Paradisus Palma Real Wedding Review Part 2

[MrsTrussell2B]

Im sure i will leave things out so feel free to email me with questions. So the day of the wedding this were pretty smooth. They began setting up hours before the wedding so my local wedding coordinator viewed everything. she saw a few things that werent right (the linens for the bride/groom table did not match the linens of the guests tables; the seating chart was incorrect) she let Viviana know and they were fixed. TIP: have a friend act as your "coordinator" in Punta Cana. They will be able to work with viviana to handle things you are unalbe to handle. Juan arrived right on time and so did his videographer. As a matter of fact i had no idea that they arrived early and took photos and video of the hotel. So we were scheduled to start at 5:00 at about 4:50 I left my room and walked to near where the wedding would be located so Juan could get shots of me on the way. Vivianna had me wait around the corner from the Ciel Bar (this is where she will have your guests meet about a half hour before the wedding) so no one could see me. I started getting antsy because i couldnt believe that they were making me wait. Finally as i had a bridezilla moment she came to get me (i found out later that they were still setting up the PA system). We had our own minister so she led the ceremony. Once she was done Vivianna led my guests to the Gabi Beach terrace for the cocktail hour and we continued to take pictures. If i had to do it over again i dont think i would have paid for the cocktail hour. The guest could have easily gone to the Gabi Bar and waited for the reception to start. And when i passed the food at the cocktail hour there seemed to be plently left. Plus there was soooo much food at the reception that is seemed that the cocktail hour was a waste of money. So if your party is small consider telling them to all meet at the Ciel Bar while you take pictures then give them a time to report to the recption. Anyway by the time we arrive at the cocktail hour it was almost over so i didnt get to taste any of the food (plus i was tooo excited)

For the reception we were pretty much on our own. We didnt have a DJ so i had a friend act as MC and another friend man the Ipod. My coordinator pretty much directed the entire reception (this is why i said above to have a coordinator) Vivianna checked on us periodically so im not sure if she left becasue she knew i had someone helping or because this is the standard practice. She let my coordinator know that the wait staff would address any issues which may arise. This worked out fine. The staff was amazing and the food at the reception was wonderful. I had sevarl people comment on how good it was. I highly recommend the Beach BBQ!

Sorry ladies i hope this was useful info. I really want to answer all questions because I know there arent many PPR brides. I have 400 pics from Juan. I will post them in the appropiate spot

[DanielleNDerek]

Carla you had some great tips. Especially the cocktail hr info, that's great if guests can just hang out at the bar. I can't wait to see the 400 pics.

[DanielleNDerek]

I've booked Bana for our Welcome Dinner, i saw that you did too. viviana recommended us doing the festival menu there. If that's the same menu you had, can you tell me if there's some choices for vegetarians that do eat seafood?

[Vane]

Hey Carla, where is the Ciel Bar? I have been on the website often, but I don't recall the Ciel Bar.

[foxytv]

I totally agree with just picking a bar to meet at for the Cocktail Hour. It is such a waste of money to pay for bartenders when there is never a problem getting drinks at the bar. And, we saw lots of people leave out of courtesy since it was obviously a wedding party, although we wouldn't have minded if they stayed and mingled with us.

[MrsTrussell2B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek I've booked Bana for our Welcome Dinner, i saw that you did too. viviana recommended us doing the festival menu there. If that's the same menu you had, can you tell me if there's some choices for vegetarians that do eat seafood?

I dont remember vegetarian choices at Bana BUT i will admit half of the time we had no idea what they were serving us. I do remember 2 salads but i know at least one of the two had meat. I didnt like the festival menu. It wasnt bad but it didnt feel like dinner it felt more like a cocktail menu. There was plenty of food but i cant remember any of it sticking out in my mind as being wonderful (just OK). and I had suspected that guests would leave there and go to the buffett. and i was right about 1 hour after the dinner i found several of the guests at the buffett. But no one complained about Bana because the staff was great and they knew that they could go to the buffett afterwards so i dont regret holding the dinner there and i would definitely have it there if i had to do it over again.

[DanielleNDerek]

Thanks for the info about Bana Carla.

[MrsTrussell2B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vane Hey Carla, where is the Ciel Bar? I have been on the website often, but I don't recall the Ciel Bar.

oh sorry on the website its called the Sky Bar. When Vivianna first told me the guest would meet there i had no idea where it was. Then i think i found out that ciel is Spanish for sky. Outside right in between the the Buffet (Naos) and the Market Grill. If you wedding is on the beach it is only steps away from the beach where the ceremony is held.

[Vane]

Thanks Carla! That makes sense, Cielo is sky in Spanish