Paradisus Punta Cana (PPC) Brides POST HERE!!

[maridr2012]

Hi Dee.  I am uber excited to see your  review on your wedding, congrats on becoming a Mrs!  I'm especially excited to see your review because I also am using RSE for the same reasons as you, and I'd been nervous that they wouldnt be a great DJ - but question, how were they on introductions/MC announcements?  Did they do that for you?   I also am using HDC photography & videography and am pretty confident they'll do a great job.

 

I'm about 2 months away from my wedding...Yay!!  

 

 

Originally Posted by deesanders33 

Hey ladies!! Sorry I have been MIA for a little while but things have been absolutely insane starting about a month before the wedding (My fiances' dad passed away suddenly), then we left and eloped in Vegas the weekend before we left for the DR! We then flew out to the DR and had the best wedding anyone could even image!!

 

I want to start out by saying Miguelina was amazing! She made sure everything was perfect and I honestly felt zero stress with putting everything in her hands. 

 

We used RSE as our DJ and they did an AMAZING JOB!! We actually were officially booked with DJ Mannia but after hearing lots of complaints we switched over and honestly I was soooo happy with them! 

 

We used HDC for our photographer and videographer and we could tell how passionate they were about their work. Milan did such an amazing job and we LOVE everything they did. 

 

The resort is amazing and absolutely GORGEOUS but do be prepared to do a lot of walking. The resort is VERY big and VERY spread out but we didn't mind it one bit and would do it all over again. I will tell you it was SOOOOO HOT but it was August 11, 2012 when we did get married so what can you expect! 

 

I am going to include some pictures from our wedding. If you have any questions or concerns about this resort you can email me at [email protected] or if you want to see more pictures! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[maridr2012]

Hi, I did ask them about the setup at gazebo for approx 60 people and the answer they gave me left me unsatisfied...they said I would be able to sort out those details once I arrive and to a walk-thru with the on-site coordinator a few days before the wedding.  But...looking at the pic that CDC provided a link for on their FB page, I'm okay with that setup and figure that's prob what we'll go with.  It's very interesting to hear that the Romance coordinators in Miami aren't even employees of Paradisus - and you know what?  It makes sense...because often when I ask them questions I get a slightly different answer each time, or they'll tell  me they need to check with the resort on a price for something.  Ummm...shouldn't they have all that info at their hands?  Isn't that the reason we work with them in the first place, to have a single point of contact for all our questions?!  Frustrating.

 

When I was there in December I met with Miguelina and she's really sweet and is very knowledgeable.  I also am going to reach out to her for answers on  some of my questions - it seems like she readily has answers available and doesnt try to upcharge every.single.thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by SimplenSweet 

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~

[SimplenSweet]

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!

[maridr2012]

Are you hiring Theresa or did she give you all these tips for free?  I do have Miguelina's email: [email protected].  I personally met her during my visit, and booked my wedding directly thru her, but then got shifted to the Miami team.  Just a few days ago I was "re-introduced" to her by the Miami team after we had our "power planning" call.  But, yeah it's prob much easier to correspond with her directly about specifics.

 

 

Originally Posted by SimplenSweet 

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!

[SimplenSweet]

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.

[KelcT]

Ladies, it has been brought to my attention that Paradisus is a "TAG" approved property (for gays). I am not prejudice at all and I hope by asking this I do not come across that way. Personally, I think some in the gay community have healthier relationships than some in the straight community. I was just curious if anyone has had any issues concerning this? I do not think this will be a problem, but I do know places like Disney World have gay pride week and such and I guess my main concern is our entire family being at the resort during their gay pride activities (if they even do such a thing). 

[maridr2012]

KelCT:  By you even posting this...it absolutely comes across as you being prejudiced.  I personally am super offended by your comment.  What does it matter if there are gays at the resort during your stay?  Why not just bother doing your research first if there will be a gay pride event in the area during your stay, and then decide if you want to stay there with your family & friends?  Do you think they will be running around scaring babies?  Pulling people's pants down?  What gives?!  Do you realize that not even 50 years ago certain people would've made the same type of IGNORANT comment as the one you just posted about African Americans, or other ethnic groups? 

 

My best friend - GAY - will be proudly walking down the aisle as part of our wedding party for my wedding.  He is bringing a date, who is just as fabulous as he is, and they will join us in all the festivities, cherishing our special day with my family and other friends.  

 

Honestly...I shake my head every time I hear a comment or read something like this.  Puh-leez.

Originally Posted by KelcT 

Ladies, it has been brought to my attention that Paradisus is a "TAG" approved property (for gays). I am not prejudice at all and I hope by asking this I do not come across that way. Personally, I think some in the gay community have healthier relationships than some in the straight community. I was just curious if anyone has had any issues concerning this? I do not think this will be a problem, but I do know places like Disney World have gay pride week and such and I guess my main concern is our entire family being at the resort during their gay pride activities (if they even do such a thing). 

[maridr2012]

Oh and 1 more thing I'm emailing my GAY best friend and his partner right now to let them know PPC is a "TAG" approved property so they can be sure to book their next vacation there and spread the word to the rest of their friends!!!

[KelcT]

Maridr- Thanks for your reply. I certainly did not mean to offend anyone. That was not my intent at all and I apologize that I came across that way. I believe you made your point very clear in your post.

[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.

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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.