thesportsgal

Carrol, check out Caribbean Celebrations. They did our decorations and were awesome...also, everything was half the price of the resorts. I was extremely happy we went with them. Let me know if you have any questions!

We used the DJ from the resort and honestly, I'm so glad we did. We got DJ Services A and it was $540 plus tax, I think it's 3 hours. They were AWESOME! There was 3 guys, all with laptops to do the music with lights and whatnot, plus the emcee. I also paid for the lighted dance floor because our reception was supposed to be on the beach and I thought that would be so pretty (we ended up changing the location but I explained that in another post . Let me know if you have any questions!!

Lindsay, your pics are amazing! I'm so jealous you got castaways, it wasn't available when we were there I posted this in the other thread so I'll just repost here so you can see it: Hi everyone! We just got back on Sunday, woo hoo! The wedding was great...seriously, don't worry about anything. Francina was wonderful, we were very happy with her. Pay attention to the WEATHER!!! We were supposed to do our reception on the beach but it was too windy...then we moved it to the pool area. Immediately after the ceremony it started pouring rain. We had to eat our dinner in the buffet and then moved out to the pool area when it stopped raining . Needless to say I was extremely disappointed. But once we were out there it was a blast. I highly recommend Caribbean Celebrations for centerpieces and other items you might want. Even with the outside vendor fee, the cost was way less than the resort. They did our decorations for the gazebo, pomanders for the aisle, tiffany chairs, sashes and lounge areas for the reception. They were great. The hair lady was awesome, I was SO happy with her...makeup not so much . I left looking like an orange mess and immediately washed it off and did my own. As far as welcome bags, Bubba mugs were a HUGE hit as well as band aids and pepto. BRING PEPTO AND IMMODIUM!!! It's just the price you pay for going to a different country. The beach was beautiful, one of the best I've seen. The resort was nice too, very pretty. We hired HDC, they were AWESOME!!!! We came home with almost 300 pictures that were amazing. I'm trying to think of anything else but can't right now . I will add things as I think of them. Feel free to ask my ANY questions!!! Also, pm me if you want to, I have pics on Facebook and will friend you so you can see them .

Our ceremony was at the fountain. We picked our own songs and Francina played them on an ipod and then we used the guitarist that comes with the package for the cocktail hour. Have you heard of Vitamin String Quartet? They are amazing and do string versions of EVERY song you can imagine. They played Sweet Child O'Mine while people were sitting down (I know it sounds crazy but once you hear it, it's beautiful , Coldplay's Yellow for the bridal party, I walked down the aisle to Cat Steven's Here Comes My Baby and our recessional was Hallelujah (not a slow version, it's this really cool fast version but I forget where it's from).

And I found table runners for $2.00 from Linen Table Cloth, I think if you google the name, their website should come up. They were good quality and SO cheap!

Hi everyone! We just got back on Sunday, woo hoo! The wedding was great...seriously, don't worry about anything. Francina was wonderful, we were very happy with her. Pay attention to the WEATHER!!! We were supposed to do our reception on the beach but it was too windy...then we moved it to the pool area. Immediately after the ceremony it started pouring rain. We had to eat our dinner in the buffet and then moved out to the pool area when it stopped raining . Needless to say I was extremely disappointed. But once we were out there it was a blast. I highly recommend Caribbean Celebrations for centerpieces and other items you might want. Even with the outside vendor fee, the cost was way less than the resort. They did our decorations for the gazebo, pomanders for the aisle, tiffany chairs, sashes and lounge areas for the reception. They were great. The hair lady was awesome, I was SO happy with her...makeup not so much . I left looking like an orange mess and immediately washed it off and did my own. As far as welcome bags, Bubba mugs were a HUGE hit as well as band aids and pepto. BRING PEPTO AND IMMODIUM!!! It's just the price you pay for going to a different country. The beach was beautiful, one of the best I've seen. The resort was nice too, very pretty. We hired HDC, they were AWESOME!!!! We came home with almost 300 pictures that were amazing. I'm trying to think of anything else but can't right now . I will add things as I think of them. Feel free to ask my ANY questions!!! Also, pm me if you want to, I have pics on Facebook and will friend you so you can see them .

Whoops, can't share the link! I don't know how to edit to delete it...

Thank you thank you!! I am very excited/nervous. I will try to remember everything so I can tell you all when we get back! Our bags turned out so cute, I will take a pic. I fit 15 of these in a large suitcase with the 'flat' items packed in them http://www.favorsandflowers.com/large-palm-leaf-shoulder-bag.htm and 33 Bubba Mugs in another large suitcase so I did get it down to 2 extras! Dealing with Francina has been so frustrating but I won't mention that to her until after the wedding . I'm really glad I chose Caribbean Celebrations for our decorations (well, as of now I am) so I will let you know how that goes. We are still doing a ceremony at the fountain and reception on the beach, as of now. I want one long table on the beach and Caribbean Celebrations is setting up 2 lounge areas with 2 love seats, 2 chairs and table. I thought a place to sit down outside the table was worth the $180. I just received a revised wedding planner and it seems to be the most expensive add ons are things that seemed to have BEEN included in the Divine package that now ARE NOT (such as DJ services). But the cost of the Divine package for the dinner alone I think will be worth it (we are hoping to do steak and lobster). And I added a lighted dance floor, haha . This was kind of my inspiration. I hope they don't mind me sharing the link, I just LOVED their wedding!! http://www.*****novablog.com/now-larimar-punta-cana-wedding-taylor-scott/

KChenard, I'm bringing a shadow box set that I would like to bring back with us with sand from the beach. It's this one: http://www.bellestyles.com/product_info.php?products_id=7640 It came packed pretty good and the glass isn't too thin so I'm hoping it makes it there . We leave on Sunday, getting SO nervous!! I have 2 suitcases packed with the welcome bags and decorations so I ended up with 1 less bag than I thought! Skygirl, how was the weather when you were there? I see that it's humid, was it hot when you got married? Thanks!!!

The outside vendor fee is $150. I wanted more flowers on the table plus the Tiffany chairs. We're also doing a lounge set up on the beach during the reception (since it wasn't too expensive;). I am brining table runners with me since I found them for $2. We're doing the divine package and it really doesn't include too many decorations so that's why I'm doing this. Like I said the prices are at least half so I think it's a better deal, even with the vendor fee .

Here is their website. I contacted them through the contact us page and they got right back with me. http://www.weddingsandeventsinpuntacana.com/ I sent them pictures of the flowers I liked and they sent me a quote. I sent the same thing to Now and the prices were double. They're going to be at our meeting to go over everything and then she said not to worry, they would take care of everything . I feel so much better!

suzzMF, that looks beautiful!! Congratulations, I'm so glad everything worked out for you! I just wanted to share that I have found the SOLUTION to my problems/frustrations with the Now Larimar: Caribbean Celebrations! They are going to come in and do all my decorations for me, and everything I have been quoted so far is at least HALF of the resort, if not a third. So even with the vendor fee, it will save a ton. For example, their Tiffany chairs are $5 a piece and they will move them for a labor fee. Each centerpiece I have been quoted was half of what I was told from Now, as well as chair sashes, linens, etc. Plus, she gets RIGHT back with you when you have questions about what you're interested in and the pricing. I get 2 responses from them to Now's 1. I know I haven't used their services yet but at this point, my stress level has gone way down . I still have stuff I am bringing but was excited to share that if anyone has certain decorations they definitely WANT and they are too expensive at Now, I would check out Caribbean Celebrations.

Congrats Skygirl, Iove your pics!! Thanks for the advice too! I am 4 weeks away, starting to stress out a little more. I had to send Francina an email 3 times before I got a response so that is starting to get irritating with it getting so close . I had asked about the Tiffany chairs I really want but the cost is ridiculous. Get this: you have to pay for them TWICE, once for the wedding and once for the reception. I find that to be insane!! Did everyone else have to pay twice if you got the Tiffany chairs?? Sorry to vent, that just really, really made me mad .

Does anyone know how long the tables would be if they are the oblong ones? I think we are doing our ceremony at the fountain and reception on the beach. We will have 32 people total so I would like the long tables and am trying to buy runners and stuff...and just can't seem to figure it out!

Sorry the post was a little unorganized I just copied and pasted real quick As you can see, I try to get a couple questions together before I email her but then I can't seem to get organized enough to send everything in one.

We don't want to have a formal rehearsal dinner but rather a welcome reception on December 5. Can we do this? What are the location options? Can we do it in Eclipse nightclub? We would select the platinum cocktail hour package for that. Yes, I am already booked it for you. What time do you have in mind to do it? I recommend you to do it at 6 or 6:30 because after that, your guest can have dinner . I am already add the extra cocktail hour to the wedding planner. It will be for an hour and its included 4 cold canapés and 2 hot canapés. Can we do a short rehearsal with the wedding party right before this? I have a wedding on that day at 5:00 p.m so I won’t be able to do a rehearsal near the cocktail hour, we can do it on the morning after breakfast or any time during the day before 2:00 p.m. I only want the little kids to see where the ceremony will be and how to walk down the aisle. I have not heard back on quotes regarding the flowers I want. Please find the information on another email. I have not heard back on the price of having a bottle of wine for everyone in their rooms. I am already sent to quote with our food and beverage department, as soon as I they let me know, I will send you the quote. When do we start picking out what we want? We are only 65 days out and I am getting VERY nervous with this! Please find enclosed the wedding planner. It is an easy chart where you can add all the final information and details for your wedding. By now and based on the information that I have on your file, it is quote for 50 guest, including the couple. Please fill out and send it back to me in order to start planning. The most important thing is to decide the locations, most of the time, the cocktail hour is right after the ceremony and on the same location, after that we always recommend half an hour of break between the dinner and cocktail . The dinner / reception is included for 3 hours, during that time, you have included the bar. You have to think about the music because there is not DJ or sound system included. Also, what music do we pick for the ceremony? Most of the time, we use a couple of songs for the prelude, and then 3 songs for the ceremony. One song will be for the bridal party, the second one for the bride and the 3 one for the recessional. You can choose yours songs, if you have any specials one , you can bring it on a cd, ipod, ipad, etc, and during the meeting, you have to let me know . Is it whatever we want or do you have a recommended list? In case that you do not want to use any specific song, we have a few songs that we normally use, as cannon in D for the bridal party, Marry me from Train or Over the rainbow for the bride and for the recessional Lucky of Jason Mrarz. If we wanted to have a program for the ceremony can you send me what order everything will be in? Yes!!! Prelude Processional: Bridal Processional You can put the name of the bridal party if you will have it. Entrance of the Bride Declaration of Intention Exchange of Vows Exchange of Rings Unity sand ceremony ( if you will have it) Recessional Or do many people do that? It is up to you, it is not mandatory. I'm not quite sure how to go about this. Can we do a sand unity part during the ceremony? Sure!!! Is this something I need to bring or do you provide it? You should bring your own unity sand kit ( the vases and the sand). If I get the wooden board set up that comes with the canopy decoration and the pomanders, can you use the pomanders then for centerpieces? Sure, I can place it on the table as a center piece. Do you have pics of centerpieces along with prices? Or can I send you what I'm interested in and you can tell me how much it will cost? Yes, I have some pictures, please find enclosed. Also, you can send me the desire one and I will quote it for you ,too. I think that if you will use the poom manders , it will be better to have a crystal vases and put to flower on the top. Regarding your question, yes, you can have a private dinner or party on the beach , you can choose one of our packages for cocktail hour or one package of the dinner, find the package on the wedding guide enclosed to this email. I do not what you have on mind, but I recommend you to do a cocktail hour as you are going to have a dinner / reception the next day. The cocktail hour included one private bar for the hour, you can have some canapés etc, for an hour or 2 with your guests. Also, if you will have welcomes bag it will be a great opportunity to give them, we can set up a welcome table or a dinner on the beacj. How much is it to have a bottle of wine waiting for everyone in their rooms at their arrival? I will send an email to the food and beverage manager and I will let you know.

Well, I think I am sticking with the Divine package mostly for the dinner meal. We still better get the violionist, saxophonist or guitarist for the ceremony! That is definitely spelled out in the package. I am clarifying that with Francina right now. We are using HDC for our photographer. At this point we are doing ceremony at the fountain and reception on the beach. A couple of my friends are working on reception playlists if we do the ipod docking station or I still might hire a DJ, I'm not sure. I do want a lighted dance floor on the beach too, haha . Does anyone know what music they are doing for the ceremony? I don't want something so traditional but don't really have any ideas either. Let me know of any questions, I'll certainly see if Francina has answered them for me...I've been sending a ton. Or should I just post them here?

Our wedding date is December 6! Coming up fast!

I just found out from Francina that the ipod docking station and speakers are NOT included in the Divine package?? I could have swore it was included!!! I feel like I'm going crazy with the differences in information I am getting from them. I don't think I will stick with the Divine package if some of these things aren't the case...extra "hidden" costs are adding up fast! I could have swore someone on here mentioned the ipod station and not going with a DJ...what is everyone else doing?

Does anyone know how much extra pictures are? Are you guys just using the Now Larimar photographer or hiring an outside one? I'm starting to get confused on photo/video, what's included in the Divine package, do I hire HDC, etc...

Thanks, vizionme! I hope everything works out well. I have contacted an outside florist to see what their prices are vs. the resort. I'll let anyone know when I hear back. The florist got right back to me with a reasonable quote, I just have to figure out with the outside vendor fee if it is worth it. Did anyone buy centerpieces from the resort? If so, how were they? I was going to do fake flowers and bring them with me but have decided against it and am doing real...

I just got assigned Francina...has anyone else had her or heard anything? Time is FLYING by .

Is anyone doing a unity candle/sand ceremony? Or whatever it's called... Does anyone know if it costs extra?

I'm trying to find a way to say no gifts on the RSVP card...what did everyone choose to put? I saw somewhere on this board that someone had a really cute saying to go on the RSVP...I don't think it was "Your presence is our present" and I'm just trying to see what everyone went with. Thank you!!! Happy planning!!

Hi SusanMike, What if you have over 25 people? Would it still be cheaper? I am getting WAY confused . I opted for the highest package because I thought it would be so worth it but now after reading this discussion I'm not quite sure...especially after the DJ and stuff was moved out of the package. Plus, I've already signed up for the Divine...has anyone ever changed? ARGGHH!!! I'm freaking out...like, keep me up at night freaking out...