TATrisha

You actually can't tell by looking at pictures what the difference in the packages are.

The only difference that you could see between Sunshine and Unforgettable is the live music & the flower decorations at the bridal table for dinner.  However you can purchase both of these items separately if you'd like.  

Nikki & Tim had live music at their dinner reception in Arelquin, if you'd like to see that. 

If a "family friend" is photographing your wedding, they don't have a photography company name and therefore you would not return the sheet to the on-site photographers when they ask for that information.  if they don't have that information, I'm not sure how they could charge a $500 fee.  

Yeah, the link to the menus doesn't have all the restaurants and doesn't give regular updates anymore. It's a shame

@@Shannonandangelina I'm glad you guys arrived, even if a little late!  Enjoy every minute of it!

Thanks to the generous Kristine for forwarding me the 2015 prices, I have made changes to the main posts of this thread.  I have added a picture from a wedding at the Tulum location, updated the 2015 wedding package pricing, updated the photo & video pricing, and updated the spa pricing.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know! I'm more than happy to help when I can.

As far as photos go, in case you are wondering what the amount of photos provided in the packages actual "feels" like in terms of wedding photos, here are my last three weddings I photographed at the GBP: http://faberphotography.com/photocart/index.php?category=12

Nikki & Tim have a total of 1206 photos

Mariah & Josh have a total of 903 photos from their wedding and 139 from their trash the dress

Cheryl & Aaron have a total of 957 photos from their wedding, 195 from their trash the dress, and 60 from swimming with the dolphins

That is what they are saying... but I have yet to hear that actually being done.  Any previous brides have experience with them charging this??

 

Here is the resort's policy on bringing a photgrapher:

 

If your decision is to bring your own Professional Photographer, there are the Hotel´s Exclusivity Policies in place, with regards to using External Photo & Video services and suppliers.

 

We´d appreciate you providing us, in advance (before your arrival), with the following required information:

 

 Photographer's Name (First and Last name)

 Photo Company Name (If applies)

 Photo Company Address (including Country, Zip Code)

 Photo Company Phone (If applies)

 E-mail Contact

 Arrival and Departure Dates**

 Hotel accommodation**

 Booking Number**

 

> If the External Photographer is part of the wedding group they will have to stay at the Hotel for a minimum of 5 nights**

 

> A $500usd PHOTOGRAPHER FEE will be charged to the Photographer’s room during their check-in.

 

LOCAL External Photographers (Residents in Mexico) are NOT permitted under ANY circumstances.

 

I will advise that I have never, and will never give this information to the wedding photographers on site.  The hotel knows me, they know what room I'm in, that's all that's needed.  The photographers DO NOT need this information.  We have ignored this request from them every time they've asked.

You're so well organized already!  And your color scheme and wedding dress are just beautiful!  Congratulations!!

That was fast!  Congratulations!

Delta is having a crazy ridiculous sale from my home city... if anyone is interested in a photographer, now is a good time to ask!

https://twitter.com/airfarewatchdog/status/611189883302887424

I have photographed a wedding where the cake was served poolside after dinner.  And also one where they cut the cake in Don Pablo but then had it at the poolside reception with plates and forks.  

I will say, it's a three milks cake... and it's really hot outside... so I'm not necessarily sure it should sit outside for that long, but it still tasted good and I didn't get sick!  Ha!

Their desserts and their cakes are so good!  And the poolside reception is right by the buffet.  So honestly, if someone wants a different dessert than what you choose, they can go right in the buffet and grab from a selection of about 20 different dessert items!  So do what you want.  If you like the look of a larger cake, then go with that and don't worry about the little desserts

I had the mexican trio play in the lobby bar for my "cocktail hour" and it was fabulous!!!  

You guys need to find a third person and all share!

Yes. The coordinator will even have a scissors with her to make sure it's removed before you walk down the aisle, or at least they have for every wedding I've photographed

Fernando is AWESOME!!!  You will be very happy with your decision!!!! 

 

Hello everyone! We have just confirmed our wedding for May of 2016 at the Grand Bahia Principe Tulum. This forum has already been so helpful for us. We are unsure about what the best option is as far as packages go so I thought I'd ask what you ladies found to be the best, or if any of you did anything similar. We are expecting about 50 guests.

 

4PM – Ceremony (Beach is preference I think?)

·         Group picture and champagne toast

5PM to 6PM – Cocktail Hour

·         Pictures for family and wedding party

·         Drinks, appetizers and Mariachi Band

6PM to ??? – Private Poolside Dinner and Reception

 

Is a beach reception a possibility or is poolside the only option?

 

Has anyone done the mix grill option? What type of food did that feature?

 

If we pay for a private poolside dinner does that include the reception? Can we just continue partying out there?

 

Which package makes the most sense for what we want? Would it be the Romantic Extravagance option? What does the open bar after reception include?

 

Thanks!!  

Congratulations!!

A beach reception is not possible, there isn't lighting,it's really windy, and the bugs come out on the beach at night.  

I did the mix grill option.  There was SOO much food!  It was awesome!  A bunch of proteins (chicken, steak, more chicken), a pasta salad, fruit salad, vegetables, potatoes, desserts, etc.

The private poolside reception that I had did indeed include the reception after and it was AWESOME.  Worth every single penny.

We didn't have a video of our ceremony, but I know a lot of people just video tape it themselves.  Not many people watch their video that often.  

I personally have started to incorporate video into my photography and put together a slideshow with snippets of video and photos for my couples.  Perhaps you could talk with your photographer and see if something like that is an option?

My wedding is next month at tulum gazebo. Does anyone know the process of people attending the wedding who are not staying on the resort? I emailed Gina but have not had a response back Also what are past brides recommendations for hair and makeup? Should I have the salon at the resort do it? I'm at a loss

Thank you!

If they are not staying at the resort they will need to arrange transportation to the resort.  When they arrive, they will have to pay for a guest pass unless you have already prearranged that. Then the hotel will tell direct them.  Typically a tram will meet guests in the main lobby to take them to the wedding location.

A few questions if anyone can help

 

I noticed we get VIP service with the wedding packages, what does this include?

 

Does anyone know if the resort has shuttle services to and from the airport?

 

For the dinner at the a la cart resturants for the reception dinner, are you able to order from the regular menu? Our group will be small and I'm not interested in a set menu.

 

Any help will be much appreciated as I have not heard from Linda or Jasmin on these questions.

 

Thanks ladies

VIP service will typically come with a gold wrist band, bathrobes, slippers, and room decorations.  I have had VIP almost every time I've gone, and it really wasn't too much extra.  Perhaps a little extra attention at the bars and restaurants, however the service is already amazing, so it's not noticeable. 

Your resort package should indeed include transportation to and from the airport, however it's not a private transfer.  You'll stop at a few other resorts on the way.  I personally love seeing the other resorts, however when I'm traveling on a tight timeline, I hire Cancun Valet.  They are speedy, safe, private, and reliable.

If you have a very small group, then yes, you can order from the menu.  But I want to say it's less than 20 people, maybe even 12?  Sorry I have forgotten the rules on that one.

@

 

Thank you so much!!

 

I have 5 bridesmaids and we all need to get our hair done. I know they only have 3 chairs so I asked for 3 of us to go at 9 and the other 3 at 10am. I am going to ask all the girls to have their dresses in my room and makeup done by the time they get to the salon and my MOH is going to do mine after back in my room.

 

I am bringing my own photographer but I am still thinking about possibly getting the resort for videography. Just worried there wont be enough time and my photographer will have a hard time getting the shots she needs and coordinating with the resort videographer.

Make sure YOU go at 9am.  You don't want to feel rushed or worried, so getting your hair done first is a good idea.  Then you can get your makeup done while the other three are getting their hair done.  The lighting in the hair salon is really great so it's a lovely place to do makeup.  

You should all finish around 11 or 11:30.  Then get lunch

12:30 have your girls get ready.  

1pm you get ready.  You'll most likely be surprised that this takes about 3 minutes. Unless you have a corset back, then it's about 15. 

I typically will do some bridal portraits then until 1:30.  At 1:30 I would leave you and see you at the ceremony site.  I'd catch up with the guys and quickly take some of them and then head to the ceremony site with everyone.

And the rest is easy

Just make sure your photographer is prepared to walk A LOT and has someone helping her/him carry stuff.  Sprinting across the resort to make the timeline work is not for the faint at heart, but it's all in a days work

@

 

Can you please help me with my timeline? I am ok for the ceremony onwards but I'm not sure about before the ceremony. My ceremony is at 2pm. I've requested hair 9am so hoping to have all my girls done by 11am.

Absolutely!  How many bridesmaids do you have?  Are you doing hair and makeup at the salon?  Are you having the onsite photographer or a photographer there to take pictures before the ceremony?  That'll change what time you need to get ready.

Everyone is different based off of number of guests and number of photos desired, but assuming you don't want to pay for the cost of the photographer before the wedding, this is the timeline I usually follow.

3pm Wedding

3:30 Champagne toast & large group picture

3:45 Family formal photos

4:15 Bridal Party Photos

5:15 Bride & Groom Photos

6 Dinner

When I am there to photograph the wedding we add in these hours

10am Hair Salon & Makeup

12pm Girls Lunch

1 pm Bridal Party getting ready

2 pm Groomsmen getting ready

2:30 pm Bridal portraits before heading the ceremony.

Insert ceremony timeline here.

7:30 pm Cake cutting & speeches

8pm First Dance

Rest of the night, party pictures!

I'm sorry it's so frustrating  I will say a VERY common theme among GBP brides is that when they return they say "try not to stress about the communication, everything is perfect once you get there."  

And I have been in your shoes and I hated it.  I am VERY type A and I like to plan.  So the communication was difficult, but it really was amazing once I got there. 

As for the symbolic ceremony, if you do not provide someone to read for you, they will provide an English speaking person to read your ceremony and vows.

Thank you! That helps a lot! You wouldn't happen to have a picture of some of the cakes you've had/seen would you?

Of course I do!

This was my cake:

And here are cakes of weddings I have photographed.

This is a cake from an Akumal wedding.  Upgraded to two tiers.  Raspberry filling I believe.

This is a Tulum cake.  Upgraded two tiers with special request of decorations.  It wasn't eaten at the Don Pablo, so they took it outside for the poolside reception.

This is the cake that's included in the package.  It's a perfect size for doing the traditional cake cutting and for a small group to share.

They will definitely accommodate eating restrictions.  Just tell them in advance.

I did forgo the dessert for a larger cake, and most of the weddings I've photographed did as well.  And half of us got desserts anyway!  Ha!

Bridesmaids hair can go either way.  The last wedding I did they had to specifically ask to have the charges sent to different rooms, otherwise it was put on the bride's.

The Akumal main pool has a real bar, as does the activity pool.  

They really all are somewhat private.  They are in areas around the pool that people don't usually go through during the night.  So people can see from a distance away, but honestly you'll be having so much fun you won't even notice!