Semi Private ceremony in Punta Cana?

[Mindy]

Hello everyone!

My finance and I finally decided on Punta Cana for our wedding. However, we have yet to select a resort. What I really want is a place where the ceremony can be at least semi private. Some of the places we have looked at set up the wedding right next to the volleyball court on the beach or the gazebo is right by the pool. Does anyone have any suggestions about where to go? We also need it to be kid friendly. Please Help!

Some of the places we are considering are:

Occidental Grand

Paradisus Punta Cana

Majestic Colonial

Dreams

Iberostar

Melia Caribe Tropical

Edenh Real

 

Thanks!

Mindy

[foxytv]

We got married at PPC and the gazebo is on a hill, just off the beach. People from the beach could see it, but weren't close enough for us to feel that they were infringing on our day. I would say it's definitely "semi-private."

 

Also, we had a beach reception, but it was 100% private b/c the put up palm fronds around the exterior, which made it impossible for people to see into the reception unless they happened to walk by along the shoreline of the beach.

 

I highly recommend both of those options. We - and our guests - continue to rave about it.

 

Here are a few pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the palm fronds behind the buffett table for reception privatization.

 

 

 

[foxytv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGroom Foxy, so beautiful pictures..I can't for my sons wedding. We will do the dances on the gazebo. First dance for bride and groom, Bride and father, and of course me and my baby boy. I am more excited then when I had my wedding in the DR 4 years ago. hugs MOGroom

Thank you!!!! It was absolutely perfect and I know your son's will be as well!

I am sure you can do a reception area near the gazebo .... but it's kind of hilly there, and deeper sand. Our reception was in an area a little farther down, where the volleyball court is during the day, so the wooden deck was our dance floor.

Are you just planning to do the dances at the gazebo, or the whole reception?

Can't wait to see pics of the wedding! It will bring back such memories!!!

[foxytv]

thank you! I felt like an angel that day. :-)

 

I can't wait to live vicariously through your planning process ... and will be in anticipation of December 2009 to see those pics of your son and soon to be DIL!!!

[Mindy]

Thank you both so much for your insight. Your review is actually what put PPC over the top for us. I know you had some issues with them charging you too much but I figured we will just watch out for that. I do have one question. Is there an option of having the reception on a terrace? I thought I saw something in the information they sent us about an outdoor, covered terrace. Thanks again for all of the info. I'm sure I will be posting many more questions.

[KatyKo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGroom I have toured all of these resorts 3 weeks ago and here is my personal opinion Occidental Grand. To old, no gazebo…food not good Paradisus Punta Cana, The best and my personal choice for my sons special day.Beautiful gazebo on a private part of the resort and beach Majestic Colonial, nice gazebo but in front of the lobby. Also it’s a wedding factory. over 3 weddings per day. Beach pictures include guys in speedos be careful Dreams. Gazebo is in front of the lobby and not private,gazebo has no breeze and is very hot Iberostar, Older resort,not recomended for a wedding Melia Caribe Tropical. Very nice but resort is to big Edenh Real, wedding department is not ready, 4 different coordinators in less then 10 months. No Gazebo only beach wedding and if it rains all they have is lobby to offer

I just got a little nauseous reading this post. I am getting married at Occidental in June and couldn't afford to actually visit the resort...so I have put my trust in my travel agent. I hope that I have not been put at a resort that isn't very nice. Yikes

[foxytv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindy Thank you both so much for your insight. Your review is actually what put PPC over the top for us. I know you had some issues with them charging you too much but I figured we will just watch out for that. I do have one question. Is there an option of having the reception on a terrace? I thought I saw something in the information they sent us about an outdoor, covered terrace. Thanks again for all of the info. I'm sure I will be posting many more questions.

The covered terrace is part of the lobby, and it's right by the Lobby Bar and where the tram picks you up and drops you off - so while the terrace is beautiful, I don't particularly recommend it. Plus it is as far away from the beach as you can get in the entire resort.

[KatyKo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGroom Please forgive me if i upset you, this was not my intent. I was only comparing Occidental to the other resorts not to all resorts in PC. I actually stayed at Occidental 4 weeks ago when I toured for our sons wedding.. The only thing I would strongly suggest is that you book Royal Club. The resident manager is actually a friend our our family and I would never want to put his resort down. I was only comparing my own personal opinion of the stated resorts for wedding options. The resort while older is actually verty very clean and the grounds are beautifully manicured. I was so not impressed with the buffet and the line ups there where horrific. But if you book Royal Club they do have a very nice private restaurent on the beach and the rooms are very quaint. Again I am so sorry if i upset you, I am sure your wedding will be very beautiful. Please let me know if you want my friends name at the resort if you need anything at all he can help you. MOGroom

It is okay. I know it was just your opinion, I am just already a little nervous about the whole thing just because I have never even been out of the country or planned anything this big before. Thank you for the reassurance. Unfortunately our budget does not allow for us to book the Royal Club...I can thank teacher's salaries and the economy for that one. But since I have never been to a resort and I am pretty easy to please, I'm sure that the resort will just be fine for me.

I hope I didn't make you feel bad for posting your opinion, it just kinda threw me to see that. Thanks again for the post, I appreciate it.

Good luck planning!

[Andic16]

Hello Foxy,

 

Thanks for the review, your pictures look beautiful! My fiance and I are trying to decide on a resort for our wedding next April and are strongly considering the Paradisus Punta Cana. I just have a couple of concerns that I thought you might be able to clear up for me. I friend who has visited the resort recently has told me that she did not see a disco, however, the resort website says they do have a weekend disco? We are hoping to partake in some nightly dancing and debauchery. Is this the place for us? 

 

Also, we would like to have our reception on the beach as well but I'm wondering if sand fleas are an issue in the evening?

 

Any insight on these issues would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Andrea