MissyBee

Originally Posted by KnC2014 

 

Hello Ladies,

 

For those of you that had your dance floor set up outside; Did Mayte set up a bar outside or were your guests going back inside anytime they wanted a drink? Did the outside dance floor cause any separation between your guests or was the entire group ok with being outside?

 

Thank you

yes, there was a bar set up outside by the dancefloor

Just air from NYC to PUJ
 

I did the cocktail hour open bar, then the dinner open bar, then 3 hours of the middle option. Worked out great!
 

Our ceremony started at 5pm, and we had to start getting ready early--- around 9am. All of my bridal party and I got both hair and makeup done, and that took a long time. The photographer came to the room at 2pm, and we had pictures in the room and then we had "first look" photos taken at the resort. Our guests headed to the JF around 4-ish and we headed there around 4:30.
 

Our guest paid between $450-$800 from NYC area, and $600 was about average

I was able to do it through Bank of America, and I did not have an account with them.... I did it as a transfer. Maybe try another branch? After I made the transfer, I scanned the confirmation receipt they gave me, and emailed it to Mayte, so that there was a record of it via email as well.
 

I worked with Yessica (and Massiel) on site and they handled things very well when it came down to it. I know the communication process beforehand can be frustrating, but they were very accomodating when we got there.

Also, if you can afford to, it may pay to fly business class down there, as you are allowed (2) 70lb suitcases at no additional charge...
 

The cocktail party was part of my contract with the hotel. They automatically gave me the bracelets; I got marrried on May 11, 2013. We stayed at the Paradisus Palma Real and moved to the Reserve for our honeymoon.
 

FYI- I am also in the NYC area, and Patty is on the west coast, but we never had any problem with communications..... Everything was done on the phone/email and it worked out perfectly.
 

Yes, I used Patty at Wright Travel (who was awesome). Everyone booked through her using the group rate. We had 42 guests, plus us. With that group rate, I also received a free cocktail party, which I used for welcome cocktails. I also still got the bride/groom bracelets at the resort. It did not matter that our actual wedding was off-site.
 

we used arrecife as well and chose the largest photography package, I think I got 350 or 400 photos... They waived the taxes b/c we paid cash. We also used the videography services and got a trailer as well as a longer video.
 

I have heard good things about the JF DJ and the benefit to using him is that there is no time limit. I used DJ Mannia, they did a good job, but there was a time limit and the were more expensive than Mayte's DJ.
 

Our rehearsal cocktail party was at 6:30 and I had candles as part of my centerpieces, and they could not light them. If you have your heart set on candles, maybe get the flameless type....

We stayed at the Paradisus Palma Real- it was absolutely beautiful, no complaints!
 

No, but our group stayed at the PPR and had our ceremony/reception off-site at the Jellyfish.
 

Shorts are ok at some restaurants like bana, mole, market grill, and the buffet (Naos). Other restaurants like most of the ones at the reserve, vento, passions, etc require long pants and closed toe shoes for men...

Wow Missy, This all looks amazing. Are those scarves? You did a wonderful job...wow  Did you make everything yourself or did you order these from a website? I would like to use coral and aqua for my colors and would like to do a starfish theme...not sure how this will all look but i am so excited to put it all together... You did an awesome job.

Loved everything!!! I'm planning on doing the same thing. I hadn't thought about getting the water bottles from the hotel... Did they give you a hard time? I'm scared that I wouldn't be able to get enough. Also how did you distribute the bags to your guests?!? xoxo, Darlene

Originally Posted by angelnjewels 

 

 

Thats awesome how did you get all of that stuff down there???

It was incredibly stressful - we checked ALOT of bags with the help of my family. We got the water bottles from the hotel and re-labeled them there. Here are some of the personalized items we included. We also threw in sample sizes of sunscreen and moisturizer and some other things like that in a little pouch, as well as granola bars, crackers, and fruity snacks.

thanks I kind of waited to the last minute too and I saw the bags at old navy in our wedding colors and they said "Amor" so I just decided to go with them. I was originally planning on getting the canvas bags as well.... I put a lot of cute personalized items in the bags as well as snacks and water.....

Wedding Chicks has sets of 20 for $125 http://shop.weddingchicks.com/welcome-tote-sets-of-20/ Or I looked on Etsy at the vendors whodoesntwantthat and melissagerman13 We ended up getting ours at old navy and they turned out really cute.

There are many reviews for Katya Nova on the Jellyfish board, if you look there. I have heard many good things about her.

We did the sliders, the bacon wrapped shrimp, the chicken skewers, and the mini caprese. Unfortunately, I did not get one appetizer at the wedding since we were taking pics on the beach, but the guests seemed to like all of them.