Donna Hewitt

My dress was from Jasmines. With everything including the veil it was about $500 - Not bad at all for what I got.. My fave part was the belt... That was the only part I brought home with me... Some lovely Dominican housekeeper may be sauntering around Punta Cana in my beautiful dress! Thanks ladies!! And Good luck Uhura!! Almost time - It goes SOO quickly - enjoy every second of it!!

Thanks Ladies! Yes, I did have my hair and makeup done at the spa - They did a great job - I brought pictures with me, that helped... I would suggest not going for anything too curly... they just wouldn't hold... And perhaps bring your own hairspray - theirs was not so good... But they had MAC makeup, and I loved what they did - I brought fake lashes and they applied them. I would also suggest splurging on the Bridal Suite - Best $150 we spent... The bridal party hung out there all day and its a great spot for pics! They set is up very nicely with champagne and snacks... Happy Planning!

Hey Mvee! I really don't mind! Love to bask in the Bride light a little longer!! haha So for the past year, I dealt with Silvia - all the ins and outs... and then the morning that I went for my meeting - I found out that Silvia was ill, and that I now had Luisa... Of course I was a bit stressed... But they had all my emails in a folder - so it just meant going back over them. I brought all my decorations (bit of stress getting it all down there - but had fam help pack them) and had to go through each thing with her... I have to say that I didn't feel so confident that she was going to get it right... I would suggest that if you have things that need to be put together by the coordinator on the day of - Take photos ahead of time - Draw a detailed photo of exactly what you want and where. Things did look beautiful, but they weren't exactly how I pictured... And if you need things hung, like lanterns or pomanders - be prepared to pay an extra fee - they wanted $25 cash for every 10 lanterns. And I never saw the majority of my decorations again... We hired an outside photographer - which was $150 for both people... even though I've read that this has changed now. We did photos before the wedding - so there was plenty of time. We had our ceremony on the beach... and I was just reading someone else saying they would never do that because of the privacy... And yes, there were a lot of onlookers - BUT - I didn't even notice them... You are so in the moment... They were the last thing that I saw... I haven't gotten all my photos yet.. But I think a good photographer would know how to avoid them, and blur them out... I don't think you can replace the feeling of being stood on the beach... It wasn't that windy on my day either... But, the fountain also looked gorgeous! We had our ceremony at 4:30 and the reception at 7 at the quiet pool (I didn't know there was an option to use any other pool - I only saw weddings there)... Unfortunately we got a bit of a rain... (good luck - right?!) So the ceremony didn't start till 730 - and they don't extend it later - 10 is the cut off time - One thing I would change, would have been to extended the time, which was Ridiculously expensive - But, 10 was WAY too early - especially with speeches and everything - there was really not much time for the party.. and we did go to the night club after - but it was really busy, just not the same. So about the garden view rooms. That's also where I initially feared where we were staying, I had heard they were so far away... I sent many MANY complaints and requests to have our entire group upgraded, and they said it was not possible... but then when we got there - EVERYONE had been put into the 2 buildings closest to the ocean - I didn't complain... We had a few people who were not with our package and they were in the Garden view rooms - they said they were really nice... But they were REALLY far - You had to take a cart to that part of the resort... The resort is quite big to begin with - So its a bit of an effort... But, if you have to - pack a beach bag for the day! I suggest start sending emails - worked for me! Biggest advice is to ENJOY EVERY second of it... I feel like I spent SOO much time running around and trying to organize stuff, that I didn't have much time to just sit and relax with my group - It FLIES by so quickly - You are having a destination wedding for a reason... Don't over complicate it! Happy planning!

Just got back from my wedding! Wanted to let everyone know - that in the end I was EXTREMELY happy with my dress from Jasmine's. I had lots of compliments and it made me feel like a princess! It was a knock off of this Arabella: And this is me on my wedding day: YAY!

OK - I'm back! Wedding all over I'm a wife! haha ANYONE have questions - Ask away! I have a desk job and LOTS of time on my hands! I had the ceremony at the beach and the reception at the pool. There were goods and bads... The one MAIN piece of advice that I can give is to RELAX and ENJOY it... I read other brides write that and I didn't take their advice - and I wanted everything to be just perfect - I spent so much time worried and planning that I have to say I didn't have enough time enjoying it... and before I knew it - it was all over! LOVED the resort though - don't worry about that part - all your guests will have a blast! So yes, any questions - let me know! Here are a couple pics - Haven't gotten the ones from our photographer yet!

Hi Susan - Just got back and going through messages - I thought that this was the case as well - But, when I was there it was actually on $150 per vendor - So we had 2 photographers from the same company and it was $150 for both.

THANKS AGAIN LADIES!!! I'm Boarding my plane in 4 hours!! Be quite busy up to the wedding... Hope to see you KChenard and NowBride2013!! Good luck!!!

Agreed - Fuchsia!! Man... Should I have gotten napkins?? I don't think I could fit another thing!! haha

Hi Gizzmo! First things first... Read this WHOLE thread - You will have MOST of your questions answered, I know I did - Its VERY helpful! They told me that they generally do the cocktail hour in the location of the wedding, so I'm having a beach wedding as well and then the cocktail hour will be right after on the beach... Open area with no extra cost for reception - I think the pool or the beach... I chose pool - I'll let you know how it goes when I get back - but I've heard good things from other brides on here! Congratulations and good luck!

@KChenard - I got the same message from Silvia - after waiting 10 days for a response to my final details... Grrr.... Hoping she gets back to me quickly, as I am outta the country in 2 more sleeps!!

@MissJali - Thanks! What a great pick me up to hear someone likes my dress!! Have been feeling some dress regret in the past week - With only 9 days before the wedding - that is a scary feeling!! haha Anyways, I bought my dress in the summer - I didn't have any upgrades, it came with the belt and the underskirt and I order a simple veil ($20) - In total, I believe it came to about $550 - Just so you know an approximate amount you'll be looking at! Congratulations and Good Luck!!

OK, I'll take that as a no! haha How about any suggestions of the best alcoholic drinks to drink the week leading up to the wedding at the resort...

@kchenard - My wedding is 3 days before you and I'm having my reception at the pool as well! With only 3 hours, it didn't seem worth getting a dj for us, by the time dinner is finished there is really only maybe 2 hours of dance time.. Also, money wise we are done with spending... So we are just paying for the sound system and have set up an IPod with different files - dinner music, dance music, etc. I guess it depends on budget!

WOW! Those are gorgeous centre pieces!

My wedding is in 2 weeks.... I was doing REALLY well - and then the holidays hit - I've been referring to that as my Christmas Kilo - that stubbornly won't leave! But, back on track now... Anybody have any LAST MINUTE tips for a desperate bride! I'd like to drop about another 4-5lbs in the next 2 weeks... I work best under pressure!! haha

Thanks everyone! We do have a group all coming together and they will have transportation waiting... But, then we have people coming from all over the place - and they may have to get themselves there solo - so just wanted them to have a heads up! Thanks!