Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[acw271011]

all the best and have an amazing time!!  can't wait for your review! and remember... RELAX!!  don't sweat the small stuff. it will all turn out fine!

 

Originally Posted by FleetMac bride 

I am so excited I am leaving this saturday woot woot. I have a lot to do started packing this past week-end.

 

Thank-you for your answers about the beer something to consider when I'm down there.

 

I wanted to ask you girls did you do the free trial hair appointment and then did you hide it from your FI or have them take the do back out?

 

I have centre pieces and some stuff I want on the tables like glittery gems and mini umbrella's and orchids willthey set that up for me or do I have to get bridemaids to do it, they said the restaurant opens at 6:00 and my dinner is I think at 6:00 willthey let the girls in before that???

 

Alsi I have bought luminaires for the gazbo at night with battery operated tea lights will they set that up for me and leave chairs, I have read here before that there were no chairs at the gazebo has any one had experience with this.

 

Thanks ladies I am soooooooooooooooooooo excited now but a tid bit stressed can't wait to finally get down there and have fun and see my family and friends it's so gonna be worth it all LOL

 

Last question how much did you give the coordinator for a tip and did you tip both?

 

 

 

[exquisite02]

FleetMAC, Have a great time !!! and can't wait to read about your wedding/experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[funkybride]

Fleetmac!

Have a great time, good luck with everything! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return as a MRS!

[greatbritain]

Have an AMAZING time!! Relax and ENJOY!!
 

Originally Posted by FleetMac bride 

wow thanks everybdy for your answers

 

Also thanks again tekeya for your infomation about the set  up and the chairs. I am definately going to ask t have someleft out and I'll tell them that wil put them away if need be becaus enot all of my guests are going to want to stand the whole time. I am going to show my bridemaids how I want my tables set up and my luminaires for the gazebo later just in case.

 

Thanks ladies for all the help. I am hoping to get more time at the gazebo if possible one girl talked abut going in the back and turning the lights back on and I have my own music and I possibly could get the bartender to leave booze. I can't wait I am so tired ad busy but excited.

 

1 more day of work, 3 days till jamaica, and 6 days till I'm married Nov 22 can't wait 

 

[BusyBee123]

Hello all...

 

So 54 days until my wedding....and the chaos has begun!  I'm just wondering if anyone has been previously told that there is a minimum number of 25 people for the gazebo reception?  I have had the gazebo booked since March 2011 and my guest numbers have always been quoted to Donnalee as 10-22 people.  Now we're looking at 16 which is right in the middle!  I have submitted all of my paper work (months ago!) which also quotes that number and have confirmed the gazebo reception at least 10 times because I really didn't want my wedding to end after the dinner and really didn't want to drag my guests to the hotel disco.  

 

So I emailed Donnalee just to confirm the price of the bartender as I've been quoted 3 different numbers per person and am tidying up last minute details.  And low and behold, I get an email back today saying that the gazebo can't be rented for less than 25 people!  How has this never been brought up before?  I'm not sure why they care as I'm still paying the flat rate of $500 for the gazebo + DJ.  

 

Please let me know if anyone else has heard anything?  I've already emailed both Donnalee and Chandyln back and am about to lose my mind here.....not sure if I should start calling or what....

[ashley490]

I've never been told that and I've got a group of 19 which Chandlyn is very aware of.  I think you should speak to the manager.  That's absolutely ridiculous since they clearly knew all along how many guests you were having.  Keep me posted on whether the minimum number of people thing gets cleared up.

 

Originally Posted by BusyBee123 

Hello all...

 

So 54 days until my wedding....and the chaos has begun!  I'm just wondering if anyone has been previously told that there is a minimum number of 25 people for the gazebo reception?  I have had the gazebo booked since March 2011 and my guest numbers have always been quoted to Donnalee as 10-22 people.  Now we're looking at 16 which is right in the middle!  I have submitted all of my paper work (months ago!) which also quotes that number and have confirmed the gazebo reception at least 10 times because I really didn't want my wedding to end after the dinner and really didn't want to drag my guests to the hotel disco.  

 

So I emailed Donnalee just to confirm the price of the bartender as I've been quoted 3 different numbers per person and am tidying up last minute details.  And low and behold, I get an email back today saying that the gazebo can't be rented for less than 25 people!  How has this never been brought up before?  I'm not sure why they care as I'm still paying the flat rate of $500 for the gazebo + DJ.  

 

Please let me know if anyone else has heard anything?  I've already emailed both Donnalee and Chandyln back and am about to lose my mind here.....not sure if I should start calling or what....

 

[BusyBee123]

Thanks Ashley!  I'm glad to hear that there are others with smaller groups as well who were not told this information!  Seems ridiculous seeing as they're going to make the same $500 whether its a big or small group!  Not sure what their issue is!  If they want to have a minimum number for the bartender fine!  We'll just do what others have done and get stuff from elsewhere on the resort for free!  Here's what Donnalee sent me today:

Can you please confirm what the cost is per person to have the
bartender set up at our gazebo reception?  We are looking at 16 people for
2 hrs.....

The after party dance consist of a minium of 25 persons and upwards. Please advise me if your wedding guest list has that amount of persons.  Also, in order for open bar service to be provided, you need the minimum amount as stated and the cost is US$ 23.00 per person for the 2 hours.

 

I was wondering if it is possible to have a few chairs placed at the
gazebo for our dance/reception?  We have a few guests who 
may appreciate being able to sit down while others are dancing...

This will most certainly be done, once you confirm the final figure, as the gazebo will not be able to host a after party dance for a group of 14 persons.

 

I will keep you posted once I hear back...gosh do I hate waiting.....my FI won't let me contact anyone else until we hear back from Chandlyn and Donnalee!  He's clearly more patient than I am!

 

Originally Posted by ashley490 

I've never been told that and I've got a group of 19 which Chandlyn is very aware of.  I think you should speak to the manager.  That's absolutely ridiculous since they clearly knew all along how many guests you were having.  Keep me posted on whether the minimum number of people thing gets cleared up.
 

 

[JayKay]

When I first asked about booking the gazebo for our wedding they told me that there was a minimum of 25 people needed in order to hire the bartenders, but they never mentioned anything about numbers as I told them I didn't need the bartenders.  Maybe make it clear to them you dont want to bartenders just to rent the gazebo.

 

Originally Posted by BusyBee123 

Hello all...

 

So 54 days until my wedding....and the chaos has begun!  I'm just wondering if anyone has been previously told that there is a minimum number of 25 people for the gazebo reception?  I have had the gazebo booked since March 2011 and my guest numbers have always been quoted to Donnalee as 10-22 people.  Now we're looking at 16 which is right in the middle!  I have submitted all of my paper work (months ago!) which also quotes that number and have confirmed the gazebo reception at least 10 times because I really didn't want my wedding to end after the dinner and really didn't want to drag my guests to the hotel disco.  

 

So I emailed Donnalee just to confirm the price of the bartender as I've been quoted 3 different numbers per person and am tidying up last minute details.  And low and behold, I get an email back today saying that the gazebo can't be rented for less than 25 people!  How has this never been brought up before?  I'm not sure why they care as I'm still paying the flat rate of $500 for the gazebo + DJ.  

 

Please let me know if anyone else has heard anything?  I've already emailed both Donnalee and Chandyln back and am about to lose my mind here.....not sure if I should start calling or what....

 

[BusyBee123]

So I managed to get a response in record time from Donnalee.  Please see below my email and her responses:  

 

"I am exceptionally concerned about your email from this morning.  We have had the gazebo confirmed for our reception since March 2011 and at no time

has it been mentioned that there is a minimum number of guests!  This is not documented in any of our previous emails in which I clearly documented that our group would be between 10-20 people! I also submitted all of our formal documents months ago, and this has never been brought up.  

The information with your request to have your after party dance at the Gazebo, has been noted in the system from the initial stage of your request. All guest privatizing the Gazebo has to have a minimum amount of 25 persons and upwards. We will still go ahead with the plan. I will inform the hotel Manager also. However, if you would like an open bar service, the minimum as to be from 25 persons and upwards. 

 

It is unfair that you would try to cancel our wedding reception at the gazebo less than two months away from our wedding.  As this has not been

mentioned previously, I expect that our reception will go on as stated in countless prior emails.

Given the small amount, we will go ahead as plan. Please note that the information given is the norm. All information given to all guest is the information both chandlyn and myself is informed of and is the norm and procedures of the hotel.  We will do our utmost best to ensure that your happy, as customer satisfaction is what we cater too."

 

So it sounds to me like she is going to go ahead and let us have the gazebo but will not allow us to have a private bartender which we wanted.  In the end, I guess there are worse things as we'll save around $500.  I guess we'll try to get some jugs of rum punch from the bartenders and bring beer from our mini fridges.  

That being said, this is extremely frustrating that this was not brought up sooner or documented anywhere!  I'm sure there are several other brides who are under the impression that they have this booked despite groups smaller than 25 people!  For those of you who do, I would suggest contacting Chandlyn and Donnalee ASAP to arrange that your reception not be cancelled!  

 

Good luck and thanks for letting me vent about all this!  

[ashley490]

Thanks for posting the response you received!  I'm going to email Chandlyn immediately to ensure that my reception not be cancelled.  I also have had the bartender booked from the very beginning of my planning and never was it mentioned that there was a minimum number of guests for the gazebo/private bartender.  Thanks again for sharing the info!  I'm so glad to hear about this now instead of once I get down to the resort.  This just solidifies my decision to print off ALL of my emails that I've sent/received from the wedding coordinators to bring them on the trip.

 

Originally Posted by BusyBee123 

So I managed to get a response in record time from Donnalee.  Please see below my email and her responses:  

 

"I am exceptionally concerned about your email from this morning.  We have had the gazebo confirmed for our reception since March 2011 and at no time

has it been mentioned that there is a minimum number of guests!  This is not documented in any of our previous emails in which I clearly documented that our group would be between 10-20 people! I also submitted all of our formal documents months ago, and this has never been brought up.  

The information with your request to have your after party dance at the Gazebo, has been noted in the system from the initial stage of your request. All guest privatizing the Gazebo has to have a minimum amount of 25 persons and upwards. We will still go ahead with the plan. I will inform the hotel Manager also. However, if you would like an open bar service, the minimum as to be from 25 persons and upwards. 

 

It is unfair that you would try to cancel our wedding reception at the gazebo less than two months away from our wedding.  As this has not been

mentioned previously, I expect that our reception will go on as stated in countless prior emails.

Given the small amount, we will go ahead as plan. Please note that the information given is the norm. All information given to all guest is the information both chandlyn and myself is informed of and is the norm and procedures of the hotel.  We will do our utmost best to ensure that your happy, as customer satisfaction is what we cater too."

 

So it sounds to me like she is going to go ahead and let us have the gazebo but will not allow us to have a private bartender which we wanted.  In the end, I guess there are worse things as we'll save around $500.  I guess we'll try to get some jugs of rum punch from the bartenders and bring beer from our mini fridges.  

That being said, this is extremely frustrating that this was not brought up sooner or documented anywhere!  I'm sure there are several other brides who are under the impression that they have this booked despite groups smaller than 25 people!  For those of you who do, I would suggest contacting Chandlyn and Donnalee ASAP to arrange that your reception not be cancelled!  

 

Good luck and thanks for letting me vent about all this!