TATrisha

obviously it's best to double check with your wedding coordinator, but here's my take: That is the cost per hour for you to not have a DJ. So a speaker and microphone for speeches and then the speaker hooks right to your iPod for music. Honestly, the toast is about 15 minutes and so I don't think that'd be a good use of the live music. It's much better during the meal and I have seen it done in the restaurants and not just the private poolside receptions (it's shown in my latest destination wedding pictures on my blog).

It is possible to have it, however it will most likely have to go after the official ceremony (done in Spanish). And you'll want to have a family member read it so your guests can understand it.

Congratulations! I had the BBQ meal and I loved it. Worth every penny!

Welcome back and congratulations! I'm glad your day went so well!

I'll send you a message

Thanks Niki! I have sent you a message and I look forward to working with you

@@samclarke is the day before you. She might already have a photographer, but perhaps you could talk with her

Noon is hot, but getting married in November it won't be terribly hot. Plus there is a lovely breeze by the ocean. It's hard to wear shoes and the walk is long. I started in flip flops and quickly kicked them off. They were flopping sand into my dress and onto my legs. It was then sticking because I was hot. No fun. BBQ Theme dinner is a private buffet dinner by the pool. It's dinner, drinks, and dancing all in one. For a normal reception you get the restaurant for 2 hours. If you pay to have it private I believe it's the same price as the poolside dinner, if they even let you do it. Remember that sun sets on the west side of Mexico, so you actually won't see the sunset. It'll be setting over the jungle. Still a great time to take bride and groom photos, but you'll want all of your other images done and over with by that time so people can freshen up before dinner.

They have play pens and high chairs. They are very accommodating to little ones.

Things may have changed, but when I did the BBQ dinner I paid per person, even for the 18 month old babies I had there. But you may be able to negotiate that. The bar is basically everything you could ask for. As long as your reception is at the same resort as your dinner (or you do the theme dinner, in which case it's all at the same place) you won't need to worry about the flow. It'll work lovely. The only time it gets annoying for guests is when you have the ceremony at one resort, the dinner at another, and the dance at yet another. That's a lot of running around and trying to catch a ride. Especially for 80 guests.

Well just be prepared that there will probably be a wedding there at 5pm and just be respectful of that and their video/pictures. You'd probably be better off NOT at the top of the hour. So say 5:30 or 4:30.

MUCH better. My only question is, did you ask the coordinator if you can have a rehearsal at 5pm at the gazebo??? That's a typical time that they'd have a wedding there so I just want to make sure that you've actually arranged for that to be an option for your group.

That's ironic because the Bride's hair and your hair look perfect, and the bridesmaid with her hair completely up has it in her face! LOL!

You're so close!!! I hope you have an amazing time! Remember to try not to stress and just enjoy your time there.

I'll do what I can...

Welcome Sam! I got married on April 11th at Akumal. It's a gorgeous time of year for a wedding!! Best wishes on your planning. Let us know if you have any questions

The cost for the day is $1000. That includes full day wedding coverage and the edited full resolution digital images. It also includes an online gallery for family and friends to view the images (I can show you the most recent wedding I shot at Akumal if you'd like to see an example of that... but be prepared, it has 1200+ images!). I'd have to verify with a travel agent the cost of staying at the Akumal side but I would guess it'd be around $2000 TOTAL for each of you. Possibly slightly cheaper.

Hi LeeAnne, There are two options for what type of photographer you can have. You can hire the resort photographer or you can fly in your own photographer. If you fly in your own photographer, they have two options. Stay for 3 nights and pay a $400 fee or stay for 5 nights (typically cheaper). January flights are expensive right now, though. Hopefully they'll go down. Typically to hire me it's about $2750 but with prices what they are currently it'd be $3400 USD.

It is extremely windy, so I highly recommend all up... however if you'll be uncomfortable or really want it half down, then do what'll make you happy. Just be prepared to have it flying around a little in your pictures.

The white at the ceremony is included as the standard decorations. They did NOT have a private dinner. Their dinner was at Arlequin and other guests were in the restaurant, I just take photos so you can't tell Where their reception was held (by the main pool of Akumal) is where the BBQ Buffet would be held. They would just add more tables and buffet tables.

Hi ladies! I just posted a new Akumal wedding on my blog if you'd like to check it out! Ceremony at the Akumal beach location and reception at Arelquin. http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014

I had it, but in 2008 when I got married. At the time it was dinner from 6-7:30 and then dancing from 7:30-10:30. It was self service and a long row of food options. Very delicious.

I brought a CD and had him mix it in and it worked great... but I know a lot of people bring iPods too now. So you should be fine either way.

You shouldn't be. But I assume you mean fake flowers?

@jfarrowable - I can activate entire galleries from the weddings at this resort if you'd like. Send me an email at [email protected] and I will get you the passwords