Gran Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum/Coba - POST HERE!

[gaby@rivieramaya]

HI. I don't actually know how does this forum works, so I was trying to reply to your post recently. I saw the resort's photography company and I just fell in love. They're working in their web page, but they have a new facebook page with recent pictures from their two professional photographers:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrecife-Studio-Mexico/141628232524938

Also, I got their e-mail: [email protected].

 

They told me they just invested in new super pro gear.

Hope this help you. 

Originally Posted by abbie32 

I am a little freaked out right now if it is true that we can't even have a guest take our pictures. I'm sorry but it is the most important day of my life and I don't think it is fair for them to tell us who we can and can't have to take pictures for our wedding. I emailed the photographer directly and asked for sample pics.  He just kept telling me that he was excited to take pictures at my wedding. His website was terrible. I'll have to check him out on Facebook. I guess there is no flexibility with the videographer as well which sucks!!  We're going to have about 50 or more come to our wedding and paying good money to have our wedding at the resort. We should have the option to decide who we want for OUR wedding. Ugh...I hope this is not the case. 

 

Does anyone have any pictures that he has done for their wedding? I would love to see some to ease my mind. Thanks!

 

[kevnanna]

ummmm no offence I still think it's PURE BS that as bride paying an arm and a leg to hold my wedding at a resort, I can't pick who takes my photo's!

Though I may not have MUCH of an issue with the quality of the photos...  I really have an issue with being told that I can't have what I want, especially since I'm paying for it!

 

If push comes to shove, we'll just take our wedding to another resort!!! Too bad cuz I saw some amazing GBP weddings on Claudia's photo site!

[thaodao]

I reserved my date in January 2010.  We did NOT receive any notification that outside photographers were not permitted at the GBP and only was told about Arrecife's exclusivity only 3 weeks ago.  Up until then there was no mention about having to use Arrecife.  In fact, the ONLY information on Arrecife up until now was included in the OPTIONAL EXTRA SERVICES Document.  Optional means you can or can not use them right?  

 

Furthermore, we just received an email from Arrecife.  They are charging $800 to use Claudia's services for our November wedding. They are charging more to allow Claudia to photograph ($800) than they do for their own services ($540).  We all know that the photographer (Claudia) cannot bear this cost and it must be paid by us.  

 

My fiance and I are already bringing 60 guests to the GBP and purchasing many other services from the GBP for our wedding.  $800 is an outrageous amount and we feel that we are being taken advantage of.  By demanding this, Arrecife is damaging the reputation of the GBP as well as their own.  

 

If the GBP intends on upholding a strict policy on photography; I would expect GBP to immediately inform the clients upon reservation of their wedding date so they can make an informed decision to whether or not they wish to have their wedding at the GBP.  Furthermore, I would expect a 5 star resort to have an exceptional first class photographer.  Unfortunately, the quality of the Arrecife's photography is poor.  In fact, there are numerous complaints in online wedding forums about the quality of Arrecife's work. 

 

I am very upset about this and have asked Paloma for the general manager's email.  Unfortunately, no one has replied to my request.  I just wished that they would have told me when I reserved my date, then I could have chosen somewhere that allowed outside photography.  When all is said and done, these pictures are what we'll have.  I just want a professional photographer.  

[nhedderson]

you are able to have an outside vendor do your pics as long as you provide them with a day pass. It will cost you 60 bucks or something like that. The resort is amazing. so worth it!!!

[nhedderson]

i don't think that is fair... pretty strange. i hope its not true. I am happy with Arrecife's photos/ i thought you would just have to get a day pass for them? good luck.

[nhedderson]

gaby@rivieramaya when are you getting married in November? i am Nov 23rd!! SUPER excited!!!

[thaodao]

Unfortunately, They will not allow an outside vendor.  I have been fighting with them about this since I found out a few weeks ago.  I am getting married November 3.  

[abbie32]

So they won't allow an outside vendor but can you have a guest who is staying at the hotel take your pictures? There has to be some OPTIONS!!  They can't be so strict about this. Every other resort at least gives you the option to purchase a day pass for an outside photographer or have a guest take your pictures. If enough people complain about this than maybe they will change it.  Do they know that this forum exists because you can seriously lose a ton of business by acting this way? I was so excited about my wedding and know I'm starting to stress out and not want to go there. What about videographers? Let me guess he does that too. I want an actual videographer, not a CD of my pictures set to music.

 

Did anyone get a video of their wedding done by the resort that they could share? I thought destination weddings were supposed to be less stress! haha

 

[swankster77]

Hey girls! I'm back after being MIA... SORRY! Since my wedding 2 months ago life became hectic FAST! Sold my house and buying a new one plus I'm standing up in 2 weddings this fall and their wedding event have begun, Craziness!

 

I am terrible. I owe a complete review. But i would be more than happy to answer any questions in the meantime - just PM me.

 

As for the photographer... I know it does suck that you don't have a choice in the matter however, you should not worry. The resort photographers are great. I agree the pics that Paloma/Jazmin/Ruser sent to me as examples were not my style... and even a little cheesy. But what we ended up with was amazing. At times I was annoyed with my photographer (we had Nestor) because it was hot and I just wanted to join the party... but he kept reminding me that this is once in a lifetime. So he kept us longer than we wanted but it was worth it in the end. I really love how our pics turned out! We actually are on the Ariceffe Facebook page a lot! He took over 600 pics of us! Some were cheesy - but we didn't order those... we only ordered what we liked - and it was a tough decision!

 

Ok girls - gotta get back to work, but I promise to check back more often and get on on my review one of these days (it's actually done and saved in a word doc - just want to add pics!)... 

[swankster77]

 

 

Originally Posted by Sherileigh 

 

We have just booked it so far...just made our decision on friday! So you can give me some ideas! lol

Is it a private dinner? Or just the all-inclusive meal? And if you don't mind me asking, how much is the poolside reception? We were looking into that, but I haven't been able to get any answers yet from Paloma! We're waiting to see if FI's brother is coming to the wedding, he's a fantastic photographer so that would be perfect! I haven't even seen the prices on how much their photographer is? We're trying to stay within a low budget. That was the point for us on going away, so we don't want to spend too much on extras! Which package did you pick?

42? That's a lot of people! People are just booking now, so far there's about 15, expect probably another 10 or so? Should be a good crowd. I wasn't expecting too much as I hadn't given anyone much time to prepare! lol.

 

I know! I was away... but I'm back.. please don't hesitate to ask me questions in the mean time... i need to find time to sit down and get my review up!! I also have all our pics up on shutterfly if you want to see them! Send me your email and I'll send you the album! Or look me up on Facebook and friend me! (Kirsten Peterson)