2015 Grand Sunset Princess Bride!

[livf]

@tehopper 

After A LOT of research and I think I contacted every single photographer I could.  We decided against bringing our own photographer.  After getting quotes from both in Mexico and from Canada...it didn't really seem like much of a savings.  Alot of the photogs only wanted to come for 4 days (and 4 days was pretty much the same price as one week) so they couldn't be part of our group rates therefore I didn't see much benefit for us.

 

I'm looking at make up/hair off the resort.  Some are willing to meet you in their salon, or a condo, or suggest you hire a hotel room in Playa Del Carmen where they can meet you.  I don't know if I trust the resort's spa.  I did read somewhere they use MAC make up but I guess it's more about the application.  I'm getting eye lash extensions too. 

 

Did you get your bridesmaids flowers too?

How many people do you have going?  Ceremony/Dinner locations?  We've decided on the Sunset gazebo but still not sure what to do for the dinner/reception.  I do love the look of the The Chill Out area!

 

PS: YOUR WEDDING IS SO CLOSE!!!  so exciting!!

[tehopper]

@@livf Yeah I'm starting to freak out. I think I'm just about a month out now. I'm also getting nervous and contemplating getting my makeup done off resort. I was initially planning on doing my own and bought Dior airbush spray... but it's my wedding and I want the photos to be perfect!! I have been in talks with Fernando Fuentes with The Makeup Pros. His photos look nice and he says he would actually be willing to pick me up and take me to his place in Playa to do my makeup and hair. Since we aren't allowed to bring in outside vendors, it is very tempting to have the transport included. He quoted me $230 for hair and makeup for my trash the dress and I'm assuming it will be the same for the wedding, but maybe he will give me a deal if I get it done twice. I'm also not sure about doing a trial, I was definitely going to get it done at the resort. But with a professional that I have seen photos for maybe its not necessary. He also said he will review my pinterest board to know what I want, which is nice. My photographer referred me to him.

 

Who are you getting to do your makeup? How are you getting there?

 

For flowers I am doing a simple white roses and light pink roses, I picked from the flower options (the one with red and white roses and am just subbing in pink for red. ) I have the princess package, so 2 arrangements are also included for the front of the gazebo, and my bouquet is included. The bridesmaids will match in slightly smaller arrangements.

 

I have a new wedding coordinator now. It's Denys (previously Jacqueline). She seems really on it, so I'm not that worried that they switched. She answered all my questions very quickly and seems to have more common sense.

 

I'm having 42 people including my Fiance and I. The ceremony is at the sunset gazebo and the reception is the Chill out party. That's $100 per person, but I liked the idea of having a private dinner rather that being in the a la carte. We are using the included a la carte dinner for our rehearsal dinner. Its tough with such a small group I feel like I am excluding people from our rehearsal, our rehearsal dinner will already have 25 ppl, just immediate family and bridal party.

 

I made little welcome bags, which are super basic compared to some of the girls on here. Mainly they have colourful tumbler cups with stickers saying "feet in the sand, drink in my hand" with our wedding date. Other than that I am making a little hangover kit to put inside, along with some small treats.

 

I also ordered robes for myself and my bridesmaids off of etsy, for the morning of the wedding. Although if I get my hair and makeup done off resort, that sort of ruins the getting ready together aspect...

 

 

 

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[blend1222015]

I got my makeup done there. They did a fabulous job. I'm so picky with my makeup that I had gotten lessons on how to do it myself just in case, I have never gotten my makeup done professionally before this. I think her name is Maria, the rest of the staff did my wedding party and they looked great and everything was done it great timing.

[blend1222015]

We got married here January 2015

The resort was great, we loved our Platinum room, we preferred being by the beach and were happy we didn't upgrade to the villa as it was closer to the lobby but far from the beach.

 

We ended up doing the chill out lounge instead of the beach party as I was worried that it was going to rain and with the chill out it had shelter in case it did. It saved us from having to use a plain old gala room if it did rain. We used the ocean gazebo which was totally worth the $250, even though it says in their info that it was $750. It was way more private and right near the chill out bar as well as pretty much out our front door of our room. Our planner was good, however, I should have been more involved. I just kind of let go of all control when we got there and assumed that they do weddings every day that I wouldn't have to worry. Guillermo was super sweet and really down to earth, but not as much of a control freak as me, so I think I should have stayed on top of things more but I was 'done' with wedding stuff soon as we landed:) There were just a few things that went wrong. The platinum area is closed off for other guests that's why we had to give the front desk a list of my wedding party so that they could come to our room to get ready. So even though they had it they were being jerks and wouldn't let any one up. So it made everything late and I had to rush getting in my dress, which then made me hot and all sweaty for the pics. Then we had to rush to the ceremony. I didn't do a rehearsal walk which I totally should've. Since my MOH missed the signal and ended up walking to my entrance:) Also, there were too many chairs at the ceremony so some people didn't use them assuming that they were for someone else so in our pics it looks like we are missing guests right up front. I think this was my biggest complaint, as our pics look a little sad because of this, they also put too many at our head table but I was able to get them to get rid of them at least. So overall everything went great, that was really my only complaint. Some of my suggestions for other brides would be:

 

Don't give all the control to the WP, maybe still check on the ceremony and the reception if you can before everyone gets there, and do a rehearsal walk down the aisle.

 

Chill Out Lounge all the way, really worth the extra cash and you don't have to worry about rain. Our dinner was on the patio and the dance floor was on the beach. Don't bother to get the dance floor, dancing in the sand was so much fun. Grilled buffet was the menu and everyone loved it! Service was great, they actually were too great....way too many drinks, but that's a different story...!

 

Pay for the highest package for the photographer and videographer, we really wish we did...our biggest regret even though we hate taking pictures. Photographer and videographer were awesome to work with.

 

We bought one of those ion party rocker speakers from Costco which was great for music and had lights on it that went to the beat as well as had microphone. I figured why pay for a DJ when it was all our playlists anyways.

 

Also, the make up and hair team were perfect and very efficient. I have never had my makeup done by someone else before but she did great! Len said he got the best haircut he's ever had there. He looked great on our wedding day.

 

Daya at the Sunwing tours was amazing! She took care of booking our group excursions as well as everyone's single ones. She even had a sign at her desk for our guests. I honestly think we dealt with her more than the WP.

 

Overall it was fabulous and the resort was a perfect pick! Sunwing was great to deal with, all the tours were great and everyone was super organized. I would recommend everyone and everything to anyone, we had a fabulous time!

 

I also brought it all of my own decor. I used the hanging kissing balls to hang on the Shepard hooks along the aisle and then flipped them over and put them on top of vases for the table centrepieces.

 

 

Here is my email if anyone want pics of anything or more info. This site helped me so much with my planning that I figured I had better return the favour;)

 

[email protected]

Edited October 17, 2015 by blend1222015

[nankleiner]

Hi! I am new at this!! We are in the process of finalizing the resort. I love the look and feel of this resort but just woundering if any of you have any advice for me?

I am going through all of the packages and it's all so overwhelming. We are expecting anywhere from 50 to 70 people and it doesn't look like i will be able to get what I had in mind without paying big bux for it

Any pointers on where to start would be appreciated!

[acw271011]

@nankleiner  Hi! Welcome! Have you spoken to a travel agent yet, or have you had any other help with making your resort decision? Choosing your resort is the hardest part I think. Once you get that done, things move forward from there. But I highly recommend a travel agent. They're they ones that will help you with what you're looking for - your must haves and don't wants and they'll help with choosing a resort that offers packages that will fit with what you want.

 

Not sure if you're in the US or canada but the owners of this site are destination wedding specialists. Wright Travel have won awards for service with multiple resort chains. You can contact them through this site. The other thing is, there is a possibility that you might be eligible for additional perks depending on the resort you choose and your number of guests, but only a travel agent would be able to determine that and advise you of what you might qualify for. I would highly recommend working with one!

 

Grand Sunset has been a popular resort for brides to be here. If you do a search up top you should be able to get some of the review threads to pop up that you can read through.

 

Good luck and happy planning!

[nankleiner]

Hi @acw271011a

Yes we are working with. Travel agent! We have decided to go with GSP for our wedding. The wedding planner sent me A LOT of info and it was kind of overwhelming! We could potentially have a fairly large group and i wasn't seeing any options that would fit with our budget... but i saw that you can have a beach cocktail party so that works for me! I was hoping for something a little private where we could do speaches and that kinda of stuff. It's hard because you don't fully know what it all looks like. But I think we are in the right direction. Just not sure the questions to ask. I ????

 

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[scadeau]

@@nankleiner We are also planning our wedding at Grand Sunset Princess for May of 2017!!!!!! 

 

I have read lots of reviews that the cocktail party is private/fun and more budget friendly than the Chill Out Bar reception option.

[nankleiner]

That is good to hear @mention! Out of curiosity where did you see those reviews? Lol I seem to have issues navigating this site

I do love the idea of the cocktail i feel like it has the best of all the worlds