TATrisha

@@Dreamteam17, you can purchase the mini maracas at the Hacienda right at the resort. They are $2-5 a piece depending on what style and size you want.

LOL! That's me! I'm the photographer from Wisconsin It's $1800 travel split between the two of you and then $1000 for the full day wedding coverage, all the edited images, and the online proofing website for family and friends. Let me know if you have any questions at all

Yes a gym at every resort.

Yup, the $8 pp option is the one. Every wedding I've been at or heard of was upgraded for free. It's obviously a risk... but the public bar is VERY near by if that problem arises. Don Pablo is Tulum, so odds are the Tulum bride already has that one booked...

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Those lounge chairs are usually really busy. For us, we went in the buffet, however most people enter the buffet right across from the main store, but if you keep walking and turn LEFT, there is an entrance over there. Barely anyone sits over there and that's where we had our very private rehearsal dinner.

I agree. I think calling out alone time will come off the wrong way. You meet with the wedding coordinator with a day or two of arriving. You'll settle all the details at that time. There is no actual rehearsal, but there really is no need for one. It's very straight forward and they'll walk you through everything on that day.

Extremely possible, especially if you go right away. Which resort are you staying at?

The resort has a new rule (just went in March I believe) that you have to book the ala cartes AT the resort. You can download the app or do it at the desk when you arrive. You'd have to talk with your wedding coordinator about the beach dinner. I would plan to have your rehearsal in the buffet. You can try to schedule an ala carte, but it's tough.

I actually live in the US in Wisconsin! But I have flown in and photographed a bunch of weddings at the resort. Flights aren't out for January yet, but it tends to be around $2750 to fly me in for full day wedding photography coverage.

You guys are getting within a day of each other! How fun! The salon is usually very good if you bring a lot of pictures and patience. Makeup, you'll probably want to do your own though if you're a makeup artist. I don't think you'll be happy otherwise. Or have a friend do it? You used to be able to bring in external hairdressers and makeup artists for the cost of a daypass (I recommend MVP), but I don't think they allow it any more. It's worth asking, for sure! As for decorations, they provide white. Any color you want will be extra. The only comment I can make on what to bring or not bring, is don't waste your time, money, or suitcase on candles. Outside it's too windy to keep them lit and inside they just aren't needed.

It's in the Tulum section, but further north than the Gazebo... so kind of in between the main lobby and Tequila restaurant? Only restaurant with a real view of the beach would be arlequin... but then at dinner time it gets dark out and you can't see anything anyways

Actually, there is this new area that I fell in LOVE with and I'd ask about... It's just north of the Tulum Gazebo

I'm so very sorry you had such a terrible time! That's horrible to hear.

No problem Jessica! Here is a map. I have circled the Akumal section on the left and then on the right is the wedding locations. That's where the Gazebo and the Tulum beach location are located. Just outside the Tequila restaurant. You should have a good amount of time between your ceremony and your reception, however, and the wedding coordinator should provide transportation for your guests. So you may want to stick with Akumal for dinner and dancing. That way people are close to their rooms at the end of the night or if they need to switch outfits because of sweating or something.

Congratulations on your wedding! I'm glad to hear it went so well! I think it depends. I just returned and as far as I know, my bride and her three bridesmaids were very pleased. Their hair turned out fantastic, as did their makeup. It looked just like the pictures they provided and lasted all day and all night.

My dinner, I have some pictures at the beginning of this thread, but here is the seating for it. Weddings I have photographed, here is ceremony at Akumal beach, dinner at Mediterraneo, poolside reception (coba) http://faberphotography.com/weddings/cheryl-aaron-gran-bahia-principe-coba-destination-wedding-photos/2012 Then we have ceremony at Tulum gazebo, dinner at Don Pablo, Poolside reception (Tulum) http://faberphotography.com/weddings/gran-bahia-principe-tulum-gazebo-wedding/2012 And then I just returned from Akumal beach wedding, dinner at Arlequin, poolside reception (Akumal)... photos aren't quite ready yet but you can see sneak peeks at my facebook page www.facebook.com/faberphotographyllc

For photographers, you might want to check around the Canada area. Because it's Thanksgiving in the states, flights are really expensive. I would absolutely love to photograph it for you, but it'd be about $3500.

Hi Emma! Congratulations! I have added my comments below in purple... It sounds like your wedding is going to be very fun Emma! You have a lovely group of people coming and a great plan for your day! Best wishes!

I just returned from photographing another AMAZING wedding at the Gran Bahia!! If anyone has any questions, just let me know!!

I also agree with bicostal. It's really important to know who will be photographing your wedding and what your end results will look like. I honestly do recommend hiring an outside photographer. The list you were given is great and you can always fly in a photographer for right around the same price as well.

That's so upsetting Jenna. I'm sorry she's acting that way. I agree with Allie. Take your mother up on the offer to have her plan it, and while she's waiting for your sister's "last chance" set the date and maybe even the place yourself. Start filtering ideas to your mom. I realize it's not nearly as fun when you have to plan it yourself, but the party and time with family and friends will be worth it. Good luck!

I think that depends on what you're looking for in your pictures... How many images do you want? Do you want enough to be able to create a wedding album or is a simple wall portrait enough? What do you all want captured for you to remember and to be able to show your family/friends/kids? Getting ready, portraits, reception? What style of images do you like? Crisp and clean, vintage, Black and White? What's your budget? There are times when using the resort photographer might make the most sense. I think answering the above questions will help to define what you want on your wedding day and how to achieve it. Everyone, I'll be photographing a wedding at the Akumal resort next week. While I'm there does anyone need any information or pictures of certain items?? I'm always more than happy to provide what I can for the group. I'll be updating my photo tours on my website as well.

The pricing should be pretty well updated. The free dinner reception comes with the packages but maybe if you contact the resort they'll do more of an ala carte pricing for you? And I think the catamaran cruise sounds AMAZING!!! I'm insanely jealous of your photographer

Yes, you can decline the resort photographer, however your photographer has to meet the requirements of staying 3 nights and paying a $400 vendor fee, or staying 5 nights. The photography folks will most likely give you a stink about declining their services. Tell them in email that you decline it and then when you meet with the wedding coordinator you can again tell them. It shouldn't be a problem after that. They will also ask for your photographers information, DO NOT GIVE THAT TO THEM. How many weddings a day... I'm not sure of the maximum. I know of two a day at each location, but I have never seen a "beach" Tulum wedding taking place during a gazebo wedding. Being a January wedding, you should be able to request and get your preferred restaurant or private reception location at this time. It may not be verified without a little bit of hassle, but you should be able to get it.