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

[egagne87]

Hi Ladies,

 

I am getting married (legally) at the GBP Riviera Maya on December 19, 2013. So far I have made arrangements with my wedding coordinator Maria to have the ceremony under the tulum gazebo at 4:00pm, then photos on the beach dinner at the Porto Fino (semi-private) then party at the Coba Jaccuzi bar (poolside) from 8-11:00 pm.

 

I just found out that because my mom's maiden name is my middle name (not last - that one is the same as my fathers), this has created enough confusion for the judge that I have to get my long form birth certificate translated (by a certified translator) and legalized in Canada. (Annoying and expensive, a few hundred dollars at least).

 

The one good thing is I confirmed that the package costs (which are dated valid until November 2013) are still be honoured to us because we are traveling in December but have been planning for some time.

 

I have so many questions for other brides out there, especially those who have already been married.

 

1. We are staying for two weeks, does anyone know how many a-la-carte restaurant meals we get included?

2. Did anyone have issues with getting the complimentary upgrade for bride and groom to the Royal Golden Section Junior Suites, instead of regular Junior Suites?

3. How much did people tip? Wedding coordinator, restaurant staff, band? Anyone else?

4. Any recommendations when dealing with money. I normally just bring down a few hundred dollars shopping money and for tips. Because we have to pay the blood test in cash to the doctor, the wedding fees to the hotel (in American currency), the photography fees to Arecife (in Mexican currency), outtings.

5. Flowers, doesn't seem like there are a whole lot invovled in decorations, did anyone request more around the gazebo and how did that work?

6. Other wedding package "perks" the romantic jaccuzi for wedding couple, gift baskets, private dinner that is arranged in advance, how did all this turn out?

7. Has anyone used Arrecife Photographers and how are they? Is there anyone you didn't like? Their packages seems expensive, so we just signed up for the basic + basic video but I'm a little disappointed this doesn't cover the first dance etc.

8. Did anyone do the reception at the Coba Poolside area, how was it? What is the dance area like? Is it just cement?

9. How is the wedding music the hotel provides for walking down the isle?

10. did you have a rehearsal dinner?If not how do you know what do do?

11. Does the ceremony have to happen in spanish to be legal and how do you add in your own vows?

 

Oh my, my head is spinning.

[KatLew]

Hello! Any advice on what type of dress I should get for an August wedding? I really want satin, but I dont want to be sweating in something to thick or heavy... any suggestions?

[karolane]

I think most of us felt your pain!! It took the resort a month and a half to confirm our wedding date alone - and that was with me emailing them constantly to follow up. Once I got a bit nasty, the responses came. Now we're 2 months away and Jazmin's on vacation?? Also, anyone bringing down their own photographer, they are not at all cooperative unless it is a minimum of 5 day stay. We have distant family members who are going to take our pics and they wanted us to pay Arrecife $400 because we originally planned on them coming for 4 days. I wonder if our parents will end up getting an invoice for snapping pictures at our wedding too lol   If you need any pricing, let me know and I'll try my best to help

[karolane]

I think most of us felt your pain!! It took the resort a month and a half to confirm our wedding date alone - and that was with me emailing them constantly to follow up. Once I got a bit nasty, the responses came. Now we're 2 months away and Jazmin's on vacation?? Also, anyone bringing down their own photographer, they are not at all cooperative unless it is a minimum of 5 day stay. We have distant family members who are going to take our pics and they wanted us to pay Arrecife $400 because we originally planned on them coming for 4 days. I wonder if our parents will end up getting an invoice for snapping pictures at our wedding too lol   If you need any pricing, let me know and I'll try my best to help

Hi I am getting Maried at the grand bahia principe in 2015 and we are hiring a photographer to come with us for the 7 days stay are you saying they will charge us for it ??

[karolane]

Hi I just got engaged and planing to get Maried at the grand bahia principe tulum/akumel/coba we are planing on getting Maried April 9th 2015 how early would I be able to reserve the gazebo for our wedding day ?

[lgerry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karolane 

Hi I just got engaged and planing to get Maried at the grand bahia principe tulum/akumel/coba we are planing on getting Maried April 9th 2015 how early would I be able to reserve the gazebo for our wedding day ?

 

 

Congratulations, and welcome to the forum!!

 

I would say that you can email them your request at any time, but it may be quite awhile before they get back to you to confirm (a.k.a. months). The wedding coordinators tend to work on "manana time", lol! Also, If I remember correctly, I think that we had to have our travel booking confirmations and provide them to the resort before they would hold the wedding date/location.

 

Happy planning!!

[egagne87]

Hi I just got engaged and planing to get Maried at the grand bahia principe tulum/akumel/coba we are planing on getting Maried April 9th 2015 how early would I be able to reserve the gazebo for our wedding day ?

I think I emailed both Paloma and Maria about 6 months before and they responded to let me know they booked everything for me. It took a little while for them to confirm but I haven't had the same difficulties some brides have.

[gemma2014]

Hiya,

Hello! Any advice on what type of dress I should get for an August wedding? I really want satin, but I dont want to be sweating in something to thick or heavy... any suggestions?

Hi, the only advice that I have been told is chiffon wedding dresses as they are light and airy, I too like satin but if it's hot I would be too worried about sweat marks. Sorry it's not much.

[egagne87]

Hi Ladies,

Does anyone have any advice about hair and makeup at this resort. Other then the fact that they curl your hair with flat irons? (I actually don't mind this and do it myself).

 

I want to know if they are willing to go to your room (I am sensitive to perfumes/scented hair sprays etc) and don't want a headache the day of from being in the salon around it all.

 

Also my hair dresser (at home) mentioned that in Mexico in the Mayan (in general, not this resort) their hairstyles are a little more early 2000s (tight updo rather then loose and modern. She also mentioned the makeup is heavy.

 

If you have photos of your hair and makeup from this resort and who your stylist was it would be really helpful.

 

How soon should I book?

[J1031]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMoorsy 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatLew 
 

wait, so we cant bring a photographer into the resort??? How much does the resort photographer cost and will they edit and touch up photos and give us a USB of all them images?

 

They will charge you a fee for bringing a photographer into the resort..I have no idea how much they charge but I'm sure it's a lot...That is IF they will even let you..by the sounds of all these post I don't even see you being allowed to bring in an outside photographer anymore and your stuck with Areclife or family taking photos which is such bull..

Like I said were bringing in our own regarless and just passing her off as a friend to bypass the fee's and stuff cause I don't like the resort photos at all..

 

I emailed Jazmin as we are now bringing our own photographer and good thing I did.. We were only going to bring them down for 4 days and there is a minimum 5 night stay in order to have the $400 fee waived