Gran Caribe Real 2011 Brides

[wanda]

I also have pictures of the Albatros and Villa Terrace if anyone wants them, let me know.

 

Note on the Spazul- my WC said we have to book and pay and for the services in advance. I know most packages include it for the bride, but just wanted to let you guys know for your bridesmaids or mothers, etc.

 

I'm still searching for a photographer other than Funever. If anyone has any suggestions, please share.

 

Also in case anyone is looking for Personalized Sandalwood Fans, I ordered mine from TheKnot.com. They were only $0.99 each. I think those will be great to hand out during the Chapel ceremony.

 

[Norma83]

Hi Wanda -

 

We are also getting married at the Chapel and we originally wanted to book the ceremony for 3 o'clock but we were told that the priest takes his two hour lunch between 2-4.  Our options were the same -- either doing a 1 PM ceremony or 4 PM.  We then changed it to 4 PM, thinking ok, one hour for the ceremony then doing the 20 minute legal ceremony and then the pictures/toast and then dinner at 6 PM.  We then started thinking about it and figured that if we have the ceremony at 4, that it's not going to leave enough time for FI and I to go take pictures, go to the room freshen up, much less take pictures with family.  I felt that with the 4PM Ceremony everything was going to be rushed and we didn't want that.  SO NOW, we changed the ceremony to 1 PM.  It's a little bit of a gap but if you think about it, you don't have to feel rushed and you can take your time with pictures and still do the toast with no issues. 

 

So you aren't alone   I hope everything works out for you!

Originally Posted by 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.

[wanda]

Hi Norma,

 

I can see why you changed it to 1pm. I don't like feeling rushed either. I still can't decide. See I was really hoping to have our pictures taken at around sunset so the pictures would look nice and also we wouldn't be as hot. What time will you be taking your pictures if you're ceremony is at 1pm?

 

I wonder how the guests will feel if they have to wait a couple of hours while we're taking pictures. I mean it's not that comfortable to be dressed up in hot weather. People are telling me it's not a big deal but I feel bad about it.

 

Also our reception is only 3 hours, but we're thinking of adding an additional hour so it would be from 6-9 (or 10) but do you think that's too early to end it?

[Norma83]

I totally understand what you mean.  I was having a tough time deciding too.  Since the ceremony will be at 1, we'll be done at about 2 and then do the civil ceremony.  That's only going to be like 20 minutes.  After wards, we're still debating on having a cocktail hour because of the gap and then also because I can't justify spending the extra money for a cocktail hour when we can just go up to a bar and get a drink since it's an all inclusive resort.  If we decide to do the cocktail hour, I'm thinking we'll either do it right after the civil ceremony or at 5, right before the dinner/reception.  We wanted to still catch some of the day light time to take pictures on the beach and stuff so with the time gap, we're going to go do that and probably break away from the cocktail hour for some sunset shots.  I also wanted to go out of the hotel resort with our photographer to take some city shots.  Might as well take adavantage of the time gap -- of course, we'll only do this if we don't do the cocktail hour. 

 

As for the reception time, we've extended it another hour.  I didn't think 3 hours was going to be enough time so our reception/dinner will be from 6-10.  I wanted it later but we can only get it till 10PM.  The only place you can have it till later is in the ballroom.  We didn't want to go that route.

 

I think that if your guests are ok with it, then I say do the 1 PM.  Either way you look at it, it's going to suck.  You might just find a neat/cool way to utilize that time gap for something fun or something.  I wouldn't feel bad about it though.  Just make the best of it

 

Originally Posted by wanda 

Hi Norma,

 

I can see why you changed it to 1pm. I don't like feeling rushed either. I still can't decide. See I was really hoping to have our pictures taken at around sunset so the pictures would look nice and also we wouldn't be as hot. What time will you be taking your pictures if you're ceremony is at 1pm?

 

I wonder how the guests will feel if they have to wait a couple of hours while we're taking pictures. I mean it's not that comfortable to be dressed up in hot weather. People are telling me it's not a big deal but I feel bad about it.

 

Also our reception is only 3 hours, but we're thinking of adding an additional hour so it would be from 6-9 (or 10) but do you think that's too early to end it?

[vchan]

Hi Wanda. I'm having my ceremony at the chapel at 4PM. The sun doesn't set until around 7PM in April which leaves me enough time to take pictures before my reception. I'm also flying in my priest since I wanted him to perform my ceremony. He had to write a letter to the church in Cancun basically letting them know that he is who he is then the church has to approve it. So that may be an option for you, but it's also additional cost since you'd have to pay for your priest's airfare and stay.
 

Originally Posted by 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.

[wanda]

Norma- Thanks for your opinion. I think I'm going to pay for the extra hour too. You're right, 3 hours is too short and if I decide to go for 1pm, I like your idea of going to the city to take pictures. I guess I can't decide yet until I have a photographer confirmed. If they charge for continuous hours like Funever, that that would become too pricey. But we're still shopping for a photographer so we'll see. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[wanda]

vchan- That's a good idea to bring down your own priest. I didn't even think about that. I didn't know they would allow that. Do you still have to pay the $400USD or is that only if you use their priest? So just to confirm, does that mean your priest is allowed to marry you in the Chapel anytime you chose since he wrote that letter to the Cancun church? 

[Norma83]

Not a problem!  I hope everthing works out
 

Originally Posted by wanda 

Norma- Thanks for your opinion. I think I'm going to pay for the extra hour too. You're right, 3 hours is too short and if I decide to go for 1pm, I like your idea of going to the city to take pictures. I guess I can't decide yet until I have a photographer confirmed. If they charge for continuous hours like Funever, that that would become too pricey. But we're still shopping for a photographer so we'll see. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[wanda]

Hey Norma, are you using Funever for your photography?

[Norma83]

Well, I think Funever comes with our package but we are thinking about flying our photographer out with us also.  I'm thinking we are still going to look around for photographers in the Cancun area just as back up.  I did request info from DelSol and this other photographer...can't remember the name at this time but I'd be glad to share that info with you.  Just PM me your email address and I'll send it your way.  Del Sol takes GREAT photos but the prices are way high.  Who are you thinking about going with? 

Originally Posted by wanda 

Hey Norma, are you using Funever for your photography?