DrVic

Hello Ladies, Got back from my wedding week a few weeks ago, but just getting around to writing my review. As many brides before me have said, you really do not have anything to worry about. I had 94 guests, including the bride and groom. We reserved the club premium junior suite and were upgraded to the club premium master suite. The master suite was very large and had two Jacuzzis, one outdoor and one indoor. We requested a room change because we were on the first floor, and the balcony opened up to the Cielo Bar/Pool and our beach view was obstructed by people in the pool, and we felt we didn't have privacy, so they put us in a junior suite. We were much happier because it was on the second level, so we had ocean views and the room was still quite large, we felt we didn’t need the second Jacuzzi anyways, ha!. My wedding coordinator was Aris, and she was absolutely amazing. We arrived on Monday, May 26th and our wedding was on Friday, May 30th. We met with Aris the day after we arrived. We went over some final details and dropped off our cake toppers, programs, menus, table numbers, bubbles, and guest book. As soon as we met Aris, we knew that everything was going to turn out well and we were able to relax for the rest of the week. We originally were planning on hiring DJ Mannia, but after reading the poor review on this forum , I was feeling uneasy. Aris said that if she does 30 weddings in a month, they probably use DJ Mannia for two of those and she has not had any negative experiences with the DJ that the resort provides. So we decided to trust Aris and we canceled DJ Mannia. We met with our guests for welcome cocktails at Carey Lobby Bar on Wednesday. Perfect place for meeting guests since it is very large and I swear they make the best drinks, the Espresso martini was very yummy. On Thursday, we were planning on meeting everyone at the Roof Top area but there was a wedding so we relocated to the Carey Lobby Bar once again, but everyone enjoyed themselves since they have large seating areas with couches, so we didn’t mind. On wedding day, I met with Aris to drop off the wedding favors and crazy hour props that I had shipped to my aunt’s house in Dominican Republic since the hotel doesn’t accept shipments. My mom met us at Bar Higuey with the items. My mom didn’t tell me she was going directly to Bar Higuey, so Aris and I were waiting around in her office but it turned out to be better so that Aris didn’t have to transport the heavy boxes on her own. We hired Tropical pictures for pictures and video. I got ready in the Spa, and the photographer and videographer met me there after shooting my husband getting ready in our room. We were married on the garden gazebo by Pastor Rick York. Cocktail hour was in the garden area while we took pictures on the beach. Then everyone was escorted to Bar Higuey. The DJ and MC did an excellent job. The MC was bilingual, so he was perfect and he always ran everything by my husband and I. I told him that I wanted to take advantage of the time and really wanted to make sure we had enough time to party. We had already added the extra hour of the reception. We are very pleased with how he orchestrated the timing of everything, so there was a good flow to the reception. I had emailed Aris a playlist which she provided the DJ. He had all of our songs and had people dancing all night. He also added transition between songs so it didn’t feel like just having a playlist playing and added some other music as well. We added a few extras to the reception that we felt really made it special. My husband's only request was to have the cigar roller which our guests really enjoyed. Also we had the crazy hour dancers, which in my opinion are a must. The dancer on stilts was my favorite, he gave out the props which I felt really made the night special. A few things that I wish I would have known…It is soooooo hot at 4pm at the garden gazebo. Absolutely no breeze. None. The reception was a little better but it was still very hot. We had a great time and may the best of things, but everyone was absolutely drenched in sweat by the end of the ceremony. I don’t know if I would had changed my venue to beach ceremony and a ball room, which would have been the cooler options, but I think I would have had my wedding on a winter month, maybe. The guests have told me they really enjoyed themselves despite the heat. My pictures from tropical pictures are very pretty. I just wish they were more “crisp” or clear, but in general I’m happy with them and glad I didn't have to pay an outside vendor fee. We picked the package that included 150 pictures so we went to their office the day after the wedding and selected the “best” pictures, which worked out well. The did charge us $150 extra for express editing fee. I just received the wedding video and I love the way they edited it and cannot get enough of it, the sound and visuals are great. This is the longest review ever. I’m so sorry but just wanted everyone to know that you will have a great time. The resort is beautiful and the wedding coordinators do a great job, especially if you have Aris

@@Trish Upshall: Thanks so much for your review! My wedding is getting near so I'm so happy everything turned out how you had hoped!

@@kvilagi. Their is an excel sheet that your wedding coordinator will send you with all the extras. The centerpieces have different prices depending on what you want. Basic DJ (3 hrs) $708. DJ +MC (3hrs) is $1300

Thank you so much @@MissJali, I've been anxiously awaiting your review since I'm getting married next month. Your dress is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your pictures with us, they are great! Few questions: 1) Did you arrange for the day pass prior to Pastor York's arrival or did they add it to your bill? 2) Did your guest need to pick their meals prior to arrival or would they take their order at dinner? 3) Did your vendor fee for HDC cover the TTD session? Congrats again, Vicmary

Awesome reviews @llewald and @candacey. Can't wait for my wedding in two months!

Is anyone doing a sweets table? Are you bringing your own jars/ candy?

Ashleymayelynn, don't worry, they took almost 4 weeks to answer after I sent them a second email on week 3.

OCT 2013BR, You look so beautiful. I love your centerpieces and lighting. Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear everything went well.

Miss Jali I love your invitations, did you order them? I was thinking about doing passport invitations as a DIY project but I've never done something like this and I'm afraid they will "look" DIY. By the way, I've sent an email 3 weeks ago trying to confirm my date for May 2014 and have not heard from anyone, should I given them a call or continue to wait?

Very nice!

Love the newspaper idea.

This is incredible, looks like you guys had a blast!

Diana, you looked beautiful. Thanks for posting the pics, I'm glad to know that all the hassle is worth it in the end.

Hello ladies, just wanted to introduce myself, I decided to get married at BBPD after staying there this past december. I've been looking at other threads for other hotels and it seems as if the same issues recur with hidden costs and delays in communication, hoping all works out in the end. Next step deciding on a date for August 2014. How did you decide on your wedding date?