June 2012 Newbie Bride!

[greatbritain]

Thanks so much for all your input JayKay, so helpful!! I have checking out that thread religiously. I think we may go with Gran Bahia, I am just waiting to hear a few more quotes of some other places. I thought I had saw on one of the threads that children under 12 are free at Gran Bahia but a TA just told me the child rates there and I am a little disappointed, but I assume all resorts have rates for children so I guess I can't be that disappointed!

 

Originally Posted by JayKay 

I'm glad to hear you are still considering the Gran Bahia!

 

If you go to this thread you can view some pictures from the many brides who were just married there:

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/51518/any-gran-bahia-principe-runaway-bay-brides-out-there

 

As to the photographer I know his prices have slightly increased since we booked.  We payed $1050 and that includes all day coverage, a DVD with all the images (at least 300 to unlimited amount) and photo retouching.  We also are paying his travel fee which is $250, which he charges for anywhere outside of Kingston (where he is from).  Hope this helps!

 

 

 

[LindseyM]

Hi!

 

I am in South Jersey, I see you are in Philly.  We are in the same boat!  Although, we're not officially engaged yet until he gives me my grandmother's ring... nevertheless we're heading to Mexico next month when school gets out to find a hotel to get married at!  The book that helped us the most was The Knot's Guide to Destination Weddings.  There's also a planning binder that goes along with it!!

 

I will let you know what hotel we decide on, but definitely somewhere in Riviera Maya.  Hope to hear from you soon!

[greatbritain]

Hi Lindsey!

 

I'm actually from South Jersey That's so awesome! You'll have to let me know where you end up selecting. We decided to go to Jamaica instead of Mexico because my fiancee has already been to Mexico and neither of us have been to Jamaica so we figure let's go somewhere neither of us have been! Thank you for that book suggestion, I'm going to check it out!

 

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

Hi!

 

I am in South Jersey, I see you are in Philly.  We are in the same boat!  Although, we're not officially engaged yet until he gives me my grandmother's ring... nevertheless we're heading to Mexico next month when school gets out to find a hotel to get married at!  The book that helped us the most was The Knot's Guide to Destination Weddings.  There's also a planning binder that goes along with it!!

 

I will let you know what hotel we decide on, but definitely somewhere in Riviera Maya.  Hope to hear from you soon!

 

[LindseyM]

I will keep you posted!!

 

Our friends got married at Sandals Montego Bay in 2009 for $12,000 including the whole entire wedding for 33 people AND their honeymoon!!  

 

Happy planning!!!

 

Where in SJ are you?

[Dutchie600]

Children are free to Stay under 12. You Should call the Resort and find out yourself. I think its if you "upgrade" to the All Inclusive Package.

[greatbritain]

That's not bad at all, I am really considering Gran Bahia because it has the best deal so far in terms of rates for my guests!

 

I am from Blackwood and I work in Voorhees! Where are you from?

 

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

I will keep you posted!!

 

Our friends got married at Sandals Montego Bay in 2009 for $12,000 including the whole entire wedding for 33 people AND their honeymoon!!  

 

Happy planning!!!

 

Where in SJ are you?

 

[greatbritain]

Interesting, I am going to contact them and find out. I didn't know you could go and it NOT be all inclusive! I'll let you know what they tell me!

 

Originally Posted by Dutchie600 

Children are free to Stay under 12. You Should call the Resort and find out yourself. I think its if you "upgrade" to the All Inclusive Package.

 

[LindseyM]

I live down in Mays Landing and work in Galloway.

 

Fiance and I are moving to the Blackwood area in August!  He lives in Sewell now and we're going to be searching for an area between our two jobs!

[greatbritain]

Haha so funny!  
 

Originally Posted by LindseyM 

I live down in Mays Landing and work in Galloway.

 

Fiance and I are moving to the Blackwood area in August!  He lives in Sewell now and we're going to be searching for an area between our two jobs!

 

[ashley490]

greatbritain - Congrats on selecting your destination!  I know picking a resort can be a challenge.  When I was comparing resorts I was really wanting the Iberostar, however, after discussing it with my travel agent she suggested I consider the Gran Bahia Principe because the cost was lower for pretty much the same thing.  I also found that other resorts in the same price range as the Gran Bahia weren't as nice (either 3-4 stars compared to the Bahia's 5).  In the end it was a no brainer for me and I chose the Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica.  It's also really close (about 5 minutes) to Mahoe falls which is a beautiful location for waterfall wedding photos because it's not nearly as busy or as expensive as Dunns River.

 

If you're looking for photographer suggestions, I'm personally going with Sungold Photography.  They are a little pricey but I thought they were worth it.  You can have a look at their website if you want  www.sungoldphoto.com  Paula and Damian have been fantastic to deal with through email and over the phone. 

 

Keep us posted on what resort you pick.  If you end up choosing Gran Bahia you should definitely join the thread that's over 190 pages already that I believe Jaykay or Dutchie had mentioned.  The ladies on there are fabulous and the information is so helpful!