IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Bavaro All inclusive

Welcome Dinner

Wedding

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Iberostar

Wedding Day

BJ moved to New Orleans in the&nbsp;Summer of&nbsp; 2015. To help him get acclimated to the city, our mutual group of friends started doing&nbsp;"Staycation Tuesdays." Every Tuesday, we'd act like tourists in New Orleans. BJ is a man of few words, but I&nbsp;thought&nbsp;he was really handsome and kind. My girlfriends kept mentioning that they thought he was interested in me, but I&nbsp;couldn't see it!&nbsp; His best man, Brian, was also telling BJ that I was interested in BJ. Our friends were plotting against us! LOL 

In September 2015, my car was stolen while I&nbsp;was teaching! (Another story for another day). When the student who stole my car disclosed the location, I called BJ to take me to meet the police.&nbsp;He never hesitated to come to my rescue! We went to lunch after we found my car and I&nbsp;thought he was&nbsp;&nbsp;sweet and HILARIOUS!&nbsp;After, we kept trying to find ways to hang out, but never admitted we liked each other as more than friends. We continued to spend time together.&nbsp;BJ&nbsp;was scheduled to leave for training for work in&nbsp;October and the night before we left, he kissed me! For the next three months, we talked everyday. The first weekend he got leave to come back to New Orleans, he asked me to his girlfriend.&nbsp;

How We Met

BJ proposed August 25th, 2018. We were getting ready to go to sleep, when he asked if I loved him. I&nbsp;told him of course I loved him (All the while thinking that's a dumb question!) BJ then said&nbsp;that if nothing changed in our relationship, he would already be living his dream because he was already spending his life with me. He pulled the&nbsp;engagement ring from under the pillow and asked me to be his wife. I&nbsp;cried, of course, and said yes!&nbsp;

Our Proposal 

Our Story

Photos

Our Wedding

Travel

Travel Agent

To insure the best possible pricing and inclusion in our group booking, we are providing contact information to our wedding travel agent and encourage you to take advantage of her services. Her packages include ground transportation to the resort and hotel accommodations. She is also available to assist you with your flight!

Stacey Goodale





Enlighten Excursions





240-468-7919





<a href="mailto:sgood@enlightenexcursions.com">sgood@enlightenexcursions.com</a>





We will be arriving Wednesday, October 16th, but know many of you are planning on arriving early or to stay late to make your trip a real vacation. Whatever your travel needs may be, Stacey is ready to assist you! <a href="https://www.grandiberostar.com/en/hotels/punta-cana/grand-bavaro" target="_blank">Iberostar Grand Bravaro</a>

RSVP

Registry

My Ace!&nbsp;&nbsp;Brian and I met the first day of&nbsp;3rd grade when I witnessed him and his siblings jump a kid on the bus&nbsp;.&nbsp; Let's just say&nbsp;I&nbsp;made a business decision to&nbsp; "get down" rather than "lay down."

Brian

Monique is the Lewis to my Clark!&nbsp; My LM!&nbsp;Monique and I&nbsp;met through working&nbsp;together as Resident Assistants at Xavier University of Louisiana. We didn't really begin to become close until the following year when we did research together as participants in the Ronald.&nbsp;E. McNair program at Xavier and University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. We lived together for three years while we were in graduate school.&nbsp;She has been there through some of the best and worst times in my life. We have spent COUNTLESS&nbsp;hours in Starbucks and libraries studying together.&nbsp;Over the years, she has become my confidante, sister, best friend and now my MOH!&nbsp;

Monique 

My&nbsp;little big brother!&nbsp; Growing up&nbsp;I always wanted to be as smooth as Chris, but&nbsp;I&nbsp;realized I&nbsp;was better at being the funny sibling&nbsp;...&nbsp; This dude has taught me so much about life.&nbsp; I couldn't have asked for a better brother.

Chris

My baby sister! I&nbsp;am 8 years older than Maya. Apparently, when we were kids I&nbsp;told her she would be to young to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. HAHAHA! Thankfully, we have grown very&nbsp;close over the years. I&nbsp;am glad that&nbsp;she didn't hold my past comments against me and agreed to be a bridesmaid in my wedding!&nbsp;

Maya

I couldn't even tell you when Monica and I&nbsp;became friends. It happened so seamlessly that it feels like we've always been best friends. One day we were just hanging out all the time and hitting up different happy hours! LOL&nbsp; Monica has always been willing to do whatever crazy thing I've thought up from signing up for a race, going to a new restaurant, or buying plane tickets because I&nbsp;found a good deal!&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;am very thankful for Monica's friendship and even more grateful that she has agreed to be a bridesmaid in my wedding!&nbsp;

Monica

Big Jeff!&nbsp; Growing up we did everything together, well honestly we did everything together for the first 30 years of my life! From playing basketball and video games and Grandma's house, to moving to Texas.

Jeffery

Coach Legend!&nbsp;&nbsp;Legend and I were roommates at Disney, and the first time we met he almost caught these hands!&nbsp; It was just a misinterpretation of his St. Louis vernacular.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Little did I know he would soon become one of my closest friends.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hanso 

Shantrell and I&nbsp;are cousins. My mom was tracing our family's genealogy and contacted Shantrell's aunt. Shantrell and I&nbsp;met while students at Xavier (My Freshmen year and her Sophomore year). We roomed together for one semester before I&nbsp;became a Resident Assistant (Sorry that Wyla used to eat your marshmallows!) LOL&nbsp;Shantrell has a heart of gold and I love her dearly. I&nbsp;was able to stand up for her at her wedding and am thankful she will do the same for me at my wedding.&nbsp;

Shantrell

Wedding Party

Q + A

VISIT&nbsp;THE&nbsp;WEBSITE&nbsp;TO&nbsp;REGISTER

​VISIT THE WEBSITE TO REGISTER

To insure the best possible pricing and inclusion in our group booking, we are providing contact information to our wedding travel agent and encourage you to take advantage of her services. &nbsp;Her packages&nbsp;include ground transportation to the resort and hotel accommodations. She is also available to assist you with your flight!&nbsp;

&nbsp;Stacey Goodale











Enlighten Excursions











240-468-7919&nbsp;









sgood@enlightenexcursions.com











We will be arriving Wednesday, October 16th,&nbsp;but know many of you are planning on arriving early or to stay late to make your trip a real vacation. Whatever your travel needs may be, Stacey&nbsp;is ready to assist you!

VISIT THE WEBSITE TO REGISTER

IBEROSTAR Bávaro Suites

Seaquarium Punta Cana is an amazing underwater adventure. The experience starts with an open-top bus that picks up its passengers at their hotel and takes them to the quay, where a modern catamaran will be waiting. While on the catamaran, passengers can enjoy an onboard party with live entertainment and music, fresh fruits, snacks, and drinks. And once they come to the quay, they'll get the chance to walk underwater, snorkel with fish, sharks, and manta rays, and even get a kiss from the sea lion. The party continues in the warm waters of a natural sea pool in the Caribbean Sea.

Seaquarium Punta Cana

<h3>Excursion Overview</h3>

Saona Deluxe tour is a lifetime experience! This is a tour you have to do, whatever idea you had about paradise, you’ll find it in Saona.&nbsp;Sail across the Caribbean Sea on a catamaran, and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze, you will be surrounded by white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters and countless palm trees inviting you to relax in this tropical atmosphere.&nbsp;The Saona Deluxe is famous for its natural beauty as the seas around it are rich in wildlife with many species of birds and tropical marine fish.&nbsp;You can´t miss it!&nbsp;

Soana Deluxe Day Trip 

Turn it up with the hottest casino in the Caribbean. Home to the best action in the Dominican Republic, our 45,000-square-foot Casino features legendary play at 40 unique tables and more than 400 of your favorite slots. Go big with the international flavor of our Poker Room. Enjoy the pulsating energy of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Baccarat. Or, find high-limit thrills and top-shelf service at our Salon Privet VIP area with high-limit Baccarat, American Roulette, Blackjack, and so much more.

Hard Rock Cafe

The Lemon waterfall is located in the northeast area of the Dominican Republic. It is located on one of the three main hills that form the Sierra de Samaná, about 300 meters above sea level. The lemon jump has a height of about 40 meters.

In this ecological excursion, you will be able to know the natural and most impressive places with which nature has given to this land, you will be able to grow your photo album with images never seen and unforgettable by the spectacular of the area, your adventure will be unforgettable you can share experiences and experiences with the native settlers of this lemon community, taste its excellent typical food, horseback riding, sail on catamaran and transport you in a safari truck, always attended by a professional guide and expert in this area, all this will make Your experience is wonderful. You will also get to know and enjoy the famous Cayo Levantado island or Bacardi island.&nbsp; All an experience that can not be missed.

Full day Ecological Tour to The Lemon Waterfall

Whether you are searching for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo or Yellow fin Tuna, our team will do everything for you to provide the best deep sea fishing experience. Guides know the best spots to fish and will assist you in getting the best fishing time possible.Punta Cana is the perfect place for your next deep sea fishing adventure. You can&nbsp;###a href="https://www.gonefishing-puntacana.com/catch-and-eat-your-catch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;eat your catch&nbsp;in the beach restaurant, and of course – friends & family can join you! Doesn’t matter if you are new or experienced fisherman, with us you will experience great adventure!

Deep Sea Fishing

Fun while swimming with dolphins!



Punta Cana has recently become one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, located in the eastern part of the&nbsp;Dominican Republic, their soft-white sand and sparkly blue sea face both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Because of the perfect tropical wet and dry weather almost all year round, Punta Cana is the perfect place to have an ideal vacation and create the most incredible memories ever.

A trip to&nbsp;Punta Cana&nbsp;is pretty hard to forget because of their beautiful beaches, the unreal landscapes, wide variety of gastronomy and the kindness of all the residents that will assure you the greatest vacation.

There are plenty of activities on the island but one of the top attractions is the Dolphin Discovery dolphin encounter, where you and your loved ones will get the amazing opportunity to make a dream come true while hanging out with our lovely dolphins. While you are in the water with them you’ll be able to interact with them with really cool activities like hugs, kisses, belly rides, foot push, among others that will depend on which program you pick.

We love sharing with all our visitors some tips that will help them to take care of the environment so our animals can live in a greener world and at the same time teach them about the special nutritional and health programs we have at&nbsp;Dolphin Discovery&nbsp;for every different species that we have. Also during this time we will tell you more about the dolphins and some interesting data that you’ll love to know.

So, if you’re planning your next vacation to Punta Cana and you’re thinking about to try out this amazing experience, don’t doubt it and assure your place with us.&nbsp;You’ll be surprised!

Dolphin Discovery Punta Cana

The most complete combo excursion you will find in Punta Cana! Includes the 12 cables of our Zip Lines Adventures and a visit to the Coconut House and a full 45 minutes of interaction with little monkeys, as well as a typical Dominican lunch!Whats Included?

<ul><li>All equipment and training</li><li>Experienced guides</li><li>Hotel pickup and drop-off</li><li>Water and soft drinks (non-alcoholic)</li><li>Fresh fruits.</li><li>Lunch: white rice, dark rice with beans, chicken creole, beef creole, spaghetti pomodoro and salad bar.</li></ul>

Highlights

<ul><li>Visit one of the longest zip lines in the Caribbean, and the lengthiest in the Dominican Republic. Sway across distances as you’re suspended up to 800 meters in mid-air.</li><li>Landscapes come undone on your quest to find the hidden treasure resting inside Anamuya Mountain.</li><li>Interact in close proximity to our beautiful squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland.</li><li>Watch the monkeys in a natural environment which offers spectacular mountain views.</li><li>Enjoy a typical Dominican buffet lunch up in the mountains</li><li>Taste fresh organic products and learn the process of making coconut oil at our Coconut House</li><li>12 zip lines, spread across a lush tropical mountain range. Experience an unrivalled frenzy gliding skin deep across lavish jungle vegetation.</li></ul>

Zipline Adventures + Monkeyland 

This half-day party cruise combines several adventures including snorkeling, hooka diving and parasailing. Live an unforgettable experience for the day as you discover the sky and sea to the fullest with this excursion where you can meet the coast in a unique way whether you are snorkeling, diving, parasailing or enjoying a party on the catamaran! This package combines several activities into one half-day party cruise which includes snorkeling, parasailing and hooka diving. Enjoy every moment of your adventure! From the time you are picked you up from your hotel until you board the brand new and comfortable catamaran to cruise the coast. This breathtaking experience includes a party onboard with music, an open bar, fruit and a great time you won’t soon forget. Your water activities for the day will include snorkeling, parasailing and hooka diving. Visit some of the best reefs around Punta Cana. Use the provided snorkeling gear as you gaze down at the underwater world around you. If you want a more interactive experience you can try Hooka diving which allows you to easily dive into the water below without any diving experience necessary. You can also see the ocean from above as you soar through the air on a parachute during a parasailing adventure!

Boat Cruise

From our ranch in Macao, we go tearing through the remote farmland of northern Punta Cana, passing palm trees and tobacco plantations with the Oriental Mountain Range deep in the background. These narrow, secluded country roads offer a safe haven for deep pools of mud that we'll go barging through again and again. At first, you may try and avoid the mud, but soon you'll give into the filth. This excursion is not for the dainty. Our first stop is at a quaint country ranch for an introduction on local produce like cocoa, coffee, tobacco and Mamajuana (a Dominican aphrodisiac elixir) and green tea leaves. Back into the rocky off-road, among panoramic views of endless farmland and distant mountains, our excursion leeds us to a picturesque cave replete with a deep natural swimming hole. Jump in; cool off and wash off in these refreshing underground waters. The longest stretch of our drive is also the largest contrast. From the hidden countryside cave, we retrace our muddy path, and then some, to the shores of the photogenic Macao Beach, one of the last ‘resort free’ coastal stretches of Punta Cana. Here, we'll have time to enjoy this idealistic Caribbean Beach with rows of palm trees and azure waters. So, rev your engine and get muddy with us on our Macao Buggy Adventure.

Two Adventures: Caribbean Dunne Buggies and Party Boat

Dare to explore the largest cavern in the Caribbean, The Fun Fun Cave, with more than 28 kilometers of tunnels and underground passages. Begin your adventure with a 30-minute horseback ride, followed by a hike through the rainforest of Los Haitises National Park, discovering species of flora and fauna endemic to our island.

Half way up the mountain, you’ll make an 18-meter abseiling (rappelling) descend that will take you to the very heart of the Fun Fun Cave, crossing the threshold to another dimension. Feel the cool temperatures as you venture deep inside of the earth, with its immense galleries and tunnels, the beautiful landscapes sculpted in the rock. Swimming in its canyons and listening to the magical whisper of the underground river, will make you experience an adventure like no other. Adrenaline and fun are mandatory!

When you return to the surface, a refreshing drink awaits you along with a stimulating bath in the waters of the Almirante River. Upon returning to the ranch, you’ll enjoy a horseback ride through the estate where you will enjoy beautiful landscapes and observe farm animals in their natural habitat. To end the day, you will taste the rich flavors of the best Dominican cuisine in the area.

A unique tour in its class, where you also get the chance to see the genuine Dominican country lifestyle and the agricultural landscapes of the island: sugarcane, cacao, oranges, coffee and passion fruit plantations.

Cueva Fun Full Day Adventure Combo 

Taino Gourmet Cooking Lab allows people of all skill levels to participate and learn about the culinary cultures of both Dominican and international cuisines. The chefs carefully curate every class making it comprehensive and easy to follow regardless of your skill set. Taino Lab prides itself on sourcing the freshest ingredients from the region and advocates for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. The cooking experience is interactive and fun for a family with kids and friends alike. Meet new people that share your passion for the art of food and join us on an unforgettable culinary journey! The small and comfortable "Taino Gourmet Cooking Lab" labeled mini-bus will pick up you from your hotel one hour before the activity. Immediately when the last guest arrived we start with our "Sancocho Borracho" cooking class. "Sancocho" is a typical Dominican soup. Tourists will learn how to cook it with 7 different types of meat and local "viveres" (roots): ñame, yuca, yautia and platano. The perfect way to make it a true Dominican experience is to dance bachata y merengue while cooking. Everybody could become a “run sommelier” with us. All “sancocho” have to be eaten with Dominican rice and avocado. Our guests will be pleasantly surprised by the delicious dessert and local liquor degustation. All clients will be brought to their hotel before midnight with full bellies and a content heart and soul. Read more about Sancocho Borracho 2019 - Punta Cana -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.viator.com/tours/Punta-Cana/Sancocho-Borracho/d794-88775P1?mcid=56757">https://www.viator.com/tours/Punta-Cana/Sancocho-Borracho/d794-88775P1?mcid=56757</a> Read more about Sancocho Borracho 2019 - Punta Cana -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.viator.com/tours/Punta-Cana/Sancocho-Borracho/d794-88775P1?mcid=56757">https://www.viator.com/tours/Punta-Cana/Sancocho-Borracho/d794-88775P1?mcid=56757</a>

Blake & BJ

Blake & BJ

Registry