Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[tris]

StephAli - Firstly, CONGRATS!! And welcome back! I'm so happy everything went well.

 

Now, I know ALL of us would love to hear the nitty gritty details of your entire experience when you get the free time. Please

[schayer]

WOW StephAli! The wedding and pictures looks amazing. You gave me shivers!!

 

I was undecided for the chair covers.,. but you sold me!

 

My wedding will be at 2:00. what is too long between the ceremony and the reception?

[akua420]

Who was your photographer StephAli?

Looks BEAUTIFUL!  So glad you had such a good time!

[akua420]

 

 

Originally Posted by schayer 

 

WOW StephAli! The wedding and pictures looks amazing. You gave me shivers!!

 

I was undecided for the chair covers.,. but you sold me!

 

My wedding will be at 2:00. what is too long between the ceremony and the reception?

 

My wedding is at 2 too! 

[keriltz]

It's Air Canada Vacations.  One thing my TA did tell me is that most TA's keep this money for themselves thats why you don't hear about it.  ACV always gives these they are called Tour Conductor savings or something and it's a dollar  amount they give and they TA will usually keep it.  I would ask about it and see what yours says!  Good Luck!

 

Originally Posted by Espejo2be 

Can I ask , are you going with Air Canada Vacations or are you just flying Air Canada? That seems like a really good deal, i wish my TA would do something like this!! But none of the travel angecies I've contacted offered any incentives... 45 people is ALOT of business to not put effort into in my opinion!

Quote:

Originally Posted by keriltz 

We have about 45 people going aswell and for a week it's $1550 everything included and 10 days is $1950 everything included.  Our travel agent is giving us every 11th person free, so basically they will give us a dollar amount of how much we have as a credit because of the amount of people going.  As of right now we have our 10 day trip paid for both of us and are splitting the remaining credit between the bridal party so they should each(6 of them) get off about $500 each.  We are flying with Air Canada but have to take a connecting flight from Calgary to Toronto.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espejo2be 

Hey Ladies,
I've been waiting for 3 months now to get the prices of the packages back from the TA and finally have them... I'm not impressed as she told us the going rate was $500 less than the actual price she quoted us to pay. We have a group of about 45 people going but don't feel like i'm getting much of a deal. 
Can I ask what travel agency most of you ladies went with? and approx price you were quoted?

I'm living in Western Canada right now and half of our group is leaving from there and the other half from eastern Canada.

 

 

[keriltz]

One more thing, are most of you ladies planning on hiring the DJ and Bar for after dinner in the gazebo?  What were the prices you guys got?  I think i got $500/hour for the DJ and $15/pp per hour for the bar?  We have about 45 people so that would be $2350 for 2 hours!! :s I don't know if i could justify that!

[lsmith211]

Keriltz - I was quoted $500 for the gazebo and DJ for the full 2 hours - not per hour.  But the bar is $15/pp/hour which is crazy!!  But I think we're going to do it, cause it seems like there is no bar anywhere near the gazebo....  Unless we can buy booze and mix and just set up a table.  I know it was mentioned further back in this thread, so we may talk to Beverly about this when we get there.....

 

Originally Posted by keriltz 

One more thing, are most of you ladies planning on hiring the DJ and Bar for after dinner in the gazebo?  What were the prices you guys got?  I think i got $500/hour for the DJ and $15/pp per hour for the bar?  We have about 45 people so that would be $2350 for 2 hours!! :s I don't know if i could justify that!

[StephAli]

Hey ladies!

Thanks so much!

I paid $500 to have the gazebo and DJ for the 2hrs. The bar was suppose to be $15pp/hr, or $22pp for 2hrs, well it was that, but she gave us a discount and only charged us to "set-up" for 25 people instead of 59....It was DEFINITELY worth the $$$. You can buy the booze and mix (not sure of prices) but once I got there I decided that it wasn't worth it. I didn't want to have to worry about anything....

 

 

Time wise....I found that we had just more then enough time btw the wedding and the reception. Probably 2pm would be ideal. After the wedding we listened to the steel band, had our cake with champagne toast and then pictures! During pictures most of my guest went to eat lunch (jerk chicken! SOOOO GOOD...at the snack bar near the beach....open 11-330) and then they went for a swim! Alastair and I went for lunch after the pictures and then went up to our room to just chill. It was nice just to have some "us" time and take in the day...now that our nerves were relaxed! With having so many guest there it was kinda hard to find any alone time! We definitely should have taken an extra wk! 

 

All the pictures I posted were actually taken by friends! I don't get the professional ones until next wk. The photographer that I used is Wendy MacCrimmon from North Bay, Ontario. She was already planning on being down there for another wedding that week, so it worked out well for both of us! She was FABULOUS!! When I get her pictures I will post some of them for you to all see!!

 

Nitty Gritty wise...

We met with Beverly on the Sunday before the wedding and literally went over all the options again. So don't fret if you change your mind about anything. She was super accommodating and willing to make anything work for you! The day of the wedding my flowers got delivered to my room about an hr before the ceremony. I had to meet Beverly with the bridal party and my parents in the lobby 15 mins before the ceremony and the guys all had to be at the gazebo then to meet Beverly's assistant. 

I didn't like the ministers wording so I had rewritten the ceremony and he read it word for word. 

It was super windy out, which was kinda nice because it was probably the hottest and sunniest day of the week so the breeze helped to keep us cool! And to be honest I thought it would be windy (based on everyone elses pix) and I was looking forward to my hair blowing in the wind! 

The girls in my bridal party did my hair so I didn't have to worry about the spa staff (although I went there for a hot stone massage the day after the wedding and it was amazing!). One of my girls got braids in her hair, but she got it done at one of the stores up in the mall area (I'm not sure what one...)

If you get the Dolce Vita for dinner you will most likely get the little room we had off to the side. The Grill doesn't seem to have a separate section, and one night when we were in there for dinner there was a wedding group sitting along one side. It wasn't the best setting, so try to get the other one!! 

Because we were getting married they upgraded us to Gold Club and therefore pre-booked all of our dinners at the A la carte restaurants.

Having the gazebo for dancing was awesome! All of my guest really enjoyed themselves and the only complaint was that it ended too early!

When we got back to our room there was a bottle of champagne and the room was all decorated with a bubble bath ready to go! 

The morning after the wedding they delivered us breakfast in bed. We had set it up for 930, but they called at 815 to see what we wanted (you choose anything that's available at the breakfast buffet) and then delivered it at 845!! TOO EARLY! lol....but we ate it and then went back to bed!! Cold omelets are never yummy!! 

I don't know what else to tell you!! It was perfect and amazing!! I wouldn't have changed anything about it! 

I am attaching a picture that shows the chairs! and one of our bed so u can see how fun it was! (they had found my vows (I left them on the dresser) and put them on the bed too....that what the piece of paper is...

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask!! 

[AshleyL]

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephAli 

 

Hey ladies!

Thanks so much!

I paid $500 to have the gazebo and DJ for the 2hrs. The bar was suppose to be $15pp/hr, or $22pp for 2hrs, well it was that, but she gave us a discount and only charged us to "set-up" for 25 people instead of 59....It was DEFINITELY worth the $$$. You can buy the booze and mix (not sure of prices) but once I got there I decided that it wasn't worth it. I didn't want to have to worry about anything....

 

 

Time wise....I found that we had just more then enough time btw the wedding and the reception. Probably 2pm would be ideal. After the wedding we listened to the steel band, had our cake with champagne toast and then pictures! During pictures most of my guest went to eat lunch (jerk chicken! SOOOO GOOD...at the snack bar near the beach....open 11-330) and then they went for a swim! Alastair and I went for lunch after the pictures and then went up to our room to just chill. It was nice just to have some "us" time and take in the day...now that our nerves were relaxed! With having so many guest there it was kinda hard to find any alone time! We definitely should have taken an extra wk! 

 

All the pictures I posted were actually taken by friends! I don't get the professional ones until next wk. The photographer that I used is Wendy MacCrimmon from North Bay, Ontario. She was already planning on being down there for another wedding that week, so it worked out well for both of us! She was FABULOUS!! When I get her pictures I will post some of them for you to all see!!

 

Nitty Gritty wise...

We met with Beverly on the Sunday before the wedding and literally went over all the options again. So don't fret if you change your mind about anything. She was super accommodating and willing to make anything work for you! The day of the wedding my flowers got delivered to my room about an hr before the ceremony. I had to meet Beverly with the bridal party and my parents in the lobby 15 mins before the ceremony and the guys all had to be at the gazebo then to meet Beverly's assistant. 

I didn't like the ministers wording so I had rewritten the ceremony and he read it word for word. 

It was super windy out, which was kinda nice because it was probably the hottest and sunniest day of the week so the breeze helped to keep us cool! And to be honest I thought it would be windy (based on everyone elses pix) and I was looking forward to my hair blowing in the wind! 

The girls in my bridal party did my hair so I didn't have to worry about the spa staff (although I went there for a hot stone massage the day after the wedding and it was amazing!). One of my girls got braids in her hair, but she got it done at one of the stores up in the mall area (I'm not sure what one...)

If you get the Dolce Vita for dinner you will most likely get the little room we had off to the side. The Grill doesn't seem to have a separate section, and one night when we were in there for dinner there was a wedding group sitting along one side. It wasn't the best setting, so try to get the other one!! 

Because we were getting married they upgraded us to Gold Club and therefore pre-booked all of our dinners at the A la carte restaurants.

Having the gazebo for dancing was awesome! All of my guest really enjoyed themselves and the only complaint was that it ended too early!

When we got back to our room there was a bottle of champagne and the room was all decorated with a bubble bath ready to go! 

The morning after the wedding they delivered us breakfast in bed. We had set it up for 930, but they called at 815 to see what we wanted (you choose anything that's available at the breakfast buffet) and then delivered it at 845!! TOO EARLY! lol....but we ate it and then went back to bed!! Cold omelets are never yummy!! 

I don't know what else to tell you!! It was perfect and amazing!! I wouldn't have changed anything about it! 

I am attaching a picture that shows the chairs! and one of our bed so u can see how fun it was! (they had found my vows (I left them on the dresser) and put them on the bed too....that what the piece of paper is...

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask!! 

 

Wow StephAli thank you so much! 2 months to go for me, and it is a relief (and so exciting) to hear about your big day! That's the first I have heard regarding wedding seating for the Grill vs Dolce Vita. I was also wondering about writing our own vows, so I'm very happy to hear that went smoothly for you. What did you and your guests think of the steel drum band? Did you use Tai Floral for the flowers? Thanks again for posting this. I know we all love to hear about, and see the beautiful photos of the wedding day

[katelynn]

So I contacted my TA and she said the price has only dropped $81. How did you check Air Canada etc to see what they were offering. When did you contact transat too and say that you wanted yours $50 off extra. Do you have the contact you used?

 

 

Its funny too as we have every 21 person free and not 16th and we are both flying transat

 

Any help would be awesome

 

Thanks!!!

 

Originally Posted by soontobemrsdow 

No we had to keep on top of it ourselves and it was so stressful and draining because everyday I would be checking the prices! lol...I totally feel you on not being impressed with Transat. Sunwing had a rate $75pp extra when we got our quotes and thats why we went with Transat but I'm starting to think maybe it was worth it! But who knows maybe sunwing brides wish they were with Transat lol.

 

How I got the drop was I don't know if you already have your quotes and prices locked in but I made Transat and Sunwing get into a bidding war over us and I said I wanted a price protection and whoever could give it to me I would go with them. Sunwing wouldn't do it but was going to give me every 11th person free but Transat would give me the protection but would give me every 16th person free. We only thought about 20 people max would come and it would be better to get the price guarntee instead...turns out we have 27 and it would have been better to go with Sunwing for us personally as we would have gotten both of our vacations for free instead of one but it works out better for our guests in the end because they all saved money...we're happy they're happy.

 

Anyways...sorry got totally got off topic there...so I watched the price and when it went down there was an AirCanada Vacations package that was like $15 lower and I told my travel agent to complain that I wanted it to match that price because Transat totally screwwed me over a few weeks earlier. I was supposed to have a block of 20 reserved under our name and people we're booking slower than they wanted to so they called me at like 1pm 2 1/2 weeks before the payment deadline and said you have until the end of the business day to get all your spots booked or else we're realeasing the vacation because we don't think you're going to fill the spots and Januarys a high time for travelling and we want to sell them. So that was like the worst day of my life ever but I managed to book them PLUS 7 extra so I told her to complain that they put me under the gun and I brought in additonal seats then what I reserved and they better pay it forward. She said she fought with them for a bit over it but they said fine we'll make it an even $200 then and they upgraded us to the royal golden section.

 

So honestly if you've had a hard time with them like I have call or get your TA to and complain! If you do it enough they are bound to do something for you!  Hope it works out for you and if your booking deadline has come and gone already then you know what a relief it is for that part of the planning to be over with...it's like a huuge weight off your shoulder, all you have to do is wait for the date after that! If it hasn't hang in there! I know it's hard and stressful but you'll have 43 people with you to celebrate when all is said and done!

 

(sorry it was so long, it was my rant that I never got to have about how upset I was with Transat! lol)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by katelynn 

Hey,

 

DId your TA contact you to say the the price went down as we are also flying with Transat and havent heard anything and we really want it to drop...plus $150 would be awesome!! How did you also get them to give you $50 a person as Ill deffinately email and bitch as they havent done anything for us and we have 43 people. I already emailed them awhile ago asking for like pens etc to put in our OOT bags and the response was no which suprised me! I have to say I am not very impressed with Transat and wish we were flying with Sunwing!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by soontobemrsdow 

everyone is going from Toronto so I don't have eastern or western, but we were originally quoted 1606 txs included and locked in on that price because we were given a price guarantee that we could change it if the price dropped. It was good until up to 60 days before departure and with like less than a week to go the price dropped like $150 and the tour operator (transat) was nice and gave up $200 off so everyone ended up paying 1406pp! But as for not feeling like you got a deal I feel the same as you. Transat only gave us the extra $50 pp off because I complained saying what was the point in getting everyone to book with your company when I can get that same price from say Air Canada which I'd rather fly with anyways because I find their planes bigger and has more amenities (I loooove the personal TV's!!) so thats why they beat the best price online, which with about 40 days to go until we leave is still the best published price....so whoever you go with fight them for the best price you can get!!

 

On another note....I know this is a random question but has anyone found out about how long it takes to walk down the aisle because it looks long and I want to make sure my ceremony songs will be long enough, plus I want a seperate one from the rest of the bridal party so I'd like it to run smoothly!