Paradisus Riviera Brides - POST HERE!

[Freckles]

Hi everyone,

 

We have asked Perla a couple times now what the status is on our fees and have heard nothing except she is still looking into it for us. We are so frustrated about this whole thing and wonder if this will get sorted out before the wedding, we dont want to have to worry about this for the next month!

 

We dont plan on paying the 15% of SWANKs original astronomical quote, we were never informed of this rule before we recieved the quote, we never would have asked for a quote if we knew we would have to pay for it!!

 

Does anyone know from previous experience or have heard if someone from SWANK is physically there during the reception to supervise Carlos or is it just the fee we have to pay for a "specialzed technician"? I mentioned this to Carlos and he seemed surprised and said he has never had someone there and has never had any problems with the resort.

[sandra1976]

Quote:

Originally Posted by becks Do any of you have the contract from SWANK? When I was there, he had a contract that was specific for the outside vendor stuff. I'm looking for it now, but am afraid it may be long gone. That's were all my fees were oulined. I'll keep looking, but yes, those fees look pretty dumb to me. I'd really push back on that. The figures are obscene!

I have the contract that he sent me that says that you have to pay $55/hr for supervision with a minimum of 4 hours plus the amp charge..... Then now I get this....

[sandra1976]

Quote:

Originally Posted by becks FOUND IT!!! Ask Perla for the current copy (mine is old) - and then detail out the fees described in the contract and compare it to what she's saying.

Yes that is the one i have as well ....

[sandra1976]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freckles Hi everyone, We have asked Perla a couple times now what the status is on our fees and have heard nothing except she is still looking into it for us. We are so frustrated about this whole thing and wonder if this will get sorted out before the wedding, we dont want to have to worry about this for the next month! We dont plan on paying the 15% of SWANKs original astronomical quote, we were never informed of this rule before we recieved the quote, we never would have asked for a quote if we knew we would have to pay for it!! Does anyone know from previous experience or have heard if someone from SWANK is physically there during the reception to supervise Carlos or is it just the fee we have to pay for a "specialzed technician"? I mentioned this to Carlos and he seemed surprised and said he has never had someone there and has never had any problems with the resort.

I get the same run around still looking into it and nothing.... I will see her in person tomorrow and then she needs to look into it right then and there.

[sandra1976]

Ok I can see the light at the end of the tunnel after going through all correspondence I have had with Paradisus both Perla and Daniela I have found an e-mail where Daniela clearly states that the Extrenal dj fee is 300.00..... Therefore, I have printed it and highlighted it nice and bright to take with me....

[yamille]

This is outrageous. It is adding a whole other element of stress to this planning process. Sandra - well since you are flying down I guess she will have to give you a straight answer! Can't wait to hear....

[navarrabrooke]

Hi there - I am new to the forum and also a Paradisus bride. We just firmed up our date and location earlier this month with Perla. Now we're starting to concentrate on the details - in particular the music.

 

Instead of doing live music (which would be our first choice) or a DJ, we are considering going the iPod route. Though I did receive a quote from Luis at Swank for $1466. But after reading some of the earlier posts, does this mean even if I don't use them I will be billed for 15% of the original quote? Also, is $1466 for 4 hours reasonable?

 

We would love to do live music, but $1200 for 45 minutes is unfortunately not within our budget. Is anyone doing live music and able to find a better deal?

 

If we do go with the iPod, can anyone tell me what arrangements we will need to make? We'll need a sound system of course. We also would like to do a projection screen so we can air a photo slideshow during the cocktail hour and buffet and then play our favorites music DVDs for the dance party - sorta like a concert experience. I have asked about this from Perla, but have not heard back. Do we use Swank for the equipment or does the resort take care of that? Any advice you can give is very much appreciated!!!

 

Happy to have found and be a part of this forum!

 

Thanks!

Brooke

[Freckles]

Sandra I cant believe your wedding is 3 days away and they havent sorted it out yet!!! Im not paying more than the 300$ fee, I have it in writing as well that was the external DJ fee. This is outrageous we have to worry about this on top of everything else, and for you not to have it sorted yet is crazy, they wont be able to ignore you face to face! Good luck, keep us posted! Besides this DJ situation though try and have a great time down there and congrats on your wedding!

[KLC77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by navarrabrooke Hi there - I am new to the forum and also a Paradisus bride. We just firmed up our date and location earlier this month with Perla. Now we're starting to concentrate on the details - in particular the music. Instead of doing live music (which would be our first choice) or a DJ, we are considering going the iPod route. Though I did receive a quote from Luis at Swank for $1466. But after reading some of the earlier posts, does this mean even if I don't use them I will be billed for 15% of the original quote? Also, is $1466 for 4 hours reasonable? We would love to do live music, but $1200 for 45 minutes is unfortunately not within our budget. Is anyone doing live music and able to find a better deal? If we do go with the iPod, can anyone tell me what arrangements we will need to make? We'll need a sound system of course. We also would like to do a projection screen so we can air a photo slideshow during the cocktail hour and buffet and then play our favorites music DVDs for the dance party - sorta like a concert experience. I have asked about this from Perla, but have not heard back. Do we use Swank for the equipment or does the resort take care of that? Any advice you can give is very much appreciated!!! Happy to have found and be a part of this forum! Thanks! Brooke

Hey Brooke, welcome to the thread. I used an ipod for my wedding because the costs for a dj or live music were just out of our budget. We brought down our bose docking station for the ipod and it worked great. We did have a smallish group of people~ 28 so for us the ipod was the perfect thing. And the bose was definitely loud enough. I believe that Swank provides the equipment for a slideshow. One of the other brides on the thread is using the same thing. I can't remember who off the top of my head...

[navarrabrooke]

Thanks, Kelly! Great idea with the Bose. We're planning for about the same amount of people - around 30. Where was your reception? We're doing ours on the Reef Grill deck - the Chill Out chic package with buffet.