The entire schedule
This Is The Plan
HERE IS THE WEDDING PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE!
***ENTIRE PAGE UPDATED***SOME ACTION REQUIRED***
Regardless of what is below, here is a link to all of the activities and entertainment at the resort. Take advantage of what YOU want to do. Make this the vacation YOU want and need. Just don't miss the wedding!
As for the gym, Noms and Nige will be in it every day with the possible exceptions of the scuba day, the zip-line day, and the wedding day.
https://www.excellenceresorts.com/punta-cana/excellence-el-carmen/fitness-center/
Here's what we are planning. Join in, or not, your call. It really is your holiday so don't feel obligated to do anything except what you want...with minor exceptions, of course. All times are approximate except for the things marked with ###. You will know the things that we'd like you to be at, if you can make it, because we've done this:
###ATTENDANCE REQUESTED###
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A DRESS CODE FOR SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS AND BARS SO, PLEASE BRING APPROPRIATE ATTIRE.
Friday, December 3:
FREE DAY
LATE AFTERNOON:
6:00 Meet at SPORTS BAR for snacks, drinks, and chilling out.
DRESS CODE FOR SPORTS BAR:
Resort Casual.
https://www.excellenceresorts.com/punta-cana/excellence-el-carmen/flavors-and-spirits-sports-bar/
EVENING:
9:00pm Meet at SOL for drinks, relaxing, and whatever else seems good.
DRESS CODE FOR SOL:
There does not appear to be a dress code as it is an outside bar in the middle of the resort. But, I'd check anyway if I were you. No-one wants to be sent to the headmaster's office!
Saturday December 4:
FREE DAY
EVENING:
7:00pm Meet at MARTINI bar and then on to dinner (whichever one you want to go to. We don't all have to go to the same one...there's 12 to choose from. Or, maybe you had an early dinner...it's your holiday, do whatever pleases you!).
DRESS CODE FOR MARTINI:
For ladies: Long pants, capri pants, or skirt with a blouse, or a dress. For gentlemen: Long dress pants and collared shirt. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, beach sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.
10:00pm
Meet at ALEGRIA for cocktails, music, and dancing if you fancy staying up for a bit. If not; see you on Sunday!
DRESS CODE FOR ALEGRIA:
For ladies: Long pants, capri pants, or skirt with a blouse, or a dress. For gentlemen: Long dress pants and collared shirt. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, beach sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.
Sunday December 5:
***NEW UPDATE NOVEMBER 26***ACTION REQUIRED NOW***
DAYTIME:
SCUBA DIVING TRIP: THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL. IF YOU WANT TO GET ON THE WAIT LIST, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP. ***YOU CAN PAY ON THE DAY***
Nomi LOVES SCUBA DIVING. Ngel doesn't fancy being dinner for a fish. But, Nigel loves Nomi and so he's going to get PADI certified to make her happy and they can 'share' the experience. Bletch. You can share the experience, too. Well, up to 12 of you can, anyway. Nomi has gone diving with this company previously and reports that they, and the sites they select, are "awesome". PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DIVE MUST BE CERTIFIED AND LET US KNOW NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15th. WE NEED YOUR DIVE LICENSE NUMBER, CERTIFICATION DATE, AND CERTIFICATION SCHOOL. There are only 6 spots for divers as the boat doesn't normally run on Sundays but are doing it especially for us with a single divemaster, There are 6 additional spots available for snorkelers (or, sitting on the boat watcherers). Spots can be taken up by snorkelers at about $45 pp (all equipment provided). Alternatively, you could just come, hang out, and and await with sheer certainty that Nigel will become lunch for some passing shark or other marine creature.
Here're the details:
Boat: Private (that means no weird people....well, they'll be OUR weird people
Cost: $125 pp (snorkeling about $45)
Maximum divers: 6
Maximum people: 12
Dives: Two dives *THESE WILL BE SHALLOW DIVES OF 30-40 FEET
Included: Tanks and ALL equipment
Water, snacks, and transportation from the resort are also provided (I don't think the water provided is the stuff we jump into, I think that's just there 🤣🤣🤣)
Pick Up Time: 8:00am in the lobby.
Drop Off Time: 1:30pm (so, still plenty of lazing around time)
Link to company: https://seaprodivers.com/activity/punta-cana-local-dives/
EVENING:
7:00pm Meet at STARS bar and then on to dinner (whichever one you want to go to. We don't all have to go to the same one...there's 12 to choose from. Or, maybe you had an early dinner...it's your holiday, do whatever pleases you!).
DRESS CODE FOR STARS:
For ladies: Long pants, capri pants, or skirt with a blouse, or a dress. For gentlemen: Long dress pants and collared shirt. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, beach sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.
10:00pm
Meet at ART DECO PIANO BAR for drinks, live music, and who knows what when there's an actual piano available! If you don't fancy it; see you on Monday!
DRESS CODE FOR ART DECO PIANO BAR:
For ladies: Long pants, capri pants, or skirt with a blouse, or a dress. For gentlemen: Long dress pants and collared shirt. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, beach sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.
Monday December 6:
***NEW UPDATE NOVEMBER 26***CHANGES EVERYWHERE ON MONDAY***ACTION REQUIRED NOW***
EXCITING DAYTIME CHOICE WITH NIGEL:
ZIP-LINE ADVENTURE:
***NIGEL HAS NOW BOOKED THIS EXCURSION ***IF YOU DID NOT CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION YOU ARE NOT BOOKED. IF YOU STILL WANT TO GO YOU JUST NEED TO TELL US ASAP SO NIGEL CAN ADD YOU***
Nigel likes jumping off, and out of, high things and going fast. Nomi doesn't so she's not doing this. So, whomever fancies it can come jump off a platform 350 feet high, cresting 800 meters above the forest and plummeting down at 40mph. The #1 rated zip-lining company in the DR is waiting on us. 18 platforms, 12 zip-lines. The two longest lines in the DR. Also a side-by-side line so you can race each other.
Cost: $89 pp (before group discount)
Depart: 7:25am in the lobby
Return: Before 2pm
Meanwhile, here's the company link;
https://www.runnersadventures.com/zip-lining/zip-lines-adventures-punta-cana/
And, if for some reason we can't go there, we'll go here!
https://samanatreetopzipline.com
RELAXING DAYTIME CHOICE WITH NOMI:
Noms will be doing nothing at the beach and something at the spa apparently. She has a facial booked at 2pm (Yes, you can zip-line AND spa). She recommends that you get in touch directly with the Spa you want to book an appointment at, or near that time. While it is a lovely spa, it isn't designed for hoards of marauding women to decend upon it unannounced. So, click on the link below and book your times right now. YES! NOW!
https://www.excellenceresorts.com/punta-cana/excellence-el-carmen/miile-spa-rfp/
AFTERNOON
Nige will be doing something with anyone who fancies it. That probably includes closely examining the insides of eyelids, boasting about how brave we were during zip-lining, and hitting balls of varying descriptions while drinking. If he can find some dancing girls, that would be on the agenda, too. Bring your tennis racket if you want to get exercisey. Nige is probably always up for that despite the fact that he has just discovered that he has to have surgery on a torn meniscus.
###ATTENDANCE REQUESTED###
LATE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING:
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM:
Official Welcome To Our Wedding Cocktail Hour (including hors d'oeuvres) at X-Lounge.
"Stunning rooftop views and perfectly prepared cocktails await at X-Lounge, where the beauty of the resort’s natural surroundings makes every sip taste just a little bit better. Situated directly overlooking the beach, our roof bar in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is framed by the quiet swaying of palm trees, turquoise water vistas, and our signature service."
DRESS CODE FOR X-LOUNGE:
For ladies: Long pants, capri pants, or skirt with a blouse, or a dress. For gentlemen: Long dress pants and collared shirt. Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, beach sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.
###ATTENDANCE REQUESTED### BIG CHANGE
7:00 PM
GO TO WHATEVER RESTAURANT YOU WANT! WE WILL MEET UP LATER
10:00 PM
Meet at either the KARAOKE location which MAY IS happening on Monday night (it'll be opposite night for us, so feel free to choose break-up songs! 🤣🤣🤣)
Tuesday December 7:
Please note that the location and/or time of the wedding ceremony could change if there is inclement weather. You will be directly informed if that is the case. Also, check this website. Itnformation will be here, too.
DAYTIME:
Prep and panic time for some: "How many hours have I got? That's not enough."
Relaxation time for others: "20 minutes is plenty. Yes, please, another gin & tonic would be lovely."
***CHANGED***
###ATTENDANCE KINDA REQUIRED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY###
3:45pm
Guests to arrive at CIELOS BAR on the beach. You will be escorted to the wedding location from there. The front 2 rows of seats are reserved for immediate family and the wedding party, otherwise, sit wherever you please! Nigel's daughters, Erin & Paige will be there to direct you if needed, answer any questions, and help usher you to get seated. (There will be an alternative location AND/OR time in case of rain. You will informed earlier n the day if that is the case. Hopefully not but everything is in the lap of the Gods!)
***CHANGED***
4:30pm sharp
Wedding Ceremony on the Beach
Attire: Beach Elegant (socks nor high heels required!)
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Private cocktails and Hors D'oevres at LAS OLAS Restaurant/bar on the beach (yep, that's Las Olas in the picture. Not a shocking place to hang out, is it!). During this time, the happy couple will be having photos taken.
6:30pm - 9:300pm...ish
Private wedding reception at LAS OLAS Restaurant/bar on the beach. We have told the resort that we don't want a dance floor because, well, no-one needs to see that. We will have background music (feel free to sing along, we can guarantee that you'll know the lyrics to most of the songs), possibly a piano if anyone fancies a go, speeches (obviously from the usual suspects BUT, if anyone wishes to say their truth, this is your chance. If possible, let Steve or Ron (the Best Men...Steve will be the one with the funny/cool/sexy accent) know in advance so that they don't have to do the always embarrassing "Does anyone want to say anything" moment, and a cake-cutting. There will definitely not be any tossing of the Bride's bouquet, shoving of the cake in each other's mouths, or public removal of the garter, mostly because we aren't children anymore and Nigel will also get very upset if his hair gets messed up.
10:00pm
Who knows.... but, in all probability we will initially move to X-LOUNGE. Then, whatever happens, happens?!!!
Wednesday December 8:
###ATTENDANCE REQUESTED IF YOU CAN WALK AND THE SUN DOESN'T HURT YOUR EYES TOO BADLY###
12:00pm
Casual brunch at a location to TBC
