ejlucero

I just got married at the Gran Caribe Real Resort on August 7th, and I didn't do the rehearsal but I did a dinner for all of my guest at one of the resturants..The Gazebo is accessible but the Spa also uses the area for massages, so you just have to go and check out to see if you could use it..I wouldn't worry too much if you are not able to do it...It all works out no matter what!

Quote: Originally Posted by ahorton314 I wanted to write a review for those of you getting married at either the Gran Caribe or Royal in Cancun, because I wish I could have found a decent review for the Gran Caribe before the wedding. However, everything went great so no worries! Here it goes... Service before the wedding The worst part of the wedding planning process was the communication with the wedding "planners" here in the US. Luckily for you newbies, they have closed the US offices and now all communication is going through the coordinators at the resort, which is so much better. I had Angie Hayes and she was extremely frustrating to have as a planner and I could have done everything she had to do in half the time and in a better fashion. However, once I got handed over to my coordinator at the Gran Caribe, everything (for the most part) was corrected and communication was much better. Wedding coordinator My WC at the Gran Caribe was Diana and she was the cutest thing ever. She was so nice, made sure everything was going to be the way I wanted it, and she was just a sweetheart. My mom gave her a gift before the wedding for helping out when everything with the US coordinator got crazy, and she was floored and gave both my mom and me a huge hug and told us not to worry about anything. She really did a great job and she's an awesome woman Ceremony We had a ceremony on the beach at 6 pm. I was a little worried because while getting my hair done I found out that another bride getting her hair done at the same time was having her wedding at 6 also, and at the gazebo which was pretty close to our beach location. However, it worked out fine and my wedding actually started first, so it didn't even matter and I didn't even notice the other wedding! We just had a judge, nothing religious, along with a sand ceremony. The ceremony was pretty quick and after we walked down the aisle we were greeted with champagne (in the toasting flutes I gave to Diana prior to the wedding of course!) and all of our guests got drinks as well. We decided to then cut the cake, since our reception was outside at night and the pictures would come out better in the day. The cake was pretty tasty (we got hazelnut), but the colors I had asked for were a little off, but I honestly didn't care that much and no one said anything. We then sent our guests off to the cocktail hour while my wedding party and us did our pictures on the beach. Cocktail hour While I didn't really get to spend but 10 minutes at the cocktail hour after pictures were done, everyone that was up there said it was a good time. We did it up on the terrace which had a great view of the beach and ocean. We had a mexican trio play and they serenaded us when we came up, and they were great. I got to taste a little bit of the food and it was pretty good. We upgraded to hot food which was $5 a person and I thought it was worth it. Reception After the cocktail hour we headed to the reception which was right below the terrace on the beach. We had DJ Doremixx, Ivan Gomez, for the reception. He was nice and accommodating since much of our music plans changed due to time and whatnot (we had to be off the beach by 10 but we had music planned until 10:30). He got all of our songs right and the songs I didn't pick that he played were great choices. The fireworks during our first dance was awesome The food was pretty great also. We had the caribbean salad with shrimp, countryside soup, beef fillet with dijon, and this strawberry cake/pie stuff lol. Everyone loved the food and I think my husband and I were the only ones who didn't really like the main course, but that's okay! The reception seemed to go by fast, but we got to do everything we wanted (dances, bouquet and garter toss, all of that) and by the end we were ready to just head back to the room! Diana had all of our boxes for our flutes, cake cutter, sand vases, etc. already in our room when we got back so that we could pack it all up. Photography We just went with the photographer included in the package, Funever Photos (the photographers name was Caesar) but we upgraded to a 4 hour package. He came around 5:30 to my suite to take pictures of us getting ready and all that and left the reception about 20 minutes before it was over. He was really nice and kept telling me how great I was in the pictures and all of that and he never made anyone feel uncomfortable or anything. I can't wait to see all of the pictures! He was also very accommodating because we originally decided to have 5 hours, but when we realized we had to be off the beach by 10 we decided it was pointless to have him there for 5, and he called his boss and got us a $150 refund for the extra hour. Overall The Gran Caribe was awesome! We had 30 people come down, ranging in age from 8-70's, and everyone said they had a great time and that this was a great vacation and the best wedding they'd been to. The service at the hotel was amazing, and we were floored with gifts and VIP service when we arrived. Our suite upgrade was stunning and I couldn't even believe it when we first walked in. I was sad to leave the resort to go on our honeymoon it was so great! I will definitely be back again one day to visit where we got married If there's anything I left out or anything you want to know about just let me know and I'd love to help you out because I know how it feels to not be in the loop on some things and be worried as to how your wedding will go! My advice: whatever isn't going right now will go perfect on your big day and don't let those little things get to you. Phew, that was long! Okay, so I have some questions regarding the resort if you could help me out that would be great! Does the resort have a bunch of rules you have to follow? I heard from someone that honeymooned there that they couldn't just go get beer anytime they wanted, that the resturants all closed early, and the pool area as well...Did you run into any of these issues? I'm getting married there in a month and I'm starting to feel a little worried that it won't be what I have pictured it to be...oh, also did you have any issues as far as safety? We have a few guests that want to do excursions but are a little uneasy about all the violence that is going on.. Thank you again for your review!!! ~Erica

That is so relieving to hear! I'm getting married on August 7, and I have been extremely unpleased with the planning process. I feel like I ask for simple things and never recieved a real response from my wc. I have had 3 different wc, and now Rebekah has been working with me. Thank you for your review!

I have now been working with Rebekah, and she has been on the ball with getting back to me asap. I think that all of the Wedding Coordinators are based out of Michigan. I was told that they do all the work until about month from the wedding date and then your information is transfered to the resort coordinators...Just thought I would update! Also, if you are thinking about doing your centerpiece make sure you are bringing everything. I was going to go that route because I do not like any that they offer, but I needed to at least rent the glass hurricanes from them and they couldn't get me the measurements that I need. So, I decided to go with one of their centerpieces offered but I am going to tweak it a bit to fit my style.

Okay, so I just got word from someone else at the resort that my second wedding coordinator (Suzanna) has now left and now I have a third wedding coordinator....This is making me crazy...I hate that I have to explain how I want things to now three different people!!!! So FYI, to anyone that had Suzanna as their wedding coordinator she is no longer there, and you should probably start calling the office asap...to get with someone else! Good luck!

I am also curious about customs..I plan on taking extra suitcases and giving them to other family members that are traveling with me...I just hope we do not run into any problems.... Erica

Love seeing all the different ideas!! It really is helpful Thank you so much!

Quote: Originally Posted by jplovesme I need to know if they coordinate linens and all that. It's been 3 weeks since I last heard from Susanna, my assigned WC. I told her I'll put a deposit down as soon as she replies to my questions, but she still hasn't gotten back to me. Is this place worth the loooong wait between emails I originally wanted the chapel, but now we decided not to go through all the preparation and just do a beachfront ceremony. I am getting married at the Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa in August...Susanna is my WC as well and has been really helpful. I found it best to call her and then email back and forth...The resort does provide linens, centerpieces, cakes, chair covers and etc. Susanna should send you an email with all the "extras" you can purchase. I didn't receive the info until I put my deposit down...and picked where and when I wanted the ceremony/reception. Let me know if you have any questions and I may be able to help~ Erica

Quote: Originally Posted by buleczka26 Kimberly was our WC... now we have Angie. We are getting married at the chapel at 4pm and then having the reception at the beach wedding gazebo. The place is a mess when it comes to responding... hopefully they will get better now that the "office manager" is in charge of our account! Okay, how did you get ahold of someone or did they just finally get back to you? I called on Monday and someone was supposed to get back to me, but no one has...I am starting to get a little worried...

Who was your wc? I all of sudden haven't heard from mine in about 3 weeks..and I am sending out my save the dates so I need to have the rate for my guests. I have her direct number I am going to call today...that really worries me. Also, we are getting married on the beach and then doing the reception on the Villa Terrace..

Quote: Originally Posted by buleczka26 I'm getting married at the Gran Caribe on Aug 7, 2010. Our wc Kimberly has been really great! From the pics she has sent me, the place looks beautiful! How funny! We are getting married on August 7, 2010 also...Which location did you pick?

Pictures are always good, especially because I won't be able to go prior to our wedding....Thanks for the good review, I feel like its so hard to make a decision when you have no idea what to expect.

That is soo terrible to hear. I just put my deposit down at the Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa and I have had a wonderful WC... Her name is Kimberly... She has gotten everything that I have asked for so far, I just hope things don't take a turn for the worst. Erica Lucero

Hi Ladies!! I am also planning on getting married at Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa! Our wedding date is August 2010...Let me know if anyone has any great pictures of weddings at the resort!

Thanks everyone! We have decided to go with Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa in Cancun...we just need to set the date and go from there!