ReeBik

@@BeachBrideJess, the resort would not allow me to use Chinese lanterns. As for how they determine who pays extra.... they really follow whatever information you give them with little questions. So, if you tell them you have 17 adults and 12 kids, they'll go with it. However, the menu options are different for the kids dinners. @@bodabaib, sorry for my late answer. I asked my husband (he handled the final total), and he said the thought we paid around $25K when everything was all said and done. @@BeeJewell, I sent you pictures just now.

I only brought runners (12 x 108) and napkins (18 x 18). I used their white tableclothes.

Ladies, I haven't been on here in awhile, but wanted to report back after our FABULOUS wedding at OCT on May 23, 2014. Our wedding coordinator, Daniel, was absolutely AMAZING!!!!!! I will never be able to say enough good things about him or the entrie wedding staff. I will admit, we got off to a bit of a rocky start only because it seemed like I had a new coordinator every month (apparently, they have high turnover), but once Daniel was assigned to us, it was easy breezy!!! We arrived the morning of Wednesday, 21 May. Check in was a breeze, and we were immediately introduced to Daniel and informed of our appointment that afternoon for our walk-thru. We choose to do our ceremony and reception on the Lobby Terrace because my 84-year-old grandmother would not have been able to get up the stairs to the rooftop terrace. I was a little worried about other resort guests hovering, but if they were, we did not even notice!! Daniel sat with us for 2.5 hours going through every single detail of the wedding and walking through the space to discuss set-up options. It was definitely a team effort between the 3 of us!!! My fiance and I decided on orange and pink as our colors so they would pop off the gorgeous blue ocean. We had a very large wedding (105 guests - to date, the largest wedding OCT has ever done). We decided to take all our own linens with us because the resort did not have enough and would have had to rent them. We were quoted about $1800 for the linens (napkins, orange runners, and chair sashes), but I ended up finding linens for around $200 and chair sashes for like $96 and some change. We decided it was well worth packing them down there to save that kind of cash and had NO problem donating them to the resort when we left (what were we going to do with them??). I printed all of our programs, escort cards, and table numbers which we hauled down there as well along with our wedding favors (beverage koozies... easy for us and our guests to travel with). Daniel and the team took great care in setting everything out just as we'd discussed. For anyone having doubts about OCT... don't. Every single one of our guests has said on multiple occasions that it was THE best wedding they have ever been to, and I fully believe part of that is due to Daniel and his ability to flawlessly execute each brides vision!!!!! ****** We brought in our own DJ, photographer, and makeup/hair, all of whom are friends that would have been invited anyway. We did not have to pay an outside vendor fee because of this.

Does OCT have table number holders to provide?

Does OCT have table number holders to provide?

Does OCT have table number holders to provide?

Whit-Bride, did you get the mini tequila bottles in Mexico or pack them?

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsSheppardToBe Hey all, Just wondering if any past/present brides have been able to get a resort map from their OCT coordinator? I just started thinking about how large the resort is, and how my guests may not be able to find their way to the rooftop terrace in time for my ceremony. I was thinking of including a resort map in my welcome bags. What have other brides done? I'd hate to show up at my ceremony with no guests there because they're lost.... LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsSheppardToBe Hi ReeBik, When I booked my wedding, I needed to make a photocopy of the front and back of my credit card for OCT to charge a $200 deposit to secure my wedding date. That's probably what they are asking of you. Once that's done, they'll send you pics of the venue locations and flower choices. I've heard that there are more options when you actually get there so I'm not worrying too much about that right now. My wedding is June 5. Their photographer is Photopro. I booked them for my wedding as there is no room in my budget for an outside photographer. I'm paying $1100 for a photo/video package which is very reasonable. Sure there are lots of bad things said about them on this forum, but the reviews from brides who have actually used them are definitely reassuring. Congrats and happy planning! Thank you!!! You're June 5, 2014? I finally got my confirmation from Claudia, and we are a go! I just sent Claudia a list of upgrades I want added on the Paradise package along with some pictures. Before we announce our wedding date and location to our family, my fiance wants to see numbers... go figure! I'm hoping she can get something back to me soon. Do any of the former brides or brides who are close to their date have the paperwork you were asked to complete in advance of your wedding? I'd just like to take a look at it and see how they work our requests. Thx!

Does anyone have information on the different flower and/or decoration upgrades? What's the name of the photographer they use?

Quote: Originally Posted by Sepi Hi Ladies, I just came back from my wedding at OCT on Sunday; last Thursday was my wedding and it was the best day of my life; the staff especially Karen couldn't have been more helpful; they accommodated anything we asked for. we were there with 120 of our family & friends and we all had a blast. the ceremony was at the privilage side of roof top terrace and it was private and gorgeous and the ceremony was at the lobby terrace. I have absolutely nothing to complaint about and they made my day perfect Let me know if you need any info or have any questions btw, i hired Fernando for my mom and bridesmaids make up but my sister in law did my make up and Fernando brought a few people for hair and Emilio did an amazing job on my hair good luck ladies Did anyone ever get pictures from Sepi? Sepi, if you still check this thread (not likely since your wedding has past), I'd like to see pictures and discuss numbers with you. My fiance and I are expecting around 125 guests, and so far, I haven't found ANY bride on here with that large of a party at their DW.

My fiance and I have decided to reserve OCT for Friday, 23 May 2014! So excited. Claudia is asking me to "plate" my credit card though for the reservation. I assume she means make an imprint. Did other brides have to do this and if so, how'd you do it?

Would you be willing to send me pictures as well? I haven't been able to find much information.

Can someone please email this to me?? I'm going on my site visit this weekend and would love to have a list of questions to ask! [email protected] Thank you!

Completely agree. I recently emailed Anel asking if we could change our date due to my fiance's cousin picking the same date as us (he announced his before we had announced). She took a couple of weeks to get back to me even though she was VERY quick to respond at first. If she knew the date you were wanting, chances are she penciled you in even before you sent in the credit card information. Keep an eye on the website calendar in the meantime and see if that date/time stays open. Quote: Originally Posted by meganwitt Hi Megan, I would say stay patient. Even though Anel responded with about 10 days to mine I have heard other people have waited a bit longer. I would hold out until about 3 weeks and then maybe try to call her if you have that ability. Know she is on top of things, but sometimes I think she gets more busy then not. Are you using a travel agent, if so you could always work with them to try and contact her as well. It's a very exciting and nerve raking time. Hang in there you have lots of time to get things rolling. Good Luck! Megan

It looks like you are on the Tequila Terrace... did you wear heels and if so, were the wood slats THAT big of an issue for you? Also, can anyone help me visualize where the Beach Terrace and Tequila Terrace are in relation to one another? Do you know if they give you the option of having ceremony on the beach, cocktail hour on the Beach Terrace then reception on the Tequila Terrace (or vice versa)?

Does anyone have information on the add-on / upgrade pricing that they can share with me? I've found the pricing for the packages, but am wondering what some upgrades might cost. Can you email them to me at [email protected]?

How hot did it end up being while you were there for the wedding? Congrats by the way!!!!

If you do a site visit to Now Jade (or Now Sapphire), do you know if they credit the money spent on your room towards the final wedding bill? Paradisus, which is another resort I'm considering, does this, but I can't find anything in the Now Jade information.

This thread is a little old and hasn't activity for awhile, but I'm going to take a stab. Do any of you still have your information on Grand Riviera Princess? I've emailed and sent inquiries through the website, but haven't received a response yet. My fiance and I are considering GRP for our wedding in Spring 2014, and I'd like to get pricing on packages, add-ons, DJ, photog, etc. If someone has this, would you mind emailing it to me? hrussel2 at gmail dot com

Sorry... I meant Gabi Beach Club not Sunrise Grill.

The pictures in the link above - I'm assuming the room pictures are the bridal suite? If so, you're right, it is beautiful! Lots of space for all the girls to get ready. What's the temperature like in there? I've read reviews on some other resorts and brides/bridesmaids ahve said the temperature was too warm once they got a tons of people in there. Also, the "hut" looking place with the white lounge furniture on the beach: is that the Sunrise Grill that others have talked about in previous posts? Did you hold your reception there? Was it sit-down or buffet? Where is that located in relation to the pool? Is it somewhat secluded and private from the rest of the resort? I'm worried about wedding crashers or just other guests hanging out like we're fish in a fishbowl. Is this on the adult-only side or the family side? Also, where is it in relation to the Gabi Bridge? The resort has a photo on their website that shows lounge like white furniture similar to what you have in some of these pictures (and based on the furniture, I'm assuming it's the same place)... in their photo, the tables glow from underneath. Is that the case in "real life"? I had a map of the resort, but I can't find it. Does anyone else have the map? It only shows the two resorts (La Esmeralda and La Perla) in relation to each other... doesn't give detail on where the bridge is, or the individual restaurants, but I'm still thinking it's a good thing to have on hand. Also, I've seen some discussion on weather in June/July. How is it in April/May? Are there really that many mosquitos during any of those months? My fiance and I are sitting down this weekend to go over all the information I've gathered on this resort and a few others so we can make a final decision on location, date, etc and send out a notice email to our "must-have" guests so that they can start saving and planning. Hoping I can get answers to the above questions so that he feels more comfortable making a decision.

KK2013, do you still have the location document you referred to? I'd love to have a copy if so. My personal email is hrussell at gmail dot com.