Riu Palace Punta Cana - Feb 26, 2011 - updated w/ pics!!

[ablj209]

I'm so excited!!! We leave 2 weeks tomorrow for our wedding! Thanks to everyone on this site who has supplied me with many many fantastic ideas for everything wedding related ~  I'll be sure to post a full review when I return!

[Dressa]

Very Exciting Amanda!! I can't believe your wedding is so close!! I am already freaking out and still got 60+ days to go...but from what I heard and read you've got it all ready!

Can't wait for the review (s)

D.

[Iamalldiva]

@ablj209 - I’m sooooo excited for you!!!  I can’t believe the wedding is so close.  I'm hoping all is as beautiful as you dreamed and I’m patiently waiting for your review and pictures.  I’m sure I’ll have a ton of questions…  And the countdown continues for me 246 days!

[ablj209]

8 more sleeps! Next Monday night won't be a sleep since we have to be at the airport at 3am!!  I "think" I have everything ready to go, just picked up my dress this weekend.  My MOH has been having some issues getting her dress ready.. Hopefully, she'll have it back on Monday!!! I'm a huge shutterbug, I'll have tons of pics to share when I come back!!

[Iamalldiva]

CONGRATS Amanda!!!!  Tomorrow is your BIG day...  Enjoy!  Can't wait to hear all about it and see pic )

[swojdyla]

Wow thanks! Are these all "extras"?

[ablj209]

Hello Everyone!  My husband and I just returned from our wedding & honeymoon!  It was fantastic!  I couldn't have imagined a more perfect day.  I will post some pics soon!

[Iamalldiva]

Welcome back!!!!  I cant wait to hear / see all about it...

[bklyngl79]

greetings,

 

congrats on your wedding. We are getting married there on May 23, 2011, so I am bit nervous. How was it. Do you have any pictures that you would be able to share. Please tell me all about it. I am excited and scared at the same time.

 

shavon

[ablj209]

@bklyngl79 - relax!! there is nothing to be scared about!  I worked with Maria and she was wonderful.. Any questions I had, she gladly answered.  Yes, they are a little slow via email, but once you're there, they make an appointment usually the day after you arrive and go over everything!  Being there 3 days ahead helped me.. I was able to watch someone else's wedding which relieved any anxiety I was feeling!

 

All the flowers were provdided by the resort (local florist).  I had the Royal package, so my bouquet and DH's Boutionnere was included.  We also requested a 2nd bouquet for my MOH, a pomander for my JrBM, extra boutionneres for the GM (2) and fathers (2), corsages for our mothers (2) and the centerpiece which was used on the table at the ceremony and then moved to the reception table.  Total extra cost for all these flowers was $200.

 

Table linens, chair covers and sashes were all included.  They put candles and other decorations on the reception table (no pics yet).  I also had them deliver the OOT bags to the guests rooms while we were out to dinner the first night as well as put the raffia fan on each seat at the ceremony.  There were no additional fees for these items. 

 

My photographer was Michael Weiler, he was awesome to work with!  The RIU charged a $200 vendor fee to let him on the property. I would gladly pay that again.  He emailed us a proof of the wedding book the day after the wedding and had everything printed and ready to go 3 days after the wedding.  His package included a large coffee table book (awesome!), a variety of printed photos in all sizes & a DVD of everything he took (approx 500 photos).

 

Since we only had a small group, we opted not to pay the extra charge to have him cover the reception.  I figured there were enough cameras going around to get a good shot of the reception setup and the cake.  We didn't do any dancing (that will come later at our AHR in April).

 

Our reception was at the steakhouse restaurant.  They set up a large table at the far end of the restaurant (away from the other diners).  We had dedicated servers who took our orders and continually filled up our champagne glasses!!! DH and I made the first cut of the cake, and the waiters cut up the rest and served it to everyone.  We had the option of choosing the regular desserts offered, but no one did, everyone ate the cake.  It was delicious! 

 

I noticed a few comments in previous posts about the size of the cake, number of tiers etc.  Maria asked me if I wanted 2 or 3 tiers with no mention of any extra charge.  Since it was a small group, we choose to have the 2 tier.  I brought my own cake topper and they decorated it with flowers (purple orchids that matched the bouquet etc). 

 

Getting ready at the salon

 

Guys boutionneres (white for the dads and purple for the GM) and the travel mug that was in the OOT bags 

 

My Bridal Accessories

 

Beach Ceremony Setup

 

Jr BM Pomander

 

Happy Husband and Wife !!!