Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[CGervaisToBe]

I totally get wanting the "real deal", we just have family members who have done destination before and had issues with the legalities.  For example, they misspelt her name on the wedding certificate and three years later, are still trying to rectify this.

 

Another couple haven't received their official certificate and it's been a year.

 

Plus a close family friend of mine is a judge and would marry us for free, so we just thought it would save us a headache... but if we have to pay for it in Jamaica anyways... not sure.

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Originally Posted by Candice37 

 

We rented the Gazebo for 2 hours for $ 500 US.  We felt it was the best decision. We had so much fun with our guests and it was private and got to have our first dance, father daughter, and mother son dance, that was our main reason for renting the gazebo was to have these dances as it meant a lot to us. We actually showed up to the gazebo early after we got done our supper and they had already started playing the music, they had a light show set up which we didnt know was included. And they were supossed to only stay for 2 hours but it was about 4 hours and we started to get tired so we said we had enough. I brought my own music but I liked what they were playng so I only had them play our Dance songs for us. At our meeting with Donnalee prior we asked if we could have a bowl of rum punch at the Gazebo as I think JAYKAY had posted about that on here. So Donnalee said she would look into it. When we got to the gazebo they had a table with ice, cups and rum punch and my husband asked the guys if we gave them a tip (I think Neil gave him 20 bucks) if they would bring some beer and more liquor and they jumped on it, he even served it to us......so to us it was well worth the $500

 

That's great!  I am renting the gazebo as well and have thought about tipping some staff to run drinks for us as well.  People don't make much in Jamaica so even $20 is a huge deal to them.  I would even tip them by the half hour and it would still save me lots.  Stephany has quoted me $23 per person to have a dedicated bartender at the gazebo. 

[BARB2014]

Originally Posted by CGervaisToBe 

 

Hi guys!

 

Has anyone else noticed there's a new package offered for next year?

 

ROMANCE EXTRAVAGANZA

   Bride’s Bouquet & Groom’s Boutonniere- Tropical Flowers

• Champagne Luxury Toast with Moet Chandon after ceremony(maximum 7

bottles)

• Complimentary room upgrade for couple & parents( Confirmed)

• 30 minute Massage for Bride & Groom

• VIP Amenities for Bride and Groom and Parents

• Special Fresh, elegant floral décor on the Bridal Table.

• Gourmet wedding cake or variety of Chef’s customs pastry desert choice

• Late check out for couple & parents ( upon request & subject to

availability)

• Luxury turned down service for couple & parents

• Music for the marriage ceremony with recorded CD ( couple may bring their

own)

• Newly Wed Romantic Breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding for

Bride & Groom & Parents. ( Once per stay)

• Manicure & pedicure for bride & groom

• Cocktails & Canapes served after ceremony (One hour)

• Open bar after reception Dinner (2 hours)

• 25 professional pictures of the wedding full colour photography ( included)

• Professional Services of an Onsite Wedding Consultant

• Romantic Ornamental decoration of the wedding site ( location assigned

after arrival)

• Romantic Candlelight Dinner with Reservation

• Sparkling bottle of wine ( international brand) in the room on arrival ( just

for the couple)

• Sit down wedding reception Dinner in one of our restaurants with set

menu

• Live Music(ceremony or dinner)

• Witnesses ( if required)

• Romantic decoration in Couple’s room

• Special Welcome surprise

• VIP Treatment for Couple and Parents

• Special Wedding present from Grand Bahia – 3 Free nights (Condition

Applies)

WINTER 2014 (December 23-April 30, 2014)

Civil Wedding (judge, fees, expenses, rates)–USD250.00

Wedding Package for 30 persons=USD2420.00 (Grand Bahia)

Wedding Package for 30 persons=USD2570.00 (Don Pablo Collection)

Supplement per additional person- 40USD

SUMMER 2014 (May 01-December 22, 2014)

Civil Wedding (judge, fees, expenses, rates)–USD250.00

Wedding Package for 30 persons=USD2420.00 (Grand Bahia)

Wedding Package for 30 persons=USD2570.00 (Don Pablo Collection)

Supplement per additional person- 40USD

All prices attract a 10% TAX charge)

 

 

Does anyone have any clue what this new "Don Pablo Collection" option is for the wedding packages? Are we now able to do our dinner there, or what's the difference that makes that package option $150 more?

 

Love that they've included the 2 hour bar in a package finally! And it's pretty cool that your parents get special treatment as well

 

Also, how many people have done their legal marriage prior to GBP? Do they refund you the $250 minister fees? Is there a nonreligious ceremony option? The FI and I are not religious in the least bit.

 

Love this thread! Anyone else looking to get married November 2014?

I am thinking that the Don Pablo collection offers premium drinks in the package.  I was there last month staying at the Don Pablo and this was a great thing for me as I am fussy with drinks and they served nicer wine.  You could call the concierge and they would bring drinks (wine bucket/ice/glassess etc) right to your room.  It was a nice touch.  I am in a quandry now as I want that service when I go for my wedding but don't want to exclude myself from our guests.   Other than that, I don't know what else it entails.  I sent an email but they didn't answer it except saying it was a VIP service!!!!!  That helped.....lol

[BARB2014]

Originally Posted by CGervaisToBe 

 

Seriously? You had to pay minister fees even though you were already going to be legally married?

Things have changed a lot in the last few years with this resort then because people didn't have to pay before. That's a bummer!

Does anyone know what the "Remember" package is? Donnalee told me that's the package they use for vow renewal and symbolic weddings, but that wasn't included in the packages she sent me.

Check out the Grand Bahia Principe website.  They list wedding packages there.  I'm pretty sure I saw the remember package on it.  Check it out:)

[Wicket76]

I just got back from getting married at the Gran Bahia on 25 May.  We had a 4pm wedding and it was just amazing.  For anyone that is panicking - don't.  The wedding team knows what they are doing and they are there to make your day special. 

 

We arrived a week before our wedding and we had guests (27 of them) arrive all week so it was really nice to have new faces to see each day.  We have an 8 month old son and he had some many people that wanted to play with him in the water.  We were upgraded to the Golden Club with our Unforgettable package and briefly considered upgrading to Don Pablo but in the end it would have been a waste not being able to use the exclusive areas and not hang out with our guests.

 

On the day of the wedding, my MOH, mother of the groom and my mom headed to the spa for 1:30 to get hair and make up done.  We were suppose to be back at my MOH's room for 3 pm for pictures with the resort photographer but we didn't get out of there until 3:15 which wasn't really a big deal even though everyone was looking for us!  The Spa did a wonderful job of the hair and makeup and I couldn't have been more pleased.  

 

Having a little one complicated things slightly as he needed to be fed before walking down the aisle but photographer waited until that was done and I was in my dress.  I am not sure what time we got down to the lobby but we were a little late as it was and the wedding cart got blocked in by some tour buses which totally didn't stress me out.  My dad was stressed but I told him if we wanted to get married on time we would have gotten married in Germany!  Finally we were on our way about 4:15.  The Gazebo looked stunning and I am so glad I brought my own chair sashes - the fuchsia really stood out against the background of the sea.  

 

The ceremony was really lovely and the minister was just great.  He told my fiance not to turn around until my Dad and I arrived at the chairs even though all the guests were telling him to turn around - I thought it was a nice touch.  The ceremony lasted about 15 minutes and was fairly religious but that didn't matter to us.  Right after the ceremony we had the champagne toast and then some family pictures all the while the steel band that - was part of our package - played.  We then cut the cake and had some more champagne before our session with the photographer started.  We had an hour with him and we had such a good time.  We had Christopher lee and he made us feel really at ease.  

 

From there, we went straight to our dinner at The Garden Grille.  We were seated along one side of the restaurant with the head table in between the two tables of our guests.  We weren't facing them which was a bit of shame but the way the restaurant is set up they couldn't really do that.  The food was excellent and the portion sizes were just perfect.  Someone on here mentioned they were very small and their guests headed to the buffet after - I don't see how.  The wedding cake was served with the cheesecake and they could have just served cake as it was just delicious!  

 

After the dinner and after we put our little guy to bed we met our guests back in the Daquiri Bar off the lobby and had a wonderful time.  We didn't have late night but the rest of our guests headed out to the disco after 11 pm and were out until 3 or 4 am.

 

It was truly the most special day and everyone at the resort works hard to make you feel special.  

 

 

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Originally Posted by Wicket76 

 

I just got back from getting married at the Gran Bahia on 25 May.  We had a 4pm wedding and it was just amazing.  For anyone that is panicking - don't.  The wedding team knows what they are doing and they are there to make your day special. 

 

We arrived a week before our wedding and we had guests (27 of them) arrive all week so it was really nice to have new faces to see each day.  We have an 8 month old son and he had some many people that wanted to play with him in the water.  We were upgraded to the Golden Club with our Unforgettable package and briefly considered upgrading to Don Pablo but in the end it would have been a waste not being able to use the exclusive areas and not hang out with our guests.

 

On the day of the wedding, my MOH, mother of the groom and my mom headed to the spa for 1:30 to get hair and make up done.  We were suppose to be back at my MOH's room for 3 pm for pictures with the resort photographer but we didn't get out of there until 3:15 which wasn't really a big deal even though everyone was looking for us!  The Spa did a wonderful job of the hair and makeup and I couldn't have been more pleased.  

 

Having a little one complicated things slightly as he needed to be fed before walking down the aisle but photographer waited until that was done and I was in my dress.  I am not sure what time we got down to the lobby but we were a little late as it was and the wedding cart got blocked in by some tour buses which totally didn't stress me out.  My dad was stressed but I told him if we wanted to get married on time we would have gotten married in Germany!  Finally we were on our way about 4:15.  The Gazebo looked stunning and I am so glad I brought my own chair sashes - the fuchsia really stood out against the background of the sea.  

 

The ceremony was really lovely and the minister was just great.  He told my fiance not to turn around until my Dad and I arrived at the chairs even though all the guests were telling him to turn around - I thought it was a nice touch.  The ceremony lasted about 15 minutes and was fairly religious but that didn't matter to us.  Right after the ceremony we had the champagne toast and then some family pictures all the while the steel band that - was part of our package - played.  We then cut the cake and had some more champagne before our session with the photographer started.  We had an hour with him and we had such a good time.  We had Christopher lee and he made us feel really at ease.  

 

From there, we went straight to our dinner at The Garden Grille.  We were seated along one side of the restaurant with the head table in between the two tables of our guests.  We weren't facing them which was a bit of shame but the way the restaurant is set up they couldn't really do that.  The food was excellent and the portion sizes were just perfect.  Someone on here mentioned they were very small and their guests headed to the buffet after - I don't see how.  The wedding cake was served with the cheesecake and they could have just served cake as it was just delicious!  

 

After the dinner and after we put our little guy to bed we met our guests back in the Daquiri Bar off the lobby and had a wonderful time.  We didn't have late night but the rest of our guests headed out to the disco after 11 pm and were out until 3 or 4 am.

 

It was truly the most special day and everyone at the resort works hard to make you feel special.  

 

 

 

Congratulations Wicket76!  Thanks so much for writing a review.  Did you upgrade your flowers?  Were they from Tai Flora?

[dutchess]

Very beautiful! congrats. At the grill do they bring the chair saches over after the ceremony? and will they put out the table favors and extras I provide?

[Wicket76]

Originally Posted by dutchess 

 

Very beautiful! congrats. At the grill do they bring the chair saches over after the ceremony? and will they put out the table favors and extras I provide?

Thanks!  Yes, they did take the chair sashes to The Grill and if you have party favours they will put those out too.

[Wicket76]

Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne 

 

 

Congratulations Wicket76!  Thanks so much for writing a review.  Did you upgrade your flowers?  Were they from Tai Flora?

Thanks!  I didn't upgrade my flowers - that is the free bouquet from Tai Flora.  We did purchase another bouquet for my MOH and it was exactly the same just a little smaller.

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Originally Posted by Wicket76 

 

Thanks!  I didn't upgrade my flowers - that is the free bouquet from Tai Flora.  We did purchase another bouquet for my MOH and it was exactly the same just a little smaller.

 

I also meant to add you looked beautiful as did your free flowers!