The new Paradisus Playa del Carmen (La Perla and La Esmeralda)

[ladybugg]

Hi Ladies!

 

Haven't been on here in a while, but have been happy to read so many comments on the resort etc. Here is an update so far on how things are going, and if anyone needs any of the forms or menus etc please PM me and I can send it over - I probably have EVERYTHING they offer!

 

We are officially booked for June 18, 2013, and so far have about 30 guests booked!! A little smaller than what we had originally thought, but I think the price was a huge factor for many of our friends/family - over $1800 a person for the summer still even to me seems a little steep!!

 

In regards to packages, we ended up choosing the "Aqua" package because we really wanted to sit-down dinner, but I'm still waiting to hear back from Perla from Alquimia who does the decor if we can have the "Chill out Chic" decor over the "Aqua" - being Type A its a little bit annoying waiting for responses, but I have been told this is a busy time for them.

 

We did run into a few snags and I bombarded Jessica with a million questions regarding menu choices etc, before I committed to booking our wedding here - as we have several people who either don't eat red meat, don't eat fish, or are vegetarian/vegan - I have confirmation that they have now added a beef option to the Aqua package - originally there wasn't one which I found odd since the only package above the Aqua is the Tailor Made. FYI the ONLY way I was able to offer guests 3 choices was by stating I had vegetarians and ppl who would not eat red meat - they were very reluctant to give me 3 options, but as stated by other brides you have to provide them with a seating/meal chart minimum 45 days prior to the wedding.

 

As well - we were fortunate enough to win a runner-up prize in the Samuel Luna contest a few months ago - which is going to dave us a TON on photography and I love his style - but I could not get over the prices the want to charge for "off-site vendor" fees!!! WTF - our photography package actually includes 2 sessions - one of which we are planning a TTD - but the resort charges $1000 PER PHOTOGRAPHER per day!!!! We are currently looking into just booking them a room for 3 nights (which is your other option) so they can have access to the resort all days - sorry for the rant but this just seemed ludicrous!

 

Right now we have booked the boardwalk for our ceremony - which will be a civil ceremony - hoping this is not in Spanish! We are getting legally married here before we go as there is no part of me that feels comfortable giving blood in Mexico, or wanting to waste a whole day and pay $100 for it! After reading some of the other bride's comments I'm now a little worried about the "gaps" in between the planks on the boardwalk?! We have asked if the Gazebo is available as a back-up in case we change our mind but have been told that they won't confirm that until we are down there - seems a little odd since I was originally told there is only one wedding per day there.

 

Have any of you decided or seen pictures of the available areas for the cocktail reception?? We are doing our dinner in Hadar as of now, and was hoping for something outdoors for the cocktail reception - any suggestions are welcomed!!!!

 

Also for previous brides of PPC what did your groups do after the dinner reception?? I know there is no shortage of little lounges/bars on the resort, but I also know there is no "disco" - so trying to think where will still be lively - or more importantly will allow us to be lively after the reception - I can't remember if we have a "cut-off" time at Hadar??

 

I too have been reading the most recent reviews and am a little bit concerned - but I would like to think that those people are just being a little unrealistic when it comes to what to expect from an all-inclusive vacation. To be honest I am just more worried about how "family" the family side of the resort is going to be! Originally we booked this side thinking our nieces and nephews would be coming, but now my MOH is the only couple bringing a child - I know we get access to the adult side, but I can't help but wondering if it would have been better for us to book La Perla instead!! Fingers crossed that being still within the school year there won't be too many kids running around!!

 

Sorry for the long winded post - been a while and thought I would catch up with everyone!!! Happy Planning Ladies and looking forward to not only our day, but sharing the process with you!!

[ChilliPeppa]

Hi

 

We were told that they have a maximum of two weddings per day there.  I can't decide whether to choose the gazebo or the boardwalk for our wedding.  The only options we have been given for the reception is poolside or ballroom.  As we aren't having large numbers and we will have children with us I guess we will go for poolside, but I'm not sure whether it will a bit odd.  Also what are we going to do after the meal?  There is no point having a dancefloor with only approx 16 of us including children.  What I don't understand is how we can have the gazebo for our wedding which is on the La Perla side, but not our reception.  We have children with us so I guess we can have the wedding on the La Perla side, but not the reception.

 

Does anyone know what the food selection is for the buffet if we go for the Chill out Chic package please?  Also if we decide on the aqua package then what meal options are available for that too please?

 

All help greatly appreciated.  I've studied every single photo I can find and am finding everything stressful and a bit daunting.  Also where do we get extras from such as maracas, table flowers etc etc.  Do they sort all this out for you before you get there?  We live in the UK and won't have much baggage allowance to buy everything here and take it with us.

 

Thanks very much

Sharon

[ladybugg]

Sharon send me a PM with your email and I will send u all of the menus as info I have!!

[ChilliPeppa]

Ladybugg thank you so much - greatly appreciated!!

 

By the way does anyone know if the 4 witnesses can be relatives ie brother, sister-in-law etc?  I can't seem to get a straight answer.  I'm also still unsure as to what documentation we need and whether it needs to be translated etc.

 

Many Thanks

Sharon

[KK2013]

Hi Ladies,

 

A LOT has gone on in this thread since I have been to the Paradisus to do my tour and tasting!  I'm not sure how many of you have had your questions answered already, so please, let me know if you still have any questions!

[KK2013]

Mine are related, and I've already filled out the form, so I think we are good to go!  I believe the hotel will provide witnesses for a fee as well.
 

[KK2013]

Originally Posted by ChilliPeppa 

 

Hi

 

We were told that they have a maximum of two weddings per day there.  I can't decide whether to choose the gazebo or the boardwalk for our wedding.  The only options we have been given for the reception is poolside or ballroom.  As we aren't having large numbers and we will have children with us I guess we will go for poolside, but I'm not sure whether it will a bit odd.  Also what are we going to do after the meal?  There is no point having a dancefloor with only approx 16 of us including children.  What I don't understand is how we can have the gazebo for our wedding which is on the La Perla side, but not our reception.  We have children with us so I guess we can have the wedding on the La Perla side, but not the reception.

 

Does anyone know what the food selection is for the buffet if we go for the Chill out Chic package please?  Also if we decide on the aqua package then what meal options are available for that too please?

 

All help greatly appreciated.  I've studied every single photo I can find and am finding everything stressful and a bit daunting.  Also where do we get extras from such as maracas, table flowers etc etc.  Do they sort all this out for you before you get there?  We live in the UK and won't have much baggage allowance to buy everything here and take it with us.

 

Thanks very much

Sharon

 

I would double check that they are letting you have children for the ceremony on the La Perla side.  I was told no children are allowed at all, even on the wedding day.

 

They have a decorating company, Alquimia, that can do everything for you [flowers, decor, etc.].  If you speak with them they can give you prices.  I am most likely buying maracas on 5th Ave. because they are pretty cheap.

[ChilliPeppa]

Thanks very much KK.

 

Lauren has confirmed that our witnesses can be relatives which is good.  She also confirmed that we could have children at the wedding in the gazebo even though it is on the La Perla (adults only) side, but we can't have the reception there.

 

We are thinking of having the wedding ceremony on the beach now at 4pm.  Any thoughts/comments anyone please? 

 

Thank you

Sharon

[Kris10Bshaw]

Hello!

 

Does anyone know why they took away the option for having your reception in the Gazebo?  Is it a location you can only consider once you get there?   The only options I was given was the ballroom or poolside as well.  I'm going with poolside but would still love the Gazebo.

 

They also told me kids were allowed on either side for the ceremony and reception, but that there is a maximum of three (3) kids total.  I am going to have two (2) kids, so hopefully it will not be an issue. 

 

ChilliPeppa, I think 4:00 pm on the beach sounds wonderful!  I was debating that location as well, but I think I finally decided on the bridge just so I can wear heels (and walk carefully on the boards!)

 

Thanks, everyone!  My date is finally confirmed for September 1!

[KK2013]

Originally Posted by ChilliPeppa 

 

Thanks very much KK.

 

Lauren has confirmed that our witnesses can be relatives which is good.  She also confirmed that we could have children at the wedding in the gazebo even though it is on the La Perla (adults only) side, but we can't have the reception there.

 

We are thinking of having the wedding ceremony on the beach now at 4pm.  Any thoughts/comments anyone please? 

 

Thank you

Sharon

 

Oh that's great!  The gazebo is very pretty =)

 

The beach is VERY short.  What is your date?