Riu Palace Punta Cana 2012

[swojdyla]

I know! Well at least we have each other! I wanted to wear sandals and heels for ceremony and pictures but everyone said that it will mess up the fitting bc they won't know what length to hem the dress to. Grrr I'm so bad w decisions. I'm having a catholic ceremony in the garden gazebo. I'm still waiting for confirmation for my private reception. If I don't get it I will be devastated! I have like 50 guests! What r u doing?

[kristen6212]

Omg I too am soo bad with decisions!  I want to see what they can do with the hem for my dress also cause I want to be barefoot then wear heels.  Everytime I said that to the consultants when I went shopping they looked at me like I was crazy lol.  We're having the ceremony on the beach and private reception also at the steakhouse.  Are you bringing down any of your own linens or chair sashes, things like that?

[kristen6212]

What photographer are you using?

[swojdyla]

So ur having a civil union? I decided to go with the photographer riu recommended. I figured we didn't have to pay a vendor fee and they probably know the resort best. The only thing I did do was I booked DJ mannia for our private reception. I think music is sooo important for a good wedding and I was scared to go w the DJ from riu. We have stayed a numerous RIU's before and the djs have kinda sucked haha DJ mannia has such good recommendations on this site I just had to have him. So that was my splurge! Did u find out anything else about the marriage certificate? That's my biggest worry now. I'm not happy that I will have to wait 2-3 months to change my name! Lol O as for the linens and sashes and things I'm not sure. I think in the next month or so Maria will plan out more details with me. I bothered them a lot in the beginning but then backed off. They have like 4-5 weddings a week so I learned that they know what they r doing. And they prefer to work out the details w u 3 months before ur wedding date. I think thats why they wont confirm the private reception til them. I think it might be worth it to pay the 300 dollar upgrade fee to have all decorations provided lol guess it depends how many ppl u have. I think we will have 40-50! Hope this helps!

[kristen6212]

We are actually doing a symbolic ceremony, also because I didn't want to have to wait to change my name and have to deal with all the paper work.  We are just going to get married here before and will kinda be our little secret. 

 

I agree with the music being so important too! We also booked dj Mannia and I am so excited about them because of all the great reviews.  We are a semi younger crowd that likes to have fun, dance and party so dj mannia was a must for us. 

 

I haven't bothered Maria too much in the past but I keep gathering a list of questions I have for her so I'm sure I will be very soon. haha

[Mayla]

I am getting married there next year Sept. 15!  I cannot wait.  I've heard such good positive reviews and Its one of the top 3 wedding resort.  I picked this resort because its price conscious for myself and most especially my guest. 

[kristen6212]

Yayy another Riu Palace bride!

[kristen6212]

Congrats Mayla! Where in NY are you from?

[Mayla]

Hi Kristen! Im from NYC.  Very excited to joined the thread and hope to get some tips and share some light with you guys.  I, too emailed Maria a thousand times with lots of questions such as sample colors of the linens and sash, sample pictures of the center pieces, sample pictures of the bridal bouquet and boutonniere, measurements of the table, how many people you can sit in one table, prices per head for open bar, prices per head for hor'dovres etc.  She provide a few of the center pieces which starts from $60 - $120 but I was told by another bride that the smallest center piece was $80 and she showed me her center piece.  It was pretty small. The prices for the open bar per head is $18 for 3 hours (international since my guest are not familiar with the local beer).  Prices for Hor'Dovres per head is $15 (I actually got a discounted price for this.  It was $20).  Since I am having 40 guest, I had to know how many people I can sit in one table and Maria said it can sit up to 8, 10 or 12 people per table.  Which gives me an idea how many center piece I need to get.  The resort flowers are very limited and Maria provided me some sample flowers (sample flowers: lillies, callies, roses, gerbers, lisiantus, daises and tropical flowers).  I can share them if anyone of you want to see what they look. It will give you an idea what they look like.  Maria also sent me some sample pictures of the linens but I accidentally deleted them.  I am going to email her again for her to request another sample pictures of the linens and sash. I also asked what the time gap between ceremony, hor'dovers, open bar, and reception.  She mentioned that ceremony starts 30 mins before start time for example my wedding starts at 4pm and my guest needs to be there 30 mins before hand.  I am doing symbolic wedding which last for 30 to 40 mins and there's a window of an hour for picture time, hor dovers last for an hour with open bar then they lead you to your reception area.  I have yet to confirm with the private area because I do want a dance floor.  You can only get a dance floor if you chose the private event which is $600 in addition to the package.  I choose the Royal Package Symbolic for $1400 and first 15 guest are free and any guest will be charge per plate $12.50 and if you kids they are half the price.  You are also charge for $10 per head but its free for the first 15 guest.  I was going to use Reverend York however his prices went up from $200 to $350 plus $200 for entry fee to the resort for next year.  I thought that was a bit much.  I am going to use the minister the resort providing.  English speaking or not, I really dont care.  If I have to I will have one of my friend to translate it to English.. LOL!! DJ I am going to use the resort DJ.  Another bride use the resort and she loves the DJ.  She had a blast.  She was from Boston and she's young.  So it falls right into my type of music.  We're a young crowd and I also believe music is important.  You may also bring your own pre-recorded CD's (no MP3) The resort have some great sound system.  No need to higher another DJ in my opinion.  I also have menus to the 2 restaurant that they have.  If you guys need a copy I can also share.  I am having problem with one of my guest because she's vegetarian and I am trying to ask if they can provide something for her.  I have yet to get some answers.  I know I am a pain but honestly, I am sure Maria is used to this.  We are all anxious bride and most of us her have not seen the resort so we are relying on their information to make some serious decisions.  I dont feel bad asking a lot of questions they are there to help us and I am sure they get are glad to have our business.  If I leave anything out or you guys have any questions please feel free to email or FB.  Speak to you guys soon!! 

[swojdyla]

My goodness mayla u got a lot of info haha Im sure I'll have some questions for u soon. Right now I'm stressed with dress fittings, my mom and sisters dress. We r building a house and I'm changing jobs lol but my wedding is in like in four months so I need to get on it. My wedding ceremony is at six and that's all I know. I figure maria and magnolia do this all the time...so im trusting them. Hope that works out for me haha Happy planning!