Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[jenner29]

It definitely helps...I did receive a list of the package prices from him.  I supposed I'm just really nervous using him without knowing or hearing from anyone that has actually used him in the past.  Have you heard of any brides using him in the past, or seen any of his actual pictures, other than on his website?

[FleetMac bride]

Thanks so much Ismith that is good to know that cake was good and they are not charging for the chair cover's. As I was filling the form out I was trying to estimate how much it would cost for the sashes and the cover's for my guests now I know.

-I also am going with the free package so good to know there is no deposit

- Glad to know about the minster fee's and how to pay him

-Now that I know the chicken was good I am going with the chicken, salad, ravioli pasta, and tirmaisu thanks for your answers I smith I really do appreciate your answers.

 

Thanks

 

Originally Posted by lsmith211 

I can't answer everything, but I'll share what I know.....  I didn't have to fill out all that stuff when I booked, and all those details were confirmed when I met with Chandlyn...

- i had vanilla raspberry cake - it is vanilla cake with raspberries in the filling between layers - it was really good

- not sure about the color - I wasn't given the option, my cake was just white

- didn't get the guestbook, sorry

- i had the free package and brought my own sashes.  Chandlyn didn't charge me for the chair covers, and I had 52 guests

- when I booked, you only had to pay a deposit on the package, and not on the number of additional guests/extras that were added.  Because I had the free package I didn't have to pay a deposit

- we were told we could pay the whole thing on credit card including the minister fees, but since I brought cash for this just in case, I just paid for the minister with cash

- we ate at the dolce vita - had ceasar salad (delicious!), tomato basil soup (just ok), stuffed chicken (I thought it was good, but lots of guests thought it was great).  The portions seemed small, but there were so many courses that everyone ended up full.  They didn't give the option for seconds

 

 

 

[FleetMac bride]

I got an email from the assistant Donnalee two days ago asking me to send those forms and my birth certifcate info so that's why I thought I was down to the wire LOL. I guess I don't have to be in that big of a rush tee hee. Sometimes 7 months seems so far away especially if you have been with your FI for 10 years LOL it's like hurry up already.

 

Smart idea to buy or bring something for the top of the cake if their that plain.

 

So I still don't have the complete final numbers as some of my guests may be waiting last minute to book which is annoying when planning favours or fans for the ceremony but so far I have 17. So I definately will be getting the sashes
 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

please don't say "down to the wire"... my wedding is a week before yours and I'm still thinking I have almost 7 mths still to go and is there something else I need to do??  I wasn't going to fill in that form until like maybe August...

 

I'm just going to go with their sashes and I'm close on the free at 16 (I think) so covers are free and sashes at about $35... I'm fine with that.

 

I was told cake could only be white. No colour added.  I wanted to do fresh flowers for the top to try and give it some colour.  I've looked at tops and they're all plain so it's too much white.  We were going to stay with white cake though only because we know we have people with berry allergies so not taking any chances.

 

 

 

[FleetMac bride]

Thanks TM so glad to know the procedure for how to pay for the wedding now. Good thinking about the walnuts I don't think anyone has a nut allergy but will ask my guests first.
Appreciate your answers I don't know what I would do with out this forum it is so awesome.

Originally Posted by TMwedding2011 

I just got married there. I have a few answers. They do not charge for chair covers anymore, just sashes cost extra.

I paid for my free wedding by credit card, the cost is all adjusted before the wedding and nothing was charged to my credit card until after the wedding and i had to sign off on it.  The minister did not take any money, all paid through chandlyn. The ceremony fees are now $200.  Dolce Vita- We had chicken caesar salad, cream of tomato soup,   chicken with risotta as our main course, tiramisu for dessert , beware of the chicken with risotta because it states there are walnuts in it but  if anyone has a peanut allergy be careful, my mom had an allergic reaction and she is allergic to peanuts. They did substitute a vegetarian menu for our one vegan friend.  I have no idea about seconds but i was stuffed because i ate everything plus wedding cake and so was my FI.
 

 

 

[mekanabr]

Natalie - Are you a 2012 bride?  If so, the prices are much cheaper for the packages than what you have.  The highest package price is now only $800.  But if you are a 2011 bride, then I would just go with the free package if you don't think you need everything and just add on stuff that you would need...that's what we are doing and it is saving us a ton of money.  We originally were going to go with the Blissful love package too but realized it was so much stuff that wasn't important that we were paying a ton of extra money for.

 

Originally Posted by Natalie2012 

Hey Ladies,

What is this Free wedding package I see many of you choosing? I am  supposed to fill out my forms this week and pick a wedding package...The packages range from $700-1900...There is a lot we don't need from these packages...or are they worth getting? I was thinking of getting the blissful love? Thanks:)

 

[acw271011]

hey - that's who we've booked for our wedding in November.  If you backtrack through this site, there are recommendations somewhere because I remember reading them.  he has just redone his website - go take a look. www.merrickcousley.com his pics look wonderful. unless you have a fantastic deal to take someone down there, we just have not found that it's worth it so I went looking for a local.  I've communicated with Merrick several times and I like how he sounds. plus you have him for the whole day and his rates are great!!  I would definitely say take him and I haven't even had any picks done yet lol

 

Originally Posted by jenner29 

I really need someone's help...My FI and I are getting married at the Gran Bahia Principe in February 2012, and I am really trying hard to make some decisions here.  I'm hoping there are some brides on here that have used the Photographer by the name of Merrick Cousley.  I am trying to decide on whether or not to bring someone from home, or use him.  Or should we just use the photographer included with the packages...If there are any brides that have used Mr. Cousley...can they post some pics that he took?

 

[Natalie2012]

Hey...thank you so much for the reply:) I am a 2012 bride...however my TA sent me the 4 wedding packages from the Bahia and we are to choose one. The cheapest package is $1100 the most being $1900...We really don't need everything on these packages...I would love the option of paying for what I needed if it was to be chaeper and what I actually need...Maybe I should email the wedding co-ordinator?

Originally Posted by mekanabr 

Natalie - Are you a 2012 bride?  If so, the prices are much cheaper for the packages than what you have.  The highest package price is now only $800.  But if you are a 2011 bride, then I would just go with the free package if you don't think you need everything and just add on stuff that you would need...that's what we are doing and it is saving us a ton of money.  We originally were going to go with the Blissful love package too but realized it was so much stuff that wasn't important that we were paying a ton of extra money for.

 

 

 

[mekanabr]

No problem!  I would definitely email the wedding coordinator.  I don't have the packages but I'm sure a 2012 bride on here can post them for you - or they might be posted a few pgs back.  I just know they are half the price they used to be, so now the most expensive is $800 which includes ministers fees, whereas the 'free' package is actually $200 + tax bc you have to pay for the minister.  With the cheaper prices it depends on the size of your group to see what is a better value is bc of the additional fee per person at dinner - (hopefully that makes sense)  Good luck!

Originally Posted by Natalie2012 

Hey...thank you so much for the reply:) I am a 2012 bride...however my TA sent me the 4 wedding packages from the Bahia and we are to choose one. The cheapest package is $1100 the most being $1900...We really don't need everything on these packages...I would love the option of paying for what I needed if it was to be chaeper and what I actually need...Maybe I should email the wedding co-ordinator?

 

 

[TMwedding2011]

Just email  Chandlyn, book your wedding date and time and she will tell you whether you are eligible....  her email is.... [email protected]
 She will email the forms and the forms explain each package  You select the package on these forms and all of your other preferences,  I do not have the list of packages, I know for the free pkg it is 16 people and they charge for each additional person and then 5 free photos, champagne in your room, breakfast in bed the next day, free bouquet and boutinnaire for bride and groom.  I would review the package, you will choose based on the amount of guests and your preferences.  Best of luck !

 

Originally Posted by Natalie2012 

Wow $500.00 sure sounds better that the $700-1300 wedding packages I am supposed to choose from...how do I go about inquiring about this free wedding? Were you given this option when you booked? What is included with the free package? Sorry about all the questoions and thanks so much for your help! Greatly appreciated!

 

 

[Natalie2012]

Thank you for the info:)
 

Originally Posted by TMwedding2011 

Just email  Chandlyn, book your wedding date and time and she will tell you whether you are eligible....  her email is.... [email protected]
 She will email the forms and the forms explain each package  You select the package on these forms and all of your other preferences,  I do not have the list of packages, I know for the free pkg it is 16 people and they charge for each additional person and then 5 free photos, champagne in your room, breakfast in bed the next day, free bouquet and boutinnaire for bride and groom.  I would review the package, you will choose based on the amount of guests and your preferences.  Best of luck !