Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[JayKay]

 I was married at this resort in January.  I can tell you that we did write our own ceremony and he basically said it word for word.  There were a few sentences that were mandatory that he had to add, but I was fine with that.

 

Also, have you looked at getting the free wedding package.  That way you dont have to pay anything for it, especially if its just you and .your fiance with no guests.

Originally Posted by MrsCtobe 

Hi Ladies,

 

I am getting married at this resort in May 2013,and really can't wait.

 

Me & H2B are eloping to get married, am looking forward to out little 'secret' wedding.

 

I have so far come across 2 cliches,which i wasn't informed of at the time of booking.

 

1) If we want to organise our own photographer,we will be charged US$800 by the hotel for the privilege.

 &

2} I want to book Rashel Edwards for Hair & makeup,but the hotel now advises me that a US$75 day pass will be required for her.

 

Considering we are not making use of the full package we have paid for ie bottles of champagne for upto 25 guests,meal for upto 25 guests,i feel these charges are a bit of a cheek.

I have heard mixed reviews on the resort photographer,but just can't warrant paying extra$800 ontop of quite expensive photographers fees.

 

On a different note, have any of you ladies written/used your own wedding vows in the ceremony?If so.do they have to include any mandatory wording,or is the legal part left down to the minister.

 

Thanks

Anna x

[MrsCtobe]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I will definately look into using our own vows,i like the idea of that!!!

 

We don't qualify for the free wedding,as to qualify a minimum amount of rooms have to be booked,and as it 's only us 2,we have to pay.

 

Think our 'keep it minimal' is going out of the window lol.

[MrsCtobe]

If there are any brides getting married here on 30th May or 1st June-i have found a photographer who is available,she will become guests at the hotel,therefore we shouldnt have to pay $800.

Let me know if anyone interested,Thanks.

[SarahJ]

KDaly - Yes it is so exciting...I still can't get my head around it just yet - I think its because all I have to do is sit back and wait for next April whereas I feel I should be panicking and getting stressed etc which I certainly would be if we were getting married in the UK ( - I think us ladies have definitely got the right idea doing it abroad and I just hope the GBP Runaway Bay is as amazing as other brides have said it to be. My hubby to be and me together with some of our wedding party will be arriving at the resort on April 20th with the rest of our wedding party guests joining us on the 24th  your wedding day   How about you ? Where are you travelling from ? Have you found out what time your ceremony is yet? Ours is at 2pm so plenty of time to laze around the pool for a couple of hours in the morning before getting ready!

[SarahJ]

MrsCtobe - my hubby to be and me also thought getting married abroad would keep the cost to a minimal but you kind of get carried away in the excitement of it all. Many congratulations to you both - I hope you manage to sort it all out and have a fab time   with regard to the photographer you found when you say she is going to be a guest at the hotel does she expect you to pay for her room or does she pay that herself and are her charges reasonable ? I didnt know this could be an option and thought because of the charge of USD800 we had no choice but to use the resort photographer! Thanks SJ.

[SarahJ]

Hi Shista...with regard to hidden charges I dont know much only what i've read on the forum but you have to consider things such as chair ties are charged additionally, tips for the wedding planner(s),the DJ, your hair and makeup if havin it done at the resort salon, unless you book the golden package you have to pay for an in-room safe if you wat one and if you take a photographer from outside the resort the hotel will charge you USD800 to allow them onto the site so you will either need to use the resort photographer or find an outside photographer who is prepared to book themselves into the hotel for a couple of days unless you ask one of your guests to do the photography.  Depends on how much you want to spend really.  With regard to the premium branded drinks this usually means that all spirits such as vodka, rum, whiskey etc will not be what you have back home as in Smirnoff, Jamiesons etc it will be "house" vodka and whisky etc...when you say "mixed drinks" I assume you mean Vodka and Coke etc ? if so you should still be able to get these but like I said earlier it wont be Smirnoff Vodka. Hope this helps. SJ

[shista311]

SarahJ...thanks for responding to me! That does help! as long as we can still get a daiquiri or something we are happy! After all after you have so much in you it starts to taste the same! We are planning on getting married within the first 2 weeks of June 2013! We are gonna figure out our date this coming week and book it. I hope everything turns out well for everyone and for myself I try to take resort reviews with a grain assault. My fiance and I are planning to have the private reception, I think we are having 30 something guest come with us.  I think we might just use the photographer that comes with the package but see if we can get more pictures. Anyone having the steel drums for the actual wedding? Or know anything about the DJ that's included with the private reception? I do have to say the wedding planner is great at returning emails to me, that is part of what made us really consider this resort because many places I emailed took a week to 3 weeks to get back to me! Talk to ya soon!

[SarahJ]

I would have thought that cocktails will be available...it is the Caribbean after all...home of the cocktail!! :-) we are having the steel drum band for the wedding! I'm so excited about the whole experience :-) I just pray we get good weather because I know that April is rainy season in Jamaica! I'm sure if you do decide to choose GBP for your wedding, you won't be disappointed! I have a friend that has been there on holiday and that was when it first opened and he says it's one if the nicest hotels his stayed at and his been to loads so fingers crossed it turns out to be really special for all us GBP, runaway bay, brides to be! :-)

[FutureKeese22]

Hello! I am a June 22, 2013 bride at the GBP in Jamaica! I am so excited! :-) We booked the steel drum band for our ceremony (I think they play for an hour) I think they are going to play as I walk down the aisle, when we walk out and afterwards when everyone is enjoying the champagne they provide. We also booked the DJ and the bartender on the beach at the gazebo after dinner. Less than 11 months to go! I can't wait! I emailed the wedding planner a few days ago with a bunch of questions and haven't heard back yet, but maybe she is busy! :-) Happy planning!

[SarahJ]

Congratulations!! ) It will be here before we know it...i'm sure the closer it gets the more nervous i'll get! ( At the moment it doesn't really feel real...Have you already booked the steel band? Chaudlyn (our wedding planner) told me that I can book this when we arrive at the resort...do you think perhaps I should book in advance just to make sure? We get the DJ for an hour included in our wedding package so i'm not sure how to work it so that we get the benefit of both...maybe the steel band to play while I walk down the aisle and afterwards like you while we all enjoy the champers and then ask for the DJ to start an hour after the ceremony!?! I think I will email her and see what she says. Do you have your dress yet? I found mine a few weeks ago and have ordered it for delivery October so my first dress fitting with be beginning of November...I cant wait  Happy planning...!! SJ