bikegirl

Oh. Now looks like I can post. I am so confused! Did I receive a message in error?

Tammy, you sent me a PM indicating I was banned for two weeks for my comment? I thank you for clarifying regarding the reviews but was that actually neccessary? I did not make an attack on the forum just stated my observation...

Yeah, you're supposed to post it under that Resort in the Resorts & Villas tab. Unfortunately, it seems like the number of reviews seriously dwindled now that they're not just another sub-forum...: ( Too bad.

Hi mushra2011, glad to have you join us on this forum! You're only a month or so after my wedding! I have not posted anything further because the rep I'm dealing with (Teresa Calcos) is on vacation until mid-November because her son is actually getting married at the PPC! Once she's back, she offered to have a call with me to plan the wedding even though it's more than 6 mths away. The reason is....I am expecting about 30-35 guests. 27 are already booked. The new packages are for 24 guests and additional $70-100 every guest after that. According to her, it may be cheaper to go with the Fantasy package and add other things a la carte if I have a number of additional guests. Once we have our call, I will definitely post any info I get. As for group rate...we went with a Toronto destination wedding travel agent. The communication has been subpar but the price is good...better than what I've seen on Expedia, Flight Centre, etc.. We got the quote late May and had to get $200 deposits for min 10 ppl to secure the rate by June. Thought we'd have trouble but we ended up with 27! I would go with the group rate. It's given me headaches....not everyone is taking the exact package offered. Some want upgrades, single rooms, connecting flights, etc.and even with a TA, you'll still end up involved. BUT at least if something happens, the TA can move the entire block. For example, we all put our deposits down but the Saturday flight was booked by a large corporate group so our group was moved to Sunday whereas if everyone booked separately, they'd have to deal with it themselves...

MrsLamb, so excited to hear that you're at the resort right now and are loving it! Makes me feel so much better! It also calms me down to hear that you were able to get everything within budget. YAY! Please take tons and tons of photos and share with us! Hope you're having a wonderful time!

I have to say, Teresa is LIGHTENING FAST! Hi Lindsay, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I just stepped in and saw your email and thought I would send you a quick response to your question. Allow me to give you "a few examples" of the differences between Top Shelf and National/Local Brands Top shelf Brand Examples (please understand that Ocassionally some are not available due to imported supply) Included will be all selections ( and more) from below + the national brands (and more) Vodka may be - Grey Goose or Absolute or Smirnoff Gin may be- Beefeater or Tanqueray or Gordon’s Rum may be- Bacardi white, Bacardi Gold, Malibu or several others Tequila may be- José Cuervo Cognac may be- Covrvoisier or Remy Martian Whisky may be- Ballentines, JB, Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker Black or Red Wine will be an imported selection of White, Red, Rose and Sparkling wine Beer may be a selection of available American brands Liquors may be a selection of- Cointreau, Drambuie, Southern Comfort,Kahlua,Amaretto,Kahlua, Grappa,Tia Maria, or several others based on supply. National Brand Examples- Most National brands are locally distilled such Brugal Rum-or imported ( not top labels') Blanco Brugal Rum 151 Brugal Rum Añejo Brugal Rum Dorado Brugal Rum Extra Viejo Brugal Barceló Imperial Vodka- may be locally distilled or imported ( not top labels') Tequila National may be locally distilled or imported ( not top labels') Cognac -may be locally distilled or imported ( not top labels') Wine will be house red and house white, sparkling wine will be house. Beer will be Presidente Liquors-may be locally distilled or imported ( not top labels) I emailed her back asking if we can select Chill Out package and just upgrade the liquor portion. If we do upgrade, then how much extra it would be. Want to see if it's worth going with Aqua full out or say with Chill Out and just upgrade the liquor.

^ Do a search for "LED Throwies". I would rather be able to hook up the lanterns that's too much money. LED Throwies are 'wireless' lights easily made with a small battery and small LED bulb. I'm going to bring rope and a bunch of those. I can't seem them saying no since these are self-powered and not a fire hazard but worse case scenario, I'll budget for the extra cost if they won't back down. For the other buffet menus the coordinator sent you, is there an extra cost? Also, do you mind telling me where you got your sashes? I've seen many cheap stores online but the US shipping totally negates the savings. : (

^ I didn't really like the photos of the buffet food in the PPC photo album. Everything looks coated in batter and deep fried or just simple ingredients assembled on a line. But I'm sure it doesn't taste as bad (IMO)as it looks! Lol. We are deciding between Aqua and Chill out but we're leaning more towards Chill Out. I understand there are some differences in the quality of the decor....I understand they bought some new chairs, etc....but it seems the two KEY differences are 1) Food - Chill Out is buffet style and 3 hor d'heurves during cocktail hour whereas Aqua is plated courses and 5 hor d'heurves during cocktail hour. 2) Alcohol - Chill Out is "International Brands" and Aqua is "Premium Top Shelf". I've already written back to Teresa for clarification on International Brands vs. Premium Top Shelf. I will post up her response. : ) **If anyone else has received responses to their questions, can you please post it here, too? Thanks!

ARGH! Hate that you can't edit posts. Anyway, I was going to say the new Aqua package is $5000 plus $100 for every extra guest over 24

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.

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... 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

^ 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.

^ Have fun!!! I wanted to do it in the fall but I think it may be dead of winter or spring before we leave. I'm just so not physically prepared. Lol.

^ 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: [email protected] 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?

Can't help you with that exact request but when I checked locally in Toronto, they were like $500-1000 and way out of our budget. I'm planning to bring props such as background drapes, boas, silly glasses, etc. and some polaroid/film cameras so guests can have the photobooth experience.