Gran Caribe Real Brides 2012

[mizpriya]

Hello ladies,

 

So we are planning on having the 4pm ceremony.

I wanted to get an idea from you 2012 brides as to the flow of events from ceremony to reception and the timings you were planning on. I was told by Elsa my WC that right after the ceremony, we would have to have the reception at 4:30pm. Seems ridiculous if you ask me. And we would have to pay $400 if we wanted some time in between for pictures. I don't know why but I wanted to know your experience with that. We are now considering getting the cocktail hour to buy us some time for photos before the reception begins, but now I feel like we will be rushed! Ugh! I hate this feeling.

 

I'd like to know any of your experiences with that....

[acornk]

We are getting the cocktail hour , for after the wedding. I was not really happy with this because most of the people will be getting their pictures taken at this time, but they still require you pay for all of the guests, whether they attend or not.

 

 

Originally Posted by mizpriya 

Hello ladies,

 

So we are planning on having the 4pm ceremony.

I wanted to get an idea from you 2012 brides as to the flow of events from ceremony to reception and the timings you were planning on. I was told by Elsa my WC that right after the ceremony, we would have to have the reception at 4:30pm. Seems ridiculous if you ask me. And we would have to pay $400 if we wanted some time in between for pictures. I don't know why but I wanted to know your experience with that. We are now considering getting the cocktail hour to buy us some time for photos before the reception begins, but now I feel like we will be rushed! Ugh! I hate this feeling.

 

I'd like to know any of your experiences with that....

 

[mizpriya]

Are you doing the 4pm time as well? and then having a reception after cocktail hour?

 

I know what you mean. Like I said, it seems like they are trying to get more out of you just because it's a "wedding' 

 

Originally Posted by acornk 

We are getting the cocktail hour , for after the wedding. I was not really happy with this because most of the people will be getting their pictures taken at this time, but they still require you pay for all of the guests, whether they attend or not.

 

 

 

 

[Norma83]

Hello Ladies -

 

In response to the question about writing your own vows for a symbolic ceremony - you aren't able to write your own vows if you are having a Catholic Ceremony.  The priest ask you to repeat after him.  The part about the vows is in a Church Guideline form we had to sign.  In it, it said we cannot write our own vows. 

 

I hope this helps!

Norma

[Norma83]

Hi Mizpriya -

It seems a little crazy that you'd have to have your reception start right after your ceremony.  Are you getting married at the chapel?  If so, I can see them maybe having an issue with you guys taking pictures afterwards because they say that they have other weddings lined up after yours so they have to go in and get ready for the next one.  However, it still doesn't make sense why you'd have to have your reception at 4:30PM.  My fiance and I are getting married May 5th.  Our ceremony will be at 1PM at the Catholic Chapel and we'll have about a 3 hour gap until the reception.  Our reception starts at 6PM.  The 3 hour gap works great for us because it will allot for picture taking and a lot of our guests have kids so they can go up to their room and rest before the reception starts.  I know we may not be able to take pictures for a long time after the ceremony ends but at least we can go to other parts of the hotel to take pictures.  We initially wanted our ceremony to start at 4PM but we didn't want to pay the $400 fee.  I think it's the sunset fee or something like that.  It actually worked out better for us to do it at 1 PM. 

 

Where are you having your reception?

 

-Norma

 

 

Originally Posted by mizpriya 

Hello ladies,

 

So we are planning on having the 4pm ceremony.

I wanted to get an idea from you 2012 brides as to the flow of events from ceremony to reception and the timings you were planning on. I was told by Elsa my WC that right after the ceremony, we would have to have the reception at 4:30pm. Seems ridiculous if you ask me. And we would have to pay $400 if we wanted some time in between for pictures. I don't know why but I wanted to know your experience with that. We are now considering getting the cocktail hour to buy us some time for photos before the reception begins, but now I feel like we will be rushed! Ugh! I hate this feeling.

 

I'd like to know any of your experiences with that....

 

[mizpriya]

Interesting Norma. Are you getting charged for the division of events from 1pm to 6pm? It has nothing to do with the sunset fee because we are not doing it on a Thursday to Sunday which is when they charge that sunset fee. Our wedding is on a wednesday and not at the chapel. We are having a symbolic ceremony at the gazebo. It is specifically because we want a gap between the ceremony time and the reception time. And we are just asking for at least a 2 hour gap. and for that my WC is telling me I have to pay $400! I am sorting that all out because if you didn't have to pay it, and you have a 5 hour gap, then what the heck! I have a bone to pick with her if this is the case.

 

I think we are looking to do the reception at the gazebo. I don't like the green floor on the terrace and I read that there are rooms that are overlooking the villa terrace. The gazebo location seems more secluded to me.
 

Originally Posted by Norma83 

Hi Mizpriya -

It seems a little crazy that you'd have to have your reception start right after your ceremony.  Are you getting married at the chapel?  If so, I can see them maybe having an issue with you guys taking pictures afterwards because they say that they have other weddings lined up after yours so they have to go in and get ready for the next one.  However, it still doesn't make sense why you'd have to have your reception at 4:30PM.  My fiance and I are getting married May 5th.  Our ceremony will be at 1PM at the Catholic Chapel and we'll have about a 3 hour gap until the reception.  Our reception starts at 6PM.  The 3 hour gap works great for us because it will allot for picture taking and a lot of our guests have kids so they can go up to their room and rest before the reception starts.  I know we may not be able to take pictures for a long time after the ceremony ends but at least we can go to other parts of the hotel to take pictures.  We initially wanted our ceremony to start at 4PM but we didn't want to pay the $400 fee.  I think it's the sunset fee or something like that.  It actually worked out better for us to do it at 1 PM. 

 

Where are you having your reception?

 

-Norma

 

 

 

 

[babigirl21]

Hello All,

 

I have a question for past brides or those who will have their weddings in the next few months.  What group incentives were you offered based on your number of guests?  My wedding is 2/16/13 and we are starting to have our guests put down deposits now through our travel agent.  I just wanted to know if brides received free rooms or a free private events like a cocktail reception if they had over 15 rooms booked.  And if free rooms were received, did they still charge you for the all-inclusive food/drink portion?  Thanks.

[Norma83]

I just got my final invoice yesterday and I didn't see that we were charged anything extra for the time gap we are having.  Our ceremony starts at 1PM at the Catholic chapel.  Then the private reception at 6PM at the albatros terrace.  The terrace does have a green floor, which doesn't bother me so much because our colors are spring green and black.  And you are right, there are rooms that overlook the terrace but I don't think it's that bad when you see it in person.  To get to the Albatros Terrace you have to go up stairs to get to it, which I liked.  I'm not sure why they are giving you a hard time about it.  Do you think maybe your WC is misunderstanding?  I would think you would be able to pick the time you want your reception to start with no issue - unless it's a new rule they have implemented. 

 

Originally Posted by mizpriya 

Interesting Norma. Are you getting charged for the division of events from 1pm to 6pm? It has nothing to do with the sunset fee because we are not doing it on a Thursday to Sunday which is when they charge that sunset fee. Our wedding is on a wednesday and not at the chapel. We are having a symbolic ceremony at the gazebo. It is specifically because we want a gap between the ceremony time and the reception time. And we are just asking for at least a 2 hour gap. and for that my WC is telling me I have to pay $400! I am sorting that all out because if you didn't have to pay it, and you have a 5 hour gap, then what the heck! I have a bone to pick with her if this is the case.

 

I think we are looking to do the reception at the gazebo. I don't like the green floor on the terrace and I read that there are rooms that are overlooking the villa terrace. The gazebo location seems more secluded to me.
 

 

 

[mizpriya]

well i dont know how new this rule is but its a bit absurd. we shall see what happens. i can always say i spoke with a bride who is having it there and you didn't get charged. they cant be inconsistent with all these charges. it doesnt make it clear for present and future gran caribe brides
 

Originally Posted by Norma83 

I just got my final invoice yesterday and I didn't see that we were charged anything extra for the time gap we are having.  Our ceremony starts at 1PM at the Catholic chapel.  Then the private reception at 6PM at the albatros terrace.  The terrace does have a green floor, which doesn't bother me so much because our colors are spring green and black.  And you are right, there are rooms that overlook the terrace but I don't think it's that bad when you see it in person.  To get to the Albatros Terrace you have to go up stairs to get to it, which I liked.  I'm not sure why they are giving you a hard time about it.  Do you think maybe your WC is misunderstanding?  I would think you would be able to pick the time you want your reception to start with no issue - unless it's a new rule they have implemented. 

 

 

 

[acornk]

My wedding is at 3 pm, cocktail hour at 3:30-4:30 pm and the reception after

 

Originally Posted by mizpriya 

Are you doing the 4pm time as well? and then having a reception after cocktail hour?

 

I know what you mean. Like I said, it seems like they are trying to get more out of you just because it's a "wedding'