DP1andDP2

Hey Ladies! My FI and I want to have a welcome cocktail party--for about 45 of our 60 guests who will have the energy to get together for drinks the Thursday before our wedding (Sat.). Do you think it's possible for us to just meet up at a bar after dinner? Are all of the bars open every night? Any recommendations? I haven't been on this site for a while and I'm trying to catch up on the chatter. Otherwise the planning is going well I am trying to choose my reception theme/decorations. There are soooo many options out there yikes.

Wowzers! In the county we are getting in (MD) we can go to the circuit court just sign the legal papers for marriage and forego taking an oath (i.e. civil ceremony). So when we do the symbolic ceremony we can take our vows and that is legit to me. Oh and it's $70.

Oh my three locations are the Garden Gazebo, Plaza Colonial and Olympus Terrace.

I don't think this is true. I am using three different locations. If you look at photos of other weddings on this thread--you will see three different venues. But, the folks in Miami change things up all of the time. Theresa, helped us pick our three locations.

I'm not reserving the bridal suite--I read on a few other reviews on this site that the $300 is better spent elsewhere (my planner agreed). We are staying on at a Reserve Master one bedroom and have champagne and food brought there for my wedding party. Also I don't feel like transporting my stuff all around--I just want to have everything in one place. We are hiring Reno and Renaud at Photo Souvenir--they have shot some beautiful weddings at the Palma Real, their pics have a photojournalistic aesthetic and their equipment is pretty good.

Yes! Rock the gown! I have a full wedding gown too and I know I will be blazing hot! My second dress is also a gown that I was too in love with--it should be a bit cooler thought than the ceremony gown. I have to figure out when and where I will change. I want to do my first dance in the gown that I take my vows in, but after that--that thing is coming off!

Thanks Shay! You are the truth!

EVKnowsitall has such an upbeat energy and gives great practical advice.

No prob and good luck!

Wow. These are amazing! I love the detail and your color choices.

Wow! You are on fire! Would you mind posting a list of what you bought?

I love your board--the colors are great. I love the fashion. I am also wearing a different reception gown.

Congrats! I am getting married at Paradisus Palma Real this year. I have a really good travel agent--but with whoever you choose make sure you negotiate (free transfers, children 4 under free, free nights for you and a free cocktail party). It's a bit early so I don't know if rates for April 2014 have been posted yet. My agent is Jennifer Gabriel at Dreamer's Travel (Apple Vacations Affiliate): [email protected] Office: 410-239-9424 Toll Free: 877-249-9424 Fax: 410-374-6400 www.dreamerstravel.com

Hey PPRL Ladies, I've created an inspiration board for my wedding on Pinterest. Please share your board/pics too! http://pinterest.com/anitawheeler/beach-chic-wedding/ I want some more ideas too:)

VERY clever idea. You are so creative and thoughtful.

Hi Deanna, You should clarify with your travel agent if there are extra taxes and other charges. My FI and I also secured the $180 pp/pn rate with our travel agent. For us, in order to get that rate our guests have to stay at least 3 nights. The $180 pp/pn rate should include ALL taxes and fees (e.g. for 3 nights a guest pays $540 and that's it). For us the $180 pp/pn even includes transfers to and from the airport. Our travel agent offers trip protection for an additional $65--but that is optional.

Hi Angel, I'm sorry to hear that. My fiance and I had similar problems. I almost forfeited my deposit to go with another resort because I didn't trust that the Miami office would book my wedding. They lost my information once and we had to re-send all of our contract information, they lied to us about our group contract etc. I've talk about it in earlier posts on this thread. You can book your wedding with Theresa who works directly with the resort. You are choosing one of the best resorts in the Caribbean so you deserve the best service. I am finally getting the service I deserve with a person with years in the business. Good luck.

Hey! Theresa is amazing. I just realized that I can have my dream wedding and I don't have to compromise on the look, the details etc. She did work for Paradisus and helped develop the romance packages. She is also an authorized planner for the resort. She can take over your planning at any time. The difference is, is that she works for you and is not trying to make commissions for Ask Me LLC. When you talk to her she will explain to you the entire process. This is the first time there has been transparency for me. She answered ALL of my questions. She is highly organized and patient. The most important thing is that she is excited about planning weddings--she is happy to work with me. The folks in Miami always made me feel like I was bothering them or they were trying to put off my questions until the official planning call. Theresa Calcos Destination Romance Concierge Specializing in Mexico and the Dominican Republic [email protected] /www.barefootbrideint.com (519) 573-4562 Visit us on facebook at Barefoot Bride Int. Destination Events

By the way we are having our wedding at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana. We are expecting about 50+ guests and we are having a welcome cocktail party. Our package includes the ceremony, 1 hr cocktail party and private reception. If you are considering one of the Paradisus resorts check out the threads.

Congrats!!!! Welcome to the world of destination wedding planning. Most large resorts will accommodate groups from 10-100 people. Firstly, you can have a dream wedding at a resort--you don't have to compromise on anything. I am having tons of fun planning my wedding. So here are a few things you may want to do: 1. Choose a country 2. Come up with a rough budget for you and your lucky man AND a budget for your guests. (For example we wanted our guests to pay no more than $1200 per person for 3 nights/4 days). 3. Look at resorts within your preferred price range (There are popular chains such as Sandals, Barcelo, Paradisus, Melia, Palace, Riu etc). These chains may have multiple properties in one city. Some properties offer higher end amenities etc. Once you choose a country, Trip Advisor may be your best bet. Scour the hotels, read reviews etc. and choose your top 3 or 4 resorts. 4. Begin contacting the wedding planners at each of your top resorts. There usually is a link on the website. The initial email should include the following: --your full name, phone and email address (maybe an estimate of the number of guests) --preferred dates (have a first, second and third choice) and TIME of your wedding --request a a pdf of their wedding packages (includes ceremony info, reception info, cocktail hour) --ask if there are special room rates for your guests. If so, to send that information and what free stuff you can get --ask if they have a photo album you can view (see what their ceremonies look like, florals, cakes, resort locations etc) 5. Call travel agents that specialize in weddings. (My fiance and I called about 5 different agents to get a feel for the culture of weddings at the resort and we began requesting quotes for a block of rooms for our guests) 6. You may want to hire a wedding planner to do ALL of the planning for you. Sometimes resorts take a few days to respond to emails and that can be stressful. We recently hired a planner that used to work at the resort and since she is working for us she is saving us tons of money. That's all I have in terms of first steps. Good luck and ask questions before you decide. Also, it's okay to change your mind--we changed resorts three times before deciding on the perfect one.

We ordered our magnets from Vistaprint. We used our own design--which was inspired by a number of designs we had seen on other sites. We paid about $75 for 100 magnets and we got really cute light brown envelopes from Vistaprint too for about $35. We ordered samples from other websites which were really nice too. This file is a bit small but the magnet print was just like a photo. The color was vibrant and the image was sharp. FYI--the magnets cannot be wiped with a damp cloth--the ink will rub off.

I've been going back and forth on the out of town bags versus wedding favors at the reception. I don't know yet what I want to do. Lugging around extra bags does not really appeal to me so I may be leaning toward favors. But the bags are so cool! Here are my ideas so far for favors: 1. folded fans 2. a small box of cigars at each table with personalized match books and a cutter 3. candy buffet (I don't mind lugging candy:) 4. personalized CD Here is a link to my inspiration board. http://pinterest.com/anitawheeler/beach-chic-wedding/

My FI and I just had our first meeting with Theresa (the destination wedding planner from Barefoot Brides)! I got her info from another bride on this site. I am so relieved that I finally called her! I think she is the best kept secret for Palma Real brides. The folks in the Miami (Ask Me) office have been very unpleasant and unresponsive. I tried to track them down for a week to pay my first installment and I was given the run around along with many unanswered questions. I am so happy I don't have to work with them anymore. If anyone has questions let me know. I'm excited about my wedding again and my choice to go with Paradisus Palma Real!!!!!