Semi Private ceremony in Punta Cana?

Mindy · 09-16-2008, 04:59 PM

Hello everyone!
My finance and I finally decided on Punta Cana for our wedding. However, we have yet to select a resort. What I really want is a place where the ceremony can be at least semi private. Some of the places we have looked at set up the wedding right next to the volleyball court on the beach or the gazebo is right by the pool. Does anyone have any suggestions about where to go? We also need it to be kid friendly. Please Help!
Some of the places we are considering are:
Occidental Grand
Paradisus Punta Cana
Majestic Colonial
Dreams
Iberostar
Melia Caribe Tropical
Edenh Real

Thanks!
Mindy

foxytv · 09-17-2008, 05:18 AM

We got married at PPC and the gazebo is on a hill, just off the beach. People from the beach could see it, but weren't close enough for us to feel that they were infringing on our day. I would say it's definitely "semi-private."

Also, we had a beach reception, but it was 100% private b/c the put up palm fronds around the exterior, which made it impossible for people to see into the reception unless they happened to walk by along the shoreline of the beach.

I highly recommend both of those options. We - and our guests - continue to rave about it.

Here are a few pics:

Notice the palm fronds behind the buffett table for reception privatization.

09-17-2008, 01:47 PM

Foxy, so beautiful pictures..I can't for my sons wedding. We will do the dances on the gazebo. First dance for bride and groom, Bride and father, and of course me and my baby boy. I am more excited then when I had my wedding in the DR 4 years ago.

hugs
MOGroom

09-17-2008, 01:59 PM

I have toured all of these resorts 3 weeks ago and here is my personal opinion

Occidental Grand. To old, no gazebo…food not good

Paradisus Punta Cana, The best and my personal choice for my sons special day.Beautiful gazebo on a private part of the resort and beach

Majestic Colonial, nice gazebo but in front of the lobby. Also it’s a wedding factory. over 3 weddings per day. Beach pictures include guys in speedos be careful

Dreams. Gazebo is in front of the lobby and not private,gazebo has no breeze and is very hot

Iberostar, Older resort,not recomended for a wedding

Melia Caribe Tropical. Very nice but resort is to big

Edenh Real, wedding department is not ready, 4 different coordinators in less then 10 months. No Gazebo only beach wedding and if it rains all they have is lobby to offer

foxytv · 09-17-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGroom

Foxy, so beautiful pictures..I can't for my sons wedding. We will do the dances on the gazebo. First dance for bride and groom, Bride and father, and of course me and my baby boy. I am more excited then when I had my wedding in the DR 4 years ago.

hugs
MOGroom

Thank you!!!! It was absolutely perfect and I know your son's will be as well!

I am sure you can do a reception area near the gazebo .... but it's kind of hilly there, and deeper sand. Our reception was in an area a little farther down, where the volleyball court is during the day, so the wooden deck was our dance floor.

Are you just planning to do the dances at the gazebo, or the whole reception?

Can't wait to see pics of the wedding! It will bring back such memories!!!

09-17-2008, 03:08 PM

Well we have to wait until Dec 2009....And we have not decided on a reception yet. Our wedding designer has many ideas and Angela has to see everything in November as she is the bride....(oh and her mom as well) I was a resort scout acting on my sons behalf 3 weeks ago when I was there. They loved everything I had to say when we got back. Then Angela found this company that represents Paradisus Resorts and they are planning our wedding for free and will answer all our questions for us. So after all this the decision was very easy.

PS
You looked so beautiful like an ANGEL in your pictures

hugs
MOG

foxytv · 09-17-2008, 03:22 PM

thank you! I felt like an angel that day. :-)

I can't wait to live vicariously through your planning process ... and will be in anticipation of December 2009 to see those pics of your son and soon to be DIL!!!

Mindy · 09-23-2008, 07:53 AM

Thank you both so much for your insight. Your review is actually what put PPC over the top for us. I know you had some issues with them charging you too much but I figured we will just watch out for that. I do have one question. Is there an option of having the reception on a terrace? I thought I saw something in the information they sent us about an outdoor, covered terrace. Thanks again for all of the info. I'm sure I will be posting many more questions.

KatyKo · 09-23-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGroom

I have toured all of these resorts 3 weeks ago and here is my personal opinion

Occidental Grand. To old, no gazebo…food not good

Paradisus Punta Cana, The best and my personal choice for my sons special day.Beautiful gazebo on a private part of the resort and beach

Majestic Colonial, nice gazebo but in front of the lobby. Also it’s a wedding factory. over 3 weddings per day. Beach pictures include guys in speedos be careful

Dreams. Gazebo is in front of the lobby and not private,gazebo has no breeze and is very hot

Iberostar, Older resort,not recomended for a wedding

Melia Caribe Tropical. Very nice but resort is to big

Edenh Real, wedding department is not ready, 4 different coordinators in less then 10 months. No Gazebo only beach wedding and if it rains all they have is lobby to offer

I just got a little nauseous reading this post. I am getting married at Occidental in June and couldn't afford to actually visit the resort...so I have put my trust in my travel agent. I hope that I have not been put at a resort that isn't very nice. Yikes

foxytv · 09-29-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindy

Thank you both so much for your insight. Your review is actually what put PPC over the top for us. I know you had some issues with them charging you too much but I figured we will just watch out for that. I do have one question. Is there an option of having the reception on a terrace? I thought I saw something in the information they sent us about an outdoor, covered terrace. Thanks again for all of the info. I'm sure I will be posting many more questions.

The covered terrace is part of the lobby, and it's right by the Lobby Bar and where the tram picks you up and drops you off - so while the terrace is beautiful, I don't particularly recommend it. Plus it is as far away from the beach as you can get in the entire resort.