OFFICIAL Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Thread

[jessiker05]

Welcome to the site!!  I have been to both resorts and I have photographed weddings at both resorts.  Both are lovely.  

 

Are you thinking the gazebo or the beach location at the Barcelo?  

 

Personally, I like the look of the Barcelo gazebo better than the Tulum Gazebo, however the Tulum Gazebo is far more private.

 

Beach location, I like the Gran Bahia better.  I think it's more private and you have more options.

 

I enjoyed the private restaurant reception of the Barcelo where at the GBP it isn't private, however I like the poolside receptions at the GBP more.

 

End result... I'd select GBP.  But I got married there so I'm bias

 

Here are some of the weddings I've photographed at both:

 

http://faberphotography.com/destination-wedding/barcelo-maya-palace-the-wedding-west-bend-wisconsin-destination-wedding-photographer/2010

 

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014

 

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

 

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

Tlseege, 

 

Thank you so much for this information! I love the photos from Nikki & Tim's GBP wedding, it's everything I want for mine! Is this the "hammocks" beach location? And do you know what they call that pool area where they had their reception? I read that they recently painted those posts (not sure what that thing is called) white and a lot of people don't like it and are switching to the Tulum beach site. Which area is more private - the Tulum or Akumal beach ceremony site?

 

My travel agent told me that the beach area to the far end at the Barcelo complex (opposite end then the Palace) is more private then at GBP. She thought it was a nicer, prettier beach area. Have you seen this location?

 

Does the GBP have a disco? I'd like to have somewhere fun to continue the party after the reception ends and I know the Barcelo has a good nightclub. 

 

Which resort did you think had nicer rooms (have you stayed in an oceanview?) and did GBP give you a free room upgrade?

 

Thanks again, this helped a lot!

[DonnaandDaz]

Hi has anybody got any pics yet of the new tulum beach location. We go on Wednesday n I'm unsure as to whether the location needs decorating with flowers etc!

[Gmarie721]

So my wedding is coming up here quick, in June. Can any of u tell me what the tropical flowers consisted of? Ive been emailing Bahia but all they do is send me a super dated catalog of examples. I just want to what type of flowers ex: Lillie's, roses etc. What did your boquets look like?

[calgarybride2015]

So my wedding is coming up here quick, in June. Can any of u tell me what the tropical flowers consisted of? Ive been emailing Bahia but all they do is send me a super dated catalog of examples. I just want to what type of flowers ex: Lillie's, roses etc. What did your boquets look like?

 

I didn't marry at your resort but I was worried about the same thing. I didn't love any of the bouquets they sent me and lots look outdated. I was a bit worried about it, but they turned out gorgeous.  I can only offer that you can trust them, just let them know what you want and provide a picture you found online if you have one.   You have a lot of elders from this resort who have had gorgeous weddings, so trust in that.

[Andie]

This is my bridal bouquet.  I just gave them a picture of gerber daisies and roses in pink, and asked for them in orange.  I brought my own ribbon to wrap the stems.  All the flowers for the weddings that I saw were absolutely beautiful.

[TATrisha]

Tlseege, 

 

Thank you so much for this information! I love the photos from Nikki & Tim's GBP wedding, it's everything I want for mine! Is this the "hammocks" beach location? And do you know what they call that pool area where they had their reception? I read that they recently painted those posts (not sure what that thing is called) white and a lot of people don't like it and are switching to the Tulum beach site. Which area is more private - the Tulum or Akumal beach ceremony site?

 

My travel agent told me that the beach area to the far end at the Barcelo complex (opposite end then the Palace) is more private then at GBP. She thought it was a nicer, prettier beach area. Have you seen this location?

 

Does the GBP have a disco? I'd like to have somewhere fun to continue the party after the reception ends and I know the Barcelo has a good nightclub. 

 

Which resort did you think had nicer rooms (have you stayed in an oceanview?) and did GBP give you a free room upgrade?

 

Thanks again, this helped a lot!

 

You're welcome.  Nikki & Tim's wedding was at the hammock location that has indeed been painted white. You can see in the pictures that they had it practically white with all the fabric to begin with, so not too much different.

 

The pool area that they had their reception at is the Akumal Main pool.  It's right outside of the main lobby.

 

The Tulum beach location is more private than the Akumal, but when you're standing there saying your vows, they both seem intimate.  

 

I have not seen that Barcelo beach in recent years so I cannot say.

 

GBP does indeed have a disco.  It's in the Hacienda and opens at midnight.  Many of the wedding receptions that I have photographed have gone their after their poolside receptions ended.

 

I love my ocean view rooms at GBP.  I have stayed at Coba, Tulum, and Akumal.  Akumal is the only one where I've stayed ocean view and I've done it a couple times.  It's amazing and beautiful.  Barcelo's room was much more updated though.  Had very modern furniture where the GBP has very classic furniture.  

 

So my wedding is coming up here quick, in June. Can any of u tell me what the tropical flowers consisted of? Ive been emailing Bahia but all they do is send me a super dated catalog of examples. I just want to what type of flowers ex: Lillie's, roses etc. What did your boquets look like?

 

The catalog is very dated, but the flowers are the same.  You can see what type of flowers are used in those bouquets and then find pictures of more modern arrangements using the same flowers.

[Maggietron]

You're welcome.  Nikki & Tim's wedding was at the hammock location that has indeed been painted white. You can see in the pictures that they had it practically white with all the fabric to begin with, so not too much different.

 

 

 

I have been emailing with the resort and they said that they would probably be replacing it with something similar to the Tulum site before my November wedding. I just wish they had said that BEFORE I spent months fighting them to get married at that site.

[mvalenti91]

Hi Everyone

 

New to this site and amazed at the amount of information that there is

I am recently engaged and still looking for a venue. I am from Scotland and although there are some lovely venues here non of them really excite me that much or are a fortune. Last June me and my H2B holidayed at this resort and stayed in the Akumal Section. Amazing is all I can say about it. after seeing a few weddings I decided to meet with the wedding co-ordinator and see what they offered. the thought of getting married here really excites me however there are a few doubts and need some advice and help from everyone and anyone .

A few of my issues is that we would only maybe have 10 or 12 guests including ourselves. its a big ask to invite 50 guests from Scotland as it is very expensive to get there at the moment its £1300 for 2 weeks. is this number too small ????  I feel the reception at night wouldn't really be much or the hotel wouldn't offer us it because our low numbers. No first dance or Father daughter dance these are important to me and so scared I wouldn't get that. Im also worried that our dinner wouldn't feel so private because of our numbers ????? an that after dinner it would be a complete let down.

 

really need advice maybe other brides who have small numbers or have had small numbers, would be great to here your thoughts on this but any thoughts would help a lot. just want our wedding to be intimate, relaxed and fun

 

As we will be paying for our guests to come as they cant afford it we are planning for 2018 !!!!!! ( hate that its so far away) So we are in no rush but so unsure as to what I want its really frustrating. I love GBP akumal its beautiful.

 

cant wait to here from everyone

[ErikalL]

Hi again,

 

Does anyone know if you can use your 3 free nights that you get an a wedding gift from the package, to add on to your vacation when you get married? We're going for 7 days and I was wondering if I could just add those on to make it ten?

 

Thanks!

[sawyer2014]

Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum and continue to keep it up-to-date and the absolute best resource for Bahia brides-to-be!

 

I can't wait for my big day, just under a year from now in March 2016.  Most of my questions have been answered already, but there are 2 things that are still unclear:

 

1. Is there a rehearsal for the ceremony the day beforehand for guests and is a pre-planned rehearsal dinner common?

 

2. We will be having a symbolic ceremony.  Would we be able to have one of our dear friends 'officiate'?

 

Thanks to all the Bahia bridal pros out there keeping the rest of us brides-to-be sane!   Your help is MUCHO appreciated!