Jenn963

Departure from Toronto, Canada: $1158 taxes in per adult (double occupancy) and $776 per child.  $1499 for single occupancy per adult.  

I think that's a fairly good deal.   I went with a Marlin Travel agent.  He's AWESOME. 

Originally Posted by DinaQtobe 

 

I am just curious how everyone is doing with their planning.

Anyone want to share what stage they are at?

 

Personally, I have reserved our date at our resort, and we have a reservation booked at a resort for our second week.  I have not yet booked flights, or booked our stay at the wedding resort.

 

I have my dress, but my fiance doesn't have his suit yet.  My sisters have ordered their BM dresses.

 

Other than that I don't think I have anything else accomplished.  Am I the only one that still hasn't booked trip and flights?

 

 

Dina

Hi Dina !! Booking our flights was the first thing we did.  I then worried about the rest.  It's probably risky that way but I had browsed through the forums here to help me figure out roughly how much a wedding were to cost me.  Our first deposits were due last week and although some people are going with the "last minute deal" route, we have a solid 15 people booked for our trip and we are also expecting people from Florida and south america to join us.  I bought my dress a week ago (I thought it would take me months, but it only took me 2 outings! ) and it should arrive in July...then get my first fitting...I'M SOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO WEAR IT! lol Oh we also booked our photographer last week.  Now in the process of looking for a videographer. I have my OOT bags already being worked on...just got to work on decor..but I have plenty of time to look around for deals.  I dont think I'm looking for BM dresses just yet...Do you know when abouts you will be booking flights? 

Does anyone know if there is a sand service available, or is this something you need to bring yourself?  And what are you ladies thinking about giving out as like a wedding favor to your guests?

It depends on your package...it would say what it does/doesn't include. I kno the silver package doesn't include so we are bringing our own. Just gotta figure out what script to bring to do it with. And besides OOT bags, we are probably goin to do little palm tree mint boxes and disposable cameras. I think our OOT bags will have plenty of keepsakes for our guests.

@eberry: hey,  this is what I got from Carolina, hope this helps: 

 

 

Private beach party:

·        Private Bar during 3 hours: US$ 15 per person

·        Dj services, you have two options, is not the same,

ü  Sound system and someone form our staff taking care about the equipment: US$ 300 (available during 3 hours)

ü  MC, Professional DJ, DJ Booth, Sound System, Wireless Microphone, Robotic Lights, and White Balloons. US$ 550, (available during 3 hours and pay cash only).

 

Prices for light up dancing floor. (Pay cash only)

ü  White Wood dance floor, 12†x 16â€: US$470.

ü  Lighted Dance floor, 12†x 16â€: US$640

 

The private dinner on the beach and ceremony on the beach, will depend from the weather conditions, if we were to change the party and/or the ceremony to an indoor place, the decision should be taken minimum between 4 and 5 hours before the event, once we change the location to an indoor place, is not possible to moved again to the outdoor place.

i'm sure they are great...unfortunately the hotel I'm booked at has that annoying little thing called a "vendor fee" and I refuse to pay that....and there's no way around it.  I either get my own videographer (like i did with photographer), or go with Photoshop Caribe videography.......I wish my photographer could do both but she can't....so I've got to book them separately.  This is why I hope someone out there can help me  

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

And we are off!! Wish us luck!! Getting Married Sat and on a jet plane today!

I'll be back to tell you guys all about it

WOOO HOOOO!! HOW exciting!!! All these months of planning and you're big day is in a few days!! Have a GREAT time....i hope everything goes smoothly, from check in to your big day to check out! Can't wait to hear your review and see some pics! Congrats Jen! 

hello brides....if any one has used Photoshop Caribe as their videographer, please please please let me know how they were.....The resort we're at uses them and although I've gone with a photographer from home, I am thinking of doin videography with Photoshop Caribe.  So if you have worked with them, i'd love to know details and also if you don't mind, sharing your videos with me email is [email protected] ....I appreciate it!! 

Originally Posted by cabara123 

 

Hey Jen! We are from Guelph! So not too far away! lol.  Yeah if I hear anything different about the # of guest included I will let you know, or if you hear back first from Caroline.  How long are you guys staying at the resort for? 

yes do let me know please! I only have the silver package for 20 ppl max and then the other packages by karen bussen (waves of love, ocean pearl etc..) they are for 8ppl max.  $20 per person above the max.  I havent heard of this 50 ppl max but even if it was true, i know we are not gonna get that many ppl anyway.....We are staying at the resort for 1 week and my fiance and I wanted to hop over to Turks n Caicos for an extra 5 days but it's looking like it's too expensive (go figure)....So we may just stay an extra 5 days but at a different resort "adults only" preferably. Who are you using as your travel agent?

CABARA123; ya now that has me confused lol all along I've thought it was for 20ppl. Hmmm will have to reconfirm. And we are from Toronto. You?

-Wedding coordinator • Wedding area decorations (Decorated tables and covered chairs during the ceremony) • Bridal bouquet & Groom´s boutonniere • Flower arrangement for the wedding table • Two Tier Wedding cake • Fruit basket and bottle of rum for bride & groom (upon arrival) • Breakfast in bed for the newlyweds, the day after the wedding. • One bottle champagne for the newlyweds at the room on the wedding night) • Gala dinner for the bride, groom and guests (Take place in one of the a la carte restaurants, located at the Complex. Will be confirming upon arrival). A set menu will be required for groups with more than 14 people. (Is not a private dinner). • A small toast following the ceremony • Wedding gift for the newlyweds. The price of the package is US$690, price cannot be altered. Prices and Services may be subject to change without prior notice. This package is valid only for guests of the Palladium Resorts & Spa & The Royal Suites in Punta Cana The price quoted includes service for a maximum of 20 persons. Every extra person has a charge of 20 USD (incl. Tax & service charge).   This is copied and pasted from an attachment from Carolina. 

Originally Posted by cabara123 

 

Hello everyone!  Me and my fiance have just booked our destination wedding at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana for Novemeber 2013!! Wahhoooo Well we are actually going to get married here first in Ontario and have a "renewal of vows" and just leave that part out of the ceremony so our guests won't even know.  We thought this might be easier and skip some of the paper work.  If there is anyone that could give me more info on what is actually included in the renewal package, such as what decorations, if you get to choose different colors, how many guests are included etc....... that would be great.  I have been in contact with Caroline a couple times so far, and it is just very recent that we booked, but she keeps sending me the same generic email everytime......sooo I'm a little confused. I was reading some posts on here and it looks like other brides are having the same confusion, about how their website says one thing, and what Caroline sends you says another.  PLEASE HELP lol  if there are anybrides out there that could give me clarity on this! Thanks in advance!!

Hello! and Congrats!! I'm also booked for the GPPC November.  When's your wedding date?

I can send you the different packages to your email if you wish but I'm sure you probably already have that.  When you say "renewal of vows" I'm assuming you're talking about the Silver Package?  It's been confusing to me when other brides talk about it because all I got from Carolina was a pdf file with the "silver package" and then the rest of them were "Karen Bussen" wedding packages.....

Either way, I'm sure you get to choose your own colors.  For the silver package there are 20 people max included, anything over that is $20 per head. This package also includes a semi-private dinner for the 20 people.  Like i said, i can send you what i have but it's probably what you already have.  If you want upgrades in decor, it will cost you.  I asked for Pomanders for the aisle and I believe she told me it's $5/each to use them and they are made with fresh flowers.  

 

and yes, my fiance and I are doing the same...gettin married here a couple months before we head out...much easier that way I think. Our wedding date is Nov 8th.  I CANNOT WAIT!!

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

So I spoke to Carolina and they are going to be charging me the $500. I explained that she is not a local photographer and she pretty much said to bad. I guess I shouldn't have told her that she was the photographer and said one of my wedding guests were. Im sure she wouldnt have noticed the differece

hey Jen....did you get this issue sorted out?? I was thinking about this because I am also bringing my own photographer from Canada....she will be a part of my wedding group....I have an email from Carolina saying the following:

 

Dear Jennifer,

Thanks for your email, I would like to inform you that the regulation was put in place by the hotel management and it is not negotiable, the fee is only applicable for local photographers and videographers that live in Punta Cana.

 If the couple is bringing their own photographer or videographer from their country and he/she is part of the wedding guests, no fee is applicable.

If you have your own photographer you should be charged nothing.  It clearly says that here.  Hope she came around. 

Omg I just realized your wedding is in a week!!!When do you fly out? you must be so excited!!! PLEASE come back after ur wedding and do tell ALL about it!! Congrats!

So ladies...I've already got my wedding date...first deposits are due next week.  besides hunting for a good deal on a wedding dress, and emailing different photographers, I feel like I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs...What do i do now!? I have 8 months left and I've already even started working on OOT bags....but what is there to do now? If i dont email Carolina with questions, I guess there's no need for her to email me.  lol I just feel like I'm not busy enough....like there is something i should be doing that I'm not......If i've had all my questions and concerns answered already by Carolina, will I not hear from her until the day we meet? It seems so up in the air :S 

Originally Posted by RNtoBe 

 

People seem to forget that your wedding isn't about them, it's about YOU! I've had the same issues, non stop complaining and negativity. Now that We are almost 2 months away, I'm so done and have zero tolerance for it. It is so unnecessary!! The people who want to be there will make the effort to go and at the end of the day, all that matter is that you are marrying the man of your dreams. 

thanks...and ya...i guess you gotta grow some thick skin to do this kind of thing and although I read thread after thread about this, I guess you're not really prepared until it happens to you.  And this is the first "wave" of negativity I have felt thus far and it just sucks it has got to be from my own blood.  Makes me wish I would have made it just us and our daughter and no one else...but I know there ARE ppl like my bff who genuinely WANT to be there and are coming for sure and is constantly talkin to me about doin this and doin that for the wedding and the funniest part is that SHE has more financial issues than anyone i know but hasn't even hesitated to come....when I put it this way, it's extremely disappointing...but what can I do...just keep swimming. *thinking sun, sand, and a cold pina colada in my hand*

Originally Posted by Jenna1511 

 

I'm with you tulumbride2013. The complaining or negativity is a bit overwhelming! So come and be positive and excited! Or don't come and we will see you at the AHR!

First deposits are due in 2 weeks with our wedding...and I have heard so much negativity including from my own mother who, just today,asked me if we can take OUR deposit back in case we call the weddin off or if not many ppl go....................................i told her, honestly, if no one comes and it's just us, i'm OK with it....i just don't want ppl coming if they dont want to (aka my sister) and if they are going to go with a long face or throw it in MY face that they are broke or in debt because of OUR wedding......honestly, i told her...if ppl want to come, great, if not, then GREAT. lol She and my sister think I am pretty SELFISH because I think this way.  I only think of "myself".....If I WAS thinking of ONLY myself, I would have picked a wedding at a MUCH swankier resort or somewhere more uncommon than Punta Cana....like Bora Bora! where one night is like $3k...We picked the GPPC because it was nice and the reviews are pretty darn good AND the price is way more than reasonable......but no one sees that part...smh.  *SERENITY NOW*

Originally Posted by SMgall 

 

Glad to find this forum! And also to know that I'm not the only one slightly confused about things! My fiance and I are getting married July 17th on the Bavaro side of GP. We have the Silver package, because we are going to get legally married in Canada ahead of time, so it will just be symbolic. We are going to go with the semi-private dinner but are still debating the bbq beach party for afterwards. I've seen somewhere else on here that someone had a reception/first afterwards at one of the bars, Hemingways. I've asked Caroline but haven't heard yet. 

 

It's going to be hot, but with the breeze off the ocean, we will be fine! I can't wait--Only 130 odd days!! 

congrats!! you're wedding date will be here before you know it! what are you working on right now? I'm assuming you have your dress picked out!?

does anyone know if, for the PRIVATE reception dinner, they provide table and chair covers? sashes? any decor whatsoever? (i'm pretty sure i'll be goin with the silver symbolic package)....I asked Carolina and she said "standard tables and chairs" used for the restaurant....and I also asked if we can bring our own centerpieces and she said there's an extra charge for that? :S I dont understand.  

So if anyone knows, how much is it for chair and table covers and if we bring our own decor, do they seriously charge you (i guess to set it up)?
also, for the silver package, do we have to pay for a mic and speakers extra or does that come with the package?

Originally Posted by Bride2B1130 

 

Hi Iron Mona,

 

I looked into getting Jamie and it seems like (as far as Jamie goes) you do have to pay for transportation to the DR.  Because I didn't want the TTD session i believe I would've paid 2600 along with 3 nights for him to stay at the resort.  According to this having all the brides pay amounts around this 2500-2800 cuts down on transportation and taxi fees etc.  Brides are expected to pay for hotel stay.  Hope this helps.

 

Hi Bride2B1130,  do you have your photographer yet?? 

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

So I spoke to Carolina and they are going to be charging me the $500. I explained that she is not a local photographer and she pretty much said to bad. I guess I shouldn't have told her that she was the photographer and said one of my wedding guests were. Im sure she wouldnt have noticed the differece

are you serious!!? that's terrible! there has to be a way to avoid that....either way though....you can still say she is a family friend that happens to be doin your photos and just pay the $60 day pass.....$500 is a RIDICULOUS fee......perhaps if you speak to management...someone of higher authority than Carolina. I thought the $500 fee was ONLY for their local Punta Cana photographers 

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

Jenn963, Of course I will send you all the pictures I have. I dont believe I have pictures of the restaraunts but I will check. I checked out a lot of pictures on tripadvisor.

Carolina did not say one thing about charging $500 to bring in an outside photographer. She told me $60 for daytime and $60 for after 6:00pm. So ours is a total of $120. Would you like me to email you the email she sent me in regards  to brining in Eva Hadhazy Photography?

oh i get it...$60 is the day/night pass that you're paying for the photographer from Ottawa (who is already in Punta Cana just at a different resort right?).  The $500 fee i'm talkin about is if we go and choose another local punta cana photographer (i.e Caribbean Emotions/HDC/etc).  it's crazy.  But what can you do...hotel policy.  Anyway, I'm goin to hunt down a photographer like yours that is already down there and see what I can do Thank you Jen! 

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

Jenn963 I emailed you! Hope it helps with your planning!! If you need more info please let me know. After March 23 Ill be able to tell you all about it!

thanks so much Jen!! I got them and briefly looked at them through my iPhone.. but haven't had the time to actually open them on my computer but I will now!! thanks a bunch! you must be soooooo excited!! One month left!  

Originally Posted by eberry 

 

 

I think I already mentioned it, but we are seriously looking at bringing our own photographer from home. I would be happy to share her information and work samples with you if you're interested. Since our weddings are the same week, it might be very beneficial for us to both work with the same photographer.

 

I'm totally up for that idea eberry!! Let me know which photographer you're looking at...email is [email protected]  

Originally Posted by jenmheadrick 

 

We booked the Symbolic ceremony at 4:00pm that is $690 6:00 dinner (which we pick the resteraunt upon arrival) The $550 Beach Party + $15 per person open bar, you do have to have a min amount of people in order to have the beach party And for photgraphy we pciked Eva Hadhazy from Hadhazy Photography in Ottawa. She does amazing work and is in Punta Cana ALL the time. It was $1650, this includes 2000+ images on cd. She has a ton of different packages though, We do have to pay the resort $60 until 6:00pm then $60 until 2:00am as she is at our resort from 11:00am until 2:00am taking photos, so a total of $120 on top of her fee but I feel like she is totally worth it. I was able to book all of this within 6 months of my wedding date by being really annoying lol Carolina said that I wasnt able to book anything Until January 2013 and our wedding was in March 2013 but I did email, email, email and email asking to book and she finally caved. If any body needs any extra info I am always happy to help as I know how awful it is when you wait two days and only receieve a two word answer from her. I have a ton of emails with extras, pictures of locations for ceremony and reception, the beach party, costs for all of the different wedding ceremony packages... Let me know :0) HAPPY PLANNING AND CONGRATULATIONS!!

u are amazing!! lol so persistent..i like that!  if you dont' mind, would you PLEASE send me pictures of the reception dinner (where the private dinner is) please....i'm now wondering if we pay $1000 for the private dinner and it's ours from 630-12am...maybe we should stick with the reception AND party at the restaurant as opposed to a private beach party? i dont know.  My soon-to-be hubby wants to see the restaurant first and then decide

also, do you have pictures of the bouquets (for the symbolic silver package u chose) for bride? my email is [email protected]  

oh and i have more questions about your photographer......that's my issue rite now....i dont want to go with Photoshop Caribe they aren't the greatest....Carolina is not budging on waiving or lowering this $500 to bring an outside photographer so i may have to bring my own  

Email me please and THANK you! (i'm sure i speak on behalf of other 2013 brides )

oh nice! lucky u!! thanks anyway  

Originally Posted by Melissa Epple 

 

Congratualtions!! So exciting!

But first of all don't worry! I was very confused as well before I got to the resort and had my meeting with Kenya. Its hard because your planning everything through email so its hard to imagine how it will all turn out but try not to stress over it at all though, it honestly all works out

She does send an itinerary to you a few days before the wedding so you know what time you have to be ready, when your guests have to be at the wedding site and what time the groom and groomsmen need to be there. it all depends what time your wedding is, which could change because K was told 1pm for my wedding but it was moved to 3pm once we actually got to the resort. Ae you wondering about your music that you will walk down the aisle too?

Just out any music you have on an iPod or cd and they will play it for you. I was. married at the ocean view Gazebo and we just had the song for us girls to walk down the aisle too and then a couple more to have playing after the wedding because they do hand out champagne and everyone kind of stands around and chats and takes pictures so you just need a bit of music to play while all that is going on. Plus they do have music that they can play as well.

Hope that maybe helps a bit?

Congratulations again!!

Hey Melissa! Can you tell me who you used as your photographer and/or videographer? And how did they do?