vchan

Thanks wanda and kathy for your responses! These definitely help. I did get confirmation from my WC after asking her many questions that I can book a room for the photographers and I wouldn't have to pay for the outside vendor fee and the day pass. I think it's still hefty, but cheaper than the other option. Thanks again! Quote: Hi Vchan, We had to pay the outside vendor fee and for the photographer's dinners, however we had them for 8 hours. It was worth it for us because we're big on photography. I have to say the Funever (the hotel photographers) are not very good (if you're really into photography). We also had our ceremony filmed by them and it was terrible! The videographer simply had the video on a tripod and didn't move it much. You can't even see me walking down the isle because one of our guest was blocking the camera. You'd think the videographer would move or ask the guest to move. In our opinion the video was poorly done. We used a different videographer for the reception (same company that took our photos) but didn't for the ceremony since it was included. It's too bad we didn't use them throughout the whole wedding. Also, they didn't take many pictures. Only 24 were included-usually a photographer will take at least double the amount so you have some to choose from. They chose the 24 for us. We had to ask to see the rest in case we wanted different pictures. I recommend you ask in advance to see all pictures if you decide to use them that way YOU get to choose the ones YOU like.

Hi ladies. Are any of you hiring an outside photographer? I'm curious to know what your WCs have told you about the outside vendor fee. I seem to be getting different responses and now I'm just frustrated. I had asked my WC about having an outside photographer and see if there's any way to avoid the vendor fee since they'll only be there for a couple of hours (we're having the reception somewhere else) and here's what she said: "Sorry but you have to pay a Day pass becuase is not a guest is a outsite vendor. If you pay the Vendor Fee he can only be there 30 min prior to the wedding star. If you want him early you have to pay the vendor fee plus the day pass." I wanted to get photographs of me getting ready too so it looks like I have to pay the day pass in addition to the $350 vendor fee. Seems really ridiculous to me!! For those who have gotten married at the Gran or Royal, any thoughts or advice?

Hi Ladies. Not sure if any of you know that the Gran Caribe resort has made some changes to the Albatros terrace. I found out about a month ago and have change my reception location because of the changes they made. I wanted to share new pics that my WC sent over. They've replaced the bar area with an office building so there's no way to hang anything if you're planning on hanging any lanterns, ribbons, etc.

Hi Ladies. I wanted to ask (for those who are getting married at the chapel) what you guys are doing as far as music for the ceremony. Would you happen to know if the solo harpist/guitarist/flutist, etc. play for the entire ceremony? And do they play the entrance song as well as catholic songs during the ceremony?

Hi Wanda. I'm having my ceremony at the chapel at 4PM. The sun doesn't set until around 7PM in April which leaves me enough time to take pictures before my reception. I'm also flying in my priest since I wanted him to perform my ceremony. He had to write a letter to the church in Cancun basically letting them know that he is who he is then the church has to approve it. So that may be an option for you, but it's also additional cost since you'd have to pay for your priest's airfare and stay.

Hi Wanda. I found the flowers very expensive too. They're simply too much for the flowers I want so I'm going to have fake flowers for bouquets and boutonniers which I'm putting together myself. This way, I can get the flowers I want and less cost. As far as the cake, I've asked to have a different flavor (not one listed in the catalog) and they were able to do that at no additional cost but I'm not making any modifications to how the cake looks. The harpist is my top choice as well for the ceremony and a DJ for my reception which will be at the Albatros terrace. I'm skeptical about the green turf flooring too but it's really my only option right now. The villas terrace is a beautiful space so you may want to look at that if it's still available. The only negative with the villas terrace that I can think of is the rooms' balconies directly behind it. The resort now has chiavari chairs available to rent for $10 per chair. I know, kinda steep but renting chair covers and ribbon is $5 so I figured I might as well pay $10 for the chair. I believe they have white, chocolate brown, and gold chairs. I haven't decided on my centerpieces yet. They are quite expensive and have thought about doing those myself, but I think I'm just gonna go for the cheaper ones in the catalog so I won't have to worry about them on my wedding day. I also don't know what all are included in the chapel decoration. We're going for the Royal Catholic package which includes a natural altar centerpiece and I don't know exactly what that looks like yet. Those are details I still have to work out but will let you know when I get more information. I don't know if Spazul is any good either but I'm going to risk it since that's my only option for hair and make-up and is included in the package.

Hi Norma. Thanks for posting this info! I would love to see any pictures you may have of the Albatros terrace. I've been in contact with the resort's WCs since February this year and had thought we were having our reception at the villas terrace but I guess my previous WC didn't reserve the space for us (just found out last week) so now I'm stuck with the Albatros terrace. My WC sent me a few pictures of the terrace and I think the green turf looks awful. But if you have some additional pictures you could send or post, that would be great. Perhaps they could ease my skepticism. I'm trying to gather what the layout of the terrace actually looks like since I won't be able to do a site visit. Also, if there's anyone out there who has pictures of the Albatros terrace, I would love to see those as well! Thanks.

Hi MelDab, I'm getting married at the Gran on April 9, 2011 at their chapel. I believe there are other Catholic chapels in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area but I didn't consider the others after seeing the chapel at the Gran. We're having our cocktail hour and reception at the Gran Caribe's Villas Terrace. I didn't want my guests to have to travel around since they're all staying at the hotel anyway. If you do decide on the Gran Caribe, just be aware that they have a $350 outside vendor fee and you'll be charged extra for linen, chair covers, etc. There's also a 3-hour time limit on the private receptions. If you have your reception in any of the outside locations, you have to be outta there by 10PM. Â There are a lot of informative posts on this site about getting married at the Gran Caribe and other resorts so take a look around and hopefully they'll help you with your planning. Congratulations and happy planning! Â

 Hi Leah. My wedding's just a week before yours on the 9th of April 2011! I'm having my reception at the villas terrace at the Gran Caribe and have had the same concern as you as well with the rooms directly behind. But I was more concerned that there is a time limit and we have to be outta there by 10PM for any outside venue. I just chose that space anyway since I don't like the other venues and wanted to book it before anybody else does. I've never liked the rooftop terrace either because of the green turf which just looks tacky. I would love to see site inspection pics as well! Â

 Thanks very much for this info! This is helpful! I'm so glad to know your total ended up to less than $10,000 as I'm planning on having the same upgrades as yours and I've been pretty worried about the $$. I'm spending the about same amount on the cake, DJ service, the $400 sunset fee, flowers and reception decorations, etc. I got the Royal Catholic wedding package but getting an outside photographer (so I'm also paying for the outside vendor fee). I would love to see how your photographs turned out.