Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[STemple]

For those that don't have them here is the list of Appetizers, the Menu options, I have the tai flora brochure but is too large to attach, will send to whomever .

 

 

List of Appetizers that comes with the Romance Extravaganza Package.doc

Grupos y Bodas 2010.pdf

[STemple]

CristalyneAnkit,

 

The difference between the piscis and the a la cartes is the piscis is not open at night, you are not taking it away from guests. I assume that is why the always charged 1700$ not the full $2500 that comes along with shutting down a restaurant for you.

 

And that's going to be my argument along with I confirmed the price upon reservation and that is what I'm paying lol

[Stay cee1]

MelB, my wedding was July 9th.  It was Blazing hot, hot, hot and dry during our stay.  I enjoyed every minute of it too!! 

I wore a full wedding dress, organza material, which had a bit of a trumpet style, so not much room for air under the dress.  I never had an issue with chafing or sweating between my legs...I showered right before putting on my dress, and added baby powder which had baking soda in it...picked it up at the drug store...i think it was even a store brand one too. 

The gazebo is very windy so you won't even have to worry about the heat much...everything goes so quickly...before you know it...you've finished your walk, your ceremony and pictures are finished, and you are sitting down to dinner.

[CristalyneAnkit]

Congrats on your recent wedding Stay cee1! I was wondering, during your ceremony was the wedding planner with you from beginning to end or how does that work? Do they co-ordinate it all for you or just get you started and come back?

[Stay cee1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CristalyneAnkit 
 

Hey STemple,

 

I was quoted $2500 as well but after reading a few of the Brides comments on here I'm going to call them tomorrow and tell them I was told it was $1700 by one of their previous planners (since it's never the same person answering) and make sure they note it down. You're lucky you got the Canapes menu I'm still waiting to receive it! Would you mind posting it on here so I can take a look? If it says Canapes and Cocktails are "included" that would mean they're included would it not! My Fiance and I were talking today and feel like even though it's all inclusive we still have to shell out money to get food and drinks for our day. He did bring up the point that it is fair for the resort to charge the $2,500 fee to privatize an area since it is after all an All inclusive resort where other people are paying for as well and sectioning something off is unfair to them BUT that $2500 isn't really going back to compensate other travellers and I really don't see why we need to pay another $2450 for the Romance Extravaganza Package. If we didn't section things off workers would still be there to bartend and serve food right so what's the difference here???? It's quite frustrating I agree but honestly I feel like no matter what resort you go with you will encounter these little stupid things that make no sense. 

 

I'm also using Rashel. Her work is fabulous! At first I was told I would only have to pay for her day pass. Then I was told the Spa might charge me a vendors fee, which hasn't been confirmed yet. Now I THINKKKK I might have found a way to avoid all these vendor fees. If I'm not mistaken everytime I call to speak to someone and mention Don Pablo they tell me it's basically a resort within the resort and is it's own entity. This would kind of make sense why they can't upgrade you there as it's technically a different resort even though it shares the same grounds. Now I read from another Bride she bypassed the fee because she somehow luckily got upgraded with her entire Bridal party to the Don Pablo section! How? I have no clue and I'm dying to figure out the secret as well! BUT because she was with Don Pablo, even though Arrefice chased her for that $800 Photo Fee she said Don Pablo told her that Arrefice isn't an on resort vendor and hence she doesn't have to pay. 

 

Another Bride posted a message she got from Arrefice stating the fee was to be paid by the actual Photographer and Videographer, not you. I would assume this applies to all Vendors including Rashel. So if the Vendor doesn't pay them, what are they really going to do about it? I also read another Bride got Rashel in for free no day pass needed and no fees! I think it all has to do with who you speak to and how friendly yet stern you can make yourself come across through the phone if that makes any sense. 

 

My plan is to upgrade my Fiancee, I and our Parents to the Don Pablo section. We would technically be guests under Don Pablo, a separate Resort from GBP as they all claim and hence no vendor fees! I'm not planning on telling the planners or resort or Arrefice this and if anyone makes a big deal about it guess what the Vendors will be gone way before anyways! I haven't yet decided on Arrefice or not as I really think their video sucks. If they give me a good deal for my 4 day Wedding though I may go with them for Photos. If I do decide to bring my own guy in he's basically my cousin attending the wedding who happens to be a professional photographer. I'd be paying for his room so to bad so sad for Arrefice if I go that route. As for Rashel, she's a long time family friend who's attending my wedding and yes she is doing my makeup, if anyone decides to have a problem with that on the day of a Brides Wedding they really is a shame on them and really I doubt they'd have the nerve to ruin your day. If they mention later on hey you used someone else you need to pay the vendor fee, well guess what the vendor fees are paid by the vendors and she's no longer here, what are you going to do about it?

 

That's my schematic plan for now lol. They've already screwed up with me enough that if they tell me I need to pay more money for something else, hell I'll buy a ticket fly to Jamaica tomorrow and give them shit in person!

 

Hope I could help give you some insight here. 

We had 3 personal photographers...they are family members or friends who traveled with us for the wedding.  We never had any issues, or hassles from the wedding or photography department when it came down to it.  There is no need to bring this up with the resort.  Your guests are allowed to take pictures...don't even let this part stress you out.  The only vendor fee you will have to worry about is anyone that isn't staying on the resort.  You can purchase a day pass for $75 US on your wedding day for that person.  Once that person arrives, they will have to go through the security check point to get on the resort...I recommend that you do not let your planner or the spa know that this person will arriving to do your hair or makeup...this is where the vendor fee can be tacked on, and upon entry to the resort, they will require the vendor to pay...especially if they show up with equipment.  Rashel can arrive as a day guest, where you or someone can meet her in the lobby and you all can work out the logistics as to where you wish to have her complete her services.  The resort is huge...so you really don't have to worry about that.  Remember the key to a Destination wedding is to pack, fly, enjoy!! 

 

I canceled my spa appointment after walking in and seeing the work they do...wasn't happy with it...no charge!!  I went off resort to get my hair done and I had no issues whatsoever.  I never discussed my plans with the spa...i just told them a family member is doing my hair.  They will accommodate you as much as they possibly can..but I will say this much...friendly...not stern!! Stern gets you no where fast on the island...friendly gets you everything every time.

[mallenbride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by STemple 
 

CristalyneAnkit,

 

The difference between the piscis and the a la cartes is the piscis is not open at night, you are not taking it away from guests. I assume that is why the always charged 1700$ not the full $2500 that comes along with shutting down a restaurant for you.

 

And that's going to be my argument along with I confirmed the price upon reservation and that is what I'm paying lol

I was also quoted $1,700 and later it was changed to $2,500, pretty frustrating!!  All of these extras are really adding up quickly!

 

As for your question about the Canepes.  First the co-ordinator told me to look through the manual and pick the canepes I liked.  So when I did that, I also tried to confirm that that would be included in the package because there was a big price difference between the options.  She wrote back saying, oh no, the canepes that are included in the packages are as follows:

 

List of Appetizers that comes with the Romance Extravaganza Package
MIXED CANAPES
(6 per person)US12 per person
Mini roasted chicken -
Mini toast of Ham & cheese
Foie Gras and Mousses minis
Gruyere cheese with paprika
 
MIXED CANAPES
(4 Per person)US10 per person
Crème cheese with Ham
Foie gras
Tomato, mozzarella cheese and basil
Cucumber barril with Roquefort butter
Tempura of vegetables
Tuna with artichoke and eggplant mousse  

 

You get to pick one of the two options.  I think that is also crap because why would she send me have me look through the others to begin with.  I don't think that was very well organized. 

 

I am having my wedding in May of 2014 so I'll keep you posted in case I learn anything that may help you out with your planning

[mallenbride]

Has anyone seen any pictures of the Pisces restaurant set up for the private reception?  I'm trying to get an idea of what things will look like so I can start planning my decorations etc.  We will be having approximately 70-90 people at our wedding in May, so I was wondering if anyone's seen any pictures of the venue set up for that many people?  And does anyone know if the dancing and everything happens there as well?  And is it outside or inside? 

 

Thanks everyone!

[MelB2012]

ERMAGAWD!

 

We leave for our wedding 60 days from today! It doesn't even seem real. I feel like I have most things done, and yet SO MUCH to do. Eek!

 

DENA!? Can you believe it?

[STemple]

Has anyone seen any pictures of the Pisces restaurant set up for the private reception?  I'm trying to get an idea of what things will look like so I can start planning my decorations etc.  We will be having approximately 70-90 people at our wedding in May, so I was wondering if anyone's seen any pictures of the venue set up for that many people?  And does anyone know if the dancing and everything happens there as well?  And is it outside or inside?  Thanks everyone!

Hey! I've done quite a bit of research on the piscis as I too am having my reception there. If you look at areciffe photography's Facebook (the resort photographer) they have pics of receptions there. Also found this video a long time ago and is what made me want to get married at the resort, the too had the outdoor reception; http://vimeo.com/m/38295110

[MrsViolo]

A friend of mine is at a wedding right now at this resort, she posted a couple of pictures on facebook. It doesn't look like they added any decorations or upgraded. It looks great as it (maybe a bit dark but that could be the photo). I've attached one picture of the head table. The other picture had the bride and my friend in it. I didn't want to post it on here without permission, specially since the bride may be a part of this forum.