2013 Gran Caribe Real/ Royal Cancun Brides

[Emily11386]

Lucyluckytoes, We added the extra hour. We debated for a while, and we are so glad we did! It goes by so fast! Being announced in, first dance, mother and son dance, father and daughter dance and the 3 course meal take up a huge chunk of time.

[mikeiram]

I am getting married on Oct. 26. Time is flying by. I remember saying I have a whole year to plan. Now it is crunch time with 28 days left to go. I just found out Dianna is my onsite wedding coordinator. I am mostly nervous about my hair and makeup.

[CnD1107]

Hello Brides,

 

I've seen lots of feedback on Doremix, but has anyone used ManniaCancun? Just curious.

 

Thanks

[lastminbride]

Hi Girls, I've been engaged for a few years, and now my day's cancers have returned, so I am desperately trying to out together a grand wedding at the last minute (late Nov, early Dec). With such short notice, we are not sure how many people would show up, but probably around 70. I'm looking for a resort with a great ceremony space (not on the beach/sand itself, but overlooking the ocean), a gorgeous ballroom for a formal reception, and a family friendly property for my nieces/nephews and friends with kids. The Gran Caribe/Royal combo has come up as a finalist. What made you choose it? What are some pros and cons? How about costs? Thank you so much for your help and input.

[mariposa6102]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastminbride 

Hi Girls,
I've been engaged for a few years, and now my day's cancers have returned, so I am desperately trying to out together a grand wedding at the last minute (late Nov, early Dec). With such short notice, we are not sure how many people would show up, but probably around 70.
I'm looking for a resort with a great ceremony space (not on the beach/sand itself, but overlooking the ocean), a gorgeous ballroom for a formal reception, and a family friendly property for my nieces/nephews and friends with kids.
The Gran Caribe/Royal combo has come up as a finalist.
What made you choose it? What are some pros and cons? How about costs?
Thank you so much for your help and input.

 

Well, to be honest, I loved the Chapel  there.  That's what made me look into the resort.  But unfortunately, my fiancé isn't catholic so it was a no-go for utilizing the chapel for our big day.  However, we compared the prices of GCR to other family resorts and GCR had the most competitive prices.  So it was a no brainer to have our guests (and us) pay the least and still have all the great amenities.  GCR had it all.  Plus, we love how it has a big swim area for the kids.  They will be happy =).

 

GCR has the gazebo over looking the water where you can get married at.  They also have a very big terrace over looking the water too where you can have your reception.  I believe they have a ballroom too....but not 100% sure.  Lots of luck on your search!

[NinaO]

Yes get the extra Hour!!! Very worth it. We didn't end ours until 12!!!! It goes by fast with ceremony 4;30 pics for hour during cocktail hour also worth it. Your guest will be thirsty after watching your wedding on beach. We did ceremony and cocktail hour on beach then reception indoors. I think guest also loved to go inside and cool off so goo change at last minute. Plus I didn't want sand in my food. I would definitely start before 6. We got married July 5 and some of the last pics you can see color isn't as good as others. plus i recommend taking photos of y'all walking down beach after all guest shots. It also took time for me to get our guest to listen and come take pic. Everything ran behind from start even with outside guest checking in. also by the time you eat and do cake it takes time for guest to drink a little and loosen up. So 9 the party was just getting started. They begged us to keep it going and every hour Paty would come ask me if I wanted 1 more hour. Which is cheaper than the first 3 by the way.I even had guest pitch in to keep the party going. Which is awesome.

[lastminbride]

Hi Mariposa, I see that the room rates are cheaper at GCR than other resorts of the same category. But the wedding costs themselves seem to be much higher. My group will be large (~100) and their packages cover so few guests. No free private events etc.. When you say it was cheaper for you as a bride, did you mean the room price or is there other info I'm missing. Thanks so much!

[kwink]

I know you aren't asking me but they way I look at it is that I am not really saving THAT much money overall doing it in Mexico. I have a fairly large group planning to attend and I am hosting an event each day. The great part is that I am spending just under what it would cost to have a nice wedding in the states (which would only last for 5 hours) to have several events over three days in paradise. It was all about the experiences vs. the cost savings to us. We wanted our wedding to be a celebration and time for our families to truly connect. 

[mariposa6102]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastminbride 

Hi Mariposa,
I see that the room rates are cheaper at GCR than other resorts of the same category. But the wedding costs themselves seem to be much higher. My group will be large (~100) and their packages cover so few guests. No free private events etc..
When you say it was cheaper for you as a bride, did you mean the room price or is there other info I'm missing.

Thanks so much!

 

I was talking about the actual price of the rooms.  GCR did have the cheapest quotes for our guest and it was family friendly.  The other resort and locations were a little bit more.  But honestly, not by a whole lot.  And I totally agree with kwink's comment about how you (all of us) will probably coming out of this wedding/trip spending the same amount if we had our wedding in the states....but with Mexico, our $$$ will stretch out and cover several days in paradise instead of a 5 hour event.  So I'm all for that!  And I also agree that it will be more about the experience rather than cost.

 

As far as private events go, GCR can definitely cover a party of 100+.  But I don't think they can do a free private event, unless you book a bunch of rooms, which you might with that many people going.  I would definitely ask your planner about that.  Also, the more expensive wedding packages, I think, come with a set price for you and maybe about 50 guests.  After 50 guest, you would have to pay an additional fee per plate.  I am not sure how GCR's wedding cost compare to other resort wedding cost.  I can tell you that we are roughly paying $15/plate, which I thought was a bargain compared to $50-100/plate here in Los Angeles.  Hopefully this can give you a better idea.

[lastminbride]

That helps. Thanks so much Mariposa.