TATrisha

I will say, the private reception was AMAZING! It was the BEST food I have ever had at a wedding... and I'm a wedding photographer, so obviously I eat a lot of wedding food. And having the private dance party was really awesome and the guests loved it. Something about dancing under the stars is SO magical! Especially if you have a fun group.

We did the exact same thing as Crystalz... As for the drinks at the poolside reception. If it's REALLY important to you, then perhaps you should look into bringing your own. But I will say this. I paid for the cheapest drink option at my poolside reception... and we were served everything. Cheryl paid for he cheapest option at her poolside reception (Coba Jacuzzi pools) and they were served everything. So if it's worth the chance that maybe you'll be unlucky and they won't serve it, then I'd bring your own, but from everything I've seen...

Yeah, it seems to be a common problem with this resort. I think it's because the resort photographer only takes a few quick pictures after the ceremony instead of a full blown bridal party photo shoot, so for them it's not an issue. I would push back at the WC and ask for a 2 or 3pm ceremony. There might already be a 3pm ceremony, which is why you were given the 1pm option, but I'd still push back.

The beach location is directly next to the beach view gazebo, so you'd have the same sunbathers and onlookers. The wedding that I photographed there didn't have an arch or anything and it was somewhat plain. The bridesmaid's bright dresses definitely helped make it awesome, but it was still beautiful. Here is their wedding slideshow if you wanted to take a peek: http://blog.faberphotography.com/weddings/kirsten-mark-married-west-bend-wisconsin-destination-wedding-photographer/2009

Monkeys at your reception? That's crazy! So what will these monkeys do??

Welcome to the forums! Tulum is GORGEOUS! I just got back last week from there, actually. The water is just amazing! Best wishes!

I would research local stables in the area. Often they will rent you the horses during certain hours (in between scheduled rides). The only problem is that some stables don't have the permits to ride horses on the beaches, so make sure you mention that you want the horses on the BEACH, not just that you want horses.

JMaz did you want the beach location or the gazebo with a beach view? The gazebo is not large enough for that size group, but the actual beach wedding location is. And it's beautiful!

In the past Sandals did not allow outside photography, however as of lately you can work with the wedding coordinator to allow it.

Yup, I just photographed Cheryl's wedding and the resort photographer was there during the ceremony (for her 10 free shots) and it wasn't a problem. I will say this though, the photographers are very intrusive. He was up at the alter and VERY much in their face. So he's in almost all of my photos, which kind of stinks. So remember that when you think about if you want to accept the 10 free photos.

The terrace by the infinity pool is really a great spot! I think you'll love it!

I did have my reception there, but while I was photographing a wedding in April, I also grabbed just a few photos from a reception on the beach. They had a lit dance floor and it looked like it was a lot of fun! The only problem was that it was really windy, so they might have had some sand in their food. I'm pretty sure there are pictures on my photo tour that I posted: http://blog.faberphotography.com/dreams-los-cabos-wedding-photo-tour/

We've photographed at Sandals Negril and it was AMAZING! Such a beautiful wedding location that you've chosen. Also the best wedding food I've ever had! $3000 plus accomodations is pretty steep. Last time we went it was right around $3000 total and that includes 8+ hours on the wedding day and a trash the dress the next day.

I try Portofino and the Coba poolside reception are easy 95 guests sounds like one hell of a party! That's going to be SO awesome!!! Here is the jacuzzi bar as it was set up for Kristi's wedding. This was at about 4:30, so clearly they aren't done getting set up yet, but you get an idea and it's set up differently than Cheryl's wedding. Here is Cheryl's wedding at night. You can see the lights around the sides and the DJ is next to the bar. For Portofino, here is the outside, half naked man comes included: The inside: One of the long tables from the wedding: And the cute little menus they make for your guests (chicken was delicious!):

I couldn't see the fireworks, but I'm sure you could view them from somewhere? As for the flowers, my bridesmaids just laid them on the table. Added just a touch of color. But the glasses really aren't the type you could put flower in. We tried at Cheryl's wedding, it didn't work out.

Fiesta is at the Hacienda. It starts at 7:30 if I recall. There is a show, contest, dancing and music. Then at 9:30 is fireworks. Here is Frutos Del Mar: From the outside: This is inside (sorry, they lock the doors so please excuse the reflection) Here is a close up of the place settings. You can see the flower in the middle that is then next to the lanterns for dinner. The silver chargers get taken away after the appetizer.

Yup, I got the Frutos Del Mar pictures too. Imagine the Dolce Vita... but with blue rimmed glasses and you basically have the Frutos Del Mar. I'll post a picture tonight if I remember.

I was flown in to photograph a wedding at the Barcelo and it was a 3 night minimum stay. So there's always that route too.

Hi Promise! I just returned Sunday from photographing a wedding at the Gran Bahia. Their rules are that you can hire whoever you'd like to photograph your wedding, but they must be guests at the resort for a minimum of 3 nights or you can use the resort photographers. A lot of brides will fly in their photographers based on these rules. You get a lot more bang for your buck and it's usually cheaper than the resort photographer's prices.

They are white paper bags with candles in them. And they are supplied by the resort. For Cheryl's wedding they had big balloon pillars at the entrance as well. Sadly Kristi's was rained out before those were put up, but I assume they would have been there as well. Yup, the backup plan is the Music Bar. It's the bar inbetween the theater and the main lobby. That's where Kristi's wedding reception ended up being. They set up the dance floor with white balloons and it looked very nice and it was private.

You're very welcome Rachael. I am not a resort photographer. I live in Wisconsin and I got married at the Gran Bahia... and as of last week I have photographed there now too! I have photographed many destination weddings, but this was my first one at the GBP. I must say, it was amazing to be taking pictures at the same place I got married... I might have even let a tear fall! Ah yes. Then that's what Cheryl had for her wedding. Dinner at Portofino and then walked to the jacuzzi pools for the reception. It was so fun (well, for me as a photographer it was!). So do you know what the jacuzzi pools look like? Obviously I'll have a ton of pictures, but I know your wedding is coming quickly. We saw two receptions there. The first was Kristi's but sadly hers was rained out and then Cheryls. For both they had tall cocktail tables with white linens and ties around them (Cheryl's were orange). Then they had rope lighting on the umbrella palplaya thingies and chairs around the rim of the area. They also had white paper bags with candles in them lighting the perimeter of the pool and the walkways.

Sorry Kristen, they do NOT allow photographers from the Mexico area. The only way you can have your own photographer is if you fly them in and they are guests at the resort. It's really not terrible though. You can choose a photographer that you love their style and their offerings, fly them in and it's actually usually the same price or CHEAPER than using the resort photographer or a local photographer and you get more bang for your buck. It's still a darn shame, as there are SO many amazing photographers in the Riviera Maya area, but at least you still have a choice.

Rachael, I think you'll be really happy. The Akumal weddings are just amazing. And the resort is HUGE!!! So you can either choose to be away (for instance, you and your husband go hang out at the jacuzzi pools without telling anyone), or you can all meet up at the same location by the same pool every day. There is SO much to do at that resort.

Krysti, will your poolside reception be in Coba or Akumal?

There were actually no weddings while I was down there at Akumal or Tulum, so I'm not 100% positive, however at the wedding in Coba they did indeed put a white table cloth down. I actually am pretty sure that for dinners in all the ala carte restaurants they put down white table cloths and the oil lamps. This was just taken during the breakfast buffet, so not as "fancy." Sorry I can't confirm