AlbertaCarrie

Hi Kelsey,

The photos should be on the previous page... if you can't find them, pass on your email and I can send them your way.  We had 4 songs- wouldn't hurt to have 5 I'm sure.

I used Keltee at Vision 2000 Travel.  Great girl.  I had been through a travel agent nightmare and lost a couple wedding dates because of a badd agent..... then Keltee was recommended to me and I'm so glad I switched over to her.  She did a great job.  My Mexico wedding was fabulous, and Keltee, herself, was just married in Vegas, so she knows what she's doing!

And apparently they made it up!  Photos courtesy of Slate Photographics. www.slatephoto.ca

Ok, so I uploaded my photos last night.... but a message popped up saying that my post was going to go through monitoring before posting.. so hopefully they will show up!!

Alright, I just tried posting photos with no success..... Let's try again with "Trash the Dress" photos:

f

MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!  Will post pictures soon!

Alejandra was the coordinator.  She was tough to get ahold of in the months before, but when I titles my emails as URGENT, she responded.  Once there, she was very accommodating.  I changed my flowers a few days before the wedding and changed the cake the morning of- and although the cake was pushing the limits and we were lucky to get it changed, we were very thankful.

I brought my own photographer from Slate Photographics based out of Edmonton www.slatephoto.ca BEST INVESTMENT EVER!!!!!!!

I got my hair done at the resort and it turned out better than what I could have done myself, so I was happy.  I did my own makeup- 2 keys to that were a good primer makeup base and then a fix spray to set it for the day- and boy did it last perfectly!

We met all of our guests- 27 of us in total and did family, guest pics @ 2, then the guest went down to the beach for 4pm and the ceremony started at 4:30. Awesome!  We had the male minister and he spoke very clear and the vows they had prepared for us were perfect!!  We had initially wanted to write our own vows, but this was almost as good!

The new gazebo area they have set up was perfect!  I loved it more than the original gazebo.

Our CD for our ceremony music was a CD-RW, and it wouldn't work... so be sure your cd is just a CD-R.... Luckily, that was the biggest problem of the day, but they had back up music which suited our style just great- nobody knew that it wasn't our music until we told them.

We hung out at the beach so everyone could get their photos of us, then our guests had an hour or so to go back to their rooms- change into long pants for dinner, etc.  We used the time for photos of the 2 of us.

I made the mistake of thinking our dinner was at 6:30..... but it was really at 6.. So luckily we got everyone together and the restaurant was really accommodating (they say they will cancel the reservation if you are more than 10 mins late) so luckily we had some guest who showed up early- my mom, to make sure everything was set up as I wanted it!

Our dinner was at La Fondue.  EVERYONE raved about the dinner- and we heard numerous times that it was the favorite dinner of the whole time at the resort.  We had the Princess salad, onion soup, chicken fondue and petit fours for dessert- yum!!! The portions were very large and the waiting staff was awesome!  We timed it so we cut the cake and it was served right before the dessert which was really a bunch of little chocolates and cream puffs. We got the chocolate cake and it was so moist and delicious!  Not at all like the cakes they served at the buffets which we often found dry. We were more than impressed with La Fondue and so were our guests! I think the timing really depends on the restaurant- we had our own private area and didn't feel rushed at all.  We didn't get out of La Fondue until 9:30 and at that point met our guests at the sports bar.  We went to the bar in the courtyard for a few mins where we had a first dance with the live band, then took a couple night photos on the middle boardwalk in the centre courtyard.  For the crowd that's more into clubbing, the disco would be the place to go, but we were more about chilling and visiting.

We had one guest that wasn't staying at the resort- he had no trouble getting in that day, and they didn't even charge him for a day pass- they gave him a wristband and he got all inclusive for the day. 

The next morning, we did a "trash the dress" session with the photographer and those are some of my favorite photos!  Again, those will be posted soon!

Our overall stay at the resort was very good.  We were more than happy with the service, we felt safe and secure, and the November explosion definitely did not impact our stay one bit!  My husband got his open water SCUBA certification while we were down there (we stayed an extra week after our guests left) and the resort instructors were awesome.  The beach was great and there were more than enough pools to accommodate the a full resort- along with the lounge chairs too!  We went to 5th ave in Playa Del Carmen a few times- if you're looking to buy anything there, be up on your bartering skills!!! Shop around, and walk out if you don't get the lowest price possible!

We stayed in in a swim-out suite and couldn't have been happier with our choice.  The size of the resort made it tough for some of the older guests, but not too many complaints there... I enjoyed all the walking because it helped me justify resort eating. LOL.

No one got sick- we drank bottled and unbottled water at the resort and of course yummy drinks, too!

Hope this info can help a few of you.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.  Congrats and good luck to all!!!!

Just returned from the Mayan.  We got our legal ceremony done here by Brian Napier in St. Albert-best idea ever!  Our destination wedding was at the Grand Sunset Princess Resort and it was spectacular.  We got the most basic package- added in a few dollars for extra guests and for our cake, but all in all awesome.  I took a photographer with me from Slate Photographics here in Edmonton- they are AMAZING!!!!!! www.slatephoto.ca  The photographer was the most worthwhile investment I made for the wedding and worth every single penny!

My dress was from Bridal Debut- it was a perfect fit from off the rack, so I really got lucky there!

Those are the basic details.... hope it helps someone out!  Good luck to all!!!!

Gujarwala,

Thanks so much for the review... Congratulations on your wedding-glad to hear it was a good experience overall!  I'm thankful you were willing to report back to us.   I'm also wondering how the resort was in regard to the explosion.  Did this affect your stay or the stay of any of your guests and did it affect your wedding at all?  Thanks!!

Originally Posted by gujarwala 

Hey everyone, I just got back yesterday night, our wedding was on Dec. 20th.  I will post pictures soon.

 

Overall it was awesome, and all of our guests praised everything, especially the reception setup and the food (the grill buffet, its offered with the private beach reception and I think its the same as what is served at the Thai Beach Club too).  We did do the private beach reception.  They had it set up near the beach and was very well lit and decorated, food was great, lots of servers and bartenders, and the beach bar was exclusively serving us. 

 

The only thing I was not extremely impressed about was the ceremony, we were supposed to be in the Gazebo, one of the reasons I chose it is because the previous wedding coordinator (Sandra, who has now left) told us that it fit 50-55 people inside in total which was more than enough room for our total gathering of 38 people, but of this we had 7 groomsmen and 7 bridesmaids each so I wanted to sure the actual platform where we read our vows was roomy enough, and Sandra assured us the Gazebo would be.  Anyway the Gazebo is in the area that had the blast in November and therefore it is not available, however the current WC had a month to tell me this but did not, and there was no rehearsal.  So the day of the ceremony we are all looking for a gazebo and are confused to find a much smaller setup, basically a wooden "box frame" without much room inside, and chairs set up behind the box for guests to sit in.  So while guests had enough seating room it was extremely cramped for the wedding party inside, and there was ribbons which flowed around the frame making it difficult for guests to see us inside as well as for the photographer to take pictures.  I think if the gazebo was not available we should have been told ahead of time and offered different arrangements to choose from. 

 

Anyway I did compliment the WC overall but still complained about the ceremony mishap, and requested somethign in return as a gesture of good-will.  Specifically, I said I felt I deserved a $200 refund for the inconvenience, which I don't believe is a large amount, especially when you consider the total fees charged for the wedding were about $5600.  However, in response all they did was send to our room two large towels which had embroidered the resort name and the words "our wedding" undernearth as a souvenir and attached a letter to accept the gift as their way of apologizing for the inconvenience. 

 

Oh and one more thing I thought was silly was that the day of the wedding the WC rushed to get me to sign an authorization form for $148 for yellow ribbons on the chairs.  I'm sure this is the standard fee however they must have forgotten to include it originally when we signed our agreement and I made payment, so because of that I think they should have simply eaten up the $148 "loss" rather than rush to have me authorize an additional relatively minor charge the morning of my wedding.

 

I dont mean to sound negative overall, just being honest about the good and the bad, and like I said overall it was a good experience, just could have had some better communication.

 

Also a warning to anyone planning on having a gazebo wedding - as of right now the gazebo is not available even if your WC has not told you so!  I have no idea when it will be available.  You can feel free to tell your WC that the couple that got married on Dec 20th posted online that the gazebo is not available. 

Agirolamo,

Sounds like you're going to have an awesome wedding!  I am a professional photographer myself so probably even more picky when it comes to photos   I'm sooo lucky to have business partners, one of which is able to join me and photograph my wedding- thank goodness because I don't really trust anyone else.  I might just have to spy on your wedding... hahaha. We should meet for a drink or something. Cheers!

ChristaMichelle,

I don't have any of the info you're requesting, but I do have a suggestion for getting a response from the new coordinators.  I was having the most frustrating time emailing with no responses for weeks... so finally I titled my email "URGENT" and got a response within 12 hours.  Hope that helps!

Hey Agirolamo,

My fiance and I will be at the GSP from Feb. 2-18 with our ceremony on the 7th.  What are you doing for photos?  We are getting married in the gazebo and just doing an a la carte for dinner.  25ish people- low key wedding, so not really too worried about a reception.  We're going to be pretty laid back.  Talk soon!
 

Originally Posted by agirolamo 

Gujarwala, enjoy your wedding. You must be thrilled to be leaving shortly. Cant not wait to hear all about it when you return home.

 

AlbertaCarrie - Im going to GSP in February too... when are you going to be there? When is the wedding date? I'll be there from the 10th - 17th and the wedding is on Monday. Maybe we can join forces and take over the resort.. lol

 

Where is everyone getting hitched? Did you chose the beach cermony? or the gazebo? I think we're doing the gazebo....

Also, my fiance and I are debating where to have our reception.... we have 40ppl coming and not wanting to spend the extra for a beach reception; however I would LOVE TOO! But going to an all-inclusive, its kinda of silly to pay 'extra'... mine as well get married here in town.

 

any suggestions??

I got the following email response from Alejandra, my new wedding coordinator at the Sunset:

"Regarding the unfortunate accident, I am happy to inform you on Monday, November 29 in the afternoon was signed together with the competent authorities certifying that the record after several days of complete and exhaustive review and verification of facilities, all hotel areas are safe, and there was nothing wrong with them. "

Out of about 30 people, 4 have cancelled, but everyone else seems fine to be going to the GSP for our February wedding...

VERY happy to be heading towards sunshine!!

Lynsie,

My email is [email protected].  I would love the sunwing info and letter...

Thanks so much!

Hi Lynfar,

Were you originally booked on the Riviera side or the Sunset side?  I'm booked on the Sunset side for Feb 2 and my travel agent said they weren't able to do much because the disaster happenned on the Riviera side...

Originally Posted by lynfar 

My wedding date is Jan11th, 2011... My agent was resistant at first to help us switch hotels, but after a few phone calls and a letter I wrote personally to Sunwing… She was willing to help us change hotels.

We are now going to Punta Cana - the Bahia Principe. I won't lie... it was stressful, but my group of 18 is now switched without a penalty (my FI and I made several calls to the resort, travel agent and Sunwing) I believe Sunwing waived the change penalty because we are remaining with a Sunwing property.

I was able to change with less than 2 months before my wedding date… there’s no harm in trying!

Thanks for sharing!  I would love it if you could email me.... [email protected].

Do the Amsterdam Tailors deal with beading on the gown?  I got my dress at Bridal Debut and they've got a "beading specialist" or something there to fix beading after alterations. 

 

Where are all the Mothers of the Brides shopping and what sorts of things are they wearing?

I'm noticing that a lot of mugs do not have a hole large enough to fit a straw.... there are a few cold drink mugs that come with straws but they seem to look a lot tackier... any suggestions?

Woot!  Congrats from another Edmonton Bride!

Do any mugs anyone's ordered have enough room for a straw?

I signed up for ehoneymoonregistry and I really like it- I just want to make sure it's 100% legit, so would like to know if anyone has had success with it.  Thanks!!

Originally Posted by Jessa 

 

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am getting married at the GRP resort December 3 2010. I am looking for information about photographers in the area or even looking for someone that may want to split the cost of one if someone has around the same wedding date as myself. Well thanks for your time.

Hey Jessa,

Congrats on your wedding!

My photography company will fly to the Mayan- go to www.slatephoto.ca or email me at [email protected] and we can discuss budget...

 

Hey StephD,

can you email me the wedding info and map, please?

Sincere Thanks!!!  [email protected]

I'm getting married Feb, 2011 in the Mayan. I am a photographer and so naturally very picky... luckily I have business partners that I will bring to photograph my wedding...

 

Check out www.slatephoto.ca   As far as pricing, you pay for our trip and get digital negatives for that as well you can get prints or albums for cost.... just a thought!