We got married at Grand Velas - check this out!

[dean]

My fiance and I got engaged in April 2008. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to do a destination wedding, and Playa Del Carmen seems like a perfect area.

 

We originally had booked Azul Fives (a Karisma Resort) for our Feb wedding. But after getting the run-around for 6 months, our TA rescued us 2 weeks before Azul Fives was about to ruin the most important day of our lives. She called and suggested we move our wedding and guests to Grand Velas, which we had never heard of.

 

We were stunned. And pissed. Azul Fives had been reassuring us all along they were going to open in time for our wedding. They even put it in writing. But we knew there was trouble because they refused to send us pictures of where we were supposedly getting married and where our reception was going to be. And the only time they called us was 1 day before we decided to move. And that call was only to ask us to pay for everything in full - EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW THEY WEREN'T GOING TO OPEN. The wedding departments at Karisma Resorts and Azul Fives are CROOKS.

 

So we agreed to move to GV. I can't tell you how happy we are that we did.

 

First, the property is stunning. The restaurants are amazing, and it has the biggest beach and by far the best sand. And as fantastic as the property is, the people and the service at GV are even better.

 

There are too many stories of amazing service to share. I will just say that not only did GV treat my fiance and I like a King and Queen, but they also treated our quests like royalty. We are a very well traveled bunch, and no one has ever seen anything like the service at GV. They truly seemed to go out of their way to make sure our stay and our wedding was amazing. The best part of the people at GV is that they appear to actually have fun at their jobs.

 

One quick story about the service. We did a sunset wedding followed up with an outdoor dinner on the grass lawn and a dance on the nearby patio. Even though we had 40 tiki torches surrounding the area of the dinner & dance, it seemed like it still might be a little too dark. So the morning of our wedding, GV moved 3 full size palms into the area and wrapped them with string lights. I'm not kidding. They moved them back out the next morning. I couldn't believe it.

 

And as great as the property and the staff are, by far the best part about getting married at GV is Tatiana, the Wedding Coordinator. As I mentioned above, we had to move our wedding and our guests 2 weeks prior to our wedding. And not only did Tatiana help us pull off an amazing beach ceremony, outdoor dinner reception and dance following the ceremony, but she also planned a Superbowl party for us and our guests and a rehearsal/welcome dinner the night before the wedding. She was absolutely amazing. I can't imagine what she could do if she actually has a month or two advance.

 

So, if you haven't figured this out yet, I'm the Groom. I have a feeling there are not that many dudes posting on the Wedding Forum. But given everything we went through with Azul Fives, to end up having such an amazing wedding experience, I really felt compelled to share our story.

 

Trust us, you'll want to check out Grand V. It may be more expensive, but I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

 

D & M

Feb 2009

 

[ltbscotland]

hi i was an azul fives bride but found out on friday that it will now not open until fall 2009 i am considering secrets maroma.....do you have any photos you can share?

 

thanks

[TammyB]

Well it sounds like it turned out well, regardless of the few bumps in the road. Congrats and wishing you a very happy Marriage.

[Jen_S]

Sorry for the added stress but in the end sounds like a great wedding!! Show us more picts :-)

[loanmao]

Dean, can we see some pictures? I am considering GV for a Jan 2010 wedding and have just received a proposal for the cost. How much did your guests pay per person per night? I'm concerned that it might be too expensive for them. Tatiana just sent costs that range from 250-530 per person per night for group rate and 380-950 per person/night for regular rate. How many guests did you have? Did you hire outside vendors? Were you happy with their photographer and who did you choose? Tatiana has been really prompt with her replies. So far, I've been very impressed with her. Any other helpful info? Your post has been so helpful already. Thanks!

[ccone]

Loanmoa- Hi, I also love the Grand Velas and will be doing a site visit there in June 2009. I was just wondering with the group rate do you have to pay in advance to get the group rate? It was just make me sick to put down enough rooms for 50 people and have some not show up. Also, I'm talking with my travel agent and she gave told me it was $341 per person/per night in May 2010.... I wonder if going with the hotel rate is cheaper than my travel agent. I'm also very concerned with the price.

[loanmao]

CCONE - I'm not sure if we have to pay in advance for the group rate. That will be a good question to ask Tatiana. When I spoke to her today, she said that 2010 rates were not out yet and that she may be able to work something out to lock in 2009 rates (if I book early enough). Perhaps you were quoted an estimate for 2010 rates? Also, the prices came in a variety of ranges. There is a 340/person/night in the Ambassador Oceanfront Suite. The cheapest room is $250/person/night in the Master Suite-Jungle Ambiance.

 

Other price quotes: Ceremony set-up $10/person (food & beverage not included)

Cocktail hour $30/person (food & beverage included from all-inclusive menu)

 

You should contact Tatiana directly so that she can give you a proposal. Let me know if you find out anything else! Hope this helps!

[loanmao]

CCONE - I'm not sure if we have to pay in advance for the group rate. That will be a good question to ask Tatiana. When I spoke to her today, she said that 2010 rates were not out yet and that she may be able to work something out to lock in 2009 rates (if I book early enough). Perhaps you were quoted an estimate for 2010 rates? Also, the prices came in a variety of ranges. There is a 340/person/night in the Ambassador Oceanfront Suite. The cheapest room is $250/person/night in the Master Suite-Jungle Ambiance.

 

Other price quotes: Ceremony set-up $10/person (food & beverage not included)

Cocktail hour $30/person (food & beverage included from all-inclusive menu)

 

You should contact Tatiana directly so that she can give you a proposal. Let me know if you find out anything else! Hope this helps!

[Candice]

Thanks for sharing your incredible story with us!

[Ayita]

My parents and my brother were supposed to stay at the Azul Fives for my wedding (the cosest hotel accepting children), but it will still be closed... we tried the Gran Vels but OMG it was SO much more expensive ! My brother would have been ok (there's a promotion where kids stay free) but for my parents it was the double.... how did you do it ? Did your TA negotiate prices ?

 

PS : They ended up booking Hacienda Tres Rios. Also never heard of. But also looks stunning.