Iberostar Bavaro Brides this one's for you...

[chocolatedrop04]

Hello Ladies!

 

I just got married here in December and I know there is not a whole lot on here for this resort in particular. So I posted a review in the review section below is the link.  For all of you who haven't picked a resort yet I hope this helps and for all my soon to be Iberostar Bavaro brides lurking out there this one's for you

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/iberostar-bavaro-punta-cana-dominican-republic

 

[MJB3172012]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I'm getting married at Iberostar Bavaro on March 17, 2012, and I haven't seen many reviews on here, so I've been SUPER nervous! Your review really put me at ease.

 

Your wedding was absolutely beautiful, and you looked stunning.  What kind of necklace did you have on?  Is that larimar?  Also, I think my fiance and his groomsmen have the same shirt your husband wore.

I'm glad to hear that Laura was good to work with.  She was very responsive in the beginning, but recently I've had trouble getting answers from her.

 

Thanks again!

[chocolatedrop04]

Congrats!!! Your wedding date will be here in no time!  Are you excited or freaking out?  Have you gotten your dress and everything?

 

You are going to love it there!  Laura did the same thing to me so I completely but if you have any questions I'd be happy to help, you might be asking something that I have the answer for already. 

 

The necklace is Larimar.I bought it while I was there I believe once a week or every 10 days or something and I had to haggle with the guy the original price he gave me was about 80  for the necklace with matching earrings and a bracelet (I didn't wear them on the wedding day) .  I told him thanks but no too much and then he went down to 60 and I told him nope I only have 20 dollars.  We went back and forth with me sticking to 20 and him trying to get me at a price above that. We got to 35 and I was about to walk away and he said ok and gave it all to me for 20. So don't get pressured! lol  stick to your guns!

 

 

Also, the gift store at the resort (the one that will be by the lobby bar) Has really good stuff for cheap.  I actually wished I had ditched the OOT bags and just bought souvenirs from the gift store for the guest and just personalized them someway.  For example,  we paid about 2.00 for carved wooden key chains.  We paid about 4 dollars for a little bottle of mamajuana and we got my daughter maracas for like 3 dollars. 

 

 

 

 

[MJB3172012]

I'm very very excited, but also getting a little anxious.  I feel like I have a lot to do!  

 

I bought my dress last April, and had my first fitting this morning! I thought your necklace looked familiar... I'm actually wearing a larimar necklace and earrings during the ceremony too!  My parents bought them on a vacation there last year.

 

That's great advice about the gift store.  I do have a few questions you may be able to answer:

 

 

1. We are planning to bring our own music for the ceremony. It looks like you had the trio play, but do you have any idea if they have a set up for an iPod?
2.  We would like to schedule time to sit down with Laura when we arrive at the resort.  Do we need to schedule this ahead of time?

3. Is there a scheduled ceremony rehearsal?  We would like to schedule one so everyone knows where to stand, and the order of events.

4.  Did you have your hair/makeup done at the resort?  Still undecided on this, but would like to know if it needs to be scheduled ahead of time.

5.  Did you have your gown/your hubby's outfit steamed at the resort?  Cost?

6.  What types of activities did they have at the resort during the day? I've been to other all-inclusives that had dancing lessons, spanish lessons, etc.  Just want to include some more info for my guests.

7. Your table displays at dinner were gorgeous.  Did you pay the extra $$ for more flowers or just bring yours in from the ceremony?

 

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide!

 

[chocolatedrop04]

Awesome!  That's great!  Don't worry they are going to take good care of you!!  Answers are below,let me know if you have anymore questions

 

oh here are things I forgot

 

-Hand ceremony script

-Guest book

-cake serving set

 

We did fine without them but the only thing I wish I had was the hand blessing script. If I would have printed it out I would have remembered but I forgot all about it and didn't even realize it until the day of the ceremony.  So I would say try to make sure you print out everything you need before you go. especially since internet is 8 dollars for an hour and 13 dollars for a day .

 

1. We are planning to bring our own music for the ceremony. It looks like you had the trio play, but do you have any idea if they have a set up for an iPod?

 

- They do have a setup for the ipod.  We did bring ours but went with the trio at the last minute. I would bring your audio cable just in case though. 

 

2.  We would like to schedule time to sit down with Laura when we arrive at the resort.  Do we need to schedule this ahead of time?

 

-No Laura will do it, after you have all the details ironed out, she will send you a “wedding program†which is basically a breakdown of events from when you arrive until the wedding reception.  She scheduled a meeting with us for the day we arrived. Then we were supposed to have a meeting the following day to finish any details we didn’t cover. 

 

3. Is there a schedued ceremony rehearsal?  We would like to schedule one so everyone knows where to stand, and the order of events.

 

- There isn’t a rehearsal but she will tell everyone where to stand and etc on the day of.  I was a little skeptical of this but it really worked. She will ask if you have MOH,Bridesmaids,ETC and ask you if you want them to walk with you or just be waiting there, etc. all of it will be covered in your meeting you give her all the details and she'll take it from there.

 

4.  Did you have your hair/makeup done at the resort?  Still undecided on this, but would like to know if it needs to be scheduled ahead of time.

 

-  I did my own hair/make up.  But I did get my nails done there.  I was very disappointed!  If you want to get acrylic nails it will cost you about $75 USD and that’s if they can even find someone to do it.  I got a manicure and it was $20 and totally not worth it. I kicked myself for not just going to my regular nail salon and just getting a gel manicure for the same $20…but I digress lol..It does need to be scheduled ahead of time but Laura will schedule it for you just let her know.

5.  Did you have your gown/your hubby's outfit steamed at the resort?  Cost?

 

- I had my dress steamed and it cost $6 USD. You will need to write "STEAM" on the laundry bag/form they provide you with because there is no option for it on the form. My husband just ironed his clothes.

6.  What types of activities did they have at the resort during the day? I've been to other all-inclusives that had dancing lessons, spanish lessons, etc.  Just want to include some more info for my guests.

 

- They actually have the same sort of things, water aerobics, Spanish lessons, dancing, bingo, archery, volleyball, etc. In the rooms they give you a sheet that has a breakdown of the day activities with times.  And they have a bulletin board by the lobby that tells what night shows/activities will be going on for the week.

The only thing I remember for certain is that bingo was at about 3pm everyday and they have Karaoke on Tues and Sat.at I think 11pm

7. Your table displays at dinner were gorgeous.  Did you pay the extra $$ for more flowers or just bring yours in from the ceremony?

 

-Nope, they were the flowers from the ceremony that were included in the package. They moved them and set it up themselves while we were taking photos. 

[MJB3172012]

Wow, thank you so much!  How far out did Laura reach out to you to start organizing details?  Also, when was your final "wedding package" payment due?

 

You've been a big help.  I'll let you know if I think of any more questions.

[Barbiebride82]

Hi, I really want to get married at IB next year but I have emailed the hotel to enquire about availability but had no reply. Its been a week now and I've had no reponse! Do any of you girls have a direct email address for tge wedding coordinator I can't book flights til I know if date is free! Thanks : ) xx

[Jen France]

Chocolatedrop - Thank you so much for your review!  It is so helpful!  As I plan the rest of the wedding, I may ask you some questions if you don't mind!? 

 

Barbiebride - I just got confirmation from Maria, apparently my wedding coordinator, for the day and time we wanted (May 2nd, 2013 at 5pm).  However, my travel agent contracted the hotel by both email and phone and Maria was super responsive!  My TA had my wedding date confirmed within a day and forwarded me the confirmation.  I emailed Maria directly with a few questions I had and she responded the same day.  I had to send her a 2nd email and she responded within 24 hrs.  If you want Maria's email, send me a PM and I'll forward you all the information I got.   

[chocolatedrop04]

Jen France- Of course! Anything I can do to help just let me know

[jolene028]

Wow, your wedding was so beautiful looks like you had an amazing time!