CdnBrideJoanne

I would suggest emailing Stephany (info below). She's pretty good at getting back to emails, typically in a day or two. Donna Lee is awful at responding. Or call the wedding office directly. The only problem is that you won't have the confirmation in writing. Stephany Elson Assistant Wedding Planner 2 Gran Bahía Principe Jamaica Email: [email protected] Tel: 1876 973 7000 Ext. 55020 · Fax: 1876 670 8646 P.O. Box 106, Pear Tree Bottom, Runaway Bay St. Ann. Jamaica West Indies

It took me a lot of time and stress! I sent out STD's about a year ago and told everyone to save the week of Nov 23 - 30. The TA had told me to wait for the travel bookings to open up (around April) before we could book anything. About January, I was getting anxious and had her start working on prices for me. Plus I had about 3 or 4 other TA's checking prices for me too. Unfortunately, there were no wedding times left at GBP that week so I started checking out other resorts or doing an offsite wedding. Bottom line, I like the resort and you can't beat their wedding prices so I changed my week to Dec 7 - 14. Then I couldn't get the time I wanted, but I wasn't changing it again. Getting the travel arrangements together took 3 - 4 weeks. I just hope the whole vacation and wedding comes together smoother!

Thanks Samantha! I've just started reading through the entire thread again to pick up some info that I missed the first time around. That is a great suggestion, so I will try that. I'm sure I wouldn't have to book the bartender until we have our meeting at the resort anyhow. Now I just need to decide where to book dinner... Dolce Vita looks a bit nicer, but the Grill seems to have a better menu that would appeal to most of the guests.

I wanted to rent the Piscis for a private party but another bride beat me to it so I am renting the Gazebo. How does the bartender charge go...? I know it is $20 per person, but they don't charge for the teens and kids, do they?

Take a look at my post #4314. There is more information posted there. If you don't choose the gazebo or disco option, then the DJ is $350/hour (like a pool reception). For guests having a semi-private dinner after dinner receptions are accommodated at the gazebo on beach at a cost of US$500 or at the disco at a cost of USD700. Both locations are inclusive of DJ for 2 hours.

HappyFamily.... you're dress is gorgeous! Also love the hydrangea's. It looks like the perfect dream destination wedding. Congratulations!

Does anyone know if you rent the Piscis restaurant if the bartender is included????

Sorry, I was wrong about the Private Reception not including the DJ. I got a document today from Stephany that the DJ is included... Trying to post the doc now.

I got a great email from Stephany today that I thought everyone would love to see. Some of the info is extremely helpful. Not sure if I can post all of this but I can sure try! GRAN BAHIA WEDDING INFORMATION Wedding Hours: 11AM – 4pm (Monday – Saturday) WEDDING PACKAGE INCLUDES: Marriage Licence: A licence must be obtained for all visitors to have a legal wedding ceremony on the island. 2. Marriage Certificate: Clients will receive two (2) copies of their marriage certificate that will be obtained from the Registrar General’s Department – Kingston (876-984-3041). These copies will then be sent by Courier mail to clients within two (2) months following the ceremony. Clients need to provide the wedding co-ordinator with the address to which the copies should be mailed. If clients do not receive their copies within two (2) months, they should contact the wedding co-ordinator for a tracking number or for further details on its progress. European Wedding Couples: The marriage certificates of European Couples require additional stamps from their specific consulate here on the island before they are forwarded to their home address. As such, they will be required to pay the additional sum for these stamps. 3. Bouquet and Boutonniere: Prior arrangement can be made for upgraded bouquets as they will require special ordering. For upgrades you may visit our florist website at www.taiflora.com. All packages include bridal bouquet and boutonniere. Selection can be made from the attachment options 149-164. Floral orders may be finalized during your interview with the wedding co-ordinator upon arrival at the resort. These are delivered approximately one hour prior to the ceremony. 4.Champagne: All packages include Champagne reception after the ceremony. Additional bottles may be purchased prior to the ceremony at a cost of US16.00 per bottle. 5.Wedding Cake: The couple will be provided with a cake of their choice. This may be served at either the ceremony or dinner. We offer a sponge cake which may be vanilla or chocolate, vanilla raspberry, chocolate raspberry, coffee or coconut with white butter cream frosting. The size cake will be a two tiered cake. For couples wishing to upgrade their cake the wedding co-ordinator must be notified at least one week prior to the ceremony date. For upgraded cakes, please contact your wedding co-ordinator. 6.Photographs: The Photoshop located on property provides photography/videography service. All wedding packages include photos which are taken of the ceremony only. For additional packages you may contact the Photoshop at [email protected]. Please note that should you choose to bring your own photographer or videographer a vendor’s fee of USD800.00 will be charged. 7.Breakfast in Bed: For packages that include breakfast, this is served the morning following the ceremony. Breakfast is delivered between the hours of 8a.m. and 10a.m. 8. Dinner: Reception dinner is provided the evening of the ceremony for the couple and their guests. The co-ordinator will make reservations for dinner prior to the ceremony. All packages offer a semi-private dinner at either the Italian Dolce vita restaurant or the Garden Grill. A maximum of 70 guests is accommodated in this setting with one set menu for all guests. We however do make exceptions for persons with allergies or vegetarians. Please note that no particular restaurant is exclusively for the wedding reception. At all times, guests will be dining there. However, a special area will be set up for the wedding party. Private Dinner: For private receptions guests are accommodated at the outdoor location of the Piscis restaurant at a cost of USD1700.00. The indoor location offered is the Dolce vita at a cost of USD2500.00. Both locations are for 4 hours only and include DJ for dinner and dancing music. The earliest time for dinner reception is 6:30pm. For guests having a semi-private dinner after dinner receptions are accommodated at the gazebo on beach at a cost of US$500 or at the disco at a cost of USD700. Both locations are inclusive of DJ for 2 hours. Couples who wish to provide their personal silverware, place cards or other items to be placed on the table, must advise the wedding co-ordinator during the wedding interview. OTHER INFORMATION: Wedding Passes: Please note that the cost for off-property guests to attend the wedding is US75 per person. A list of persons attending should be given to the co-ordinator during the wedding interview. Guests are allowed access to the property one hour before the wedding and can stay up to 10:30pm. Hair and Make-up: The Hotel Spa does offer these salon services at an additional cost. Appointments can be made by contacting the Spa at [email protected] or by visiting them upon arrival at the resort. Locations: Wedding ceremonies may take place at either the Beach gazebo or on the beach. Beach gazebo location is decorated with white fabric and bows to match your color scheme. A table and two (2) chairs for the signing of the marriage register accompany this. Chairs are also provided for the guests at no extra cost. Other decorative services can be arranged at an additional cost, which will vary depending on the type of decorations required. Music: Couples who desire to have music at their ceremony may do so. They may choose from what we have available, take their choice of music on CD’s or purchase the service of a live band. Alternative Location: In the case of rain, the wedding is put on hold for 15 minutes, after which it will be moved to the Foyer location. The location will not be decorated. Band Choices: Mento Band Steel Band Reggae Band Wedding Singer Violinist N.B The Bands charge an hourly rate. Extra Services: Extra services are those services that the couple may require outside the wedding package. Request for extra services must be sent in prior to the ceremony date. Payment for extra services are payable by credit card. Payment for Wedding Package: Payment for wedding package is made directly to the co-ordinator during the interview and may be done by credit card or cash. Required Documentation: Notarized documents refer to a photocopy of the original that has been signed and stamped by a notary public or lawyer. All documents are to be forwarded to the attention of the co-ordinator 2 months prior to the ceremony date. These may be emailed to us. Clients are required to bring hard copies to the meeting.

Hi Sarah, I got my deal through Marlin Travel, which is owned by Transat. I don't think Transat flies out of Halifax until Jan or Feb. I only know this as I'm trying to co-ordinate some guests from Halifax. Air Canada is the only operator in November, and it is more expensive then the other tour operators so you really wouldn't have a choice. Even my Mom is going to use Air Miles to get to TO and then fly with our group. I originally was going to fly Nov 23 - 30th but the GBP didn't have any wedding dates available. When I got that Transat quote is was every 12th person free. When I had to change my dates to Dec 7 - 14 the new quote was every 16th free. So I told them if they did the every 12th free we had a deal. And I lucked out and they gave it to me. I'm hoping to get 2 free. It'll be close!

O, that's great! Thanks MrsViolo.

Thanks Samantha for letting me know it's $40 per person. I still haven't heard anything back from the resort. O to always live on Jamaica time!! I'm just trying to keep my expenses down so I can afford it. Plus I negotiated every 12th person free through the TA so I can use that money towards the wedding costs. Although, I just noticed the chair covers are $5 each tonight. Otherwise I think they're ugly banquet chairs. Everything keeps adding up!

The DJ is additional... $350 per hour.

Hey Samantha, I'm in the same boat, mine's at 12pm. I was going to contact the WC to see if they would reserve tables for us at the buffet for lunch. I am also trying to organize a catamaran sail for the afternoon, just waiting on some info from the resort as they have a 3pm sunset catamaran cruise which may just work. Other then that, I am at a loss.

Leannesmith - is GBP charging you a vendor fee for using Jan's Flowers?

So I was a bit disappointed (but not surprised) with how the free bouquets look so I emailed Tai Flora and told them that I didn't need a bout for the groom, so how much would they charge me to upgrade to bouquet #64 and they said it would be another $119! And I sent them the photo below to quote on doing these and they charge $33 each for them (although I'm going to bring them myself and spend maybe $10 each on them). Thought I would share! Does the GBP only deal with Tai Flora? There are so many nicer florists in Jamaica. If I was spending another $120 on the bouquet, I would expect something incredible!

I booked through Marlin Travel and Transat and they initially offered every 16th free, but I said I wanted every 12th free and they gave it to me. Plus they offer one-time price drop protection so I am watching the prices to see if they drop. Right now we are $1,505 pp with the Royal Golden upgrade out of Toronto. That's for Dec 7 - 14.

Has anyone booked any catamaran trips from the GBP? I get married at noon so I thought I would take my guests on a catamaran cruise for the afternoon, perhaps to go snorkeling. So much for hair and makeup! I have heard good things of Jamaican Watersports but they launch from Montego Bay and I don't want to shuttle my guests an hour there and an hour back. Or, does anyone have any ideas of how to fill an afternoon between a lunch time wedding and dinner?!

So how was the wedding at Firefly? You should post some pics!!

I tried emailing TWJ a few weeks ago through their website with no response. Does anyone have their email or phone number? Or price lists? I want to get married offsite as well. I have spoken with Denise Taylor at Events Made Easy but she is a bit expensive. I would like to see what my other options are. Thanks!!

Thanks JayKay. You're a huge source of information for all of us!

I do have a date at the Riu Ocho Rios but I am considering doing an offsite wedding and staying at the GBP. Problem is, the GBP doesn't have any wedding times available the week we're going. For all the past GBP brides... what was the beach like there? Was it lots of pebbles? Were there enough loungers with shade? From the pics I've seen, it doesn't look like that great of a beach.

Laura2013 - I absolutely LOVE your dress!!! Can I ask where you got it?

Thanks Atrack I am in Kitchener-Waterloo. I'll try Sunwing first and let you know how I make out.