Any Grand Palladium brides?

[Manda123]

Yep, booked it a couple of weeks ago. You can also book for other people, too. Beware though - you need to put down a 50% downpayment. It was really easy. www.renovaspa.com .  Had it all worked out and paid within a couple of days.

I'd love to hear what Rocio answers... I've been waiting for a response for the same questions! Let me know

 

Originally Posted by JND2012 

Hey everyone,

 

I'm sending Rocio a huge list of questions today, about everything.  Menu (if we can choose more than one item), seating charts, everything.  I can't believe how quickly it's coming!  I feel like we have so much to do, it's overwhelming.  Manda, did you make your appointment at the spa?  How much does it cost for your hair and such?  Am I running out of time for booking an apt?

 

 

 

[Caroline1110]

 I feel bad I haven't posted a review yet, I've just been so busy. Anyway, you shouldnt have problems booking the spa, but you should do that ASAP if you have a bridal party as well trying to get in. It $155 for hair and make-up and they do a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend the services at the spa.

 

For menu, you can only choose one item per course for everyone. Trust me though, it's the way to go. The resort does not do well at cooking dinners for big numbers. The times we went for dinners in the restaurants, we had 33 people usually at 3 separate tables. I didn't expect it to be perfect but most times, one table would be finishing dessert when the other was finally getting the first course. We ate at Portofinos (would recommend) and other than the soup being a Luke warm, the food was the best a week. Also, even though we were told we would be eating in the restaurant, we were in a very private area overlooking the lagoon. It was perfect. 

 

Also, the vanilla wedding cake awesome. Looks wise, it was simple - white with fresh flowers (I'll post a picture). It was one tier, with 7 layers. Just a side note, stay away from any desserts that say "mousse". GROSS! Instead of a typical mousse, they are made with gelatin. We had mousse chosen as our dessert at the dinner (then have the cake during dancing), but we scrapped that because we did not want to have the mousse served.

 

I wasn't going to write a review now, but I also want to say we used a resort photographer and we would recommend our photographer, Marco. The pictures were great and the bonus is you get them pretty well the next day. Everyone commented on his quality of work. 

 

Also, I think there was an earlier question about translation of legal docs. We got married legally here, then did a symbolic ceremony there. For us, that was way easier and much cheaper.

 

Anyway, if you have any questions let me know. Things have been do busy with Christmas life, it may be easier to put my opinions in shorter stints. 

 

I will add pictures though, my computer is acting up tonight.

 

[Caroline1110]

I wrote the previous from my iPhone. After reading it, I dont know if it was clear that we had our wedding dinner at Portofinos.

[JND2012]

Thanks for posting, Caroline.  I know things are crazy at this time of year and I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around both the holidays AND our wedding.  I do have a couple of Q's, I hope you don't mind!

 

1)  Did you choose from the menu?  If yes, any recommendation? 

2)  Did you use any external vendors?  Is there anything you'd recommend using one for/not using one for?

3)  Did you use renovaspa for your hair and makeup?  I've been trying to connect the dots and am having a hard time figuring out what's what - this is the spa for the resort, yes?

4)  Did you find that a program/menu/traditional wedding stuff was necessary for the guests?  I'm trying to figure out exactly what we need to do!

4)  Do they automatically have a table set up for the guestbook, photos, etc?  Is it already decorated with flowers or is it extra?

 

Thanks...  I may have more q's to throw at you soon but that's what I can think of now

Originally Posted by Caroline1110 

 I feel bad I haven't posted a review yet, I've just been so busy. Anyway, you shouldnt have problems booking the spa, but you should do that ASAP if you have a bridal party as well trying to get in. It $155 for hair and make-up and they do a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend the services at the spa.

 

For menu, you can only choose one item per course for everyone. Trust me though, it's the way to go. The resort does not do well at cooking dinners for big numbers. The times we went for dinners in the restaurants, we had 33 people usually at 3 separate tables. I didn't expect it to be perfect but most times, one table would be finishing dessert when the other was finally getting the first course. We ate at Portofinos (would recommend) and other than the soup being a Luke warm, the food was the best a week. Also, even though we were told we would be eating in the restaurant, we were in a very private area overlooking the lagoon. It was perfect. 

 

Also, the vanilla wedding cake awesome. Looks wise, it was simple - white with fresh flowers (I'll post a picture). It was one tier, with 7 layers. Just a side note, stay away from any desserts that say "mousse". GROSS! Instead of a typical mousse, they are made with gelatin. We had mousse chosen as our dessert at the dinner (then have the cake during dancing), but we scrapped that because we did not want to have the mousse served.

 

I wasn't going to write a review now, but I also want to say we used a resort photographer and we would recommend our photographer, Marco. The pictures were great and the bonus is you get them pretty well the next day. Everyone commented on his quality of work. 

 

Also, I think there was an earlier question about translation of legal docs. We got married legally here, then did a symbolic ceremony there. For us, that was way easier and much cheaper.

 

Anyway, if you have any questions let me know. Things have been do busy with Christmas life, it may be easier to put my opinions in shorter stints. 

 

I will add pictures though, my computer is acting up tonight.

 

 

[JND2012]

Manda, which package did you go with? 

 

OMG your wedding is in LESS THAN A MONTH!!!  I just got goosebumps writing that!  Do you feel ready?  It seems like I've felt completely behind ever since starting, jeesh.  We just ordered our caketoppers, my BM's dresses should be arriving this week, our guestbook is in the works, FH's suit is being made.  I need to find SHOES!!!  *sigh* lol
 

Originally Posted by Manda123 

Yep, booked it a couple of weeks ago. You can also book for other people, too. Beware though - you need to put down a 50% downpayment. It was really easy. www.renovaspa.com .  Had it all worked out and paid within a couple of days.

I'd love to hear what Rocio answers... I've been waiting for a response for the same questions! Let me know

 

 

 

[Manda123]

Thanks for the review!  It sounds like you had a great time! The dinner serivce is slightly worrisome; we have a group of almost 70 now, so that could be a problem! The only big group meals we have are our welcome brunch, which is basically open to the resort but we have a reserved section, our rehearsal dinner at Portofinos, and the wedding, which will be private at La Laguna.

 

I'd love to see any pics you have of flowers, centrepieces, etc.

 

I have a lot of the same questions as JND! I;m debating doing menus and ceremony programs right now. Its been so tough communicating with Rocio about these issues, and now I feel like I am running out of time...

 

Originally Posted by Caroline1110 

 I feel bad I haven't posted a review yet, I've just been so busy. Anyway, you shouldnt have problems booking the spa, but you should do that ASAP if you have a bridal party as well trying to get in. It $155 for hair and make-up and they do a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend the services at the spa.

 

For menu, you can only choose one item per course for everyone. Trust me though, it's the way to go. The resort does not do well at cooking dinners for big numbers. The times we went for dinners in the restaurants, we had 33 people usually at 3 separate tables. I didn't expect it to be perfect but most times, one table would be finishing dessert when the other was finally getting the first course. We ate at Portofinos (would recommend) and other than the soup being a Luke warm, the food was the best a week. Also, even though we were told we would be eating in the restaurant, we were in a very private area overlooking the lagoon. It was perfect. 

 

Also, the vanilla wedding cake awesome. Looks wise, it was simple - white with fresh flowers (I'll post a picture). It was one tier, with 7 layers. Just a side note, stay away from any desserts that say "mousse". GROSS! Instead of a typical mousse, they are made with gelatin. We had mousse chosen as our dessert at the dinner (then have the cake during dancing), but we scrapped that because we did not want to have the mousse served.

 

I wasn't going to write a review now, but I also want to say we used a resort photographer and we would recommend our photographer, Marco. The pictures were great and the bonus is you get them pretty well the next day. Everyone commented on his quality of work. 

 

Also, I think there was an earlier question about translation of legal docs. We got married legally here, then did a symbolic ceremony there. For us, that was way easier and much cheaper.

 

Anyway, if you have any questions let me know. Things have been do busy with Christmas life, it may be easier to put my opinions in shorter stints. 

 

I will add pictures though, my computer is acting up tonight.

 

 

YES! I'm having mini panic attacks when I think about it. We now have a few people who are possible last minute additions, so we are working all of that out, too. I;m realizing that we all chose a pretty expensive resort to get married at! Paying for the package and paying for the private reception and we are looking at an expensive day! Ah well.....

 

I chose the more expensive package... Can't remember what its called. It includes having my dress steamed.

 

What kind of shoes are you looking for??

Originally Posted by JND2012 

Manda, which package did you go with? 

 

OMG your wedding is in LESS THAN A MONTH!!!  I just got goosebumps writing that!  Do you feel ready?  It seems like I've felt completely behind ever since starting, jeesh.  We just ordered our caketoppers, my BM's dresses should be arriving this week, our guestbook is in the works, FH's suit is being made.  I need to find SHOES!!!  *sigh* lol
 

 

 

[Caroline1110]

So, I tried posting pictures last night, but the website wouldn't let me but I will try again later when I get home.

 

Our wedding dinner was at Portofinos. It was probably the best food all week. I would highly recommend that restaurant. We chosen the Caesar salad, spinach tomato soup ( it a mix of cream soups. One side of the bowl tomato the other side spinach. They were think enough not to mix. Great soup but it was served luke warm. Main course was stuffed chicken. Really good. And as mentioned, we skipped dessert and stuck with the wedding cake. 

 

I didn't use any outside vendors and it was just fine. The spa who did my hair and make-up was awesome. The flowers met my expectations as well. I'll post pictures.

 

If there is anything extra like a guest book table that you'd like, just ask when you have your meeting with the WC a couple of days before. 

 

Ok, just at the doctor office...gotta go.

 

To be continued.

[JND2012]

Does anyone know anything about booking excursions?  Is it something we have to do before hand?  We wanted to book an excursion that everyone can attend  (about 38 of us) but we don't know how to go about it. 

[Manda123]

Hey, we are just in the process of doing this now. My TA is looking into it for us. I think that you can do a search on here and find a number of different excursion companies that will do ruins tours. I will let you know what my TA says.

 

Originally Posted by JND2012 

Does anyone know anything about booking excursions?  Is it something we have to do before hand?  We wanted to book an excursion that everyone can attend  (about 38 of us) but we don't know how to go about it. 

 

[Caroline1110]

Me personally, I would strongly discourage using excursion companies you book unless you know someone who has used the company before or you've done your research and it gets good reviews. I've heard too many horror stories about shady companies taking your money and not showing up or giving crappy service. If you're flying Air Transat, they have a rep on site that could easily coordinate an excursion for a large group with reputable tour groups.