Vanessa C

Quote: Originally Posted by LChavez Vanessa C, I don't know if you're also considering a videographer, but I thought I would share this with you. If you also want video, Gran Caribe charges you $350 for each "concept" vendor. They consider video and photos to be one concept, so you can bring in outside videographer and an outside photographer and only charge you a $350 outside vendor fee for both. Just learned that yesterday. Thanks for the info!

Thank you for your review! My wedding is at the Gran Caribe Real on 11/11/11!! Can't wait to see your pictures as I'm still considering whether we should use their photographers or not...

My resort is Gran Caribe Real

Quote: Originally Posted by abbypoo You can pretty much choose when you want them to start taking pictures, the only thing is that the hours have to be concurrent, no breaks. I actually think I will skip the candid getting dressed photos (I'm going to be flustered enough!) and just have them get there 10-20 mins before the ceremony and through the first part of the reception. I figure it will be dark and everyone will be drunk and silly by the end of the reception, so no need for professional pictures then. Hey Abbypoo, That sounds like a good plan for you. We may just end up going with their photographers, I just wanted more photos for 1250. I would like an option to have unlimited photos actually lol. We'll see what happens, we still have a lot of time. Thanks for your help.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege I would definitely say, what's your budget? Because affordable is different in everyone's eyes. Especially when you take into account what you get from each different photographer. But, if we know your budget hopefully people can suggest photographers for you. Hi Tlseege, I would say our budget is about $1500 however that would include all the pics they take not only 120 or whatever

Quote: Originally Posted by alison15 I am running into the same problem. Once you add in an outside vendor fee, it raises the cost of photography by a lot. I would try Luz Maria Availa. I really liked her photos and she was VERY reasonable. Part of my reasoning for spending more is that why would I pay that much through the resort if they aren't going to be good and the one thing I will have forever are the pictures...the other part of me says, in two years the pictures will be in a box in the basement, (hopefully) replaced by baby pictures. Yes it would be nice to have great pictures of our wedding day, but really how long am I going to sit around and admire myself? Hi Alison, Yes, I have emailed her however I'm still looking for a more reasonable photograher...

Quote: Originally Posted by julieswedding What resort are you staying at? Most resorts will let you upgrade all packages to include more photos - just ask them. I know all Palace Resorts will. Also you should definitly get a cd of all of the photos taken (it may be an additional price, but well worth it) and a dvd of ceremony and reception. My daughter was just married at Aventura Spa Palace and used David Pena, a resort photographer, and he did a fantastic job! Here are some of the photos: http://share.shutterfly.com/share/re...1AZNGbNm5Zs3LA My resort is Gran Caribe Real. If we upgrade, the price is not worth the amount of pics we will get. I do want to get the pics on a cd but they only give certain amount on the cd-again not enough pics. Thanks for your help. By the way your daughter's pics are beautiful. Congrats

that's true-4 hours is good. I'm wondering if that includes while you're getting ready and the reception....? What about video, are u getting that too?

Please help!! I can't seem to find an affordable photographer for my November 2011 wedding. The resort where my wedding will be held provides photography services however I'm not sure if I want to use them. I don't really like the packages they offer because they don't offer many photos in the packages. Another problem I'm having is that if I bring an outside vendor I have to pay a fee of $350 plus the photographer's fees. What should I do?

Quote: Originally Posted by abbypoo I will def. post pictures as soon as the wedding actually takes place Yes, I am using their photographers, I'm sure they won't be the best that you can get, but I am confident that the a hotel that has SO MANY weddings, would have halfway decent photographers. One of the reasons we upgraded our package was to ensure that if they do suck, there will be plenty of photos to pick from. I'm pretty laid back about the whole deal, if you can't tell Well my wedding package includes a cocktail hour, so I didn't really have to "choose" a package. if you mean what hors d'oeuvres we chose, I don't actually remember! Yay! I'm so excited that u will share your photos with us! Okay, I just wanted to get your opinion about their photographers because I'm worried about that and not sure what I'm going to do. Photos are important but we don't want to spend too much. How many photos does your package include? That's good that your package includes the coctail hour-mine doesn't but that's okay it's only like $10 a person extra for us.

Quote: Originally Posted by Soon-to-be-McRae Hi I am also planning a November 2011 wedding at the GCR we haven't booked anything yet because waiting for 2011 prices to be released with the travel agent and also in discussions about weather to book the wedding direct with the hotel or with the TA. Vanessa C.....We are hoping for the 12th November which will be a Saturday so you will be around at the same time as me :-) Do you have any ideas where you want your reception? are you planning on a private reception or semi-private? think we are going to have a private recpetion hopefully on the villa terrace carn't wait to start booking everything. Is it still quite warm and nice weather in Cancun in November? That's cool that we will be getting married around the same time Congrats and good luck with the planning. My reception will be at the Villas Terrace and it will be private.

Quote: Originally Posted by abbypoo Hey Everyone, I am getting married at the Gran Caribe December 4th 2010. I saw that a lot of people were concerned about not hearing from their wedding coordinators. The same thing happened to me, but all has been resolved. If you haven't heard from your WC, try to contact them by phone or send them an email about how upset you are, chances are you will hear from someone soon. That's what I did and I haven't had a problem since. My new WC usually gets back to me within the same day or the next day. Anyway, I will try to tell everyone a little bit about how my wedding planning is going because I know I had to search these forums high and low to get info on Gran Caribe brides. The wedding planning begins by setting a date and time and giving them a $200 deposit. At that time you will also sign a wedding contract. We chose the Villas Terrace for the reception and the Gazebo for the ceremony. Also, we are having a "symbolic" ceremony so that we don't have to jump through the hoops of getting married in Mexico, and officially getting married here the week before. So here's some helpful hints: Go to the real website and "book your wedding." Make up fake names and dates so that you can get to the end to see all of the options (you'll see what I mean once you do it). Your WC will eventually send you all of this stuff, but this is the easiest way to see most of their options (flowers, cakes, prices etc..) before committing to this resort. If anyone's interested in having a signature cocktail during their cocktail hour, it is an extra $5 per person (I'm having blue lagoons!) Table linens can be rented in pretty much any color available (that was another question I had). Table linens are $12 each to rent and napkins are $1 each Ok so I'm pretty much going to walk you through my wedding and tell you how much it is going to cost so you brides thinking about the Gran can get an idea. First of all, my guests are quoted at $355 per person (based on double occupancy) for 4 days... pretty dang good for all inclusive. We're having the Luxury Wedding. Ceremony is at 4 with a guitarist and a few floral decorations (standard ceremony decorations are white tulle at the entrance, white chair covers and red carpet). Also we are purchasing 3 bridesmaid bouquets, bridal bouquet, and 3 boutonnières. We have also upgraded our photo package which will be about an additional cost of around $1250. (we're using the hotel b/c outside vendor fees are $350, plus the cost of the vender, of course) From 5-6 is cocktail hour w/ signature cocktails and a live mexican trio. From 6-10 is the ceremony with a DJ. There will also be 5 centerpieces. The total cost of the wedding will be about $8200 for 40 guests. If you're wondering how the luxury wedding went from $3800 to $8200 I will try to add up the additional costs. $400 for a judge (or minister or priest, this is not included in the package) $1250 for photography, $850 for DJ, $400 for reception extra hour (wedding package comes with only 3 hours) $200 for signature cocktails, $250 for couture cake, $150 to feed extra guests, $500 for bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, table linens, and ceremony decorations. And also a $400 surcharge for all weddings Thur-Sun after 4pm. I hope this post wasn't too long and that it helps future Gran brides. Feel free to ask me any questions. Hey abbypoo! This was really helpful! Thank you so much! I would love to see pictures when it is all over and done with! So u are using thier photographers? How do u think the quality will be? I don't like that the packages don't have many photos included in them. Which cocktail hour package did u choose?

Quote: Originally Posted by karielk Wow, glad to see so many GCR folks! Who are you all working with at Real Resorts? Our wedding coordinator is Aja, who is very responsive. Vanessa, I wrote in the other thread too (on November 2011 brides), but I just wanted to say again how exciting it is that we'll be getting married there the same day! We're currently booked for the wedding in the gazebo and the reception on the roof top terrace. We haven't taken a look at the photographers there because we knew we wanted to hire an outside one, since photos are a big priority for us. We also haven't tasted the reception food, but it all sounds delicious. With the 3 course meal, you have a choice of 1) shrimps with jambalaya rice, 2) red snapper stuffed with seafood & black caviar cream, or 3) beef fillet with mushroom sauce. There's also vegetarian and kid options. Soon-to-be-McRae: Cancun high temperatures in November are around 83-85 F, and lows are around 70-72 F. You might note that it's the tail end of hurricane season, though they are very rare in November. Still, we're planning on getting travel insurance, just in case. Hey Karielk! Yeah that is cool that we have the same wedding date and at the same resort! I will also have my reception in the villas terrace. By any chance do you mind sharing your photogrpaher info with us? I'm trying to find an economical photographer but it is so hard to find. I know pictures are important but they are all so expensive!!

I'm having the same dilemma. I booked the ceremony for 10 a.m. as well because I wanted 11/11/11 and that was the only slot available. So far we have decided to have a luncheon at 1pm but I'm still trying to decide if that was the right decision. I'm new to this site too so I am looking around for answers too lol.

Congrats!!! Your pics are beautiful and this was sooo helpful. I am new to this site and early in the planning process. We have booked the chapel for 11/11/11 but that's about it. We're are still deciding on the reception and all the other stuff. Any other info would be helpful. Thank u so much!!

Hey ladies!!! Our wedding date is also 11/11/11 and we are getting married in the chapel at Gran Caribe Real.

I'm getting married there too on 11/11/11 and am very early in the planning process. I have only booked the wedding chapel so far. I can use any helpful info as well . Anybody know about their photographers? How is the quality and are the prices worth the services they provide? How is the food for the reception? Any other info would be helpful

Thanks everyone for the warm welcoming!!! And congrats to all you brides as well. Thanks for the info too!! Vanessa

Hello fellow brides!! I am new on this site and not so sure how to use it yet. I would like to introduce myself and give you some info about my wedding. My name is Vanessa and I live in NJ. My wedding date is 11/11/11 and We are getting married in the Chapel of Gran Caribe Real in Cancun Mexico. I would appreciate any information and reviews anyone can give me as I am still very early in the planning process!!! Thanks!!!! Vanessa