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

[EmmaNahaylo]

We've been back a couple of weeks now and I have nothing but good things to say about the resort and wedding.  We had 51 guest travel with us to Mexico.  We flew with Air Canada Vacations and got married May 10.  We stayed in the Coba section and went with the unforgettable wedding package.  We had a civil ceremony at the Akumal Beach, dinner at the Mediterraneo Restaurant and had a poolside reception at Arrecife Jacuzzi Bar.

 

The Resort is beautiful, very clean and the grounds are very well looked after.  We arrived at around 2pm and had no issues with check in.  They greeted with drinks and our room was ready right away.  Some guest did have an hour wait for their room, but not a big deal.  I did make welcome letters for everyone which included a space to place everyones room numbers.  This was a lifesaver, especially with such a large group, but everyone used there list the whole week.  Safe locks were included with our rooms because we booked with Air Canada Vacations.  Wifi is free for one signon, one hour a day for one device in the lobby.  Wifi is also available for purachase all over the resort for $12 a day, but a week is around $50, some guest did decide to purchase this.  All of our guest who booked with our travel agent had rooms in the 18-15 blocks.  Ours was in the 18 block which was located next to the pool bar, activity pool and a short walk to the lobby.  We travelled with 11 kids under the age of 14, they all enjoyed the pools and the kids waterpark was great.  There are lots of activities for kids and teens and we had no trouble getting chairs by the pool and on the beach.

 

Upon arrival , our room had a fruit bowl, champagne, 2 resort t-shirts and a welcome letter.  Later that evening there was a flower arrangement and a letter from Maria explaining what time to meet her the following day.  Our meeting with Maria went smoothly, she had copies of anything I had requested and she was very organized.  She had an outline of events for me and gave me copies for some of my guest with no problems. We then went for our blood test and had no problems there.

 

I bought some decorations with us:

  -Blue material for hammock site

  -programs

  -starfish asile markers for ceremony

  -starfish pen to sign register

  -Sign to stick in sand

  -Bride/Groom sign for chairs at dinner

  -shells/ blue beads for tables

  -Guestbook

  -Picture of us, Grooms parents and brides parents (On their wedding day)

  -Small tiny picture frame with picture of my dad for my flowers

  -Ribbon for cake

  -Coloring books and crayons for kids at dinner

 

I dropped these things off to the lobby the day before the wedding.  Flowers arrived to my room early by 15-20min, and they were exactly what I wanted.  All cart rides arrived as scheduled for the day.  The ceremony ran smoothly, we provided the music on our Iphone.  We had a champagne toast after the ceremony and took some group pictures.  There was a little wind down by the water, enough to keep everyone cool but no enough to interfere with the bridesmaids dresses. 

 

Supper was great, the only thing I would recommend against was the Mediterranean Salad.  I thought it would a leafy salad but it was all seafood.  The tomato soup and lemon chicken were excellent.  All allergies were taken care of as discussed and the kids ate from the kids menu.  We chose a two tier strawberry cake , very yummy.

 

The poolside reception we paid for the cheapest bar but I didn't hear anybody complain, I think they had everything available.  We also rented the sound system with no DJ.  We brought our own music with us and played it from our iphone.  We had the Wedding DJ app.  Maria dropped by the reception to ensure everything was ok and then to go over the marriage licence and to give us a copy.  The kids had a ball playing in the pools all night.

 

It was a great time, that night we returned to rose petals and wine in our room.  There was a minor issue with the bill, I had forgotten to ask Maria is kids were the same price as adults for the reception, and we checked out on her day off so we couldn't get it changed, not a big deal.

    

We brought our own photographer and no one even asked about her or who she was.  I had been a bit worried because she only spent 2 nights at the resort but we had no issues.  My photographer was ok with the resort photographer being there, so we did not opt out.  She said she knew her pictures would be better and that if it's something that we have paid for we should get our money's worth.  The resort photographer took 30 pictures, we picked out 15 that were included in our package and they were not pushy with trying to get us to buy extra.

 

Hope this review helps, sorry if it's all over the place but it's hard to include everything.  Feel free to ask questions.  Both my husband and I along with 51 of our guest would return to this resort again! The main thing is to relax and enjoy this time with family and friends, it goes by way to fast and it's so easy to get caught up in the little things that doesn't really matter. 

Great review!!! Any photos of your poolside party? we are having one as well

How do we get it so they cover the pool with a glass as a dance floor?

Just wondering!

x

E

@@KatLew I definately wouldn't include all of the alone time either... It puts you on to much of a schedule... Go with the flow and see where the week takes you... There is no trouble for the two of you to sneak away for some alone time!

Sooo Agree - I like itineraries and schedules, but Commmon!! wayy too much! go with the flow, enjoy, everything will work out... give everyone a rough idea of what will be happneing but dont go over board! Itll seem too structured!

Yes fake flowers I know on other resorts I am seeing they charge to use them so was wondering if this was the case for the bahia.

Ok great thank you.

My girlfriend jsut got married at the Tulum last december, and we had our own fake bouquets, no one said a thing. I think you get a bouquet with your package but we didnt end up using hers, and i will be bringing my own that I bought off Etsy.

[EmmaNahaylo]

see below, my friend had hers half way and im the one of the right and the wind didnt bother us - SPRAY SPRAY SPRAY!!!! will be getting married at Tulum gazebo in Novemeber

How do you plan to wear your hair? I want to wear it half up, but im worried about the wind :-(

[TATrisha]

That's ironic because the Bride's hair and your hair look perfect, and the bridesmaid with her hair completely up has it in her face!  LOL!  

[EmmaNahaylo]

That's ironic because the Bride's hair and your hair look perfect, and the bridesmaid with her hair completely up has it in her face!  LOL!  

So funny but true.. hair stayed perfect the whole time. but again - you need to bring a strong hair spray and do not be scared to use it 

[KatLew]

Can you guys help me with the wording? Like, to make it sound more warm and less structured?

 

Wednesday, July 30:

·         Day - Bride and groom check in and get settled.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with groom’s family.

 

Thursday, July 31:

·         Day - Bride and groom will meet with wedding coordinator.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together.

 

Friday, August 1:

·         Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with bride’s family.

 

Saturday, August 2:

·         Day - Bride and groom relax and make preparations for wedding.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together.

 

Sunday, August 3:

·         Day - Bride and groom make final preparations for wedding.

·         5:00pm – wedding rehearsal & meeting with wedding party, as well as parents of bride and groom at the Tulum gazebo.

·         6:00pm – dinner at the Tulum resort buffet. All guests are welcome to join!

 

Monday, August 4: wedding day!

·         3:00pm ceremony at Tulum Gazebo

·         5:00pm-6:00pm cocktail hour with drinks, live music, and speeches

·         6:00pm to 8:00pm dinner at Tequila Mexican Restaurant

·         8:00pm to 10:30pm poolside reception

·         NOTE: Dress code for men at the Tequila Mexican Restaurant is long pants or dress shorts and shirts with sleeves (long or short sleeves, no tank tops). The wedding dinner will count as one of the a la carte dinners of the all-inclusive package.

 

Tuesday, August 5:

·         Day - Newlyweds rest and relax.  

·         Evening – Newlyweds have private dinner together.

 

Wednesday, August 6:

·         Day - Newlyweds rest and relax. 

·         Evening - Newlyweds have private dinner together.

 

Thursday, August 7:

·         Newlyweds checkout! J

Great review!!! Any photos of your poolside party? we are having one as well
How do we get it so they cover the pool with a glass as a dance floor?

Just wondering!

x

E

Sooo Agree - I like itineraries and schedules, but Commmon!! wayy too much! go with the flow, enjoy, everything will work out... give everyone a rough idea of what will be happneing but dont go over board! Itll seem too structured!

My girlfriend jsut got married at the Tulum last december, and we had our own fake bouquets, no one said a thing. I think you get a bouquet with your package but we didnt end up using hers, and i will be bringing my own that I bought off Etsy.

see below, my friend had hers half way and im the one of the right and the wind didnt bother us - SPRAY SPRAY SPRAY!!!! will be getting married at Tulum gazebo in Novemeber

 

Gorgeous hair! So was it too hot having it half up? did it blow in your face on the beach pictures? Did it get sticky over the course of the night with the heat and sweat?

[Maggietron]

I think part of the problem is that the way it is written now, it sounds like you don't want to spend any time with your guests. The only time you mention guests being welcome to join is for the buffet dinner the day before the wedding.

 

I'd probably cut a lot of it out and just note when you are arriving/leaving and will be having dinner with the families and when the rehearsal and wedding events are. Pay more attention to the events that the guests need to know about and less about what you plan to do that they will not be involved in.  Play the rest of it by ear.  I'd rather get asked to do something and be unavailable than have my guests believe I am unavailable and miss out on spending time with them.

 

Just my thoughts on the matter

 

Can you guys help me with the wording? Like, to make it sound more warm and less structured?

 

Wednesday, July 30:

·         Day - Bride and groom check in and get settled.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with groom’s family.

 

Thursday, July 31:

·         Day - Bride and groom will meet with wedding coordinator.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together.

 

Friday, August 1:

·         Evening - Bride and groom have dinner with bride’s family.

 

Saturday, August 2:

·         Day - Bride and groom relax and make preparations for wedding.

·         Evening - Bride and groom have private dinner together.

 

Sunday, August 3:

·         Day - Bride and groom make final preparations for wedding.

·         5:00pm – wedding rehearsal & meeting with wedding party, as well as parents of bride and groom at the Tulum gazebo.

·         6:00pm – dinner at the Tulum resort buffet. All guests are welcome to join!

 

Monday, August 4: wedding day!

·         3:00pm ceremony at Tulum Gazebo

·         5:00pm-6:00pm cocktail hour with drinks, live music, and speeches

·         6:00pm to 8:00pm dinner at Tequila Mexican Restaurant

·         8:00pm to 10:30pm poolside reception

·         NOTE: Dress code for men at the Tequila Mexican Restaurant is long pants or dress shorts and shirts with sleeves (long or short sleeves, no tank tops). The wedding dinner will count as one of the a la carte dinners of the all-inclusive package.

 

Tuesday, August 5:

·         Day - Newlyweds rest and relax.  

·         Evening – Newlyweds have private dinner together.

 

Wednesday, August 6:

·         Day - Newlyweds rest and relax. 

·         Evening - Newlyweds have private dinner together.

 

Thursday, August 7:

·         Newlyweds checkout! J

 

[KatLew]

Arsen and Kat will be checking in on July 30, and leaving August 7.

 

Bride and groom plan to have dinner with the groom’s family on July 30, and with the bride’s family on August 1.

 

 

Sunday, August 3:

·         5:00pm – wedding rehearsal & meeting with wedding party, as well as parents of bride and groom at the Tulum gazebo.

·         6:00pm – dinner at the Tulum resort buffet. All guests are welcome to join!

 

 

Monday, August 4: wedding day!

·         3:00pm ceremony at Tulum Gazebo

·         5:00pm-6:00pm cocktail hour with drinks, live music, and speeches

·         6:00pm to 8:00pm dinner at Tequila Mexican Restaurant

·         8:00pm to 10:30pm poolside reception

·         NOTE: Dress code for men at the Tequila Mexican Restaurant is long pants or dress shorts and shirts with sleeves (long or short sleeves, no tank tops). The wedding dinner will count as one of the a la carte dinners of the all-inclusive package.

[Maggietron]

@@KatLew That sounds much better. I like it.

[TATrisha]

MUCH better.

 

My only question is, did you ask the coordinator if you can have a rehearsal at 5pm at the gazebo???  That's a typical time that they'd have a wedding there so I just want to make sure that you've actually arranged for that to be an option for your group.

[KatLew]

thanks

we leave in 9 days! wedding in 13 days!