2013 Gran Caribe Real/ Royal Cancun Brides

[mizpriya]

Hey CindyG. O believe the private reception is only 3 hours long. For me, I am not having an AHR so we wanted to splurge and do coz we can at least have time for a first dance, speeches and then possibly some dancing and then if anything...proceed to an after party elsewhere for the "young ones" who feel like it.

 

Not sure about the slide show. Perhaps something to ask your WC?
 

Originally Posted by CindyG 

Question about semi-private reception to private receptions locations?  Do you find it will be long enough? Are you renting sound system or dj?  I would love to show a slide show how is everyone doing with planning the reception part i would love some feedback. thanks!

 

[babigirl21]

Hello all,

 

I'm a 2/16/13 Gran Caribe/Royal Bride.  I sent out my STD postcards about 2-3 weeks ago and everyone really liked them and our wedding website.  Initially, I felt like alot of you ladies (I have been engaged since the end of July 2011), but the time is really flying by.  My colors were inspired by the beautiful turquoise Cancun water with a touch of spice (red).  I took advantage of this website for ideas and planning and so far I have booked the venue/ wedding package (Luxury), photographers (Photos In Cancun, BTW they are affordable and great to work with.  We took our engagment photos when we were in Cancun last August).  In January, I found a seamstress to make my beautiful spanish inspired detachable dress.  And I purchased my 5 bridesmaid dresses from David's Bridal for $50 each (above the knee turquoise lace dresses).  I have some ideas for decorating the reception venue, but I'm trying to keep my costs down so I have decided that whatever I do buy, I will be able to use for our at home reception later in the summer of 2013.  We are in the process of having our house built, so much of my time is now occupied with that. 

 

Keep the faith ladies!    

 

 

[babigirl21]

One More Thing,

 

If one of your guests are a licensed minister, they can preside your symbolic wedding.  I'm still on the fence about paying $600 for a minster when I have several family memebers who are either pastors or ministers and it would add a more personal feel to my ceremony.  My wedding coordinator said they just have to be a guest at the hotel and we have to provide their name.  Not sure if this helps anyone but it is an good option. 

[mizpriya]

Congratulations! We are in the same boat. We just bought a house so that is now preoccupying my time. We are getting married at the Gran Caribe on April 23, 2013 and we just put our deposits down for the wedding. So now I can sit back and relax for the wedding part since we have a lot of time to plan. I do wanna keep the costs down for decor. I figure we are in abeautiful spot already, how much more can you add to that!

 

May I ask who your WC is?

 

Originally Posted by babigirl21 

Hello all,

 

I'm a 2/16/13 Gran Caribe/Royal Bride.  I sent out my STD postcards about 2-3 weeks ago and everyone really liked them and our wedding website.  Initially, I felt like alot of you ladies (I have been engaged since the end of July 2011), but the time is really flying by.  My colors were inspired by the beautiful turquoise Cancun water with a touch of spice (red).  I took advantage of this website for ideas and planning and so far I have booked the venue/ wedding package (Luxury), photographers (Photos In Cancun, BTW they are affordable and great to work with.  We took our engagment photos when we were in Cancun last August).  In January, I found a seamstress to make my beautiful spanish inspired detachable dress.  And I purchased my 5 bridesmaid dresses from David's Bridal for $50 each (above the knee turquoise lace dresses).  I have some ideas for decorating the reception venue, but I'm trying to keep my costs down so I have decided that whatever I do buy, I will be able to use for our at home reception later in the summer of 2013.  We are in the process of having our house built, so much of my time is now occupied with that. 

 

Keep the faith ladies!    

 

 

 

[mizpriya]

Does anyone know the answer to this...

 

We are bringing our photographer down and he is staying as our guest for a week at the resort. he is also our friend but I am worried that we have to pay a vendor fee for him because of the fact that he will be doing the photography. Anyone know how this would be handled?

 

We are getting videographers from the Cancun area so I am well aware that we have to pay the $300 vendor fee for that since they are not staying at the resort.

[babigirl21]

Mizpriya,

 

My wedding coordinator is Maritza Guzman.  Whatever decor I use will be cost friendly and easy to pack.  I think we will buy the maracas from Amol's to use as favors and to help accent the table.  My coordinator said you can bring decorations down and they will set them up for you according to the way you want it (without an additional fee). 

 

As far as the photographer, as long as they are a paying guest (and yours will be there for a week) you do not have to pay an outside vendor fee.  But if I was you, I would inquire with your coordinator so you have it in writing.  We have a photographer friend who is coming down as well and he will take photos at the welcome reception and other aspects of the wedding in addition to our local photographers.  Our photographer also has a videographer in his company so I'm undecided about whether to get the video included in my package for the ceremony or use an outside vendor.    

[mizpriya]

babigirl21 thank you so much for your response. Good point. I shall be asking my WC about my photographer just to be on the safe side.

 

Can I ask if you are doing a cocktail hour after the ceremony? Or are you just doing the private reception?!

 

The reason I ask is because on the contract we received from my WC, it says that All events are continuous and segmentation of events will result in a $400 charge. So we plan to have the ceremony at 4pm and would like to take some photos right after. We are not planning on having a cocktail and would like to have the reception start at 6:30pm. I don't understand why we would be charged a $400 fee when we are already paying for a private reception for 30 to 40 guests! Please let me know if I am reading this correctly. I asked Elsa about it and am waiting for her to respond. I just want to make sure if anyone else has had to do this....

[Emily11386]

Hi, I am making sure that I get everything in writing to bring with me to the wedding. I'm so nervous that they will change their policy or or not honor what they have told us so I'm making sure to get everything in writing and keep it. We are doing our ceremony, cocktail hour, then reception but I have heard other people complaining about the fee to not have them back to back. It seems like they will find a way to charge a fee for anything that they can!

[mizpriya]

Yes that is insane!!!

 

I don't understand why you even have to pay $400 for that? Makes no sense to me!

[babigirl21]

Hello Mizpriya and Emily11386,

 

My luxury package included the cocktail and reception already.  Because we are only doing a symbolic ceremony (I'm having my uncle who is a minsiter marry us in small ceremony 2/12/13 before we leave for Mexico) we are going to do "First Look Photos" before the ceremony so we can some photos with guests during the cocktail reception and then take some photos during the sunset.

 

There is a fee for everything, but hopefully you will not be charged the $400 fee for having the private reception start at 6:30.