Gran Porto Real Brides - Post here!!

[KlBride]

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

We were working with Elsa, which needless to say wasn't the best thing in the world. We're getting married on North Beach and our entrees are Chicken and Fish. These boards are a life saver! Lol! Now I just need to stop looking at the weather channel and freaking myself out! Lol

I can't wait to hear your review when you get back! 

[KlBride]

That would be cool cglouie!    Where is your ceremony? 

I'm a little worried about some of the negative reviews also...my biggest concern is the beach.  At the time I booked, I didn't see a whole lot of negative reviews...I considered the Now Jade before the Gran Porto, and I saw a lot more negative reviews for the Jade...

[cglouie]

My wedding is at the gazebo. I picked it because it seem like a pretty spot, but now I hear the best place to get married is on the beach. I haven't heard anything negative about getting married at the beach location, so don't worry.

 

The complaints about the resort... well, that has me worried. About rooms paid for that are not ready for a day or two, or booking a nice oceanview room only to have it at a less than ideal spot (too loud, etc.). Food not being any good. Sandbags on the beach. I never saw so many complaints before I booked and boom - after we paid it seem that the negative reviews have gone up. I don't want to ask my guests to stay at an unsatisfactory resort, particularly as they are paying the premium price (no one is waiting for a 'deal'). Now I wish I booked at the Royal, but no kids are allowed there...

 

Oh well. I guess we will see.
 

[KlBride]

I'm wishing I would've booked at the Royal as well.  We may upgrade there after the wedding; will see.  Most of our guests have never been to Mexico, or an AI, so I'm hoping that they all have a great experience....the stress of worrying about the resort is more than the stress I'm having planning the wedding.  The sandbags on the beach is what I'm mostly worried about, I can't imagine that being a nice backdrop of a beach wedding.  I'm hoping that on the north beach, closer to the Royal I hear(?)  that they aren't there.

[cglouie]

I've seen pictures at the North Beach ceremony. Just stunning. You made the right choice to have the wedding on the beach.  I think the sandbag problem is near the front of the hotel property or once you get in... I don't think it will show in your pictures. My friend just back from the Gran Porto and she said the regular rooms were dark and dingy, but the junior suite rooms were nice. It would be nice if other brides who have just had a wedding would post more pictures! I'll ask her about the sandbags and such.

[KlBride]

I did see a picture of the standard rooms online, and I agree, they were definitely not something I will recommend to our guests...we booked a junior suite ocean view, and am hoping we get the ocean front with the upgrade.   Thank you so much for your reassurances.  I thought the Gazebo looked beautiful, and I was actually debating on if I should've chose that.  So I believe you made a great choice as well.  Are you bringing or doing any of your own decorations?  Where are you having your reception?

[Billandstina]

My travel agent told me via the hotel that typically they don't even book American's into the standard rooms because of the quality (or the lack thereof) and will only put them in Junior Suites as the "lowest" categories. I arrive a week today and I'll try and get on here and let y'all know about the resort.

[cglouie]

We also booked ocean view in hopes of getting an upgrade to ocean front. Our WC Sally Leon said it was likely but has not yet confirmed.

Our reception is at Albatros, but I wanted it at the Italian restaurant. If our numbers are small, then maybe this will happen? We are having cocktails after the reception at 4:00pm at the gazebo. No decoration or anything, we are pretty laid back bunch. Even my dress will be plain - I'm opting for a bridesmaid's dress, something simple, one arm and sleek. My wedding is pretty much a bridezilla's nightmare, but its what we wanted to do. I am doing welcome loot bags, and those will be fun and unique and useful.

What about you?

 

Also, thanks Billandstina for posting more information. Have a great time and congratulations!!!
 

[KlBride]

We are definitely a laid back bunch also...I'm not expecting a large group, probably 18-20.  I'm trying to do everything as simple and inexpensive as possible.  I had originally planned on a very simple gown, maybe even ordering online...but then I made the mistake of going to David's to try on some dresses and get an idea of what style I liked...well I ended up falling in love with a Vera Wang gown, that makes me look way thinner than I actually am.  Who can say no to that.   As far as decoration, I'm not doing any of my own.  I think I'm going to have colored chair bows, but that will likely be my only upgrade from what comes standard with our package Well, I guess a private reception upgrade as well.  I was bummed that we couldn't do a reception on the beach unless it was "private"  Its really not "private" when you are sitting outside in the middle of the beach.  So I'm shelling out for the upgrade.   I have no idea yet what I'm doing for loot bags.  I have seen some cute ideas online, I'm not a very creative person, so keep your fingers crossed for me.     I'm sure you've mentioned already, are you doing a symbolic or legal wedding?  We are doing symbolic, and Alejandra sent me the ceremony script, Are you making any changes?  Are you writing your own vows?  Neither of us really want to write our own, but based on the script, I'm wondering if we are supposed to?    We want to do something a little unique...I found a hand blessing that I found online, that we might do in lieu of the standard sand ceremony.  What about you Billandstina?   (And I am anxiously waiting for your review of the resort!)

[cglouie]

When you find a dress that makes you good and feel good, it is totally worth it. I want my dress to be under $200, but if I find a dress that makes me look a lot thinner than I am, I would shell out a lot more. Nothing wrong with looking your best on your wedding!

 

Everyone in my party doesn't care about decorations and all that nice stuff. I figure everyone will be looking at the beautiful surroundings and not at the bowless chairs. LOL! Let's hope! I'm doing the standard 3 course dinner.. I hope we get 20 people, than I get into the Italian restaurant.

 

For loot bags, I have anti bacteria gels, glow sticks, money conversion chart and english to spanish translation list, advil, tums, maybe some shower gels from Skoah, that sort of stuff. I might buy some champagne down there and put that in it too. I plan to have people over at our suite and I'll stock up on top liquor stuff, as i hear the resort provides the cheapest stuff. The only thing I'm not cheap about is my alcohol. Not worth the headache and I hate the taste of cheap booze.

 

We are having a symbolic ceremony. I will write something... keep puttting that off. It will be sappy and personal.