TATrisha

The new Tulum location is GORGEOUS!!!

And there are pictures of the 4 hairstyles that were done at the Akumal Spa in my blog post: http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014

But here is the JPEG in case someone can't see that

I have honestly never been in the Disco.  But that is where most wedding parties eventually end up.  Then again, most of the couples I've photographed were exhausted and ready to declare it a night at 11pm.  Or they just go to the lobby bar for live music and drinks.

For your dress, you simply carry it on and store it overhead.  

You won't be able to have your party go until 12;30 am.  They shut you down at 11pm due to the other guests' rooms being close by.

Back when I got married, you paid for everyone whether they drank or not.  They did end up giving me a slight deal on the two kids that were under 2, but they had said they wouldn't.

The tulum poolside reception is beautiful and I don't think you NEED a light up dance floor.  It's pretty cool... but if you're looking to save money, most people don't get it.

There is a dress code for Arlequin.  Long pants for the men.  There are very few restaurants where this is enforced anymore, but that's definitely one of them.

I have photographed a wedding where they brought in hair and makeup.  It was amazing and very relaxing to have the bride getting ready in the comfort of her own room.  However, I have heard they are getting more strict on bringing in outside local vendors. 

They did start packing it up once it appeared we were all done eating and after speeches.  I would say dinner is about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.  

I didn't even think to ask about a steak option at one of those restaurants - great idea

 

Location-wise dinner would be better at Akumal, but the ceremony is at the gazebo, so I figure if dinner ends up being at Tulum, at least it's kind of in between the ceremony and where we're all staying.

@@jfarrowable what time is your ceremony and what time is your dinner?  The problem is that a good amount of people go back to their room in between to freshen up.  I suppose they'd probably just hang out at the bar in Tulum instead, but just make sure there isn't a lot of time in between otherwise people are just having to go back and forth.

@ - another question for you   

I was told Arlequin is not available for my dinner, but I don't love the menus they sent for Frutos del Mar or Dolce Vita.

 

What are your thoughts on Don Pablo and/or La Gran Tortuga?  (food, decor, etc).  I think most of my guests are more meat-eaters than seafood eaters...

 

Thanks!

Both are DELICIOUS.  Don Pablo is probably more suited to a wedding as I'm not sure how they actually do weddings in Tortuga (typically they slice your meat off of giant skewers).  

The problem is that they are in Tulum.  If your guests are staying at Akumal and your reception is going to be at Akumal, you'll want to consider that.  

Also, if they won't let you have arlequin, did you try asking if they could have a steak option for you at the other two restaurants?

The single flower is always there, which I think is really nice.

If you really want cala lillies, then I'd look into real touch fake flowers.  Otherwise their flowers are gorgeous... as long as you pick out your own design and not use their 1980s catalog

It's possible it's a new option.  Still not sure it's the best option due to the wind and the sand, but perhaps they've made an area to make this happen that's not as bad??

You can do a poolside reception, but not on the beach.  There isn't proper lighting on the beach, it's really windy, and bugs come out at night (and crabs).  The poolside receptions are beautiful, though.

2pm ceremony = 1pm getting dressed.  12pm lunch.  Which means you'll want YOUR hair and makeup done by 12.  So I'd do 10am.  But if you have more than three ladies, you'll want to go earlier.  They have three salon chairs.

Yes, for a small charge they will take it and return it.  I personally didn't do it as the humidity was all I needed, but some of my brides that I've photographed have and didn't have any problems.

DEFINITELY book before your trip.  Months in advance actually.  

Yes.  I have witnessed guests stand up, walk under the gazebo and give a reading.  It's a lovely personal touch to the wedding.

Symbolic ceremonies are NOT in Spanish... unless you want them to be.  It'll be in English.  It's about 15 minutes long.  You'll sign a fake certificate, do vows, and that's pretty much it.  

You can add in a sand ceremony or a family member's readings if you choose.

What fabric is included.  If you want colored anything it's extra or you bring your own.

I highly recommend a DJ.  They keep the party going and will indeed do the bridal bouquet toss and garter toss.  

I have not done a trash the dress at a cenote.  As a photographer, yes you should have special equipment.  You can get away without some stuff, but if you want to take full advantage of the cenote, you'll need some waterproof gear.

I did use one piece.  They had it at Hobby Lobby.

You do indeed do vows and a ring exchange and since it's not a legal ceremony I believe you can write your own vows.

I did one and have photographed a bunch. I'll shoot you a message

I don't remember how long I went, but I'd think chair sashes would work just lovely.

I'd vote informal meal.

Oh that's fun that you're getting married on the same day as her!  

The lantern thing is sad, but then again, they are bad for the environment so try to tell yourself that (especially if they get into the ocean and the turtles eat them or whatever).

Yup, the Tulum Gazebo has the red carpet (if you want it) but I have never seen a white one.  Probably would get way too dirty?  So that question you'll have to ask them, but I don't think it's available.

Arlequin:

You can see the round and rectangle tables.  Here is the blog post from my last wedding there so you can see a little bit of the dinner set up: http://faberphotography.com/weddings/nikki-tim-gran-bahia-principe-akumal-wedding/2014

The restaurant is quite beautiful so you don't need that many decorations.

Callalillies ARE available for your November wedding (they are NOT available May-October).

The DJ is VERY good at his music selection and getting the party going.  I haven't personally seen any wedding games though.  What are you thinking you'd like done?

@ Tiseege

 

Wowww!! Thank you soooo much for all these info! That helps me a lot!

I'm really desapointed that we can't have the sky lanterns

We are getting married @ Tulum Gazebo! I've seen a lot of pictures with red carpets ( for the bride's walk) but do u know if it's possible to have a White carpet?

 

A about the Arlequin restaurant, u said you've seen both: round and rectangular tables at that restaurant? I'm trying to plan my decoration. We will be a group of approximitly 80 people.

 

Regarding the flowers, does anybody know if the have CALLA Lily ( not only lillies)??

 

And we are thinking about booking a DJ. Does anyone know what he's doing... only dealing with the music or also entertaining the crowd with wedding games?

 

Thanks

If you don't want white you can bring your own or pay for theirs... but you'll be limited on the color selection.  

Personally I brought my own table runners and that was enough for me (they ended up adding pink chair bows for free which was kind, but that doesn't happen too often).

For the tables, they are pretty crowded with the fancy serving plates, menus, the typical resort provided centerpieces (usually a bird of paradise type flower and oil candles).  So honestly, I recommend no table centerpieces.  But if you do round tables perhaps it'd be more appropriate.

Congratulations!!  What day is your wedding?  

I answered what I could...

Hello everyone!!!

 

My name is Kate and I am getting married in November at the Akumal section of the Grand Bahia Principe. Like all of you I have a lot of questions and not a lot of them are getting answered by our wedding coordinator. I know there are kind of last minute sometimes but I just can't wait and I was wondering if some of you would be able to help me???

 

Here is a FEW questions I have:

 

 

#1:  At the Arlequin restaurant, what kind of table is it? (round or rectangular) with how many people at each table??

There are both but the wedding dinners are typically at the rectangular.  They will put the small tables together to make groups that make sense for your wedding.  So the last wedding I photographed there had 36 guests.  It was 3 tables of 12, if I remember correctly.

#2:  Is there chair cover at the restaurant?

There are not chair covers, but you could probably buy them if you wanted.  

#3:  I would like to have center pieces/center table on each table, is it possible? What could I do or make? Do they  have vases or glasses that I could use for that? Flowers?

It is possible, you'll just pay for them.  Or you can have extra decorations at the ceremony and they will move them to the reception for you.

#4:  Could I put some candles on each table at our wedding dinner? Do we have to bring our own candles or do they have some?

There are usually gas burning candles at the tables, but you could add more if you wanted.  I don't think it's necessary though and it adds a lot of weight to your luggage.

#5:  Would it be possible to have Sky lantern (paper lantern) that we would light and make them fly close to the beach?? (We would like to give one to each person at our wedding so we could light them and send them awayas a "good luck" wish)

Nope.  Fire hazard for the Riviera Maya

#6:  Is it possible to make a Power Point with pictures during the dinner or at the after party (beside the pool)?

It's really windy by the pool so I'd say more likely at the dinner and you'll just rent the screen.

#7:  For the wedding ceremony, is it possible to have a white carpet for the bride to walk?

You're getting married at the Akumal beach location, right?  There is no way.  Sorry.  The aisle is SUPER long and a carpet in the sand wouldn't work.  Sorry!!

Thank you so much for trying to help me and I guarantee I will do the same if I can.

 

Cheers

 

Kate

Those are the standard restaurants that are offered if you're getting married at Akumal.  Always have been. lately they've been allowing Arlequin to be an option, but not openly. 

For my wedding, they refused... but that was 6 years ago.  That's why I had a private BBQ option by the pool.  

You can bring your own decorations and they set them up.

The wedding I just photographed in May had the music during the meal at the Arlequin restaurant and it was not private.  So I know that they have done it in the past.  It's worth asking.