Paradisus Punta Cana payment

[maridr2012]

EV: the rooms was pretty much it about PPC that was cheaper than PPR. The packages are the same. But just like you, I was trying to accommodate a price point that most of my guests could afford to pay, trying to please them. In the end, just like you, I had a lot of people (including 1 of my brothers) totally flake out despite us bending over backwards to make it less expensive. Honestly I would've loved to book my wedding at Zoetry Resort but they were high up there in price and are an adults only property; we have a few kids coming so we had to nixay Zoetry.. DR was always my first and only choice, because that's where my parents are from and I wanted to share a bit of my culture with my future in laws who are Italian American Had it not been for that, I def still would've done a DW, and would do it in Mexico where it seems like you can get some really great deals! But don't kick yourself over selecting PPR, it's such a beautiful property and very upscale. You made an excellent choice! And be glad you didn't go with NOW Larimar. Their food is horrible lol. I stayed there for 1 night and went to 3 of the like 5 restaurants they had and finally settled on a mediocre cheeseburger for dinner. Oddly enough though, their lunch buffet by the beach was pretty good lol! One of my best friends who is in my wedding party actually just came back last month from a wedding at Now Larimar. He was there for 5 days and said while the service was good, ceremony and reception was beautiful, the food was awful. I never even shared my experience with him so I knew it can't just be me. But I dunno, you'll see some posts raving about how wonderful it is so again it's all a matter of personal preference.

[EVKnowsitall]

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

 

EV: the rooms was pretty much it about PPC that was cheaper than PPR. The packages are the same. But just like you, I was trying to accommodate a price point that most of my guests could afford to pay, trying to please them. In the end, just like you, I had a lot of people (including 1 of my brothers) totally flake out despite us bending over backwards to make it less expensive. Honestly I would've loved to book my wedding at Zoetry Resort but they were high up there in price and are an adults only property; we have a few kids coming so we had to nixay Zoetry.. DR was always my first and only choice, because that's where my parents are from and I wanted to share a bit of my culture with my future in laws who are Italian American Had it not been for that, I def still would've done a DW, and would do it in Mexico where it seems like you can get some really great deals! But don't kick yourself over selecting PPR, it's such a beautiful property and very upscale. You made an excellent choice! And be glad you didn't go with NOW Larimar. Their food is horrible lol. I stayed there for 1 night and went to 3 of the like 5 restaurants they had and finally settled on a mediocre cheeseburger for dinner. Oddly enough though, their lunch buffet by the beach was pretty good lol! One of my best friends who is in my wedding party actually just came back last month from a wedding at Now Larimar. He was there for 5 days and said while the service was good, ceremony and reception was beautiful, the food was awful. I never even shared my experience with him so I knew it can't just be me. But I dunno, you'll see some posts raving about how wonderful it is so again it's all a matter of personal preference.

 

Thanks. Zoetry is breathtaking! Same here- we wanted to do adults only but there were three kids to consider- my 13 year old godsister, my niece, and my nephew. Well my godparents- their older daughter got engaged and is getting married in May- so they cant come to our wedding. And my niece and nephew belong to my two sisters who after all was said and done- decided not to come. So now we have no kids coming...GRRRR! LOL I know PPR is a beautiful property and thanks for telling me about Now. I stood at Secrets in Mexico- part of the AMResorts family that owns Zoetry, Secrets, Dreams, and Now properties. At Secrets- the food was delicious. I didn't eat anything I didn't enjoy. I'm curious about the food at PPR but I love the variety. Honestly- when my fiance and I travel we have a kick ass good time without anyone else there so I will just mentally prepare and resign myself to that mindset and whatever happens, happens. Whoever comes- great. Whoever doesn't- Oh Well.

[SpecialK]

Hello Maribel, Thank you for posting the link to the picasa album. When you say the flower arrangements are expensive, how expensive are they? lol What would you say is the average cost? I am in the early stages of planning my wedding and still going back and forth between Paradisus Palma Real and the jellyfish restaurant. If I choose PPR, I would privatize Gabi Restaurant which I already know would be an extra 9K and I MUST have big, full, flower centerpeices. Just wondering with all the costs of the extras, how much should I expect to spend :-/ Thanks

[TishaJules]

Originally Posted by maridr2012 

 

I ordered just a very few things from Carribbean Celebrations:  The 3D aisle runner which is $75, white chinese lanterns $350, and a fresh towel station (basically its just little fresh white cool/wet towels in a basket with ribbon tied around each scented with fragrance like lavender, etc) - since our ceremony will be outdoors and guys always seem to get really hot n sweaty outdoors especially since they'll be wearing suits for a good 30 min outdoors, lol.  That is $2.50 each.  Then you have to add 16% to it all.

 

I didnt do more extra decor stuff from Carribbean Celebrations b/c my package already included alot.  I went with the Aqua Package - but am using the decor included in the Fantasy package (white and green) to keep it very simple and a classic romantic feel.  Tisha..beware on the floral arrangements..this is BIG BUCKS.  Have they sent you the link to the photo album you pick everything of? I've listed it below.  This caught me by surprise..I couldnt believe how much they wanted for some of these VERY simple arrangements!   And the killer is, they don't list the price of each of these floral arrangments...you have to ask them for a quote for each one you're interested in.  Very frustrating.  I really wanted flowers, I didnt want to do candles as centerpieces b/c my reception will be indoors (if it'd been outdoors candles wouldve been gorgeous, indoors I felt needed flowers).  And of course..I must think I'm rich and refused to do carnations.  So everything I wanted was super expensive.  Here's a tip, if you get a floral centerpiece, try to stay away from orchids as they're the most expensive.  Carnations and roses are the least expensive.  I ended up choosing a centerpiece that has roses, some hydrangeas, and a few carnations..and I emphasized to them...only a FEW carnations, haha.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/romancebyparadisuspuntacana

 

 

Well thank you for that information! Since I am in the very beginning stages of planning... I haven't went that far yet!  I'm so happy that you are giving me the heads up about all this information because I would have been very lost in this process.  I have also chosen the Aqua package, but didn't want that color.  Is the Fantasy Package only white and Green?  I need to start clicking on the links that was sent to me.  I was just trying to do one thing at a time.  I'm just getting the save the dates out at the end of this week.

 

As for the flowers, I'm also having the reception indoors, so I would not like candles but flowers.   And no, I do not want all carnations. LOL.  I will definitely take the time out to look at the arrangements. 

[TishaJules]

I received the package prices for PPR and PPC and the PPC packages are exactly the same, but PPC are less expensive...not by much, but a little bit and yes, the rooms are less expensive as well. It came down to cost more for my guests as well.  I think I will be a little upset if people start flaking out and I bent over backwards to keep the cost down for my guests...but in return...I'm paying a TON! LOL. But in the end, It's truly about myself and my fiance!!

[maridr2012]

Hey ladies.  The average cost of floral centerpieces is over $100.  There are a few that they sent to me separately in a pdf that were like $60 or so, but I really didn't like them.  I can't find that email its archived somewhere but I'm sure if you ask them to send it to you they would.  I remember I picked one floral centerpiece and it was $180.  I almost fell out of my chair.  The one I ended up selecting it $105 + 16% tax (its #168 in the Centerpiece album).  I settled on that one because I really wanted actual flowers and I liked the mix of roses and hydrangeas especially since my bouquet as well as my bridesmaid's bouquets are all roses.  The orchids were just too expensive and everything else I either didn't like or was too costly.  Like I said, roses seem to be one of the more budget-friendly options but yet still beautiful and don't look cheap.  I have 7 tables that I need centerpieces for...so the costs add up quickly.  My FI and I will be sitting at a sweetheart table, and in an effort to save a few bucks, we are NOT doing a centerpiece for our table.  Instead, we are renting 2 vases from them (at $15 + tax each), and taking 2 of the bridesmaid's flowers after the reception entrance and putting them in the vases.  That, along with a few candle tealights and votives that I'm bringing myself, as well as our filled sand ceremony vase, will be our table decor. They really charge you for everything.  They're charging me $25 + tax for the sweetheart table, another $29 for the escort card table, $18 for the gift envelope holder (the little mailbox guests can put their cards with gift - usually cash/check in).  It adds up quickly ladies..so be prepared.  

 

The tough thing with the flowers is you have to pick the centerpiece you're interested in and then ask them for a quote.  It'd be so much easier if they provided a cost for each one ahead of time so that way you can filter out what's in your price range.  I pointed this out to them and they said they have to get quotes each time because the prices changed based on the season, and because alot of the flowers they need to import it so it can vary from one month to another based on commodities.  WHATEVS.  

 

Regarding the decor in the packages, I selected the Aqua package b/c we felt we would get the most out of it - with top shelf liquor, h'ors doeuvres, etc.  I selected the Fantasy decor because I loved the simplicity and classic beautiful look of it.  They will allow you to pick a different package's decor, but only if it's a cheaper package.  For example, you can select the Aqua and decorate it with Fantasy like I did because the Fantasy pkg is cheaper, but you can keep all the things the Aqua pkg brings - chairs, bar selection, etc.  Or,  you can do Chill pkg with Fantasy decor.  BUT, you CANNOT pick Fantasy package with Aqua decor, b/c the Aqua pkg is more expensive.  Its kinda silly.

 

And, also beware that if you choose to customize your decorations alot, e.g. do colored linens other than whats already included in your package OR as I've described above, you will be charged extra.  The calculator sheet they gave me indicated it would be $150 to add color/linen to your decoration.  YIKES. Not sure if that was per table, or what, but still..YIKES.  So if you really want to customize your event with different linen colors, you may be better off bringing your own linens but also know they will charge you for setting it up, or you better have great bridesmaids that will set this up for you on the day of your event.

 

Lastly, regarding privatizing your event..yes it will be expensive to privatize a restaurant.  We considered also privatizing the Gabi Club...until we learned that in addition to the $9k fee, they will itemize EVERYTHING.  I mean everything. You can't do a package when you privatize a space; they don't allow it.  So, they will charge you for every chair, hors doeuvre, linen, drink, bow, flower, etc etc the list goes on and on...per person.  Again, get ready for some big #s to add up if you choose to go that route.  

[SpecialK]

OMG! Thank you so much for all this info! I had no idea you couldnt use a package if you planned to privatize a restaurant. I'm already picturing my Fiance's face when I try to explain all this to him. He is definately more frugal than I am. Ugh, how the hell am I already stressed, this is only the beginning! I know having it at Jellyfish restaurant would be so much cheaper but I am in love with the Gabi Restaurant. :-(

[maridr2012]

LOL I know what you mean by it being so stressful already.  I've had quite a few gray hairs sprout since we started planning, not even kidding.  But try not to worry too much.  The fact that you're doing a DW is already so different and special than what traditional weddings are like, so your guests will be blown away with whatever you choose.  I've heard the Jellyfish restaurant events are also beautiful.  And I know its so cliche, but the day is really about you and your FI and the love that you both share.  

 

Once you have your budget in mind, you can start narrowing it down from there.  Do you have the Calculator spreadsheet for PPC? I suggest that you reach out to the Romance Team and ask them for the Calculator spreadsheet so that way you can get a more realistic idea of what it will cost to do it there vs Jellyfish; and I'd imagine that the Jellyfish can provide you with something similar. 

Originally Posted by SpecialK 

OMG! Thank you so much for all this info! I had no idea you couldnt use a package if you planned to privatize a restaurant. I'm already picturing my Fiance's face when I try to explain all this to him. He is definately more frugal than I am. Ugh, how the hell am I already stressed, this is only the beginning! I know having it at Jellyfish restaurant would be so much cheaper but I am in love with the Gabi Restaurant. :-(

[maridr2012]

Have you done an on-site visit?  I went back in December, and honestly - this is my own personal opinion, I saw the Gabi Club restaurant.  It's pretty, don't get me wrong.  But I didn't feel it was worth spending $9k over.  That $9k or whatever it is does include your meal, but as far as decoration etc. its all extra.  Also, you would need a few extra things in this space, such as a dance floor which is like $450, and you also need to find out from what are their time restrictions as some of the spaces on the property dont allow receptions to go past a certain time due to the proximity to guest rooms.  Alot of stuff to keep in mind. And also, depending on the # of guests you have, the Gabi Club is kinda weird for table arrangement in my opinion.  Its a restaurant as you know, so your tables won't really be all close together in tables of 8 - at least I dont think so.  And this is one of the areas you would have to pay for linens.  What is it about Gabi Club you liked so much if you dont mind me asking?  What is the intimacy of it since its far away from everything else?  I know it is beautiful : )  

 

I think I mentioned before, we have 50-something people going, and wanted something a little bit more private for our group, yet not completely outdoors for fear of inclement weather - the last thing I wanted to do was have to worry about a backup space in case of rain.  We are having our reception in the Convention Terrace.  You can see the pics of that space in the Picasa album I shared.  

Originally Posted by SpecialK 

OMG! Thank you so much for all this info! I had no idea you couldnt use a package if you planned to privatize a restaurant. I'm already picturing my Fiance's face when I try to explain all this to him. He is definately more frugal than I am. Ugh, how the hell am I already stressed, this is only the beginning! I know having it at Jellyfish restaurant would be so much cheaper but I am in love with the Gabi Restaurant. :-(

[SpecialK]

Just to clarify, I like the Gabi Restaurant in PPR. I know there is one in Paradisus Punta Cana as well. I have not done a site visit, A coworker had her wedding there and when I saw her pics I thought to myself "THIS is my place" . The typical destination weddings on the beach with starfish and such are not really my style. I want to have a wedding in DR because that is where my family is from and of course cheaper than having a wedding here in NY but I still wanted something luxurious. I've been lurking on this site and the GABI at PPR is the only reception location I have seen that fits my vision...talk about champagne taste with a beer budget haha! I'm new to all this but I think if I choose a really pretty location I wont have to spend as much on decor to dress it up.