2013 Paradisus Palma Real

[EVKnowsitall]

OMG I feel like money is flying out of my bank account faster than its coming in. So far I have paid:

 

the $500 "good faith" deposit for the rooms, which was put back into my account once the ninth room booked (still have one room to get rid of!)

a $1,000 deposit for the room block which will be credited towards our stay once the final room is booked.

$500 to Paradisus to hold the wedding date

$129- Save the Dates

$300- initations

$170 cake topper

$1,500 block of seats with the airline

$500 deposit for DJ Mannia

$700 for my veil and headpiece (which there is a balance on)

$800 retainer for photographer (balance still...)

$300- Reception name cards, unity sand holder and sand, candle holders and trays for centerpieces

$300- pre cana classes so we can get married in the church

$1500- non-refundable deposit for DJ I paid when we THOUGHT we were getting married in NY

 

 

And there's stil so much to buy and do!!!!!!!!!! How do people stay within a "reasonable" budget...and reasonable to me is $15,000, because I am about halfway there already. 

[Katie83]

Hey ladies! I am seriously having an anxiety attack! I reserved a wedding date at paradisus punta cana on october 26, 2013. I initially want to have my wedding at PPR but felt like I had been talked out of it by a wedding photographer and our wedding planner due to pricing etc and now I am having second thought and thinking I should have went with my gut feeling of PPR:( I am so sad bc I have already paid the 500 dollar non refundable fee to reserve our date. I keep reading a million resort reviews and many rate PPR#1 and Plc #33:(. My wedding planner insisted that the newly renovated rooms at PPR are beautiful and that the resort had a little more to offer regarding night life etc. can anyone shed some light on my concerns? I am also wondering if the 500 dollar deposit can be transferred to PPR IF WE DECIDED to switch since its the same resort chain! This whole processes is soooooo stressful especially since I have not personally visited either resort! Help please ladies!!!

[Katie83]

Ok ladies I need your help! I am having a serious anxiety attack, I booked our wedding at Paradisus Punta Cana last week for October 26, 2012 but now I am thinking I should have gone with my gut feeling of PPR. The only reason I didn't was the expense:(  I have never been to either resort but after reading reviews I think that PPR is probably much better.  I feel sick to my stomach.  I am curious as to why you all have picked PPR over PPC. My travel agent sort of "convienced" me into PPC as she said the that newly renovated rooms and nightlife were actually better than those at PPR. I am a total mess as I have already paid my 500 dollar deposit and am having serious second thoughts. Can anyone shed some light on the different resorts.  It is so hard making this decision "in the dark" without having seen them for myself.  We also have some children going and not sure which resort is better for younger families.  Please help!

[Katie83]

Ok ladies I need your help! I am having a serious anxiety attack, I booked our wedding at Paradisus Punta Cana last week for October 26, 2012 but now I am thinking I should have gone with my gut feeling of PPR. The only reason I didn't was the expense:( I have never been to either resort but after reading reviews I think that PPR is probably much better. I feel sick to my stomach. I am curious as to why you all have picked PPR over PPC. My travel agent sort of "convienced" me into PPC as she said the that newly renovated rooms and nightlife were actually better than those at PPR. I am a total mess as I have already paid my 500 dollar deposit and am having serious second thoughts. Can anyone shed some light on the different resorts. It is so hard making this decision "in the dark" without having seen them for myself. We also have some children going and not sure which resort is better for younger families. Please help!

[EVKnowsitall]

Katie- I doubt I will be of much assistance but I will try. Don't fret! The Paradisus family of resorts is excellent in and of itself. I don't think you can go wrong. I picked PPR because of my online research. I was torn between PPR and Majestic Elegance and after I made the decision and paid the deposit, I felt similar to you- sick that I made the wrong choice. I think it's natural for Destination brides to feel that way because we don't all get to conduct site visits. I did so much research that it took about a month of looking online almost everyday to make my decision. I even cried about it (sad but true). Ultimately I chose PPR because I liked the PPR reserve better than the PPC one and we are staying in the Reserve. Also- if our guests were going to travel and spend money- we wanted them to feel enveloped in luxury. The price difference in our estimation- was not enough to justify saving the little bit of difference between the two. I also liked some of the wedding locations at PPR more. I think it's just a personal preference. I will say- after you decide- don't look elsewhere. That kind of goes without saying for any detail of the wedding. You might find another dress you like more or a bridesmaids dress you like more or invitations you like more. You just have to make a choice and not look back. Don't second guess yourself. Initially we chose Mexico but our family was not pleased. After we picked PPR I came across a resort in Mexico and fell in love and regretted my decision to move it to DR- so don't look after you have decided! I am certain the service at both resorts is amazing. If it truly bothers you- since they are both Paradisus resorts find out if it's transferrable. And don't let anyone else sway you. I lost a lot of non-refundable money because I let myself be easily persuaded by others. Sucks!

[Katie83]

Ev- Thank you so much for your advise! I am fretting:(  I think both are probably beautiful for sure however, I wanted a luxurious experience for my guests and also a party environment and was pursuaded to go with PPC when in my gut I felt like I should have went with PPR. 

 

We are schedule now for our wedding at PPC on October 26, 2012 in the Nova Garden with a our reception at the pool side terrace. I think it will be beautiful but then I read a ton of reviews about dirty hotel rooms and terrible food:(   I wanted to check with my TA before booking but my wedding planner had me paranoid that I would lose the date if I didn't act immediately as I wanted to price check the two hotels. 

 

There will be a lot of children attending our wedding as well (my nieces and nephews) and I was told which I am not 100% certain it was the truth, that PPC was a bit more child/ family friendly. 

 

I am calling my travel agent first thing in the morning to see what the price difference is and then will contact my wedding coordinator.  We need to get save the dates out ASAP so i need to settle the date!  I am sad though, because last time I checked there was no Saturdays available at PPR in October. 

 

I really love GABI Beach at PPR but do not want to pay the ridiculous price.  See, I am frantic, I can't even gathat all my thoughts;(

Sorry for rambling.

 

Again thank you for your help!

Katie
 

[Asia Pimentel]

Originally Posted by Katie83 

 

Ok ladies I need your help! I am having a serious anxiety attack, I booked our wedding at Paradisus Punta Cana last week for October 26, 2012 but now I am thinking I should have gone with my gut feeling of PPR. The only reason I didn't was the expense:( I have never been to either resort but after reading reviews I think that PPR is probably much better. I feel sick to my stomach. I am curious as to why you all have picked PPR over PPC. My travel agent sort of "convienced" me into PPC as she said the that newly renovated rooms and nightlife were actually better than those at PPR. I am a total mess as I have already paid my 500 dollar deposit and am having serious second thoughts. Can anyone shed some light on the different resorts. It is so hard making this decision "in the dark" without having seen them for myself. We also have some children going and not sure which resort is better for younger families. Please help!

 

Hi Katie83, My partner and me have great experience working at both hotels, PPC or PPR,   and we have a few friends that are travel agent representatives directly person to person at the hotels  so  what exactly makes you feel nervous about your decision?  maybe we can give you some opinion that  could help you.

   Best Regards 

    Asia Pimentel

[Katie83]

Hi Asia, I am mostly concerned about the reviews that I have read regarding the "cleanliness" of the rooms and the "terrible" food experienced at PPC. 

 

I wanted a Garden wedding so PPC appealed more to me at first but now all I keep reading is negative reviews regarding the resort in general.

 

We also have children in the group and was not sure as to which resort would be more "kid friendly". 

 

I guess I just want it to be an amazing experience for our guests and its so challenging planning a wedding in country I have never visited:(

 

Any insight on the resorts is greatly appreciated.

 

-Katie

[EVKnowsitall]

Katie- Have you checked the PPC thread on this website? Try PM-ing a previous bride at PPC and asking about her experience. That's probably the best way to know. I understand your concern. We went with PPR instead of Majestic because of our concern for providing our guests with a quality experience.

[LL117]

Hi Katie - I did a site visit to PPR and it was gorgeous. The rooms were great and the service was wonderful. I didn't personally go to PPC but maybe someone on the PPC thread has fond a site visit. The garden gazebo at PPR was still really beautiful and we chose to go with that. I have a few pictures if you want to see them. Good luck!