BRIDETOBE2013

Hi Jf Brides,

Happy planning to you all. Our wedding day is coming up FAST (May 25, 2013) and we are heading to the DR this Monday. WOW, I can't believe our wedding day is already here. Any who, I've contacted Mayte a ton of times regarding the wedding total and NOTHING. I called her twice and she keeps saying "today". I'm get a little uneasy, since we have no clue to what the total is. Did anyone else have this issue? And can we pay with card card or cash only? 

Thank you for your help. 

Originally Posted by Mady28 

 

Did you get your questions answered regarding the documents you need for Nuestra Señora del Pilar?

Yes, thank you for asking. If anyone needs information about documents needed to get married in a catholic church, let me know  

Hi JF brides,

I have a question for anyone who will have or had a catholic ceremony in the DR. We have reserved the church  Capilla de Nuestra senora Del Pillar, but am having issues trying to get information on what documents are required and what my groom (who is not catholic) will need. 

HELP!!!  lol.

Happy planning gals!!!

p.s. I love this sight! you guys are amazing! 

Originally Posted by AquaCait 

 

 

I saw your post in the ME brides page, but I figured I will answer here...I would call priceline and double-check that the package that people are booking is an All-inclusive package...I would venture to say that it probably is, but its always better to know for sure. I think you can then criss-reference the reservations so everyone is recognized as a part of the group...make sense??

Thank you AquaCait! I will DEF call them. Not a bad idea!

Originally Posted by CFK2013 

 

No problem! We are from Boston, so we are using one up here. Happy to recommend her, but just keep in mind that she is over here on the East Coast if you aren't Let me know if you want to go through her, I can DM you the info.

 

I am not too 100% how they compare, or if they even do. It really depends on your flight. From my experience in the past when booking flights, and from the information I have gotten from our TA, the rates for the resort don't change, but rather the flights do, which is when the packages decrease or increase. I have some guests that paid are coming for 4 or 5 days, so splurged on direct flights there and back and some that are coming for the whole week and booked a cheaper flight. I just looked on Priceline for the dates of our wedding week and did the math based on a flight that is similar to what my guests have booked and the price of the "standard" room at ME, and it looks like it's about the same price for what they paid. Just make sure you don't choose an overnight flight! Those packages are really cheap, but it shouldn't take you an overnight flight (meaning you leave on day 1 and get there day 2 in the afternoon) to get there unless you are coming from REALLY far away!

 

Also, I was just on Priceline and I think you have to select how many people and how many rooms on the main page when booking a vacation! It's all-inclusive so it's something you should pay before you get there. Also, keep in mind there are different rooms at the ME, some accommodate 2 some accommodate 3 and I think 1 that accommodates 4. So you def don't want to book a room for 2 people and then show up wanting to put more people in a room since that room may not be available.

 

Hope that helps! I can understand the stress you are dealing with, I went through the same thing when we were choosing our resort. Again, this is just based off my opinion and experience, I can't speak for anyone else!! I know some girls had a harder time with TAs, but for us, it's been great.

You are great!! Thank you for everything and taking the time to share all this information with me. We are on the East Coast as well, so hopefully she will be able to help us as much as she' helped you.

Priceline: Yes, there is a place where you can select the # of people traveling, but only if you chose the vacation packages. Once you select the package you prefer and move forward with the reservation is only asks for one persons name under hotel information, and that kind of freaks me out. You are so right about booking a room for 2 and needing it for more.... Last thing I want is someone having to pay for 2 rooms. ugh. So frustration. haha. I'm sure it will all work out, but for now- I'm stressed! 

Last post was for CFK2013

Thank thank you for all the information! Would you mind sharing what travel agency you are working with? And did you find a better deal through the travel agency in comparison to priceline and websites like that??

From one DR bride to the other- THANKS A MILLION! 

Hello hello ME brides!! 

My fiance and I got engaged two an a half months ago, and decided on having our wedding in the DR. YAY! We have reserved our date, ceremony (church) and Jellyfish for reception for next year. We picked Majestic Elegance as the hotel our family, friends and us will stay at- it look GORGEOUS! Planning has been a breeze (to goo to be true), until I hit a wall. haha. Hope someone can help me with this.

 I've been in contact with Janet (ME) who handles group reservations, she is very sweet and has given me lots of information, but, I have a MAJOR problem and question she can't seem to understand or answer. If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it.

Okay here is my problem: Many of us are planning on booking our trip through priceline.com, because so far they have the BEST deals on hotels/flights/vacation packages. The only down side is that it doesn't give you an option to put the number of guests staying at the hotel, so how will they get an all inclusive wrist band during their stay? Is there a fee once we arrive and how much? For some reason she wasn't sure how it would work or who priceline was. 

HELP. lol

So I think I finally hit the stressing part of planning a wedding in  the DR. grrrr. We will be staying at the Majestic Elegance and I've been in contact with Janet who handles group reservations. She is very sweet and has given me lots of information, but, I have a MAJOR problem and question she can't seem to understand or answer. If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it.

Okay here is my problem: Many of us are planning on booking our trip on priceline.com, because so far it has the BEST deals on hotels/flights/vacation packages. The only down side is that it doesn't give you an option to put the number of guests staying at the hotel, so how will they get an all inclusive pass during their stay? Is there a fee once we arrive and how much? For some reason she wasn't sure how that works or who priceline was. 

HELP. lol

Originally Posted by cnd29 

 

 

We used Caribbean Emotions for photography and video. We liked everything we saw or could find online while making our decision and their prices were really good. They were easy to work with, did an awesome job and we had our discs in hand before we left to go home! If you look a few pages back I posted some pics and there are a few in an album on my profile. I'd definitely say they are a solid choice!

Cnd29, Thank you for responding to my post. I'm glad to hear you had a great experience with them, it makes me feel much better. I will be checking out your pictures as well

Thanks again!!!

JF Brides.

I need feedback on Caribbean Emotions Photography. Good or not so good??

I've googled Punta Cana wedding photographers, but have only come up with a hand full, and of course the one I LOVED is booked. 

Thank you!!!!! Happy planning girls

Originally Posted by april4884 

 

BRIDETOBE2013:

 

I am SO excited to finally possibly have an answer for someone instead of a question! We are staying at Dreams Palm Beach and I had the same problem as you at first. Just when I was about to give up, I tried a link on this page for the Best Destination Wedding Travel Agents. Not only was she able to get me a group rate but the price ended up being substantially better than the current rate on the resorts website. The rate also includes transportation to/from resort and airport. AND we are getting some of our nights for free. All in all, we are very happy with this find. You will likely have to put a downpayment (ours was $100/room) but you get it back when your guest book and you have time to release extra rooms without penalty if done by a certain date. The travel agent can go over all the details with you. I recommend you try them and if nothing else, you will have gotten some answers.

Hi april4884,

haha. Glad you were able to provide an answer for me. I know planning a destination wedding you find yourself asking more questions than answering them- life of the bride I guess. Thank you for the great information, I will be looking into it and seeing if it benefits me. After finding out how DR hotels block rooms, it made me want to give up as well. It's so frustrating! So far, my guests have been doing their own research on flights and hotels, which has been easy on me. I was so stressed at first about getting some time of a package deal and blocking rooms, but after a while.. I said forget it! hahaha. Glad everything is working out for you and good luck with all the planning. Hopefully I will be able to answer one of your questions some time. ha. 

Originally Posted by Lala32 

 

HI Bridetobe2013!   If you want to do a group contract directly with the hotel and without a travel agent, it's true, you would be the responsible party for payment as well as your guests reservations.  So for example, if I was going to attend your wedding, I would be contacting you to add me to the hotel list and pay you for the hotel.  You would be submitting the total group list/dates to the hotel along with a deposit (usually one upfront) and full payment on the date in the contract prior to arriving.  You would also be responsible for hitting the guaranteed # of used rooms in the contract and if you don't hit that number, you would have to pay the difference.  Should your guests decide that they want to book themselves and find a room online for cheaper, this could work against you.  The only advantage of a group contract is that you could get a few free nights or other ammenities that could help offset some costs.  I believe you could do a group contract with a travel agent as well where they would be the person your guests would have to go through rather than yourself but in the end, you are most likely still responsible for hitting that guaranteed number of rooms.  I would suggest however talking to a travel agent first.

 

With that being said, I've asked my guests to book on their own and gave them a preferred travel agent in case they prefer that route.  At this point, I think it's 50/50 - some are booking with the agent, some are booking online but it's less stressful for me and I'm not responsible for anyone missing any cut offs or not paying.  It's all on them.

 

Hope that helps a little!

Hi Lala32. Thank you for your response and information. I, like you have decided to allow my guests to search their own travel arrangements, which takes the stress off of me. Everyday I price out flights and hotels, and surprisingly I have found priceline.com to be the cheapest out of every travel site, including travel agencies. Check out the vacation packages, great deals! Good luck. 

Hello JF brides and brides-to-be!!!

Can anyone help me regarding blocking rooms at Majestic Elegance?? My fiance and I have decided on Majestic Elegance as the hotel we will be staying at, and would love our family and friends to say at as well. The problem is: I called Majestic and spoke with the woman in charge of group reservations, and she said the ONLY way of blocking rooms is for everyone to reserve their room on their own and give one individual the money FOR ALL THE RESERVATION, so it could paid at as one payment upon arrival. Um. That sounds like a problem. I don't think anyone wants to be responsible for someone else's money. What did you girls do about travel arrangements (hotel and flights)? 

Thanks for your help 

Originally Posted by jennifer11203 

 

@bridetobe2013 - can you please email this attachment. I still have not heard back from them and im stressing!!! LOL thank you

Hi Jennifer, Sorry I haven't responded to your message, I haven't logged onto here in a while. Do you still need the pricing brochure? 

@smithk79- Send me your email address. 

@Smithk79. I attached it to this message, let me know if it worked.

WEDDING BROCHURE.pdf

@Smithk79. She sent me a list with prices and I'm hoping those are the current prices, I will have to ask. Thanks  

Cinnagirl, Congrats!!! Looks like we will both be a Mrs. May 2013.

Thank you for the information. I have also sent her information as to what I want (ex: pictures of decor, bridal bouquet, bridesmaids flowers, etc.) and she has been really good about replying- some days better than others. As for the deposit, I think its a great idea to send her something just to secure the date more; I think I will be doing the same. 

There are so many questions and little things to take care of, but it looks like she does a great job. 

Thank you smithk79! Congratulations to you too! How exciting, your big day is almost here. 

How did you send her what you wanted off the list? did you just write it all in an email or check it off on the list and scanned it?? 

YAY to the brides-to-be! 

Hi everyone. Thank you for all the information you have provided on this forum, its very helpful. My fiance and I will be getting married May 2013 at Jellyfish, and have been working with Mayte. My only concerns (and maybe you can help me) is that I don;t know how/when I should send her all of what we want???? Also, I sent he pictures of what we want for reception decor, but haven't heard back. How did you guys send your info as for decor and how you wanted your wedding to look like and flow. HELP. Oh, and deposit. How close to the date does she want deposit?

Thank!!!! 

Hi everyone, I just want to say thank you for all this great information, it's been very helpful to read all your experiences and advise. We will be getting married May 2013 at Jellyfish. My only worries are the deposit (Will Mayte let me know what she wants this?) and how/when should I send her the list of things that I want? I sent her pictures of a wedding she did and told her that it's exactly what I want. hope that helps. I'm nerves not being able to see the place until the week of- yikes. It looks beautiful though