Paradisus Riviera Brides - POST HERE!

[bumbles]

Quick question: When and what time did you have your dress rehearsal? I am a little worried about people flying in at different times and having everyone present. Also, how long was your rehearsal? Were the WC present and were they flexible on timing? Many thanks!

[becks]

Honestly, we didn't do a rehearsal. I don't know if that's normal or not, but I've seen a lot of discussion that people don't do the rehearsal at DWs.

[Meredith]

Just based on my reading of the blogs, I think that a lot of people had the "rehearsal" dinner at the buffet restaurant...because from what I understand they have a really cool Mexican show there on certain nights.

 

I think they can reserve your tables and you can have rehearsal there (for free). That way, you can entertain your guests too! That is what I was planning on looking into anyway.

[robinbood]

Congratulations on your wedding! The picture is beautiful

[robinbood]

Missy,

 

i can't wait to see your review from your site visit!

[MissyR]

I am going to try and give you all a synopsis of our site visit – if you have specific questions just ask me and I can hopefully give you a detailed answer!

 

I will start by saying that I am sooo happy and excited that we chose the Paradisus – bar none excellent food, service, great hotel and two wonderful wedding planners. I had been corresponding with Perla for a few weeks before and had arranged to meet with her and Daniela (the former WC at Dreams Cancun and now Perla’s assistant).

 

We arrived on Friday around 1:00 – we rented a car from the airport and that was absolutely no trouble. Check in was great – quick, efficient and our room wasn’t ready so we went for lunch and just walked around the resort.

 

At 2:30 we met with Perla and Daniela in their office – we spent the next two hours going over all the questions and information I brought. I basically gave them a binder with all the things we had discussed previously (with pictures and prices agreed on) and we went through all of those.

 

I also had specific questions about everything – welcome dinner, ceremony, reception, food, decorations etc. and we spent a large chunk of the time going through these. They also have a few mock tables set up but I would suggest pictures always work best – we picked our linens and flowers.

 

In terms of centrepieces, I took down three boxes with me and Perla is storing them in her office until November. She wanted $50 per table (and I got everything for 10 tables for $135 taxes included).

 

I should also say that I had confirmed with Perla our menus for both dinner and cocktails weeks before we went (including prices). Perla suggested we do the tasting the following day (Saturday) which was fine with us.

 

On Saturday everything was set up in the private banquet hall, including a table with the linens we had chosen the day before. We were able to try all our appetizers (melon and prosciutto, beef brochette, chicken satay, mini sopes, shrimp with pineapple, vegetable strudel and quesadillas), and all the courses for our dinner (soup, salad, and all three main options) as well as the dessert.

 

Food was amazing, they had the banquet captain serving so we also got an opportunity taste the wines. We weren’t too excited about the red and you can bring in your own (with a corkage feee I am still waiting on the cost for this!)

 

All in all we were super happy with the food. Perla had also arranged for me to have a hair trial with Leticia on Saturday – bring pictures as she doesn’t speak a word of English but she did a great job and pretty much followed the pics to a tee.

 

On Sunday we chilled, Monday we went into Cancun to check out Costco and Walmart, and then met again with PErla on Tuesday to iron out all the last minute details. We also met with Victor from SWANK AUDIO; super nice, he is on Paradisus property and does the sound and music for all their functions etc.

 

We also had a chance to eat at all the a la cartes – Everything was awesome – loved the Mediterrean but everything was really really good – buffet always had a nice variety and healthy options as well which was nice!

 

We are having our welcome dinner in a private section of the buffet. Because of the time of year we are going - the resort is almost full, they would not close down one of the four a la cartes for our welcome dinner (which I totally understand) and there is no charge for the buffet - Perla is also setting up all my oot bags ahead of schedule and we will have a signature drink..

 

 

That’s my quick summary! Any questions fire away!

[robinbood]

Thanks for the great summary!!! You must be so excited!!! For the welcome dinner, is Perla sectioning off the area in the buffet for free? Was there a size limit for this (How many people in your party)?

[MissyR]

I am super excited! We have 54 confirmed right now - the sectioning off of the buffet is free of charge..

[yamille]

Thanks for the confidence boost Missy. I know that Paradisus is awesome but felt some anxiety after Elisa left since she is the one we coordinated everything with initially.

Glad that you are happy with everything.

[Meredith]

Thanks for the great info Missy! Are you doing a custom package or one of the hotel packages?

 

Also, did they charge you extra for your signature drink (what a great idea! - is that at the welcome dinner or the wedding)?

 

Thanks,

 

Meredith