2013 Paradisus Palma Real

[EVKnowsitall]

Originally Posted by darleneg2b 

 

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 

Hey Darlene- I am planning to do our rehearsal dinner at Bana- the Hibachi restaurant. I am meeting with the bridal party on the beach to rehearse. We are trying to see if the church will be available to have the rehearsal there- but there are no guarantees. After the rehearsal, we are going to dinner at Bana and I figured I would make the reservation for my family and bridal party and then tell all guests its optional but to make their own reservations. Even if we are not at the same table- which is not even possible for hibachi- we will all be together in the same restaurant. Then we will all go out together to Gabi beach or the lobby bar for drinks.

 

The next morning- we are all eating breakfast together at the buffet- since its the best place to accommodate a large crowd. 

 

It's bad enough you have to pay for a wedding package even though you are at an all inclusive- I def do not believe in paying for an extra welcome party or rehearsal dinner. For crying out loud the rooms have mini bars and included room service lol. I thought of la barcaza but its not in our budget. Anyway, we are having a return reception which I am excited about but sort of regret because its pulling out major funds from my wedding. It's costing us about $7,000 : (. It was really stupid for me to book it, but I'm already under contract with the DJ and the venue. I had my reasons for doing it but a lot of friends and family no longer are in our lives so now I can't figure out why it was worth it. Oh well live and learn

[LL117]

Hi Ladies!! We are only 29 days away!!! I'm so excited and nervous all at once. I have been transferred from my planner Bianca in Miami to Massiel and Mariela at the resort. Mariela has been so helpful and very quick to get back to my emails. They already set up our time to meet with the coordinators/photographers for the day after we arrive. The whole rehearsal dinner thing is a dumb rule. What we ended up doing is cutting down the number of people to 16 and the resort is trying to get us to have 10 people at one table and the other 6 at a table next to us. We chose to do it at Vento. They are also being accommodating about the rehearsal time because I have 3 members of my bridal party flying in the day before the wedding so depending on when they land and arrive at the resort, we can rehearse which was great. I turned in my DJ requests and seating chart (with individual plated menu choices - we are doing the aqua meals) today!! It's starting to feel so real!! I'll keep you guys posted on any more information I get during the last few weeks

[darleneg2b]

Originally Posted by LL117 

 

Hi Ladies!!

 

We are only 29 days away!!! I'm so excited and nervous all at once. I have been transferred from my planner Bianca in Miami to Massiel and Mariela at the resort. Mariela has been so helpful and very quick to get back to my emails. They already set up our time to meet with the coordinators/photographers for the day after we arrive.

 

The whole rehearsal dinner thing is a dumb rule. What we ended up doing is cutting down the number of people to 16 and the resort is trying to get us to have 10 people at one table and the other 6 at a table next to us. We chose to do it at Vento. They are also being accommodating about the rehearsal time because I have 3 members of my bridal party flying in the day before the wedding so depending on when they land and arrive at the resort, we can rehearse which was great.

 

I turned in my DJ requests and seating chart (with individual plated menu choices - we are doing the aqua meals) today!! It's starting to feel so real!! I'll keep you guys posted on any more information I get during the last few weeks

How exciting for you!!!! I'm sure everything will be beautiful!!! Do they have a max number of ppl that can go to the rehearsal dinner? Ideally I'd love to include everyone..about 60 ppl (don't know how feasible this would be or if there's even a place that can seat everyone at once). I don't care that we are in different tables but I just thought it would be nice to all have dinner together and then head off to a bar or the lounge. On a side note... what are you doing for escort cards? I have no idea what to do

 

xoxo,

Darlene 

[LL117]

They said the max number of people was 20 We have abt 40 people total so we shaved it down just to parents and bridal party. I think they recommend the buffet for bigger parties. For the escort cards I'm doing resin starfish. Something like this... I printed the names and table numbers onto cardstock and cut them. I bought ribbon and I'll just tie them onto the starfish when I get there.

[Kel123073]

Hey Ladies,

 

I had my planning call a couple of weeks ago and forgot to ask about rehearsal dinner.  They changed my planner earlier on and she had said they do a rehearsal dinner, but now they are just allowing you a reservation for 20 people prior to the wedding for dinner.  She emailed me the request form.  I think it is difficult for them to plan that out that far in advance.  We stayed there two years ago, and not every restaurant is open every night.  Most are but I am sure they go by the number of guests staying at a time to figure it out.  I agree it is an all inclusive and can be a little frustrating with all the extras but overall I feel like I have so much in my package.  We are doing the chill out chic because we loved the decor and the buffet dinner seemed like a good idea becuase of the all inclusive.  I figured it gave guests more options for dinner eg. steak, chicken, fish, etc.  We still have the beautiful tables set up and got to choose our linens.  Maybe switching to the less exspensive package would free up a little of the budget for other things.... just a suggestion.  We are definitely on a budget ourselves. 

 

And Ev, I totally agree.  I would not pay the day pass fees.  We made it clear to others there is a fee to come onto property for wedding and we are already paying per head.  I also think people think it is like a regular hotel and they can come hang out for the day, not realizing there are guest passes involved because it is all inclusive.

 

ll117 I love the escort cards we were thinking of doing the same!!!

 

I read something a few brides wrote on here...and I am trying to keep it in mind.. Once y ou are at airport and are on your way to resort....It was all worth it! IT  all worked out and was beautiful... and you are on vacation and about to be married with friends and family closeby!!!!!

[MissyBee]

Darlene, we are 45 people and they only place they can accomodate us is at the Buffet.
 

[darleneg2b]

Darlene, we are 45 people and they only place they can accomodate us is at the Buffet.  

Thanks so much for the response? Are you going ahead with the buffet for the rehearsal dinner? If you are (or if you have the info) how does that work?

[MissyBee]

Yes, we are going forward with it, there is no additional cost, we just set it up through the wedding coordinator (after a lot of back and forth). We are going to meet our guests for a one hour cocktail party at the pool first (included in our package from our travel agent), take photos, and then head over to a group dinner at the buffet. Our wedding is next week- will let you know how it goes!

[Suzhen]

Hi fellow Brides! Our wedding date is less than two weeks away ... And I thought I'd share my most recent catastrophy. I completely forgot to pick up our marriage license on friday and we are supposed to have our legal ceremony tomorrow (sunday) in front of our parents....we spent last night at our local police station trying to track down the county clerk to see if we can somehow get it on sat (today) even though the office is closed. What a stressful night!! Our parents were really upset which didn't help. We finally heard back from the county clerk and she said we could pick it up Monday and just have the judge sign it on Monday and date it with Sundays date..., I guess it's a solution but not ideal. So my advice is to NOT forget to pick up ur license. Ahhhh! Suzanne

[angelnjewels]

Congrats to all brides who will be having their weddings soon. Sending positive vibes and blessings your way! Please let us know how it goes... I am super excited for you all!! Yay