Grand Sunset Princess Resort

We had an amazing wedding, we wouldn't have changed a thing. We were really easy going about everything though, as we didn't have a set idea in mind. We aren't really traditional adn knew that it wouldn't be like a catered at home kind of wedding especially since we weren't paying for the extras.

We didn't pay for any of the extras (or even the champagne / cake).

Our wedding was in the afternoon, then we took pictures with our wedding party and families then met at the a la carte restaurant for dinner, we had dinner and mingled for maybe an hour and a half. Then we met up with Patricia the wedding coordinator and she let us use a conference room to view a slideshow presentation i had made with music/pics. We brought our own projector/laptop down with us, so we didn't have to pay for anything extra. Then after that we went to the bar and just got drinks together. At the GPR there are little coves that have green kind of water around them with lots of chairs and a straw roof. We all went into one of those and did our speeches and had drinks and visited. Around the main bar area at the Grand Princess they have a live band and a little dance area and tables all around outside. The band was playing that song "you say it best when you say nothing at all" - I dont' know what it's actually called.. just those words... anyways so my husband and I danced and that was our first dance. Our families didn't really see it because they were in the little hut area sitting down and having drinks and visiting. We didn't have a dance with the parents or anything like that, which I think the mom's secretly regret. We thought about bringing down our ipod and a bose sound dock/speakers and doing our own dance on the beach. In hindsight, I think that might have been really cool.

The private reception is probably worth the money if you want a more traditional type wedding where you don't miss out on anything. You really have to be easy going and not be really set on certain details if you are going to go the route of note going with the private reception, because some things are possible - and some aren't. I felt really out of control, but by the time I was down there enjoying our vacation and drinking mojitos I found the little things didn't really matter to me as much. I could put it into perspective and was just so happy to be marrying the greatest person I've ever known.

I found Patricia to be an absolute superstar though, she was happy to help with any and everything.

Speaking of photographers...has anyone seen a portfolio of the resort wedding photographer? I am interested to see what the style is like. If anyone knows, could you please let me know? Thanks

We are getting married there in Dec/2010.

Haven't gotten too far yet in planning it.

Current decision is whether to use the resort photographer or not. Although I haven't double-checked with the coordinator, the package info she sent had a rate of $1300 for only 90 photos which was their top package. I thought that's pretty limited in that I would assume most photographers give several hundred photos instead of just 90?

Also does anyone know if the photographers there speak good English and are easy to communicate with? Thanks.

I would look at Moments that Matter Photography. They are a Canadian couple that moved to the Mayan to do wedding photography. They have been easy to work with through email and their work is beautiful. Good Luck

I am getting married at the Princess in Feb 2011 and I am brining my own photog that will be a guest at the hotel. I decided to find a local that will do it for the trip. The flight and three-4 nights will cost about $1000 and then we wil have acess to all of the pics, have a photographer for all four days, and wont have to worry about paying a vendor fee if the resort is still requiring that. I know in the past the WC said that outside photographers were not allowed. But I read with some persistance she will OK it.

I'm leaning towards having the private beach reception because Sandra told me they don't bring in microphones at the restaurants, and then I dont like the idea of it being only 1.5 hours, have to wait in line for drinks, and eating at a restaurant where all guests will have access to all week anyway.  The indoor private reception options are not that much lower in price than the beach option, which is making the private beach option look more desirable.  Will make a decision soon.

34 are booked so far, there will be about 35-40 in total I'm estimating, and its Dec. 20/2010. 

I think we'll go with the gazebo ceremony since it's more private and costs a bit less than the beach wedding. 

The Beach reception is beautiful!! but it is out in the open by the main wood pathway of the beach so just keep that in mind as far as it being windy and visible to passer-by's. Maybe try to contact someone who had the beach reception on here so that you can get the full details.

The gazebo is in the exact same place where the hold the beach ceremony, they simply move the chairs down to the sand...it's located right beside the platinum section of the beach loungers - so people will be beside you but you really don't notice. There were all kinds of neck stretchers taking a peek and guests can walk the stretch of the beach so they will come take a look!!! But I was so caught up in the moment I really didn't notice!!

Good luck in your decisions! if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!!!

Suzy )
 

Originally Posted by gujarwala 

I'm leaning towards having the private beach reception because Sandra told me they don't bring in microphones at the restaurants, and then I dont like the idea of it being only 1.5 hours, have to wait in line for drinks, and eating at a restaurant where all guests will have access to all week anyway.  The indoor private reception options are not that much lower in price than the beach option, which is making the private beach option look more desirable.  Will make a decision soon.

 

34 are booked so far, there will be about 35-40 in total I'm estimating, and its Dec. 20/2010. 

 

I think we'll go with the gazebo ceremony since it's more private and costs a bit less than the beach wedding.