SimplenSweet

WOW- I can't believe all of that was just posted on here... crazy I got some mixed news to report- here's a response from the romance dept for my questions. My questions are in italics, and their response is in regular font. If I do select the gazebo, would there be room to have everyone seated on the grass area (not inside the fence area)-50 guests, and room for the cocktail hour as well? No. But we recommend having the guests inside of the fence, because then, they are going to be too far from the ceremony x mark. Will they clear out the chairs to make room for the cocktail hour or how exactly will that work logistically? If, the couple wants it we are able to make it, but we are going to make all those changes with the guests there, and it won’t look good or professional. If I choose the garden setting, is there no other way to have a more secluded garden spot? I was in love with the mangrove garden area ( I know there wasn't room for all 50 guests at that spot) but is there anywhere else on the hotel premises that would have enough room for us that was not right beside of the lobby area and beside of a main road? Unfortunately there isn’t. _____________________________________________________ SOOO with that positive feedback (NOT) I started looking through the pictures again, and I found this! It looks like a little beach area beside of the gazebo..... I'm asking if I can use this area. It looks quiet and nice and shaded. This way, I can have the ceremony at the gazebo (with all the guests seated out in the grass area) and I can have the cocktail hour right near it out in the sand area with the trees- perfect.

Hey Maridr, Yes, Theresa actually gave me these tips for free. We probably talked for 20 minutes- she was very sweet but she also wanted to see how flexible I was to change around everything- I was like NOOOO way I just want to know about ceremony locations! So be prepared for that- maybe she was looking for my business? After I told her that everything was planned and ready to go except the ceremony location, she gave the guidance I was hoping for. It's probably worth a shot to ask her if you have questions about more "physical stuff" like what something would look like, or how, logistically something would be run the day-of.

wow your wedding looked so beautiful! I'm sorry for your husband's loss of his father (and your loss as well) but it looks like the celebration was beautiful for your family. congrats!! Maridr- I know it all makes sense that the WC in Miami aren't a part of PPC! I was liike, wow Theresa that all makes perfect sense! Theresa did reassure me that the WC on site (Migulina and Jennifer I think?) were awesome and I wouldn't have any problems once I'm down there- so that's a big load off my mind......... I know while my Miami WC is very sweet and helpful, she has to have a few days to get back to me on EVERYTHING because she has to ask the resort everything. I feel that it would be easier for me to just ask Migulina... does anyone have her email? I feel like the few questions that I have left to iron out are directly about the physical property instead of decorating questions, etc. If anyone has Migulina's email I'd really appreciate having it! How soon does the Miami WC "introduce" to the on-site WC? Also, can anyone provide feedback on good apps? I have 5 cold apps in my package, and I'm not sure which ones to choose. My fiance liked the looks of the shrimp and avocado, and some kind of cold taco thing. Any suggestions? I think I'm pretty much decided on doing the gazebo/garden for both the ceremony and the cocktail. It's less running around for guests and will be the least hot (heard the gardden will be really hot at 12pm because there is little breeze over there). I'll check out the pictures they posted of doing them both there. Theresa has suggested to me to put our immediate family members INSIDE the fence at the gazebo and everyone else can be seated OUTSIDE the fence. I don't like this idea of seperation at all and I KNOW my fiance won't have this set up lool. I hope that everyone (50 guests) can fit in the grass area and still make room for the cocktail hour!

Hey ladies- thanks for all the feedback. I actually spoke with Theresa yesterday- thanks for the tip Ayansi! She is so sweet. She also helped me to sort through exactly what I was going for. I guess the moral of the story is I probably will not be completely satisfied until I get down there to see the 3 locations. I think, given everyone's feedback that the way to go is to do the ceremony and cocktail at the gazebo. Maridr, have you heard back about an explanation for the setup if you do both there? My biggest concern with this was that I have 50 guests, and I don't want anyone squeezed in around the gazebo (inside the fencing) but would like everyone seated out in the grassy area (see attached picture) I haven't really seen any pictures where this was done and the cocktail area was also set up there. Is there enough room for both is my concern? I also was told by Theresa that the garden area would be really hot at 12pm and would have little breeze... so maybe my guests will be more comfortable at the gazebo as well. Janine, thanks for the feedback about the "privacy" of the garden spot. I actually asked about the mangrove area-- looks EXACTLY like what I want and was disappointed to be told that the mangrove garden area only holds 25 people. :*( Oh, also Theresa told me that the WC in Miami are NOT employees of PPC! This all makes sense now..they are actually a planning company named ASK ME who PPC hires out to plan their weddings. I am thinking about contacting Migulina directly to ask her what she thinks the best set up would be as she is onsite at the PPC. I guess it couldn't hurt~

ughhhh another tragic happening with PPC! some of their rules are just too much... plus everyone tries to sell you on different things- everything is different no matter who you talk to which is so infuriating. I hope you can find your email on that- it's so ridiculous how they pigeon-hole brides into these choices without giving any options at all. truly unfortunate. I wonder if all resorts are like this? at this point I am so "over" planning the wedding- I wish I could go next week plan nothing else and just go! haha at least the rest of the planning sounded like it went well... that's one positive!

LoriOlivia, I had the EXACT same thing through PPC! Just another thing I've run into..... I did fight it ....in order to point out that I didn't have to pay the fee PPC was asking, I said that there was nothing in writing that stated that they had to book the pastor for the ceremonies...and it's true they don't have any documentation to support this "new rule". I eventually got mine dropped and they reported that they "would so graciously" grandfather me into the old rule of brides booking their own pastors and not getting charged for it. So total, I pay pastor york $350 the day of the wedding, and I pay PPC $120. you are right- it is ridiculous. FIGHT IT!

http://www.weddingboatpuntacana.com/ ElegantChic, if you decide to do La Barcaza, book it directly with them as the resort will charge an extra $15/a person for booking it for you. Here's the website posted above. LoriOlivia to answer your questions: -they charge you PER ITEM to set up. I've not had this quoted yet because I think my relatives might be able to help me set up the day of (I have sashes for the chairs during the ceremony, and small centerpieces of grapewood/candles/seashells for cocktail hour tables.... I have discovered that to bring your own will probably save you a lot of money. I was looking at petals for the aisle... they charge $25 a bag, and you can buy them like $5 a bag here and take them... -I don't have any other wedding scheduled on my day so I was told that my time between ceremony and cocktail could be more spaced out (particularly if I choose to do the ceremony at the garden and the cocktail at the gazebo as planned- it will take a good 20 minutes to get everyone over there) -Jessica Bianca is Bianca Cincu- same person- she is LOVELY to work with Maridr hope your planning session went well!!!

Thank you for the feedback ladies! All i need to do is get it hemmed (too long at the bottom) as I won't be wearing heels. I llove seeing everyone's dresses! Everyone looks so great

HEy ElegantChic! Good to meet you. I too, planned a DW for the "ease" of it all... and also to have it in a beautiful place where our friends and family could have a nice vacation if they wanted to come along. I can only really give feedback on my experience.... my WC got switched a month or two into the process (I only booked on June 1st after getting engaged in May) and thank goodness for that because my first WC in Miami was a nightmare, and now the one I have, Jessica Bianca, is AWESOME. I'm not sure who you have? I am doing the Fantasy package, which includes the ceremony and cocktail hour for $10 people for a total of $1500. For each additional guest, it's a $40 charge. So, for my 50 guests I'm up to another $1600. Then, they charge you $500 to reserve the gazebo (even if nobody else's wedding is booked on your day- which is my case) and I tried fighting them about that for awhile... I ended up conceeding that battle. I also booked my own pastor (Pastor York) myself (just pay him $350 the day of the ceremony). The resort tried to charge me the fee for THEM booking him, which was false and I eventually got them to drop the $150 dollar charge. Anything that you want that isn't included in your package is a STEEP charge. For instance, to change out the canopy from the fantasy one to the chill out (not changing any other decorations) was $100 plus tax. little things like this really add up.... I am definitely doing my cocktail hour at the gazebo, because it's really pretty set up for cocktail hour.. but I'm still trying to decide where to have the ceremony. My fiance just wants privacy.. and I want it outside and pretty. I can't believe there's not a mix of the three...it seems like you can get 2 out of the 3 but never 3 out of the 3. (aka, private and inside, or pretty and outside but not private...) *sigh!* Because of all of these random charges, I am bringing a lot of my own things. I've learned from these blogs other bride's experiences and I've been able to call out the wedding romance department several times on things that they eventually dropped the charges to... For my reception, we're doing La Barcaza, the wedding boat. THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER. It's like $60/head for dinner/drinks and you cruise for 3 hours. Not only that, but the woman, Flori is so nice and accomodating and I haven't worried about a single thing about the boat. Literally the best decision I've made about the wedding so far. I wish you luck in your planning. I am NOT a planner at all but I've enjoyed it (besides dealing with the resort and it's ridiculousness) more than I thought I would.

Hey laides! thanks for all of the feedback! It's very helpful. My fiance and I can't help but be baffled that they don't have one single location that is outside that they can guarantee complete privacy. -the garden location is beside of a main road? why??? it is a beautiful location but why is it out in the middle of possibly the most busy part of the resort. -the beach does not have a special place that there is no one walking around (more acceptable and makes more sense that they cannot do this). also, my biggest pet peeve is being lied to- and they had told me from the main hotel (wherever the WC in miami converses with) that the beach location is "all the same" and "the photographer is the one who makes it appears different". lies! lol -the gazebo is nice, but like one of the women above posted, it is small and hard to accomodate a lot of guests- again why is this? I continue to be baffled at the random white fence around the gazebo which limits the amount of guests and sets a "barrier" if you cannot fit all your guests inside the fence. just so strange. -I am currently pushing for another garden location that is more private. It is a 96 acre resort- there has to be a more remote garden setting than beside of the main entrance to the place. I did find pics that show a very small ceremony beside of the mangrove pond, and it was very pretty (lots of tree overhang and looked private and romantic- in my own eyes of course) but I dont' know if all my guests will fit in that area- that's the only problem. sorry, this is my rant of the day. I really need to go blow off some steam about this. all I want is a pretty, PRIVATE , and outdoor setting. I don't think that is too much to ask for from a place that specializes in lush, beautiful gardens and has 96 acres to work with. thank you all for all of your help- it is very helpful!!!!

here's mine!

Thank you for the info! Very helpful... you have a point that it's nice to keep everyone together. I'm having right around 50 people so I know that will be a concern for me as well. I didn't realize that the resort was 96 acres?! I just read that. Holy cow. With doing the ceremony in the garden, it seems like the biggest thing is getting people to/from the cocktail hour. The good thing is all my wedding colors will "go" no matter what location I choose- I'm just doing sage green, light brown/goldish color, ivory and a light coral/peach. Haha too funny about your dress! What kind of material is your gown? I can definitely see how you wouldn't want to get sand on something so nice. Mine is lace (with just a silk layer underneath) so sand would be pretty easy to shake out (heard it's hard to get it out of the organza and other "fluffy" layers). Have you decided on everything (bouquet, cake, etc etc)? I had my power planning meeting but I still wasn't sure about a lot of the items. I can say that I've narrowed things down usually between 2 items (for instance, I was chooseing between white rose bouquet for simplicity and colored lilies for tropical). Also, are you bringing/shipping boxes of items with you? I have been checking with my airline (American) and it looks like I can bring boxes or totes along with items. Most of my stuff I am taking is lightweight- but it's bulky and/or has more volume than weight. I'm just curious how others are bringing items (if at all!) I feel confident in having the cocktail at the gazebo- that's a beautiful spot. I feel like the only way I'm going to feel comfortable that it will be private is to have it in the garden area. You are right- there's too many people on the beach just hanging around and it seems like a big risk to run- especially with my ceremony at noon.

Hey Maridr.. So you have been to the garden location? You went in December right? Was it very green? There are some pics that show November/December as not as green as months like May/June... what did you think of it? I was told that there are no other weddings the day before my wedding or the day of... so I wouldn't think itd be a big deal. Decisions decisions!

Hey guys... thanks for all the feedback. The resort basically told my WC that there weren't seperate areas of the beach and that it's the photographer who makes it look better. Bottom line is my fiance REALLY doesn't want any people around so we might even look to do the garden set up. I'm not asking my WC about it for a few days because I really bombarded her yesterday with emails and I feel bad about doing that. Since my finace does want total privacy, I think the only option is to do the garden or a terrace (no no no lol). I am definitely still having my cocktail at the gazebo. I like that the garden is also romantic... I think I'm stuck on the idea that "you are going to the DR you have to get married on the beach/have the beach or ocean in view, etc" that I hear from people. I guess at the end of the day, I just need to do what my fiance and I want. I think it's most frustrating because I haven't been there to see how it would actually be, you know? Right now, my ceremony location is totally up in the air- anything could happen. Does anyone know if I can pick the spot once I get on site? (if I know exactly what I am using for the ceremony, flowers, alter, etc). I know that they don't have a wedding the day before my wedding so it shouldn't be a big deal for me to walk around and decide where we want the ceremony. If they don't let me do this, what If I picked out a location, and later got down there and decided I didn't like it? argh! haha

Hey there... I KNOW I am really concerned about that as well. Right now, I'm debating between doing the ceremony between the beach and the gazebo. Here are my main concerns: 1. The beach is my first choice. HOWEVER, my ceremony is at 12pm, so there will be lots of speedo-clad gawkers I'm sure around, and I really don't want this. I'm trying to get my WC to confirm that I could have a more private beach setting further down the beach. I don't mind people walking on the shore behind us, but I don't want to be right up next to people out lounging on their beach chairs and beside the cabanas (which is how the beach appears right down from the gazebo) unless you move the ceremony later in the evening. I don't have that option anymore because we're doing the boat cruise for our reception. 2. If I do the gazebo (which is still nice) I want the seating to be more out in the garden (I have 50 guests and I don't want them all squashed in around the gazebo in front of the fence. So, in order to do that, I think I'm going to have to reconfigure my cocktail set-up. They reported that "the cocktail won't be in the way, we'll set it up behind the guests"... which is almost as bad... I'm stuck!

Hey Maridr, Just wondering since you're doing your ceremony and cocktail hour (and have about the same amount of guests as me) do yoku know how your set-up will look? I don't know how/when they set up the cocktail hour... is it after the ceremony or is it already set up? I'm guessing you are doing the setup like the picture I attached to accomodate all your guests?

Hey ladies! I'm hoping for some info! I am now considering changing my ceremony from the beach to the gazebo. I had my heart set on the beach, however the ceremony is at 12pm, and I'm afraid there will be swimsuit-clad gawkers all around. Neither my fiance nor I have that as being on the top of our wedding list lol. If we do the ceremony and the cocktail at the gazeb (we have 50 guests) how do they set up both? Do they already have the cocktail set up when you get there for the ceremony? Thanks!!

Hey there Maridr! Thanks for your input. It's nice to do the ceremony and the cocktail at the gazebo- makes for easy setup with the chairs. I was thinking of doing the gazebo as well, but my fiance is all about the beach. From what I've heard, they aren't too far from each other. I asked if it would be possible for someone to haul up our chairs from the beach for some of our guests to be seated and I haven't gotten a set answer for that. My theme is very casual and "natural" looking, and it only looked like the ottomans that they had were very modern and contemporary. I hope we can just move some chairs from the ceremony on the beach up to the gazebo and can place them around for people to set. I agree that most people can stand (my mother in law is the one saying we NEED seating) and people will be milling around chatting and taking pictures anyways. *sigh* oh well I'll see what everyone says bout it tomorrow during the planning meeting. I too, have most everything planned out (it helps I'm not doing the reception dinner at the resort) so most everything will be getting the smaller details together. so exciting! when do you guys get back? would love to chat and see how everything was!

Hey KeeDon... I am planning on having my cocktail hour at the gazebo as well (beach ceremony). How did they set up seating for you there (if at all?) I'm battling with them right now.... haha! Basically, I wanted a few ottomans set up, or just have the chairs brought up from the beach for guests (I have 50 guests total... only about 10-15 would probably NEED seating as they are elderly and/or have medical issues). I too, want to give my shout-out to my fabulous coordinator, Jessica Bianca. I had Cemone for about a month when I first started planning and she was awful. Needless to say when she left the office I knew it could only go up with who I was assigned to. Jessica Bianca is so sweet, answers emails quickly and is anxious to help me with any questions that I have. If you get her as your planner you are a blessed bride!! I have my power planning meeting in 2 days! Can't believe it. The date is 11/19. Under 14 weeks away now! Any suggestions you all could give would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to haul down grapewood (similar to driftwood) but hoping I can "check it" at the airport as baggage (still in the cardboard box and I will tape it up. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm also a little worried getting through customs with dried wood. Hopefully it won't be an issue. My ceremony is at 12pm on the beach, cocktail hour by the gazebo I hope, and then our reception on La Barcaza... after that come back and boogy at the hotel lobby, then the disco.

I'm sure they will charge you the $120 "outside vendor fee". That is the standard charge for bringing someone from the outside in I believe

I actually will end up paying $470 total. $350 directly to Pastor York and then $120 to the resort. All in all, I've saved $168 (oh boy!) lol. Oh well, better than nothing I guess. It just makes me mad that I'm going to have to watch everything to closely though. I'm also bringing my own photographer from the US (booking her a room for 3 nights in exchange for her photography services) and I'm hoping to only pay the $120 for her as well since I'm listing her as my guest and paying for her for my wedding package ($40 for her for the Fantasy package that I've arranged). If they tried to charge me that outrageous $1000 for the outside photographer fee we would really have a brawl! Basically, I'm just going to say that she's a friend who just happens to take photos. I don't see how they could charge me the $100 when I'm paying for her to be in everything and booking her as a guest?

I just wanted to tell you all THANK YOU! I fought my WC tooth and nail and got her to drop the $638 charge for Pastor York. PPC basically stated that "we just got a new policy where WE have to book the pastor butttttt we'll grandfather you in". How kind of them anyways, they are letting me just pay the $120 for an outside vendor fee- which I think is much better- still not completely happy about it but just glad I got the $600 charge dropped. THANK YOU for alerting me to this!

I am contacting my WC now to be direct about this. I asked what the $638 was even for and they weren't able to give me a direct answer. I'm going to continue to push the issue.

yeah I actually booked directly through Pastor York and he told me just to directly pay him $350 the day of the ceremony. Then, Paradisus is trying to charge me $638 for NOT using their spanish speaking guy and translator by saying this is a "religious" ceremony by using Pastory York. They are saying that I do not owe $638 plus $350, and make it sound like they are going to pay him, but I just don't trust them! I feel like the Miami coordinator (Marilyn) is trying to jip me on A LOT of stuff.