2013 Gran Caribe Real/ Royal Cancun Brides

[Alicia415]

I must of missed something bc I have no idea what the lazo or coins traditions are! If someone could elaborate I would appreciate it!!
 

[Christen Jean]

I haven't done my review yet because I'd like to include photos from my photographer for you, but haven't gotten them yet.  I will soon!

 

Yes, we were all there at 6pm and Sunset Grill sat us perfectly!  They have large round tables (almost like a wedding reception!) so our group took up about 5 tables.  It really worked out perfect and was free.  But you all need to be there ready to be sat, so it worked out really well that I had asked everyone to meet at the lobby bar in our welcome brochure.  The Sunset Grill is right next to it so we were all in line to sit for dinner while we were ordering our drinks at the bar!

 

I would definitely recommend spending extra $ on the DJ (Doremixx is AWESOME and a vendor of the hotel).  We only went with the classic wedding package but still had the beautiful white linens decorating everything, candle lit table centerpieces, floral centerpiece for the head table, nice white chairs, etc. 

 

I brought my own photographer from home and it was totally worth it.  She was a family friend that stayed at the resort for 2 nights, but I still had to pay the outside vendor fee for her.  I promise, she was worth every penny.  I've known her for a long time and she's always done my family portraits, and I am so glad I asked her to come.  We covered the cost of her trip and she did the pics for us.  It was the best money we ever spent because we love all 900 pictures she took! I highly recommend using someone you already know.

 

We used a Travel Agent to book everyone's travel and it was great.  I worried about nothing and she got everyone set up.  People could make payments for their trip up to 30 days before travel which was a huge benefit to using a TA.  We paid $1200/adult with rount trip airfare and this hotel was worth every cent.  My parents had never left the country or done an all-inclusive and I was worried that my mom wouldn't find the benefit in the up-front cost, but she can't stop raving about this resort now that we're home.  It really is a wonderful place to do this.  All of you considering it or stressing out now that your booked- be at ease.  Your onsite WC will handle everything for you and make your big day the day of your dreams.  I know mine certainly was.

 

The only con I have about getting married here is the lack of negotiation/perks for having your wedding here.  Everything is pretty cut and dry, which could be a pro too.  You know what you're getting and you get what you pay for.  They do an amazing job and know their stuff.  They do this every day and they do it perfectly. 

 

To the girls planning their reception in the ballrooms at GCR:  I can't speak for the other resorts in the chain, but at GCR we toured the ballrooms as a back up if it rained because both our ceremony and reception are planned to be outdoors and found that it was quite obvious you were in a tropical climate while in the ballroom.  Although GORGEOUS, there is a smell that goes with carpet and this type of constant humidity...I HIGHLY recommend the Sunset Views Lounge.  It is an outdoor terrace but is on the 6th floor with both views of the Caribbean Sea and the sunset over the lagoon.  It was breath taking.  We were married in January which is a cooler month than those of you planning a summer wedding, so I understand your concern about heat.  However, I strongly urge you to consider that there is a lot of wind that comes off the sea and that evenings are cooler - I actually felt a bit cold during dinner and my bridesmaids put on scarves until we started dancing and warmed up a bit.  I have a feeling on a summer night this terrace would be a nice temperature.  And although the ballrooms are gorgeous, nothing could top how beautiful the terrace was.  Nothing.

 

Happy planning!!!

[Emily11386]

A former bride posted this. It was really helpful! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/69693/every-thing-you-want-to-know-about-catholic-ceremony-at-grand-caribe-real

[nov152013]

Thanks Emily! That other bride's post was super informative

[Alicia415]

Thank you Emily...that is really very helpful!

[Catish11]

Hey Ladies!!

 

Just a heads up after freaking out and buying the lazo and coins on amazon (since our wedding is next week and we needed it before then) I got a reply from Diana, our wedding coordinator, regarding the rituals. It turns out we DO NOT NEED TO DO THE MEXICAN WEDDING TRADITIONS. So dont go crazy like I did and go out trying to find this stuff!! LOL I wanted to give you the heads up bc now this money we spent on the "arras" and "lazo" might be wasted money if amazon doesnt allow a cancellation of order Diana said that although yes it is a Mexican tradition, most brides that come from the states opt to just do the wedding bands and they're completely OK w/ that. Hope this helps!! 

[ncalvar]

Originally Posted by Catish11 

 

Hey Ladies!!

 

Just a heads up after freaking out and buying the lazo and coins on amazon (since our wedding is next week and we needed it before then) I got a reply from Diana, our wedding coordinator, regarding the rituals. It turns out we DO NOT NEED TO DO THE MEXICAN WEDDING TRADITIONS. So dont go crazy like I did and go out trying to find this stuff!! LOL I wanted to give you the heads up bc now this money we spent on the "arras" and "lazo" might be wasted money if amazon doesnt allow a cancellation of order Diana said that although yes it is a Mexican tradition, most brides that come from the states opt to just do the wedding bands and they're completely OK w/ that. Hope this helps!! 

Have you spoken to the church at all? I was told to contact the church(not the resort) to make sure that they had received all our paperwork and Sandra who works for the church was the one that told me that it had to be done! I mean don't get me wrong, I don't want to do it but I want to make sure that I'm prepared. Lol. I guess I'll wait till you get back and go from there =) Good luck with your wedding! Can't wait to hear about it....

[NinaO]

I just wanted to say and hope it doesn't come out rude...I think if you want to get married in the church in MEXICO you should respect and appreciate the traditions of the church. It is what makes it so beautiful and the long tradition of it is amazing. If you do not understand it then do research read up about it. It all has very special meaning. If the Atmosphere is why you are going there to get married then do the beach ceremony. You can make it more how you want to. I also could never imagine asking the priest to do it my way. I would feel like I am offending not only him but the whole religion. If your not really catholic then I would just suggest beach. Just my thought. It kind of made me sad to here some replys to findings coins etc. those are gifts that should be given to you by someone special. I know we are all spending $ making things. The symbolic things in ceremony are for you (couple)forever. Worth $ more than bubbles or cups, towels. I would do some research. It is so beautiful & personal.

[Catish11]

NCalver, I actually havent spoken to Sandra about it, except for the letter and documents that have to be brought over there. Now i'm afraid to ask since I cancelled my orders :/ if anything I guess we'll pick something up over there, i'm sure they have plenty! @ NinaO I value your opinion on it, but I am and have ALWAYS been a Catholic, and never have I experienced celebrating a wedding in that manner. Although beautiful, I also have my own beliefs and it's more a "Aztec " tradition then a Catholic one. Unless they otherwise tell me so I dont think it's rude to do a traditional Catholic wedding. Thanks for the input tho! 

[ncalvar]

@Nina0........I appreciate your input, however, I don't think you understand my take on it! I'm not doing it for the atmosphere,If I was I wouldn't have gone through months of marriage preperation through the church.... I'm a cradle catholic and I've never seen the lazo and coins done before in my life.  I'm getting married in the chapel through GOD and it just happens to be in Mexico.  These traditions should be an option since we are in Mexico but It shouldn't be the only way it's done. I have no problem asking if I can opt out, I understand that the chapel is in their country but it's a catholic chapel before a mexican chapel. I'm not ingorant on their traditions, I have researched what it all means and even though I think it's beautiful, it's now what I would like done. With that being said, I will do it if there is no option but I'm just asking for a regular Catholic ceremony. 

@Catish11.....When I initially asked about everything needed for the ceremony, I was told that there are plenty of places that do sell them close by.  Do you know if they do unity candles?