Paradisus Punta Cana (PPC) Brides POST HERE!!

[jkweddingday]

Hello Again,

 

bikgirl: Thanks! I did spend some time looking through Mrs. Lamb's site visit pictures (super helpful, Mrs. Lamb, thanks for sharing). We're still a little unsure about what we're going to do, but will just play it be ear. We'll probably do the beach regardless of the lookiloos...there's just something about walking barefoot down an aisle of sand to my fiance that makes me really happy :-)

 

Also, I'm interested in learning the answers to your questions above, especially those related to the dinner/reception. I hope they get back to you soon! I've been working with Lauren Harder from Miami (one of the Romance people not PPC directly); she's been fairly responsive. I'm packaging all of our questions into a document so we just send her one doc every few weeks rather than random one-off questions throughout (although it sounds like you're doing the same thing).

 

megsosborn: I appreciate the info on Phil. We had our engagement photos Sunday (10/3) with a local photographer (we're from Oregon) and had a great time. I really struggle with paying the photographer's travel on top of their package prices. I know some will trade one for the other, but I'm hoping to keep this all as simple as possible. Anyway, I like Photo Souvenir so we'll probably go with them.

 

Will you ladies have formal wedding parties? We have a few friends in mind, but don't want to formally ask anyone until they've confirmed attendance to avoid undue pressure. Our colors will be black and green, but I'm not sure how far reaching that will be (i.e. whether our "wedding party" will be matchy matchy in black and green or whether we'll try to update linen colors). I like PPC, because it sounds like we can go as formal as we want or scale down as much as we want.

In random news, we just passed the 1 year point (wedding day 10/1/11) so we're getting really excited. WAHOO!!! Hurry up and wait

 

 

 

[bikegirl]

^ Congrats on 1 year....it's gets more and more exciting with each milestone!!!

 

I received an answer from Jennifer. What a coincidence I just posted about it here. Lol!

 

Ceremony
-Chillout is brown and Aqua is blue and ivory. If I choose Chillout and change to another color, is there an extra cost? Yes, it will have an extra cost. The price per table cloth is US$25.
 
Flowers
-Package includes 12 ivory roses and matching boutonierre. Are there any other option with NO extra upgrade cost? We are sending you the address of our Picasa album, on the basic bouquet folders you will find more options. The basic bouquets can have roses, gerberas, bird of the paradise, of the color that you prefer. http://picasaweb.google.com/romancebyparadisuspuntacana

 

Dinner/Reception
-What locations can we use for the dinner? On our picasa album you are able to see pictures of our locations.
-Which locations are included in package and which ones are extra cost? The privatization of the restaurants has an extra cost. If you are going to have a plated dinner it must be in a ball room, at the Nova or convention terrace.
-If we use included cake but add some decorations, what is the cost? If we bring own decoration, do you charge to put on cake?No we don’t charge to put your decoration on the cake.
-It says only housewine included. How much to get liquor and beer? For Domestic open bar (Domestic vodka, rum, whisky with the mixers) US$12+taxes, per person per hour. A full open bar US$17+taxes, per person per hour.
-What is included in the chill-out decor? My colors are blue and brown - is there cost to only change the color of linens? The chill out chic packages includes brown table cloth with circles. If you would like to change the color of your table cloth will be Us$25, per table cloth.
-Can I bring my own paper lanterns and centerpieces to decorate the reception area? If we have to make the centerpieces it will have an extra cost. If you are going to bring only the paper lanters it will have an extra cost for the lights extension.
 

Also, I am based in Toronto, Canada. Do you have a local wedding coordinator I can contact? I remember someone mentioned there is one in the US and Canada.  Yes, her name is Teresa Calcos, if you would like to contact her this is her e-mail address: teresa.calcos@paradisuspalmareal.com She will be more than glad to answer your questions.

 

I wrote back this:

 

1) $25 charge for table clothes. Can you clarify if I am only changing the COLOR of the table clothes, is it still $25 per table? It seems very high for something that does not involve extra labor or cost to the resort.

2) Reception. The package description on the resort website indicates the 3-hour reception is privatized. But Andrea's answer says it is extra cost to privatize. Can you clarify which restaurants are no-cost options for private and which are extra cost? Also, she said if I have 'plated dinner' it must be at Nova, ballroom, or terrace. Is Aqua or Chillout considered plated dinner?

3) Lanterns. Andrea indicated extension cords are extra cost. Can I bring my own or do I have to use yours?

4) Centerpieces for reception. Are there any centerpieces included on the reception dinner tables or is it extra cost?

[hnm0201]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am new to this forum and so glad that I came across it during an internet search. We’re in the very early stages of planning and are really considering having our wedding at this resort in July 2011. All of your information and pictures have really helped us with our decision.

 

In terms of booking, are you guys working doing everything directly with the wedding coordinator at the resort or using a local travel agent where you live. For anyone using a travel agent, do you have any recommendations?

 

Thanks and congrats to all of you!!!

[bikegirl]

^ all the trip booking is done with our local traven agent who does weddings exclusively. all wedding day related things are done directly with the resort and their wedding coordinator. so that includes the ceremony, reception, booking a welcome dinner (if we decide to do it), etc.

[bikegirl]

YAYYYY!! I am so so happy I touched base with Teresa. I emailed her at 8:30 last night and already got a response back.  And it sounds like she will really work with your budget rather than the other way around. And I like that she gives a reason as to why something is the way it is rather than just saying...it's $XX dollars. It's actually good business sense. Makes me feel a lot better about spending money if I know it's not just a pure cash grab...

 

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1) $25 charge for table clothes. Can you clarify if I am only changing the COLOR of the table clothes, is it still $25 per table? It seems very high for something that does not involve extra labor or cost to the resort. 

 Hi Lindsay, unfortunately the only table linens the resort owns are white or ivory. All colored and textured linens come from our outside supplier. May I suggest to use the resorts table cloth and use a topper in your color for $20 each to be more cost effective. Sometimes its nice to use the white table linen and add your color with chairs bows in your color $3 each... Let me know your thoughts 

2) Reception. The package description on the resort website indicates the 3-hour reception is privatized. But Andrea's answer says it is extra cost to privatize. Can you clarify which restaurants are no-cost options for private and which are extra cost? Also, she said if I have 'plated dinner' it must be at Nova, ballroom, or terrace. Is Aqua or Chillout considered plated dinner?  Sorry the miss- understanding of this question. The packages include certain areas that are private for your reception, to actually close a restaurant that is open to all guests of the resort there is a privatization fee that includes open bar, service, set up, and full dinner service. Each restaurant based on size has a different fee. many couples choose the fantasy package and then privatize a restaurant as they find this gives them more options for a better price. I have attached the PPC locations for you above   3) Lanterns. Andrea indicated extension cords are extra cost. Can I bring my own or do I have to use yours?  We will not allow outside electrical lighting or equipment to be used on the property due to insurance regulations.    4) Centerpieces for reception. Are there any centerpieces included on the reception dinner tables or is it extra cost?   There are no centerpieces included with the packages, but we can show you how to create something nice that fits your budget. 

Thanks Teresa! Also, where are you located?  I am office located in Toronto Ontario Canada , but spend most of my time in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. The Dominican is my second home ( 35 time's in the past 5 years)  I know the properties better then most of the people who work there LOLOL I have been with Paradisus Resorts for  almost 3 years and have worked on property several time's for 6 week or more stretches during transitions periods of Romance managers. prior to this I worked for another large resort chain in the Caribbean. I just left there 2 weeks ago and will return soon as my son will be married in 4 weeks from now at Paradisus in the DR.   Don't worry your in good hands, feel free to ask any questions.. We will make your planning easy and stress free..I will walk you through each step until your wedding day   Warmest regards Teresa

[kmhg]

 Hi there. I am getting married April 2, 2011 at PPR. I have most of my questions answered already but the one thing I can't wrap my head around is the fact that they charge you 17$/person/hr for the open bar. I mean, really! You are already paying the all inclusive fee for staying there (all of our guests are staying on the property) and it's not like they would charge all of us to stand at the loby bar and drink all night, so I don't understand why they would charge you to set up a bar elsewhere for a reception. I would understand possibly a staffing cost, but we have about 50 people coming, so that's 2550 just for liquor for the 3 hour reception.

Anyone else running into this proble?

 

Thanks,

KG

[megsosborn]

jkweddingday:

 

We decided not to have a formal wedding party for the same reason you don't want to ask anyone until they've committed attendance I just didn't want anyone to feel like that had to come, you know?!?  My two best friends are twins and I am trying to think of a way to include them in our ceremony with out them formally standing up.  Pastor York will be doing our ceremony and we decided to have both of our mothers do the two readings, so I've got to come up with something else for the girls.  We just sent out our save the dates which was kind of a relief...I'm definitely getting more and more excited every step of the way!!!

[jkweddingday]

bikegirl, Fabulous!! I'm glad to hear that someone got back to you quickly, and was really helpful. I appreciate you posting the information which I also find to be extremely helpful. I like your lady :-)

 

megsosborn, I totally understand where you're coming from. We definitely have key people in mind, but are waiting for them to confirm their attendance before asking them to participate. I've been a bridesmaid before and strapped for cash; there's nothing worse then having to disappoint a friend (or be embarrassed) when you can't make something work financially. We'll just play it by ear!

 

And YAY!!!! on getting out the save the dates!! When is your wedding?

 

kmhg, I feel the same way about paying for liquor. We're still debating what we want to do as it just doesn't make sense. Everyone is already paying a premium to be at an all inclusive. I can understand needing to charge something for labor or privatization costs, but that should be a reasonable flat fee.

 

Have any of you ladies read some of the negative reviews of the resort? I understand that people are more vocal about disappointments, but some of the comments are bothering me. Especially the worn out rooms, crappy A/C and pushy sales people. Any one else concerned? Or anyone else quieted those concerns some how? The pictures from Mrs. Lamb (thanks again!!) made things look nice, so that made me feel a ton better. I just really don't want to be embarrassed....

[Glowwbug]

Hi Everyone!

 

I enjoyed reading all of your posts. I'm actually getting married at PPC on Oct. 24, 2010, so MrsLamb - maybe I'll see you there!

 

We are going with the Chill Out Chic package and are paying about 50% on top of the package price for flowers, music and extra people. We decided on a beach wedding and reception, but I was told we're the only wedding that day so I may change my mind once I see all of the options.

 

I've been working with Lauren from AskMeAboutWeddings, which is a separate company hired to work out details, and it's gone pretty smoothly. I was just introduced to Jennifer over email, but haven't needed to work anything out with her yet.

 

For anyone getting married this year, know that they changed the 2011 packages to include the open bar and it's only about $200 more!!! I complained (a lot) and they let me switch to the 2011 package so we didn't need to pay per hour/per person for alcohol (that everyone already paid for in their all-inclusive stay...) Anyway, it's good to ask!

 

Good luck to all!

Angi

[bikegirl]

Sounds like Aqua will be the highest package available now instead of Chillout. Here is her response:

 

Hi Lindsay, I am thrilled to help you plan your dream wedding.

 

Allow me to explain the differences between 2010 Aqua and 2011 Aqua.

 

For 2011 Aqua

We have added diamond white padded tiffany chairs to the reception seating, and removed the covered banquet chairs.

We have increased the number of guests to 24 for the basic package.

We have added full premium open bar to the cocktail

We have added full premium open bar to the reception We have given you the choice of the traditional Aqua Linens or full white setup     To privatize a restaurant you are paying a location and close down fee.   Enclosed is the following Full open bar, plated or designer buffet, basic ivory linen and china set up, full service staff and bar tending staff, 3 hour privatization of location.