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FOOD TASTING - Gran Caribe Real I Just got back from Cancun and as promised I am writing a note on the food tastings. We personally chose to fly out there to have this food tasting because I was iffy about the whole "all inclusive" resort wedding food. We also wanted to meet our photographer. My wedding will take place the summer of 2011 and it will be a Catholic wedding in the beach. I've been going to Cancun on vacations for over 10 years now and have pretty much tried food at many resorts and restaurants locally. I've traveled to many countries and I love sampling food from each of them but by no means am I a pro at food tasting I live in Chicago so my fine dining options are not limited at all! I had never tried food at Gran Caribe or Royal before this trip. I was able to also see a wedding outside on this day of the tasting which was very touching and I was able to see how the coordinator directed everyone when the ceremony started. I even got to see their lovely cake which was a standard (not luxury from their brochures ) and I liked its simplicity so much that I also chose it. I was very nervous about this tasting because this time - it was for our wedding which made it even more important. I also had a chance to finally meet my photographer which I am very happy with too. Below are the choices of food tastings we had - I don't have the specific names with me but I will try my best to describe. I must admit that we were very very pleasantly surprised in the way the presentation and taste of each and every one of the choices we made. I certainly have that feeling of "everything is going to be great with the food". Although we did not opt for either of the choices of wedding cake we selected to taste - I certainly can trust them with the ultimate flavor we chose since both cake tastings were yummy but our ultimate flavor was based on our decision to be inclusive of a more neutral flavor - vanilla - which can be to blah but based on those yummy cakes we tried - I know they will do a great job with this. Also we also had a chance to inquire as to popular choices from individual that has been doing weddings there for years as waiter and of course from the folks there helping us. I took pictures but I haven't even figured out if I can post on this site. Salads: 1. Dominico Avocado stuffed with crab - Delicious and the most popular one. does not have that fishy taste I expected. We selected this one as it was delicious. 2. Royal Salad stuffed with seafood with melon,etc. - I loved this one - my fiance did not and thought the vinegrette was too strong. I loved it as it was balsamic vinegrette taste. We went with a more neutral taste to this. Main Dish: 1. Red Snapper stuffed with seafood with cream of black Caviar - this was tasted awesome and I was expected black sauce but the sauce is actually like creamy and not black at all. Very moist and we like this one too. We were told we could choose two options only if we could tell them way before the wedding how many of each plates we wanted. 2. Casablanca Chicken stuffed with seafood covered in Almond Sauce - I expected this one to be dry chicken but this tasted yummy and the almond sauce on top just made it even better. This one seems to be the popular one with past wedding guests. Soup: We opted out of this Dessert: We LOVED both of these but we went with the Number 1 because it was unique to us. The inside almond mousse was so wonderful and not very sugary or rich at all which is what I personally don't like. Presentation for both deserts is spectacular. 1. Oven baked pear stuffed with almond mousse - 2. Chocolate cup filled with fruit and vanilla tasting filling - not rich at all. very yummy for those that want chocolate in their dessert. Wedding Cake: Both cakes were great! they were moist. They have two layers with creamy filling (not very sugary) more like almond or vanilla pudding like depending on type of cake you choose, etc. - Please bare in mind that initially the resort indicated they DO NOT do food tasting on WEdding Cakes - but after much emails, etc. - we finally got this option. 1. Apple /Cinnammon Flavor - this was was an odd flavor for us but we chose to taste it - taste just like apple and cinnammon 2. Chocolate and Coconut flavor - This was tasted exactly like Germany Chocolate cake - very yummy but kind of rich for those that have tasted Mexican "Tres Leches" (three types of milk) cake - they also have that option and I think this was not in our brochure when we had to decide on which one to taste. Now - aside from all the food tasting - we will obviously also have the option for vegetarians and children. We did not taste these options but based on the great tastes of the above - we do trust that they will do a great job with these. The quality of the food was certainly amazing and the taste even better. Overall - I am confident that the wedding will be amazing. I was able to be there to see an outside wedding and taste the food. I am also currently working with a travel agent that is assisting those guests that need a package to attend the wedding. I also discussed flowers, styles of cakes with the coordinator and I am close to almost finishing on these touches. Last items for me are the gift tote bags for the guests which I plan on buying wholesale online and filling with practical things for guests to have during their stay.

Food Tastings/Cake: Additional informationl on my quest for food tastings at this place..... I am having the royal catholic wedding with a private reception. We have 3 food options for dinner and we are only allowed to sample test 2 of those three. Meaning that if they have meat, fish, or veggie - we can only try two of those three. I don't like this as I would typically try all three options since those are the three options offered. It's not like they all are expected to taste the same. On the other hand we just got notice that we cannot do ANY cake tastings!! A cake comes with our package and we can't even try it to see what it will taste like. Just hope it is good enough for 60+ guests. hmmm sounds shady but tomorrow once again I will have to press the issue and make it a point that it is not reasonable since we are actually willing to make a trip to do ALL food tastings. Once again....these are the little things you are not told at this initial walk through.

I was finally able to talk to priest here in the states. He stated we need our baptism certificate, an an interview with him and pre-cana. That's it and he will give us the letter we need to send to Cancun.

I am planning on going back to Cancun in November to the food tastings, check out the resort suggested DJ and Mariachi, and see if we can figure out the flower vendor because the options on the flower vendor were not really that appealing. I'm either going to talk to the vendor to work with me or if not - I will check out two or three other outside vendors on my own. I will let you know about the DJ if I do find out more. Â

Wedding Rehearsal/Dinner/Flowers - Chapel Wedding - June 2011 Â I thought I'd share this in case you all have not gone through this yet. I'm trying to finalize my estimated budget and so I had to smooth out more details. We are getting married in the Chapel and I was planning the rehearsal and the subsequent dinner. The coordinator tells me they charge USD 300 for the rehearsal at the Chapel and the priest won't even be there. The wedding specialist is the only one that will be there. The wedding specialist is the one they tell you is included in all packages. I do understand if she has to work after hours, etc. but these are just small things that they dont' tell you upfront. Â I asked if they could reserve a spot for me in one of the restaurants of the hotel for my wedding party after the rehearsal. They tell me that they would charge me USD 15 per person (if staying at this resort) or USD 30 per person (non-guest). This would not be a separate private spot in the restaurant. Has any of you encountered this and if so - what did you decide on? I find it hard to believe that they charge USD 15 per person for someone that is a hotel guest and is already under the all inclusive plan. IF the food was to be any different and to our choice then I would really see where this price was maybe coming from but just put a few tables together and not really reserve a side or private room? In the grand scheme of things - I just like to know that I'm being charged for a service and not just because. At the end of the day USD 15 is not much but it adds up when you start adding people and types of events during the wedding weekend. Â Â Flowers - I received the three types of flower arrangments that we can have at this chapel. the best one of my choice costs 810. I asked my coordinator if she was to adjust my pricing since this price included altar centerpices which were already included in Catholic Royal package (she had forgotten so if I don't remind her - she won't even tell me). She sent me adjusted pricing which would end up costing me like 300 bucks (savings of ~500 bucks). I thought - wow those alter pieces that come with the packagte must be like 500 (the difference). I take a look at their "la carte" menu and I see they cost 60 each (still leaves me wondering for the difference). Â Hope this helps in you planning.

I thought I'd share this in case you all have not gone through this yet. I'm trying to finalize my estimated budget and so I had to smooth out more details. We are getting married in the Chapel and I was planning the rehearsal and the subsequent dinner. The coordinator tells me they charge USD 300 for the rehearsal at the Chapel and the priest won't even be there. The wedding specialist is the only one that will be there. The wedding specialist is the one they tell you is included in all packages. I do understand if she has to work after hours, etc. but these are just small things that they dont' tell you upfront. Â I asked if they could reserve a spot for me in one of the restaurants of the hotel for my wedding party after the rehearsal. They tell me that they would charge me USD 15 per person (if staying at this resort) or USD 30 per person (non-guest). This would not be a separate private spot in the restaurant. Has any of you encountered this and if so - what did you decide on? I find it hard to believe that they charge USD 15 per person for someone that is a hotel guest and is already under the all inclusive plan. IF the food was to be any different and to our choice then I would really see where this price was maybe coming from but just put a few tables together and not really reserve a side or private room? In the grand scheme of things - I just like to know that I'm being charged for a service and not just because. At the end of the day USD 15 is not much but it adds up when you start adding people and types of events during the wedding weekend. Â Â Flowers - I received the three types of flower arrangments that we can have at this chapel. the best one of my choice costs 810. I asked my coordinator if she was to adjust my pricing since this price included altar centerpices which were already included in Catholic Royal package (she had forgotten so if I don't remind her - she won't even tell me). She sent me adjusted pricing which would end up costing me like 300 bucks (savings of ~500 bucks). I thought - wow those alter pieces that come with the packagte must be like 500 (the difference). I take a look at their "la carte" menu and I see they cost 60 each (still leaves me wondering for the difference). Â Hope this helps in you planning.

Abby - Â Thanks for the tip. I was able to do it the way you suggested and obtained great rates. My next items to tackle are the flower decorations for the Ceremony and the Reception Decorations. The prices provide by the resort are really too much and I was going to see if there were any other vendors locally. Thanks! Â

I inquired as to their photographers and they indicated it is www.funeverphotos.com They even gave me examples of other weddings held there. The login information to see those pictures is.... user: trent password: wedding  hope this helps!

Vanessa - Â I will let you know what our priest says in Chicago. We should be able to talk to him this Sunday. Â

No I have not. My friend's sister just got married in Puerto Vallarta and she had no problem with that matter. I think the only thing we need to do is go to the pre-cana weekend retreat they offer and get their certificate plus a letter and we should be ok. We are getting married legally in Chicago before we go to Mexico. Why is the priest giving you a hard time? Â

I am getting married in the Chapel on Friday June 17, 2011 and my reception has been set for the Villas Terrace. I have not looked into the photographers and DJ suggested by the hotel but if any of you have and can provide your reviews that would be great. I'm nervous because when we did the site inspection - it was raining and we did not get a chance to see the Villas Terrace. I was debating whether I wanted the reception in the beach or in the terrace and we ulitmately decided to go with the Villas Terrace. Â I will not be having my guests book directly with hotel as I find the room rate for both Royal and Gran Caribe higher than if they were to book with an agent. Also the resort will hold us liable for those blocked rooms if not enough guests (minimum 10) book their rooms with this resort direclty. So - the downfall is that they will not block rooms for my guests and now I have to worry about my guest booking early enough to get a room in the premises.