Now Sapphire Weddings Formerly Paradisus Riviera

[jessiker05]

Hi Ladies!

 

I'm getting excited for my wedding 6-2-15 at Now Sapphire!  We chose the divine package at the resort and it includes all of the basics like food, alcohol, cake, some flowers, the beach ceremony setup, and a small photography package.  Overall, it seems that the wedding will be the most bang for my buck-which is what I'm all about.

 

I have also been ordering a few small things to take with me to cut down on added costs while I'm there (Table runners, Chair Bows, Lanterns).  When I compared the pricing, it was a no brainer to bring my own and the wedding coordinator will still set it up- some at an additional cost.

 

A few other extras-

We did chose to hire a DJ.  However, because of the outside vendor fee, we decided to stay in-house. We also hired a photographer.  After weeks of scrolling through reviews and websites, and requesting quotes I finally came across Octavio Montes Photography.  www.OctavioMontes.com His pricing was very straight forward and responded to my questions and concerns quickly.  He even offers 10% off for brides.  This was a no brainer for me.  The resort wanted an absurd amount for less services & the resort anly charges a day pass for the photographer.

 

I will post again after the wedding with pictures and more reviews.  I just wanted to try to be helpful since I was on this site trolling for any new posts up until now.  Good Luck

Hi, I was just wondering what is the actual vendor fee to hire an outside DJ? I've seen a couple different quotes on here. Do you know if the in-house DJ sets up much for lighting? Thanks!

[jeffandrobyn]

@@jessiker05 the fee for an outside DJ is $300. Photographers and videographers have a day pass fee of $65/each. 

@@vancouverpetunia I thought about decorating the pergola with twinkle (xmas) lights and chinese lanterns. Even with bringing my own, it was something ridiculous like $400+ to have them set up because of the labor and poles that were needed. 

[vancouverpetunia]

@@jeffandrobyn Thanks for the warning about the decor. When I asked originally, the WC said it would be something like $400 plus to set up poles, etc. if I wanted lights over the dining area. But then I asked about stringing them in the pergola and along the railing where the tables will be set up (i.e. no poles required) and he said it would be $100 per area, so $200. But I will double-check, as $400+ is ridiculous.

[jessiker05]

Having a bit of a mental breakdown! I thought I had everything worked out, I chose tequila terrace for my cocktail hour and reception, so I sent it my paperwork Monday to hold the date and location after my TA told me that date was "wide open" at the resort.. then Saturday she tells me the paperwork went through fine, my trip is booked, but the tequila terrace must have been booked over the week! OMG, I just took 10 steps backwards!  

 

So my TA suggested ceremony on the beach, as planned, but cocktail hour at Las Lloronas and reception at the Preferred Pool (although I won't be getting my dreamy oceanview that I wanted). Has anyone used either of these locations that can give me some details, tips, pictures, anything so that I know what the set-up is like?!

 

thanks in advance!

[jessiker05]

Howdy! I am getting married on January 10th so its right around the corner! I have been speaking a lot with Juan so I just wanted to post my two cents.

 

The 2015 price has changed. I went up a few hundred bucks. They are in the middle of letting all the brides know.

 

As for the florist, we originally booked an outside vendor, was going to go meet them outside of the resort and I was told "if you bring in any flowers, you will be charged a $300 vendor fee" so we are just going with the resorts to avoid the stress and arguments.

 

I read a question on the chair, we are upgrading to the silver tiffany chairs at $10 a piece, and brining sashes with us. Juan said they would move the chairs from the beach to the preferred pool with the sashes on it for $2/chair. Much better.

 

I was very worried about the pool area because there are not many pictures of this location. We are getting married at 4 pm on the beach, then having pictures until 6. (I assume because the pool isn't private until then). At 6 pm we are having our cocktail hour followed by the reception at the pool. WE HIRED A DJ, so whoever was told they couldn't at the pool, things must have changed because Juan is allowing us to.

 

As for lighting, we don't want to pay the $900 that it costs for the Chinese lanterns, and Italian lights are $450 (which we were going to go with ) until I read "$450/strand" so I am not sure how many strands are needed. Juan said they include 2 spotlights, and he will put a little extra light by our polaroid guest book. We are also bringing some candles for the tables so I think we will be ok!

 

Any questions, feel free to ask now that I have the prices and some of the info! I feel so much better!

 

Hi there! I'm wondering how everything went at the preferred pool? I think I'll be stuck with this venue, as the others are booked up on my date and as you and @@kyoung090 mentioned, there aren't many pictures of this location. I'm just curious how the lighting is, if they fit all the tables together in one area (rather then spacing them out around the pool) and if you were allowed to have the DJ? Any details you could provide would be a big help! Thanks!

[Ashleyg280]

Having a bit of a mental breakdown! I thought I had everything worked out, I chose tequila terrace for my cocktail hour and reception, so I sent it my paperwork Monday to hold the date and location after my TA told me that date was "wide open" at the resort.. then Saturday she tells me the paperwork went through fine, my trip is booked, but the tequila terrace must have been booked over the week! OMG, I just took 10 steps backwards!

 

So my TA suggested ceremony on the beach, as planned, but cocktail hour at Las Lloronas and reception at the Preferred Pool (although I won't be getting my dreamy oceanview that I wanted). Has anyone used either of these locations that can give me some details, tips, pictures, anything so that I know what the set-up is like?!

 

thanks in advance!

I'm in the exact same boat as you are! Everything was going to be exactly what I wanted with the reception at the tequila terrace and then after my TA lied to me and told me it was confirmed, the truth came out and now I'm at the preferred pool. Of course it was after I had already sent my save the dates out so there was no changing it. What TA company are you using?

 

I too would love to see more pictures of receptions at the preferred pool. I looked on the internet for HOURS one night and all I came up with is the 2 or 3 stock photos. Let me know if you have any luck with finding pictures!

[jeffandrobyn]

@@vancouverpetunia

 

Oh, i was referring only to overhead. I nearly fell over when I heard $400. But if it's just going along the side then that makes a lot of sense that it would be cheaper. I suggest buying the lights yourself though to save money. 

@@Ashleyg280

 

I'm sorry but that's unacceptable and total b.s. Who is your TA and what are they doing to make up for their f up?? Do you have anything in writing confirming that they had booked the Tequila Terrace for you? My TA has really good relationships with these resorts so if it's not too late for you to switch she might be able to help you. Maybe then you can get the space you want but just shift the time your ceremony starts? 

[jessiker05]

I'm in the exact same boat as you are! Everything was going to be exactly what I wanted with the reception at the tequila terrace and then after my TA lied to me and told me it was confirmed, the truth came out and now I'm at the preferred pool. Of course it was after I had already sent my save the dates out so there was no changing it. What TA company are you using?

 

I too would love to see more pictures of receptions at the preferred pool. I looked on the internet for HOURS one night and all I came up with is the 2 or 3 stock photos. Let me know if you have any luck with finding pictures!

 

I'm using a company through this website: http://www.dream-destination-wedding.com/ 

 

Although, mine didn't tell me it was confirmed, she just checked and said it was available, then sometime during my paperwork being processed, someone else must have booked it.

 

I did find the wedding coordinator on Pinterest while searching for pictures! He has a board for Now Sapphire weddings: https://www.pinterest.com/choko7/now-sapphire-weddings/

 

I found this photo (you may have already seen) which does look quiet lovely! I even posted a question on Pinterest which he answered within 2 hours! I'm going to double check on the DJ situation I read on here, someone mentioned not being able to have a DJ at this venue... I'm starting to come around to the idea of having the reception here I think. I'm bummed about not having the oceanview, but i do like that it is totally private, and the lighting from the pool gives a nice ambiance! 

 

Let me know if you find any more info!

[vancouverpetunia]

@@jessiker05 I posted earlier in this thread noting that I think the Preferred Pool would be a beautiful spot to have a reception. I was actually thinking of switching to it, but my FI is dead set on the Tequila Terrace. I've done a quick site visit to the resort and the pool is really private and pretty. I think when it's decorated and lit-up at night, it would be gorgeous. And keep in mind it will be dark out for probably a good chunk of your reception, so unless there is a bright moon, you probably wouldn't be able to see the ocean much anyhow. And the ceremony can still be on the beach. Best of both worlds? 

 

P.S. Have you seen the photos in the wedding package? I included a couple of screenshots here:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/62152-now-sapphire-weddings-formerly-paradisus-riviera/?p=1894793

Edited May 18, 2015 by vancouverpetunia

[jessiker05]

@@jessiker05 I posted earlier in this thread noting that I think the Preferred Pool would be a beautiful spot to have a reception. I was actually thinking of switching to it, but my FI is dead set on the Tequila Terrace. I've done a quick site visit to the resort and the pool is really private and pretty. I think when it's decorated and lit-up at night, it would be gorgeous. And keep in mind it will be dark out for probably a good chunk of your reception, so unless there is a bright moon, you probably wouldn't be able to see the ocean much anyhow. And the ceremony can still be on the beach. Best of both worlds? 

 

P.S. Have you seen the photos in the wedding package? I included a couple of screenshots here:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/62152-now-sapphire-weddings-formerly-paradisus-riviera/?p=1894793

 

hey, yes I've seen the photos from the resort package info pdf's from my TA - thanks! Well I'm glad you've seen it in person and approve! My other concern is where on the beach my ceremony will be now... I'm guessing not at the bottom of the tequila terrace steps anymore if someone else has that location booked for their reception! Did you happen to notice if there's more than one ceremony space on the beach? I really don't want to end up in the middle of the beach with random people walking behind my ceremony! And also wondering where I would be walking out from at another ceremony location. This is freaking me out a bit!