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

[ChilliPeppa]

Hi

 

Our date isn't until April 2014 and there will only be around 16 of us including 4 children.  We weren't told of there being a maximum number of children to get married in the Gazebo on the La Perla side.

 

Currently we have booked the beach for the wedding and poolside for the reception as we were only given the options of the gazebo, beach or boardwalk for the wedding and ballroom or poolside for the reception.

 

Based on the fact that there won't be many of us and we have booked the Chill Out Package without any extras at this time as I'm not sure how far our budget will stretch, do you think we have chosen the best locations for our wedding and reception or should we change them?  All advice and comments will be VERY welcome as I haven't really got a clue what I'm doing!

 

Because we are planning to have a large sit down meal and evening party for all our friends and family when we get back to the UK, I don't think we are going to be able to afford many of the wedding extras on top of the Chill Out Chic package, but all ideas are very welcome.  I was worried that the gazebo for the wedding might look a bit plain and boring if we don't pay out more to decorate it?  I'm also worried about not being able to wear heels on the beach as I'm only 5ft 2" and my partner is 6ft 3".  I worry that we are going to feel a bit silly sat by the pool having our reception with so few of us.  Also if we get married on the beach are we going to have people in swimwear walking by and staring.  Hopefully my husband to be won't spot a bikini babe on the beach and marry her instead...haha!

 

If anyone can help me as I keep going round in circles I would really appreciate it.  With the beach being so short and all the negative press about it I even started to consider changing to a different hotel, but no other hotel seems as nice as the Paradisus La Esmeralda....arghhh..this is hard work and I am rubbish at decisions.  Someone please help me!

 

Sharon

[susana217nyc]

Hi fellow future brides & past brides!!!  This is my 1st time on a message board & I am super excited to have my wedding at Paradisus NOV 2013 !!  This thread has been superrrr helpful!

We've opted to go with the tailor made package & chose to do our ceremony on the Gabi Bridge & cocktail hour/reception at the Gabi  

 

We are pretty early in the planning process, but are expecting between 40-70 people to attend.  I would LOVE to get info from you ladies on the prices & packages from their preferred DJ, photographer & florist as I havent rcvd this from the Miami office yet.  One of my biggest concerns is the outside vendor charges everyone is talking about!!  I saw someone say $1000 per day which seems crazy.  I was hoping to have a local photographer friend of ours do the wedding but not with that fee  Also, I'm really worried about the DJ.  We are from NYC, as is almost everyone attending & we take our music & partying pretty seriously, LOL....... so I hope the DJ knows & has the music we are accustomed to

 

If anyone could send me the package info w prices for their DJ, photographer & florist that would be great.  Also does anyone have info on a mariachi band for the welcome dinn/rehearsal ?  How about cigar roller for the reception??

[jennmariegarcia]

Kk, how was your trip?! Give us the good and the bad, lol! Hope it was all very good and that you thoroughly enjoyed your time there and looking forward to your wedding even more now. Did you get any tips or inside scoop that we should be aware of?

[Ana Lopez]

Hi Jen,

 

Yes..Please e-mail it me!!!  Thanks in advance!!!

 

[email protected]

[KK2013]

Originally Posted by ChilliPeppa 

 

Hi

 

Our date isn't until April 2014 and there will only be around 16 of us including 4 children.  We weren't told of there being a maximum number of children to get married in the Gazebo on the La Perla side.

 

Currently we have booked the beach for the wedding and poolside for the reception as we were only given the options of the gazebo, beach or boardwalk for the wedding and ballroom or poolside for the reception.

 

Based on the fact that there won't be many of us and we have booked the Chill Out Package without any extras at this time as I'm not sure how far our budget will stretch, do you think we have chosen the best locations for our wedding and reception or should we change them?  All advice and comments will be VERY welcome as I haven't really got a clue what I'm doing!

 

Because we are planning to have a large sit down meal and evening party for all our friends and family when we get back to the UK, I don't think we are going to be able to afford many of the wedding extras on top of the Chill Out Chic package, but all ideas are very welcome.  I was worried that the gazebo for the wedding might look a bit plain and boring if we don't pay out more to decorate it?  I'm also worried about not being able to wear heels on the beach as I'm only 5ft 2" and my partner is 6ft 3".  I worry that we are going to feel a bit silly sat by the pool having our reception with so few of us.  Also if we get married on the beach are we going to have people in swimwear walking by and staring.  Hopefully my husband to be won't spot a bikini babe on the beach and marry her instead...haha!

 

If anyone can help me as I keep going round in circles I would really appreciate it.  With the beach being so short and all the negative press about it I even started to consider changing to a different hotel, but no other hotel seems as nice as the Paradisus La Esmeralda....arghhh..this is hard work and I am rubbish at decisions.  Someone please help me!

 

Sharon

 

If 16 people, the beach is great! I have to say, I was a little concerned after reading reviews online of the beach, but it is beautiful, just short.  I am having 100-125 ppl, so it's not an option fr me, but is perfect for you!  Poolside is perfect for reception!  Don't second guess it.  The ballroom would be tough because it is VERY big.  I think you made great choices!  I would ask the hotel how they privatize beach ceremonies.  I believe they privatize the pool for the reception.

[KK2013]

Originally Posted by jennmariegarcia 

 

Kk, how was your trip?! Give us the good and the bad, lol! Hope it was all very good and that you thoroughly enjoyed your time there and looking forward to your wedding even more now. Did you get any tips or inside scoop that we should be aware of?

 

The trip was amazing!  The hotel is gorgeous and the food is awesome!  I can't wait to go back! haha

 

The girls there are very helpful.  We are all in great hands. 

 

The only change for me was that I didn't realize how small the beach was, so we decided to move our welcome BBQ to the poolside location, which is gorgeous as well, so no issue!

 

Also, the 2 sides are much closer to each other than I realized, so my concern about people being too separate was not an issue! 

 

I encourage all of you to get there if you can.  Pictures are helpful, but to see how everything is laid out really helped me visualize the entire wedding. 

[ChilliPeppa]

Thanks so much KK!!

 

I would love to be able to get there before the wedding, but unfortunately the flights cost too much from the UK so it's not an option for us.

 

I keep wondering whether to change the beach location for the wedding to the gazebo instead.  We have around 16 to 18 people including 4 children.  What do people think?

 

Do you have to pay extra to decorate the gazebo?  We have booked the Chill Out Chic package, mainly because we have a few fussy eaters and children in our party, so think a buffet would be better so people can choose what they like to eat.

 

I am so rubbish at decisions and still struggle to visualise it in my mind.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Sharon

[KK2013]

Originally Posted by ChilliPeppa 

 

Thanks so much KK!!

 

I would love to be able to get there before the wedding, but unfortunately the flights cost too much from the UK so it's not an option for us.

 

I keep wondering whether to change the beach location for the wedding to the gazebo instead.  We have around 16 to 18 people including 4 children.  What do people think?

 

Do you have to pay extra to decorate the gazebo?  We have booked the Chill Out Chic package, mainly because we have a few fussy eaters and children in our party, so think a buffet would be better so people can choose what they like to eat.

 

I am so rubbish at decisions and still struggle to visualise it in my mind.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Sharon

 

It's so tough to say because I think that either the gazebo or beach would be beautiful, and it's really a matter of your preference.  I'm really not sure about that package, but I believe the "Chill Out Chic" comes with the beach decor that is in the picture.  I think the flowers cost additional.  If you email the resort, I'm sure they will get back to you quickly.

[imnotarunner]

Hello ladies, I am flying next week to Paradisus for our tasting and will be finalizing our wedding details for our July 6th wedding.  Any tips you care to share or questions I need to ask for this trip? I am so worried I am forgetting something.

Is having a reception at Hadar extra?

 

Thanks chicas!

[ChilliPeppa]

Looking forward to your feedback when you get back imnotarunner!!  Hope you have a lovely time.

 

I have just emailed Lauren and asked her to change our location from the beach to the gazebo.  I'm not sure why, it's just a gut feeling that we will feel a bit odd standing next to people in swimwear getting married, whereas in the gazebo it is more private.  I hope I've made the right decision!!

 

Sharon