Gran Caribe Real 2011 Brides

[dreamyeyez]

Hi Larias004,

 

I am trying to decide between this another hotel and it has been so difficult and frustrating because we are trying to get an estimate of how much everything will cost..just when we think it is it there is always something else that comes up and additional charges. I think it is horrible that we would be charged for just reserving a semi-private dinner in the resort. I am currently trying even though it may not happen..to see if we can work something out as well as work out some of the rates..

 

Im with you on this!

 

 

Originally Posted by larias004 

Wedding Rehearsal/Dinner/Flowers - Chapel Wedding - June 2011

 

I thought I'd share this in case you all have not gone through this yet. I'm trying to finalize my estimated budget and so I had to smooth out more details.  We are getting married in the Chapel and I was planning the rehearsal and the subsequent dinner.  The coordinator tells me they charge USD 300 for the rehearsal at the Chapel and the priest won't even be there.   The wedding specialist is the only one that will be there.  The wedding specialist is the one they tell you is included in all packages.  I do understand if she has to work after hours, etc. but these are just small things that they dont' tell you upfront.  

 

I asked if they could reserve a spot for me in one of the restaurants of the hotel for my wedding party after the rehearsal.  They tell me that they would charge me USD 15 per person (if staying at this resort) or USD 30 per person (non-guest).  This would not be a separate private spot in the restaurant. Has any of you encountered this and if so - what did you decide on?   I find it hard to believe that they charge USD 15 per person for someone that is a hotel guest and is already under the all inclusive plan.  IF the food was to be any different and to our choice then I would really see where this price was maybe coming from but just put a few tables together and not really reserve a side or private room?  In the grand scheme of things - I just like to know that I'm being charged for a service and not just because.  At the end of the day USD 15 is not much but it adds up when you start adding people and types of events during the wedding weekend.

 

 

Flowers - I received the three types of flower arrangments that we can have at this chapel.  the best one of my choice costs 810.  I asked my coordinator if she was to adjust my pricing since this price included altar centerpices which were already included in  Catholic Royal package (she had forgotten so if I don't remind her - she won't even tell me).  She sent me adjusted pricing which would end up costing me like 300 bucks (savings of ~500 bucks).  I thought - wow those alter pieces that come with the packagte must be like 500 (the difference).  I take a look at their "la carte" menu and I see they cost 60 each (still leaves me wondering for the difference).

 

Hope this helps in you planning. 

[Norma83]

The DJ Gran Caribe uses is DJ Doremixx.  There are reviews about Doremixx on this site.  From what I hear, a lot of people like him.

 

Originally Posted by larias004 

I am planning on going back to Cancun in November to the food tastings, check out the resort suggested DJ and Mariachi, and see if we can figure out the flower vendor because the options on the flower vendor were not really that appealing.  I'm either going to talk to the vendor to work with me or if not - I will check out two or three other outside vendors on my own.   I will let you know about the DJ if I do find out more.

 

 

[char79uk]

Thanks for the link x
 

Originally Posted by larias004 

I inquired as to their photographers and they indicated it is

www.funeverphotos.com

 

They even gave me examples of other weddings held there.  The login information to see those pictures is....

user: trent

password: wedding

 

hope this helps!

 

It would be great if you could find out some info on the DJ for me thanks


 

Originally Posted by larias004 

I am planning on going back to Cancun in November to the food tastings, check out the resort suggested DJ and Mariachi, and see if we can figure out the flower vendor because the options on the flower vendor were not really that appealing.  I'm either going to talk to the vendor to work with me or if not - I will check out two or three other outside vendors on my own.   I will let you know about the DJ if I do find out more.

 

 

[char79uk]

thanks for this info, I'm going to have a look at his reviews now.
 

Originally Posted by Norma83 

The DJ Gran Caribe uses is DJ Doremixx.  There are reviews about Doremixx on this site.  From what I hear, a lot of people like him.

 

 

[vchan]

 

Thanks very much for this info! This is helpful! I'm so glad to know your total ended up to less than $10,000 as I'm planning on having the same upgrades as yours and I've been pretty worried about the $$. I'm spending the about same amount on the cake, DJ service, the $400 sunset fee, flowers and reception decorations, etc. I got the Royal Catholic wedding package but getting an outside photographer (so I'm also paying for the outside vendor fee). I would love to see how your photographs turned out.

[wanda]

Congrats, and thank you everybody for all the details you've provided. This thread has been so helpful. 

 

Flowers- I have found them very expensive as well. I've been quoted $250 for my bouquet and $200 for each of my bridesmaids (there are 4 of them). So I'm currently looking for a local florist as well. My WC advised that if we choose to use an outside florist, the florist are not allowed to enter the hotel. They have to drop the flowers off at the front desk area and they will not help with setting up the flowers (which is understandable). She also advised that if the flowers are late for whatever reason, the wedding cannot be delayed. If we decide to use a local florist, we will probably pick them up ourselves.

 

Cake- As for the cake,I picked one similar to one in their catalog with a few additions and they quoted me $600! The one in the catalog was only $280 but because it's customized, they charge you more. Has anyone else run into this issue?

 

Chairs- I'm now having trouble with the chair sashes/ribbons. I have asked for green ones and they only have one color green which doesn't match my theme. Does anyone have any suggestion as to where I could buy them from Canada? Is anyone using white covers and white ribbons?

 

Music- I'm thinking of using the harpist for the ceremony. Does anyone have an opinion about it?

 

Reception- My WC advised that if we needed our microphone for the whole reception time, it's $80 to rent. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Terrace- I have a few pictures of the Terrace from our WC. If anyone wants them, please let me know so I can email them to you. I'm a little iffy about the green flooring, is anyone having their private reception somewhere else?

 

Centerpieces- Is anyone making their own centerpieces? We were quoted $80/centerpiece for ours and it's just a few limes in a Small glass vase with 3 orchids on top. I thought that was pricey, so we might do it ourselves.

 

Hair and make-up- We chose the Luxury package and it includes the hair and make up but I' a little nervous about getting it done though the hotel (but don't have much of a choice). Does anyone know if they are any good?

 

The hotel will not let you modify or substitute anything that is included in your package. For example, the Luxury includes regular manicure, I asked if I could pay extra for french and the WC said no. I asked if I could give it to my mom and she said no. The cake included is a small signature cake and we have 60 people coming so I asked if we could pay extra for the couture cake and she said no. She also said we can't negotiate the flower prices but I noticed in some other threads that people have done that.

 

Chapel- does anyone know how much the flowers are for decorating the Chapel? I'm sure it depends on the type of flower but we want to use a different flower in the Chapel than our bouquet because we just want to use what's cheapest. I mean we're only there for 45 minutes right? Is that tacky? Is the tulle included? I heard the 2 centerpieces at the altar are included. I wonder what type of flowers those are. Also, is there a runner?

 

I have so many more questions but I better stop, lol. I'm so glad I found this site and hope that I can answer some of your questions as well. Best of luck in your planning

 

 

 

 

[vchan]

Hi Norma. Thanks for posting this info! I would love to see any pictures you may have of the Albatros terrace. I've been in contact with the resort's WCs since February this year and had thought we were having our reception at the villas terrace but I guess my previous WC didn't reserve the space for us (just found out last week) so now I'm stuck with the Albatros terrace. My WC sent me a few pictures of the terrace and I think the green turf looks awful. But if you have some additional pictures you could send or post, that would be great. Perhaps they could ease my skepticism. I'm trying to gather what the layout of the terrace actually looks like since I won't be able to do a site visit.

 

Also, if there's anyone out there who has pictures of the Albatros terrace, I would love to see those as well! Thanks.
 

Originally Posted by Norma83 

 

Hi Carmresu -

 

I don't believe that there are pictures of the Albatros Terrace on the website.  The terrace is private.  To get to it you have to walk up some stairs.  The stairs aren't grungy or anything...it's really nice.  The flooring of the Terrace is green.  It reminds me of putting green and it's a pretty big terrace.  It's kinda like in two sections.  When you get up there from the stairs, there's a big open space that overlooks the ocean, then right next to the open space, there's a step or two up and it's the other section that overlooks the lagoon side.  It's a big enough space also and one side is the bar area.  It's hard to explain but hopefully you get the idea  

 

When we went for a site visit, I did take pictures.  Let me know if you'd like to see them.  I'll have to figure out how to post the pictures on here.  They do have another terrace that's in front of the Gazebo but it is pretty small.  It looks like it would be best for a cocktail party not so much for a reception if you are thinking about dancing. 

 

-Norma

[vchan]

Hi Wanda. I found the flowers very expensive too. They're simply too much for the flowers I want so I'm going to have fake flowers for bouquets and boutonniers which I'm putting together myself. This way, I can get the flowers I want and less cost.

 

As far as the cake, I've asked to have a different flavor (not one listed in the catalog) and they were able to do that at no additional cost but I'm not making any modifications to how the cake looks.

 

The harpist is my top choice as well for the ceremony and a DJ for my reception which will be at the Albatros terrace. I'm skeptical about the green turf flooring too but it's really my only option right now. The villas terrace is a beautiful space so you may want to look at that if it's still available. The only negative with the villas terrace that I can think of is the rooms' balconies directly behind it. 

 

The resort now has chiavari chairs available to rent for $10 per chair. I know, kinda steep but renting chair covers and ribbon is $5 so I figured I might as well pay $10 for the chair. I believe they have white, chocolate brown, and gold chairs.

 

I haven't decided on my centerpieces yet. They are quite expensive and have thought about doing those myself, but I think I'm just gonna go for the cheaper ones in the catalog so I won't have to worry about them on my wedding day. I also don't know what all are included in the chapel decoration. We're going for the Royal Catholic package which includes a natural altar centerpiece and I don't know exactly what that looks like yet. Those are details I still have to work out but will let you know when I get more information.

 

I don't know if Spazul is any good either but I'm going to risk it since that's my only option for hair and make-up and is included in the package.
 

Originally Posted by wanda 

Congrats, and thank you everybody for all the details you've provided. This thread has been so helpful. 

 

Flowers- I have found them very expensive as well. I've been quoted $250 for my bouquet and $200 for each of my bridesmaids (there are 4 of them). So I'm currently looking for a local florist as well. My WC advised that if we choose to use an outside florist, the florist are not allowed to enter the hotel. They have to drop the flowers off at the front desk area and they will not help with setting up the flowers (which is understandable). She also advised that if the flowers are late for whatever reason, the wedding cannot be delayed. If we decide to use a local florist, we will probably pick them up ourselves.

 

Cake- As for the cake,I picked one similar to one in their catalog with a few additions and they quoted me $600! The one in the catalog was only $280 but because it's customized, they charge you more. Has anyone else run into this issue?

 

Chairs- I'm now having trouble with the chair sashes/ribbons. I have asked for green ones and they only have one color green which doesn't match my theme. Does anyone have any suggestion as to where I could buy them from Canada? Is anyone using white covers and white ribbons?

 

Music- I'm thinking of using the harpist for the ceremony. Does anyone have an opinion about it?

 

Reception- My WC advised that if we needed our microphone for the whole reception time, it's $80 to rent. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Terrace- I have a few pictures of the Terrace from our WC. If anyone wants them, please let me know so I can email them to you. I'm a little iffy about the green flooring, is anyone having their private reception somewhere else?

 

Centerpieces- Is anyone making their own centerpieces? We were quoted $80/centerpiece for ours and it's just a few limes in a Small glass vase with 3 orchids on top. I thought that was pricey, so we might do it ourselves.

 

Hair and make-up- We chose the Luxury package and it includes the hair and make up but I' a little nervous about getting it done though the hotel (but don't have much of a choice). Does anyone know if they are any good?

 

The hotel will not let you modify or substitute anything that is included in your package. For example, the Luxury includes regular manicure, I asked if I could pay extra for french and the WC said no. I asked if I could give it to my mom and she said no. The cake included is a small signature cake and we have 60 people coming so I asked if we could pay extra for the couture cake and she said no. She also said we can't negotiate the flower prices but I noticed in some other threads that people have done that.

 

Chapel- does anyone know how much the flowers are for decorating the Chapel? I'm sure it depends on the type of flower but we want to use a different flower in the Chapel than our bouquet because we just want to use what's cheapest. I mean we're only there for 45 minutes right? Is that tacky? Is the tulle included? I heard the 2 centerpieces at the altar are included. I wonder what type of flowers those are. Also, is there a runner?

 

I have so many more questions but I better stop, lol. I'm so glad I found this site and hope that I can answer some of your questions as well. Best of luck in your planning

 

 

 

 

[Norma83]

Hi VChan!

 

I'm sorry your WC didn't properly book the venue you originally wanted.  I had the same happen to me.  Well I still got the Albatros Terrace but the WC I was working with didn't reserve it for me when I asked her to.  Anyway, I'd be glad to share the Albatros Terrace pics with you.  I've tried posting them on here before but I was having issues.  If you PM me with your email address, I'd be glad to send you the pics that I have.  Some people don't like the green turf but it really didn't bother me.  I guess because my colors incorporate green.  It is pretty spacious though.  I can't remember what the villas terrace is located.  I know we saw two but can't remember where the villas terrace is exactly located.  I do know that the terrace close behind the gazebo was pretty small. 

 

Anyway PM your email address and I'll send you the pics!

 

Originally Posted by vchan 

Hi Norma. Thanks for posting this info! I would love to see any pictures you may have of the Albatros terrace. I've been in contact with the resort's WCs since February this year and had thought we were having our reception at the villas terrace but I guess my previous WC didn't reserve the space for us (just found out last week) so now I'm stuck with the Albatros terrace. My WC sent me a few pictures of the terrace and I think the green turf looks awful. But if you have some additional pictures you could send or post, that would be great. Perhaps they could ease my skepticism. I'm trying to gather what the layout of the terrace actually looks like since I won't be able to do a site visit.

 

Also, if there's anyone out there who has pictures of the Albatros terrace, I would love to see those as well! Thanks.
 

 

[wanda]

Hi Vchan, thanks for taking the time to respond. I have another question for you, what time are you booked for the Chapel? I just found out that the Priest take their lunch from 2-4. We wanted to have our ceremony begin at 3 so we could have the toast at 4, take pictures at 5 (sunset at about 5:30ish in Jan) and then the reception at 6. But my WC said that's not possible. We would have to have our ceremony at 1pm or 4pm. It kind of sucks because now we can only spend about 15 min for the toast and then we have to leave for pictures. We have 60 guests and our package only includes 35. So we are paying about $250USD for the additional people and will only enjoy it for such a short period of time. My WC said it's either we leave the toast right away or we have to switch to a symbolic wedding (which I really don't want to- I Love the Chapel idea).

 

Just wondering if anyone else came across this problem.