Mike&Wendy

Hi there, It helps to send an email ahead of time and also to the coordinator and they will always say they cannot promise to accomodate your requests since everyone requests Ocean View...that being said...Villa 65, 66 and 67 are the best ones in Golden...you pay a little more for Golden section but you have your own private check in and check out, your own private lobby so you don't have to wait with everyone, free internet and your own area for buffet if you don't feel like going to the main buffet, plus it's the closest to the beach. All our guests (12 rooms) were in the Golden section of some sort and they gave every one of them an ocean view....they were fantastic...This was our 2nd time at the resort and in my opinion...Villa 66 on the 2nd floor is the best. If you have any more questions, please email me at [email protected] as I don't check this often. I've made friends with the photographer and the coordinator Eugenia so I would be happy to answer any questions if they don't get back to you quickly. Congratulations...you're going to LOVE your destination wedding!

PICS: I posted some here under Jose Photographer Michael & Wendy - wedding website by mywedding.com

Hi Raykel, I didn't bring anything like that for the maids...quite honestly, Mexico is still a poor country but man has it changed in the past years....most of the staff work 8 hour days and they don't seem to be begging for tips....I'm not naive to think that they have a lot but truthfully, they like the same things you and I are interested in....I think they would rather have a blackberry, Gucci sunglasses or my MAC makeup than crayons...they know just as much about what is the good life as we do...Playa Del Carmen shocked me as it has developed so much in the past 7 years....it's so expensive and they live more of a life than we do here...some people anyways... PHOTOGRAPHER AT BAHIA PRINCIPE Ladies, I just talked to Jose who was my photographer at Bahia Principe Akumal...He was amazing...Im still trying to figure out how to post my pictures on here but anyways, he is available and he said the best way to reach him is [email protected] I absolutely loved him. We flew down our photographer from Canada and I was very disappointed in their work....Jose took some random shots for free as part of our wedding package and I absolutely LOVED his work...very funky, sexy, vintage, cool....if that's what you're looking for....I'm not a posey pose kind of bride so he captured everything perfectly....fave pic is me laughing and clapping and my new husband bawling....awwwwww....I wish I could post the pics so you could see!!! Email me at [email protected] if you want me to show you pics.

I asked our wedding coordinator if they accepted a tip but I soon realized she was more well off than the rest of the staff who would never turn down a tip...she said not to worry about it...but I still brought her a gift when we returned on our honeymoon. I felt like..how could I NOT tip her when we tipped everyone and their brother and she did so much for us...then again...you have to draw the line and can't tip the world...also, you're paying enough for your package and I'm not sure if the coordinator gets a chunk of that or not....

Ladies, I'll keep it brief for now but after getting married at BHP Akumal, we had an at home reception and then just went back to Mayan Riviera for our honeymoon....I met up with Eugenia again just to thank her for everything she did for us...she loves stars so I bought her a pair of star shaped earrings...she was sooooo fantastic on our wedding. After Yuritzia dropped the ball and was no longer the coordinator, I was thrilled that Eugenia returned all of my emails and had everything so streamlined for the day..seriously...she is young but amazing at what she does and confident beyond her years! For our honeymoon, we even met up with her and some friends for dinner and drinks on her one night off....she is amazing and even though we flew down our own photographer...we had Jose from the resort (Eugenia has the contact info) take about ten different pictures of us...I thought they would be cheesey but we honestly loved his work...I wish I could post the pictures...maybe I can post a link to my facebook. As for the hairdresser...unless you like stiff updos, I wouldn't recommend it...I wanted loose and natural and she pinned my hair so tight...like a prom up do...she got upset when I kept saying natural please!! This was Janet in the Tulum spa...my mom and I didn't like our hair but I needed it done and since it was a windy day, it worked out well. I will post more information when I have it but I cannot say enough about this entire experience...our guests are still raving about our destination wedding!! Email me at [email protected] if you want to see Jose's work...I seriously LOVED the shots that he got of us...very vintage/cool/beautiful pictures all rolled into one.

We were married at Bahia Principe a few weeks ago....here are some AMAZING photos and video of both our day and our trash the dress session with Studio 67....turn up the sound and enjoy!!! Studio 67: Wendy + Michael / Trash the Dress + A Sunset Ceremony in Mexico

How do I paste a pic in here? I'm trying to show you all some pics...

We just got married there last week...it's called Cancha de actividades in Spanish..it's right by the activity pool, just further away! So nice and Eugenia is UNBELIEVABLE! Honestly, I just wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home..so professional, so much class. Love her! Best of luck to all the brides!!!

We were a small group of 16 but I did see the wedding with the hats and girls with flowered dresses...there was another wedding the next day where we saw the group standing on the wall by the beach and doing an action shot of jumping in the air, and the bride fell down!!! I'm trying to post a couple of pics but I can't seem to do it!

Hi ladies, Just a quick review before I go into a detailed one later this week! Had our wedding at Bahia Principe Akumal, brought in photographers from Studio 67 in Canada and there was no problems...everything I found was "no problem, don't worry" and it's exactly what we didn't have to do...we had no worries...Eugenia who is only 24 years old but years beyond professional compared to Yuritzia was fabulous...we got free pics from the resort package anyways....the photographer was Jose and wow his pictures were so beautiful! THe ceremony was perfect, short and sweet and the dinner at Arlequin made our guests ooh and ahhhh...after dinner we headed to Tulum lobby bar for some dancing with our guests to the live band and then to the disco..it was perfect and I wouldn't recommend a private poolside reception unless there are a lot of guests because there is so many other places to go for free! It was a dream come true....I have soooo many positive things to say and Eugenia is a dream coordinator! More things to come! Trying to paste a pic on here but can't seem to figure it out

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd let you know we are leaving for our wedding at Bahia Principe Akumal tomorrow for our wedding next week! Wish us luck and I'll be back with reviews!! Michael and Wendy

Hi ladies! I haven't posted on here in awhile...it's been crazy busy planning a DW and at home reception...I am from Waterloo Ontario...getting excited about our wedding at BHP in Akumal on January 7th! We fly out on January 2nd! So far I must say...the replacement for Yuritzia who's name is Eugenia has been fabulous! She turns around emails within minutes, nevermind weeks. I'm hoping all goes smoothly. We have arranged a thank you dinner for our 16 guests at La Parilla in Playa Del Carmen on the Tuesday night. You can contact some of these restaurants directly to do a group rate including bus from the hotel as well as a pre set dinner where guests can choose from an appetizer, main, dessert and coffee....it's got live Mexican music and we thought would be a fun backdrop since our photographer/videographer is coming with us from Canada. I'll keep you all posted! Cannot wait!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by affiwin Your last two points are great. Thanks for sharing. We are thinking of taking our guests off the "reservation" for a meal in the town. Since some are only coming for the weekend it would be great to get everyone out for some fun in a different atmosphere. We're taking our guests into Playa del Carmen two days before the wedding for our rehearsal dinner. Our thank you for making the trip to share in our day. We just booked it so everything is taken care of. However, i'm sure you can just go into town and pick a restaurant. Either way, it's a nice gesture. Have fun!

Well..this is a good sign..Eugenia has already contacted me via email and seems eager! That only took one day..she said I understand your concerns (I forwarded to Paloma) and she got everything correct that I have stated in previous emails. So far so good...perhaps change is a good thing

Hi ladies...so a year of planning and over 100 emails back and forth to Yuritzia, the coordinator at Akumal, and she is doing a special deal with the judge so we can get married on the 3rd instead of the 4th business day (our photographer and videographer are booked and leaving for another wedding on the 4th business day)..she tells me she is leaving BHP for personal reasons and there will be someone else named Eugenia who will be looking after my wedding. OMG! I can't take anymore of these changes!!! She left me no contact information for this new person and how can I be sure that any of our requests that have been documented are going to be passed along to the new person? I feel like I'm going to pass out! Our coordinator back home also quit.

I am getting married at BHP Akumal in less than 3 months...we booked our photographer/videographer for 4 days..flight/hotel and this was ONLY after I specifically asked repeatedly and in detail if they were allowed to come in...I got confirmation several times from Yuritzia as well as Paloma that this was fine..I also had to check with the consulate to make sure they don't require a work permit since they will have all their equipment..I am printing every piece of documentation I can find just in case...but I did get an email stating something about no outside vendors and I freaked...Yuritzia and Paloma assured me that we can bring in our Canadian photographers but I did not hear anything about 90 dollar USD charge...hmmmm.

Also...I have a few questions.. We were told by Yuritzia that bringing in an outside photographer shouldn't be a problem..but we are worried as someone told us they may require a work permit? Even though they are only coming for 4 days? Also..there may be only about 10-12 of us..do we have to book at an a la carte because we are not fond of either Dolce Vita or the Seafood restaurant...and what should we do after dinner? It's a Thursday so I was thinking rather than spend the extra money on a dj and drinks on top of an already all inclusive resort...that we would pay for our guests to go to the Hacienda for live music and dancing at the disco after...we are having an At-home reception in Ontario afterwards so we want to keep the costs minimal but should we still do up programs etc? Thanks ladies for your help. Wendy

Hi there, Congratulations on your wedding! I am getting married at BHP Akumal in January..we are also flying in an outside photographer..Yuritzia is also our coordinator although I have had some contact with Paloma as well. Would you be able to email me at [email protected] so I can ask you a few questions? Thanks, Wendy

Hi there, FH and I are getting married at GBP Akumal in January 2010 after visiting and staying in the Golden section this past January. We fell in love with the resort and saw a couple of weddings there. I have been in contact with Yuritzia and Paloma and they seem helpful. We are paying for the sunshine package which is approximately $1500 USD and I was wondering if anyone paid for extra decor? We requested getting married on the beach near the Golden section and I'm wondering what the standard decor is. Also we booked Dolce Vita restaurant which was just "okay" when we went. Any advice on the menu or decor for the wedding night? Is it worth it to get the extra drinks by the pool after? Did everyone go out dancing after? We are getting married on a Thursday and I believe that is when they have a big party in the Hacienda so I'm wondering if we have to pay for all our guests tickets to get in to go to the disco. I am hoping the swine scare will be over and bring back business because I have heard 2 of the 3 resorts are closed down. So sad!! Any advice would be helfpul!

Thanks for the lovely comments.

This is the link to the photography page with about 10 of our photos up. We're so happy with the job they did! Studio 67 Cinematic Wedding Films + Photography Click on Photography and then on Engagement. Cheers!

Thanks to the incredible team of Brian and Wanda from Studio67 for our unforgettable engagement pictures and video. These two are very talented and we're so thankful they were able to do our e-fusion shoot and we're very excited to have them come to Mexico with us in January to shoot our wedding!! This is the link to the video and a few of the pictures! We spent a few hours between Sunnyside Park/Bridge and The Distillery District. Studio 67: Wendy + Michael ~ e-Fusion / Toronto

We are getting married at Gran Bahia Principe Akumal in January 2010. We are getting so excited! I'm scared however if it rains that the rain out destination is in the basement? This would totally suck!!!

The restaurant by the activity pool is Dolce Vita. We are having our dinner there!