OFFICIAL Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Thread

[BTOPPINGS]

Hello! I have never been to this resort but hears it's fantastic!!! I am getting married on November 20th at 12pm noon on Akumal beach. We have around 80-90 guests coming, so looking at options for such a large group. Any tips?

I would like to do the a la carte for dinner and hopefully use the whole restaurant just for us (one that is 100 ppl max or something). Any recommendations? 

What about the photographers. We bought a package where we get 10 photos included, but how long are the photographers with you for? Do they take pictures while you are getting ready with your girls? The groom with the groomsmen or just the ceremony and a few after??

 

What about the after party reception. I have been told it's worth it to do the poolside reception after dinner but that they charge per person (with 80-90 ppl that is expensive!!!)

 

Thank you so much in advance.

Becky

[TATrisha]

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

 

Hello! I have never been to this resort but hears it's fantastic!!! I am getting married on November 20th at 12pm noon on Akumal beach. We have around 80-90 guests coming, so looking at options for such a large group. Any tips?  That's an awesome group and a great time of the year.  You'll have a blast!  

I would like to do the a la carte for dinner and hopefully use the whole restaurant just for us (one that is 100 ppl max or something). Any recommendations?  I would recommend Arelquin.  I think the max is actually right around 90 so that would be perfect!

What about the photographers. We bought a package where we get 10 photos included, but how long are the photographers with you for? The photographers are at the ceremony and there about 10 minutes after.  You can pay for them to be there longer, the prices are on page 2 of this thread.  Do they take pictures while you are getting ready with your girls?  The groom with the groomsmen or just the ceremony and a few after?? You can pay for them to, or your best bet is to hire and fly in a photographer.  It'll be much cheaper and better results.

 

What about the after party reception. I have been told it's worth it to do the poolside reception after dinner but that they charge per person (with 80-90 ppl that is expensive!!!)  The poolside reception after dinner isn't too bad per person.  You're probably looking at 2-3k total including DJ, which isn't that bad for that many people.  Just book the cheapest bar.  Most everyone was upgraded to the full bar for free. 

 

Thank you so much in advance.

Becky

[BTOPPINGS]

Thank you so much for the info. For the poolside reception, when you say to pick the cheapest option, do you mean the beer, margarita mix, sparkling wine one which is $8/pp??? That would be awesome if we got upgraded for free!!!

 

For the photographer, I might just have to ask some friends to take pictures....hmmmm

For the restaurants I am deciding between Arlequin or Don Pablo

[TATrisha]

Yup, the $8 pp option is the one.  Every wedding I've been at or heard of was upgraded for free.  It's obviously a risk... but the public bar is VERY near by if that problem arises.

 

Don Pablo is Tulum, so odds are the Tulum bride already has that one booked...

[Dreamteam17]

@@LeeanneMUA Not sure if you found a photographer yet or have decided to go with tlseege if so thats great. I am flying in a photographer from Kitchener Ontario from captured soul photography. If you haven't found anyone and like her work you could use her as well? and we could split the cost to fly her down from ontario? It's 1700 for her to fly from here plus her packages start at 1500 for 8 hours of photography. Just an idea if you were interested.

Thanks for that, I think I will prob do te makeup on my own.. Should hopefully not need too much anyway if we have a good tan!

I'm pretty sure the salon will be ok for the hair, will definitely take pictures along..

So you are a photographer Trisha? I take it you live close to the resort? If so I am interested in getting a quote for my day.

LeeAnne x

[LeeanneMUA]

@@LeeanneMUA Not sure if you found a photographer yet or have decided to go with tlseege if so thats great. I am flying in a photographer from Kitchener Ontario from captured soul photography. If you haven't found anyone and like her work you could use her as well? and we could split the cost to fly her down from ontario? It's 1700 for her to fly from here plus her packages start at 1500 for 8 hours of photography. Just an idea if you were interested.

@Dreamteam (sorry I do not know how to tag you yet!!) That is a great idea.  Is that US Dollars?  does that include accommodation? and I am sure there may be a fee we have to pay also for the photographer to come into resort?

 

I would have to go away and think about it as it is still pretty expensive to do!  Would it be possible that you could give me the name of photographer so that I can check out their work.

 

But yeah this could really pay off for us if I can afford it!!

 

Leeanne x 

@Dreamteam (sorry I do not know how to tag you yet!!) That is a great idea.  Is that US Dollars?  does that include accommodation? and I am sure there may be a fee we have to pay also for the photographer to come into resort?

 

I would have to go away and think about it as it is still pretty expensive to do!  Would it be possible that you could give me the name of photographer so that I can check out their work.

 

But yeah this could really pay off for us if I can afford it!!

 

Leeanne x 

Ahh excuse me I have just looked back over your message and seen the photographers name!! :-) x

[Dreamteam17]

@@LeeanneMUA this is Canadian dollars. So 1700 is for her to come for the week and all accommodations. She is just like one of our guests. There is no fee for her to come as she is staying 7 days with us. So we would split the 1700 and pay for our own wedding package on top of that.

Absolutely, think about it and check her out, I have sent her a email asking of she would be ok with this to be sure of anything else we should know about doing this. She is a real people person and I fell in love with her pictures and the brightness of her work and her personality topped it off. She has been in contact with me frequently helping me with any questions I have about the wedding and has even suggested colour pallets that I am using , she is doing more then my MOH lol

Her website is very informative and u can get quotes for anything on there. Also u can call her and she will give u any info you need.

We are using her regardless so take ur time let me know

Oh and her name is Michelle from captured soul phitography

 

 

http://www.capturedsoulphotography.com

@Dreamteam (sorry I do not know how to tag you yet!!) That is a great idea.  Is that US Dollars?  does that include accommodation? and I am sure there may be a fee we have to pay also for the photographer to come into resort?

 

I would have to go away and think about it as it is still pretty expensive to do!  Would it be possible that you could give me the name of photographer so that I can check out their work.

 

But yeah this could really pay off for us if I can afford it!!

 

Leeanne x 

Ahh excuse me I have just looked back over your message and seen the photographers name!! :-) x

Hi sorry I just went back to my Emails and it's costing us $1860 to fly her in from ontario cause she needs a single room. This is taxes in. We have already used our discounted passengers on us and my fiancés sister as she is a single parent traveling with a child over 2 so has to pay almost full price.

So 1860 divided by 2 $930 to fly her in plus starting package is $1500 for 8 hours of photography, this includes taxes. In Canadian dollars. Just wanted to clear that up before you decide

[BTOPPINGS]

@LeanneMUA and @Dreamteam   when is your wedding date?

[LeeanneMUA]

22 JAN 2015 X

[BTOPPINGS]

Oh darn! I was hoping it was when I was there so we could share!