Mailing Address:
Dreams La Romana
Playa Bayahibe, La Romana,
P.O. Box 80
Dominican Republic
Hotel Direct:
(809) 221-8880 Phone
(809) 221-2776 Fax
Email: info.drelr@dreamsresorts.com
Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa - Dominican Republic
WEDDING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where do I start?
Ceremony and Reception Locations
Cost of a Destination Wedding at Dreams La Romana
Wedding Details & Decor
Legalities
What about our family and friends that cannot attend?
Miscellaneous questions
Getting Started
Do you hold destination weddings at your resort?
- Yes, we hold weddings at all of our resorts
Is there a dedicated wedding planner on site?
- There is a dedicated wedding coordinator on site at Dreams La Romana who can be reached at: weddings.drelr@dreamsresorts.com and weddings1.drelr@dreamsresorts.com
What if we want to reserve on short notice?
- You should contact the wedding coordinator directly. Please note, in order to receive the complimentary wedding package, you should book 3 months in advance to secure availability.
How many days do we need to arrive prior to the ceremony?
- The Dominican Republic requires that you be in the country at least three business days prior. Sundays and Dominican holidays do not count. Your arrival day does not count toward the "business day" requirement. You must arrive three FULL business days prior.
What is the difference between legal (civil), religious and symbolic ceremonies?
- Only a civil ceremony is legally recognized. A renewal of vows or religious ceremony is a symbolic ceremony and is not considered a legal union. It is performed by a non denominational minister (please note that Catholic ceremonies cannot be performed outside the church).
Do we need to send any documentation prior to arrival?
- All documents must be at the resort at least 15 days prior to your arrival.
Staging a Destination Wedding
Questions to ask about the ceremony and reception:
What private indoor and outdoor areas of the resort are available for a wedding?
- CEREMONY LOCATIONS
- Garden Gazebo Max 200 pax
- Beach Gazebo Max 100 pax
- Pier Max 75 pax
- Ballroom –upon request
- RECEPTION LOCATIONS
- Taino Gardens Max 200 pax
- Beach Max 500 pax
- Ballroom –upon request
*Note: A la carte restaurants are available based on group size upon request at an additional fee
What do you offer in the way of decorations?
- Decorations will be available at an additional charge and are made to the brides liking. Check out the Dreams La Romana Wedding Guide for a listing of customizable options.
Is the ceremony performed in English or Spanish?
- The Civil ceremony will be performed by the judge in Spanish and the wedding coordinator will translate the ceremony.
What if I don't have a witness?
- If there are no witnesses available, they will be provided by the resort.
Will there be other weddings taking place during the same time as ours?
- Yes, however your special time is yours and yours only. There are several romantic locations for ceremonies and receptions, and there are two wedding coordinators, so no weddings will overlap.
Calculating the Cost of a Destination Wedding
What is the cost of a destination wedding at your resort, or is it included in the price of our stay?
- We offer three packages. Rates and inclusions depend on which you prefer. Please refer to the main wedding package section of the website for details.
Can you email a price list to me? Do you expect those prices to change by the date of my wedding?
- Prices for our wedding packages are included on our website. For those little extra touches, a separate price list can be obtained from the wedding coordinator. These prices are always subject to change as services are provided by outside vendors.
If I want to bring friends and family members, do you offer a discount on the price of rooms?
- Group rates are available when booking 10 rooms or more. Please contact our groups department for additional info at: groups.drelr@dreamsresorts.com
How many guests are included in the pricing of the wedding packages?
- Packages are designed for either 10 or 20 guests. Additional guests would incur an additional charge. This applies for the cake and private dinners.
What about guests not staying at the resort?
- Guests who choose to come only for the event will have to purchase a pass:
- Day Pass (until 5PM): $65
- Night Pass (after 5PM): $85
- Children's Pass (ages 2-12)- 1/2 the adult rates
Destination Wedding Details
Who performs the ceremony at your resort?
- A local judge or minister will come to the resort to perform your ceremony.
What if we want a ceremony that honors a particular religion; can someone of that faith be provided?
- It can be arranged if ample notice is given. Also, the bride may also bring her own minister should she choose to do so.
On the other hand, what if we want a ceremony that does not bring in religion?
- Non religious ceremonies are an option at all of our resorts.
How long is the ceremony?
- The ceremony itself only lasts about 20 minutes however, the cocktail and reception shortly follow.
What do you do if I schedule an outside ceremony and reception -- and it rains?
- We can move your ceremony into our ballroom.
What types of flowers are available locally? Is there a florist onsite?
- We work with a local florist who can provide just about any type of flower! All special floral requests must be made at least 20 days prior.
Is live music available?
- Yes, we have live bands to choose from or select a Caribbean trio. Work with the wedding coordinator for further details.
Can we supply our own music on CD?
- Yes, however there will be an additional charge to rent this equipment.
Can you email me suggested menus for the reception?
- Yes, the wedding coordinator can provide details and you can also browse sample menus in the Dreams La Romana Wedding Guide.
Do you provide photography/videography services? What is the cost and what do we get for that amount?
- We do offer photography services. See the "Wedding Extras" section of the website for further details.
Can we choose the wedding location upon arrival?
- Yes you can but is subject to the availability on your selected date.
Do we get the negatives of the pictures?
- The negatives are not included in the wedding packages. If you want the negatives there is an additional charge set by the company that provides the photo service.
Is there a photography vendor on site that can be used for the wedding ceremony and reception?
- Yes there is an photography vendor on site that offers all photography services; you can contact them at agustina.zamin@gmail.com
What type of tables do you use for the set up of the reception?
- We have oblong tables, round tables and square tables.
Do you provide special table linens for the reception?
- We do provide basic linens. Special table tops or linens can be rented or feel free to bring your own to the resort for use.
What types of flowers are included in the wedding packages?
- Roses, Lilies, Calla Lilies, Lisianthus, Gerbera Daisies, Chrysanthemum, Daisies & Bird of Paradise. If you would like to have a flower not included in the wedding package you can pay the difference to upgrade to your desired flower.
Do you provide candles for the dinner?
- No we do not provide decorations for the tables.
Can we exchange items from the wedding packages?
- No the wedding packages are set and no changes or substitutions can be made. However, you can build on these packages as you like.
Can we get a credit from the items that we do not want from the Wedding Packages?
- The packages are set and cannot be exchanged and the items not utilized cannot be deducted from the package price.
How many people can be accommodated for a sit down dinner?
- The maximum is 50 people for a sit down dinner (larger groups will be buffet-style dinner)
Is there a discount for kids (5-12) for the dinner and cocktail?
- Yes for the dinner and cocktail there is a 50% discount
Do we choose the menu before or after we get to the hotel?
- The menu must be chosen before the arrival to the hotel.
Can I bring my own decorations? Is there and additional charge for set it up?
- A set-up fee of $2.00 USD per guest is charged for decoration of ceremony and reception locations. Larger wedding group pricing will be handled on a case by case basis.
What is the end time for outdoor receptions?
- As a consideration for the other guests, outdoor receptions must end by 11:00PM. Receptions in the ballroom do not have a mandatory end time, but additional fees will apply for extending the reception hours.
IMPORTANT: Destination Wedding Legalities – Dominican Republic
Is there someone who can handle the legal details for us and guide us through the process?
- You need to work directly with the Dominican Consulate in your country in order to have all your documentation translated and legalized.
- The wedding coordinator will deal directly with the local officials to coordinate the process of the marriage license after the wedding.
- We recommend Weddings Documentation (WE DO), contact information at www.wedo.com.do
What are the requirements to get a marriage in the Dominican Republic
- Parties must be at least 18 years of age.
- Valid passport or photo ID
- Original copies and photocopies of birth certificates, adoption certificates (if applicable) and name deeds (if applicable)
- Apostille (see description in following question)
- Single Status Affidavit in Spanish for each party (See next item). A joint affidavit is not acceptable. These must be notarized and state whether the bride or groom has ever been married, divorced, or widowed. Originals must be brought with you to the property.
- Original and photo copies of the court decree absolute if divorced. Bride must be legally divorced for a minimum of 10 months
- Two witnesses with passport or photo ID, provided by the hotel if needed. Original and photocopies of death certificates, if applicable
- Full name of both parents
What is an Apostille?
- This is a documentary device by which a government department, usually the State Department, Justice Ministry or Foreign Ministry, authenticates a document as genuine, thereby legalizing it for use in another member country.
- An Apostille consists of the following:
- Name of country from which the document emanates
- Name of person signing the document
- The capacity in which the person signing the document has acted
- In the case of unsigned documents, the name of the authority which has affixed the seal or stamp
- Place of certification
- The authority issuing the certificate
- The number of the certificate
- Seal or stamp of authority issuing the certificate
- Signature of authority issuing the certificate
What is a Single Status Affidavit document, why do I need it and where do I get it?
- A Single Status Affidavit clearly states that both parties are eligible to marry. It should be prepared by a lawyer and notarized, then sent to the Dominican Consulate for approval and translation. These documents should be brought with you and valid up to 90 days before the wedding.
I was divorced less than one year ago. Can I have my civil ceremony at the resort?
- According to Dominican Law a divorced woman has to wait 10 months before remarrying unless she is marrying the same man she divorced or she was divorced under special DR law. Then the ruling has a waiting period of 24 hours.
Do we need proof of any medical tests?
- No, there is no need for any medical tests in the Dominican Republic.
If we have to travel offsite to get the license, does your resort provide transportation?
- The Judge will duly register your Wedding Certificate at the Central Civil Board, You get the marriage certificate before your departure
Will the judge perform the ceremony if all of our documents are not in order? Are there any exceptions?
- Sorry, if any documents are missing or incorrect there can be no ceremony. No exceptions. Your wedding coordinator will help assure that everything is in order.
For our Friends and Family Who Can't Attend Our Destination Wedding.
Help them to be there in more than spirit.
Can you make a webcam available during the ceremony?
- Plans are currently underway to have webcams available for our wedding ceremonies.
How long will it take to get our pictures back, and can they be quickly posted on an online album?
- If you choose a photographer provided by our wedding coordinator, expect to receive your photos and photo album the day after the ceremony. Depending on the package chosen, your images will appear on DVD or in a lovely album that also includes the negatives.
Miscellaneous questions
Do you have a dedicated honeymoon suite?
- Yes—there is a Honeymoon Suite in the Preferred Club that has its own private plunge pool!
Is there a private terrace or outdoor area where we can hold a rehearsal dinner?
- We can accommodate a rehearsal dinner at any one of our restaurants, as well as a private location, for an extra charge.
About the Dominican Republic
Do I need any immunizations before traveling?
- In order to travel to the Dominican Republic you do not need any immunizations.
What is the time zone?
- We are in the Eastern Time Zone.
Contact the wedding coordinator directly at weddings.drelr@dreamsresorts.com or weddings1.drelr@dreamsresorts.com
And be sure to browse the Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa Wedding Guide for further details.
