**Paradisus Palma Real Details & Discussion Thread**

[Arrecife DR]

Arrecife Studio is proud of having the opportunity to provide photography service for weddings at the Paradisus Palma real Hotel

 

feel free to contact us if you need detailed info about our services, or make comments about your experience with us!

 

We are here to make you smile

 

 

Arrecife Studio

Punta Cana

Dominican Republic

[Chelle2BMorrell]

THANK YOU SO MUCH kmhg!!! Where was your reception/cocktail?! I wanted Gabi, but when i first booked i thought it would be too much $$... at this point- once you add in all the upgrades, i am probly spending enough that i should just book there!!  i only have 60 ppl at the most tho- so it may be too big.   I'm not going to be able to travel down ahead of time to check the place out.. based on what you know... where is the best place for ceremony? cocktail? reception? I want my ceremony on the beach- hopefully without people all around!  Then i want a short walk for cocktail at sunset... and i was aiming for a hard floor outside location so i didnt have to pay for a dancefloor on the beach... but i'm not sure that's the best choice- given this privacy thing...  All i have gone off is pics online, and you just can't tell!!!

 

This is "Naos Beach" https://picasaweb.google.com/romanceatparadisuspalmareal/LocationsAtParadisusPalmaReal#5512480273525168802  Does Naos = Gabi?! 

 

The pics of Olympus make it look private. i'm bummed!  https://picasaweb.google.com/romanceatparadisuspalmareal/LocationsAtParadisusPalmaReal#5447951346393211650

 

 

I'll def do the 350 lanterns. it makes me sick - but they look awesome! 

 

I will def ask my travel agent about the upgrade to the Reserve.. i didn't realize how separated it was!

[kmhg]

Chell2BMorrell -

I stand corrected- the Olympic Terrace is the photo you have the link to above, and it is mostly private. The entry is roped off so other guests aren't walking through your area. Gabi is $$ and I can't remember what that includes.

We had our ceremony in the garden gazebo and our cocktail reception in the flamingo foyer and our reception in the apolo foyer, all outside, but covered (except the garden gazebo). I didn't want our ceremony on the beach though, so that is why I chose the gazebo. On the beach everyone stops to watch, which is ok, I just didn't want photo's of people in their bathing suits, ya know? Also, it can be really hot out there bc there is no shade. It can also be really windy so you are hooked up to a microphone. We had 58 guests, which I thought was a great number. We did the Aqua package, which had the plated dinner and our 2011 package included alcohol.

I think your idea of having your ceremony on the beach is beautiful. If you privatize Gabi, I would just recommend having your cocktail hour there, too bc in my mind it doesn't make much sense to walk to the Olympic Terrace for one hour, and then all the way back to Gabi for the reception - especially bc Gabi has a bar already, so the set up transition would be seamless, and they have a hard surface so you don't have to rent the dance floor. OR you could just do your cocktail in the center of the resort - by the big main fountain (forget the name - and they rope it off so random people don't walk through), and then have your reception on the Olympic Terrace bc it's also mostly private and doesn't cost as much as the Gabi. It also overlooks the main pool which is lit up at night, and the beach, and you have the cool breeze. Remember you're not going to be present for the cocktail reception - you'll be taking pictures, so you'll want some daylight left during that time so all your photos aren't at night.

Have you decided which wedding package you're going with? I mentioned we picked the Aqua package bc I wanted a plated dinner instead of a buffet. I asked for the Chill Out Chic linens though bc aqua and white were not my colors. We picked The Reserve to have some privacy from my MIL. Some of our friends and some of my family stayed there too and it was really great. I reserved that room, which wasn't an upgrade. If you get the wedding package and you stay 7+ nights then they will upgrade you to the next room level at either part of the resort. If proximity to the beach is important to you, you might want to consider staying at the regular part of the resort bc you either walk 10 min or take a golf cart ride every time you want to get between The Reserve and the regular part of the resort. I didn't mind and knew I wanted to stay at The Reserve, so it wasn't an issue for me. They also have their own restaurants/bars/pool/spa/gym, etc. I got my hair/make up done by Claudia at The Reserve spa and she was amazing. I didn't do a trial, just walked in with a pic of the type of make up I wanted and she did it and told her how I wanted my hair, and she made it happen. I used HDC Photo for our photographers and I can't say enough nice things about them. I didn't particularly like the guys that are on the resort, so I did a little research on here and found HDC and really couldn't be any happier.

 

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

 

Best,

Kari

[avong1228]

Hello brides! I am a past Mexico bride and am now helping my hopeless sister with her wedding and she wants to have it at the Palma Real. We went on vacation there a few years ago and loved it.

 

Can you guys help me with a few questions? (I've read a few pages but will read more tonight)

 

What is the email address for the current WC their? I thought I read there is a US based one?

Does anyone have the latest prices?

What are the ceremony and reception location options and does anyone have an opinion on which is best for privacy?

She is looking at March/April 2012, any thoughts on the best time to start the ceremony at that time of year to allow for sunlight after for pictures?

Are there outside vendor fees?

Are you guys working with a travel agent and if so have you found one that has been able to offer good deals on blocked rooms with ameneties?

 

I'm sure I'll have more questions but anything you can ladies can do to help out is really appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[kmhg]

Avong1228-

I can answer a few of your questions.

1- Diana Landgraf [email protected]

2- I don't have a current price list, sorry, but they can send you one easily.

3- Ceremony locations: Naos Beach or Garden Gazebo. Reception locations: beach, Gabi restaurant (have to rent the whole thing out though for about 9K), Olympic Terrace (it overlooks the pool and is outside), Appolo Foyer (covered outdoors), ballrooms, Olympic theater (its a really big space so use it if you have a lot of guests).

 I got married in April this year in the garden gazebo bc i wanted privacy. we still had onlookers but not as many if we were on the beach and to be honest, I didn't notice.

4- Our ceremony was at 6pm on April 2. It was a VERY short ceremony, maybe 15 min tops and then we did pictures for an hour and by the time we were done it was dark. For more daylight, maybe do a 5pm wedding. But, it can be HOT then, so if you're outside remember your guests will be sitting and sweating in the sun

5- there are fees for using outside vendors. you have to pay a day pass ($120 i think) per person and if you have guests staying at other resorts there is a $25 event pass they will need to get.

6- I didn't work with a TA. Our guests booked their own rooms. I am not sure if they do a room block or not, or you might have to commit to a certain number of rooms.

 

Good luck!

Kari

[Chelle2BMorrell]

Do you do videography?? Price list? Webpage?
 

Originally Posted by Arrecife DR 

Arrecife Studio is proud of having the opportunity to provide photography service for weddings at the Paradisus Palma real Hotel

 

feel free to contact us if you need detailed info about our services, or make comments about your experience with us!

 

We are here to make you smile

 

 

Arrecife Studio

Punta Cana

Dominican Republic

 

[Chelle2BMorrell]

Avong1228-

 

- I've been working with Teresa. [email protected] She is very helpful.  Her son actually got married at PRR recently- so she has a lot of insight! 

- I can send pricing and pictures of the locations to you. i also have recommendations on travel agents...shoot me an email.  i sent you a private message

 

Michelle

[Chelle2BMorrell]

Thanks Kari- Sorry it took me so long to write back.  It's been a drama filled week.  Invites on the way to print with a travel agent and package info- AND i see this crazy cheap deal online, and had to email everyone and let them know to book, change my invite, cancel contracts UGH!!!  Crazy- but worth it. saved a bunch of money. and it's over now.

 

So i want the beach for the ceremony.  i know ppl will be able to see, but i figured it is roped off or something... or at least not like IN THE MIDDLE of the layout beach?!? is it?? tell me the truth. haha  Where do they do the ceremonies.. i have a map- if you call out a landmark of what it's near... Did you see the beach ceremony?  Was there like people laying out right next to the alter?  I'm worried i should change it....

 

The Olympus Terrace looks good for the reception... i wont have to pay for a dance floor and it is private with a nice view...but i dont have a good idea for comparing flamingo foyer or apollo foyer... it's so hard to know. It's so overwhelming to choose when you havent seen it!! i just have to go down and do a long weekend!  

 

I was going to do the fantasy with the carribean BBQ.. i dont think i want a sit down.. i have a dancing crowd.. drinkers.. we dont want to sit!!  I really have all the details to figure out!  I will keep all of your recommendations in mind as i start with the next stage! Thanks so much!!! 

 

We're staying in the Reserve.  All our family is- i was debating whether it was better to do Royal service in the regular section or get the upgrade in reserve... we're doing a 3wk honeymoon after, so i may want to spend the time over in the reserve with the fam and friends! 

 

I want to go off site for hair and makeup.  i'm having a bridal party, so i want to keep the costs down for our primping .  I heard the malls may have some salons.  i need to do that research too!  I am flying my own photographer down.  Did you do a videographer?  I still need that too! 

 

Thanks Kari! I appreciate all your help! 

 

Michelle

[kmhg]

Hi Michelle,

I got married in the garden gazebo which was very private, cocktail in the flamingo foyer (behind the main staircase to the left) and the reception in the apollo foyer (behind the staircase to the right - the whole foyer). The beach ceremony is right in the middle. they do make an effort to make sure on lookers dont get too close.

i think your idea for the olympic terrace is great. it is really pretty

I stayed at the Reserve and I was glad I did. It has a slightly different feel (decor) and there are a couple other restaurants and bars to go to, but it's farther from the beach. I've heard different things about the royal service. some negative and some positive, but if you dont think youll need a butler I would save that $.

I got my hair done in the reserve spa and loved it. I did my photos with HDC Photo for both video and photos and LOVED them. can't say enough great things about them.

I actually didn't leave the resort bc we were just enjoying each other and relaxing so I can't give you any advice for off site make up.

 

your wedding sounds beautiful! good luck!

kari

[Chelle2BMorrell]

Thanks Kari!  Do you have any pics of your wedding posted anywhere!? I'd love to see!!!