joshfrommontreal

Quote: Originally Posted by Boudou33 What do you mean about PPA Josh? Paradisus Punta Cana? In your experience Josh, you probably saw all the resorts in Punta Cana, if money would not be a problem (I wish!!) which resorts make the best weddings, in quality, ceremony locations, receptions.... Paradisus (both of them) Excellence Majestic Colonial and Elegance ?? Or else?? Sorry I meant PPR, Paradisus Palma Real. Guests can easily walk there from EdenH and from the Melia Caribe which are more affordable options. I wish there was an easy answer to your question! It all depends on your ideal wedding, and the group you are with - what type of people they are. The Paradisus Palma Real was a beautiful location. The reception being the most beautiful part. The ceremony I attended was is in a garden location which was nice but didn't have the wow I was expecting for that resort. The beach at most resorts in Punta Cana is the exact same. You are going to get nice white sand, and beautiful blue ocean. For a ceremony, the Majestic's have a fantastic set-up on the beach. The canopy on a hill surrounded by coconuts is really beautiful. But you are prone to spectators standing in the background and watching at the sides. Size to me is a big thing about a resort, I prefer a smaller resort. But if you don't want to bump into people every two seconds you may want a larger resort. If price didn't matter and you had a small group and just wanted to be married on the beach and have a great time. Then the best resort is the Tortuga Bay Resort. It was private, beautiful, you get your own golf cart, you have your own villa (or have a duplex villa), and you get the utmost privacy. However, the prices are crazy! If you have a modest budget, don't mind the potential of a small hiccup (eg if the flowers show up a bit different then planned), want good food, a nice atmosphere, then I would say the Majestic's are all around the way to go. I've heard that Dreams is very similar, and I will be there early August and will let everyone know.

If you are doing site visits it is very important to (if you don't speak spanish) take a translated note with you telling the guards your intentions. Before almost all resorts there are two check points. One is the resort area check point, this area shouldn't give you much trouble although if you do not have a bracelet they may ask you what resort you are at, or will want to look at your itinerary if you are in a taxi. The actual resort security at the entrance to the resorts are often very tough when you don't have a bracelet for that particular resort. Also, most often these guards do not speak any english. It will be in your best interest to bring a note in Spanish, saying you are doing a site visit, and if you add one or two employee's contact numbers that will be even better. I have had some long drawn out poor Spanglish discussions with security guards trying to get into resorts where a day pass was waiting for me.

Hannah, You should definitely consider the DR for your wedding. I would pick Punta Cana, especially because it is more affordable then some of the other areas. I think you should discuss some options with a TA and see what they come up with. If the biggest concern is guests being able to afford to come, I would look at making your wedding on an off month. Prices tend to be extremely cheap in November from Canada - not sure about the UK at the moment. There are so many places in the area with beautiful beaches. From the UK you might want to look into some of the smaller islands, like St. Barts and St Lucia in the West Indies. I was in St. Lucia not long ago and found it to be the most beautiful island. The people were so friendly, the beaches were clean and beautiful and the cost wasn't that much.

Quote: Originally Posted by Debs I wish Canada would just buy Turks and Caicos and get it over with already! Me too! Why won't that happen!

Quote: Originally Posted by Boudou33 I was just wondering if someone used the Presidential suite for the reception? It looks pretty intimate. I'm looking for a private reception. I went to the Majectic Colonial in december and it's very pretty. I saw a reception at the steak house restaurant near the beach but we were eating at the table right beside the reception! Maybe they did not ask for a private setup, I don't know but they were right in the middle of the restaurant. The Presidential suite seems a great option. The Presidential Suite is a great private option for your reception. Its very intimate and they give it to you in the morning so it is also a great room to get ready in. There are a couple concerns with it: The wind - depending on the time of year the wind can get pretty strong up there. So if you have a winter date this is something you have to think about. Also, nothing is included, so the private bar is usually a must, as is the sound system. Also 11PM is the strict cut-off time for music and noise. Just a couple extras to be aware of.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn&Kraig Hey Josh!! I actually live in Winnipeg, not far from LaSalle! My boyfriend and I are seriously considering Majestic Elegance, Feb 2011....we are way ahead of the game here...not even engaged yet...but we know what we want to do, so we might as start planning, we contacted the local sell off vacations, they sound like they can get decent group rates, but you mentioned your buddy Adam knows alot about thr Majestics? Would it be in our interest to speak with him to coordinate our package details? Definitely give Adam a call or go in and see him. He will go way beyond for you and does know the Majestic very well, both from booking all my trips there, booking the full group that he was with in January and he does DW's everywhere. I would let him know what Sell Off came up with and see what he can do. Also, if you have any questions about the Majestic let me know. I'm back there next week.

Iris, I'm not sure if the boat will come to the Majestic, but the manager told me that the will provide transportation if they won't. The food is fantastic! The group I was with got the kabobs. The boat wouldn't be completely empty with 20. For a group that size, also consider dinner/dancing at the Jellyfish restaurant. The upstairs is perfect for a group that size, the food is amazing, and its a lot of fun.

Quote: Originally Posted by Boudou33 I'm in the same dilema right now. I would likke to go to Paradisus Palma Real march 2010, but the cost is around 2300$ per person and the wedding packages are way more expensive then the other resorts, and that do not include pictures! I was looking for the Excellence as well and the price is about 2000$ anyway. Does our guests would want to pay more to go to this resort? I don't know what to do!! If you are looking into the PPA, then an option would be to tell you guests they could stay at EdenH which is basically next door when you walk on the beach. It is cheaper, and then guests could walk over to the wedding. I had a group that did this a couple weeks ago and it worked out great.

Quote: Originally Posted by anna_c Majestic just came out with hotel pricing for 2010 yesterday!!!!! I'm sure they'll have some specials running in the next months but its good to know that they have pricing so that we can give our guests an idea. That's great Anna, thanks for sharing. Now hopefully everyone will get their confirmed dates soon so guests can start booking.

Quote: Originally Posted by Vallarta_2009 Hi everyone! I'm considering the colonial for our DW and we're still very open for dates in 2010. For those who have visited recently what was the weather like in May? Is it really windy? Thanks! The wind tends to calm down in May but there are the odd windy nights. May is beautiful in Punta Cana, it is hot during the day and very nice at night.

Welcome and congrats! A Scottish wedding sounds amazing.

Quote: Originally Posted by MexicoBeachBride2010 Hi Josh, I was just at the Majestic to do a site visit and vacation. When you say the terrace is $300 to rent was that just for dancing, cake, etc. after the meal or did they get a private dinner in addition to the party stuff? It was my understanding that you still had to pay per person if you wanted the private dinner on the terrace and pay the $300 to rent it. Let me know because I liked the set up but def. can't afford to pay person for dinner since our wedding is approaching 40+ people. Thanks! I'm afraid the couple I was with might have gotten some kind of deal and they got the steakhouses free meal and it only cost them $300 to rent the terrace. I have heard the WC's have now told a couple people that the dinner is considered private and you have to pay per person. I am back there in a little over two weeks and could ask for you then but I have no way other then email to contact them until then.

So my girlfriend and I have decided to move from Montreal to London UK in two months (September '09). As Canadians we are allowed to live and work there for two years. We have our visas and everything lined up. I have read all I can, it seems like we are going to try and find a place in Camden. Any Londoners care to share some advice? Something that the books wouldn't have covered. What's a good cell phone provider? I've read about ordering groceries online, is that a good option? How long does the average person spend commuting to work (for my gf), Is an oyster card the best way to go for transportation?

I don't know why everyone thinks that it went downhill last season. I have enjoyed it since the first episode. Last season Doug was hilarious, it was hilarious to see Celia the horror show, and well Nancy's character has evolved like crazy. I miss Conrad's character though I thought he was a great addition. Also Sanjay being in it regularly, I miss that too. What does everything think of the two episodes from this season so far? The ransom phone calls for Celia were priceless! I'm not sure if I like what happened with Shane and Andy in the second episode but we'll see where that goes.

I do have some photos of the outside that I will send to you. I have not done a wedding in it. I can tell you it is very simple and small. A few rows of pews on either side and a very simple alter. But if its mandatory it will definitely suffice.

That's just where they moved all the chairs that were there earlier. You could most likely as them to move them somewhere else.

Here are three photos of the setup at the Majestic Colonial steakhouse terrace for dinner and dancing. The blue that you see on the top is a tarp that they put up in case it rained. Similar to the beach reception option this may not work out during some of the winter months when the wind is extremely strong. You are outside of the wind screens (which are not shown in the photos). This setup was for I believe 33 people. For music a Bose iPod dock/speaker set was used and was definitely loud enough. The bar is not even a minutes walk away and is open until 11pm Steakhouse terrace dinner set up at the Majestic Colonial on Twitpic Steakhouse Terrace dinner setup at the Majestic Colonial on Twitpic Steakhouse terrace dinner set up at the Majestic Colonial on Twitpic

Quote: Originally Posted by Steffi234 Hey Josh - Is the Steakhouse terrace the same at the Elegance? Please let me know when you have photos up! A bride on a facebook group mentioned that they allowed her to do the option of the free dinner and then just rent the terrace of the restaurant for dancing, cake cutting, etc. Have you seen this there? I saw it for the first time at the Colonial and it turned out really well. It would be the same at the Elegance but it is not the steakhouse. It is at the beach restaurant called the Sea and C (or C and C) I don't know how it is spelled. The only potential difference might be the menu.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn K-W SO SAD!!! I've been researching resorts and have had my mind set on the Magestic Colonial. It loosk so great and I have heard so many wonderful things. I just found out they can't accomodate me any time within the 3 week window (July 2010) that I provided them. I'm pretty bummed right now... Back to the drawing board I go.... Did you try the Elegance as well?

Quote: Originally Posted by anna_c Josh, How was the setup at the terrace of the steakhouse of that wedding you shot? I'd like to see pics whenever you get a chance. It was a fantastic set-up! Everyone had a lot of fun. I'll try and get photos online by the end of the night.

The canopy right now is white (as of 4 days ago). Some couples bring their own fabric and they decorate in that color for them. But I believe the standard is white.

Quote: Originally Posted by QCbride Hi girls! So I have all the info I need now from my TA to go ahead and deposit for my first 10 guests. Anyone know if I should confirm with the WC (Sandra or Maritee) a wedding date during the week I am reserving at the majestic before I deposit?? I'm afraid I won't hear back for weeks and that I'll have to wait again for new quotes from my TA. I'm SO ready to send out my invites!! I can't wait! Thanks!! You should definitely get a confirmed date form your WC before you book any dates with your TA. The wait and getting new quotes is hard, but it would be even harder to switch those dates if the WC's don't have the availability for your wedding.

I can't exactly tell you about speakers, but getting electronics into the DR (Punta Cana specifically) has never been a problem for me and I have been there at least 10 times in the past year. I usually bring a few cameras, lots of lenses, and electronic accessories and have never been questioned about anything.

Lindsey, I will make a slideshow after the wedding, and I will definitely get some shots of the Gabi Terrace for you.

I'm shooting there on Saturday. So far what I have heard is the same, that only a day pass is needed. I will confirm this on the weekend.