Beach Palace????

[Nicolew412]

Originally Posted by saric83 

 

We used Zuniga, and I think we got in contact with them about a month or two before the wedding and got everything finalized and locked up a few weeks before.  It would definitely be difficult to decide what to use depending on where you're having the reception. But I didn't have any problem getting more of some of the bigger pieces of furniture, and I changed my mind on things just a few weeks before due to more peopel confirming that they were coming.  They were VERY helpful when I was emailing back and forth with them, so I'm sure they could easily let you know now if it would be a potential issue for the things you want to be booked out. 

Hi Saric83,

 

I had a question RE: your reception. How many guests did you have? I'm a little worried about the reception costs. They're adding up quick! My hopes are that my guests book 75+ room nights so I get the unlimited private function and cocktail hour. That will cover the food + alcohol costs of the reception, however I was told that it's still $30.00 per person to have your reception outdoors (even if you receive the free private function). Is this what you paid? Or did you have your reception indoors? I have also contacted Zuniga. I plan on having the reception on the sky terrace next to the pool. I have confirmed with Zuniga on getting floating candles, reception table decor, and purple lights under the table. I'd love to hear about what you had!

 

- Nicole

[saric83]

Hi Nicole!

 

We had about 40 people, and we didn't qualify for the free functions.  We did qualify for a cocktail hour, but we used that as a welcome cocktail hour the night before the wedding.  Honestly, I can't remember the exact amount of what we paid, but I think it was something like $400 for the overall rental fee for four tables of 10 + an additional $15 per person for the sky terrace location + an additional $200 to add a third hour.

 

For Zuniga, the only things that we rented from them were 15 tiki torches to add more lighting up there and two sets of lounge furniture sets with each set including a two-seater, two one-seaters and a coffee table.  We wanted to have more of a casual vibe, so I wanted to have additional seating set up.  They were really easy to work with, and I would totally recommend them! 

 

Please let me know if there's anything else I can help.  Good luck with the planning. : ) 

[Nicolew412]

Originally Posted by saric83 

 

Hi Nicole!

 

We had about 40 people, and we didn't qualify for the free functions.  We did qualify for a cocktail hour, but we used that as a welcome cocktail hour the night before the wedding.  Honestly, I can't remember the exact amount of what we paid, but I think it was something like $400 for the overall rental fee for four tables of 10 + an additional $15 per person for the sky terrace location + an additional $200 to add a third hour.

 

For Zuniga, the only things that we rented from them were 15 tiki torches to add more lighting up there and two sets of lounge furniture sets with each set including a two-seater, two one-seaters and a coffee table.  We wanted to have more of a casual vibe, so I wanted to have additional seating set up.  They were really easy to work with, and I would totally recommend them! 

 

Please let me know if there's anything else I can help.  Good luck with the planning. : ) 

Wow, with 40 people you didn't qualify for the private function? I was thinking with just 30 people (15 rooms at 5 nights each (at least)) it would bring us to 75 room nights which would allow us to qualify for unlimited private functions and cocktail hours. Eekk...I'm worried about all the additional fees if we don't qualify for it, but I guess it is what it is. I also opted out of doing the room block, because my wedding coordinator is allowing me to have all my guests book on one outside website (I chose travelocity.com). If they all book on one website, I can still qualify for the wedding group benefits. I'm just worried about not having rooms blocked, because it's a smaller hotel and I know a lot of my guests will book last minute. Was the hotel packed when you went, or did it seem like there was some vacant rooms?

[nursebrooke]

Originally Posted by saric83 

 

Hi Nicole!

 

We had about 40 people, and we didn't qualify for the free functions.  We did qualify for a cocktail hour, but we used that as a welcome cocktail hour the night before the wedding.  Honestly, I can't remember the exact amount of what we paid, but I think it was something like $400 for the overall rental fee for four tables of 10 + an additional $15 per person for the sky terrace location + an additional $200 to add a third hour.

 

For Zuniga, the only things that we rented from them were 15 tiki torches to add more lighting up there and two sets of lounge furniture sets with each set including a two-seater, two one-seaters and a coffee table.  We wanted to have more of a casual vibe, so I wanted to have additional seating set up.  They were really easy to work with, and I would totally recommend them! 

 

Please let me know if there's anything else I can help.  Good luck with the planning. : ) 

Were you happy with the decision to have the cocktail hour as a welcome cocktail hour instead? This is what we were going to choose. Thanks!!

[saric83]

We had a lot of friends who just flew in for 2-3 nights; one couple who stayed at another resort, and a few who booked at the resort through their timeshare, so I'm sure you won't have an issue!

 

Our wedding was in the beginning of December, and it was only about 40% occupancy, so it was no problem at all! 

[saric83]

Definitely!  We just paid a bit more to have an extra hour added to the reception, so we still had three full hours.  We (correctly) assumed that our friends and family would run to their fav bars in the place while we were wrapping up photos.  They were all also taking pictures of themselves on the beach and the rooftop, so I'm glad we didn't specifically have a set-up in another location for a formal cocktail hour before dinner since very few of them would have been there to enjoy it.

[JenniBassler]

Does anyone know if you get the 75 nights how strict they are on the 3 hour max per day? I think I want to do a cocktail hour while we are taking photos, but I want the reception to go longer than the 2 hours after that. Do they enforce that pretty strictly or do they usually let you keep going? If they charge, do you know how much? We are going to be there 7 nights and have invited our guests for 5 nights. I don't plan on doing many events except something the night before and then the big event itself so I think I should be able to bank some hours, ha!

[mehganc]

Originally Posted by JenniBassler 

 

Does anyone know if you get the 75 nights how strict they are on the 3 hour max per day? I think I want to do a cocktail hour while we are taking photos, but I want the reception to go longer than the 2 hours after that. Do they enforce that pretty strictly or do they usually let you keep going? If they charge, do you know how much? We are going to be there 7 nights and have invited our guests for 5 nights. I don't plan on doing many events except something the night before and then the big event itself so I think I should be able to bank some hours, ha!

 

For my reception, the wedding coordinator told us to remember to leave before the reception was over, so we would not be charged for the additional time. I can't remember exactly what the cost associated was, but I want to say it was $50 per table per hour. I'm sure the enforcement varies, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Fortunately, our reception was on the south terrace, so we just moved to the other side to enjoy the pool/hot tub/bar.

[TammyWright]

TA Wendy was designated as the Le Blanc Spa and Palace Resort Ambassador.

 

This is an honor bestowed upon her for her outstanding knowledge of the Palace and Le Blanc product and her history of being one of their top agents.

 

So what does this mean for our clients?  It means that anyone that books at Palace Resorts or Le Blanc Spa through Wendy will receive $100 Travel Impressions Future Travel Credit*.

Check out the Link to the thread for more information.

[Nicolew412]

For any past Beach Palace brides- just curious, how close to your wedding date did most of your guests book their trips? I am about 5 months away and we're only at 33 room nights, around 10 people I know there are a few more guaranteed booking, but I'm just nervous. I invited 70 people, and only a couple have sent back the RSVP cards saying they can't go. So there are still so many up in the air. I hope people make it! Also, I was wondering for any past beach palace brides that didn't have a huge wedding party- how was the private dinner reservation after the ceremony? If we don't have at least 30 people, we aren't going to have a big reception. Instead, we're going to utilize the dinner reservation for 30 people that the wedding package comes with. But I still want to have first dance, cake cutting, etc...I wonder how "private" the dinner reservation really is? Like is it private enough to have a ipod dock setup for background music? Any help would be great! Thanks, Nicole