Hello!! I just joined this forum. I'm getting married at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana next year on July 5, 2013. I do not have anything planned yet because I thought you cannot get in contact with anyone 3 months prior, but I'm hearing that that's wrong if you harass them lol. Yesterday I was at a bridal shower & the girl sitting next to me just happened to get back from her wedding there last week! She told me it was a nightmare. I'm getting so nervous with all the things she said---she told me that when she arrived, the hotel told her that new owners bought the hotel and they fired 1,500 staff members. She said that due to that, there was barely anyone working which was terrible when you needed something. She said that towels were gone by like 10am. Her wedding was scheduled for all festivities outside. It rained, and she said that from then on it was a disaster--she said that they stuffed her into a room off the side of the casino!!!!! Can you imagine?! And random people were walking into her wedding. She also said that she got pushed to book photographer through them and video. She did and wished she didn't. She said that due to the rain and chaos, the wedding got delayed like an hour & 1/2. The video guy said that he was "paid already" his share and decided "he's done." She said he did not video anything when it rained, and his response was "It's raining, you want video of rain?" She even offered to pay extra and he said he had to go. She said it was a mess. She said communication was a nightmare. She said though they tried to make the best of it. She said the club was amazing & so was the spa. She bought Mama Juana from the gift shop with her credits to put in her welcome bags. It's their signature drink! That I think I might do. That being said though--it makes me nervous! Anyone have any input on this?? I'm thinking of doing the ceremony on the beach (it's scheduled for 5pm) Not sure where cocktail hour--but outside, and the reception in the ballroom so it's already set there and in AC in the humid hot weather. Anyone have any preference as to which beach is better? And cocktail hour? Anyone have any picture of how their wedding was--decor and all for each of the festivities?? The food? Basically, I'm looking for a run down of everything and photos definitely if possible. I'm booked a photographer from the states & we are paying for him to be there. However I do not have a video guy and need one. Anyone someone can recommend? I'm scared now to use their vendor. I also contacted Caribbean Celebrations. I think they work with hard rock as their preferred vendor. They have a FB page that looks nice. I'm trying to find pictures of people's weddings down there THIS year 2012, to see how they set everything up and decor and all, but I'm having a hard time. Any input would be great. Thanks, Tiffany