Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[Demar Metcalfe]

Nice review!! Route taxis are the best way to get around Jamaica. You can travel up to 20 miles for about $100 JMD ($1 US). Just as Jenna said make sure you hail a RED tag car and negotiate the price before you enter the car. The price will magically drop if u do not like the price you are given and walk away.

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmarshall 
 

Thanks!!

 

Vinnette only gave us three menu options for the Dolce Vita and we were able to mix and match those three menus, and mixing was free of charge.  Not sure if 6:30 is an option; she didn't give us a choice... she just said dinner is at 6:00.

 

For the bouquet and boutonniere upgrade it was $85.  Be forewarned... initially they tried to charge me a delivery fee of like $10 because it wasn't the included bouquet and boutonniere... I argued it and they waived it.  So watch for that.

 

Jenna

 

Thanks Jenna.  I think I'll just do the free bouquet anyway as the wedding is at noon and I don't think the flowers will make it through the heat of the day anyhow.  It's funny how everyone has their hand out whenever weddings are involved.

 

I'm sending over my stuff to Vinnette tonight with my song choices and ceremony script so I'll get her to confirm the dinner time to me.  I'm sure she told me (or Stephany) that it was at 6:30.  Just want to finish off my schedule of events to include in the OOT bags.

 

The tips on the buffet are great.  I have been reading tripadvisor and all your comments are pretty much what other guests are saying at the resort too.

[jmarshall]

PS. I didn't think the flowers would last either which is why I went with a fake flower in my hair, but no joke, my bouquet was beautiful and nearly as good as when I first got them for like a whole week after .. could be because they were orchids though.

Thanks Jenna.  I think I'll just do the free bouquet anyway as the wedding is at noon and I don't think the flowers will make it through the heat of the day anyhow.  It's funny how everyone has their hand out whenever weddings are involved. I'm sending over my stuff to Vinnette tonight with my song choices and ceremony script so I'll get her to confirm the dinner time to me.  I'm sure she told me (or Stephany) that it was at 6:30.  Just want to finish off my schedule of events to include in the OOT bags. The tips on the buffet are great.  I have been reading tripadvisor and all your comments are pretty much what other guests are saying at the resort too.

[MrsViolo]

Hey there,

 

I'm getting married January 2014. I keep seeing people posting about the Pisces costing $2500 to rent out (on this forum and another). 

 

I was quoted $1700 when i booked so that's what i'm planning for. 

 

I'm afraid to email them to ask because i don't want to have evidence of them telling me the price went up before we're ready to pay when we get there! I'm definitely bringing all the emails with me where they quote the prices. 

 

Anyone having to pay $2500 for the Pisces yet? or is that a 2014 thing? 

[STemple]

Hey there, I'm getting married January 2014. I keep seeing people posting about the Pisces costing $2500 to rent out (on this forum and another).  I was quoted $1700 when i booked so that's what i'm planning for.  I'm afraid to email them to ask because i don't want to have evidence of them telling me the price went up before we're ready to pay when we get there! I'm definitely bringing all the emails with me where they quote the prices.  Anyone having to pay $2500 for the Pisces yet? or is that a 2014 thing? 

When I booked they quoted me 1700$ for my October 2014 wedding. In future emails a new coordinator said it was now $2500, I kindly copied the previous emails stating I booked it at 1700 and they honoured it.

[tram13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsViolo 
 

Hey there,

 

I'm getting married January 2014. I keep seeing people posting about the Pisces costing $2500 to rent out (on this forum and another). 

 

I was quoted $1700 when i booked so that's what i'm planning for. 

 

I'm afraid to email them to ask because i don't want to have evidence of them telling me the price went up before we're ready to pay when we get there! I'm definitely bringing all the emails with me where they quote the prices. 

 

Anyone having to pay $2500 for the Pisces yet? or is that a 2014 thing? 

I have also been quoted $1700, but I am getting married in 9 days! Eeek!

When I got a phone call from Kalfani, he tried to tell me that it was $2500, but I insisted that I had been told $1700, and have e-mails to prove that's what's been quoted, and he backed off and said, "Okay, $1700".  I think they are trying to bump up the prices to get more money.  But, that's just my thoughts.

[STemple]

I have also been quoted $1700, but I am getting married in 9 days! Eeek! When I got a phone call from Kalfani, he tried to tell me that it was $2500, but I insisted that I had been told $1700, and have e-mails to prove that's what's been quoted, and he backed off and said, "Okay, $1700".  I think they are trying to bump up the prices to get more money.  But, that's just my thoughts.

I agree with the price bumping and I'm not impressed, but glad I've kept records of everything I was quoted. They want me to pay a 250$ vendor fee to have rashel Edwards do my make-up, however I emailed the spa and they do not offer airbrush makeup like rashel... So now I'm waiting for a response from the co-ordinaries as to why they want a vendor fed for services they do not offer!

[Dena]

Hi Ladies,

 

I have just returned from my wedding at the Bahia and thought I would offer some advice and pointers for all you excited up and coming brides!

 

I was there the same week as Jmarshall and her review was awesome and I would definitely agree with most of what she said.  We had a few different experiences so I thought I would mention those.

 

First off Vinette is absolutely amazing.  I am a huge control freak and it was really difficult for me not to be emailing everyday about every detail, but I quickly learned that they do this 3 to 4 times a day and I had to put trust in them.  My advice because I know that there are a lot of you who seem to be very frustrated with the resort not getting back to you about your questions, as long as you have your wedding time and dinner time confirmed all the rest will be discussed when you have your meeting when you get there.  I know for some that may seem strange but I can't stress enough that they have it all together.  If there are specific things that you want just make sure you have your list when you have your meeting and they try to move heaven and earth to make it happen for you.

 

I also learned that if you don't bring things to their attention they will never be the wiser.  I had Raschel Edwards, which I have to say is friggin absolutely unbelievable!  She did such an amazing job with all my girls and really stepped it up when we had to move my wedding time up because of the weather.  It pored rain the whole day I was getting married.  At 3 pm it finally let up enough that we went ahead with the gazebo wedding.  Vinette called at 3 and said we had to go now and get everything moving into high gear so that we could hopefully make everything happen while the rain was at bay.  Raschel was still working on 1 of the girls when we got the call but everyone came together and made it happen.  I was lucky enough to get the wedding in just in time.  As soon as we were pronounced husband and wife it actually started raining again. I got off topic there sorry girls, so as I was saying I had read on here about how they wanted to charge for vendor fees and such but thought I would lay low not mention it to anyone, especially online (because they do check all these websites) and see what happened.  I in fact didn't have to pay a vendor fee for Raschel, Vinette was great help with that and gave her a vistor pass for the day.  If you need anything and I mean anything ask Vinette.  During our meeting Vinette was very honest with me about certain things like the hair and makeup and the pictures.  I actually brought a photographer from home and again was a little concerned about what would happen if they found out and tried to make us pay the vendor fee so I said nothing to no one, again the best advice I could offer.  If you stay off their radar there will be no problem!  I met with the photo center and they explained their packages to me and what was included in my wedding package.  Going into this I had no idea how much the packages where but they actually are quite reasonable.  The most expensive I think was $800 and that included quite a bit.  None the less we said that we were only interested in what was included in our package and that was fine with them.  After meeting with them I met with my photographer and simply told him to lay low, stay out of the way of the resort photographer let him do his thing and then we could do our own thing once he was done.  The resort photographer only did the ceremony so it worked out fine and the pictures we got from him were really nice.  I will say that they really do a great job and what pictures I got from them were beautiful, but I had preferred bringing someone with us so he could capture our whole week and all the little extras.  One thing that I was really shocked about was the cost of the pictures above what was included in your package.  Obviously when we went to look at our pictures they were all gorgeous and we had to pick only 15 (which is what comes with the Romance Pakcage).  After agonizing we were able to get it down to 35 so we figured we would pay for 20 extra no big deal right, ya that is until we found out they want $11 US per picture to put on CD.  We felt that was absolutely outrageous!  We ended up cutting more and only paying for an additional 5 because we weren't sure what pictures of the actual ceremony our photographer got.

 

I know I am skipping certain things but I am trying to go over just the most important stuff.  We also rented the gazebo for a party after which was so worth it!  We had been collecting shall we say bottles from the resort all week and had quite a stash going by the time the wedding came around.  All I will say is that a little money can buy you a lot down there and if you meet the right people you will be VERY surprised as to what you can get.  I will gladly private message you should you want more details.  I mentioned to Vinette that if possible we would like to get some mixes and juices set up out there.  Not only did she come thru and set up an amazing table with juices she also gave us some rum punch, cups and a cooler for ice.

 

I can not say enough for Vinette, I couldn't believe how special she made me feel.  I know there were at least 2 other wedding the day I got married yet she made me feel like I was the only one.  I had brought some gifts from home for the wedding staff but also ended up giving a cash tip because of such an outstanding job that was done.

 

There is so much more that I could go on about and I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions, just send me a message and ask away.

 

Remember ladies, your in a tropical paradise and even if small things go wrong (because they always do) don't let it ruin your day!  Everything is IRIE MON!!!!!!

Hope I could be helpful and I hope all of you have the amazing dream wedding that I had.

 

Oh sorry one more recommendation, if you are thinking of doing a second "honeymoon" week DO IT.  It was the best decision that we made.  The wedding week was so busy and crazy and without our second week I probably wouldn't have felt like I got much of a vacation.

 

Good Luck Ladies!!!!!

[CdnBrideJoanne]

Dena,

 

Congratulations and thanks so much for the review.

[janicemarie29]

Has anyone gotten married on the beach?