Posted by Yadira N Rober 

 

I had their centerpieces. I will upload more pictures showing the flowers.

Thank you!!! Where did you upload them? I'd love to see pics.

Originally Posted by Yadira N Rober 

 

 

I have lots of beautiful pictures!!! My photographer was HDC and my wedding package included ceremony pictutes, which were also good. We had a symbolic ceremony. As far as tips, I wouldn't pay extra for the dj. I rented the music system and we took our ipod. Like I said previously, the music they have at the resort is not good, so thaks god we decided to go with the ipod than with the dj. For me, it wasn't worth to pay $500 for a dj for 3 hours. I can send you pics if u want. Give me ur email.

Yadira - One more question. Did you have centerpieces from the resort or did you make your own? I'd love to see pics! Thank you!

[email protected]

Originally Posted by Yadira N Rober 

 

 

I have lots of beautiful pictures!!! My photographer was HDC and my wedding package included ceremony pictutes, which were also good. We had a symbolic ceremony. As far as tips, I wouldn't pay extra for the dj. I rented the music system and we took our ipod. Like I said previously, the music they have at the resort is not good, so thaks god we decided to go with the ipod than with the dj. For me, it wasn't worth to pay $500 for a dj for 3 hours. I can send you pics if u want. Give me ur email.

Originally Posted by Yadira N Rober 

 

Hello ladies,

 

I am back!!! I got married on June 26 at The gazebo. It was my dreams wedding. The grounds are beautiful, rooms are not big, but not to small. I was upgraded to a honeymoon suite for free, which was really nice. Honeymoon suites are bigger than the standard jr suite. Deyanira my wedding coordinator was a sweetheart. Service was great!!! The only bad thing I have to point out is that the music at the disco is not that good. I fyou have specific questions, please feel free to ask.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DREAM WEDDING!!

Did you get your make up done at the Spa? Were they good? Can you send any pics? [email protected]

Thank you and God Bless!

@yazzy Congrats!

I sent my coodinator a powerpoint with images of the flowers and cake that I wanted and she said it was "do-able" I am nervous but I sent plenty of pictures for them to reference... If you're not on Pinterest yet.. I totally recommend! Great site for wedding ideas. I pulled alot of my images from there.

Yes, I'm paying per person.

Congrats!

I also added drapes to the gazebo... and I know it's expensive!! I don't think it looks bad without it but it does add a little something extra

Hi! I worked with Deyanira on my rehearsal dinner.. she gave me different options and I went with a sit down dinner in the Oceana Restaraunt and picked a menu but ... they offer different things other than a sit down dinner.

Since I have such a large party.... they blocked off 100 rooms once I paid 10% of the total cost of the wedding.

They gave me a group code and a link that I put on my wedding website and invites... the guest click on the link, enter our wedding code and choose from 1 of 3 room types I choose for our package.

The deluxe (standard king or two double beds)

Junior Suite

Honeymoon Suite

They are required to leave a CC on file to make the reservation but it is not charged (unless they don't cancel within the alloted time which I believe is 3 days before check in date...I have to double check) At check in, the guest will decide if they want to pay cash or credit.

I didn't use an agent. I dealt direct with the resort on the rates and the guests book their airfare seperate. If I could do it over... I'd get a travel agent! Everyone is calling me with questions and issues and it's offically becoming a bit much...but remember I have a lot more people than you.

@sherylh I'm the queen of control freaks so don't you worry I feel your pain

That's correct on the payments... I made some payments already but will pay the balance when I arrive.

I'm having my coctail hour in the Himitzu Terrace and at the time it was first come, first serve so I got lucky. Most people use the Himitzu for their outdoor reception because it's spacey and a nice location. I needed something BIG since I'm having so many people.

My fiance and I are both from New York, live in Miami but both of our parents are from The DR so we have a lot of family that live in DR that are coming to our wedding. It's my big fat dominican wedding!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAH