2013 Excellence Punta Cana brides!?!?!?

[BarbandRob]

Hello! We are booked to have our wedding at Excellence PC on Sept.7th 2013. Is anyone else confused as to why they won't give us our wedding choices until 2 months before the wedding? Seems a bit rushed. :confused:

[amylouise]

What do you mean by wedding choices? We're getting married there on the 17th sept and we're doing the middle package. I don't know where we're having the reception yet though, you choose that when you get there.

[BarbandRob]

By choices I mean the selection of all the details of the wedding i.e. centerpieces, bouquets, decorations. I emailed our coordinator Claribel last week and still have not received a response. We got the Gold package but there isn't any mention of what exactly makes up the reception? Do you get a DJ, or do we have to book and pay for one? She told us that our next correspondence would be two months before the wedding, and that's fine, I'm sure they know what they are doing but I guess we would feel better if we at least knew what choices will be available to us. Did your coordinator advise you on how many days you should arrive in advance? We figured three days would be ok...

[BarbandRob]

If you have any questions about the resort feel free to ask, we were just there last Sept. and that is where we got engaged. We saw a wedding reception at the beachside restaurant called Las Olas, it was really nice a d had a nice ambiance right over the crashing waves in the evening. We just weren't sure if that particular couple paid extra for that or it was included....

[Shaylaj]

BarbandRob, 

 

I'm getting married there in June and was also told that I had to wait until two months out before I could get any additional information when I asked back in October or November of last year. Claribel told me to check again in February since there inventory changes each year and they would have updated info by that time. I was able get information regarding the centerpieces, bouquets, decorations options but that's about it. I'm getting the center package and I'm still not sure what I get along with it as for as the reception details. I asked about what size table options they had she told me and mentioned the reception tables at the Las Olas restaurant but didn't specify whether that was an option of if that was something extra will will have to pay for. I'm hoping to get a lot more info from her in April. Hope this helps!!

Originally Posted by BarbandRob 

By choices I mean the selection of all the details of the wedding i.e. centerpieces, bouquets, decorations. I emailed our coordinator Claribel last week and still have not received a response. We got the Gold package but there isn't any mention of what exactly makes up the reception? Do you get a DJ, or do we have to book and pay for one? She told us that our next correspondence would be two months before the wedding, and that's fine, I'm sure they know what they are doing but I guess we would feel better if we at least knew what choices will be available to us. Did your coordinator advise you on how many days you should arrive in advance? We figured three days would be ok...

[amylouise]

I just have the pdf they send you with the list of what's included - I've posted what they sent me below. If you go with the Gold package - you basically get everything that they've outlined in each package - just add them all together. Hope this helps - you can see that you do get bouquets etc included. I don't think a DJ is included - I seem to recall them quoting me $700 for 3 hours, which seems a little steep actually.

 

They asked us to arrive 3 business days in advance so as we're getting married on the Tuesday, we're arriving the previous Wednesday. We are probably going to have our reception at Las Olas and it was included for us so it's definitely an option for you.

 

Regarding the resort - oh I'm so excited you've already been there - I definitely have some questions if I may!

 

 - Would you advise getting married on the actual beach? Is it private? I HATE the thoughts of random people standing around gawking while I get married so we're considering the Gazebo.

 

 - Would you recommend upgrading to the Excellence rooms? We haven't as a lot of places say don't bother, it's not worth the extra money per night. I am almost certain that we won't bother but thought I'd ask you.

 

 - What type of liquor / alcoholic beverages do they serve? They say 'premium' - are they brands we would be familiar with?

 

Thanks!

 

 

W E D D I N G PAC k AG E s :

E XC E L L E N C E W E D D I N G PAC k AG E

•Services of the Judge or Minister.
•Wedding organization and personalization of our wedding
coordinator.
•Preferential location of the room in the category reserved.
•Preparation and ironing of the wedding dress and grooms tuxedo/suit.
•Complimentary suite for the groom the night before the wedding
(based on availability).
•Use of the wedding gazebo or beach location.
•Horse drawn carriage which brings the bride to the Wedding Gazebo
(only at Excellence Punta Cana).
•Bride’s bouquet.
•Boutonniere for the groom.
•Wedding cake for 10 people.
•One bottle of sparkling wine.
•Special turn down service.
•15% discount on all spa treatments (product purchases not included).
•Honeymoon Package.
•Late checkout for bride and groom (based on availability).

Selling Price: $850 USD.

Additional fees may apply for non hotel guests.
This package is complimentary when booking an Excellence Club
Junior suite Ocean View category or higher, for a minimum of 7
nights, or with a bridal party of minimum 5 rooms of any category for
7 nights. Guest list should be advised at the time of reservation.
Restrictions/exclusions: Package Subject to confirmation of
availability. Applicable only for Double Occupancy. Packages prices
are quoted for Ceremony attendees lodged at the hotel. This package
cannot be combined with the Excellence Honeymoon complimentary
package.

E XC E L L E N C E O F L O V E W E D D I N G PAC k AG E

In addition to Excellence Wedding Package you will receive:
•Love bride’s bouquet
•4 Love boutonnieres/corsages for bride, groom and witnesses.
•Special Silver Wedding Dinner (maximum of 20 people).
•Love natural floral centerpiece for dinner table.
•Wedding cake for 20 people.
•One hour Silver Cocktail with hors d’oeuvres for 20 people.
•24 full color photos (5x7).
•Bride’s hairstyling for ceremony.
•Make-up application for the bride.

Selling price: $1.500 USD.

 

In addition to Excellence of love Wedding Package you will receive:
•Additional decoration for the ceremony.
•Gold natural table bouquet for ceremony.
•Gold bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom.
•4 Gold boutonniere / corsages for bride, groom and witnesses.
•Caribbean or Romantic Music trio (1 hour).
•24 full color 6x8 photos (upgraded from 5x7).
•Video of the ceremony (15 minutes, unedited).
•One hour of upgraded cocktails with hors d’oeuvres for 20 people.
•Special Gold Wedding Dinner for 20 people.
•One Love Birds Spa Treatment for the couple.

 

Selling price: $2,500
 

[BarbandRob]

Yes, thank you for the advice. I will be sure to try to get that updated info. To amylouise: To answer your questions, they have two beech gazebos and they are both on opposite sides of the beach. It was NOT overcrowded at all in those areas if you really wanted to have the ceremony there. We chose the garden gazebo mostly because we didn't want to have to walk in sand, the gardens and view are also beautiful from this location. I would not recommend the room upgrade if you don't absolutely want it. They charge a lot for the upgraded view but all the amenities are the same. We stayed in a garden view room last September and with as little time we actually stayed in the room we both agreed it wasn't worth the extra cost. The liquor selection depends on if you are staying in a Club Suite or not. Regular room categories come with with 5 bottles, a Dominican whiskey (good!!), a Dominican rum or "ron" as they call it (VERY GOOD), Stoli Vodka, Beefeater Gin, and a bottle of Merlot. Club Suites come with more mainstream American options i.e. Jack Daniels, Belvedere, Grey Goose ect... Thank you all for the info, I will continue to check back to answer questions or ask a few more of my own. BarbandRob

[Anishka Hanna]

I am hoping to be an excellence bride next year.. I am so excited about it. But I just feel in love with the ROyal Island Resort in the Maldives so now I'm on the wall again, I really hope you ladies come back and update. 

[amylouise]

To BarbandRob, When you're in the bars or restaurants, cam you order the higher end American brand liquor? I haven't upgraded to the club, I'm just not sure we need to. I sent Elizabeth some photos of what we want our tables to look like so she can give me an indication of what size tablecloths I need to buy, I'll report back!

[KristaC]

Just booked our wedding yesterday at EPC on January 20th 2014. I'm very interested in hearing about any tips or information.