Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Brides??

[saskbride]

Hi!

I am new to the boards- thought it was time to start doing some planning and I came across this site!

I am getting married on Dec 11 (one day after Hailey!- that was our other choice of days

We dont really know much about our wedding plans yet- I found a dress this week!

We are expecting somewhere between 20-35 people. Our three daughters will serve as our bridal party.  (9, 14 and 17)

looking ofrward to runnign ideas off you ladies who have laready been there for your wedding and those who are in the planning stages as well!

[Janelle0308]

Hi ladies,

 

I would like to warn you all of our experience at Grand Sirenis.  While we loved the resort and our wedding was great we were extremely disappointed with some things that happened there.  Our wedding coordinator booked most of our appointments the wrong days and could not get them changed and didn't even try.  We purchased the presidential package and did not receive half the perks of the package and when we spoke with the wedding manager she sent us home thinking we would be getting compensation (well it's been 3 weeks and still haven't heard).  We were also double charged for items that were part of the package and they broke some of our wedding decorations with no explanations (and we were told we were getting a refund for these items and it still hasn't gone through).

 

As far as the location, it was fantastic and couldn't ask for anything better. Just wish things had gone much more smoothly for us.  Hopefully, it doesn't happen to anyone else but this is just a heads up.

[FtMacBride]

Well ladies,

 

I'm back from what I would call the BEST week of my life.  I had the most amazing experience and I couldn't have asked for anything better.  My wedding was April 16 at 4pm.  We had 43 people attend from all over Canada (Newfoundland, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Vancouver).  We were at the resort from April 13 to April 20th.  Most of us flew Air Transat but then group from Newfoundland flew Air Canada.  If you flew Air Transat you had a few more perks (bottle of tequila) but nothing to crazy.  Everyone arrived on time and check in was busy but not too bad.  I had personalized thermal cups with lids and straws ready for everyone as they arrived as a little welcome gift.  Inside the cup was a little message and a quick itinerary for the week (rehearsal dinner, wedding time).  It was great seeing these cups used throughout the week by my guests.

 

Our first morning there we went to meet Marcela our wedding coordinator and boy was she great.  I can't begin to describe how much I loved her and how fabulous she was. She made my wedding day so easy for me.  I arrived with a huge bin of stuff for her to put out on the day of the wedding and she went above and beyond.  We went over pricing and created an invoice and then paid for everything.  It was very smooth. 

 

The Wedding Day

 

I woke up the day of the wedding alone, my groom had spent the night with his friend and I wanted to have time alone to prepare cards, and a speech so I decided alone was best for me.  I went over to the window and it was pouring rain.  But it was also 6:30 in the morning.  I had remembered what Marcela had said about rain and how it can pour for hours and just stop, so I knew I had lots of time before the ceremony so I didn't stress.  Had my shower, coffee and wrote my speeches.  Around 8:15 the bridesmaids and my mom began to arrive at my room.  By 9am we went down to the buffet by the pool and had some breakfast (groom was going to buffet in lobby, so we avoided that area).  At 10:40am we left my room and went to catch the shuttle to the spa.  The spa is absolutely beautiful.  Once at the spa, the 6 of us (myself, 4 bridesmaid and my mom) were taken into the salon and it was amazing.  The ladies started with myself and 2 bridesmaids, and as the bridesmaids were done the others switched in.  By 1:45pm we were all beautiful and went down to catch the shuttle.  Anyone that is worried about getting their hair done by the ladies at the salon, don't worry, they are amazing.  I have long thick curly hair and they had no problems whatsoever with it. 

 

We arrived back at the room at around 2:05pm and ordered some room service, played some music and started getting ready.  This was the time that I looked around and realized I was getting married.  I took time to take it all in and really cherish the moment.  My photographers arrived around 2:15pm and started taking pictures of everything.  I choose to go with an outside photographer just because I had heard that the resort photo were not as good.  I think that was my best decision I could have made.  I went with Photos In Cancun, and they were phenomenal.  Derek and Lorena were awesome.  They just fit right in and took photos as we were just hanging out.  They never got in the way of anything.  We continued getting ready and by this time the sun was starting to shine   The shuttle arrived to pick us up at about 4:15pm (15 minutes late, but I didn't stress because I knew the day couldn't start without me).   Marcela was on the shuttle with us and shortly after the shuttle pulled away from the door we were all singing "Going to the Chapel".  It a memory that will be forever with me. 

 

Once we arrived at the location, Marcela got off the shuttle and went to make an announcement, that we were ready to start and had everyone take their seats.  The music started and one by one the bridesmaids headed down the aisle.  Then music changed, I kissed my mom and we started our walk.  It was emotional, beautiful and everything I had dreamt about since I was a little girl.  The décor looked great and the setting was stunning.  The ceremony was the symbolic one and it was quick and sweet.  We kissed, he pronounced us husband and wife, we turned around and walked back down the aisle to Celebration.  It was perfect.  We then had a champagne toast and a group photo taken.

 

I had paid to have an extra hour of open bar before the reception so my guests could stay in the location while we were having pictures taken.  We also had booked the mariachi band to perform during this time and my guests loved it.  They danced and took photos with the guys!  By 6pm we were ready to head into the Palapa for the reception.  It was decorated beautifully and all my guests kept saying how perfect it was for a Mexico wedding location. 

 

For dinner we choose the Beach BBQ and it was great.  There was plenty of food and lots of chooses for everyone.  My cake looked absolutely gorgeous.  The DJ was good however, I had brought an iPod full of songs so guest could choose songs from that as well.  Once the party started it never stopped.  Everyone had a great time and the staff was amazing. 

 

My photographers were enjoying the night sky because it was a full moon, so my husband and I would sneak out once in awhile with them to get some awesome night pictures.  At the end of the night I was handed 3 memory sticks with over 1800 pictures on them.  Now I have to go through all the pictures and pick 250 that we want edited and they will do that and send them back to us.  I was so happy with them, they made our day so easy and were never in the way.  They were just like any other guests at our wedding. I look forward to seeing them again whenever we return to Mexico. 

 

We had also paid for an extra hour for the reception because we knew no one would want the party to end at 10pm.  So we paid the extra hour and at 11pm most of our guests walked over to the Disco and let the party continue.  At this time Marcela, told us she would clean up and take everything back to her office and we could swing by on Friday and pick it all up.  That way we were not trying to take the shuttle back with all our stuff, it was great.  We went to the Disco for about half an hour and danced with everyone then said our goodbyes and headed to the Presidential Suite.  All I can say about this suite is that it was AMAZING. 

 

Overall, I can't find one negative thing about the whole day.  The staff was so awesome and Marcela made my day truly amazing.  I had no stress and enjoyed every minute of the day.  Looking back on the whole experience, I would not change a thing.  My guests are still taking about how amazing everything was and how much fun they all had.

 

Sorry for the long post, but just wanted everyone who is unsure about the resort or the whole Mexico wedding thing to know that I couldn't be happier with my choice and I would recommend it to anyone.

 

June

[saskbride]

Congratulations June!

 

Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I was looking at the beach BBQ as well- can you describe it to me? Is it right on the beach where the ceremony was?

 

Can't wait to see some pictures!

 

Lindsay

[saskbride]

Oh sorry- I missed you had the palapa!

[omontes]

Hi ladies!

 

Every time is more closer your wedding day, Congratulations!

 

Our job is to give them the best service at the best price, worked in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, etc; We have different packages to suit your budget! 

 

take a look at our work: http://www.OctavioMontes.com

 

 

 

 

Have a nice day, Greetings! 

Edited May 5, 2014 by omontes

[calgarybride2015]

Hello ladies,

 

I am new to this group and glad I found it.  I have some reading to do!

 

I just booked my wedding for January 21, 2015 at the Grand Sirenis.   I booked the free package with upgrade to the palapa for ceremony / reception.  What worries me is that Maria (wedding coordinator) confirmed the date but didn't confirm I got that package and upgrade.  She is like 'you have lots of time to fill out all the paperwork'  Yes I do, but I want to know forsure.  Was this anyone else's experience? I am pretty sure they do more than 1 wedding a day.

 

I am still debating on time, as I don't want to be taking pictures in the dark, anyone else have a January wedding?

 

Thanks!

[Leelou2000]

FtcMacBride thank you for the amazing review! There have been a few bad reviews on tripadvisor the past month and it has had me and my hubby-to-be a bit concerned! 

Our wedding itinerary seems similar to yours so I'm super excited :-)

We leave Saturday! I will definitely post a review and pictures when I get back!

[hayley82]

Thank you FtMacBride for that fab review, just what we all wanted to read!! Glad you had such a lovely day.

Welcome to Saskbride, so pleased you are getting married the day after me and we will meet over there! Heather is also getting married the same week so we definately be sharing a cocktail or two girls!!

Calgarybride2015, congrats on your date too. Just give Maria a quick email to check she has everything. I sent all the paperwork back quite quickly which she agreed and haven't heard anything in ages but I'm sure it's all OK. I think it's natural when communicating from a distance to worry that things aren't all in order. They do encourage you to skype them so if that would help too, you could maybe do that. As for the time, I'm doing 3.30pm so it's getting slightly cooler but still time for some daylight pics - I'm getting married 10th Dec so won't be too disimilar to your daylight hours.

Finally Leelou2000, best of luck for you and your hubby to be!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[calgarybride2015]

hayley82, thank you!  I decided to do 3:30pm too!   Just becuase I read online that you lose the sun around 530pm in January and don't want my pictures in the dark either.  I can't send back my stuff until people have RSVP'd/paid their booking deposit, so hopefully sometime this summer I can make all things final.  I didn't realize they wanted you to skype over emails.

 

 

I think it sounds like I plan to do what ftmacbride is doing also.  I plan to do the beach ceremony with reception in the palapa - upgrading from the free package. I plan to start at 330pm, so all the extra time inbetween/after I will pay for an open bar and have it go until 11pm. I plan to also do the beach BBQ menu.  I never got a firm answer how long we get the palapa for, but I think I read 3 hours, so may need to pay 2 extra hours of open bar so people don't have to leave the site.

 

To make people feel reassured - my friend just attended a wedding there in March. I talked to the lady who married and she also has nothing but good things to say!  She also loved the resort photographer too!

 

The more I ask around the more people I know who have been to this resort and not one bad thing has been said!