Paradisus Punta Cana (PPC) Brides POST HERE!!

[jkweddingday]

Hi Glowwbug, thank you so much for the quick and detailed response! Your answers are SUPER helpful :-) I can't wait to see more pictures!

 

Bikegirl--did you ever find out if its possible to keep the basic Chill Out Chic package, but upgrade the liquor? And, if so, are you willing/able to share the cost of doing so?

 

Thanks, Ladies! It's so exciting to connect with other PPC brides :-D

[PJKirbs]

Hey there!

 

I don't know what time of the year you are planning for, but my travel agent is only quoting $377.44 per person for 3 nights.  This is for double occupancy at the Paradisus Punta Cana.  PM if you want more info.   Your rate seems a bit high.  Good luck!

[PJKirbs]

 

 

Originally Posted by mushra2011 

 

Thanks so much Glowwbug for sharing your review and your pictures.  They looked awesome and I can tell you guys had so much fun.  I can't wait to see more of your wedding pictures. 

 

Dear PPC brides,  my TA is quoting me $834 for three nights for double occupancy for June.  I am about to sign the group contract and  I was wondering if you think this is fair.   Bikegirl, did you get the same rate, if you don't mind sharing? 

 

thanks so much./

 

 

Hey there!

 

I don't know what time of the year you are planning for, but my travel agent is only quoting $377.44 per person for 3 nights.  This is for double occupancy at the Paradisus Punta Cana.  PM if you want more info.   Your rate seems a bit high.  Good luck! 

 

 

[mushra2011]

Ladies,

I asked Teresa the difference between going with the package and doing fantasy with privatization of a restuarant.  Here is what her response was. I thought I would share, if you guys are in the same boat as I am.  Actually, chill out came out less but see below what your are getting with the package.  Let me know of your ideas.  I have not decided on the reception yet.  I thought I would go with a beach reception but I didn't hear encouragement from Teresa on that one.

 

Thanks, 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 

There is one big significant difference between the a complete romance package and a restaurant privatization
and that is an outside reception venue and the type of bar
With the restaurant privatization there is an open top shelf premium bar and your paying the close down fee for the restaurant as your plan "A&B"
  
 
Chill out Chic Inclusions vs. Fantasy and privatization of a restaurant
 
Chill out                                                                                                   Fantasy/Custom
Cocktail Bar- National local brands                                                     Cocktail Top shelf premium
Cocktail- 3 cold appetizers on a cocktail table                                    Cocktail- 5 mixed hot and cold appetizers waiter passed
Decor for ceremony Brown and white, change extra $                   Can be white or ivory, or the white and sage green
Dinner-minimalist preset buffet                                                           Choice of designer plated or designer buffet
Venue- outdoor , open terrace, banquet room                                  Venue- private closed restaurant
Backup plan B- banquet room only                                                     Backup plan b  ( not necessary)
Reception bar-  National local brands                                                Reception bar-Top shelf premium
  

[mushra2011]

Ladies,

I asked Teresa the difference between package and doing fantasy with privatization of a restuarant. See below.  I haven't decided

on the reception yet. Please share your ideas.  Originally I thought of doing the beach reception but I'm not sure.

 

****************************************************************************

 

There is one big significant difference between the a complete romance package and a restaurant privatization
and that is an outside reception venue and the type of bar
 
With the restaurant privatization there is an open top shelf premium bar and your paying the close down fee for the restaurant as your plan "A&B"
 
 
 
Chill out Chic Inclusions vs. Fantasy and privatization of a restaurant
 
Chill out                                                                                                   Fantasy/Custom
Cocktail Bar- National local brands                                                     Cocktail Top shelf premium
Cocktail- 3 cold appetizers on a cocktail table                                    Cocktail- 5 mixed hot and cold appetizers waiter passed
Decor for ceremony Brown and white, change extra $                   Can be white or ivory, or the white and sage green
Dinner-minimalist preset buffet                                                           Choice of designer plated or designer buffet
Venue- outdoor , open terrace, banquet room                                  Venue- private closed restaurant
Backup plan B- banquet room only                                                     Backup plan b  ( not necessary)
Reception bar-  National local brands                                                Reception bar-Top shelf premium
 

[PJKirbs]

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushra2011 

 

Ladies,

I asked Teresa the difference between package and doing fantasy with privatization of a restuarant. See below.  I haven't decided

on the reception yet. Please share your ideas.  Originally I thought of doing the beach reception but I'm not sure.

 

****************************************************************************

 

There is one big significant difference between the a complete romance package and a restaurant privatization

and that is an outside reception venue and the type of bar

 

With the restaurant privatization there is an open top shelf premium bar and your paying the close down fee for the restaurant as your plan "A&B"

 

 

 

Chill out Chic Inclusions vs. Fantasy and privatization of a restaurant

 

Chill out                                                                                                   Fantasy/Custom

Cocktail Bar- National local brands                                                     Cocktail Top shelf premium

Cocktail- 3 cold appetizers on a cocktail table                                    Cocktail- 5 mixed hot and cold appetizers waiter passed

Decor for ceremony Brown and white, change extra $                   Can be white or ivory, or the white and sage green

Dinner-minimalist preset buffet                                                           Choice of designer plated or designer buffet

Venue- outdoor , open terrace, banquet room                                  Venue- private closed restaurant

Backup plan B- banquet room only                                                     Backup plan b  ( not necessary)

Reception bar-  National local brands                                                Reception bar-Top shelf premium

 

 

 

[PJKirbs]

Mrs. Lamb - I can't wait to hear your Wedding Review.  I hope everything went well!  Congrats on Newlywed-hood!  :-)
 

Originally Posted by MrsLamb 

Hi, Bikegirl!

 

Thanks for starting this thread!  You're right...PPR and PPC are two different resorts that deserve their own threads! I hope I can contribute some helpful insights to other brides.

 

I'm from CT and I live in San Juan, PR with my fiance. We decided to do a destination wedding so everyone who wants to be there has to travel, not just his family or mine. Fair enough. We chose the DR because it's so cost-effective. The price per person at a hotel comparable to PPC in San Juan is about $175. That is JUST for the food and drinks. No flowers, no decor, etc. CT or NY would be even more, so...easy choice. Plus, it makes a fun and memorable vacation for our friends and family. =)

 

Well, my wedding is coming up fast! October 23, 2010. I did a site inspection last January with Andrea, who has since left the resort. I've been working with Jennifer Alvarez on the planning. It's going so slowly though... I can't decide on anything, and even though I was there only in January, I feel like it's difficult to visualize things. (That's one thing to consider if you're having a destination wedding.)

 

I was all psyched about a beach wedding and reception and then I thought about dancing in the sand. Ewww. Not my favorite thing, so I'll probably bring in a dance floor. I initially wanted the ceremony to be on the beach, but then I thought the gazebo would be prettier because of the green from the grass and the trees. Unfortunately, the gazebo is taken on that day. I'm pissed because Andrea told me the beach weddings are held right in front of the gazebo because the beach is a bit more private (as private as you can get on a public beach, right?), so I thought it would be no problem to move it to the gazebo. But Jennifer told me they have another beach if the gazebo is taken. Grrrrr!

 

So now I'm thinking about the gardens for the ceremony and the beach for the reception at Gabi Beach. I'm going a little nuts because I can't decide and everyone keeps telling me, "whatever you want." I'm grateful that no one is imposing their vision on me, though. =)

 

For brides who are contemplating between the PPR and PPC, the deciding factors for me were:

- The romantic, intimate feel of the PPC, rather than the palatial and spacious feel of the PPR.

- The beach by the gazebo for the wedding ceremony was more private (I'm letting it go.... lol!). 

- The Gabi Beach for the reception is private (Gabi Beach bar is closed at night) (not to be confused with the Gabi beach/restaurant at the Reserve, which you can also privatize for about $10,000).

 

 

One thing to consider is  this: PPR is more expensive, but you can have your cake and eat it too insofar as you can have the comfort of a patio, roof, and facilities for a plated dinner right next to the beach. (You can privatize the whole restaurant, but if you don't, it still remains somewhat private as long as other guests don't act imprudently). At PPC I have to deal with sand on the dance floor. (I know, I'm probably sounding crazy-- It's a beach wedding!! lol!) I can go on thinking how I should have chosen PPR, but the feeling in my heart was better at PPC, so I have to trust that it will all work out beautifully!

 

Communication with Jennifer has been good. She writes and understands English well. I just wish she would be more helpful in offering ideas. It's like going to a restaurant and having a server who tells you about the wonderful specials and what wine would pair nicely with them as opposed to a server who says, "what can I bring you?". She's more like the latter. Like I said above, at least she's not imposing her vision on me. =)

 

I haven't chosen any details yet. Right now we're having the Chill-Cut Chic package (brown with dots), but I may change the linens to the white ones included in th Wish package.

 

Choosing a photographer is really hard. I wanted to have this amazing woman from Wisconsin, but I don't want to spend so much of my budget on flying someone in. Her work is amazing, though, and from the conversation I had with her over the phone, she is super sweet. Here's a link to website (and no, I have no affiliation with her other than wishing she could shoot my wedding! haha!) 

 

http://www.mthreestudio.com/

 

 

Ok, I think I've been super winded here, so..... bye for now! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jhartford19]

Hi girls, I had my phone call with Lauren and here is what I have learned: - Everything costs extra - centerpieces are about $60 for a small local tropical flower centerpiece and $100 for a small imported flower centerpiece - with the packages the sound system is included for the ceremony, but for the reception it is $100 an hour - there are different options for the dinner, you just have to ask for other options - if you get your own photographer it is $120 to bring your photographer onto the resort - you can have family/friends set stuff up for you the day of the wedding, otherwise if you bring your own things they charge a fee to set them up, no matter how simple - decorations for the gazebo- flowers are about $160 and veils are $250 - if you want one long rectangular table they will use a few small square tables and push them together That's all that I can think of right now, but if I remember anything else I will post it. Also I have some other Q&As in my email that I will copy and paste when I get to my home computer!

[ninassasso]

Hi to all the PPC brides :)

 

We are also having our wedding at the PPC May 5th 2011, staying there from the 30th April to May 9th. Is anyone else getting married at that time?

We are from Europe and are finding the whole process a bit complicated because of the documentation legalization and there being no DR consulate in our country. Has anyone used the services of WEDO for their civil wedding? What is your experience? Also, are any of you prospective brides using the WISH complimentary package? I do not know what the set up looks like yet, is the arch decorated and in which color? Our ceremony is going to be very intimate just the two of us, since we live very far away and it would be abnormally expensive to bring our family and friends...

Also, we (read ME ) are doing all the planning ourselves (not through an agency) and I would appreciate very much any input that u might have, advice or recommendation? And also if some of the brides having their wedding at the same time would get back to me I would love to exchange some info with them. Several heads are smarter than one

Does anyone know the cost of a day-pass for an outside photographer? And which restaurant is the best for having a romantic dinner after the ceremony?

So many questions, so little time ):):

[kokonutte]

@ninassasso me and another bride that posts on here will be there at that time.  I arrive on May 5 and have my wedding on May 9.  You will have to fill me in and let me know how everything goes with yours.  What part of Europe are you coming from?  My fiance is from Germany and we have a group of his family and friends coming down to meet us there (we currently live in Canada).