2016 Grand Palladium Palace Punta Cana Brides

[LissaChic]

Any other brides getting married at the GPP in 2016? I will be in December and looking for others input!

Edited February 23, 2016 by LissaChic

[TA Patty]

Congratulations! We toured the Grand palladium Palace a few moths ago. Please let us know if we can answer any questions. TA Patty

 

www.wrighttravelagency.com

[vsschick]

Hi LissaChic,

 

I was going to get married at the Palladium in August but recently decided against it and forfeited my deposit. That's how turned off I got. They really penalize you cost-wise if you're bringing a bigger group, but the worst is that their packages and options are too restrictive:

 

You could only choose certain colours for the cheaper packages, they charge you extra per person for a guest count above 20 attending the ceremony. They also charge per person for the cocktail, and another per person charge for the private dinner. To get the costs down, I thought about choosing the Beautiful Bayaah: The Baraat and Wedding Ceremony. This package includes up to 75 people which is great, but is restricted as well to only the beach. During bad weather, the ceremony is held in the lobby.

 

For the plated dinners, everyone has to choose the same entree. So if one person wants chicken but another wants fish instead they're SOL because there is only 1 choice. I thought this was terrible to have to pay $53-$63 for the option of 1 entree for everyone. Also, I asked for the buffet as an alternative and they responded that I need at least 80 people!!!

 

That was the last straw as I decided if I am paying so much money for roughly 45-50 people, it doesn't make sense for the resort to put so many restrictions on everything. It would've been the wedding they wanted me to have rather than the one I wanted. 

 

Hope your experiences are better than mine. I believe if you have a smaller group it may not be as bad cost wise, but do look out for the restrictions they might have for certain things. Goodluck

[yangher]

@

 

Just curious, where did you end up doing your wedding?

 

Hi LissaChic,

 

I was going to get married at the Palladium in August but recently decided against it and forfeited my deposit. That's how turned off I got. They really penalize you cost-wise if you're bringing a bigger group, but the worst is that their packages and options are too restrictive:

 

You could only choose certain colours for the cheaper packages, they charge you extra per person for a guest count above 20 attending the ceremony. They also charge per person for the cocktail, and another per person charge for the private dinner. To get the costs down, I thought about choosing the Beautiful Bayaah: The Baraat and Wedding Ceremony. This package includes up to 75 people which is great, but is restricted as well to only the beach. During bad weather, the ceremony is held in the lobby.

 

For the plated dinners, everyone has to choose the same entree. So if one person wants chicken but another wants fish instead they're SOL because there is only 1 choice. I thought this was terrible to have to pay $53-$63 for the option of 1 entree for everyone. Also, I asked for the buffet as an alternative and they responded that I need at least 80 people!!!

 

That was the last straw as I decided if I am paying so much money for roughly 45-50 people, it doesn't make sense for the resort to put so many restrictions on everything. It would've been the wedding they wanted me to have rather than the one I wanted. 

 

Hope your experiences are better than mine. I believe if you have a smaller group it may not be as bad cost wise, but do look out for the restrictions they might have for certain things. Goodluck

[vsschick]

@@yangher

 

I ended up going with Moon Palace as I will have about 50 people going for my August 1st wedding. They give a free wedding and if you get 75 room nights, a free reception and cocktail hour as well.

 

They provide a standard buffet dinner which gives my guests options. Plated is extra. The cost of travel isn't terrible either. Last I checked it was around $1581 from Toronto for a 7 night package around my wedding time.

 

I'm still in the planning phase and still working out some kinks but there aren't much restrictions with Palace.. As a matter of fact, I got a bit overwhelmed with the ton of options.

[LissaChic]

@TA Patty

 

Can u tell me if the resort uses standard size key cards? I'm thinking of buying key card holders for my guests. Thanks

[NSbride16]

Hi all, I'm getting married at the Grand Palladium in November of 2016. Wondering what options everyone else has chosen to go with.

 

I have a fairly small wedding group (30 people), and I chose to go with the Pure Paradise package, although they restrict colors, White really goes with everything! I chose the Gazebo as it will hopefully be a bit more private than the beach.

 

Is anyone using the photographer the hotel recommends?

 

I also chose to go with the semi-private supper, just because it's included, and talking during supper will be minimal. We chose to have the Beach Bash afterwards, which is 2 hours and up to 25 people. Wondering what other people have chose?

 

Is anyone doing a group excursion? or have any recommendations?

 

@@LissaChic For gifts for guests, I got colorful bags from the dollar store and filled them with a pack of cards, tylenol, anti-nausea pills, lip balm, and melatonin strips for jetlag. I think we are also going to pay the entrance fee for guests (20$ per person to enter the DR). I will also print a little itinerary, hopefully this gives you a few ideas?

 

Happy to have a 2016 bride group

[LissaChic]

@NSbride2016 I think we are the only two in here getting married at the GPP this year! I am going with the Waves of Love package and we are also a group of about 30 people. We are not using the hotels photographer as we have a friend who is an up and coming photographer coming with us. We are also doing the semi private dinner and beach bash afterwards. For group excursion I think we will do the buggy ride. It goes to a cave and a beach and sounds like something even the older adults can do. For gifts, I got custom canvas bags from WeddingChicks and filled them with little things from the dollar store, as well as keycard holders and I'm thinking of getting custom sunglasses for everyone as well. I'll also include an itinerary for the week and am thinking of doing paper fans for the wedding day with the day's itinerary on them.

 

I have been trying to get ahold of the wedding coordinator for over a month now but have not received a reply, have you had any luck?? Is the semi private dinner a set menu? Can we pick the time for the dinner and beach bash or do they set the time? Any info would help! Thanks!

[JasminMattPhoto]

@@NSbride16 @@LissaChic A huge congratulations on your upcoming weddings. The Dominican Republic is such a beautiful country and if the GPP in the DR is anything like the one here in the Mayan Riviera you are in great hands and are going to have an absolutely wonderful experience. <3

 

Edited August 4, 2016 by JasminMattPhoto

[girlgotitall]

Hey ladies!

 

I got married on the beach in Punta Cana/Huracan Cafe. If you are still looking for a videographer and photographer, I highly recommend Wedding Roll.

 

Here's our highlight video with drone footage: