TATrisha

Shannonandangelina - my wedding is the day before yours . Jazmin is my co-ordinator & I haven't heard anything from her either! I was beginning to panic a little, I feel like I have so many questions. Maybe other brides can help?

 

I'm having the Gala dinner poolside (hopefully at the Coba jacuzzi pools), does anyone know how many people per table & if they are round or rectangle? I have 63 guests & would like to do a table plan.

 

Ir the reception were to be at the Tulum pool do they set up a makeshift bar or is there a proper bar in situ?

 

I'm sure I will think of more things as I go along.

 

Thanks in advance, this site is invaluable

I really do not think there is enough room by the Coba Jacuzzi pools for 63 guests.  That is a very intimate location so I would plan on being by one of the bigger pools. 

By the Tulum main Pool they set up a bar with everything you'll need.

@@DonnaandDaz congrats!! you looked stunning! did they include the flowers and the white covers on the chairs at the ceremony?

 

I have a little rant. I am getting very annoyed working with Linda. My wedding is in November, does anyone know when I will be assigned a wedding coordinator? I am just having a very hard time getting questions answered and the language barrier is killing me.

 

In the mean time I have a few questions I would appreciate anybody's input in.

 

I have requested Arlequin restaurant for the reception dinner, does anyone know what the shape of the tables are and how many people sit/table? Do you get a sweetheart table?

 

The ceremony is scheduled for 2pm, what time do you suggest I book in for my and my 5 brides hair? I would like to do the hair at the salon and then have time to go back to my room and get ready with my girls. I also would like some time for a few pictures before the ceremony. Should I be putting in a request with the salon now? Did everyone email the salon or book this through their WC.

 

I want to bring my iphone to play music at the ceremony. Do they have the proper hookups for this? How many songs do I need?

 

How are guests supposed to get to the wedding site? @@DonnaandDaz you said they give you an itinerary? That"s perfect! Did it say what time to be at the dinner? I wanted to get some pictures done seperate from my guests but not leave them stranded without a plan.

 

I want to rent the speakers to play my own music for the poolside reception. I have all my music on my iphone, will that work?

 

Anyones input is appreciated!!

Arlequin has round and rectangle tables.  You can put the tables together to seat as many as you want.  For this wedding: http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014they had three rectangle tables with 12 people at each and then the head table perpendicular to the guests tables.

For a 2pm ceremony, I would say you want to be done with hair and makeup by noon so you can eat lunch.  Then you'll want to get into your dress around 1pm (depending on if you have your own photographer who will take pictures prior to the ceremony).

For 6 people to get their hair done, I'd recommend you start at 9.  It'll take about an hour per person and the salon has three spots.  This will leave you with more than enough time to not feel stressed!

iPhone will not be a problem at all.  I would say you want a song for the seating of your guests, song for your bridal party to walk down the aisle to, song for the bride to walk down the aisle to, song to play during the signing of documents, and then a processional song.  

Guests will arrive at the wedding site either on their own or they will provide a trolley from the lobby to the site.  It depends which location you've chosen and where your guests are staying.  

I wouldn't worry too much about your guests in between the ceremony and reception.  Often times they will travel in a pack to the bar or back to their rooms to freshen up.  As long as they know what time dinner is, they will definitely find something to do.  I mean, you're in paradise!

Using the speakers with your iPhone will work just fine.  I'd recommend you download a DJ app so that the transitions in between songs is a little better.

Hey everyone! Our wedding date is finally confirmed, December 23rd, 2015 at 2pm!!

 

We are getting the Romance Extravanganza package!  I have a few questions and hoping you girls can answer me: 

 

 

1)  Wedding location does everyone recommend ?( Akumal Beach, Beach Front, or Gazebo)

All three are gorgeous.  I prefer the Akumal Beach or the new Tulum Beach location, personally.

 

2) Flavor of cake?? ( Chocolate, Vanilla, Raspberry, Coffee, White Chocolate w/Coffee, Coconut or 3 milks?

Three milks is my favorite at the resort, followed by the Raspberry.

 

3) Flowers( Now it says that the i get the Dendrobium Orchids/Wrapped and round with Long stem) Does anyone have a picture? and can i get different ones? 

 

4) Music- Can we have it at the 2 hour open bar? Which one do you recommend, Mexican Guitar Trio, Mariachi band?

I had the Trio at my cocktail hour.  it was fantastic!  They only played for 45 minutes, but you can pay for them to stay longer.  They were a great lively addition though.

 

5) Food, where does everyone recommend, Tequila  or Tortuga? If so which supper( My Finance is allergic to Shell fish ) 

I'm allergic to shell fish as well and I haven't had a problem at either restaurant.  I prefer the Tortuga. 

 

Thanks so much for all your feed back, this is is so overwhelming, glad i found this site!! xo

Welcome and congratulations!!

There is no rehearsal the day before.  You really don't need one either.  They will tell you exactly where to go and what to do.  Plus, I'm sure you've been to enough weddings to get the idea of who stands where

As for rehearsal dinner, many brides set up a time and place to meet in the buffet.  If you get there right when it opens you can "reserve" a section for your group.  This option seems to work the best and doesn't use one of the dinner credits for your guests.

For the symbolic ceremony, you can have your friend officiate.  I'm sure it'll be lovely!

Yeah, the Barcelo does a good job of cleaning up the beach, and depending which beach you're getting married at it might not even be an issue (the far south beach location isn't where the water hits, so no seaweed!).  I wouldn't stress too much about it

Tlseege, 

 

Thank you so much for this information! I love the photos from Nikki & Tim's GBP wedding, it's everything I want for mine! Is this the "hammocks" beach location? And do you know what they call that pool area where they had their reception? I read that they recently painted those posts (not sure what that thing is called) white and a lot of people don't like it and are switching to the Tulum beach site. Which area is more private - the Tulum or Akumal beach ceremony site?

 

My travel agent told me that the beach area to the far end at the Barcelo complex (opposite end then the Palace) is more private then at GBP. She thought it was a nicer, prettier beach area. Have you seen this location?

 

Does the GBP have a disco? I'd like to have somewhere fun to continue the party after the reception ends and I know the Barcelo has a good nightclub. 

 

Which resort did you think had nicer rooms (have you stayed in an oceanview?) and did GBP give you a free room upgrade?

 

Thanks again, this helped a lot!

You're welcome.  Nikki & Tim's wedding was at the hammock location that has indeed been painted white. You can see in the pictures that they had it practically white with all the fabric to begin with, so not too much different.

The pool area that they had their reception at is the Akumal Main pool.  It's right outside of the main lobby.

The Tulum beach location is more private than the Akumal, but when you're standing there saying your vows, they both seem intimate.  

I have not seen that Barcelo beach in recent years so I cannot say.

GBP does indeed have a disco.  It's in the Hacienda and opens at midnight.  Many of the wedding receptions that I have photographed have gone their after their poolside receptions ended.

I love my ocean view rooms at GBP.  I have stayed at Coba, Tulum, and Akumal.  Akumal is the only one where I've stayed ocean view and I've done it a couple times.  It's amazing and beautiful.  Barcelo's room was much more updated though.  Had very modern furniture where the GBP has very classic furniture.  

So my wedding is coming up here quick, in June. Can any of u tell me what the tropical flowers consisted of? Ive been emailing Bahia but all they do is send me a super dated catalog of examples. I just want to what type of flowers ex: Lillie's, roses etc. What did your boquets look like?

The catalog is very dated, but the flowers are the same.  You can see what type of flowers are used in those bouquets and then find pictures of more modern arrangements using the same flowers.

Hello,

I am trying to decide between this resort and the Barcelo Maya Beach resort for my wedding May 2016, but having a hard time! Have any of you been to both of these resorts by any chance? Also, did you feel like the beach ceremony was private enough, or are there people surrounding you and in the background of your pictures?

 

Thanks!

Welcome to the site!!  I have been to both resorts and I have photographed weddings at both resorts.  Both are lovely.  

Are you thinking the gazebo or the beach location at the Barcelo?  

Personally, I like the look of the Barcelo gazebo better than the Tulum Gazebo, however the Tulum Gazebo is far more private.

Beach location, I like the Gran Bahia better.  I think it's more private and you have more options.

I enjoyed the private restaurant reception of the Barcelo where at the GBP it isn't private, however I like the poolside receptions at the GBP more.

End result... I'd select GBP.  But I got married there so I'm bias

Here are some of the weddings I've photographed at both:

http://faberphotography.com/destination-wedding/barcelo-maya-palace-the-wedding-west-bend-wisconsin-destination-wedding-photographer/2010

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/gran-bahia-principe-tulum-gazebo-wedding/2012

http://faberphotography.com/weddings/cheryl-aaron-gran-bahia-principe-coba-destination-wedding-photos/2012

Welcome and congratulations!!!  

I have not heard any restrictions over the holidays, especially with it being a symbolic ceremony.  Obviously the resort will give the final answer that for, but I wouldn't think it'd be a problem.

I'm not positive about the two business days, but I do believe that allows them to have time to meet with you and get everything perfect for your big day!

6 meters is roughly 20 feet.  That structure is bigger than that.  Maybe just for the top part?

The table in front of me appears to be a five foot table, or there abouts.

And the structure is about 8 feet tall.  

So I would say you need 16 feet just for the sides of it, and then based on the table size, I'd say 15 feet for the top.  So roughly 30 feet

@@nicolesal Last time I was there, there was NOT an additional show in the theater on Thursdays.  

The activity board photo shown on my blog: http://faberphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Tulum-Activities-Board.jpgshows Thursday as the Fiesta night.

There should still will be live entertainment by the lobby bar areas, however.

I used a very silky material, so it didn't add too much.  I bought 16 yards I believe but mine didn't touch the ground. 

I also cut the fabric in half (the long way) so it wasn't so wide and then I used the other half as table runners for our dinner tables.  

I had flowers on the post for my wedding and I loved it.  They weren't too expensive and they used them as centerpieces for the reception.  So if it's still a problem in November maybe that is a good option for you ladies.

And how cool that you guys are so close in dates!  You'll have to get together and toast to your happy marriages!

@@DonnaandDaz I wish!  When I was there in May it wasn't officially a wedding location yet, so I've never seen it set up  I would gladly go visit next month with you though!  It's -12 here today!  I'm so cold that anyone who books photography today will pay just travel fees!  Brrr

Good afternoon ladies!  I have added some new photos to my photo tours: 

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-akumal-photo-tour/

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-tulum-resort-photo-tour/

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-coba-photo-tour/

But the big new addition is all the pictures of the new Tulum wedding location!

I have updated the page in this thread, but here are the new pictures:

Good afternoon ladies!  I have added some new photos to my photo tours: 

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-akumal-photo-tour/

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-tulum-resort-photo-tour/

http://faberphotography.com/gran-bahia-principe-coba-photo-tour/

But the big new addition is all the pictures of the new Tulum wedding location!

I have updated the page in this thread, but here are the new pictures:

@@MiniChic Did you find any Chic brides?  I will be visiting this resort in June!

@@Gmarie721 @@AmandaR88

You guys might want to look into splitting the costs of flying in a photographer?  It could be cheaper for you both.  And with over a week in-between your weddings you could possibly get even another bride and make it even cheaper! 

Just throwing that out there as an option

Lighting in that area is not sufficient for anything but conversation, drinking, and dancing, quite frankly.  It's very much "mood" lighting, which is great for a reception... but for taking pictures!  Ha!  If you have a photographer they'll be able to set something up, otherwise you'd want a nice flash on your camera to try and bring enough light in the area.  What's nice is that area is surrounded by light colored walls and partial ceiling.  That'll help bounce flash lighting so that your subjects are properly illuminated. 

You could use the hammock area.  I think that'd work out really well, actually.  

The area on the right hand side of this picture is what I'm talking about: http://faberphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Gran-Bahia-Principe-Coba-Destination-Wedding-v64.jpg

In the weddings I've photographed there, nobody has really used that area because it's small so not many guests can mingle up there, however for a photobooth that you wouldn't want knocked over or "in the way" I think it would work perfect!

@ thank you! They said max 10 per table, so we went with 6! They haven't mentioned if the tables are round or square.

I asked our wedding coordinator if we could book into an a la carte restaurant the evening before the wedding or have a reserved area in the buffet restaurant for us and our 57 guests, I've had a reply to the email but she didn't answer my question. Has anyone else been able to do this?

I had an area of the buffet reserved for our group, but I'm not positive if they do it anymore.  Regardless, if you get there in the evening when the Buffet opens, you should be fine securing an area for your group.  Specifically the Akumal buffet.  There is the "normal" entrance across from the shops, however if you use the entrance NEXT TO (so past the "normal" entrance) the shops less people are over there and you should be able to snag up enough tables for your group.

Congratulations on finalizing your details!  It sounds like an amazing day!! 

I made place cards so people could save their seats, but I did not assign places.  

The last wedding I photographed at Arlequin had long rectangle tables with about 16 people at each one.  Are you going with round tables instead?

@@Dreamteam17 Happy wedding day!!!!!!!!!!!!

@@calgarybride2015 Happy wedding day!

I hope you beautiful ladies have perfect days today!  Congratulations to you both!

If you ladies do decide to split the costs, it would be $2375 each (based on prices today), so that's a pretty good savings!

Congratulations to all the brides that have gotten married the past couple weeks!!  So many of you and the reviews and pictures you've posted are wonderful!  Best wishes!!

I had my live music play at the bar for pre-dinner drinks.  It was lovely.