Explain the process to me, please! (gran caribe real cancun)

mykidsmomtx · January 24, 2010

Ok, so son & future bride are scheduled to be wed on Nov 22, 2010 at 4pm (a little over an hour before sunset). They are getting "legally" married in the States so will be having a symbolic ceremony. There will be approx 25 people attending - immediate family and close friends. They are having a "large" AHR 3 weeks after we return from Mexico. This will be a country club casual event with about 150 guests with open bar, food, DJ, etc.

I am trying to understand how the whole wedding thing works. Please help!

Ok, so the wedding is 4pm. How long does the actual wedding last? We are trying to decide on what to do after the wedding. There is a 1.5 hour semi-private reception which from my understanding is a sit down dinner at the resort.

I assume pictures are immediately following the wedding, then the reception?

When does the champagne toast usually occur? Before or after the reception?

Then, there is the dilemma of whether or not to do a cocktail party/private reception. Since there will only be about 25 guests, should they do the cocktail party/private reception? Especially taking into account there will be a big reception when they get back home.

If they don't do the reception, I guess that means no traditional dances (bride / groom, father/bride, etc). Do they just wait to get back home to the reception to do that or do it twice?

Any advice you can offer would be great!

roo66 · January 24, 2010

The fantastic thing about a destination wedding is there are no rules.I would imagine you would either have the champagne set up on the beach then the bride and groom could then do there pictures before the sun sets.Also i think i would be doing the first dance etc and the sit down meal.The reception at home to me anyway is a time to party with all the friends and family who could not make it.You can make both events as casual or formal as you like but you defo need to have Some kind of food laid on.I do like the idea of a cocktail reception,but without the full meal i would imagine you run the risk of loosing guests who cos its meal time want food.What are the bride and groom saying?

mykidsmomtx · January 24, 2010

Bride and goom aren't sure because it isn't clear whether or not we will be able to have music at the reception or where/when the champagne toast will be. Getting with the resorts WP hasn't been easy so I am just trying to let them know some of the logistics.

I know the bride would like to do a few dances while in Mexico, but the main recepion is back home where all her family and friends will be so that will be the all out reception with all the traditional stuff.

From my understanding with a brienf conversation with the WP, the 1.5 hour reception at the resort is a sit down dinner so I don't know if the bride will have an opportunity to dance. Now, if they let us do the champagne toast with a few songs, the bride could maybe dance then?

Jackie439 · February 9, 2010

I am getting married at the Gran Caribe Real Resort in September 2010. If you are having the ceremony at the same location as the reception (ie. gazeebo) then you should be able to hook your ipod up to their speakers or bring a CD with the music on it for dancing. Also, if the dinner/reception is private you should definitely be able to dance...maybe while the guests are finishing up dinner since you only have 1.5 hours. You could also extend the dinner/reception for I think $10/person/hour. Good Luck!