StephAli

Hey acw,

The Pueblo is part of the resort. Its where the stores are, the disco, karaoke, sports bar and the AMAZING burger place (I actually only ate the ham and cheese sandwiches, but they were awesome!!). Anyways, you can pay for fancier drinks at the sports bar, but you can also get the basic resort drinks for free. Thats kinda the only additional cost. The stores all charge, but before you buy anything from there I would recommend dealing with the dudes that walk along the beach, they always gave good deals. Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by acw271011 

ok. next question. this will be for you ladies that are the newlyweds. does anyone know with the Pueblo Principe - is it just stores, or are there actually bars and stuff? we read on a site that Pueblo Principe is NOT included with the resort, i.e. you have to pay extra for drinks and stuff if you go into bars there. but we couldn't figure out if they are actually part of this Pueblo Prinicpe or if they're still part of the resort or what?  any info would be much appreciated!!

I would guess that yellow is the usual set-up because I didnt specify any colour. I'm sure you could always email to ask (and hope you get a response!). 

Originally Posted by a084596 

does anyone know if this is the usual set up with the yellow flowers?  iF SO, I won't have to change anything and probably don't need centrepieces because yellow is my colour theme.  IT has been so difficult to find anything yellow here.

 

lmarie,

No we did not pay for a private reception. When you get the Dolce Vita restaurant you essentially get a private reception. When you walk into that restaurant you basically have the main dinning area directly in front of you. Then off to the right hand side is this separate little room. When we had our al a carte dinner there this section was "open" to the public, but it was definitely closed off for our reception dinner. 

Busybee

I would recommend the Dolce Vita (Italian). The set up is more closed off, so even if you dont get the room that I got (but I am pretty positive that that is always the rm weddings get) you will still have a more private feel then the Grill. The grill was completely open, so I dont think you would get the sense of privacy that the Dolce offers....When you are looking at the pix of the Grill it shows all the tables kinda in a row. This is all on the "main" floor. Then there is a big platform, maybe 2-3 steps up that has more seating. I personally felt that it was too open, and I didnt want that....

I emailed everything to email and nothing was notarized....I confirmed that this was ok before I did it and I didnt have any problems. And I got my certificate within 6 wks, so it clearly didnt cause any issues at the processes office. I did have to bring the originals down with me and they photocopy them there.

Sleepski,

Here are some pix from our reception. It was just dancing, but we hired the dj and bartenders. Hope it helps!

taken from the hotel

these are what the chairs look like without covers!!   we werent given a choice for the reception....lol

The view from the gazebo....it was a beautiful night!

ACW,

When we met with Beverly down there she told us that we could pay $20 for the 2hrs and only had to pay for 1/2 the ppl....well not even. We had 59 of us and they charged us for 25...You can only have the gazebo for 2 hrs. (8:30-10:30) because then the dj has to go to the disco and Beverly said they dont want to disturb the other guest with the sound of music...

Hey ladies,

Just wanted to let you all know that I didn't realize that we needed cash for the minister and therefore refused to pay cash. I put everything on my credit card and made them pay the minister. I don't remember / think that we had to pay any additional taxes on the $400....

Hope that helps a little!

Hey Cupcake,

Thanks so much! Yes it was. We didn't get an upgraded room, regarding what was in it, but the view was absolutely amazing. We had the best view out of all the guest rooms that I was in...

Good Luck!! It's gonna be here before you know it! 

Hey Marlena,

I ordered the personalized m&m's and brought then down with me and they did not melt! And I was not questioned on them at the airport. I purchased the 5lb bag and that was enough for 60 shot glasses. I can't remember if I put them in my luggage or my carry-on....I think they were in my luggage....I will ask my bridesmaids b/c they might remember and I'll let you know! 

I used Oceans and WAS NOT happy with them. At the time they gave me the best price, but honestly overall I was completely upset with them and had many guest phone and complain to me and to them directly. There were so many various issues I cannot begin to explain. They were all minor, but they all just added up.....if you can get out of using them I would....

Yes, that is the lobby terrace. Its really nice atmosphere! I think that you might be able to have your first dance in the disco. I was looking at pictures on the photographers website that has been recommended to ppl (http://www.jamaicanphotography.com) and one set of her pix (the bridal party is in an orangey colour) it looks like their first dance and the groom is doing the garter thing...its definitely in the disco... another option would be to bring an IPOD with the docking station and play your song on that and do your dance on the terrace! Some of my friends brought their ipods, and tho I found them annoying as they were constantly playing them and loudly, we were definitely able to have it going all the time and were never told to shut it off (unfortuantley!!)  Really I dont mind music, but I dont need it constant and so loud! But thats another story!!  I actually think that might be a really pretty idea....b/c then your outside and the lighting isnt bright on the terrace at night...under the stars....kinda romantic! 

No to the notarized copies. I emailed Beverly to tell her that I didnt have the long form birth certificate and ask if she actually needed it or if I could just send her our fathers names... she was fine with me just scanning in our "normal" birth certs and emailing them to her. And then I just brought down the originals of my birth cert and and of course had my passport...I know she took them and made photocopies, but she didnt ask for proof of your fathers names....I wouldnt worry if you cant get this notarized!

Hey lmarie,

The lobby bar is completely open and everyone is allowed there. I have attached two pictures of the outside lobby bar. There is one bar outside and tons of table/chairs all along the balcony. There is another bar inside, directly behind the balcony / in the white doors that you can see in pic #2. You can also see part of the bar to the left in that picture. Pic #1 gives you an idea of how much space there is. The main lobby is also right inside the doorway thats to the left in this pix. 

PS. the stairs that you can see are really annoying and I would suggest telling everyone to be super careful on them and maybe try to avoid them when drinking!! They are an awkward size ...it feels weird to take normal steps on them, but there not actually big enough for two steps!  

Pic 1

Pic 2

lmarie,

I only met with her briefly. She took care of making sure that the guys were ready on the beach and that all the guest got seated and organized. My husband said that she was really nice! I'm sure that she will be just as amazing as Beverly considering that she worked directly with her. 

acw,

Your wedding will be amazing either way!!

I honestly dont know if its worth the money to rent out the gazebo if theres only 10-12 people in your group. You're dinner will go until 8:30ish and then you could head up to the lobby bar and then go to the disco....My group spent most of our nights hanging out at the outside lobby bar. Its such a nice atmosphere....As for the price my group paid $1455 and I have many people complain to me, but 2 days into the trip I had those same people coming up and thanking me!! Trust me, once they get there they totally forget how much they paid! Its worth it!!

Good luck ladies!! 

You may be able to cut a deal once you are there. When I met with Beverly and she gave me a discounted rate on the bar she had made a comment about waiting until the meet with you in person to go over prices....I wouldnt say to count on it, but I'm sure once you're there they will be more willing to deal....Good luck!

acw,

Have you decided on the date yet? I would suggest doing the Tuesday. I arrived on a Saturday and got married on Wednesday and there definitely wasnt enough time after the wedding. If I could do it again I would have done it earlier in the week!

Fleetmac,

Thank you!

I didnt have to pay anything for the spray paint!

My bridesmaids were carrying fake gerbera daisys that I had brought down with me. 

Hey!

The beach where you get married is not very good. It's man made and pretty rocky. I had wanted to go barefoot but that wasnt an option. The beach where your guest are going to go for swimming is really nice and nothing to worry about. Pretty much everyone for my group of 60 hung out there everyday and nobody had any complaints! I really didnt notice much seaweed and I went snorkeling and had an underwater camera. Not gonna say there wasnt ANY, but I am not a seaweed fan, and there definitely was not enough to bother me. Everyone also really loved the food! There was great variety, and I had some people who just couldnt be bothered to go a book A LA CARTE restaurants so they ate at the buffet everyday and loved the variety. Dont worry about a thing! The resort is so super amazing!! 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

I have a question maybe someone can answer??  soontobemrsdow - you may be the resident expert now! lol  one of the people that is planning to attend our wedding in november read some really negative comments about the beach at GBPJ. I looked up the site she was on and sure enough - there are some comments that are pretty awful. some about the food and a few about how the beach is rocky and full of seaweed and ugly, etc  now I'm worried. I really want the people that attend our wedding to have a good time, but if the beach sucks then that doesn't work. same deal about the food. any comments from anyone???  thanks a ton!!

Hey Ladies

As far I can remember all the tables are rectangular. At both restaurants. 

We had our wedding at 1 and I enjoyed the break. All my guest ate lunch, went back to their rooms and went swimming. My husband and I had our pix done, ate jerk chicken (best ever) and went back to our room to chill. 

We had the private reception at the gazebo after dinner and everyone LOVED it!! The only problem was that the 2hrs went by too fast! I couldnt believe it when the dj said it was the last song!

We also did the beach wedding, not the gazebo. They didnt decorate anything, but I was totally fine with that. I'm sure if your willing to pay the extra money you could get whatever you want. I really wanted the simplicity of the beach...it was the whole reason I went to a caribbean island! The wedding was directly to the right of the gazebo, so you do still get to walk down an aisle!

Here is a pic of the wedding ceremony....the people standing chose to stand...there were enough chairs... 

Thanks Ashley!!

We had the ceremony just off to the right of the gazebo (if your facing it from the hotel). I really wanted to get married on a beach, not in the gazebo and Beverly was super accommodating. And I LOVED the background. In some pictures you can see the waves splashing up against the rocks...it was AMAZING!

Hey lmarie,

We ate at Dolce Vita and LOVED it. Everyone spoke highly of the dinner. We ended up with Vanilla cake. I never actually had a piece, just a small tasting when we took "cake" pictures, but everyone said that it was really good!

nono....it wouldnt come off onto my dress! sorry about that! I was worried that if the flowers touched me I would be covered in blue, but she assured me that once its dry there no need to worry!

Yup, my flowers were included...

You can buy the bottles of alcohol and mixes, but she never gave me pricing, told me we would go over it once we got there....by that time I just figured screw it, we were saving enough money having a destination wedding and I really didnt want to have to worry about buying enough bottles, and mixing, etc. .... The good thing about Beverly is that you literally dont make any final decisions until you are there. I sent her in everything before hand and we literally sat down 2 days before the wedding and she asked me everything again and filled out her own forms. So dont feel like you have to make a decision now. Wait til you get there and check things out....

Thanks ladies!!

I hired a photographer from Ontario.... She was so amazing! 

The flowers were orchids and they were included in my package! I had wanted blue flowers to go with my bridal party, so Beverly suggested these ones and then had the florist spray paint the middle blue! (With paint that wouldnt come off on my dress) 

Hey Ladies,

There was another wedding the day I got married, but I honestly wouldnt haven known. Beverly was fabulous and totally seemed to know who I was and completely focus on me. She even came in towards the end of my dinner to check up on everything and to let me know the gazebo was ready for me. I only paid $500 for the gazebo and that included the dj. I had to pay extra for the bartenders, but she charged me for half the group since its a per person thing. 

As for day passes we had two people come in who were staying off the resort. They went to the desk, got there wrist bands and then waited for almost 15 mins and still werent asked to pay, so they casually walked away...lol...I believe that the passes were somewhere in the $75-$80 range....but I can't seem to find the email that had that info....

Hope that helps!

The yellow in the pictures is the pre-done menu...its probably whatever paper they have! lol....

I just used my normal birth certificate...I had asked Beverly and she said not to worry about it....