Paradisus Punta Cana (PPC) Brides POST HERE!!

[leila29]

Hey ladies!

 

So I had made a previous post about how unhappy I was with my wedding coordinator, Cemone, through the Romance Team in Miami. I then found out that she is out indefinitely and that I had been placed with someone else on the Romance Team and her name is Jessica-Bianca with only 3 months left until my wedding. I felt like my wedding was completely out of my hands and that I was going to have to start over from scratch. To put it lightly, I was freaking out!

 

I just wanted to let you all know that if you have the pleasure to have Jessica-Bianca as your Romance Team wedding coordinator then you will be absolutely thrilled with her! She has shown me such wonderful costumer service and has responded to every one of my questions within a couple of hours of emailing her (within business hours of course). In less than a month we have covered and confirmed every detail of my wedding for October 19th. She picked up where Cemone and I had left off, we had our planning call and finalized everything via email. I can't explain how happy I am with her!

 

Good luck to everyone in there planning phase! Only two more months for me!

[keedon2011]

Hi Ladies, Every since I got married May 12, 2012 I haven't been on here but I wanted to communicate the awesome time I had in DR at PPC. First off, this resort is absolutely beautiful! We had 3 butlers and they were the best! We made one phone call and they were there to pick us up or bring us champagne, etc. I stressed a lot leading up to the wedding because I didn't no what to expect...please be assured that the romance team at PPC are the best! No need to stress like me:( They captured my entire vision. The package I had was the chill out but I used white linens and white orchids. I bought with me my accent colors for ribbons and flowers. I also bought my own sandboxes, starfish, and stuff for my guest sign in table. Ways to get around cost: I had an all-white attire welcome dinner with 47 guest and all attended the Gabi. We had the 20 sit together and the other guest sat throughout the restaurant. We didn't pay extra and the manager accommodated us with no problems. I would also recommend the bridal suite because it was gorgeous! We had champagne and orange juice...food and freedom from our guest. We had a great view and ample space. Lastly, the gazebo was perfect but it was very windy with the ocean breeze. I would recommend an updo! Overall, My guest had a blast and want to return. my husband and I loved this place and we didn't want to leave. I would say not to worry at all. If it rains they have great alternative locations as well. Perfect place for a perfect day:)

[maridr2012]

Keedon so glad to hear ur wedding experience was wonderful! Be prepared to be bombarded now with questions from all of us including me lol. Since you got married at the gazebo, approximately how long was ur walk down the aisle? I can't seem to get answers on that lol. I just want to pick songs and appropriate lengths for our procession and recession! Also, how did the spa do with ur hair and makeup? I see ur a brown girl like me. My package includes hair and makeup, but I'm considering getting a lesson from MAC just in case Im not happy with theirs. Hair I'm not too worried, I was there in December and got a blow-out at the salon they did a great job. Nobody does a blow-out like the Dominicans-I may be a bit biased as I'm Dominican myself haha. Im also using the bridal suiteso my girls and I have privacy. Can you please share oils of your day, ceremony, reception, hair/makeup? By the way thanks for the tip on updo due to the wind...I've been undecided on that! Congrats on your wedding!

[keedon2011]

Thank you Maridr!

 

Feel free to ask away! This forum has helped me so much and I'm glad to offer some assistance back.

 

After you get off the trolley "that they provide", you walk up the path and it may take approx. 25 seconds (at least for me it did). I choose Beyonce "After all is said and done" I walked very slow because they have little cobble stones along the path and you don't want to fall:-( My girls came down to India Arie "Beautiful Surprise" and it took them approx. 60 seconds (I had 3 girls). Hopefully, this helps! I would recommend having music to get your guest seated in case your running late.

 

I used the bridal suite but my hair/makeup stylist was a guest so I didn't use those services. Attached are two picture to give you visual. Good luck and happy planning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[maridr2012]

Thanks for that info!  Finally someone who could answer it for me, lol.  You were a stunningly beautiful bride by the way!  I think I will select a song for guest seating, good tip!  Where did you have your cocktail hour, and what about reception?  I have about 60 guests coming, and I think I'm having the cocktail hour right by the gazebo, and my reception in one of the terraces.  

 

Also, how did you handle tipping?  I'm trying to include that in my budget, but not sure who or what I'm supposed to tip.  I figured I'd tip Miguelina the WC $100, I'd tip the bartender $30 at the cocktail hour, the other bartender at reception $50, the wait staff $20-$30 each.  

 

Did you go with Arrecife for your photography?

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by keedon2011 

Thank you Maridr!

 

Feel free to ask away! This forum has helped me so much and I'm glad to offer some assistance back.

 

After you get off the trolley "that they provide", you walk up the path and it may take approx. 25 seconds (at least for me it did). I choose Beyonce "After all is said and done" I walked very slow because they have little cobble stones along the path and you don't want to fall:-( My girls came down to India Arie "Beautiful Surprise" and it took them approx. 60 seconds (I had 3 girls). Hopefully, this helps! I would recommend having music to get your guest seated in case your running late.

 

I used the bridal suite but my hair/makeup stylist was a guest so I didn't use those services. Attached are two picture to give you visual. Good luck and happy planning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[maridr2012]

PPC brides:  Did any of you ship your items down to DR prior to the wedding so you wouldn't have to lug it all in extra baggage on the airplane?  I'm getting EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED with trying to get answers on how to ship my stuff down there.  I mainly have OOT bag stuffers, the bags themselves, and wedding decor including tealight candles, candle holders, raffia fans, etc.  It's alot and some of it is too bulky and delicate to just throw in a luggage case.   I was referred to a company called CPS by the PPC Romance Dept, but they have been unresponsive to any of my emails on basic questions and at this point I have no confidence in giving my business to them and having my items arrive safely and on time, based on their lack of response.  Please help!  If any of you can share what you did/who you used to ship your items I'd be very grateful!

[keedon2011]

Hey Maridr, I can answer your concerns about shipping items to DR because I thought about this idea too. It cost $150 to ship one big box an it take 4-6 weeks to reach the resort because it has to go through customs. Once I heard that, I decided to give my mom, sister, and bridemaids a box. Keep the important stuff with you because one of my bridesmaids flight got delayed. As for your other question, we only tipped Miguelina $80 and the bartenders $20. She was very greatful. We used the gazebo area for our cocktail hour and the set up was beautiful. Our reception was pool side and we had a blast. We used DJ Mannia and got cold fireworks in our package. It was well worth the money...i must say. I used HDC photography and they were amazing and very professional. Thanks for the compliment...I wouldn't change a thing about my day! Continue to fire away.

[SimplenSweet]

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.

[maridr2012]

Hey SimplenSweet!  I get married on Nov 9th...we will just be missing each other!  My ceremony will be at the gazebo and the cocktail hour will be there as well.  I have about 60 guests attending.  I've only just started working with Jessica who is filling in for my planner Veronica indefinitely.  I never had to work with Cemone - thankfully.  Veronica's been absolutely great...and so far my experience with Jessica has been great as well!  My power planning call will be with Jessica this Friday, but I've been slowly planning everything out with Veronica over the last 6 months so pretty much everything is planned at this point, the power call shouldn't be too much to go thru for me.  

 

I too asked about the setup for the cocktail hour, extra costs with chairs, ottomans, lounge tables etc...it all adds up quickly.  Veronica suggested to me not to bother with getting the extra chairs etc.  I have the Aqua Package so I will already have 3 lounge tables set up, and they setup the h'ors deuvres tables and bar literally right next to the gazebo.  She suggested that guests can just sit at the same chairs they used for the ceremony, and most people will be standing around chit-chatting and posing for pics during the cocktail hour anyway.  So...I decided to take her suggestion and save a few bucks.  Hope this helps!

 

 

Originally Posted by SimplenSweet 

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.

[SimplenSweet]

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!