Sunshine2680

Hi Andrea...Wow..$3200 for only 180 pics? I mean no offence to you or anyone else here because I think Arrecife does a great job...but I think that's a complete rip-off. I remember seeing prices like these when I first booked my wedding..and now I'm 10000% glad that I'm bringing my own photographer. Not sure where you're from or if it's even feasible to bring your own but I would look into it if I were you. Again..i think Arrecife takes fantastic pictures..but you should be getting a lot more than 180 pics..a DVD and a few prints for that price. I also think its ridiculous that you have to pay extra to have them at your reception. I'm only paying $1800 more and I'm getting an engagement session at home...another session when we get to Mexico..the ENTIRE wedding day..AND TTD next day. Plus we get a DVD slideshow. My photog says he'll be shooting into the thousands on the wedding day. Luckily - with the amount of guests we have booked already..his travel expenses are covered - so that's a big help. Good luck deciding!

Gorgeous!! Where did u get all your lanterns??? How did you light them?

This is a good point! I'm almost considering forteiting the free photos to avoid this. I'm bringing my own photog and i know for a fact that he won't be happy about someone else getting in his way. Do you think its best just to tell the WC that we don't want the free photos?

Tlseege is right. The day pass for outside vendors is for anyone OTHER than a photographer. For me..I'm bringing in outside hair/makeup people. There's no way of using another photographer down there unless you actually book them into the resort as a true guest for a minimum of 3 nights. Thats what my TA told me. So as Tlseege pointed out..you may aswell pay to bring your own down. Another benefit of that is that if you bring your own...he/she will probably include an engagement session or two in Winnipeg and down in Mexico. Plus they get to know you as a couple and what you like etc etc. The photographers at the resort don't know you. They show up to 'do the job' and thats it. Not to say that they do a bad job...i just thing you end up with way better photos when the photog is working for YOU..and not the resort. I was also very dissapointed to find out that I'd have to pay EXTRA $ to have them shoot the dinner/reception!!! As I mentioned previously...we're paying more to bring our photog down..but in his fee we're getting an engagement session here at home...another one down in mexico (we'll probably head to the Tulum ruins for that)...the ENTIRE wedding day (getting ready...allllll the way to the end of the night)...AND a TTD session the next day. Plus we're getting a nice DVD Slideshow included so we can show our family/friends at home who couldnt make it to Mexico. Your options are...resort photog or bring one from Winnipeg. I'd start doing your research and narrow down what's important to you and what you're budgeted for. I'm pretty sure Arrecife's pricing is on one of these Bahia threads but if its' not ..let me know and I think i still have theirs from when I inquired last year. But definitely start pricing out photogs in Winnipeg for comparison.

Hi Kristen! Congrats!! I believe you're our 1st 2013 bride!! As far as I know you can get married at the Tulum Gazebo even if you're staying at Akumal..as long as there isn't a Tulum bride that wants it on the same day/time. Thats what they told me when I was interested in the Akumal Hammock location. So being that it's a year away and you're booked already - I think you should be safe but you'll have to confirm with your WC at Akumal (if thats where youre staying). I believe her name is Eugenia. The Tulum WC is Jazmin. The Photographers the the resort offers are amazing by what I've seen. They use Arrecife..and I believe they have a page on Facebook if you want to see their shots. http://www.facebook.com/arrecife.studio.mexico?ref=ts and http://www.facebook.com/arrecife.studio.mexico?ref=ts#!/pages/Arrecife-Weddings-Bahia-Principe/108871939180012 Personally...I feel that their prices are just too high for what you're getting and because the resort does not allow outside photographers I'm bringing my own. Luckily...with the amount of people we have booked for our wedding we get a credit so we will be applying that to his travel expenses so we're actually only paying for his fee as a photographer. You'll see a lot of mixed opinions on here about the photographers but its really what you decide about how much you want to spend on your photography. For some people photography is the #1 most important expense for their wedding...others not so much. I would read through the threads and get others' opinions....have a look at their pics/portfolio on FB as well as their prices of course and decide from there. good luck!

Welcome Back! Can't wait for your pictures! I hope there's LOTS!!!

I'm curious about the Starfish too - I've heard it can be a hassle to bring them into the country so if i'm able to get some while down there i'd rather go that route!!

Just checking in on your Stlucia...how are things since we last heard from you? Hope your Christmas was good and things are heading into a positive direction for you. Would love to hear from you!

Great Pics Megz! Looks like it was a great day!!

Hey! Congrats!! Wowzers - not going to lie - you're cutting it pretty close for May... Not too sure where you're from... Generally what happens now...you decide on the dates... find a TA..they'll create the booking through the resort and once that's confirmed you'll be assigned your WC. You can then inform your guests on the dates etc. Because you're going with Tulum..you'll probably have Jazmin. She's awesome! From then...you start your decisions through Jazmin..Aka the wedding package..etc If you have no clue how many people...start with the smallest one...you can always upgrade later. Again..not sure where you're from so can't really advise on TA but for me...I booked through Romantic Planet (their link is at the bottom of my signature) My wedding isn't till Nov..but I already have about 30 people booked..so the invites are just a formality..probably send them out this spring. If you want to give guests the option...just mention right on the invite that as much as you'd love to have everyone present at the wedding..you're aware everyone's circumstances are different..and if they're unable to attend the wedding they're more than welcome to join in at your AHR (at home reception) or something like that... hope that helps!

Be weary of the prices Jazmin is quoting you..and make sure you're specific about what you want.... I compared Jazmin's quote to the quote I recieved from a florist in Playa Del Carmen..and Jazmin(the resort)'s quote was $1000 higher!!! Granted I want expensive flowers (orchids and calla lilies) - but there shouldnt be $1000 difference in my opinion You aren't required to use the resort for your flowers if you think they're over-charging In my case they definitely are. So i will definitely be hiring outside.

Thanks for reviving! Time for us 2012 Calgary Brides to wakey wakey and get planning again I'm debating whether to go or not...I went to ALL the Bridal shows last year...some were good some were meh... I agree tho - not much for us destination brides...i usually skip half the booths

Hiya! No problem! Thats sooo funny because I was considering changing to the Akumal Hammocks until i saw this tropical pathway! Its convinced me to keep my ceremony at Tulum beach That scenery just makes me melt - part of the reason why we chose a destination wedding to begin with...i love that I'll be walking though that tropical magic before i exchange vows!

I agree! the jungle path is soooo pretty...and just brings tranquility! Best thing to walk through before everyone sees you!

Hiya ladies - sorry for the delay - here's the pics of the Tulum beach area...as well as the jungle area you walk through first leading up to the beach You'll be able to see the greenery on each side when u reach the beach - so it looks fairly secluded except for beyond the palapas - people can walk in front by the ocean area

oooooo i actually have a good pic of that - I'll look for it tonite and post it.. by the looks of things- you have a decent amount of privacy on the sides and back...the only part thats available for people to see is if they walk in front of the palapas (by the ocean)

no problem! it always helps to have a visual so i figured everyone will want to see as much as poss!

Brazilian BBQ was yummers only did lunch at Tequila - but it as good too! The Dolphinarium is outside of the Brazilian - that may sway you if you wanna see the dolphins!

Here's a pic or two of the poolside reception area

Hiya ladies- So my parents just got back from GBP Tulum and they were so kind to do some research for me and take some pics of wedding related things down there. My mom took some pics of both the Gazebo and Beach wedding ceremony areas of Tulum. For those Brides that are considering the Gazebo - take note of the broken railings surrounding it. My mom asked Jazmin about this and apparently its due to all the salt coming in from the ocean. So if this is an esthetics issue for you - you may want to consider the beach location. Just sharing what we've learned - have a look a the pics!! Hope they help some of you!! Back up location if you're having a private poolside dinner/reception More of the banquet room - apparently they do it up nice with lights and decorations This is a pic of the backup location if you're supposed to have ur ceremony on the beach. This is a nice little fountain area in the Tequila restaurant. Wedding at the Gazebo - you can kind of see the broken black railings Notice the broken railings Beach location

Ya- im not sure what i'll do - probably just be straight up with them seeing how they'll be aware of the delivery to the resort. I highly doubt they'll drop their prices by $1000 I'll just tell her i'll take whatever flowers are included in the wedding package. A good idea another bride had was to use that 'included' bridal bouquet as the toss bouquet. I like that idea.

I'm not a past bride - but I'm currently dealing with my flower situation for my wedding next year. I agree- the sample pics they send are pretty bad. So what I ended up doing was sending pics of exactly what I wanted to my WC Unfortunately the prices she gave me were absolutely outrageous! ($570 alone just for my bouquet!) So - I did some research on the threads here and i've discovered Maya Diseno Floral - Marvin - is the main guy - and he's out of Playa Del Carmen I sent him the exact same pics of all the flowers i want (Bouquets, boutonniers, etc) and his quotes were $1000 cheaper!! No joke. The resort is a total rip off. I would check into Marvin for your wedding. He's pretty good at replying promptly AND best of all...he'll make up samples and send you pics!!!

oooo - is the whole thing adhesive? how did you measure it? did you stick it to a piece of material first? Its hard because I just dont know how big my stems will be

Have a great time Megz! Can't wait for your review and LOTS of pics!!!

Gorgeous! Where did u get the bling for the stems??