2013 Grand Palladium Punta Cana BRIDES!

[eberry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bride2B1130 
 

Sweeeeet!! Thank you so much for that information ndenney!  That's very helpful.  I'm also trying to get ideas for ceremony/cocktail hour/reception flow.  Can anyone speak to their weddings and what went well and what didn't when it comes to this and provide any advice?  We are thinking of doing a cocktail hour at Hemingway Bar. Is the bar a big open space or are there areas that can be roped off for wedding guests? Are we able to get our own bartenders?  How long should this little meet & greet event be? Any insight would help us out.  We are feeling the time crunch 41 daysss...

From what I've been told, you cannot rope off a section of Heminway's for a personal party.  There is an outdoor patio and an indoor area.  It is a fantastic place for a group get-together.  We had 50 guests come down for our wedding, and we made this the central hang out spot every evening.  The bartenders are fantastic, especially Isadora.  She took care of me the whole week and would even make my special drink as soon as I walked in the door 

[Bride2B1130]

Hi eberry!!! Thanks for the information...so you're saying all of the restaurants are open all over the resort? Carolina mentioned that she is changing our private reception dinner location due to the restaurant renovations. She has us at La Uva and I haven't heard too many stellar reviews about the place. Am I missing something? We are having a private reception and I was confused because you're saying the restaurants are open but she is saying that she hopes that the restaurants will be done with renovations and open by the 30th (our wedding day). What am I missing? Has anyone gotten the same response from Carolina?

[eberry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bride2B1130 

Hi eberry!!! Thanks for the information...so you're saying all of the restaurants are open all over the resort? Carolina mentioned that she is changing our private reception dinner location due to the restaurant renovations. She has us at La Uva and I haven't heard too many stellar reviews about the place. Am I missing something? We are having a private reception and I was confused because you're saying the restaurants are open but she is saying that she hopes that the restaurants will be done with renovations and open by the 30th (our wedding day). What am I missing? Has anyone gotten the same response from Carolina?

Hmmmm... i wonder if they closed after we left?  I had originally read that they were supposed to be closed from July or August until October 31 for renovations (I think that was on the Transat Vacations website).  We arrived on October 30 and everything was open.  Sorry if I confused you more! I guess Carolina would/should have the most up to date information.

[Bride2B1130]

Hmmm, interesting. I am hoping and praying that they have more restaurants available when we arrive next week.

[Bride2B1130]

We are leaving for PC today and we're getting married Saturday!  It's been a long time coming and I'm hoping everything goes smoothly (from the flight from Newark all the way to having no rain and a sunny day on Saturday).  Thanks for all of your advice and tips and I will let you know how it goes!

[Bride2B1130]

Well we are back from the wedding!  Everything turned out perfectly although I was stressed out the entire time and only realized (once I arrived) that I had nothing to worry about.  Carolina and Kenia are the best at what they do and are super professional at making your wedding perfect! Hopefully I cover everything in the review and if I haven't - feel free to shoot me a message.

 

GPPC & Renovations: The biggest thing I 'noticed' were the renovations that were going on at the hotel.  They are a bit behind with the building of the new villas but it doesn't really interfere with what you have to do.  There were a few restaurants that were closed so we were limited with the choices for the reception but that didn't worry us because everyone enjoyed the dinner (as we saw the empty plates).

 

Crystal Wedding Package & Planning: First things first - do NOT stress out about the planning and coordination.  Carolina is very busy and tries her best to respond to each and every response for folks that are interested in having their wedding at the Grand Palladium.  Believe it or not, it seems like the word of mouth is spreading fast and she is becoming extremely busy.  With that being said, I would utilize the "subject" line of your email to include the date of your wedding and your name(s) so it's easy for her to identify who is sending her messages and the priority of responses. If you're already scheduled to have your wedding there the response times in my experience were MUCH MUCH quicker.  As others have stated Carolina knows what she's doing however I needed to re-visit this board to remind myself that everything is under control (and I needed to calm down).  We had the Crystal Wedding package and as US Citizens we went ahead with the legal process to get married in the DR.  We also decided to get married in the beach facing gazebo which was absolutely BEAUTIFUL.  Now, when you arrive you will schedule a meeting with Carolina - when that takes place you will see how everything will come together and all of your worries will go away.  I hope this post will help future brides to not do what I did and stress out all of the time. 

 

Weather : This topic single handedly stressed me out for 72 hours prior to the wedding.  The forecast said that there was a 30% chance of rain starting at 4PM (which was the time the wedding started). I was so scared that my big day would be ruined by the rain however, it was a nice cool day with the perfect overcast for photos and other things.  There was a little sprinkle while we took photos on the beach but the photographers were able to catch the rainbow so we were really happy about that.  For those getting married between Dec - Feb I don't see you having a problem with the rain.  Main point is, it's the Caribbean and although the forecast had rain we didn't experience it and it held out.

 

Reception & Food: We had our reception at Arrecife and paid the extra 1K for the private dinner and it was the best decision we made although we had to put out extra money for this.  We rented out the entire space although we only had 20 people at the wedding and it was the right idea because of a few things: First Dance Importance & Intimate feel with attentive service.  I just couldn't imagine 'sharing' the space with others.  The restaurant was set up very nicely and to our likings.  We exceeded the 12 person threshold so we all had the same meal and everyone enjoyed it.  We had the French & Onion Soup, the Beef Tenderloins, and fruit platter because of the cake  Now, everyone enjoyed the food and we enjoyed the service that was provided to us.  It was on point. We were having such a good time that there were some people on the resort starting to walk in because they saw what a good time we were having and wanted to join the party! The cake was delicious and MORE than enough for our group and we wanted to give the rest of the cake to the servers and their kids/families.  They were great!  Everything really went perfect and we couldn't be more happy. 

 

DJ Mannia: First, we met with the Mannia group prior to the wedding so they could explain what they have seen, what works best, what doesn't etc.  It was perfect because the music is a HUGE deal for just about everybody and certainly my family. DJ Mannia and Elam had the crowd going all night.  Our crowd is a energetic crowd anyways and will get up to dance, and will take their shoes off when their feet hurt and are up late into the night dancing.  DJ Mannia sent a wedding information in a word document prior to the wedding and we filled it out.  Prior to the reception they pulled us aside to confirm the small details which made me feel even better because they were concerned with the little details.  I wouldn't have a reception in the DR without DJ Mannia.  They've got competitive prices and their reviews speak for themselves

 

HDC Photo: We used HDC Photo and WE LOVE THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE!!!  Arnaud and his company are simply the best and I am the type to pay for quality and won't bat an eye when I do.  Your photos are your only tangibles from your wedding and you want to capture them as such.  I know some people have others in the audience that take "good pictures" but taking "good pictures" and hiring "professionals" is a big difference.We could see that from the experience and the confidence that they had with some of the photos that we are in good hands.  I remember doing a few photos and I was thinking "this is a strange position" and guess what?? That photo is my FAVORITE PHOTO.  I cannot recommend them enough and I am going to put their services on blast to anyone and everyone that has a wedding or special event in DR.  The photos are taken with such precision that it takes me back there once again.  We worked with Arnaud (prior to the wedding), Milijan (wedding), & Charly (wedding) for our wedding and they were the best to work with.  Those three know there stuff.  I am truly amazed and thankful that I hired them to capture my big day.  HDC are the best.

 

 

I'm hoping I'm covering as much as I can about our big day and I'm hoping this will help out a future bride just as this forum has been tremendously helpful to me.

 

*Oh, I just remembered - for Brides getting married at the Gazebo - those cobblestones are spaced far apart so if you're wearing heels and having the camera man there try to look up without falling.  We noticed those that didn't have a groomsmen/usher to hold onto were looking down.*

Edited December 18, 2013 by Bride2B1130

[Meandhim]

*Cross post*

 

Any other brides or past brides have to pay a deposit to book a date? I'm trying to book a specific date of April 1st 2015 at The Grand Palladium Punta Cana. They want me to pay a deposit of $300 USD just to hold the date...is this normal because I have no idea? They said its a new policy and the WC is on vacation so this is info from her assistant.

 

I also asked for their 2015 pricing, but they said it's not out yet. I thought you just pay a deposit once you sign a contract. Is it wrong to think if I book a date and pay a deposit now that I should be able to lock in the package and price that's available now? They also sent me the deposit credit card form to fill out but still have said if my actual date is even available.

 

I want a symbolic wedding and they also said they require a marriage certificate. I was hoping to get married legally at home after Punta Cana so my Nan could be involved, if I do it before she can't go.

 

Any advice or thoughts

 

 

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[Meandhim]

Any late 2014 or early 2015 grand palladium brides out there?

 

 

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[Kerrierf]

Hi @@Meandhim!

 

I'm looking at this hotel for May 5th, arriving just at the beginning of May, so it looks like we'll there right after you!

Edited June 6, 2014 by Kerrierf

[Meandhim]

@@Kerrierf Congrats! We will have to stay in touch!

 

 

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