Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[LOKeefe]

Thank-you! Congrats to you! Your pics are beautiful. I actually remember seeing you at the salon!! You told me how good the hair spray was..lol...and oh it was great!
 

Originally Posted by 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

 

 

 

[LOKeefe]

and Congrats to you as well!! It was truely amazing. I will never forget how happy I was on my wedding day!
 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

Congrats! happy it all went well. you get a different perspective on this site now that you've been through it! isn't it just amazing! your review is great!

 

 

 

[greatbritain]

I'm so confused by the seemingly constant changing policies they have. They told me that I couldn't request to reserve the gazebo until closer to the date. Was this everyone else's experience as well? I'm so glad this message board exists and everyone shares stuff because it is SO helpful! Imagine if you were experiencing all this on your own. Stressful!!
 

Originally Posted by 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!  
 

 

 

[greatbritain]

Congrats! She's beautiful!!
 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

totally off topic ladies... but I just have to do this. we just got our most amazing wedding gift. I have't had time to put it here until now... but here is our brand new granddaughter Madisson who arrived just after our AHR... an early surprise since she wasn't due until yesterday.  sorry - I know this isn't a baby site but this little one is the reason one of our kids was missing from our reception so she really is a gift! the pic doesn't do her justice... she really is gorgeous!

 

 

[ashley490]

My wedding isn't until January 2012 and I was able to reserve the gazebo back in February 2011.  I had no problems booking the gazebo at that time however, I believe I booked it through Beverly when she was still there which may have made the difference. 

 

I too am very frustrated by their constantly changing policies.  It seems as though everyone gets a different answer for every little thing.  It also seems that this resort is becoming more sticky on some of their policies (i.e. needing 25 guests in order to book the gazebo).  I am so thankful for this message board!  It helps me keep my sanity

 

Originally Posted by greatbritain 

I'm so confused by the seemingly constant changing policies they have. They told me that I couldn't request to reserve the gazebo until closer to the date. Was this everyone else's experience as well? I'm so glad this message board exists and everyone shares stuff because it is SO helpful! Imagine if you were experiencing all this on your own. Stressful!!
 

 

 

[greatbritain]

Congrats and thank you so much for the review!! It sounds like you  had a great time. So if you marry prior to arriving you just need to bring notarized copy of your marriage license? Do you also still need to bring notarized copies of your birth certificate as well?

 

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!

 

 

[greatbritain]

Hmm, well I will shoot them an email tonight and also just shoot them an email to check in and see. I am not getting married until June but I am trying to "keep in touch" so that nothing gets messed up in the interim period prior! Thanks for responding

 

Originally Posted by ashley490 

My wedding isn't until January 2012 and I was able to reserve the gazebo back in February 2011.  I had no problems booking the gazebo at that time however, I believe I booked it through Beverly when she was still there which may have made the difference. 

 

I too am very frustrated by their constantly changing policies.  It seems as though everyone gets a different answer for every little thing.  It also seems that this resort is becoming more sticky on some of their policies (i.e. needing 25 guests in order to book the gazebo).  I am so thankful for this message board!  It helps me keep my sanity

 

 

 

[JayKay]

Congrats!  She is adorable!

 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

totally off topic ladies... but I just have to do this. we just got our most amazing wedding gift. I have't had time to put it here until now... but here is our brand new granddaughter Madisson who arrived just after our AHR... an early surprise since she wasn't due until yesterday.  sorry - I know this isn't a baby site but this little one is the reason one of our kids was missing from our reception so she really is a gift! the pic doesn't do her justice... she really is gorgeous!

 

 

[BusyBee123]

Hey...to address the whole gazebo issue.  When I first contacted the resort prior to booking my official wedding date, I inquired about the gazebo.  I was told that I could not book it in advance either and that they would only confirm it 48hrs prior to the wedding.  The gazebo was really important to me, so I said that if I could not confirm it, that I would have to look at other resorts that could guarantee that option.  I just didn't want to arrive, then be told it was already booked.  So long story short, they confirmed it for me...and did NOT tell me that there was a minimum number EVER!  

 

Following several emails over the last few days, the WCs have said that if I "insist" on having the gazebo for my reception, despite being < 25 people, that they will plan to go ahead but will contact the resort manager to advise.  I'm not sure if this manager has the power to tell me I can't have the reception, so who knows.  As of now I'm planning on having it still, but they have told me that irregardless of all of it, I cannot hire the bartender. I'm just praying that 48hrs before the wedding they don't tell me its impossible.  Have you ladies contacted them about this issue as well?  I'm interested to hear what they tell you.  So please keep me up to date too!

 

Originally Posted by greatbritain 

I'm so confused by the seemingly constant changing policies they have. They told me that I couldn't request to reserve the gazebo until closer to the date. Was this everyone else's experience as well? I'm so glad this message board exists and everyone shares stuff because it is SO helpful! Imagine if you were experiencing all this on your own. Stressful!!

 

Originally Posted by ashley490 

My wedding isn't until January 2012 and I was able to reserve the gazebo back in February 2011.  I had no problems booking the gazebo at that time however, I believe I booked it through Beverly when she was still there which may have made the difference. 

 

I too am very frustrated by their constantly changing policies.  It seems as though everyone gets a different answer for every little thing.  It also seems that this resort is becoming more sticky on some of their policies (i.e. needing 25 guests in order to book the gazebo).  I am so thankful for this message board!  It helps me keep my sanity

 

[monarch]

Hey Ladies,

 

This is totally off topic but I need help with the menu thing. 

 

Do all of the guests need to eat the same choices?  Could any of you newly married ladies tell me if you particularly liked a dish at the restaurant or if really didn't like something in particular?  I still have to choose between the Italian restaurant and the Grill.

 

Thanks for your help!