SusanMike2013

Just a update to everyone...  the tax in the D.R increased to 28% Jan 1 2013

I just got a email from my W.C with confirmation of everything and I noticed the prices had increased, when I asked why she was prompt in replying to tell me about the tax increase.

also I am renting the sound system and wasn't aware of the 18% tax added...  all the pdfs i got said that DJ services were taxes extra,,,
 

Not a huge deal but will be if you have a lot of extra's.

:-)

Originally Posted by MandieTOFF 

 

When do you get contacted by the wedding coordinator or do we call them first? It feels like I'm the only one who hasn;t talked to mine. I was speaking with Mercy when I first booked but that's the only time we spoke. 

Hi Mandie,

We are getting married on the same day and back in Sept I found out who my WC was and she gave me all the info to make my selections...

Originally Posted by suzzMF 

 

Congrats to Prettyfinegirl & Skygirl !!! Thank you for sharing your experience and I cant wait to see some more pictures.

 

Our big day is getting closer and closer, only 2.5 weeks to go - Luisa is my wedding coordinator and I feel like her English isnt the best, did anyone has/had her as WC?

 

Also for the past brides, does anyone has pictures of the Carnival terrace? This is one of our reception options and I still have a hard time imaging how it would look like. We have 30 guests + 1 DJ.  Does anyone know if it would be too crowed to do a reception there?

 

Thank you guys!

I am also interested in pictures of the Carnival terrace as that is where I am having our reception. So far we are a small group on under 20....

Originally Posted by Donna Hewitt 

 

Oh, and we are going to use the resort photos to give away as gifts... And we REALLY needed a video - as my FI's mother is not going to make it from New Zealand   

 

So Divine it is - No more questioning for me!! haha

Ya for your wedding it would be better to do a package :-)  So many decisions to make and different prices.. i really had to sit down and do a bunch of different situations/calculations to see what works best for us.

Originally Posted by Donna Hewitt 

 

 

So, are you not taking any package then?  How many people do you have coming?  The dinner part was where I thought the money was worth it...  But,maybe I need to go back and look again... Argghhhhh - Time is ticking - Eek!

Right now I am looking at 16 adults.. maybe less/more but for budget I am using 20 Adults

We are getting the complimentary wedding package as we have the Preferred Club Ocean view room booked.

I do have confirmation that there is a sound system included for ceremony all packages ( I have this in a email ) as I want certain songs as the girls and I walk down the aisle.

-This package includes a wedding ceremony for 10 people so I have to add on a cost for chairs, wine and cake for 10 extra ..

-I am also adding on a private dinner (885 +tax Platinum ) and the sound system (350).

total cost taxes included in $1760..

That saves me $989 when comparing to the Now to Eternity package w/sound system...

There so so many extras that I would not use ( Photos, Hair/makeup  in the higher packages that it seems better for me to do it this way and save the money.

I am not getting married til the evening so cocktail hour would be a waste for a small group, we are doing most of our pictures before the wedding.. after the ceremony it will be group shots anyhow so why pay for drinks ( which we can free get anyhow) and food when we are going directly to a big dinner...

It makes sense for us to do it this way.. it may not work for all brides though. It depends on what you want and how many guests you have

:-) Now when I get there I may add little things.. but nothing to equal $1000 and that I would have in the higher packages.

Originally Posted by Donna Hewitt 

 

@Sportsgirl - I'm confused too - I thought that the Divine package did come with the speakers and docking station as well....  I know exactly what you mean - I think I am losing it...  Trying not to stress about it - But, when it comes to thousands of dollars (adding up really quickly) its hard not to!!

Another bride on here (Mandie) was told while speaking with a WC via telephone that yes it was included with the Divine package... it was not in writing.

When I inquired via email I was told it was not included and that was the deal breaker for me to not select the divine package...

My wedding plans have been on hold since I returned to work from mat leave.. I feel so far behind after reading all the new posts :-(

for me .. yes it is still cheaper if I have over 25 people...  :-)

Reason being is that the packages are still only for 25 people so you still have to pay the rate per person after 25 either way...

With the spread sheet that I got from another bride ( I will get mine from Mercy when I give her my final options) gives me a final price of 1832.60 taxes in.

This includes:

Comp. Your moments packages ( 10 guests included)

vendor fee for one person

15 extra chairs

15 extra for wine and cake

Platinum dinner package

sound system for reception

if I have less 25 people it will be less......

:-) Hope this helps you

Thanks so much....

Right now it looks to be the way to go with what I want for a lot less than a package price:-)

Another bride asked me a good question....

Is alcohol included in the dinner options? It states "drinks included" but then you also have a private bar option...

I would assume it would be included, just wondering if anyone knew for sure.

I sent another email to Mercy to ask.. maybe a while to reply though which I completely understand :-)

Ya 26% is outrageous... but nothing I can do about it I guess. The plus is it is not charged on a wedding package .. but is on anything you add.

So depending on number of guests it may be better to do a package...

Right now with my calculations I am saving $1000 by doing a "free" wedding compared to the middle package, and adding what i want which isn't much! Provided i stay at 25 or under guests :-)

Another question.. what do you tip the wedding dept? Do you tip everyone separately, or give one big tip and hope they do as you ask to spread it out? I would like to tip the servers at our wedding and Mercy.. and who ever else is involved during the day.
Any previous brides do this?

Originally Posted by SusanMike2013 

 

 

The pdf states 120 for a "day pass" maybe they charge more for a "vendor"

 

I am hoping I did my math right.. but 26% tax on food and drink is a lot. If they do not charge that on the packages then I have to really rethink this whole thing!

AT this point I am starting to rethink the whole wedding.... so confusing

Hi all....

I got a reply from Mercy and yes my calculations were  right!! YAY!! She replied at 4 in the morning to my emails... and always so nice!

Poor woman must be run off her feet...

There are no taxes on the packages as it already includes them, but taxes on anything extra.

If I chose to do the "free" wedding and add on the plat menu, it is 885 plus 26% tax for 25 ppl.

I have to sit down and redo my calculations with what I really want and see what works best for us and what the best option is to save some money!

:-) 

Oh awesome.. same travel dates as my group from Newfoundland!

we will meet up at some point I am sure!

Jennifer,

I think that if you do a private dinner in a restaurant dancing is allowed but there is like a $5000 charge to have a restaurant private .... but if you are just booking space in a restaurant then there is no dancing as they just have a section roped off for you.

Yes, from what I read there is enough room for dancing pool side. I guess it depends on the number of guests though.

I sent out my invites back in June after I booked the travel, I have a 90 day hold on seats/rooms with Sunwing Vacations.  Gave everyone who wanted the group pricing enough time to get everything together.

What is confusing to me is Mercy keeps referring me to the link with the pdf for extra costs.... I have emailed her and gave her my break downs, to have it confirmed yes that is right or no it is wrong and here is the right calculations. She did tell me the vendor cost was 150.... I have too many emails now!

Once I get that email from her to tell me how to "build" my own I will share :-)

Now when I paid my deposit I paid for the middle package, then asked if I could change to the divine package as I wanted that menu.. maybe that is why I didn't get the spreadsheet?

If I got the Divine package I wouldn't add anything to it though.. I wouldn't use half of it.

Hrmm I wonder if I could give the hair appointment to my sister...

LOL ya it will all work out :-) I just thought I had my head wrapped around it all and then I read all your posts... and I was like WTF!

I just don't want to waste money on the divine package where I don't want half of the options it gives....

I want a basic wedding, nice private cocktail hour for my guests for when I am having pictures done....then a nice dinner and dance.

And I guess I really don't need a cocktail hour... its a resort, all is included anyhow but it would be nice to have my guests already in the area where dinner will be so no one shows up late.. hahha

Donna, your getting married in January so you can let us all know what we need and don't need :-)

Chrisdeluca, what date is your wedding? your travel dates? We are there from the 20th to the 27th

Originally Posted by Skygirl 

 

@susanmike. i hear you about them not allowing to swap things... where did you see the $120 charge vendor fee? how many pp u have coming?i have 40ppl coming, and really dont need there hairdresser,make up, or photographer. i know divine pckg comes with the trio and some decor for the gazebo...

i need to do the math and see the numbers difference, have anyone done it?

The pdf states 120 for a "day pass" maybe they charge more for a "vendor"

I am hoping I did my math right.. but 26% tax on food and drink is a lot. If they do not charge that on the packages then I have to really rethink this whole thing!

AT this point I am starting to rethink the whole wedding.... so confusing

grrr i haven't got this spread sheet either... if someone can pass it along to me as well.

PM me and I will give you my email as I can't view attachments as I haven't posted enough.

I did one out myself using the info in the pdf..... but I didn't include the extra chairs..They charge you for extra chairs.,.. dear lord...

Below is what I calculated for 25 guests excluding tax:

"Free"  Your Moments  - $1700

I didn't add much.. no flowers or anything.. I am a plain type of girl anyhow and flower I could care less about :-)

added:

- plat menu $885

"The Platinum Dinner Package is $885 + tax for up to 25 guests. Prices include drink services. Additional guests can be added for $40 per person + tax. Sit down dinner is available for 100 guests maximum" 

***Donna this should cost you 1285 with drinks included... for 35 people.... the drink upgrades will add it to be more though.

- plat cocktail hour $250

- cake and sparkling wine $165 (extra 15 guest)

- sound system $400

so another 15 chairs even at say 12 a piece is a extra $180.... so $1880?

Now to Eternity - $2799

This is with keeping the silver menu... I would prefer the plat menu but to save cost i didn't add it in. ( mercy told me I could upgrade to it for the price diff of  $255)

- add sound system $400

I wouldn't use the photo's or hair service

Breakfast in bed.. well they have room service included anyhow...

Room upgrade.. we booked the preferred ocean view anyhow..

Massage... well I have neck issues and have to go to a spec. every 5 weeks so I might not even be medical allowed to use this service... but for the upgraded cost I would book them for us home and save a ton :-)

Divine - 3399

- added sound system

I don't want their music at the ceremony as I have songs already picked out

Dinner on the beach would be super nice but we will have 18 month old twins with us. My family is not getting there til two days after us so I would prefer to spend extra time with them.

I don't want a video...

Where did you see $3 per extra chair?

I see the below in the pdf, not that it makes sense by any means...

Tiffany Chair (white, brown, gold, or platinum) $15 each

Folding Chair $12 each

If I have calculated any of this wrong someone please let me know:-) Maybe once I get the spread sheet it will be different.

I am using the info provided here:

http://www.amresorts.com/wedding_guides/nolpc-wedding-guide.pdf

it states:

"If you would prefer to customize your wedding instead of choosing a wedding package, or would like to add other services, we offer a variety of options to make your wedding perfect. "

And that is where I got the prices... somehow I missed the extra chairs....
 

****

 Customized Wedding Packages have the option to add at additional cost:

✦ Private event in any of the banquet rooms

✦ A private dinner with Silver, Gold or Platinum menu

✦ Hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour

✦ All drinks and food services have a 26% of legal taxes - Wonder if this is on top of the packages prices as well, does anyone know?

***

The photographer I have booked is spending the day with me..  he gave me an approx time of 11am to 11pm....

My wedding isn't til 6... we are doing a lot of the pictures before the wedding. The guys getting dressed first and all that.. easy for the guys to get dressed..get pictures .. and then get undressed and go about their day :-)

Then he is getting pictures of all the girls getting ready.. once we are done then the guys can quickly get back into their wedding clothes and then we can get pictures without having to rush off to a dinner. I like this idea better as we are not going to be rushed after the ceremony for pictures .... that was we can enjoy the supper and dancing as you only get the private room for 3 hours.

Makes it a little more relaxed... although this would not work for someone who did not want to see their husband before the wedding.

The vendor fee I was given was 150.. although the pdf states 120....

Also was told that his meal would be extra or I could include him as a guest.

If your photographers are staying at the resort... I wouldn't even bother to let the resort know. Say a friend is taking your pictures :-)

I am rethinking the divine package for the reason of them not allowing you to sub in other things.. I am not using the photographer or the hair salon...

The more I look at the packages, I am better to go with the "free" packages and adding everything in I want, it will save us over $1000....

Kids stay free? We didn't get that promotion.... are you booking directly with the resort?

My twins stay free but that is because they are under 2

I picked this place BEFORE I knew of anyone that had been there before. I know Sarah ( coworker) went every year but I couldn't remember what resort.

I originally had the Hard Rock selected.... but they would not allow a group booking.  So I had to go back and start the process over, at the time I read a lot of great reviews and the jacuzzi in each room was a plus. Some of my guests have never been south before so I wanted to give them more than just a basic room, and I wanted a smaller resort but lots of options....
The Hard Rock had every option but it is a huge resort so it worked out better in the end. I also have since learned the water and beach is much better at Now Larimar :-)

To ease your mind... Go look at the "bad" reviews for the Majestic Elegance... that resort is beautiful and very expensive but you will still find ppl complaining of food, bad rooms..etc..

Anyone I spoke with that has been there never had a bad thing to say about it.. but there are people out there who didn't like it and will never be back.

I don't expect the staff to speak perfect English.. I know that the service will be different as that is their way. They live a relaxed lifestyle and I try to as well when on vacation.

The food.. well food is hit or miss anywhere you go. .. Weather is no ones issue..

If I don't have a remote that works... I will go to the beach and not take the time when I get home from my busy life to complain about a remote! haha

I laugh at some of these reviews... there was one I actually sent to friends it was that laughable...  Complaining because of the shampoo provided and they didn't get a shampoo upgrade.. seriously bring your own!

Originally Posted by Alynae2 

 

Hey girls! I'm also having my ceremony at the NOW on November 17, 2012. I'm so happy I found you guys. Does anyone know if the photography from the resort is any good?? My biggest concern are the pictures. We picked the Divine package but now reconsidering. We will probably have only have about 10 people all together. Does anyone know if we can change packages? I'm willing to cut cost on a package if I can have good photos. Any advice would be great. Thanks:D

Hi Alyna,

I was emailing with a Mother of the Bride from a recent wedding at Now....  they were not impressed with the pictures at all, here is her exact words:

***

Second problem we had was with the photographer from the resort.  We did not upgrade from what was offered in the package so that may have been our problem??  We are not really sure why are photos did not turn out well, but my guess was they wanted us to upgrade and when we didn't they didn't care??  You can only choose your 24 pictures from the ceremony, nothing before or after.  We had a hard time finding 24 pictures from the ceremony, there were a lot of photos of our family taking photo (couldn't see their faces).   The extra photos were $15.00 each!  You don't actually get photos, you get a disk.  The photo shopping of the photos were also bad!  The bridesmaid dresses were royal blue but the pictures they showed us they were purple!!  What happened there is any ones guess!  We were very lucky to have so many of our family who took great photos so we had plenty to put together a great album.

***

here are other issues she noted as well:

**

There were a few problems I would like to share, the major problem we had was the weather, the resort does not have a outdoor back up plan for rainy weather.  We had rain the two days before the wedding and the morning of the wedding it rained.  We met with Mercy the wedding coordinator at 11:00 to make "our decision" on what we wanted to do.  With rain threatening all day we have to choose to move all activities indoors which meant to have the wedding in a smelly dark meeting room and the reception in the French restaurant.  We needed to make the decision by 11:45!  Lets just say it was very stressful, but we decided to take a chance and have the reception on the beach, which worked out fine, no sun but still very nice.  My daughter also had to sign a waiver stating if it rained before the wedding there would be no photographer, music or wine toast and no refund.  Thank goodness it didn't rain!

All in all the ceremony and reception were wonderful!  Mercy did a great job to make my daughter's special day perfect!  The resort is beautiful but don't expect consistent service!  I would be happy to answer any other questions you have. I have attached a few pictures!

***

Nothing too major to note besides the pictures.....can't help the weather and most resorts all have the rain waiver.

If you are paying for your own photographer then at least you have a say in what you want for pictures. The before and after pictures are something I want, I am not chancing it and have booked a photographer to do the pictures.

I did ask Mercy about upgrading the packages and she said yes..  so it shouldn't be a issue to change a package. (You have 6 months to cancel the wedding all together and get your deposit back)

Hope this helps!

Thanks Jennifer8913,

Those prices are a lot clearer than the pdf Mercy referred me to....

the pdf states 400 for the sound system but you have 350... so confusing. I am having all prices confirmed before I get there to avoid any surprise costs :-)

I emailed Mercy again to get a more details, see what prices she give me .

Hi thesportsgal....

I stopped reading trip adviser, I was starting to freak out and even almost sent a email to my travel agent to see if it was possible switch resorts...

A co worker has been going to this resort the past 3 years... She goes back every year.

My sister has a client who is a travel agent and she couldn't say enough good things about the resort and the weddings there.

The photographer I have booked said its a nice resort... not the nicest in Punta Cana but he said the wedding and everything will be great and it was a good pick!

Even after three separate people in 3 different provinces telling me I had picked a great resort trip adviser was keeping me up at night.

You can't please everyone... and we all know that bad experiences always are told more than good experiences. I have been down south multiple times and each time it was great. I have only once written a review on a resort (that resort also had bad reviews and I felt I needed to clear it up as it was a super nice resort for the money we paid). Its all what you make it :-)

Stop reading and it will all work out.

I am doing a symbolic wedding as well.. honestly the amount of paper work and cost was my decision for it.

Byoksana, my photographer (Phil Steingard) told me about a pastor you can book who does a great job.. Pastor Rick York. He is from Chicago and I think he told me his price is 350.

Phil said he does an excellent job to perform the ceremony to how you would like. Might be a option for you.

Donna you will find a dress :-)  Your colors are going to be beautiful together.. pictures are going to be so sharp!

Mandie, that is a beautiful color ( i also had to google it)  and will look so nice in pictures.

My planning got put on the back burner... my twins started to nap at different times and every spare minute was trying to find a nanny for my return to work.  I will really get down to it once I get a final number of guests, our 90 days with sunwing is up the end of Aug so I will start then to get get everything together.  I have the location of the ceremony and reception picked out, and pretty much know what I want for the dinner.

Things all have a way of working out :-) We will all have beautiful weddings.

Hi All...

I just got a reply from Mercy, her answers to my questions are in bold blue. Looks like no DJ is included... :-(

1. Does the Divine package include a DJ as stated in the following link:
 
http://www.amresorts.com/media/QRG/qrg_nolpc.pdf
 
• DJ for 2 hours during reception
 
this document was last updated April 17 2012
 
There is conflicting information depending where you look on line which makes it difficult to select a package. No, the DJ service is not included. This service was included in the Divine Wedding Package for 2011, and for 2012 we change it for live music during the ceremony.

Please see the correct information through the following link.

http://www.amresorts.com/wedding_guides/nolpc-wedding-guide.pdf
 
 
2. Are you allowed to have music and dancing at the Castways restaurant or pool side if I chose to have my private reception at either of those locations? Yes!! Music is allowed in all private events.   Please be advised that Castaways restaurant is no longer available among the locations for private events. The cost to reserve this location is US$5,000, and it is mandatory to send the payment in advance.
 
 
3. For our beach ceremony, is there a cd player there I can use? Or something I can use to play music as I walk down the aisle. Is there a fee associated with it? The wedding package includes a sound system during the ceremony. You can bring your own music on a CD or and IPod, and we provide the connection.
 
 
4.  If I decide to stay with the Now to Eternity package, can I upgrade the private meal to the platinum menu rather than the silver and if so what is the extra cost? Sure!! You can upgrade the dinner package. The cost will be the price’s difference between both packages.

Mandie, ya for sure get that in writing.... I am doing everything if possible via email to have a paper trail of everything!

We are getting married the same day.. arriving the same day .. so I assume our meeting with the wedding dept will be the same day (Monday I am thinking as that is when final payment is due). We will have to meet up that night to "compare" prices ;-)

What I find confusing is that Castaways is still listed as a reception location but some brides are being told they can not have it without an extra cost (5000)

I have the old pdf file is anyone wanted it to compare.

O nice.. the wedding pdf seems to be in the process of being updated..

The prices have changed for the packages.. but all the extras look the same.

The sound system rental is 400 but someone has posted here 350... and the Divine package doesn't state the sound system is included as Mandie was told..

It does state the platinum menu on the Now site for the divine package:

http://www.nowresorts.com/larimar/weddings.html

all so confusing... I may just start taking screen shots of everything I see to add to my folder full of printed out emails I plan to take with me so there are no surprises :-)

WOW thanks sooo much Mandie!!

Very helpful info!!

Ekk that does add up....

$400 sounds a lot better.... renting the equipment is the less expensive option. I could use that other 700+ on other items...

Good idea Donna, normally weddings where I come from it is a friend or family member who is the MC anyhow.. and I was planning to ask my aunt to do that stuff.

It is very easy to make a play list on the laptop or ipod and let it run.. hit pause when she announces the first few dances :-)

This site is helping me so much to try and plan this wedding and figure out just how much it is all going to cost!

http://www.amresorts.com/wedding_guides/nolpc-wedding-guide.pdf
 

All the prices are listed in that pdf :-)

MUSIC

Sound system for reception (3 hours - Includes 2 speakers, microphone, iPod console or laptop connection) $400

Violinist 1 hour set $400

Saxophonist 1 hour set $350

Jazz Trio 1 hour set $850

Piano & Singer (1 hour set) set $500

Trio 45 minute set $400

DJ per hour $350

Band 45 minute set $1,400

Piano & Sax (1 hour) $550

Perico Ripiao (1 hour) $350

Extra Hour of DJ Service from $100-$200 depending on service