RSVP By August 17, 2024
Wilson Santiago
Lauren Rivera
Wilson Santiago
Lauren Rivera
November 15, 2024
How We Met
During a Global Pandemic, when the world was a crazy mess, Wilson and Lauren met just like any other couple. They “swiped right”! After many text messages and a few phone calls, they finally decided to “meet” and see if the chemistry they had digitally was just as great in person. After a first date that lasted over 5 hours…it was safe to say that this love story was going to be something special.
The Proposal
Lauren spent a lot of time at Wilderness Park in Downey, CA with her grandparents. Her grandfather would take her to have lunch and feed the ducks every week. It is one of her fondest childhood memories. With Lauren’s grandparents now in heaven, Wilson thought of the perfect way to bring a little piece of them to be apart of this special moment. As Lauren arrived to the park on November 25th as a detour on her way to a friends “birthday party” (or so she thought), she was greeted by her sorority sister with blindfold in hand. It was that moment that she knew something special was about to happen. Little did she know just how truly special it would be! Wilson gathered Lauren’s friends and family and managed to surprise her with a flash mob routine to Bruno Mars “Marry You”. Each person included has a special relationship with Lauren. Both of their parents were even included in the dance via FaceTime as they live on the east coast. It was truly a magical moment…
Proposal Video
Itinerary
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Let’s get ready to PARTY
5:00 pm
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
All White Attire
Welcome to Punta Cana!! Dress to impress for our “All White” Welcome Party. Let’s kick off the Santiago Wedding festivities!
Thursday, November 14, 2024
His & Hers Bach Bash
10:00 am
Beach Attire
The Bride and Groom will be celebrating a fun filled day with their “I Do” crew before the BIG day! The Girls: Catamaran/Boat Excursions The Boys: Jet Skis Excursion All are welcome to join the fun! Please let the bride and groom know if you would like to participate so you are included and provided information for any cost associated with the excursions.
Friday, November 15, 2024
The Wedding
4:30 pm
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Beach Chic Attire: Wear linen pants, short-sleeved button downs, maxi dresses, and sandals.
Shuttle Pick-up 3:50 pm Wedding Ceremony 4:30pm Cocktails 5:00pm Dinner & Dancing: 6:30-11:00pm What to wear? See FAQ’s tab for more details
Saturday, November 16, 2024
After Party Brunch
10:30 am
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Head down to the lobby and meet for an After Wedding Brunch in honor of the new Mr. & Mrs. Santiago For those of you who prefer to get their beauty sleep we will be spending the rest of the day soaking up the beautiful Dominican sun pool/beach side. Feel free to join us!
RSVP
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.
Travel
Flight
AMERICAN AIRLINES, JETBLUE, & DELTA
American Airlines, JetBlue, & Delta fly most frequently from the United States to the Dominican Republic, but any airline will do. Just remember to have your PASSPORT ready and make sure it is valid. Your passport SHOULD NOT expire at least 6 months after your return date of travel. Please check prior to traveling. Click link to access Passport Information.
Hotel
HARD ROCK PUNTA CANA RESORT & CASINO
A room block has been reserved at the Hard Rock Punta Cana Resort & Casino for November 12 through November 19, 2024. Please use the link below to make your reservation. Be sure to complete all fields marked with a red asterisk. You will receive a detailed quote and payment plan instructions within 24 business hours. A $100 deposit is required to secure your room. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact Patty or Kristen at the Unique Romance Travel Agency. They will be able to answer any questions you may have and help you book the hotel and flight if needed. The Bride and Groom ask that you reserve your spot as soon as possible, since the deadline for the room blocks ends on July 1, 2024. After this date, rates and room availability are not guaranteed and may increase. Click link to proceed with booking.
Travel Note
AIRPORT TO RESORT TRANSPORTATION
There is no need to rent a car unless you plan on exploring Punta Cana or visiting one of the neighboring towns. If you don't plan on leaving the resort, the bride and groom recommend you use the roundtrip airport to resort transportation that is provided by Renny Travel. Once you have booked your flight, please use the following link to book your transportation directly with Renny Travel. Roundtrip airport to resort transportation is $35 per person and is nonstop "Private Group" transportation. If you don't want to use airport transportation you are welcomed to utilize the airport cab service. It is a 35 min cab ride to and from the hotel and the airport. If you have any further questions, please refer to the FAQs tab at the top of this page. Click link to proceed with booking.
Travel Note
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC “E-TICKET”
WHAT IS THE ELECTRONIC TICKET ? It is a digital form required by multiple institutions for entering or leaving the national territory. It is mandatory for each passenger to truthfully complete the information on the electronic Ticket for the General Immigration Office, the General Customs Office and the Ministry of Public Health, according to Dominican laws 285-04, 115-17, 72-02 and 226-06. Click link to access the digital traveler page and complete your E-Ticket prior to departure
Shuttle
WEDDING DAY SHUTTLE
November 15, 2024 3:50 pm - 11:00 pm
A complimentary wedding shuttle will provide transportation to and from the wedding and the hotel. The shuttle will depart from the hotel 35 minutes prior to the ceremony and will return 1 hour prior to the end of the reception and again at end of the event.
Registry
Things To Do
Welcome to Punta Cana
FAQs
Question
WHEN ARE WILSON AND LAUREN ARRIVING?
Answer
They will be arriving on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 The room block is secured from November 12 - 19, 2024. The resort requires a minimum of a 3 night stay, however, you are welcome to stay all 7 nights! Please speak with the travel agent for options if you'd like to extend your stay outside of these dates. Feel free to arrive/depart any time within those dates. If you are interested in partaking in all the wedding week events, it's recommended that you arrive Wednesday, November 13th early and wait until Sunday, November 17th to depart. The welcome cocktail hour/dinner is Wednesday evening, and the farewell Brunch/Beach day is Saturday.
Question
DO YOU NEED A PASSPORT AND HOW DO I APPLY FOR ONE?
Answer
Yes, you need a passport, and it can't expire at least 6 months after your return date of travel. To apply for a passport, you can go to your local post office or visit travel https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html Passport processing time range from 8-10 weeks for a routine passport and 5-7 weeks for an expedited one.
Question
WHEN IS THE RSVP DEADLINE?
Answer
The Bride and Groom suggest you ONLY RSVP after you have put a downpayment on your room. The deadline for the room blocks ends on July 1, 2024, after this date rates and room availability are not guaranteed and may increase. Final RSVP deadline to attend Santiago Wedding is August 17, 2024.
Question
WHICH RESORT SHOULD WE STAY AT?
Answer
It is highly recommended that you stay with the Bride and Groom at Hard Rock Punta Cana Resort & Casino, but if you have other accommodations, that is fine as well. Just know this will affect your transportation to the wedding venue and any activities that will be held at the resort. Whatever you decide is A-ok just give the Bride and Groom a heads up on your decision. For those of you that are booking your room at the same resort, you can refer to the "Travel" tab above and click on the website provided under the hotel name. The Bride and Groom have reserved a block of rooms for you, at a discounted rate!
Question
HOW FAR IS THE WEDDING VENUE FROM THE HOTEL? IS THERE TRANSPORTATION BEING PROVIDED BETWEEN RECEPTION AND HOTELS?
Answer
The venue is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Yes. There is a shuttle from hotel to Kukua Beach Club. Please arrive at the lobby by 3:50pm! A shuttle will also take you back to the resort at the end of the night.
Question
IS THE WEDDING INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?
Answer
The ceremony and the reception will be completely outdoors, and the dinner portion of the wedding will be held in an outdoor, covered setting.
Question
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? CAN I WEAR HEELS?
Answer
Yes, you can wear heels! There will be a wooden walkway to the beach ceremony. But the seats are on the sand. Also, the cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing will be held on solid surfaces. The dress code is "Beach Chic Semi-Formal." The Bride and Groom would like for their guests to be comfortable, especially in the Caribbean sun, so they suggest wearing lightweight clothing. For example: Men: lightweight linen dressy pants; button-down shirt; dress shoes. Women: short/long dress, rompers; lightweight dressy pants; any shoes that you'll be comfy in (heels, sandals, flats).
Question
WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESISTRICTIONS?
Answer
Please indicate your dietary restriction and allergies when you RSVP! It is very important for us to know so that Kukua can prepare your food accordingly. You shouldn't have any issues at the hotel as it has many meal options.
Question
CAN I BRING A DATE TO THE WEDDING?
Answer
The Bride and Groom are only able to accommodate those listed on the RSVP list for the wedding. But feel free to tag people along to stay with you at the resort. It's your vacation too! If you are unsure who is invited with your invitation, please give the Bride or Groom a call.
Question
ARE CHILDREN INVITED?
Answer
To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation and uninterrupted partying, we asked that children not attend the ceremony and reception, other than those that are named on the RSVP List. However, all other weekend events will be kid-friendly.