2013 Paradisus Palma Real

[angelnjewels]

Originally Posted by DannysAp 

 

Hi Ladies,

 

I've been following the forum for about 6 months and finally took the time to join.  You all have been a great source of info and now I will share some of mine: Getting married at PPR in September (I did the Love at First Site visit Nov 2012- I wanted to feel confident about the resort before we officially committed it and sent out STDs).  Ultimately I decided to go with the Aqua Package. My wedding will be in the Garden Gazebo and Reception in the Apollo Ballroom (not thrilled about the privatization fee- but what can you do?).  I'm also having a Welcome Cocktail party in the Plaza Colonial on the day before my wedding. Right now I'm in the process of finalizing my guest count (~50-55) and preparing to pay my final invoice. :-(

 

All in all I'm excited about the wedding and hopeful that everything will go relatively smoothly.  

 

DannysAp,

 

Welcome to the forum...wow your wedding is almost here...Congratulations. I am also having my reception in the apollo ballroom but we did it because of the AC since we have some people who are going to be sweating like crazy..lol plus we want it to be a bit more intimate and have our own room.

[kklano]

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 

 

 

It isn't even raining or anything. No indication of a storm- but American Airlines won't fly their planes. Some of our guests are on Delta and their flights are a green light as of now. Strange. I mean- I am suppossed to work on Thursday and Friday and now I won't make it. And our dog is at a pet hotel and we will have to board her two more days : ( I kinda wanted to go home. Well.....

 

I guess tomorrow I can write my detailed review lol if it rains like its projected and I am just stuck in the hotel I will have nothing else to do. Oy vey!!!! Cest la vie. Weather is not in my control.

 

 

 

How are you finding the internet? It looks like you're having no problems connecting.  Just wondering because I'm considering using a wedding app that my guests would download to upload pics to their facebook pages.  Their facebook pics go onto a wedding page on the app for all guests to share.  If there isn't a good internet connection that they could access from their phones, I think that the app would be useless.

[DannysAp]

Thank you and Congratulations to you too and all of the other Brides! I too was concerned about the heat as well as the rain for my reception. (I imagine September will be interesting.) Although I was rather displeased with Jessica for a bit because we booked in November (including the Apollo) and only in February did she mention that there was a $1000 privatization fee for the room.  None of the documents she had provided previously indicated that there was an additional fee. I digress.   I'll share as much as I can regarding what I've learned so far, please forgive if some of this stuff is repetitive from other brides' postings. 

 

For the seated dinner reception you have the option of doing a entree duet instead of having to choose just one. (We're doing beef and fish.)

 

The resort charges $5 for each welcome bag you ask them to deliver.  To avoid this, our plan is to greet our guests in the lobby and pass them out as they arrive. (Fortunately most of my friends and family are on flights that arrive around the same time.)  Speaking of welcome bags, we're planning to include some of the beach basics (sunscreen, aloe vera, lip balm, ibuprofen, and those cool mosquito wrist bands along with a some of our favorite snacks.  The following are websites I've found that offer some of the best deals for these things:

 

www.cheaptravelsizes.com

 

www.favorfavor.com

 

www.bulkapothecary.com

 

I'm flying AirTrain and just sent their customer service an email yesterday regarding info on how my dress will be stored as a carry on.  We'll see.

 

Does anyone know which night is the Gabi Beach Party and if is restricted to just Royal Service and Melia guests? I saw something recently that indicated that other guests will now have to pay an additional fee.

[Rotha Penn]

How are you finding the internet? It looks like you're having no problems connecting.  Just wondering because I'm considering using a wedding app that my guests would download to upload pics to their facebook pages.  Their facebook pics go onto a wedding page on the app for all guests to share.  If there isn't a good internet connection that they could access from their phones, I think that the app would be useless.

Wifi is spotty with the exception of the lobby. I also used the computers in the Royal Service lounge from time to time.

[Rotha Penn]

Hey Kelly do you know of any other airlines that do have a closet? not sure if we should upgrade our seats to get more space for our carry on bags and the dress.. Thanks for the infor.

We didn't upgrade, but the closet on our Delta flights were too small for my dress (ball gown) and we just put it overhead and everyone was very nice and didn't shove their things in there. Just ask the flight attendant when you get on - they were very helpful. I'm sure it helped that I boarded early because I'm a medallion member.

[angelnjewels]

oh okay that is good...I think i will upgrade or sit with my parents and in laws and then we will share the overhead area...lol they will just have to give me space.

 

 

The computer in the royal service area are great....i used them when i was there and it was okay just to email our parents and read articles...my fiance liked them...

[Nena Martinez]

Originally Posted by DannysAp 

 

Thank you and Congratulations to you too and all of the other Brides! I too was concerned about the heat as well as the rain for my reception. (I imagine September will be interesting.) Although I was rather displeased with Jessica for a bit because we booked in November (including the Apollo) and only in February did she mention that there was a $1000 privatization fee for the room.  None of the documents she had provided previously indicated that there was an additional fee. I digress.   I'll share as much as I can regarding what I've learned so far, please forgive if some of this stuff is repetitive from other brides' postings. 

 

For the seated dinner reception you have the option of doing a entree duet instead of having to choose just one. (We're doing beef and fish.)

 

The resort charges $5 for each welcome bag you ask them to deliver.  To avoid this, our plan is to greet our guests in the lobby and pass them out as they arrive. (Fortunately most of my friends and family are on flights that arrive around the same time.)  Speaking of welcome bags, we're planning to include some of the beach basics (sunscreen, aloe vera, lip balm, ibuprofen, and those cool mosquito wrist bands along with a some of our favorite snacks.  The following are websites I've found that offer some of the best deals for these things:

 

www.cheaptravelsizes.com

 

www.favorfavor.com

 

www.bulkapothecary.com

 

I'm flying AirTrain and just sent their customer service an email yesterday regarding info on how my dress will be stored as a carry on.  We'll see.

 

Does anyone know which night is the Gabi Beach Party and if is restricted to just Royal Service and Melia guests? I saw something recently that indicated that other guests will now have to pay an additional fee.

 

 

Hello, congrats to you as well. We are in the begging stages of our planning and I was originally very excited about holding the wedding at the Olympus lol (of course until I asked for the pricing list) but I just received the PDF with all upgrade costs. The Olympus is $18,840 (chill out package, location & fee with taxes included) and it hold 200-450 ppl. Now, I am looking at the Apolo Ballroom ($4,680) and I am entertaining the extra cost; I am just not a big fan of the carpet.

The Olympus terrace, which is complimentary, seems to be a pretty nice location as well.  Ideally I would like to hold my reception indoors, so who knows…aghh decisions, decisions!

 

Best of Luck,

 

Liz

[Nena Martinez]

Originally Posted by luza87 

 

Hey all, this is the link to my 1st wedding album on facebook. There are 4, the albums are public so you would be able to see them all.

I hope they help you in some way!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944652292510.1073741826.43903271&type=1&l=a05e889718

OMG Congratulations and THANK YOU for sharing!!! Best of Luck.

[Nena Martinez]

Originally Posted by darleneg2b 

 

 

Hi,

 

Congrats on your DW!!! While I do not regret having a destination wedding I would highly suggest selecting a different resort!!!! PPR is not at all what you pay for!

 

Hope this helps!

 

xoxo,

Darlene

Hello, Congratulations!! I am also getting married next year in Agust 23rd. My fiancé and I looked at various resorts and countries prior deciding on PC. I have not visited the resort myself but this forum is extremely helpful. I chose PPR b/c it matched our wedding vision and also because I have family traveling form South America who will not need a visa. I also have a friend who stayed at the PPR a few years ago and she was in love with the resort and service. Also, I am currently working with a TA who has helped me to narrow down my search, and I will truly recommend doing that if you are in that process. All in all I freaked out when I saw a few bad reviews in Trip Advisor, but  I just think that overall the resort has more positive reviews than negative ones. I have the prices for the different packages, etc. PM me your e-mail and I can send them to you.

 

Relax and enjoy your planning.

 

Liz

[Nena Martinez]

Originally Posted by Kel123073 

 

Luza 87 your pics are gorgeous!  What a beautiful bride you were!!!  Glad you had a great experience and thanks so much for sharing!  I have a pretty laid back attitude, as well as my fiance and I think our wedding will be a memorable experience......

 

As far as some of the other reviews, I just have to point out that it is a little upsetting.  Some reviews are from brides I never saw active on this thread and some have been very active.  If you didn't have the wedding of your dreams I am sorry to hear that.  Weddings are costly in the US and at a destination and so much planning is involved!  I have definitely had my major stressful moments in planning for sure. What I find most upsetting is now taking the time to post all about your awful experience. I know this won't go over well but I think it is a little mean spirited towards some of us brides who are coming up so soon, as well as to those who recently made the decision to have their wedding at PPR!  I appreciate honesty and I know there will be glitches for sure...... we are traveling to another country where things are a little different, sometimes more laid back and definitely not the same experience of having a wedding in the US.  This is the type of wedding though that we wanted!  A beautiful destination, that we loved surrounded by family and friends.

 

I am sure that this post won't be recieved very well, but it bothered me that much, that I felt compelled to respond.  The weeks leading up to leaving for the wedding are exciting and stressful and to be bombarded with awful reviews just causes more stress!  Don't get me wrong, sharing glitches and providing tips from your personal experience are definitely appreciated, but some of these previous posts were rather upsetting.

 

 

Sincerely,

Kelly

I love this post! THANK YOU!  You couldn't have put it better. I was very concerned when I saw a bad review in Trip Advisor back in January and I remember you putting some ease on my mind, which I truly appreciate!! We have now picked our date for next year and are very excited about the process. We are also pretty laid back and out main focus is having a great time with family and friends.

 

Bes of Luck,

 

Liz