Dreams Palm Beach vs. Excellence Punta Cana ???

[jaimeLe318]

Hi Ladies! I could really use your help. I have read a lot of information about Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana and it all sounds GREAT but I've also read a lot of great things about other resorts. I have been weighing pros and cons and need some opinions. I plan to get married in July 2011 and I can't help but feeling that there will be a lot of children at the resort (I plan to have an Adults only group of 30 or more) and I also read that the only reception location that caters to a group that large is the main buffet or you can pay $40+ pp to have a reception in a private ballroom. I then heard from a family friend that Excellence is a great choice because it's adults only and there are more reception location options. I did not do much research because I am exhausted from reading about Dreams! I also didn't see much on ceremonys that took place at the gazebo (I choose to not get married on the beach). Is there a great price difference between the two if anyone knows? I would appreciate any help I can get!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks

Jaime

[Chelymo]

Jaime:

 

I can't tell you much about any other resort as I got married at Dreams Palm Beach, but I can tell you that if you don't want kids around then don't choose Dreams. It is definitely kid friendly during the day. Regarding the gazebo and the beach there is no price difference. If you have any questions regarding DPB I can surely help.

 

Good luck!

[sungoddess_08]

We got married at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana (amazing choice -- could not be happier) and we spent our honeymoon at Dreams Palm Beach. I saw three weddings and wanted to give my opinion. I personally felt the gazebo was not a nice location (right between the lobby and noisy pool). The first wedding I saw was at 1pm, the bride walked out from the lobby and everyone was sitting in the pool watching her (sure this will happen most resorts) but there was no walkway for the bride, everyone could see her the entire way and she had to stop halfway for pictures -- it just looked awkward.

The next wedding was at 3pm and I felt so bad for the first bride because she came by the gazebo at 2:30 and there was a completely different set -up. I imagine she felt a little disapointed when she saw it.

The other wedding was on the beach, and again -- no privacy. People were lined up the whole way and others were standing in the water RIGHT between the bride and groom (and will be in every picture).

The resort is nice, but if you are looking for that extra special feeling, I didn't get it from this resort. I was lucky at the GPPC and I guess after having mine I was more aware of the differences.

Just an opinion because the gazebo looks great in pictures, but once I saw the location on the resort it was disappointing.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions -- we liked the resort for our honeymoon!

[nbulldog19]

I got married at Excellence because I had 40 people coming with no kids and it just made sense. We are sort of a rowdy bunch and I didnt want to worry about that with kids present and 5 of my best friends are Teachers and it was a really nice break to travel without kids. I know you are exhausted from looking at places but check out the Excellence planning thread. The staff really go out of their way to make your day special. All 40 people loved it and some are even heading back next year. There is a gazebo which is nice but I don't know how many people it holds. I got married on the beach because it was on of the reasons I wanted a destination wedding. Dreams is defintitely more affordable for your guests (I think on average maybe 200 dollars) but Excellence truly is a palace and the wedding packages are great. No hidden fees at the end of the day and they went above and beyond what I expected. Hope this helps!

[jaimeLe318]

Thank you so much girls for your input - everyone on here really is so helpful!