2013 Paradisus Palma Real

[angelnjewels]

Hello all, My fiancé and I were at PPR in January and yes we had minor issues like everywhere you go but overall it was an amazing resort and decided to book for march of 2014. We finally came to the realization that you are in another country and things will happen. ppl are in DR time (I'm Dominican so I know) and there were small bugs but just like any where you go you will find bugs it's the carribean. the food is amazing, plenty of space, wonderful shows, everyone was friendly and welcoming. I had a blast just minor things but it will be awesome!!!! I am also from NYC and I have been having some issues w my friends and fam!!! AGAIN!!! So I mailed out my Save the date w a postcard asking ppl to let us know if they think they can make it, cannot or are not sure. ok so I have been getting alls regarding the rates. the romance office gave us rates of 246 but we got it down to 232 by our travel agent... ppl are not happy with that so I am trying to see if I negotiate w another resort and have them stay at a cheaper resort. but I don't know if I should even do that. we are looking to do the tailor made and it is 160 pp plus a day pass which I think is 30-50. is that fair? should I do this? is there a cheaper resort that you all recomend for our guests? I am going crazy

[angelnjewels]

The more I say the more ppl are down my throat!!! ugh it's only the beginning this is going to be a bumpy ride.

[EVKnowsitall]

Originally Posted by angelnjewels 

 

Hello all,

 

My fiancé and I were at PPR in January and yes we had minor issues like everywhere you go but overall it was an amazing resort and decided to book for march of 2014. We finally came to the realization that you are in another country and things will happen. ppl are in DR time (I'm Dominican so I know) and there were small bugs but just like any where you go you will find bugs it's the carribean. the food is amazing, plenty of space, wonderful shows, everyone was friendly and welcoming. I had a blast just minor things but it will be awesome!!!!

 

I am also from NYC and I have been having some issues w my friends and fam!!! AGAIN!!!

 

So I mailed out my Save the date w a postcard asking ppl to let us know if they think they can make it, cannot or are not sure. ok so I have been getting alls regarding the rates. the romance office gave us rates of 246 but we got it down to 232 by our travel agent... ppl are not happy with that so I am trying to see if I negotiate w another resort and have them stay at a cheaper resort. but I don't know if I should even do that. we are looking to do the tailor made and it is 160 pp plus a day pass which I think is 30-50.

 

is that fair? should I do this? is there a cheaper resort that you all recomend for our guests?

 

I am going crazy

This might sound crazy and selfish of me- but I am not paying the day passes for anyone who chooses not to stay with us. They go to a cheaper resort thats more cost effective for them which is great for them- but that shouldn't be an added expense for us. On our invitations we kindly requested that people book through our travel agent and wrote "Please be aware the resort charges a fee for visitors who are not guests at the resort. The fee must be paid before entering the resort premises" I called the resort and told them I did not want outside guests added to our bill and that they could collect payment from them directly. This helped convince people to stay with us- only 4 of our guests are staying at an outside resort. 

 

I don't see how its fair for the couple to pay that fee. Our wedding is at a place where people can stay for a reasonable price. If they don't want to stay they don't have to- but we shouldn't have to pay more money so they can save. If you think about it- the money they save from the room is being used on the daypass anyway- so that's not wise. We also discouraged guests by letting them know we had a rehearsal dinner the night before and other activities planned for the week and that if they stay at outside resorts they won't be able to enjoy those things with us.

 

I don't think you shoulld bother with all that- let your guests do it. It's their choice but let them know the resort charges a fee when people walk in. The resort told me they would handle it and not assess it to our bill.

[ksaeuong]

This might sound crazy and selfish of me- but I am not paying the day passes for anyone who chooses not to stay with us. They go to a cheaper resort thats more cost effective for them which is great for them- but that shouldn't be an added expense for us. On our invitations we kindly requested that people book through our travel agent and wrote "Please be aware the resort charges a fee for visitors who are not guests at the resort. The fee must be paid before entering the resort premises" I called the resort and told them I did not want outside guests added to our bill and that they could collect payment from them directly. This helped convince people to stay with us- only 4 of our guests are staying at an outside resort.  I don't see how its fair for the couple to pay that fee. Our wedding is at a place where people can stay for a reasonable price. If they don't want to stay they don't have to- but we shouldn't have to pay more money so they can save. If you think about it- the money they save from the room is being used on the daypass anyway- so that's not wise. We also discouraged guests by letting them know we had a rehearsal dinner the night before and other activities planned for the week and that if they stay at outside resorts they won't be able to enjoy those things with us. I don't think you shoulld bother with all that- let your guests do it. It's their choice but let them know the resort charges a fee when people walk in. The resort told me they would handle it and not assess it to our bill.

I was really debating on what to do because I already heard a couple of our friends trying to book at another adults only resort because they did not want to be around kids. I'm wondering if many other will book at other resorts. I can't imagine having to pay for their day pass. The cost of everything else in the wedding is adding up so fast, I don't think this should be another thing to add to the list.

[MrsMartinez2B]

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 

 

 

I don't think its entirely restrictive. More like a pain in the behind. Here's what we had to do:

 

Register and complete pre-cana classes in our own parish. They give you a certificate for each class that you must complete. There are two sessions. The cost in NYC was about $250.

 

Show proof of previous sacraments- baptism, communion, and confirmation. Luckily if you grew up in the church, these are all on one paper. If not- you will have to get them from each parish you attended. My fiance was born and baptized in the Dominican Republic so that was a huge pain in the behind. Unfortunately his grandmother passed away and his mom ended up going for the funeral so she went to his church and secured this document for us. We completed the other sacraments as adults 3 years ago together.

 

A Letter of freedom- from your church granting permission for you to marry in DR.

 

An Inquiry- an interview with your parish stating you are ready to receive the sacrament of marriage.

 

Copies need to be faxed or scanned and emailed two months before your wedding to the church. Then, you need to bring the original documents with you when you go to get married so they can add the sacrament of marriage to the certificates. If you legally wed in the court before going you need to also bring a copy of your marriage license.

 

It sounds harder than it is. If it means a lot to have the ceremony to you, you will do it. I didn't find it difficult- just like any other detail to arrange. I really had my heart set on a traditional Catholic church wedding.

 

The only thing I was disappointed with was that you cannot walk down to aisle to any pop music ; ( It has to be religious church organ music lol. And the ceremony can be performed in English, Spanish, French, and a few other languages I cannot recall. The priest in the church in Bavaro apparently speaks a bunch of languages. 

 

Another conflict is arranging transportation there. It's ten minutes away, but other resorts have on-site chapels. We originally considered 2 locations with on-site chapels and althought that was a pro, other things made the resorts cons.

 

The cost is about $935 dollars with taxes and fees for the Catholic Ceremony. We bought the Aqua package so its $5,000 for 24 guests however, we are at about 40 so thats an extra $2600. We have an outside photographer but he is a guest so we paid him $2800 and his room was $570. We booked him as a guest to avoid the $1000 outside vendor fee. We paid for a DJ so that was another $1,000. Our rooms cost us $2,660 for 2 people and flights were $1000 for us as a couple. With decorations and other details and decor added- the total cost is about $15,000- $20,000 for 40 people. I want to say its closer to $15,000 but I know all sorts of extra things will pop up last minute. I had to get a second job to pay for it all. YIKES! 

I traded my sanity and sleep for some bells and whistles lol

Sorry it took so long , Work is kicking my butt LOL... I want to Thank you for taking the time to break down your wedding in detail I'm sue it will be amazing ! I have actually contacted a edding planner who is highly recommended here I see so I'm going to see how that goes :-) work takes so much time and energy from me I really dont have time and would prob get fired if I dont get a planner to take care of things for me, she is very resonable i feel and seems helpful and ready to take all the stress away hopefully LOL ...

[darleneg2b]

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 

 

This might sound crazy and selfish of me- but I am not paying the day passes for anyone who chooses not to stay with us. They go to a cheaper resort thats more cost effective for them which is great for them- but that shouldn't be an added expense for us. On our invitations we kindly requested that people book through our travel agent and wrote "Please be aware the resort charges a fee for visitors who are not guests at the resort. The fee must be paid before entering the resort premises" I called the resort and told them I did not want outside guests added to our bill and that they could collect payment from them directly. This helped convince people to stay with us- only 4 of our guests are staying at an outside resort. 

 

I don't see how its fair for the couple to pay that fee. Our wedding is at a place where people can stay for a reasonable price. If they don't want to stay they don't have to- but we shouldn't have to pay more money so they can save. If you think about it- the money they save from the room is being used on the daypass anyway- so that's not wise. We also discouraged guests by letting them know we had a rehearsal dinner the night before and other activities planned for the week and that if they stay at outside resorts they won't be able to enjoy those things with us.

 

I don't think you shoulld bother with all that- let your guests do it. It's their choice but let them know the resort charges a fee when people walk in. The resort told me they would handle it and not assess it to our bill.

Hi!

 

I saw that you are having a rehearsal dinner the night before... are you doing the private party for all your guests or are you doing it at one of the restaurants at the resort? I really want to do something with everyone but it's just so much money I talked to my romance planner, Jessica, to try and schedule a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner but she told me that I'd have to schedule that with the onsite romance person. When I asked how to get in contact with this person onsite Jessica told me that we brides are transferred over about 1 month before and that the onsite person doesn't know her June schedule yet... super weird! I'm really stressing over this because I want to print itineraries for all my guests.

 

xoxo,

Darlene 

[Nena Martinez]

Originally Posted by Kel123073 

 

Hi Liz,

 

I saw that review and felt really bad for any brides who haven't been to the resort. If I read that and hadn't stayed there I would be super worried!

 

My fiancé and I stayed in the reserve at ppr about 2 years ago and are getting married there this July! We loved it, we are from the NYC area and have pretty high standards, I think, lol. We chose the resort bc we have personally stayed there and felt overall it would please most guests!

 

Hope it reassures you a little....

Kelly

 

Thank you Kel123073! It definetely makes a huge difference once you have seen the hotel or even better witnessed a wedding at that venue. We are also from NY and recently moved to OH. We chose PPR because it matches our wedding vision & personality. The majority of the pristine resorts that we looked at were in Mexico and that was not feasible for us. After reading and hearing back from you guys I feel more confortable. We may be doing a Love at FIrst Site trip but we are still waving our options. Thank you-

 

Happy Planning!!

[Suzhen]

Hi! I saw that you are having a rehearsal dinner the night before... are you doing the private party for all your guests or are you doing it at one of the restaurants at the resort? I really want to do something with everyone but it's just so much money I talked to my romance planner, Jessica, to try and schedule a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner but she told me that I'd have to schedule that with the onsite romance person. When I asked how to get in contact with this person onsite Jessica told me that we brides are transferred over about 1 month before and that the onsite person doesn't know her June schedule yet... super weird! I'm really stressing over this because I want to print itineraries for all my guests. I am getting married on may 19th and I was told in order to make a reservation for over 20 people at one the restaurants for a rehearsal dinner that we had to wait until 1 week before the wedding to make the reservation.... So we wait! Hope it all works out. We have 30 people. I will report back! Suzanne (from nj) xoxo, Darlene 

ay

[angelnjewels]

That

This might sound crazy and selfish of me- but I am not paying the day passes for anyone who chooses not to stay with us. They go to a cheaper resort thats more cost effective for them which is great for them- but that shouldn't be an added expense for us. On our invitations we kindly requested that people book through our travel agent and wrote "Please be aware the resort charges a fee for visitors who are not guests at the resort. The fee must be paid before entering the resort premises" I called the resort and told them I did not want outside guests added to our bill and that they could collect payment from them directly. This helped convince people to stay with us- only 4 of our guests are staying at an outside resort.  I don't see how its fair for the couple to pay that fee. Our wedding is at a place where people can stay for a reasonable price. If they don't want to stay they don't have to- but we shouldn't have to pay more money so they can save. If you think about it- the money they save from the room is being used on the daypass anyway- so that's not wise. We also discouraged guests by letting them know we had a rehearsal dinner the night before and other activities planned for the week and that if they stay at outside resorts they won't be able to enjoy those things with us. I don't think you shoulld bother with all that- let your guests do it. It's their choice but let them know the resort charges a fee when people walk in. The resort told me they would handle it and not assess it to our bill.

That does not sound crazy I know of ppl who have done that before. If people want to go they are just going to have to pay. My fiancé said that we will pay for one or two ppl but not for 30. He mentioned that the point of having a destination wedding is to have a party/ vacation with our families. I just don't understand. But I think that I am going to have to let ppl know. Should I put this info on the website and ask ppl to check.

[darleneg2b]

ay

Yes, please report back ! That is such a stupid rule!!!! If there is availability now why not accommodate us after all the money our guests and ourselves are spending?!?! I'm looking at around 30 people as well and am really doubting that they'll have the availability with such short notice. My main issue is that I'd love to put together itineraries and I definitely can't wait until the week before :-( (well I guess I technically would but prefer not to)... I'd love to hear about your experience once you get back! xo