2015 Grand Palladium Punta Cana Brides

[Kerrierf]

@@Meandhim actually we're staying in the Punta Cana section

 

Oooh I love that the pool is open late!

 

Instead of doing welcome bags, we're going to mail out a little "get excited" kit for everyone this month.  Here are some things we brainstormed:

• Sunscreen
• Fun things from the dollar store
• Thongs (or other weird things for guests that will find it humourous)
• Travel containers
• Fake seashells
• Little message
• Hotel map and info
• Menu
• Doorknob hangers
• Material for suitcase
• Little packages of advil
• Suitcase tags

[Mels84]

It's nice to see a few new people on this forum... Welcome!!  I was just married at GPPC in January so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

 

For those that are looking for a meeting place for the first day/night each section has a bar right in the lobby.  Most nights they have some form of live entertainment and some nights of the week they have coco parties (they have coconuts for everyone to drink out of).  As far as having everyone go to Hemminways the first night I just have a few things for you to consider.  Hemmingways is quite nice (has premium liquor and budweiser beer available) but it also gets very busy at night so service can be quite slow.  It is a piano bar.  They have a pianist playing most of the night.  They have an outdoor patio (where you cannot hear the piano) but inside i found to be very very cold.  They have the A/C jacked right up.  Another thing to consider if you are in the Punta Cana, Palace or Royal Suites sections is that this resort is huge!!  To try and find the Hemmingway on the first night when its at the other end of the whole resort, might be a bit frustrating for guests. There are shuttles but sometimes they are a bit of a wait to catch one and sometimes they will be full when they pull up to pick up more people.  I really wanted to plan something there but decided to keep it simple for everyone.  Our first night at the resort, we just had everyone meet at the lobby bar. We were in the Palace section and they had live music that night.  There is an outdoor patio area that everyone really enjoyed too.  Its right beside the casino and not far from the dinner/breakfast buffett and close to everyones rooms so if they need to wander back to their room its wont take forever.   That sort of by default became our "home base" and most nights those that wanted to be part of a group could come find everyone.

 

Hope that helps. 

 

@@rebeccalane Just a heads up regarding the bar.  Its very misleading.  You are correct that it is $16/pp for extras beyond beer and wine for the reception.  BUT if you want the full open bar for both dinner AND the reception dance its $24/pp.  Just a heads up.  They don't make you pay that price for kids (obviously) but also let them know if you have anyone else who wont drink.  We had a recovering alcoholic with us.  He's been sober for years so I knew he wouldn't be drinking so they didn't charge me for him.  Also at the ceremony they have sparkling wine for everyone but they will also have orange juice for people who don't drink.  

 

Another heads up is with the music.  We did not opt for DJ Mannia.  Too expensive in my opinion so I made our playlist myself.  Now I was told that it would be $320.  That covers the dance portion ONLY!  I can't remember how much she said it would be to have music through dinner too but im thinking it was almost double that cost. We opted to not pay for music through dinner.  People would be talking and probably wouldnt pay attention to it anyways.  The person with the music equipment actually showed up early that night anyways so they did end up playing music through dinner without charge so that was a bonus. 

 

I'm picking up my pics tonight so hopefully I'll get some posted soon!!

[Meandhim]

@@Mels84 You are totally right about having the home base the lobby bar for anyone staying at the palace section... For me I'm in the spread out Bavaro section (palace will be under renovations while I'm there) so hemmingways is a good central option for me, but maybe the Bavaro lobby is a good choice too!! Thanks! Coco parties sound fun! Can't wait to see your pics... If you have any non wedding pics of the resort you would like to share too I would love to see them!

 

 

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[Mels84]

@@Meandhim honestly, I would choose the lobby over the Hemingway... We only went there once... At night it was hard for us to find and the service was really slow and there was only 4 of us and a few other tables inside and the patio outside was full... I think there was only 2 servers so it was painful. And I had a bit of a sunburn so I froze in there... The lobbies seem to have a lot of bartenders and servers... There is room to dance.. Sometimes they do karaoke... They do the coco parties once a week I think

[Kerrierf]

Thanks for sharing @@Mels84!  Can you clarify what you mean about the $320? They charged you to play your own playlist? I thought it was included

[Meandhim]

@@Kerrierf

I think the stereo equipment fee for reception is what she means... It's included for the ceremony I think but not the dinner or reception... Is that right @@Mels84 ?

 

At the lobby bar it is! Thanks!

 

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Edited March 5, 2015 by Meandhim

[Mels84]

@Kerrierf@Meandhim

 

They charge $320 to rent the stereo equipment and that does include someone to play the music for you.

[Kerrierf]

Hmm I'm not overly confrontational,  but I feel compelled to argue that with them...

 

- We are presently at 45 guests - including 1 child (under 10 years old) and 2 infants (under 2 years old).  What would the pricing be for private dinner on the beach? Can we also get the pricing for the Beach Bash?

Private beach bash – 2 hours: included for up to 25 people, for two hours: US$ 1.400 - Additional guests may be added for an additional rate of US$ 35 p/p – children under 18 years old are free of charge.

o   Stylish Lounge Seating area

o   Glowing Paper Lanterns

o   Private Bar with Bartender

o   Sound system (speakers and microphone)

o   2 Pairs of “Just-Married” Flip Flops for the Bride and Groom

o   One hour after-Party Snacks

 

The private beach bash, will depend from the weather conditions, if we were to change the party to an indoor place, the decision should be taken minimum  5 hours before the event, once we change the location to an indoor place, is not possible to moved again to the outdoor place.

 

- For the flowers, we will be bringing the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages with us.  As these are already included in the package, is there a way we can substitute the one's offered for extra decorations for the tables (or something of that nature)?

Yes, instead the flowers included in the package – bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere we can add some decoration (flowers) to the tables during dinner. (maybe 2 or 3 small centerpieces)

 

- How do we go about reserving the DJ and the musical trio for the ceremony?  Is this something you take care of when we send you the filled out excel sheet?  Is it previously selected music, or are there some options?

Included in the wedding package you have one hour sound system for the ceremony, (

speakers and microphone) the couple can bring their own music on an IPod or USB memory

. We have reserve the musical trio for you.

 

- For the sections on the excel sheet that just have titles, is there a list of items we are supposed to choose from? (ex. Beach Party is blank underneath).  Or the menu section that just identifies kids or vegetarian (what are the choices)?

Included in the wedding package, the couple and the group have a non private wedding dinner on the wedding day, take place in one of our a la carte restaurants located at the resort, in all places, it will be other hotel guests having dinner as well, drinks included, white and red house wines, beer, sodas and water, do not includes decoration, we will use the standard decoration from the restaurant (tables and chairs from the restaurant). 

 

For groups with more than 14 guests a set menu is required, (1 appetizer, 1 main course and 1 dessert – the same for everyone – (available only for weddings, no matter which restaurant you choose. We make some exceptions for kids, allergies and vegetarian guests. See attach file.

 

Dress code wedding dinner and a la carte restaurant for men aged 12 years and over: Long trousers/pants and shirt or T-shirt with long or short sleeves. Sandals are allowed.

[Meandhim]

 

@@Meandhim actually we're staying in the Punta Cana section

 

Oooh I love that the pool is open late!

 

Instead of doing welcome bags, we're going to mail out a little "get excited" kit for everyone this month.  Here are some things we brainstormed:

• Sunscreen
• Fun things from the dollar store
• Thongs (or other weird things for guests that will find it humourous)
• Travel containers
• Fake seashells
• Little message
• Hotel map and info
• Menu
• Doorknob hangers
• Material for suitcase
• Little packages of advil
• Suitcase tags

 

 

ohhhh....I like this idea! I might have to steal it! then you don't have to carry it with you! But you have to pay for shipping...hmm...I'll have to see what the difference is price-wize.

 

Punta cana section is where I stayed last time I was there I loved it! We stayed in building 2000. The go to pool for us when we were there last time was the one between building 2000 and 3000...the go to Bar was the punta cana lobby bar. I wish all pools were open late!

[Kerrierf]

Is anyone getting gifts for the parents?