2015 Grand Sunset Princess Bride!

[streelbride]

@@Johanne514

 

I can email the list if you don't have it yet. I just got mine last month.

[livf]

Thinking about GSP for my wedding.

 

I got a big email about packages and prices.  It states no outside decorations allowed?

Is that true?  Did any brides have trouble bringing their own decorations?

[tehopper]

@@livf Yes that is the official rule, so annoying. No outside vendors at all except photography is allowed (with outside vendor fee). I unofficially got around this by using Katy with Love and Lace wedding decor. You can search her on facebook. She is a Canadian that now lives in Playa and has tons of wedding stuff for rent. She will meet you at the resort with the decorations in a suitcase. I know several brides have used her. I think this will be way easier than trying to fit everything in my bags. My bags will already be full of favours and stuff for my OOT bags. The resort must think that all the stuff is your own and brought in your own bags. Just something to consider! I am bringing a few small things, but most of the decor is from her.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[livf]

@tehopper  wow that's brutal.  Are we allowed to bring our own decorations from home?  I was thinking of bringing bunting to hang, table numbers as well as (sigh) an artifical flower bouquet.

 

With the poor exchange rate, this may end up costing the same as having wedding at home.

 

Where are you having your wedding/reception? 

 

Thanks for the heads up about Katy.  I'll keep her in mind.

[tehopper]

@@livf

Yes absolutely you can bring whatever you want for decorations in your own bags.  I'm bringing some flameless tea lights, table numbers, bride and groom chair signs etc.  They will let you hang lighting and paper lanterns as long as nothing with flames and you run it by the wedding coordinator first. The resort also rents out basic decor, chair sashes, different nicer chairs (I'm upgrading my chairs to the tiffany chairs $8 per chair).  These are wooden and painted white, they also have Versailles chairs light brown wood that look nice without chair covers, its all preference.  Chair sashes are $4 chair  (they have basically every common colour and they have a mint blue-green which is what I wanted).  They do center pieces most of which are hideous, but I made some changes to a basic looking one to fit my colours and they allow changes  (Costs are about 50-100 per center peice.  

Just keep in mind baggage limits. I'm flying with Sunwing for our own bags we have quite a bit of weight (30kg /66lbs with elite seats), but the rest of the guests get only 20kg (44lbs) checked.  An extra luggage is $100 each way!  My dress I get as a bonus carry-on, thank god!  I'm bringing favours and cups for guests which will take up a lot of room. 

 

I'm having my wedding at the sunset gazebo, I preferred the look of it with the flat roof and less slats in photos, it also seemed a bit more segregated so I'm hoping fewer gawkers.  The other gazebo seems to be more popular though.  My reception I'm doing the chill out party (It costs $100 per person with 40 adult minimum) but we liked the idea of a completely private dinner.  The beach party is also a fun idea, but I wanted it a little more formal.  We can dance on the sand after!  You can also do a cocktail hour which is a more affordable option than a completely private dinner, and do the dinner in one the a la cartes.

 

Why are you doing silk?  I know some people swear by it, but most of the wedding packages include the brides bouquet and you can make any colour changes you want or amp it up for a little extra money.  I love fresh flowers, but I know its a rip off.  Apparently some girls bought flowers and did their own bouquets, since that is technically not an outside vendor.  But I'll be stressed enough on my wedding day!

 

http://www.fineartstudioweddings.com/playa-del-carmen-wedding-at-grand-sunset-princess-nina-colin/

 

I loved the flowers this bride used and am trying to get something similar.  I'm using this same photographer as well.

[livf]

@@tehopper

 

Oooh thanks for the info!  With the CAD doing so crappy right now, trying to find ways to cut costs.  I had just read that some other brides had used real touch artificial flowers and were happy with them.  I'm was just thinking of flowers for the bridesmaids and centrepieces.

 

Are you getting your hair and make up from the spa?

 

We haven't officially booked our date yet.  It's nerveracking...getting worried that someone might book the date we're interested in.  When's your wedding?

[livf]

anyone bring their own photographer with them?  Did they waive the external vendor fee if your photog is staying the week?

[tehopper]

@@livf

That sounds great too, I'm sure they will be lovely flowers.  My best friend used real touch flowers and they were beautiful, she couldn't find real flowers in the deep purples she wanted, in the photos they look amazing and definitely look real.  My wedding is November 19, 2015... getting close!!

 

I'm getting my hair done at the resort (I'm going to do a trial earlier in the week to make sure I get exactly how I want).  I'm a bit on the fence about makeup, I think I'm doing my own.  I'm nervous about getting it done and not liking it, and I'm decent at doing my own makeup.  I'm getting eyelash extensions before I go and I bought my own nice airbrush foundation that I will have a friend help me with.  You are not allowed to bring in an outside person for makeup or hair.  The prices for the resort spa are actually really reasonable:

 

I was going to bring my own photographer from Canada, but decided on Fine Art Studio photography instead, their photos are magnificent, and I love their TTD photos.  So I convinced my fiance we need them ....it took several months of convincing     If you bring your own photographer and they stay at the resort, you don't have to pay an outside vendor fee.  Our photographer was going to pretend to be an uncle anyway, LOL.   The photographer fee is expensive and you have to pay per person ($200 I believe per person, and most bring an assistant, plus you have to pay for their meals).  My photographer gave me a deal when I mentioned the outside vendor fee and the fact I wasn't sure I could afford their higher package, they also threw in an extra hour on the wedding day since I bundled the TTD.

 

Here is the direct quotes for this year for spa services if anyone is interested (prices in pesos)

 

"Here are the prices for hair and make up, this prices is the same for Rehersal, and for Bride, Bridemaids and any other guest from the bridal group:

Hair style
Short                                850 pesos (tax incluided)
Medium                        960 pesos (tax incluided)
Long                                1100 pesos (tax incluided)
With Extensions                1370 pesos (tax incluided)

Shampoo and Blow dry
Short                                450 pesos (tax incluided)
Medium                        590 pesos (tax incluided)
Long                                780 pesos (tax incluided)

Make up                        750 pesos (tax incluided)

Basic Manicure                       615 pesos (tax incluided)
Spa Manicure                850 pesos (tax incluided)
Basic Pedicure                        815 pesos (tax incluided)
Spa Pedicure                995 pesos (tax incluided)

** Adding extensions have an extra charge

The rehearsals have the exactly same prices as the regular hairstyle for the wedding date! to make appointments please write all the info in the sheet attach is this mail."

[lululuvs2travel]

Hi guys!

 

We are considering having our wedding at the grand sunset or Riviera princess, and were wondering what kind of experiences people have had so far?  We want to get married on June 8th, 2016!

 

Does anyone have a breakdown of the pricing?  The reason we decided to do a destination wedding was less stress and hassle, as well as more cost efficient, but so far it seems like there are a lot of add ons.  Other than paying for your trip and the package listed on their website (depending on the one you choose), what other costs are typically added on?

 

How much on average did you spend for your wedding? What did it include?

 

Thanks so much for the info! Really really appreciate it!

[acw271011]

@lululuvs2travel  Congrats and welcome to BDW!

 

Grand Sunset Princess / Grand Sunset Riviera are popular locations with brides to be here. I would highly recommend that you take some time to read through the thread here to see what past brides have said about their experience. I'm sure some of the ladies will jump in with tips and suggestions.

 

Have you contacted a travel agent yet? Definitely strongly recommended. They will help out wit guest inquiries while you deal with your wedding plans and will assist with what you want and what you don't want as well as help with a price point for you guests.

 

Good luck and happy planning!