Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[acw271011]

I think we've come in at about $9,000 or $10,000 but we lost money on things that we cancelled,bought invitations that didn't get sent, flower girl dress that won't get worn... all kinds of fun stuff.

 

Originally Posted by monarch 

What are you guys looking at for your overall budget including your trip there, rings, honeymoon (if you're having one), dress, reception... EVERYTHING.  Just wondered if I'm on track!!!  Everything really adds up!

 

[Tekeya Thompson]

We spent about 11-12K total including our travel and accomodations, welcome bags, the wedding costs, 2 wedding dress, suit, rings, flowers, etc.

 

Originally Posted by monarch 

What are you guys looking at for your overall budget including your trip there, rings, honeymoon (if you're having one), dress, reception... EVERYTHING.  Just wondered if I'm on track!!!  Everything really adds up!

 

[Tekeya Thompson]

I had mine at gazebo, but there is an earlier post where someone had it on the beach and it was very nice!  Gazebo warning....you will have to walk on cobblestone path and the wind is fierce!!!  But it's not hot hot like I thought it would be.  They will arrange the chairs to make it comfortable, plenty of space.

 

Did not do a cocktail hour, but we did sweet talk one of the bartenders to make us 1 big container of Rum Punch and another Vodka based drink to have at the gazebo after dinner (I rented the gazebo out for dancing).  Chandlyn arranged a cooler of ice to be there.  Also, warning...if you are tossing the garter, make sure to tell her to leave a chair there.  We had to improvise because there was nothing for me to sit on.  I heard the cocktail hour is $15 per guest, but it should be in your wedding packet.

 

I did Dolce for the wedding.  Food was great, was able to choose the menu.  Wish I picked a different salad and dessert, but come to find out, all of the salads in Jamaica had like a bitter taste (we think it's the lettuce there), not just at Gran Bahia.  But the main entree and soup was very good.  I didn't see bugs in Dolce but they definitely were at the Grill. 

 

There buffet restaurant does serve some Jamaican dishes and they have a Jerk hut that serves grilled chicken (and you can put jerk sauce on it).  To get the real deal authentic Jerk, I would recommend you get it offsite just to try.
 

Originally Posted by FoxyRoxy30 

@kenwedjam0902: I'm having a major issue b/c I may also have ~150 guests at my wedding. Can you please let me know how GBP handled such a  large # of guests. Also,

 

Where did you have your wedding (beach, gazebo) and was the space tight?

Did you have a cocktail hour , where, and how was that handled? Is it $15 per guest for the open bar?

Which private reception location did you choose?  If Dolce Vita, did you have an issue with roaches? Can they do a Jamaican buffet there or are there restrictions for Italian food?

 

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

 

 

[JayKay]

Our inital budget was $10 000 but we are now down to about $7000.

 

Originally Posted by monarch 

What are you guys looking at for your overall budget including your trip there, rings, honeymoon (if you're having one), dress, reception... EVERYTHING.  Just wondered if I'm on track!!!  Everything really adds up!

 

[Tekeya Thompson]

Our Wedding Video clippet

 

 

[JayKay]

I love your video!

 

Originally Posted by Tekeya Thompson 

Our Wedding Video clippet

 

 

 

[BusyBee123]

We budgeted $12,000, but are running at about $9,500.  That includes a catamaran/Dunn's River excursion as a thank you for all of our guests, our bridal party's suits and dresses, the gazebo with DJ and bartender for our reception, an upgraded flower package with arrangements for the gazebo, our travel, flying our photographers in and OOT stuff galore!  So far so good!  I think we'll definitely be coming in under budget (my FI never thought he'd see the day!)   
 

Originally Posted by monarch 

What are you guys looking at for your overall budget including your trip there, rings, honeymoon (if you're having one), dress, reception... EVERYTHING.  Just wondered if I'm on track!!!  Everything really adds up!

 

Tekeya - your video is stunning!  What an amazing keepsake!  I had originally thought video was overrated, but now I'm rethinking! lol! 

[Tekeya Thompson]

Thanks!!!  We booked a videographer there in Jamaica, RoxRoy.  I told him I wanted to feel like a movie!   He did a great job

Originally Posted by JayKay 

I love your video! 

 

 

[Tekeya Thompson]

I had to do the video!!!  I preferred that first over pictures.  There were so many moments (like watching him cry) that a camera couldn't pick up the same way. 
 

Originally Posted by BusyBee123 

We budgeted $12,000, but are running at about $9,500.  That includes a catamaran/Dunn's River excursion as a thank you for all of our guests, our bridal party's suits and dresses, the gazebo with DJ and bartender for our reception, an upgraded flower package with arrangements for the gazebo, our travel, flying our photographers in and OOT stuff galore!  So far so good!  I think we'll definitely be coming in under budget (my FI never thought he'd see the day!)    

 

Tekeya - your video is stunning!  What an amazing keepsake!  I had originally thought video was overrated, but now I'm rethinking! lol! 

 

[monarch]

Hey Tekeya,

Which salad and dessert did you get at the Dolce Vita?  How far before the wedding did they confirm the restaurant and menu for you?  I'm hoping to make menu cards.  How far in advance did she confirm the gazebo party?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Tekeya Thompson 

I had mine at gazebo, but there is an earlier post where someone had it on the beach and it was very nice!  Gazebo warning....you will have to walk on cobblestone path and the wind is fierce!!!  But it's not hot hot like I thought it would be.  They will arrange the chairs to make it comfortable, plenty of space.

 

Did not do a cocktail hour, but we did sweet talk one of the bartenders to make us 1 big container of Rum Punch and another Vodka based drink to have at the gazebo after dinner (I rented the gazebo out for dancing).  Chandlyn arranged a cooler of ice to be there.  Also, warning...if you are tossing the garter, make sure to tell her to leave a chair there.  We had to improvise because there was nothing for me to sit on.  I heard the cocktail hour is $15 per guest, but it should be in your wedding packet.

 

I did Dolce for the wedding.  Food was great, was able to choose the menu.  Wish I picked a different salad and dessert, but come to find out, all of the salads in Jamaica had like a bitter taste (we think it's the lettuce there), not just at Gran Bahia.  But the main entree and soup was very good.  I didn't see bugs in Dolce but they definitely were at the Grill. 

 

There buffet restaurant does serve some Jamaican dishes and they have a Jerk hut that serves grilled chicken (and you can put jerk sauce on it).  To get the real deal authentic Jerk, I would recommend you get it offsite just to try.