Paradisus Riviera Brides - POST HERE!

[navarrabrooke]

Hi avong1228 - I'm sending you the stuff that I have on file to your Yahoo email. Look out for it.

[navarrabrooke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimmieT Hello! I'm getting married at the Paradisus on January 7th.... YES i know - it's creeping up big time! We're getting a little nervous because of some of the negative reviews on TripAdvisor - however - i've been told to just ignore the site. I'm wondering how everyone else's experience was with the hotel. Are all the negative comments about justified? Some other questions; how is the DJ from SWANK? Do they play good / fun music? If you don't mind me asking... what did you choose for food? We've choosen the AQUA Package with the Chill Out Chic lounges on the beach. Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated... we are extremely excited, but anxious at the same time. Our guests are spending all this money to stay at this hotel and we're hoping they are not disappointed - after-all we picked this hotel!

Hi Kimmie -

We loved the resort! I really didn't find any of the things mentioned on TripAdvisor to be true. As I mentioned in my review, the only complaint we had with the resort was the restaurant reservations situation, but hopefully that was an isolated incident for us because of the convention that overlapped our stay.

Working with Luis from Swank was great! We did the iPod thing, but used their equipment and lighting.

For food, we chose a variety and everyone loved the food - caprese salad, sushi, shrimp creole over pasta, beef medallions, BBQ pork ribs. For the cocktail hour, we chose the following hors d'oeuvres: fried shrimp and bacon (HUGE hit!), puff pastry sausages, taquitos, guacamole and sangrita shots.

We were worried about that too, but our guests loved the resort. In fact, many of them want to go back (even despite the restaurant debacle). The place is gorgeous and the staff was great. Seriously, we wish we were still there! Your guests will love it!


Congrats & good luck!

Brooke

[avong1228]

I finally talked to Perla and thankfully I did call as she said she never received my emails. She sent me the wedding calculator and now I am thoroughly confused! Wish brides, if I go with that option which I hear is the least expensive if you want to add on, does the arch not come decorated at all? Also, for the rose petal aisle ... will they let me spread my own if I buy a bag of fake ones?? Seems really expensive.

 

I guess I need to put it all in a spreadsheet but not seeing how the Wish vs the other packages are less expensive if you want to have a cocktail hour and dinner.

 

Did anyone do a day after brunch?

 

Any advice?

[KLC77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by avong1228 I finally talked to Perla and thankfully I did call as she said she never received my emails. She sent me the wedding calculator and now I am thoroughly confused! Wish brides, if I go with that option which I hear is the least expensive if you want to add on, does the arch not come decorated at all? Also, for the rose petal aisle ... will they let me spread my own if I buy a bag of fake ones?? Seems really expensive. I guess I need to put it all in a spreadsheet but not seeing how the Wish vs the other packages are less expensive if you want to have a cocktail hour and dinner. Did anyone do a day after brunch? Any advice?

Hmm, I don't know about spreading fake flower petals if you're planning your ceremony on the beach. Someone would have to clean them all up and you wouldn't want to litter if it was windy and they blew around at all.

We found that the least expensive way to go was to ignore all the package details and just email Perla exactly what we wanted. Then she gave a us prices for everything and we went from there. It was easier and less expensive than rearranging the packages to meet our needs.

Also, when you email Perla your best bet is to send one long detailed email. Number your questions and put them in categories or some sort of list. That way she will respond to all of them. If you send multiple emails she is more likely to miss one or miss a question. Just a tip from what I learned along the way!

We didn't do a brunch, but we did a welcome dinner which went well and there was no charge as we had it during one of the nightly shows with a buffet.

[navarrabrooke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by avong1228 I finally talked to Perla and thankfully I did call as she said she never received my emails. She sent me the wedding calculator and now I am thoroughly confused! Wish brides, if I go with that option which I hear is the least expensive if you want to add on, does the arch not come decorated at all? Also, for the rose petal aisle ... will they let me spread my own if I buy a bag of fake ones?? Seems really expensive. I guess I need to put it all in a spreadsheet but not seeing how the Wish vs the other packages are less expensive if you want to have a cocktail hour and dinner. Did anyone do a day after brunch? Any advice?

I completely agree with Kelly. We switched gears mid-way through the planning and went the a la carte route still using most of the elements of the chill-out package and it was significantly cheaper. Your best bet is compiling an organized list of numbered questions (at times mine were 20+ questions long) and try to send it a week before you actually need the answers. Such as when you're gathering details for your invitations, etc.

We also did not do a brunch, but you could probably arrange one at the Caribbean Marketplace, which is what we did for the Welcome Dinner.

[KJ Shea]

Hi Ladies,

My FI and I stayed here for 10 days a few years ago and it was an amazing vacation. Everything was top notch. We absolutely loved it there. Although, we did not see any Weddings during our stay which was in early December.

[egsarah]

Alright girls it is finally my time....we are leaving tomorrow and getting married on Saturday. I don't have time to do a planning thread now but I'll do a belated one and wedding review when I get back! I'll be sure to post pictures too!!

[avong1228]

That's fantastic! I'm sure it will be fabulous and can't wait to hear all about it!

[Steve&Julia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by avong1228 That's fantastic! I'm sure it will be fabulous and can't wait to hear all about it!

Congrats, all the best

[featherchick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMB&CRZ Ok, so I have finally figured out my performance part that I wanted. I am going to have a water and drums performance. It's going to be a surprise for everyone (won't even tell my parents) so I hope they like it!

SMB&CRZ:
Hey I have also been looking hardcore for something for our cocktail hour, I would love say a mariachi band or something, but I just think that $750 is too much. I guess I don't understand what a water and drums show is? More details please, like cost, etc. Thanks!
~Lacie