TATrisha

Tequila, the one restaurant I've never actually stepped into.  because of that I can't tell you about how sound travels or how you'd be seated.  Sorry.

Gemma, I believe I signed my new last name.  But they'll tell you at your meeting, too.

Which restaurant are you going to?

I honestly think you'll be able to hear speeches just fine without anything.  That is, unless you have 100 people or something like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatLew 
 

Ok I am going to have our photographer stay for the 5 days also in exchange for photos.... so does the 5 days include the 2 days for travel? so traveling 2 days, plus 3 days resort? ...

 

meaning, is it ok if she arrives on Friday and leaves on Tuesday? (wedding is a monday)

 

Thanks!

Nope, 5 nights.  So Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night.  So travel Friday and Wednesday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nic817 

Do they actually pronounce you as husband and wife if it's the symbolic ceremony? We are doing symbolic and I just thought of this...

They sure do!  Besides the inked finger and it not being in Spanish, guests won't even be able to know.  And most guests won't know that in a legal ceremony you have to ink your thumb and it has to be in Spanish

Quote:

Originally Posted by nic817 

We are doing a poolside reception at akumal but just paying for the basic bar in hopes that they end up offering everything. Does anyone know if there would be a regular bar close by the pools if they don't?

Depends which pool you're at.  If you're at the jacuzzi pool that's close to Coba, then no (I HIGHLY doubt you will be).  If you're at the main pool (where mine was) then the bar is just on the other side of the pool... and that's where the restrooms are too, so it's really not that far.  If you're at the activity pool (outside of the restaurants) then there is the 24 hour snack bar right there which should provide drinks.

I believe it is 5 nights at the resort.  Can anyone verify?

As long as your photographer is there for five nights, you'll be perfectly fine.

I think it's $18 a person?  There is a Mexican show, food and drinks, and a fireworks show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatLew 

Thanks! Good to know
we want to incorporate a poem, our personal vows, the hands ceremony (another poem), and also have a moment of silence to remember loved ones who have passed away (my mom died when I was a teenager)... So it sounds like this would be doable.

When did you get married and which location? We are August 4, 2014 at tulum gazebo.

How long was your ceremony about?
How long did it take you to get your documents transferred before flying down for your wedding?
How long did it take for your marraige license to be mailed?

Thanks

The important thing is that it has to be AFTER everything.  So AFTER they pronounce you husband and wife.  You cannot interrupt the official ceremony at all.

I got married at the Akumal Hammock location on April 11, 2008.  So things have definitely changed, but not too drastically.

My ceremony was about 20 minutes.

I didn't transfer any documents before my wedding and they didn't mail my wedding license.  I didn't need it notarized or translated in my state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori Leigh 
 

I would like to do the sand ceremony but I am worried the vase will break during the trip and the sand will get mixed up during transporting on the way home. Can I ask how you handled this?

I brought down a lot of paper towel and shoved it in the vase SUPER tight.  That way the sand couldn't move around very much at all.  I just REALLY packed it in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by egagne87 

Is the disco open at 11 on Thursday nights? The little resort map I have says Friday through Wednesday. We really want our guests to have the option to keep partying after our private reception ends at 11 but we are getting married on a Thursday.

Thursday night is the fiesta and the disco is not available to guests unless you pay the per person fee to go to the party.

Yes.

If you are bringing your photographer, it's not a problem at all.

If you're using the resort photographer, then you pay for them to stay

kdnolan, I just put the updated pricing in the official thread, no need to wait for an email.

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread/10#post_1663898

Honestly, you'll be thankful that you are bringing less stuff. At the end of the day, the location is gorgeous! How many people are you having? Honestly, it's very rare for a meal to take less than an hour and a half. There are a lot of courses and people are chatting and joking around so they eat slower.

Arrecife's video pricing is here as well: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread/10

Video

EXTRA 5 minutes $200 USD
BASIC 10 minutes $400 USD
SILVER 15 minutes $600 USD
GOLDEN 20 minutes $800 USD
DIAMOND 25 minutes $950 USD
LUXURY 30 minutes $1,100 USD
JADE 35 minutes $1,250 USD
FULL 40 minutes $1,400 USD

Video information is also available on the official thread.  As for live streaming, a guest has done it for the bride's grandmother while I was there.  He did Facetime or Skype via his iPad.  But as for the resort doing it, I have never heard of rates for that.  Sorry!

I find the Coba lobby to always be lively.  Tulum, on certain nights, will have a DJ outside which is fun.  But in my experience, Coba always has something.  Plus they have the wine bar which always has live music at night.

Alright gang, the OFFICIAL thread has been updated with the new photo pricing. 

Just as a reminder, for full day wedding coverage (8 hours) it's $2800.  That gives you 160 photos (plus the free ones that are included in your package).  I would like to point out how crazy expensive that is.  To put it into perspective, I typically charge $2750 or less to fly to the GBP and take pictures.  It's all day coverage and includes between 600-1000 photos.

Hi ladies!

Arlequin restaurant is just outside of the Akumal lobby.  It has a beautiful view and is an amazing restaurant.  They typically don't offer it for weddings, so if you're offered it, I'd jump on that.  Delicious!!  My photo tour: http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-akumal-photo-tour/ has pictures of the steps to the restaurant, the inside of the restaurant, and the view.  I hope that helps.

As for the wedding time and reception time, try not to stress about it.  Everyone always panics about what their guests will do... TRUST ME, they will find something.  Some will go cool off with a quick dip in the pool.  Some will go to the bar.  Some will lay in hammocks and enjoy the surroundings.  Please don't stress about that part, I promise it'll be okay!!

For the new photo packages, I will update those right now.  Sorry for the delay!

I had a legal ceremony and my aunt read the sand ceremony saying and we proceeded to do the sand ceremony.  So we were able to customize, but it had to be after the judge had finished the legal part.

Sorry I've been gone for so long ladies.  As far as the photographer goes you absolutely cannot have a photographer from Mexico photograph your wedding. 

You CAN fly in your own photographer.  Your photographer should work out a price with you that includes either a five night stay or includes the $400 fee.  For instance, all of my pricing already includes this and it makes it worry free for you.  Dealing with the resort photographer should be the last of your worries. 

Oh yes, club golden has amazing beach views!!! That's where I stayed or my wedding. It's also super close to the pools and 24 hour buffet. And yes, just tell the coordinator about the vegetarians and they'll provide a different meal.

Thank you all. We are now doing well To fly a photographer down you pay for their trip and costs to photograph your wedding. Some offer a huge discount on their services (such as myself) and some don't. My past GBP brides have spent on average between $2500-3000 total. I'm so sorry to hear about your grand mother . Neither of ours were able to come either and it was very sad, however it's not quite the same situation. But in our case i had always dreamt of a destination wedding. I knew that I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't do it my way. So then we scheduled a special time with our grandmas where we showed them our beautiful wedding images and told them all about our day. I have also photographed a wedding where an iPad was used to FaceTime/Skype family members who weren't able to attend.

Nic, I forget, which resort are you staying at? Not many actually have ocean views

Sorry I was away for so long.  I had an extended stay at the hospital and then gave birth to our daughter prematurly so a little stay in the NICU too.  But I'm back!  Sorry again!

Kat, you only get the free photos in your package in print or on your disc.  After that you either have to buy a package or pay per piece. It's actually very expensive and you don't get many photos for that price.  Obviously, if you're only looking for a few photos of your wedding day then it's cost effective, otherwise I'd look into flying someone down to photograph your wedding.

As for August, I photographed a wedding there the second week.  I will not lie, it was HOT, but it was still beautiful and fun and cooled down at night.

For the poolside reception, Id recommend a friend announcing you for your first dance.

I had the mexican trio play for my cocktail hour... LOVED IT!!!!  I preferred the burned CD for the ceremony though.

My girls and I used the salon for our hair.  It was expensive and done okay.  I had to chop off my hair afterwards because it was pretty fried from the curling and hair spray, but I don't use any product in my hair typically and they REALLY make sure it stays in place.  So there's that.  In hind sight, I'd probably higher MVP or someone to come to my room instead.

The pool area or the restaurants would be able to hold your group.  I wouldn't worry about it.