Bahia Principe Bavaro/Punta Cana Brides

[clairisse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinkar Everywhere that I read about the wedding packages, it seems to mention that only the brides bouquet and the grooms flower was included. It seems that it will be an extra charge for the MOH, parents and best man. Do you know if they include flowers as ceremony decorations.

Our ceremony was beautifully decorated with flowers (no extra charge) and they moved them to the reception. I think there were even flowers on the tables (that we didn't pay for). Yes, extra bouquets were extra as were hair flowers and boutonnieres. I just got hair flowers for my bridesmaids instead of bouquets and they were lovely (beachy too).

[melitanner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clairisse Congratulations Melissa! We brought our own photographer and because he was a guest at the hotel, there was no charge. It was not a problem with the resort. Instead of paying the $75+$500, it would probably be better to just pay for a night at the resort for the photographer if they are local. Just tell the resort they are a friend of the family and ask the photographer to go along with it That said, I saw some of the photos by Arrecife (the resort photographer) - they also took some at my wedding as some were included for free in our package - and they are pretty good. In general they are as good as the photos on their facebook page (friend them if you want to take a look). Not quite my style (pose-y) but lovely nonetheless. I can send you a few they took at ours (where they knew we were not buying a package as we never contacted them to book or anything - so they probably didn't make too much of an effort but still got nice photos). Just PM me. I would suggest downgrading your package. We never got the nightly treats except the first night (I forgot they were even included!) the 20% spa discount only includes "spa" treatments which means it doesn't include hair, nails, make-up - just massages, facials, etc... so it won't save you any money if you are paying for your wedding party to have hair and makeup done. If you booked everything last June, know that they will generally honour those prices. So you can kind of mix and match the prices. Just bring emails or whatever to the resort and have them ready. Generally, if you tell them that's the price you were quoted and the person (usually a coordinator who is gone) you were talking to, it's enough for them to give you the lower price. Which gazebo are you using for your wedding? Claire

Thanks for the advice Claire...I definitely will downgrade! I selected Gazebo 2 which is the white one. I'm glad I got clarification on the spa discount because I assumed it included hair etc but since it doesn't I can do without. I am so excited It's only a couple weeks left eeekkk!!!! Hopefully time will fly as will my calories!! lol
meli

[clairisse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melitanner Thanks for the advice Claire...I definitely will downgrade! I selected Gazebo 2 which is the white one. I'm glad I got clarification on the spa discount because I assumed it included hair etc but since it doesn't I can do without. I am so excited It's only a couple weeks left eeekkk!!!! Hopefully time will fly as will my calories!! lol meli

I had also assumed it included hair & makeup - not the case! And the thing about the hair & trial being included - make sure you raise it with Jasmin, the wedding coordinator so she calls the spa to make sure they don't charge you for either the hair trial or the hair on your wedding day if it's included in the package you chose. What she did for me (and seems to do for others is to deduct it from the cost of your package, so you pay the spa, but less on the package).

Have you visited the resort? The white gazebo is beautiful, but it is right next to a main road/sidewalk where a tram runs so it's busy right next to it. I wish I had taken pictures of it so I could show you - there must be some on tripadvisor or something though. I think they pause the tram during ceremonies, however. I did see it stopped when one bride was having photos taken. The other gazebo (which is surrounded by more greenery) is right next to the main building, but has fewer people walking by. Then again, you're bound to have gawkers no matter where you are on the resort.

You must be getting excited!

Don't sweat the small stuff - just enjoy the experience!

[mtrudell]

Hi!

We're getting married here on May 21, 2011! We've reserved the Blissful Love packege and have our ceremony scheduled for 4pm. Colors are tiffany blue and red.

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do for the reception and if I want a coktail hour. I'm debating whether to go all out on the reception (dj, dancing, etc) or just have a private dinner then head to the club on the resort. What do you guys think? I'm also not sure what to bring for centerpieces, welcome bags, and favors since I'll have to pack it along with everything else!

[melitanner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clairisse I had also assumed it included hair & makeup - not the case! And the thing about the hair & trial being included - make sure you raise it with Jasmin, the wedding coordinator so she calls the spa to make sure they don't charge you for either the hair trial or the hair on your wedding day if it's included in the package you chose. What she did for me (and seems to do for others is to deduct it from the cost of your package, so you pay the spa, but less on the package). Have you visited the resort? The white gazebo is beautiful, but it is right next to a main road/sidewalk where a tram runs so it's busy right next to it. I wish I had taken pictures of it so I could show you - there must be some on tripadvisor or something though. I think they pause the tram during ceremonies, however. I did see it stopped when one bride was having photos taken. The other gazebo (which is surrounded by more greenery) is right next to the main building, but has fewer people walking by. Then again, you're bound to have gawkers no matter where you are on the resort. You must be getting excited! Don't sweat the small stuff - just enjoy the experience!

Yes, I am very excited...I was aware of the tram path but they said they stop them for the duration of the ceremony which is ok...I did manage to downgrade the package which was awesome..but now more people have decided to come so our private cost increased from 600-750 so thank goodness for the downgrade. I am doing the Canapes which is a 1 hr cocktail hour because we got pastor york for 330p but the reception they say cannot start prior to 630 so we needed something to kill time. we imagined ceremony over by 415, pictures for abt an hour that should be like 515 and then the canapes hour..We also are doing our signature drink thing for the 1 hour rather than the cost of open bar. ...which is ridiculous seeing its an all inclusive resort. So I'm keepin my fingers crossed all goes well!!!

[bahiabride2010]

Hey Ladies...I'm getting married at the Gran Bahia in just 6 weeks! Can't believe how quickly the date is coming. Our wedding date is July 7, 2010.

 

As for the package we chose, we chose the Blissful Love package and are getting married at the White Gazebo! Our private reception will be at the Garden Grill Restaurant. We're having alternating orange and pink chair sashes on the chairs.

 

In terms of what we're bringing down, we've decided that we're going to hand out our gift bags to our guests before we leave. My flowers from Roberta of PLumerias Wedding Boutique just arrived and they are amazing! We'll be bringing those for sure.

 

As for decor and favours, we'll be bringing down shells, sand-dollar name cards, candles, flower petals and glass bowls for the centre pieces. We're just doing simple centre pieces and incorporating my girls real touch bouquets to add some colour on the tables. We're also bringing raffia fans for the ceremony on which I've attached our programs and pashminas to give out at the reception. We plan on buying a box or two of cigars to put out with the pashminas and I made matchbooks for the table as well.

 

We're doing our Rehearsal Dinner at the Mexican restaurant and I've made a reservation for our whole group the night before the wedding.

 

We plan on taking everyone on a catamaran trip but will negotiate once we get down there about price! Everything is negotiable in the DR!

 

A family friend is taking photos and we will be having the resort photographer as well that is included in the package! With so many artsy friends and the resort photographer I'm not worried about having enough photos! I've heard that you can negotiate with them as well!

 

Well...nice to see some other Gran Bahia PC brides around here...I was getting to feel a little lonely!

 

Question - has anyone asked about steaming of our dresses and our FI's suits? I need to email Ana and ask her if that's included.

[ashley1316]

hey ladies, I am just posting to make this thread active again.

 

Hows everyones Bahia plans coming along.

 

my date is july 8 2011!

 

[mtrudell]

Booked the wedding, booked the rooms, got the dress, bridesmaid gifts, and mother of bride/groom gifts. Just working on air reservations and what little I can do about decorations before I get there. OH.. and I need SHOES!

 

You?!?

[steph28]

Quote: Hi!

We're getting married here on May 21, 2011! We've reserved the Blissful Love packege and have our ceremony scheduled for 4pm. Colors are tiffany blue and red.
Now I'm trying to figure out what to do for the reception and if I want a coktail hour. I'm debating whether to go all out on the reception (dj, dancing, etc) or just have a private dinner then head to the club on the resort. What do you guys think? I'm also not sure what to bring for centerpieces, welcome bags, and favors since I'll have to pack it along with everything else!

 

I'm in the same boat. Has anyone responded with info?

 

[ashley1316]

I am having a private dinner. this was important to me, as i wanted my mom and family to have their time for speaches ect. as well as for my F.I and i to have our first dance. We are having it at the garden grill, 6:30-10:30 then we are planning on either continuing to have the party in the nice BIG lobby they have with a bar, or to go to the disco. My only advise is to look for another dress if u go there. I hear it gets pretty dirty on the floor, and you may ruin yours.

 

centre pieces here is a pic of what i am bringing, the white plates are plastic, so they wont break, the candle holders are for the doller store.

 

i have vactioned at the bahia last yr, and loved it!