Costa Rica April 2010

[imthepriya]

80-100 guests, Indian-Catholic mixed wedding, but not a BIG religious ceremony, just small. We want a nice 1 hour cocktail hour, and a long reception with dancing....I need to how long do normal DW's go until, and do they all have dancing...or do they head to the bar after dinner?

So far in the running is Paradisus Playa Conchal, we're getting our TA to price out packages.

In the process of doing tons of research!
Any advice would help!

-Priya in AZ

[~Melissa~]

Oh wow you're having a wonderful turnout with 80-100 guests! That will be so much fun in Costa Rica. I wouldn't say there is any time limits on DW events because they're all customizable. Plenty of DW's have events throughout the week leading up to the big day. I'm sure your resort to cater to any requests that you have for your cocktail hour and reception. I know my DW had a reception with dancing throughout the night but we didn't really have a cocktail hour just an hour break in between the ceremony and dinner so we could get some photos in and our guests could get comfortable for the evening if they wished to change clothes or go to the bar and have a drink to cool down.

[TheFutureMrs.Sears]

My sister stayed at that hotel and can not stop talking about!!! She absolutely loved it!! As far as the reception, I think it depends on where you are having it, for example I'm renting out an entire restaurant and my WC said that the reception cannot go past 11pm.

[IrishKatie]

Hi Priya! I am getting married at Paradisus as well this November. I think you are the other Indian wedding Paola is telling us about, LOL. We are doing separate civil and Hindu ceremonies though.

We'll have the Hindu ceremony in the morning, then a break then the civil ceremony at sunset. Then we will have cocktail hour, reception with dinner and dancing, and then I'm guessing that we'll head to the disco/bar.

We actually went to CR this past November to check out the resort, to meet with Paola and figure out where we want to do the two ceremonies as well as smaller ceremonies like the mehndi 'n stuff. Not sure if you have been yet, but it is gorgeous!! And Paola is amazing! You'll absolutely love it.

Anyway, I would be interested to hear how your planning is going!!

[costapretty]

Hi Priya!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding - so exciting! One of the coolest trends right now in the wedding industry is the ability to personalize your wedding and so you are free to break from tradition and really do what you want. So I would just think about how you imagine the day and go with that

If you are looking for any ideas/inspiration feel free to check out my blog: Costa Pretty

Have fun with all the planning!

Kristin

[Ask.CostaRica]

Priya,

 

For the kind of turnout you are getting you will be happy to be at Paradisus. You will be able to have your celebration go on as late as you like. Other smaller hotels are strict about party hours. Paola will probably set you up with a cocktail bar while you are getting your photos done. This will also keep your guests and family close by for photos with them. Do remember to time yourself to have light, Costa Rica has no daylight saving and with a big group like yours, you want to give yourself ample time for photos at sunset. Congrats!

[jerilyndrummond]

I was also looking at getting married at the paradisus playa conchal. I was wondering what the prices are like? Any information would really help!

[kjw]

Hi jerilyndrummond! I am also thinking about Paradisus Playa Conchal and just received a quick quote from them for April 2011. It ranges from $260-$509 for double occupancy. Unfortunately, I think this is more than I want my guest to spend so this place may be out for me....

 

Too bad, because it is getting rave reviews and each time I look at it I want to go even more!!

[Ask.CostaRica]

kjw,

 

It seems steep but break it down. Anywhere you have breakfast lunch & dinner in Costa Rica is about $20-30 for breakies, $45 for lunch and $100 for dinner (behaving with booze consumption), that is $175 just in food (not all you can eat or drink). So, you are really paying $90 for lodging. There are some hotels with lower prices but still have to fork out for meals. Just wanted to give you some info on meal prices at restaurants for you to consider.

[Ask.CostaRica]

kjw,

 

It seems steep but break it down. Anywhere you have breakfast lunch & dinner in Costa Rica is about $20-30 for breakies, $45 for lunch and $100 for dinner (behaving with booze consumption), that is $175 just in food (not all you can eat or drink). So, you are really paying $90 for lodging. There are some hotels with lower prices but still have to fork out for meals. Just wanted to give you some info on meal prices at restaurants for you to consider.