amylouise

Hello ladies. We are booking over 20 rooms with the excellence, although separately as some folks will be flying in from different places. Did any of you get a discount or upgrade on your bride and groom room? I know that you get the smallest wedding package free (worth $850) but I did feel that they would be more generous if you were bringing a lot of guests. Even to throw something in fr free like a welcome dinner, but nothing! Am I being unreasonable? I just keep seeing all these deals where the bride and groom stay for free and am wondering if we got shafted.

We're bringing a Bose speaker with us and doing an ipod playlist. We'll probably have a guest be the MC so that we can have smooth transitions. I don't recall it being $380 for the speakers, what if you just want to use them for the ceremony? Wearing flat sandals for the ceremony!

I really like this idea! So much fun. The part I'm having trouble with the most, weirdly enough, is our entrance. I don't know how to do it.. Should we be the last to arrive? Or should we be first and greet people? And if we do that wont I look silly in my dress?

I tried searching for a list of things but couldn't find any, so I thoug it would be a good idea to list all the stuff I have to buy. It would great to hear suggestions or be inspired by other bridal shopping lists! - tablecloths - dinner napkins - cocktail napkins - chair sashes - Lanterns to hang - candles - candle holders - Just married sign for our dinner table - real touch flowers - fabric for the gazebo - aisle runner - ring box for both rings - photo props - straws for cocktail party - additional decoration for aisle ( petals etc) I haven't included oot bags or what I need to buy for the contents. Plus ill have another list for stuff I need to print.

Honestly, the jack and Jill thing horrifies me, it just feels so tacky. I know this might not be a popular opinion, but it is definitely a money grab. What's next, a jack and Jill for a house? It's just awful.

Where would I get a light, long slip to wear under a very sheer chiffon dress.? I never even thought about the dress getting stuck between your legs but of course it would! It could ruin some photos.

Hello ladies. I have wide feet and my aim is to find a beautiful pair of mid height wedges in either white or coral. I refuse to squeeze my feet into shoes that will pinch all day, plus I can imagine my feet swelling in the heat so comfortable shoes are a must. Does anyone know of any sites that do wide shoes?

I ordered a dress online as its online only and I love it. I just have to try it on so I don't care about paying the shipping to return it if it isnt nice on me. So far the experience has been pleasant, although I have only been dealing with their online customer service so far. I went to the Canadian store with a friend and it was very rushed and a bit dingy. I don't think I'd buy from the store, and there's no way I would get them to do alterations.

I ordered a dress online as its online only and I love it. I just have to try it on so I don't care about paying the shipping to return it if it isnt nice on me. So far the experience has been pleasant, although I have only been dealing with their online customer service so far. I went to the Canadian store with a friend and it was very rushed and a bit dingy. I don't think I'd buy from the store, and there's no way I would get them to do alterations.

Thanks Jennifer. They don't have scrabble so ill keep searching but appreciate the link!

Does anyone know where you could get travel scrabble/chess etc in bulk for a reasonable cost?

To BarbandRob, When you're in the bars or restaurants, cam you order the higher end American brand liquor? I haven't upgraded to the club, I'm just not sure we need to. I sent Elizabeth some photos of what we want our tables to look like so she can give me an indication of what size tablecloths I need to buy, I'll report back!

I just have the pdf they send you with the list of what's included - I've posted what they sent me below. If you go with the Gold package - you basically get everything that they've outlined in each package - just add them all together. Hope this helps - you can see that you do get bouquets etc included. I don't think a DJ is included - I seem to recall them quoting me $700 for 3 hours, which seems a little steep actually. They asked us to arrive 3 business days in advance so as we're getting married on the Tuesday, we're arriving the previous Wednesday. We are probably going to have our reception at Las Olas and it was included for us so it's definitely an option for you. Regarding the resort - oh I'm so excited you've already been there - I definitely have some questions if I may! - Would you advise getting married on the actual beach? Is it private? I HATE the thoughts of random people standing around gawking while I get married so we're considering the Gazebo. - Would you recommend upgrading to the Excellence rooms? We haven't as a lot of places say don't bother, it's not worth the extra money per night. I am almost certain that we won't bother but thought I'd ask you. - What type of liquor / alcoholic beverages do they serve? They say 'premium' - are they brands we would be familiar with? Thanks! W E D D I N G PAC k AG E s : E XC E L L E N C E W E D D I N G PAC k AG E •Services of the Judge or Minister. •Wedding organization and personalization of our wedding coordinator. •Preferential location of the room in the category reserved. •Preparation and ironing of the wedding dress and grooms tuxedo/suit. •Complimentary suite for the groom the night before the wedding (based on availability). •Use of the wedding gazebo or beach location. •Horse drawn carriage which brings the bride to the Wedding Gazebo (only at Excellence Punta Cana). •Bride’s bouquet. •Boutonniere for the groom. •Wedding cake for 10 people. •One bottle of sparkling wine. •Special turn down service. •15% discount on all spa treatments (product purchases not included). •Honeymoon Package. •Late checkout for bride and groom (based on availability). Selling Price: $850 USD. Additional fees may apply for non hotel guests. This package is complimentary when booking an Excellence Club Junior suite Ocean View category or higher, for a minimum of 7 nights, or with a bridal party of minimum 5 rooms of any category for 7 nights. Guest list should be advised at the time of reservation. Restrictions/exclusions: Package Subject to confirmation of availability. Applicable only for Double Occupancy. Packages prices are quoted for Ceremony attendees lodged at the hotel. This package cannot be combined with the Excellence Honeymoon complimentary package. E XC E L L E N C E O F L O V E W E D D I N G PAC k AG E In addition to Excellence Wedding Package you will receive: •Love bride’s bouquet •4 Love boutonnieres/corsages for bride, groom and witnesses. •Special Silver Wedding Dinner (maximum of 20 people). •Love natural floral centerpiece for dinner table. •Wedding cake for 20 people. •One hour Silver Cocktail with hors d’oeuvres for 20 people. •24 full color photos (5x7). •Bride’s hairstyling for ceremony. •Make-up application for the bride. Selling price: $1.500 USD. In addition to Excellence of love Wedding Package you will receive: •Additional decoration for the ceremony. •Gold natural table bouquet for ceremony. •Gold bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom. •4 Gold boutonniere / corsages for bride, groom and witnesses. •Caribbean or Romantic Music trio (1 hour). •24 full color 6x8 photos (upgraded from 5x7). •Video of the ceremony (15 minutes, unedited). •One hour of upgraded cocktails with hors d’oeuvres for 20 people. •Special Gold Wedding Dinner for 20 people. •One Love Birds Spa Treatment for the couple. Selling price: $2,500

We are going to have a cocktail party with buffet food and a dance floor. Its still really hard to not have certain people there but I have to make peace with the fact that I can't have my wedding to suit everyone else but me and my fi.

What do you mean by wedding choices? We're getting married there on the 17th sept and we're doing the middle package. I don't know where we're having the reception yet though, you choose that when you get there.

Hi Terah I am not 100% sure about the reception options, Griselda who's my wedding coordinator sent me a few things but nothing major. I know it sounds weird but I haven't really thought about it - I know that I'm having rectangle tables and how I'm going to decorate them but after that, nothing. I haven't even decided whether we'll do it indoor or outdoor! I think part of the beauty of the destination wedding is you really don't have to worry about anything before you get there. We have literally just told our families, it's up to them to book and look after their travel, we need to buy dress/suit etc and decorations but that's it! I am shocked at how little planning is needed. I have read lots of threads where brides were worrying but then when they get there, the WC sits you down, has a proper chat about everything, shows you the reception areas and you choose everything in about 30 mins. Done and dusted! The most important thing is choosing the resort. Once that's done you can kind of relax and just dress shop at your leisure. We will probably have about 40 people join us. We'll probably do a private reception but again I'll discuss all that when I get there.

Hi Terah I am not 100% sure about the reception options, Griselda who's my wedding coordinator sent me a few things but nothing major. I know it sounds weird but I haven't really thought about it - I know that I'm having rectangle tables and how I'm going to decorate them but after that, nothing. I haven't even decided whether we'll do it indoor or outdoor! I think part of the beauty of the destination wedding is you really don't have to worry about anything before you get there. We have literally just told our families, it's up to them to book and look after their travel, we need to buy dress/suit etc and decorations but that's it! I am shocked at how little planning is needed. I have read lots of threads where brides were worrying but then when they get there, the WC sits you down, has a proper chat about everything, shows you the reception areas and you choose everything in about 30 mins. Done and dusted! The most important thing is choosing the resort. Once that's done you can kind of relax and just dress shop at your leisure. We will probably have about 40 people join us. We'll probably do a private reception but again I'll discuss all that when I get there.

Hi ladies, I'm struggling a lot with my decision to have a destination wedding right now. My wonderful grandparents are not able to come so that takes away a lot and I will miss them terribly so it's important for us to have a formal at home reception so that they can experience everything with us. I also feel a bit silly and selfish having an at home reception. I'm sure that feeling will pass but right now I'm battling the urge to cancel the entire DW and just have our entire wedding at home. But I know that ultimately I will be disappointed if I do that even though there will be moments of sadness because my grandparents won't be there. So I'll get to the point - I would like to make the AHR formal and special for my family by having a 'blessing' or something official. A renewal of vows? I'm googling like crazy but can't find any scripts or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions about formal AHR's with vow renewals / blessings that they could share? Timelines / scripts ? Thank you all so much.

That's lovely! We were thinking of doing the sand ceremony too. There's a few others that I've found: Ring Warming - the rings are passed to each guests so they can be blessed and warmed, I wuite like this one Rock blessing - everyone is given a small rock at the beginning of the ceremony and these are collected afterwards, displayed in a nice jar. You could do this with seashells too. Hand Fasting - we may do this - the officient ties your hands together with fabric (maybe fabric from my grandmother who is unable to attend)

We are really non-traditional and are thinking of ways to involve our guests in the ceremony so that it's not boring. We are thinking of putting fans on everyone's seat, with a quote on the back, and at a point in the ceremony, the officient would ask each person to read what is written on their fan. That way we don't have to pick one or two people for readings and everyone feels involved. I think it would be a bit of fun too! Does anyone have any other ideas?

I agree with the above - remember that you have the cocktail reception too. Plus I've also heard of brides asking the resorts to be super quick with their food/dinner service and then there will be more time for some dancing etc with everyone there. Heading off to the disco sounds like a blast too!!

Perfect! Thank you. When are you supposed to book your rooms/flights? We haven't yet and I'm wondering if there's some sort of deadline? Also, is it me or is it kind of strange that there seems to be very little Excellence brides around - not much activity here compared to other resorts. I wonder why that is?

That's so pretty!! Love the bridesmaids dresses

Woohoo! I am dealing with Griselda, and mostly she's fine, but I'm a little confused by her at times. Plus there seem to be all these extra charges she's telling me about, but when I read the other older Excellence threads, there didn't seem to be these costs. Also, does anyone know if you buy the Excellence of Love package with the photos (24) included - can you get a discount with the photographer if you decide to upgrade your photo package? We're thinking of upgrading our photo package to a more expensive one but are wondering if we'd get a discount since 24 of them are already included in our package.

Thanks everyone!! Yes, I love love love it. Uhara - what's your colour combo? Maybe we can share inspirations!