Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[shimmer1614]

Hi Ladies, 

 

I was just married there in January so I thought i would try to answer some of your questions!

 

    DandM2013 we got the $700 package as well so we paid the 25% deposit on that by sending a copy of our credit card information. The chair covers and bows were an expense which we paid for when we got there. HOWEVER, one thing we did not know was that the chair covers and bows were from an outside vendor and had to be paid in cash! We had planned to just put the rest of our wedding expenses on a credit card when we were down there but had to come up with a couple hundred $$ cash to pay for this! - something good to know ahead of time!

 

 Kristo my bridesmaids and i used the spa to get our hair done. THey did an amazing job! Some of my friends brought pictures, I didn't. I just explained what i wanted and it was perfect! I believe the bridesmaids we $80 and mine was $95 which was pretty expensive. In 2011 the prices were only $65 so i wasn't impressed that they jumped. But at the time, i didn't even care, they did such a good job! And its EXTREMELY windy at the gazebo, and our hair-dos didn't even move!! They've got some magic hairspray!! 

 

 

Any other questions just let me know, I'm happy to help!

 

[tamandrob]

I didn't get anything notarized and they never asked me about it or said I had to.

[DandM2013]

Thanks Shimmer1614 for clarifying!  I will make sure to keep that in mind. 

 

What was everyone's opinion on Tai flora?  Did you get any flowers, centre pieces etc.  how was the price and were the flowers what you expected?

 

Anyone know what happens if the weather is not cooperating that day ( fingers crossed for all of us that it does!!!) but in case it doesnt, do they have an indoor setting?

 

[JayKay]

I asked about the indoor option and she told me in the last year there was only 2 or 3 weddings they had to move indoors due to weather.  I was told mostly they just postpone your ceremony by a half hour and the weather clears up.  I also know some brides who got married in the rain as it started raining once their ceremony started.  They do have an indoor setting they use if necessary which is the conference room.  I never actually went in it, only walked by the entrace a few times so I don't know what it even looks like.

 

Originally Posted by DandM2013 

Thanks Shimmer1614 for clarifying!  I will make sure to keep that in mind. 

 

What was everyone's opinion on Tai flora?  Did you get any flowers, centre pieces etc.  how was the price and were the flowers what you expected?

 

Anyone know what happens if the weather is not cooperating that day ( fingers crossed for all of us that it does!!!) but in case it doesnt, do they have an indoor setting?

 

 

[Lianne1980]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm getting married at this hotel in December this year.  We cannot wait !!!

I was hoping for a bit of info from you all.  I've read nearly all the posts on here, and I'm still a bit unsure about things, if that is at all possible as there is a LOT of helpful info on here, much more than I have received from the Hotel itself.

 

We still haven't chose a wedding package, and was hoping for your expert advice.  The one that stands out the most in the 'unforgettable' package at 850 USD.  Are the marriage/minister fees included in the wedding package prices does anyone know ??

 

The gazebo looks gorgeous, as does the beach ceremony, so we are also undecided on where to hold ceremony.  We get married at 4pm on 20th December, so were a bit unsure about what the weather would be like, and were waiting for a rough idea before we choose our venue for the ceremony.  Do you think 4pm is a good time??  Was a bit tempted to see if we can change it to 3pm.

 

Would anybody recommend hiring the Pisces for reception dinner ??  Originally we just wanted a beach BBQ/Party, the hotel have said they can accommodate this, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

 

Since reading on here I am tempted to ask about the Gazebo now, as it seems like a really sweet idea for the night reception disco.  Am i right in thinking it is the same gazebo as you marry in ??

 

Can anyone recommend any florists other than Tia.  I'm sure I seen someone mention on here flowers by Jan, but I can't seem to find that post again or anymore info on it.

 

Also, can anyone suggest any good photographers local to the hotel at reasonable rates ??

 

And maybe a daft question, but how ugly exactly are the chairs for the wedding ceremony ??  Do they really need the chair cover ??  I've seen in a few bridal photos (not for this hotel) that the chairs at the gazebo's and beach, were lovely wooden white folding A chairs, and they looked really pretty with a posy of flowers hung over the back support.

 

Sorry to jump from topic to topic, I have a million of questions, and my mind keeps wandering...

 

Has anyone got any good reviews for the steel drums ??  We like the idea of me walking down the aisle to one of our fave bits of music.  The music from the film True Romance, its called the beach song, its by Hans Zimmer.  it means so much to us both, it is my all time favourite film and it was the film my partner proposed to me through.  Don't know if anyone has seen it, but there is a point in the movie, where she scribbles on a napkin 'you're so cool'.  My partner edited that bit of the movie to read Lianne will you marry me ??  I loved it soooo much !!!!

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated.  We are in touch with Chandlyn and Donnalee at the hotel, and even though the language is English, i feel like a lot of info that I need is not given, or given but not in a clear way, so I'm always left unsure to be honest.

 

Many thanks

 

Lianne  xx

 

 

[JayKay]

Ill try to answer what I can.

As to wedding packages we choose the free package as in the end it was cheaper then the other packages.  If you are having a large number of guests it may be worth paying for a wedding package.  I would say though work out the extra costs of going with the free package and compare it to the price of the package you are considering.

 

I think either location would be beautiful.  We chose this resort specifically because of the gazebo so we never even considered getting married on the beach.  It is really windy down there so just know that.

 

We used Merrick Cousley for our photographer and we are extremely happy with our photos.  His price was great and he was so easy to work with.  I definetly recommend him.

 

The chairs without the covers are ugly.  They are navy blue with gold.  Here is a picture from our wedding that you can see what the chairs look like un covered. There is a guy sitting on the far right of the photo who is sitting in a chair that is uncovered.

 

 

 

Hope that helps you out!!

 

 

 

[Kristo]

Hey so Donnnalee told me the chair covers don't cost any extra. I don't know if this is because of the wedding package we chose (Unforgettable) or if they include it now for free. The only thing that will cost you money is the chair sashes. We are bringing our own so we are set. And I sent off our notarized birth certificates WITHOUT notarized copies of our id's or a deposit (even though we are doing the unforgettable package) and told Donnalee to let me know if there was anything else she needed. She got back to me and didn't mention anything about the id's or deposit. Just told me she put them in our file. These people seem all over the place with what they require. I'm trying not to stress about it though.

[Alpha]

Anyone know what happens if we book the "Sunshine" package ($400/24 guests) and we have fewer than 24 guests?

[ashley490]

Hi Lianne,

 

I'll try answering what I can and hopefully you'll find it helpful.

 

I got married at 4pm this past January and found we were a little tight on time for after ceremony photos.  I would highly recommend switching your time to 3pm so that you won't feel so rushed losing light with the setting sun.

 

There isn't a whole lot of difference if you get married in the gazebo vs getting married on the beach.  The best way I can describe the wedding area is a T-shape with the gazebo being right in the middle where the two lines intersect.  If you choose to get married on the beach they just move you over to the top far right side of the "T".  I prefered the gazebo because it provided a little bit of shade from the sun so we weren't squinting in pictures of the ceremony.

 

Yes, the gazebo for the night reception disco is the same gazebo you'd get married in.

 

I used Tai Flora for my flowers so I can't comment on any other florists, though I have read that some other brides have used Jan's Floral http://jansflowersjamaica.com/ and were pleased with their service.

 

For photography we used Sungold - Paula & Damian.  They are the owners of the company so they were a lot more expensive than their associates.  I would highly recommend their associate Clayton.  He joined Paula & Damian for our wedding and did all the lighting for our photos.  He was very pleasant and professional.  Some of his work can be viewed here http://wpajamaica.com/  I do however caution you that it seems the resort has recently changed their policy and now charge an $800 vendors fee for bringing any outside photographers onto the property.  Perhaps it can be arranged through your photographer for them to book a room at the hotel and attend your wedding as a "guest".  I think this way would only end up costing around $250 for the room as opposed to the $800 vendor's fee.

 

As someone else already answered, the chairs are very ugly without chair covers.  Navy blue with gold.  Definitely get the chair covers.

 

We really enjoyed the steel drum band and would recommend them.

 

Hope that helps you out
 

Originally Posted by Lianne1980 

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm getting married at this hotel in December this year.  We cannot wait !!!

I was hoping for a bit of info from you all.  I've read nearly all the posts on here, and I'm still a bit unsure about things, if that is at all possible as there is a LOT of helpful info on here, much more than I have received from the Hotel itself.

 

We still haven't chose a wedding package, and was hoping for your expert advice.  The one that stands out the most in the 'unforgettable' package at 850 USD.  Are the marriage/minister fees included in the wedding package prices does anyone know ??

 

The gazebo looks gorgeous, as does the beach ceremony, so we are also undecided on where to hold ceremony.  We get married at 4pm on 20th December, so were a bit unsure about what the weather would be like, and were waiting for a rough idea before we choose our venue for the ceremony.  Do you think 4pm is a good time??  Was a bit tempted to see if we can change it to 3pm.

 

Would anybody recommend hiring the Pisces for reception dinner ??  Originally we just wanted a beach BBQ/Party, the hotel have said they can accommodate this, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

 

Since reading on here I am tempted to ask about the Gazebo now, as it seems like a really sweet idea for the night reception disco.  Am i right in thinking it is the same gazebo as you marry in ??

 

Can anyone recommend any florists other than Tia.  I'm sure I seen someone mention on here flowers by Jan, but I can't seem to find that post again or anymore info on it.

 

Also, can anyone suggest any good photographers local to the hotel at reasonable rates ??

 

And maybe a daft question, but how ugly exactly are the chairs for the wedding ceremony ??  Do they really need the chair cover ??  I've seen in a few bridal photos (not for this hotel) that the chairs at the gazebo's and beach, were lovely wooden white folding A chairs, and they looked really pretty with a posy of flowers hung over the back support.

 

Sorry to jump from topic to topic, I have a million of questions, and my mind keeps wandering...

 

Has anyone got any good reviews for the steel drums ??  We like the idea of me walking down the aisle to one of our fave bits of music.  The music from the film True Romance, its called the beach song, its by Hans Zimmer.  it means so much to us both, it is my all time favourite film and it was the film my partner proposed to me through.  Don't know if anyone has seen it, but there is a point in the movie, where she scribbles on a napkin 'you're so cool'.  My partner edited that bit of the movie to read Lianne will you marry me ??  I loved it soooo much !!!!

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated.  We are in touch with Chandlyn and Donnalee at the hotel, and even though the language is English, i feel like a lot of info that I need is not given, or given but not in a clear way, so I'm always left unsure to be honest.

 

Many thanks

 

Lianne  xx

 

 

 

[Stay cee1]

Hello Brides and Brides-to-be...

I am also planning to use the resort spa for myself, the MOH, and 2 BM's.  I'm sure someone has answered this question already, but please let me know the cost.

 

I have booked the Gazebo for 4pm ceremony, sent out the Save the Dates, and now just waiting for the TA to work her magic. I am flying out of Toronto, so I am hoping I get some good group rates.  I have approximately 40 guests that are waiting to book.