EVKnowsitall

Good call. I enlisted a TA as well. What I like about having one is our guests can pay a deposit and pay her off slowly on a payment plan instead of paying in one shot. I love mine, she is phenomenal!

Hello Paradisus Friends- I was so excited because I spent all day and night working on my website for my guests and I thought to share it for ideas. I've come a long way from the scatter-brained bride! It was a little of a pain to make, but well worth it. I think it is ESSENTIAL for a Destination Wedding! 

http://ElvinAndEvelyn.ourwedding.com

Our Save The Dates finally arrived and we are mailing them out on Thursday. They are Magnets so we came up with the idea of enclosing a small business card- one side is our Travel Agents information and the other side has our wedding URL so people can stay up to date using our website. Then our guests can just use our Save the Date magnet to hold up the business card and we will become a constant reminder when they go to grab a drink! We bought the business card stationery from Staples, and also purchased envelope sealers ($1.99 for 20 and they make the envelope look a little fancier!), and clear address labels so we wouldn't have to handwrite everything (we both have HORRIBLE handwriting).

Our Save The Dates were ordered from Wedding Paper Divas. They are reliable for Destination weddings since their turnaround time is quick. I "liked" them on FB and got a discount code for 20% off my Save the Date order- my total for 50 magnets and 60 envelopes (ordered extra in case of mistakes- with Rush shipping) came out to a whopping $87. I'm all for DIY but not when DIY costs just as much or is comparable in price and causes a massive headache!

We will also most likely order our invites from there as well. I got free samples from David's Bridal and did not like them at all. WPD has a free sample code as well and we ordered samples that will arrive soon. I plan to embellish them myself with rhinestones and ribbons before sending them out.

Hey Kelly- The same happened to me. I called on the 15th to reserve a room block but they wouldn't let me which got me a little irritated because they were telling me the offer expired and I said "yes I know, it EXPIRES today, I should still be able to book the rooms" It was difficult for me because we only booked and confirmed our date a week before the expiration so I couldn't really get people to block rooms and I clearly haven't sent invites out LOL so I didn't have a good sense of who was coming.

Cecilia told me the same thing- that they are working on a new deal. I told her I hope the price is better than the last one and she said "I hope so too" which indicates to me that the prices could rise. Lets pray they don't. We are also on a budget but more concerned about our family and friends being able to afford the rooms.

I also have a TA. She said if we book through the hotel, there's nothing she can do for group rates. I asked her to look into rates while I await Cecilia's info. I'll go with whichever is cheaper.

DP1- Who was your Romance Salesperson? I had Lauren and she was great. The way I understand it is that you are assigned a romance sales agent (Lauren was ours) and then once you pay the deposit to hold the date and its confirmed, she passes your information to a romance planner (Bianca is ours). The romance planner handles all the details of the wedding and will call you 6-4 months before to finalize everything. Then you are set up with a Romance Manager who is based at the resort and actually executes the plans you make with the Romance planner. I actually like this set up and it was one of the things that attracted me to Paradisus- I dealt unsuccessfully with wedding coordinators at two separate resorts and I wanted a no fuss no muss experience so I didn't book at those resorts. 

I called Lauren (use the 877 number) and asked about the wedding calculator because other ladies on this thread discussed it. Lauren sent me the necessary paperwork to book my date and I faxed it back. Once the charge went through, she sent me an email explaining the whole process up above and with a confirmed and dated contract, the wedding calculator again, and a planning guide. The guide is a lengthy document that you fill out and send back anytime before the phone call. It has every nook and cranny covered from lighting, flowers, locations etc. 

I'm sorry you haven't had a necessarily positive experience but don't lose faith! I have literally spent hours of my life like a neurotic person reading reviews and that's how I came to Paradisus. It has the best reviews on every website I visited. My friend was also in DR and stayed at a resort I was considering and delivered some disconcerting news to me that helped me not choose that one. I also have been in communication with a photographer I had hoped to use and she gave me the scoop on resorts too. So trust when I say you're getting married at the right one! 

Her name is ***** Nova and here's a Paradisus Wedding she photographed- she's actually has done quite a few at Paradisus. Unfortunately she isn't available on our date which makes me sad  but she might be if other ladies are interested. She lives in Punta Cana http://www.*****novablog.com/siobhan-nick-paradisus-palma-real-wedding-punta-cana/

Sorry for the super long post! I'm wordy, I know lol

Nice. My fiancé was born in DR but his fam is from the capital. How far is that church from the resort? We are still waiting to hear back from Jesus Maestro parish which is ten minutes away but they are taking a long time and I'm holding off on sending my save the dates bc I have my wart set on a traditional catholic church ceremony and was willing to work around the church's schedule. Once I nail down those details I'll be more relaxed. Thank you for the kind wishes.

He works as a production artist in an advertising firm and has an artistic, keen eye. I am a bubbly high school teacher with a hobby of capturing every moment of my life- from the food we cook together in the kitchen, to our travels and date nights together. Pictures are moments frozen and preserved and aside from the vows traded, and the family and friends in attendance- are the most important part of a couples wedding day. Great photography should capture emotions, laughter, and accomplishments and transport anyone looking at them to the place and time they were taken. This is particularly important to my fiance and I because planning a destination wedding, while the best decision for us, certainly impacted the ability of our friends and family to attend. We want our pictures to reflect the love we have shared over the years and the love that will be at its highest peak on that day. Both of our grandmothers have faced health struggles this year and there seemed to be no happy medium in choosing a wedding location. My grandmother lives in GA, his in the Dominican Republic. Even though we are getting married in Punta Cana, his grandmother cannot travel to our wedding site. We agonized over the decision to get married somewhere where neither grandparent could travel but in our hearts knew we wanted to share the date with each. That is where photography comes in. Our photos are our way of insuring everyone- no matter their ability to travel, can partake in the most meaningful day of our lives.

Photography is so important to us and incorporated in all the aspects of our big day. Our table numbers will have photos from significant moments in our lives and wrapped around my bouquet I will be holding a locket with my grandmothers wedding picture. While there is nothing like having the physical presence of a loved one, a photo provokes a thousand memories- and I want to be surrounded by them on my wedding day. I also want to make new ones. I want the photos chronicling our wedding to be timeless, to last through the years as our love grows, to be present all around my house, as a reminder of the day I married my best friend, and as a memento to pass on to my future children. 

My friends and family often poke fun at the fact that I am always taking pictures. I always tell them "I'm trying to freeze time!", and while I am no professional- that is what photography should do. We want a photographer who can capture everything from our goofy silliness, to our serious "I do" moment and everything in between. We have a tall order for our photographer and are looking for someone to rise to the challenge. In the end, the only things I will be able to take away from my wedding day will be the memories-and the photos that captured them.

Hey DP1 the $1,000 charge is in writing. It's not on the calculator but it's in the packet the Romance Planner sent me. I also outright asked her (Lauren) because I still didn't believe it after I saw it and she confirmed it. For me, it's the only thing I didn't like about Paradius. Photography is so important to me so I'm planning on paying the fee. I think you can avoid it of the photographer is a guest. Another photographer said they stay for one night as a guest to get around the fee. Not sure if that trick will work but it's worth a shot. Even if the photographer stood for the minimum 3 days it's still slightly cheaper than the $1,000.

Hey Ev whats your date? I'm also getting married July 2013. We thought to do a site visit but once you book since the $500 is non-refundable I dont think seeing the resort would change anything. I almost went this week but I had a family emergency that forced me to fly to GA instead.

Wow this dress is amazing. Each pic got better and better. I love this dress which is rare for me to say. I'm super picky! It looks fantastic on you, congrats on your wedding!

I'm on the fence about Arrecife. I guess it depends on the photographer. I scoured their Facebook and looked at some shots which was cool because I got to see some locations as well. The $1,000 fee for an outside photographer was almost a deal breaker for me. Photography is one of the most important things for our big day because, well what's the point of such a stunning location if the photographs are not capturing the beauty.

Again, it depends on my budget. If the $1,000 fee is too much when we add everything together, then I might just have to trust Arrecife. They did have some gorgeous shots- I wasn't too much a fan of their TTD sessions and I MUST have a TTD lol not negotiable! We will see!

I'm finally sending my Save The Dates- we were going to do Passports from David's Bridal, but I pointed out to my fiance that because of their heaviness, they'd probably fall off people's fridges. 

We're going with Magnets from Wedding Paper Divas that we fell in love with.

I finally feel like I'm getting married! LOL It took us so long to narrow down a location and we went back and forth between Majestic and Paradisus.

Hi Tink,

I am a NYC Bride as well. I was born and raised in Queens but moved to the Bronx a few years ago. I haven't settled yet and Majestic is holding my date and I only have a week to respond with confirmation to hold. I'm on the fence but you said you went to a wedding there and I wanted to pick your brain for a few of my concerns. 

How many weddings happened the same day as the wedding you went to? I asked for a non-private dinner setup and they said I was not able to choose the location if it was a non-private event. I am concerned about there being multiple weddings on my same date and that being an issue in regards to getting my requested facilities. You clearly booked after getting married there which means you must have liked it.

Also, did your friend incur a change in price from what she was originally quoted? A few brides complained that the WC's tried to switch prices once they had already agreed on a set price since there is no actual contract signing- one of the things that worries me.

Thank you for whatever help you can provide!

Evelyn

Hello Ladies!

I'm very close to zeroing in on the Paradisus Palma Real as my location for my 2013 wedding. I've been under a great deal of stress with the back and forth between Travel Agents and resorts and reached my breaking point last night to the verge of tears! Ridiculous I know, but I listened to ill-advised Travel Agents (I've been through 4) and it's been a total nightmare. I finally just bought a calling card and started calling resorts myself.

Initially I wanted to book the Majestic Elegance but was rather disappointed in their handling of my emails and my actual phone call. None of my desired dates were available anyway- they were pushing me into hurricane season when it would be at its peak- a risk I am not willing to take. I also was not happy with the fact that they have 5 weddings a day. It felt like a wedding factory and as I expressed to my fiance, I had great concerns that if they could not handle so simple a request as availability of dates, they would be difficult to work with. I am still considering them by a thread- because they have an on-site chapel and they come with rave reviews, including from the mouths of people I know, but my gut instinct says to go elsewhere, so here I am.

Lauren the Romance Coordinator at Paradisus says they only do one wedding a day. Is this true? If so- that's amazing. They'd be one of the few resorts to provide that for brides- which is why I suspect they are slightly more pricey, but something I might be willing to pay the extra for. I see most brides on this thread have not yet wed. Anyone here a PAST BRIDE?

Luck in planning ladies, I look forward to exchanging ideas, pics, and info with you all.

Evelyn

Hello Ladies,

I am TRYING to be a 2013 Bride @ Elegance but have been going back and forth to secure a date. I'm so frustrated, I feel like I should just go down there but am worried the wedding coordinator won't even be available and I will have wasted money I'd rather save. 

I bought a calling card and have been calling but the number seems disconnected. I googled an alternate number which ended up being a Miami travel agency and the lady said to keep trying but that the number posted is the correct number. So aggravating!

My travel agent gets a response every few days but the wait is agonizing. My guests are beginning to call, text and ask for advance notice so they can take vacations and I can only tell them- "I'm working on it!"

Has anyone Successfully reached the resort through phone? I am exasperated! But from what people I know who have actually been there, posts on this website, and pictures, this resort really is my dream location. I considered The Dreams resort and Now Larimar but feel like I can't book sight unseen.

Worried, worried bride to be lol

Evelyn

Congrats on your wedding! Do you have any pictures you wouldn't mind sharing? I am having a super tough time figuring out quality resorts. I listened to 2 stupid travel agents who assured me 2013 brides would not book early and low and behold all our dates are taken! But Now has availability so I am curious about other brides' experiences. 

Evelyn

I am so frustrated trying to pick a resort! I just came across this one and am familiar with AMResorts who own Zoetry, Dreams, Now and Secrets. I like that the resort is smaller than some of the huge ones because its more intimate and I like that this resort seems to have more activities. When you went, were there a lot of kids? We only have 3 kids coming along but I don't want to stay at a children's central hotel. Also, could you please share your pics?

Thank you! 

Evelyn

You can email them to me at [email protected].

Carori- how expensive are the rooms? On the website it says from $213 and up, which is affordable but when I put in dates, the prices shoot up. I was hoping to get married here in late June 2013 or July. I am a teacher and want to get married when school is over. The Eternal Bliss Package is excellent for us price wise and we have about 50 people coming to our wedding- but not if the price is going to be exorbitant! We looked into the Majestic but it's like a wedding factory with 4-5 weddings a day and the dates we wanted are booked because we had a terrible travel agent who waited weeks to even call us back. She advised us not to go through the hotel ourselves because she'd negotiate better prices and the result was losing our date.

We have a new travel agent who has already contacted the hotel but it worries me that you and other brides are saying they take a while to return the communication. I thought a destination wedding was the easier alternative once I became frustrated by planing a wedding here. It's turning out to be quite the opposite!

How expensive are the rooms running your guests?

Worried Bride!

Evelyn