egagne87

I was married at GBP riviera maya on Dec 19,2013. We did the legal wedding. Our wedding coordinator Maria said it would take 2.5 months (maximum of 3) to receive the apostilled marriage certificate in Canada. It's been just more than 3 months and I'm wondering how long it took other brides to get theirs? Thanks Emilie

Hi Kat, Our ceremony only took about 20 minutes, so you should be fine for time. Although I am not a photographer. We were there in December when the days are really short and at that time the sun went down around 5pm. The days should be getting longer now. We ate at the Porto Fino Restaurant. I just wanted to let everyone know that we did the legal wedding ceremony, blood test and all. We were allowed to exchange our own vows during the ceremony before the exchange of rings. I know that other brides have experienced different things, but I just wanted to let everyone know it is possible. I had a woman judge and she was fantastic. We specifically asked for no wedding gifts since everyone was paying, but we did get cash from some. Usually with destination weddings, if you want gifts, they can send them to your home after the wedding. For favours we gave upon arrival bubba keg mugs with a lip balm in then with a little tag that said "To have and to hold and keep your drink cold", the other side had their names and said a little thank you for attending. On the tables for favours we had printed little tent cards on card stock that was to function as the place card and also informed our guests we donated to the OSPCA (animal shelter) in lieu of traditional wedding favours. Speeches happened at the poolside after party, we paid for the package with a full bar and dj which included a microphone. We only had like 26 people, but for group meetings we met at the main Coba buffet as there was enough room. We just sat in two of their longest tables.

Hello, I still had a bridal shower as a way to include people who could't attend the wedding. We however did not have a stag and doe (buck and doe, jack and jill) or one of those types of events which are common in my community. We also requested no wedding gifts from our guests as they were paying to attend. We also paid for the majority of the wedding party out fits. I had the same situation and I was worried also, because I read with one bride that they didn't forward the paperwork or she didn't ask for it and then they showed up anyways I personally gave them all the info they wanted to confirm my photographer is from Canada, she has a great web presence so I didn't have any issues. When I went to the meeting with the wedding coordinator the form was there and I signed it. They did not show up. I asked my now husband to remind me at the meeting to make sure to get this form. Our photographer has had issues when she has attended other weddings, with other photographers trying to dictate the creative shots etc. which was an issue. I was paying for mine so I didn't want anyone else in there bugging her. This shouldn't be an issue, they take all this information before reversions, even for a-la-carted and stuff. I don't eat gluten or red meat, I'm allergic to pork. Our photographer was a gluten free vegan and they accommodated. Hi everyone, Here are some photos as I've received a few requests. We haven't received them all yet, just the "sneak peak". http://loriwaltenbury.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/emilie-jayson-riviera-maya/ I am really really glad we brought our photographer Lori. We did first look photos before the ceremony, because there isn't much time for light at that point.

Hi Everyone, I got married on December 19th, 2013. We stayed from December 15-29th (our guests stayed from December 15-22). We did the "Unforgettable" wedding package, LEGAL wedding. Hotel we stayed at: Coba Hair: Coba Spa Ceremony: Tulum Gazebo Dinner: Porto Fino Reception: Arrecife Jacuzzi Pool (Coba) We brought our photographer from Toronto. If anyone would like me to speak to anything or write a review please let me know.

Does anyone know if "gratuities" are part of the wedding package, DJ cost etc? For the ladies that are already married (or those soon to be) what did you tip or how much are you planning to tip. I'm struggling with this one because its not all that clear.

I'm wondering about your marriage certificate, did you have the legal wedding and the appostilled certificate was given to you before you departed for home? We are also staying and extra week and that would be more ideal than the mail.

Tlseege, Can you offer some advice about wedding day schedules for photos? We are bringing our canadian photographer with us. Our ceremony is at 4pm at the Tulum gazebo, 6-8pm dinner at Porto Fino and then 8-11pm coba poolside reception. The sun apparently sets at 5pm. (Dec 19 wedding). Our photographer was thinking about doing photos before the ceremony. I am just a little worried about melting in the heat or getting my dress dirty. We would do group shots after the ceremony. We might be able to move just the ceremony up to 3pm as an alternative and then do all photos after the ceremony before I dinner, but it might still be squeezed for time. What do you think? What does your photography wedding day schedule normally look like?

Apparently I can't spell or construct effective sentences this morning. Hopefully you can still understand what I was trying to say. Lol

Hi Ladies, I just thought I'd offer an option an idea for favours. We were going to do luggage tags for all of our guests on the dinner table as favours. We actually ended up deciding to do a donation to the OSPCA (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals- i.e. Humane Society), my fiance and I are animal lovers so we chose this charity. After donating we got a pdf template for a little "tent" card for the wedding dinner table, it says "In Honour of _____(guest)______ a donating was made in lieu of wedding favours" with the charity logo etc. and has a spot to put each guests name. The reason why this is ideal for a wedding favour is the homeless resort dogs etc. do make a lot of Canadians/Americans sad because we don't see this at home. Also the favours are paper so you don't have to travel with bulky favours. This could probably work with the charity of your choice, a women's shelter, a youth group etc.

Fernando the makeup artist, was he from the resort? Which spa because there are a couple at the resort (coba and akumal?)

Quote: Originally Posted by worstbride Vacation was awesome, I had good service the whole time and my air conditioner kicked ass. Which is really my #1. The a la cartes were amazing and definitly worth going to. The buffet was average to below average. It was too hit or miss. I can tell you all the things that went wrong in the wedding. Eugenia was pretty much useless, and I can honestly say the day of the wedding I actually found her rude. Which to me seems ridiculous because I am not pushing or anything like that when it comed to weddings. She told my aunt to put up some decor early in the morning that we wanted, and my aunt spent about two hours putting it up in the sweltering heat with some help from one of the other guys that does set up for the weddings. about ten minutes after she is finished and comes up to my room to start to get ready, we look out and there is another bride walking down the aisle for a 1pm ceremony looking all confused and pissed off that she has all this blue decorations.... and then Don't we look out around 215 pm (ceremony is at 3pm) AND SOME OTHER WEDDING PLANNER IS RIPING IT ALL DOWN! My MOH had to run down the beach screaming in her underwear to leave it up and put it back and they sat there and argued with her about it in spanish... until one of my spanish guests came out and let them have it... And where is Eugenia? ummm no where to be found. So that being said, if the bride that was married on the 19th at 1pm was upset about the decorations, my sincerest apologies as we had no idea you would even be there and were told to put them up. My flowers were wrong... which to me is ridiculous... I barely even had any flowers, and they screwed up the corsages that I asked to have as wrist and they came as pin on. I didn't even see the flowers until ten minutes before my ceremony. And again,... Eugenia is no where to be found. Eugenia shows up finally at the top of the hill for the ceremony and starts telling the bridesmaids to walk the aisle at the same time as the mothers were being escorted. Wrong music, Wrong timing, Wrong everything. I wasn't even down there yet. I also paid $2000 for a great photographer to come do our wedding and I did NOT WANT THE ARRECIFE there which I told Eugenia multiple times. Guess who shows up and refuses to leave? Arreciffe. Not to mention I didn't even have a meeting with them prior. I was told they wouldn't be there... and they were. and now I have shitting pictures from them, and the photographer is in alot of my professional photos from my photographer. She was pissed. So was I. To be continued before I get so angry my head bursts. Aww Sorry you had that experience. I watched your video and you were a gorgeous bride. Did wearing your hair down cause you any grief. Did you use the hair salon at Coba? Did you do your own makeup? My biggest stressor right now is the fact that my dress is NOT corsette back, buttons covering a zipper and If I change weight at all (story of my life) it could be a big problemo. Our wedding is on December 19th and I really hope its a different situation. But good to know about Arrecife, I will ensure to track them down and sign their release form so they do not show up.

Quote: Originally Posted by worstbride I just came back from my wedding as well. Hammock location at Akumal... and I hate to say it but if I actually cared about weddings at all I would be FURIOUS. However i don't really so it all went well, I ended up married and thats all that matters right? If anyone wants it I will write a full detailed review. Here is a link to the youtube video of the ceremony. It isn't great quality but shows kind of how it goes down, and things you might need to contend with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKXJiAWlE0 If you have any questions and want an honest answer, let me know I am an open book. Dinner: Dolce Vita Reception: Poolside Ceremony: Hammocks Akumal Oh my! Thank you for your honest post. Was your ceremony legal? I assume that was not a judge since it was in english. What about the poolside reception and dinner? A review of the vacation and wedding would be great.

Where was that 6th photo taken?? The one with the pillar and lights and you're in the shadows, I need one just like it!!!

I need some info about the resort DJ. Do they use a computer, iPod, CDs? If I want to bring my own music for the DJ what should I bring it on? Does anyone have any input about the resort music for the ceremony? What's it like?

What about frisbees for the kids? Or little disposable waterproof cameras. Or a little backpack?

Oh! That makes me feel so much better!!! Thank you so much! I'm getting extra flowers maybe they can hang the "wall corsages" on the hammocks area so it looks nice when we dance.

Each of your guests still had to give up one of their a-la-carte dinners for the semi-private wedding dinner right?

W Where is the hammocks location? Is it next to the coba poolside area?

I didn't think you could have an iPod during dinner at the restaurant because its semi private. Unless your doing the private dinner you pay extra for.

What did people do if they didn't dance at the receptions?? I'm starting to worry about our coba poolside reception. From the photos it just looks like a walkway next to a pool with a bar. It looks like even a first dance there would be akward. Anyone who's seen the space and can speak to it let me know. Thanks

Parts of the Tulum gazebo look stained (rust, water marks etc). Does anyone have any details on this wedding location. Even in the photos it shows which is kinda gross. Do they repaint it regularly?

I'm surprised your reception was so much. We were quote 1900 for the DJ and full bar (not just domestic) for 3 hours Coba poolside. She didnt do the breakdown for me but perhaps it's because we have less guests? 25 ish

Quote: Originally Posted by JDubya Hola! Just returned from my wedding in Akumal. It was perfect and everything does go as smoothly as they say it will. The disco IS open Thursdays, I checked. We had our wedding on Thursday and we were going to go there afterwards but we all jumped in the pool at the reception and didn't feel like changing afterwards. We just continued the party at the snack bar. We had our own vows and 3 readings totally without a problem. I personally would do the DJ all over again in a heartbeat. However, they play AWFUL music. I made my own playlist and just told him to stand there and play it, and guests could make requests. It worked out very well, my playlist had people dancing from the first beat to the last. However, the Resort DJ did great lighting and facilitated speeches with his microphone set-up. We had 53 people and it was literally impossible to do speeches during dinner - far too loud. And there's no mic set up in the restaurant. Congrats! so nice to hear it went well. Can you tell me about your own vows and 3 readings, did they occur during the actual ceremony or afterwards? Was your ceremony the legal one? We are getting the DJ... I only have 25 guests and I'm wondering if the light show might be a bit "much" since it's such a small group. I just don't want the party to be like overkill. Also where was your reception, We are at the Coba poolside and I worry about there not really being anywhere to dance. Lastly, because I would pick your brain about everything if I could, do you have photos of your hair. I'm curious what kind of style they can do. Thanks, Emilie

Very reassuring thank you!!

Did anyone else here get like dress regret? I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, but now I wish I'd gotten a pile of different styles. The only thing is I'm very apple shaped so a lot of the dresses I liked didn't look good on me.