Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[BusyBee123]

Ashley - No problem! I'm just glad that she mentioned it when she did, and not 48hrs prior to the wedding.  As stressful as it was today, it would have been a lot worse if I were already in Jamaica and being blindsided!

 

If they agree to let you have a bartender let me know!  As much as I don't mind saving the money, it would really be more convenient to have someone else show up with all of the booze and beverages rather than have to send our bridal party out to fetch things!  
 

Originally Posted by 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.

 

[AngelaFraser]

Hi everyone!
Just wondering what people were taking for centre pieces at the reception? I would like to bring something instead of paying a crazy amount when I get there, but have no idea where to start! Help!

[missmeliss]

Happy Travels and Happy Wedding FleetMac Bride! I will be joining you in Jamaica soon!!!!

[Dutchie600]

Yes!! Please let us know.. Im curious too and would be rather pissed off if this is the case!
 

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....

 

[LOKeefe]

Hi Ladies!

 

Our wedding day was November 15, 2011 and it was amazing! We had a group of 48 guests travel with us from Canada and everyone had a fantastic week! First of all, the majority of my guests were missing towels etc. from their rooms but after we let our representative know it was fixed quickly. The food was fantastic. Out of 48 guests...not one person left with a bad experience.

 

We met with Chandlyn (very sweet) the morning after our arrival. I gave her the few items that I had brought with me. She was very organized and had all of my information so I was not stressed at all. We were legally married so I had to give her the notarized documents. (I paid an extra $40 to get my documents faster...I believe she said one week and then she would ship to me. They regularly take 6-8 weeks).

 

We had a large bridal party...5 groomsmen and 6 bridesmaids. We all had our hair done at the salon. AWESOME! Tia Flora did my flowers...I absolutely loved them...a simple bunch of calla lillies! However, they only brought 5 bouquets instead of 6. We held off as long as we could for the other bouquet to be rushed to the resort but ended up starting the ceremony without it! Honestly, I was so excited that I didn't mind at all...I was even willing to pick a few out of my bouquet to share...LOL.

 

Our ceremony was at the gazebo at 2pm. It did rain the morning of the wedding and sprinkled a little on me as I was getting ready to walk down to the gazebo with my dad...but then the sun came out and the day was perfect. We had the steel drum band (AWESOME). It was like a dream...truely like a fairy tale. Apparently the minister called me Laura (instead of Lori) in the beginning...everyone caught that except for me...we added 2 reading and a sand ceremony which made it last a little longer

 

Our photographer was Misha Earle...I would recommend her 100%. Her work is amazing and I cannot wait to see my pictures. We did not rent out the restaurant but had our dinner at the Grill. They had a section for my wedding and I honestly don't remember noticing any other guests on the other side of the restaurant at all. I didn't purchase any center pieces or anything...it was simple and beautiful. They had flowers on the head table and a vase with simple white flowers on the rest. I did have favors on the tables for my guests. We chose the mix grill for our meal...beef, pork, chicken and baked potatoe. It was great! I paid $40 to add an extra layer to my cake. Delicious!!! A layer of chocolate, vanilla and coconut. There wasn't a piece left over. The AC was broken at the Grill so it was very warm. We did open the windows so it made it cooler. We weren't allowed to have a microphone in the restaurant with other guests so my dad brought me a microphone and speaker so we could all hear my MC. hehe

 

We rented the gazebo for the dance. I did rent the DJ and bar. The DJ was very late (luckily I had sky lanterns for my guests that we lit while we waited and noone noticed). Also, confirm that he can play your music. I confirmed that I had my songs for the wedding on an Ipod but he could not play it!! So, it would be wise to put your music on a CD for him. My dad is an electronic engineer so he wired something up and got it working for me in the end!! I did request that chairs were placed at the gazebo. All of my guests were able to sit around the edges while the dance floor was in the middle. I brought large paper lanterns that were hung for the dance and it was pretty!

 

The next day we did a trash the dress shoot that was soooo much fun!!! I previously let Chandlyn know what items I wanted returned and picked them up from her a few days later. I did however take my cake topper when I left the restaurant just to be sure . I also picked up what they call and "brides copy" of the wedding document. It is not legal but I guess its proof of the wedding. Donalee was a big part of our wedding day eventhough we did not work with her previously.

 

Wow....that was a lot. Not sure if I have covered everything but if you have any questions I would be happy to try and help!

 

Take Care,

 

Mrs. Vickers!!! hehe

 

We decided to go with a photo guestbook. My sister-in-law took everyone's pic at the ceremony with a polaroid camera and they were all able to fill out the page for the book during dinner. It was a great decision...the book is awesome and so funny!

[LOKeefe]

Hi Ladies!

 

Our wedding day was November 15, 2011 and it was amazing! We had a group of 48 guests travel with us from Canada and everyone had a fantastic week! First of all, the majority of my guests were missing towels etc. from their rooms but after we let our representative know it was fixed quickly. The food was fantastic. Out of 48 guests...not one person left with a bad experience.

 

We met with Chandlyn (very sweet) the morning after our arrival. I gave her the few items that I had brought with me. She was very organized and had all of my information so I was not stressed at all. We were legally married so I had to give her the notarized documents. (I paid an extra $40 to get my documents faster...I believe she said one week and then she would ship to me. They regularly take 6-8 weeks).

 

We had a large bridal party...5 groomsmen and 6 bridesmaids. We all had our hair done at the salon. AWESOME! Tia Flora did my flowers...I absolutely loved them...a simple bunch of calla lillies! However, they only brought 5 bouquets instead of 6. We held off as long as we could for the other bouquet to be rushed to the resort but ended up starting the ceremony without it! Honestly, I was so excited that I didn't mind at all...I was even willing to pick a few out of my bouquet to share...LOL.

 

Our ceremony was at the gazebo at 2pm. It did rain the morning of the wedding and sprinkled a little on me as I was getting ready to walk down to the gazebo with my dad...but then the sun came out and the day was perfect. We had the steel drum band (AWESOME). It was like a dream...truely like a fairy tale. Apparently the minister called me Laura (instead of Lori) in the beginning...everyone caught that except for me...we added 2 reading and a sand ceremony which made it last a little longer

 

Our photographer was Misha Earle...I would recommend her 100%. Her work is amazing and I cannot wait to see my pictures. We did not rent out the restaurant but had our dinner at the Grill. They had a section for my wedding and I honestly don't remember noticing any other guests on the other side of the restaurant at all. I didn't purchase any center pieces or anything...it was simple and beautiful. They had flowers on the head table and a vase with simple white flowers on the rest. I did have favors on the tables for my guests. We chose the mix grill for our meal...beef, pork, chicken and baked potatoe. It was great! I paid $40 to add an extra layer to my cake. Delicious!!! A layer of chocolate, vanilla and coconut. There wasn't a piece left over. The AC was broken at the Grill so it was very warm. We did open the windows so it made it cooler. We weren't allowed to have a microphone in the restaurant with other guests so my dad brought me a microphone and speaker so we could all hear my MC. hehe

 

We rented the gazebo for the dance. I did rent the DJ and bar. The DJ was very late (luckily I had sky lanterns for my guests that we lit while we waited and noone noticed). Also, confirm that he can play your music. I confirmed that I had my songs for the wedding on an Ipod but he could not play it!! So, it would be wise to put your music on a CD for him. My dad is an electronic engineer so he wired something up and got it working for me in the end!! I did request that chairs were placed at the gazebo. All of my guests were able to sit around the edges while the dance floor was in the middle. I brought large paper lanterns that were hung for the dance and it was pretty!

 

The next day we did a trash the dress shoot that was soooo much fun!!! I previously let Chandlyn know what items I wanted returned and picked them up from her a few days later. I did however take my cake topper when I left the restaurant just to be sure . I also picked up what they call and "brides copy" of the wedding document. It is not legal but I guess its proof of the wedding. Donalee was a big part of our wedding day eventhough we did not work with her previously.

 

Wow....that was a lot. Not sure if I have covered everything but if you have any questions I would be happy to try and help!

 

Take Care,

 

Mrs. Vickers!!! hehe

 

We decided to go with a photo guestbook. My sister-in-law took everyone's pic at the ceremony with a polaroid camera and they were all able to fill out the page for the book during dinner. It was a great decision...the book is awesome and so funny!

[exquisite02]

LOKeefe, Congratulations on becoming Mrs. Vickers! So glad you had an excellent time. I was just wondering about your sky lanterns.... You said you had no problems with them, that's great news! I was wondering where you bought them? I'm a Canadian bride too and I don't know where I can purchase them. Really hoping we can do the sky lanterns as well. Thank you for the info! And Congrats Again!

[LOKeefe]

Thank-you! I purchased bio degradable lanterns online... http://ads.justartifacts.net/landings/skylanterns/1.50dollar.htm?cp=skylan&ad=1.5d&kw=biodegradable%20lanterns&nw=sc

You can't light them if it is windy but we were so lucky...there was only a small breeze that evening and the lanterns were a big hit!! People are still talking about them!

 

Good Luck!

 

Originally Posted by exquisite02 

LOKeefe, Congratulations on becoming Mrs. Vickers! So glad you had an excellent time. I was just wondering about your sky lanterns.... You said you had no problems with them, that's great news! I was wondering where you bought them? I'm a Canadian bride too and I don't know where I can purchase them. Really hoping we can do the sky lanterns as well. Thank you for the info! And Congrats Again!

 

[PoshAms]

Hey Mrs Vickers!

 

I remember seeing your laterns as we sat on our balcony drinking champers!! I remember saying how beautiful the laterns were.

 

I may have seen you around the resort. I was the bridezilla storming around with my Blackberry and bright pink bride bag haha. I was in such a blur because of all the terrible things that happened to us at the resort, so I probably looked like a moody so-and-so!

 

I will write a full review once we have had an official report back from the resort. For all future brides, do not be alarmed- your ceremony will be perfect and you will have a fab time. Just ensure that you have everything promised to you in writing.

 

Back hopefully early next week with the full run down.

 

Congrats to all the new brides!

 

Mrs Aziz!!xx

 

Originally Posted by LOKeefe 

Hi Ladies!

 

Our wedding day was November 15, 2011 and it was amazing! We had a group of 48 guests travel with us from Canada and everyone had a fantastic week! First of all, the majority of my guests were missing towels etc. from their rooms but after we let our representative know it was fixed quickly. The food was fantastic. Out of 48 guests...not one person left with a bad experience.

 

We met with Chandlyn (very sweet) the morning after our arrival. I gave her the few items that I had brought with me. She was very organized and had all of my information so I was not stressed at all. We were legally married so I had to give her the notarized documents. (I paid an extra $40 to get my documents faster...I believe she said one week and then she would ship to me. They regularly take 6-8 weeks).

 

We had a large bridal party...5 groomsmen and 6 bridesmaids. We all had our hair done at the salon. AWESOME! Tia Flora did my flowers...I absolutely loved them...a simple bunch of calla lillies! However, they only brought 5 bouquets instead of 6. We held off as long as we could for the other bouquet to be rushed to the resort but ended up starting the ceremony without it! Honestly, I was so excited that I didn't mind at all...I was even willing to pick a few out of my bouquet to share...LOL.

 

Our ceremony was at the gazebo at 2pm. It did rain the morning of the wedding and sprinkled a little on me as I was getting ready to walk down to the gazebo with my dad...but then the sun came out and the day was perfect. We had the steel drum band (AWESOME). It was like a dream...truely like a fairy tale. Apparently the minister called me Laura (instead of Lori) in the beginning...everyone caught that except for me...we added 2 reading and a sand ceremony which made it last a little longer

 

Our photographer was Misha Earle...I would recommend her 100%. Her work is amazing and I cannot wait to see my pictures. We did not rent out the restaurant but had our dinner at the Grill. They had a section for my wedding and I honestly don't remember noticing any other guests on the other side of the restaurant at all. I didn't purchase any center pieces or anything...it was simple and beautiful. They had flowers on the head table and a vase with simple white flowers on the rest. I did have favors on the tables for my guests. We chose the mix grill for our meal...beef, pork, chicken and baked potatoe. It was great! I paid $40 to add an extra layer to my cake. Delicious!!! A layer of chocolate, vanilla and coconut. There wasn't a piece left over. The AC was broken at the Grill so it was very warm. We did open the windows so it made it cooler. We weren't allowed to have a microphone in the restaurant with other guests so my dad brought me a microphone and speaker so we could all hear my MC. hehe

 

We rented the gazebo for the dance. I did rent the DJ and bar. The DJ was very late (luckily I had sky lanterns for my guests that we lit while we waited and noone noticed). Also, confirm that he can play your music. I confirmed that I had my songs for the wedding on an Ipod but he could not play it!! So, it would be wise to put your music on a CD for him. My dad is an electronic engineer so he wired something up and got it working for me in the end!! I did request that chairs were placed at the gazebo. All of my guests were able to sit around the edges while the dance floor was in the middle. I brought large paper lanterns that were hung for the dance and it was pretty!

 

The next day we did a trash the dress shoot that was soooo much fun!!! I previously let Chandlyn know what items I wanted returned and picked them up from her a few days later. I did however take my cake topper when I left the restaurant just to be sure . I also picked up what they call and "brides copy" of the wedding document. It is not legal but I guess its proof of the wedding. Donalee was a big part of our wedding day eventhough we did not work with her previously.

 

Wow....that was a lot. Not sure if I have covered everything but if you have any questions I would be happy to try and help!

 

Take Care,

 

Mrs. Vickers!!! hehe

 

We decided to go with a photo guestbook. My sister-in-law took everyone's pic at the ceremony with a polaroid camera and they were all able to fill out the page for the book during dinner. It was a great decision...the book is awesome and so funny!

 

[PoshAms]

While I prepare the final review, I'd like to give a quick run down of a few amazing people/experiences we had:

 

Spa

The ladies working here are absolutely FANTASTIC! I decided at late notice to not risk doing my hair myself. My hair is an absolute pain to manage in the heat, so I thought it best to book in with the salon for a trial- it's free so nothing to lose. I was overwhelmed by the job Audrey did on my hair! I had no pictures, and I'm not very good at describing how I like my hair so I thought it would be hard to convey what I needed. Audrey worked with the vague description I gave to produce an amazing hairstyle. I intended (I will come back to the veil saga in my full review) on wearing a full-on, 119" cathedral veil, so was looking for something simple- half back, half down, hippy like, loose waves/curls. Audrey worked on my hair for over an hour and produced something so intricate, yet simple that I cried!! I was so thankful for her hard work! In the UK, trials are usually very expensive and usually don't turn out as planned in my experience. The trial was just perfect.

 

The following day- wedding day- Audrey had to adapt my hairstyle due to the disappearance of my veil. She worked hard to change my style, and even worked in some beautiful, fresh flowers to add to my "hippy" image. It was just perfect! The spray they use is AMAZING! My hair stayed in place all afternoon through the heat, drizzle and sweaty dancing haha.

 

 

Flowers

We got our flowers from Jan's Bridal. I'm not your conventional bride, so I had no idea what flowers I'd like. I left things up to Jan, offering very little guidance apart from wanting pink and purple for the bridesmaids and centrepieces. Jan did such a fantastic job. When the flowers arrived I cried like a baby. Here are a few images: