OFFICIAL Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Thread

[barnet202]

sorry to be a pain  but......... I have been told by the holiday company I wish to use (Thomson) UK, that the sunshine package will be £739, and there are still local legal fees to pay, around $750 for blood tests, registrar.... has anyone else heard about this? They are also telling me that the amount is subject to change and they cannot provide a breakdown as it is direct from the hotel.... so basically we could get there and they could charge however much they want???!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Amy

[squeekybubble]

You could always book your holiday then contact the resort direct, then the price will be as on the previous page. I'm not sure when they release the new prices though.

[EmmaNahaylo]

Hi Guys -

 

Question about Photography? Can I use another photographer from Mexico, just not he resort photographer? I've heard they are pretty stingy, but I was wondering If I have options. I would like someone for the whole day/reception and want to compare prices and quality.

Also, any purchase a video of their wedding?? Is it worth it, or have a friend record it on a cell phone (I know, sounds lame, but may be ok quality).

I am getting married at the tulum Gazebo Nov 27th 2014 but staying at the Coba. My best friend got married at the tulum beach last Dec 2013 and so I was able to scope out the place but didnt think we would be coming back to the same place so I did not ask specific questions when I was there.

We chosen to do the basic cymbolic ceremony and I believe Pabloma (?) forgot her name already as I have never really spoken with her yet, reserved teh gazebo for 3pm (Id liek to move it to pm, the lighting and wait before dinner is much nicer), then we have chosen a cocktail hour after ceremony with a guuitar and cocktails and "tapas" for our guests as we take photos. Then dinner has been requested at the "Pablo" steak housse as its reviews have been great and when we were there it was too busy to get in, but we did notice a beautiful wedding reception there and it made me want to have it there. ( i dont like that its only confirmed closer to the date... I like to have that sense of mind knowing its booked.). Then we are doign the poolside DJ party fora  few hours...

I am planning on bringing some decorations and my own runner.

Does anyone know if we can buy sparklers in Playa Del Carmen? maybe I should as my wedding coordinator if she can provide them, although I am sure the price will go up then.

Does anyone recommond anything else? I dont wnt to miss out on the small details and am hopfully covering them all.

On a more fun note: We are so excited and can wait. Our last tally of guests were 58... so there is quite a large group of us going from Canada, France, and UK. Its going to be a blast!

 

Thanks Guys!!!

 

Emma

[TATrisha]

Hi Emma! Congratulations!  I have added my comments below in purple...

Hi Guys -

 

Question about Photography? Can I use another photographer from Mexico, just not he resort photographer? Sadly, no you cannot.  They VERY strictly prohibit this.  However, you can fly in your own photographer.  That way you get all day coverage, and honestly it's about the same price as what you'd pay for the resort photographer but with MUCH better quality and more images.  Every photographer is different, but my costs are between 2500-3000 (USD), so you could use that as a rough estimate.

 

I've heard they are pretty stingy, but I was wondering If I have options. I would like someone for the whole day/reception and want to compare prices and quality.

Also, any purchase a video of their wedding?? Is it worth it, or have a friend record it on a cell phone (I know, sounds lame, but may be ok quality).

There are a lot of mixed reviews on this.  It's pretty windy, so sometimes the cell phone doesn't provide the best coverage.  However if you're not going to watch it over and over and over, the cell phone recording might be good enough.  I personally didn't record it at all.

 

I am getting married at the tulum Gazebo Nov 27th 2014 but staying at the Coba. My best friend got married at the tulum beach last Dec 2013 and so I was able to scope out the place but didnt think we would be coming back to the same place so I did not ask specific questions when I was there.

We chosen to do the basic cymbolic ceremony and I believe Pabloma (?) forgot her name already as I have never really spoken with her yet, reserved teh gazebo for 3pm (Id liek to move it to pm, the lighting and wait before dinner is much nicer),

Sunset is actually at 5pm, so a 3pm ceremony is pretty great, actually.  The sun will be lower in the sky so it'll be cooler, yet the water will still look beautiful and blue.  Then you'll also have time for pictures after your ceremony. 

 

then we have chosen a cocktail hour after ceremony with a guuitar and cocktails and "tapas" for our guests as we take photos. Then dinner has been requested at the "Pablo" steak housse as its reviews have been great and when we were there it was too busy to get in, but we did notice a beautiful wedding reception there and it made me want to have it there. ( i dont like that its only confirmed closer to the date... I like to have that sense of mind knowing its booked.). Then we are doign the poolside DJ party fora  few hours...

I am planning on bringing some decorations and my own runner.

Does anyone know if we can buy sparklers in Playa Del Carmen? maybe I should as my wedding coordinator if she can provide them, although I am sure the price will go up then.

I do not believe sparklers are allowed.  Lots of flammable items nearby and I don't think they will allow any sort of open fire because of that.

 

Does anyone recommond anything else? I dont wnt to miss out on the small details and am hopfully covering them all.

On a more fun note: We are so excited and can wait. Our last tally of guests were 58... so there is quite a large group of us going from Canada, France, and UK. Its going to be a blast!

 

Thanks Guys!!!

 

Emma

 

It sounds like your wedding is going to be very fun Emma!  You have a lovely group of people coming and a great plan for your day!  Best wishes!

[EmmaNahaylo]

Hi Emma! Congratulations!  I have added my comments below in purple...

 

It sounds like your wedding is going to be very fun Emma!  You have a lovely group of people coming and a great plan for your day!  Best wishes!

Hi - Thank you so much for your input - it is making me think... Do I know any photographers who would want to come for a week ?? You are right, it is about the same price, as I want him all day. )I am obsessed with photos and want to capture everything I can ) . I will start looking around. I am going to check his website again, calculate costs and see if its worth it.

I was scared that 3pm was too early (My friends was at 4pm and found that to be perfect, as they were saying their vows the sun was golden on their skin...)...Ill just not like it if there is such a long wait between the ceremony and dinner, but i guess with the tapas and guitar entertainment it wont make it seem like there is too much of a wait.. it will also give a chance for some to go back to their roosm to freshen up (me and the girls to).. if need me.

That sucks about sparklers... I would love to take a shot of us all on the beach at night with them... too bad. Maybe I can find some in Playa del Carmen and "sneak" them in... haha. (shh)...

Where did you have your dinner? Do youthink its workth havigna  poolside dinner, or do it in the restaurant? I am starting to worry bbc I have heard some good reviews with having a private dinner.... ?? Did you eat at the Pablo Steak house? My friend only used the Medittereano restuarant as her dinner and it was nice, privately tucked away from everyone and felt inimate... but maybe with us having 55+ guests, I should do a private event? I need advice on this LOL....

There are so many options to think about.... 

Oh and my wedding coordinator is Maria... but apparently she was away and Paloma is answering for her right now... but I still ahev 6.5 months....

I am open to all suggestions and comments

Thanks!!!!

Emma

[TATrisha]

For photographers, you might want to check around the Canada area.  Because it's Thanksgiving in the states, flights are really expensive.  I would absolutely love to photograph it for you, but it'd be about $3500.

 

Hi - Thank you so much for your input - it is making me think... Do I know any photographers who would want to come for a week ?? You are right, it is about the same price, as I want him all day. )I am obsessed with photos and want to capture everything I can ) . I will start looking around. I am going to check his website again, calculate costs and see if its worth it.

I was scared that 3pm was too early (My friends was at 4pm and found that to be perfect, as they were saying their vows the sun was golden on their skin...)...Ill just not like it if there is such a long wait between the ceremony and dinner, but i guess with the tapas and guitar entertainment it wont make it seem like there is too much of a wait.. it will also give a chance for some to go back to their roosm to freshen up (me and the girls to).. if need me.

That sucks about sparklers... I would love to take a shot of us all on the beach at night with them... too bad. Maybe I can find some in Playa del Carmen and "sneak" them in... haha. (shh)...

Where did you have your dinner? Do youthink its workth havigna  poolside dinner, or do it in the restaurant? I am starting to worry bbc I have heard some good reviews with having a private dinner.... ??

I personally had my dinner as a private poolside dinner with the BBQ Grill option.  I loved it and think it was 100% worth the cost and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

I have also photographed weddings at the Medittereano (Coba), Arlequin (Akumal), and the Don Pablo (Tulum).  All were delicious food and great service.  They also had their meals start at 6pm so the restaurant was private until about 7pm.  That was very nice for toasts and the such.

 

Did you eat at the Pablo Steak house? My friend only used the Medittereano restuarant as her dinner and it was nice, privately tucked away from everyone and felt inimate... but maybe with us having 55+ guests, I should do a private event? I need advice on this LOL....

There are so many options to think about.... 

Oh and my wedding coordinator is Maria... but apparently she was away and Paloma is answering for her right now... but I still ahev 6.5 months....

I am open to all suggestions and comments

Thanks!!!!

Emma

[EmmaNahaylo]

For photographers, you might want to check around the Canada area.  Because it's Thanksgiving in the states, flights are really expensive.  I would absolutely love to photograph it for you, but it'd be about $3500.

Thanks Tlseege!!

 

You know I am toying with a photographer... But the rules re so strict on having one come in and I I didnt think his work was bad at all. Our friends got some great photos from him. I think it will be more stressful for me to start looking for one. Also, does a phtographer, who doesnt know us want to be in Mexico all alone (although the group going is extremely inviting and friendly) ? I am not sure how it work ?

I think as long as they guarentee that we can get the Pablo Steak house for the dinner I will be ok with it. If not, then I may change options to have a poolside dinner which sounds wonderful. I have just heard that they want to rush you out by the 2 hour mark in teh restaurants, and thats the last thing I want, is to be rushed?  Ugh.. so much to think about .

Ill look over the options again. Thanks for your insite and letting me know what you did.   You are helping tremendously!!

Emms

For photographers, you might want to check around the Canada area.  Because it's Thanksgiving in the states, flights are really expensive.  I would absolutely love to photograph it for you, but it'd be about $3500.

Also, do you have any photos you would want to share of your dinner  and the weddings you photographed? That would be nice to seee

Thanks

Emma

[TATrisha]

Thanks Tlseege!!

 

You know I am toying with a photographer... But the rules re so strict on having one come in and I I didnt think his work was bad at all. Our friends got some great photos from him. I think it will be more stressful for me to start looking for one. Also, does a phtographer, who doesnt know us want to be in Mexico all alone (although the group going is extremely inviting and friendly) ? I am not sure how it work ?

I think as long as they guarentee that we can get the Pablo Steak house for the dinner I will be ok with it. If not, then I may change options to have a poolside dinner which sounds wonderful. I have just heard that they want to rush you out by the 2 hour mark in teh restaurants, and thats the last thing I want, is to be rushed?  Ugh.. so much to think about .

They have never rushed us out.  They will kindly mention that your reception (that you're paying for) is starting and has a hard stop at 11pm... but they don't force you out.  But after 2 hours pretty much everyone is very much done and ready to go party.

 

Ill look over the options again. Thanks for your insite and letting me know what you did.   You are helping tremendously!!

Emms

Also, do you have any photos you would want to share of your dinner  and the weddings you photographed? That would be nice to seee

Thanks

Emma

My dinner, I have some pictures at the beginning of this thread, but here is the seating for it.

 

Weddings I have photographed, here is ceremony at Akumal beach, dinner at Mediterraneo, poolside reception (coba)

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/cheryl-aaron-gran-bahia-principe-coba-destination-wedding-photos/2012

 

Then we have ceremony at Tulum gazebo, dinner at Don Pablo, Poolside reception (Tulum)

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/gran-bahia-principe-tulum-gazebo-wedding/2012

 

And then I just returned from Akumal beach wedding, dinner at Arlequin, poolside reception (Akumal)... photos aren't quite ready yet but you can see sneak peeks at my facebook page www.facebook.com/faberphotographyllc

[jfarrowable]

 

We chosen to do the basic cymbolic ceremony and I believe Pabloma (?) forgot her name already as I have never really spoken with her yet, reserved teh gazebo for 3pm (Id liek to move it to pm, the lighting and wait before dinner is much nicer), then we have chosen a cocktail hour after ceremony with a guuitar and cocktails and "tapas" for our guests as we take photos. Then dinner has been requested at the "Pablo" steak housse as its reviews have been great and when we were there it was too busy to get in, but we did notice a beautiful wedding reception there and it made me want to have it there. ( i dont like that its only confirmed closer to the date... I like to have that sense of mind knowing its booked.). Then we are doign the poolside DJ party fora  few hours...

 

 

Hi Emma!

 

I'm getting married at the gazebo as well, on November 18th (and staying at Akumal).  Have you already confirmed poolside reception, dj, restaurant, etc?  I was under the impression we couldn't really firm these details up until ~3 months from the wedding.  I'd love to get these things confirmed as well!  

 

Sounds like you have a great group coming - I'm surprised at how many we have coming too - 50 people confirmed already and still a dozen or so who are 'maybes'!  I can't wait!

[CindRumb]

Hello!

 

I just got married at the Gazebo in Tulum and stayed at the Akumal.

 

My wedding was at 2PM. Some things to consider. Getting lunch, this was darn near impossible. They would not deliver food to my room or allow anyone to take food from the snack bar. It was a huge pain, cause I already had my hair and make done and didn’t want to leave the room. My mother in law ended up getting room service(she was in the premier section) and brought it to the room. It was also sooooo hot in the afternoon. It was nice to be in the shade of the gazebo, but right after to get pics on the beach was hot hot. The wedding coordinator forgot to place the fans I had purchased on the chairs, so that didn’t help.

 

The resort photographer took pictures of the ceremony. Just because so many pictures were include in my wedding package. I did have my own photographer there, and they stayed out of each other’s way.  I found the resort photographer, very nice and polite, I never had any issue with them with regards to having my own photographer. They didn’t seem to mind at all. The only downfall of having our own photographer was getting around to take pictures, I couldn’t arrange private transportation, so we just had to take the trolley like everyone else. Wasn’t a huge deal.

 

We booked out the entire seafood restaurant on the Akumal side and I couldn’t have been happier. (There wasn't any air conditioning,which I wish there would have been, they had the windows open and the fans on, so it's was okay) We had it from 5:30-10:30. The dinner was delicious, the staff were amazing. I brought some of my own decorations and they made the place look great! In total it was $2500 USD. That included the entire restaurant, the plated dinner and all the drinks. For 54 people. I also had the DJ from 5 hours, that was $1050. He was excellent. We had such a good party in there. After 10 30, we had a music player, walked next door to the snack bar and continued to party. No one cared that we were there, lots of drinks and music. Just put a few tables together outside the snack bar and your good to go. I didn’t go to the disco because there was no air conditioning and my dress was hot hot!

 

I should also mention that 7 of us got our hair did at the salon and 6 of us were not happy. I didn’t find they did a good job, English was lacking and they just didn’t know what they were doing. We all had to fix our own hair and make-up(poor quality make-up). And it was very expensive, I would avoid if possible.

 

I also didn’t think to ask about what was going to be said during the ceremony. And it was quite religious. We didn’t care to much for that, I should have asked prior too but I totally didn’t even think of this.

 

Hmm I think that’s it….any questions just ask J