Paradisus Punta Cana (PPC) Brides POST HERE!!

[SarahNBobby]

Thank you Dee! I am going to ask about the $300 electrical fee because she didn't mention that.  She said he'd have to bring his own equipment but they won't charge him because he'll be a guest.  And I am going to ask tomorrow about the $1000 outside photographer; I agree it sounds like they are trying to bully you and if that's the case, the resort needs to be aware of their action from a "preferred vendor". 

One more question, once I pay the $500 deposit, they told me nothing is due until 45 days prior to my arrival for my wedding.  Is this accurate? I'm having anywhere from 40-80 people coming and I'm choosing the Chill Out Package.  An extra 60-70 a head will be pretty expensive, but I don't see any ways around that.  Anyone have suggestions there?

THANKS FOR THE HELP BRIDES and BRIDES TO BE!

[cdc150]

I'm very upset, this is what I received this evening, I'm afraid my photography price using an outside vendor is going up or she's going to back out....

 

Dear Cortney,

 

I apologize for any inconvenience that this information may caused you.

 

But as Ms. Taimir Mejia explain you; according the exclusive contract that Arrecife Studio has with Paradisus. All the external photographer companies that will be covering a wedding event or any other event inside Paradisus must pay a penalty fee by providing service within the property.

 

This penalty fee, is sole responsibility of the outside vendor that offers such services, to opt for a permit to use the property, to do their job, this fee only applies for each outside vendor, not for you as customers.

 

This means that each couple that will get married in any Paradisus must pay a day pass fee US$120 per person for the personal photographer company that you hire directly can have access to the property, but this external vendor must pay a Penalty fee for making use the property facilities to provide private services.

 

 

This has been a decision taken by Senior (Top) Management, which was definitive on January 01^st, 2012. This week, this information was circulated to all outside photographer vendors established in Bavaro, Punta Cana

 

Any question that you may have, please feel free to contact us,

 

 

Kind regards,

 

MIGUELINA MARTINEZ

Romance Assistant

Paradisus Punta Cana Resort

Tel: +1. 809.687.9923 Ext. 8372

[sfumosa]

Hey Ladies,

 

I was wondering if there are any PPC brides who would be willing to share their group rates for their guests? I received a rate from our travel agent of $140 pr person, per night based on double occupancy. $129 based on triple. My FI and I were originally going with Dreams because it was highly recommended and moderately priced, but Paradisus just seems to be on a different level amazing. I don't know what to do because it'll cost about a $1000 per person for 3 days, including airfare. Seems like a huge monetary burden on our guests... 

[deesanders33]

CDC, Wow I wonder if HDC is going to back out now. Should I email them you think?? I don't like Arrecife Studio!!! His emails are so rude and his customer service sucks! I guess since he has this contract with them now he just doesn't care how he speaks to us. Has anyone heard from their photographers? I really hope HDC doesn't cancel!! I wonder if it is $1000 for a permit for a year or something like that, because $1000 per wedding is ridiculous!

[cdc150]

Dee, I would talk to your girl at destionationweddings.com before contacting HDC.  My agent sent the email over to the vendor relations department to help get this taken care of.  Because even if the vendor is responsible for the cost, they are just going to charge it back to us or back out completely.  I am not a fan of Arrecife's photography, just not my taste level, and they are so over priced its ridiculous.    I will keep everyone posted as I find out more, but I think the more of you who are in uproars about it the better it will be for all of us.  Ugh so frustrating, just as I was getting excited that our wedding is less than 4 months away we have this drama. 
 

Originally Posted by deesanders33 

CDC, Wow I wonder if HDC is going to back out now. Should I email them you think?? I don't like Arrecife Studio!!! His emails are so rude and his customer service sucks! I guess since he has this contract with them now he just doesn't care how he speaks to us. Has anyone heard from their photographers? I really hope HDC doesn't cancel!! I wonder if it is $1000 for a permit for a year or something like that, because $1000 per wedding is ridiculous!

 

[ayansi08]

Hi Sfumosa-

 

I'm on the same boat as you!

 

However, after speaking to my planner today, she also suggested having our guests stay at a hotel nearby. She suggested Occidental Grand Punta Cana. It's so close, guest can walk over from the beach. With this option however, your guest will have to pay for a daily pass of $97 to enter PPC.

 

Once I get my rate from TA I will let you know  

 

Originally Posted by sfumosa 

Hey Ladies,

 

I was wondering if there are any PPC brides who would be willing to share their group rates for their guests? I received a rate from our travel agent of $140 pr person, per night based on double occupancy. $129 based on triple. My FI and I were originally going with Dreams because it was highly recommended and moderately priced, but Paradisus just seems to be on a different level amazing. I don't know what to do because it'll cost about a $1000 per person for 3 days, including airfare. Seems like a huge monetary burden on our guests... 

 

[cdc150]

Hi Sfumosa, 

Airfare to PC from Philly was about $600 for my guests.  It was about $150 per night per person.   We had 51 people book our wedding, and most people are staying 4-5 nights.  I think people who want to come will come and also try to make a vacation out of it.  I wouldn't worry, people who want to go will go!
 

Originally Posted by sfumosa 

Hey Ladies,

 

I was wondering if there are any PPC brides who would be willing to share their group rates for their guests? I received a rate from our travel agent of $140 pr person, per night based on double occupancy. $129 based on triple. My FI and I were originally going with Dreams because it was highly recommended and moderately priced, but Paradisus just seems to be on a different level amazing. I don't know what to do because it'll cost about a $1000 per person for 3 days, including airfare. Seems like a huge monetary burden on our guests... 

 

[cdc150]

I've stayed at the Occidental Grand before, and its beautiful! 
 

Originally Posted by ayansi08 

Hi Sfumosa-

 

I'm on the same boat as you!

 

However, after speaking to my planner today, she also suggested having our guests stay at a hotel nearby. She suggested Occidental Grand Punta Cana. It's so close, guest can walk over from the beach. With this option however, your guest will have to pay for a daily pass of $97 to enter PPC.

 

Once I get my rate from TA I will let you know  

 

 

 

[maridr2012]

Ayansi08:  Is Theresa's fee as wedding planner high?  I also had the pleasure of working with her shortly before she was let go, and she was wonderful.  Unfortunately, by the time I actually paid my deposit and locked in my date, she was already gone.  I may very well reach out to her.  I already booked PPC for my November 2012 wedding, and all of the posts on here are starting to really concern me.  

 

I definitely DONT want to use Arrecife.  I dont like the style of their photography...I've seen so many of their photos on blogs and they leave me un-impressed.  I'm leaning towards HDC...so I need to get on the ball very quickly about finding out for sure what all these penalties and extra fees are.  PPC is very expensive and even though I'm having about 80 people for my wedding, they weren't willing to provide a group rate unless I signed a contract...which I'm not willing to take on that financial responsibility.  Its ridiculous that they are now trying to find ways to upcharge bridal couples now for not using their preferred photographer..which sorry to be blunt...SUCKS A$$.

 

 

[Janet1480]

Miguelina's email wasnt clear and agreeing that the fee was $1000.00 ....perhaps she was agreeing that their was a fee but she only mentionned the $120 day pass per head. I could be wrong but you may want to confirm that? You may want to also ask her about other photogs as she said the info was circulated to established vendors in Bavaro.

 

I am already married but if i were still planning or had an upcoming wedding, I would be emailing the Miami Head office and making a HUGE stink. If you have already booked they cant just all of a sudden throw these surprise costs into the mix and they certainly cant force you to use a vendor that you dislike for one of the most important days of your life. If they are going to force people to use vendors they should have more then one option. I would also be complaining about this "preferred" vendors attitude and rudeness as i'm sure the sol melia chain would appreciate their "preferred" vendors treat their clients as they should be treated. 

 

I'd be threatening to pull my wedding which would mean lost revenue of the wedding plus lost revenue from "X" amount of guests. I'd also be letting them know that you would be sure to spread the word (which is happening anyway) on these forums and tripadvisor etc......the resort will quickly change their tune. 

 

Miguelina is great but you need to speak to that "top" management person. 

 

Good luck ladies. 
 

Originally Posted by cdc150 

I'm very upset, this is what I received this evening, I'm afraid my photography price using an outside vendor is going up or she's going to back out....

 

Dear Cortney,

 

I apologize for any inconvenience that this information may caused you.

 

But as Ms. Taimir Mejia explain you; according the exclusive contract that Arrecife Studio has with Paradisus. All the external photographer companies that will be covering a wedding event or any other event inside Paradisus must pay a penalty fee by providing service within the property.

 

This penalty fee, is sole responsibility of the outside vendor that offers such services, to opt for a permit to use the property, to do their job, this fee only applies for each outside vendor, not for you as customers.

 

This means that each couple that will get married in any Paradisus must pay a day pass fee US$120 per person for the personal photographer company that you hire directly can have access to the property, but this external vendor must pay a Penalty fee for making use the property facilities to provide private services.

 

 

This has been a decision taken by Senior (Top) Management, which was definitive on January 01^st, 2012. This week, this information was circulated to all outside photographer vendors established in Bavaro, Punta Cana

 

Any question that you may have, please feel free to contact us,

 

 

Kind regards,

 

MIGUELINA MARTINEZ

Romance Assistant

Paradisus Punta Cana Resort

Tel: +1. 809.687.9923 Ext. 8372