Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Brides??

[Okotoksbride]

What did everyone pay for their bridemaid's bouquets?

I had 3 gerbaras, greenery and white ribbon quoted at approx $22 Canadian each. Perfect!

I asked for a requote for 4 gerbaras and the price is now $45.  1 gerbaras made the price jump double?!?!?! 

The new lady is Kenya and I asked her why but haven't heard back.  If that is the case I will stick to the 3 gerbaras!

 

Also, for those who used the spa, do you recommend a hair/makeup trial?  I have short hair and have pictures but curious.

I think I could do the hair trial, but not sure I want to do both as it's pretty pricey (not much cheaper for the trial!).    Am I fairly safe?  @@Okotoksbride any thoughts?

 

Thanks ladies.

I did not get a practice trial done on my hair and Isis did a great job on my hair! No worries!!

[calgarybride2015]

I did not get a practice trial done on my hair and Isis did a great job on my hair! No worries!!

 

Thank you.

This is one splurge (possible unnecessary item) that I think I am going to go ahead with.

My hair has been that one thing I have always been most stressed out - never clothes, never makeup, never shoes, just my hair.   So I want to make sure whatever we decide can hold up in the hot weather.   

 

Sent all my paperwork in, and asked re taxes, but this last reply back has been terribly slow.  Hopefully they don't have another staff change up!

[AshleyLynn]

Hey everyone!

 

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this forum! I have spent the last week going through the entire thing. I can honestly say I picked GS very confidently after reading this thread.

 

I originally wanted to have our DW at the Barcelo in the Mayan. I went to a wedding there 1.5 years and was very happy with it. Although my FI and I always wanted to do a DW (all of my family and most of my friends live in the Maritimes, while we live in Edmonton) I've been terrified of picking a resort blindly and being disappointed. I know some ladies on here have complained how expensive the packages at GS are but in comparison to the Barcelo it is reasonable (the top package at the Barcelo is projected to be just under $11,000 CAD in 2016 and to bring a photographer into the resort for the wedding day is $500)

 

We ultimately chose not to go with the Barcelo as it was going to cost our guests nearly $1900 per person in April-June, which was our original choice of wedding dates. After I spoke with our TA Nicola she recommended GS as it had the same wedding vibe/vision I had explained to her (beach wedding, palapa reception)

 

I couldn't find too much information on the GS or their wedding options online, but then I stumbled upon this gem. Ladies let me tell you how much of a help you've been to me already, and I am in the very early stages of planning this trip! We decided to change the dates to November 29 - December 6th 2015 with the wedding on the 3rd.

 

I do have a question about photography as there seems to be a steady stream of negative feedback on what the hotel provides: how much would I be looking at to hire a photographer in Mexico of the day of the wedding/ TTD the following day? If I brought someone with me from Edmonton what is the expectation of payment? Do you just pay for the trip and they take care of the rest, or do you have to pay them on top of covering their travel expenses?

[calgarybride2015]

Hey everyone!

 

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this forum! I have spent the last week going through the entire thing. I can honestly say I picked GS very confidently after reading this thread.

 

I originally wanted to have our DW at the Barcelo in the Mayan. I went to a wedding there 1.5 years and was very happy with it. Although my FI and I always wanted to do a DW (all of my family and most of my friends live in the Maritimes, while we live in Edmonton) I've been terrified of picking a resort blindly and being disappointed. I know some ladies on here have complained how expensive the packages at GS are but in comparison to the Barcelo it is reasonable (the top package at the Barcelo is projected to be just under $11,000 CAD in 2016 and to bring a photographer into the resort for the wedding day is $500)

 

We ultimately chose not to go with the Barcelo as it was going to cost our guests nearly $1900 per person in April-June, which was our original choice of wedding dates. After I spoke with our TA Nicola she recommended GS as it had the same wedding vibe/vision I had explained to her (beach wedding, palapa reception)

 

I couldn't find too much information on the GS or their wedding options online, but then I stumbled upon this gem. Ladies let me tell you how much of a help you've been to me already, and I am in the very early stages of planning this trip! We decided to change the dates to November 29 - December 6th 2015 with the wedding on the 3rd.

 

I do have a question about photography as there seems to be a steady stream of negative feedback on what the hotel provides: how much would I be looking at to hire a photographer in Mexico of the day of the wedding/ TTD the following day? If I brought someone with me from Edmonton what is the expectation of payment? Do you just pay for the trip and they take care of the rest, or do you have to pay them on top of covering their travel expenses?

Welcome and congrats on your wedding date.

 

Our TA also recommended GS and once we had booked we actually found out that we knew a slew of people who have stayed and married there, so we were super happy with our choice.

 

I think you'll find that the resort photographer has changed since the earlier posts. No packages include photography anymore and it's a different company. Just want to throw that out there. Not saying all brides choose to use the resort photographer - Adventure Photos - but wanted to make sure you knew. I booked Perla from there for our wedding but I'm currently debating my decision. Not because I'm worried about her but because with TIME I seem to be changing my mind a lot haha. You can request certain photographers from their company. That's what I did - I looked thru all their work, picked what I liked the best and asked who did the work.

 

My contract states to use an outside photog you pay $300 USD plus a day pass for each person entering, so if you have 2 coming you pay twice. From my research the cheapest package you'll find for about 5 hours is $1600, for full 8 hour coverage would probably land you $2500-3000 depending on the photographer. Lots started as $2500. To throw in a TTD would raise that. I can give you ones to look up that came back reasonably priced if you are interested.

 

If the photographer comes with you and is a guest for more than 2 nights you don't pay a fee. You'd have to ask the photog what their charges are. I looked into it and got 3 answers. One wanted a trip paid and package paid. One wanted 2 trips paid. One would pay their own trip but wanted package paid and spending bonus. They are all different so you'd have to ask.

 

Good luck! Boards been super quiet lately but I am still around if you have other questions.

 

 

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[saskbride]

Hi everyone!

Welcome to anyone new! I have been MIA for so long I need to go back and get reacquainted!

 I am in full panic mode! We leave in 40 days and have done nothing for months! School is just insane this year and coaching volleyball and many other side things have got me off track!

We have also been having more difficulty tracking down Kenya then the past wedding assistants- but when we finally heard back this week it was reassuring!

Up this week is getting the girls and my dress fitted.. I finally went and picked up girls dresses froma friend inEdmonton who had picked them up at Davids Bridal for me in early September! I am freaking because my daughters dress looks so short and I can't try it on her til Wednesday because she is with her dad!

I am getting my dress fitted on Thursday. While I was in Edmonton I did pick out a wedding band so another nessesity done.. now just to get on DF to find an outfit! Do you think it is to late to order something from online?!

You will be hearing a lot more from me in the next month- can't believe it is coming so soon!

ashleyLynn- I was going to say we missed each other by a day- but it is actually a year and a day!

 

Lindsay

[calgarybride2015]

Hi everyone!

Welcome to anyone new! I have been MIA for so long I need to go back and get reacquainted!

 I am in full panic mode! We leave in 40 days and have done nothing for months! School is just insane this year and coaching volleyball and many other side things have got me off track!

We have also been having more difficulty tracking down Kenya then the past wedding assistants- but when we finally heard back this week it was reassuring!

Up this week is getting the girls and my dress fitted.. I finally went and picked up girls dresses froma friend inEdmonton who had picked them up at Davids Bridal for me in early September! I am freaking because my daughters dress looks so short and I can't try it on her til Wednesday because she is with her dad!

I am getting my dress fitted on Thursday. While I was in Edmonton I did pick out a wedding band so another nessesity done.. now just to get on DF to find an outfit! Do you think it is to late to order something from online?!

You will be hearing a lot more from me in the next month- can't believe it is coming so soon!

ashleyLynn- I was going to say we missed each other by a day- but it is actually a year and a day!

 

Lindsay

 

Nice to hear from you!

I was having great response from Kenya, but sent her a question and all my paperwork almost a week ago and nothing. It's a bit frustrating. Was considering emailing her again.  Is she still there?

Glad you have picked up your dresses and such!  If it makes you feel better about your daughter's dress...when I picked up mine from David's Bridal it was more snug than the rack dress.  Makes sense but noone warned me. Went to get a quote on alterations and the lady was scared to zip it up. I made her, but it was hard. I knew it was snug but I had it on in August and I didn't think it was THAT bad.  Well she is going to take it out an inch  She gave me 2 choices - see the damage I can do in 5 weeks at the gym or take it out.  I chose the latter. I haven't even gained weight - I am so angry. And just hope it all works out because we are kind of out of time, AND I paid for the darn thing.  Ugh, oh well, she got it done up, so taking it out 1/2 inch will do the trick. Everywhere else fit great she said it was just the back panel that needed a bit more room.  I have to trust this will work hahah but we get into a bridal panic.

 

Anyways, sorry on a rant there.....

 

Depending where you order his suit from would depend if 40 days was enough.

USA and Canada you should probably be safe. I get most things from USA in 3 weeks.  You could pay for upgraded shipping?

 

Good luck and look forward to hearing more about what you have going on! and your wedding!

Edited October 26, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[AshleyLynn]

I talked to my TA today and she said the GS email system is currently not working. They are trying to fix the problem and was hoping to have a new email address, or fix the problem later this week. So if you haven't heard back from them in a couple of days that might be the problem. My TA is going to call them tomorrow to confirm the dates, but as of right now that is the only way to correspond with them.

 

I wanted to book well in advanced to be able to get exactly what I want, but if seems like most of the decisions aren't even made until the month leading up to the ceremony! Which is a bit nerve racking but lots of previous brides said everything has always (mostly) worked out.

[calgarybride2015]

I talked to my TA today and she said the GS email system is currently not working. They are trying to fix the problem and was hoping to have a new email address, or fix the problem later this week. So if you haven't heard back from them in a couple of days that might be the problem. My TA is going to call them tomorrow to confirm the dates, but as of right now that is the only way to correspond with them.

 

I wanted to book well in advanced to be able to get exactly what I want, but if seems like most of the decisions aren't even made until the month leading up to the ceremony! Which is a bit nerve racking but lots of previous brides said everything has always (mostly) worked out.

What exactly do you want? Because your package and locations can be confirmed when you pay your deposit. I took the free package with upgrade to palapa and I was told numerous times I was booked for that and good to go! That was big for me. I sent in my paperwork last week, as they requested it 3 months in advance, and that listed the extras I wanted (flowers, DJ, spa, menu, etc). I think a month before you get your actual WC and tie everything up!

 

Thanks for the heads up on the email.

 

 

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[calgarybride2015]

For anyone who is interested, taxes are all included in their numbers... woohoo!!!

 

Also, I got an email reply from Liliane (I believe her name was) so is now apparently helping Kenya!

 

@@saskbride -- what venue and package did you end up choosing for your reception? Can't remember if you wanted the palapa too?

[saskbride]

Has anyone had any contact with the wedding coordinators lately? I had emailed some things last week and have had no response- and my wedding is a month away! Getting a bit impatient!