sgreen99

Okay, I think this is actually my favorite planning thread so far!  You hooked me with the treasure chest, and I've been stalking all of you sellers on etsy  haha.  Where did you get the beach bags?  I absolutely love them!

Sorry I haven't been on forever!  My bach bags were from Ardene's, such a great deal!

Thank you! I actually didn't even know about the lights until we got there, so we didn't have to pay for them they just did it. Might be worth asking about!

My photographer calls it a "Rock the Dress" which I think is a bit more appropriate (and less "scary) terminology.  You don't wreck your dress by any means.  It's just more sassy, sexy photos, hair down and more casual (and yeah, you maybe get a little wet)   Tons of fin, do it!!!

With the exception of the chair bows, white sand runner and rose petals, this is how the standard PRESIDENTIAL setup looks (this is the private beach area). Note that the Tiffany chairs would be an upgrade if it were not the pres package. The fans and mason jars were my own.   Off the top of my head I believe it was $3 per chair bow (which they do move over to the palapa for the reception) and I think like $75 for the runner and rose petals.  Should be in the extra brochure though.

Originally Posted by yasminlkerr 

 

Gorgeous pics sgreen99!

 

I have a question for any previous brides - we're going for the Presidentual package, but I wondered what is included in the ceremony set up, the brochure says 'romantic decoration' so does that include all the hanging flowers etc that are on the gazebo, and how about colour ribbons etc on the gabezo do you know if you have to pay any extras with this package?

 

Also as I understand it bridesmaids bouquets aren't included so I know we'll need to pay extra for these, but with regards to the brides bouquet can you have any flowers, or do they have set bouquets and you have to pay extra for certain flowers?

 

Thanks!

Check my review (link in my sig) - the only thing about the ceremony set up that we paid extra for were the coral chair bows.  All the rest was included in the pres package. (minus my own decor things which I think I describe there). Bridesmaids bouqs were like $25.

Originally Posted by kayleshahunt 

 

Sgreen99 beautiful pictures!! Did you have your hair and makeup done at the resort?

I had the girls at the resort do my hair (I believe my girls was names Isa, she was fantastic!).  One of my girlfriends is an amazing MUA, so luckily that was her gift to me, which was great!

Originally Posted by Chantel 

 

@sgreen99 

 

Gorgeous wedding! Your pictures were amazing! All the details turned out beautifully! 

 

I actually used your antiqued treasure chest idea - thank you! I will have to send you pictures when I get a chance. 

 

Just a quick question - I was reading through your review and noticed that you didn't finish your story about the presidential suite. You ended off talking about how it was a bit of a problem to get the presidential suite, but you didn't include what problems you ran into and how you ended up getting the presidential suite? 

 

Thanks for taking the time to write out your review - it's very helpful! 

 

Chantel 

Oh!  We DID end up getting it for the whole stay, but literally did not know until actually checking it whether we had it or not.  Make sure you ask about this up front. They tried to give me a run around about it and it was hard because the girl who initally helped me with planning no longer worked there.  I had emails to back it up, but I suggest getting it in writing right away.  They basically said, you can have it if no one else who wants to 'pay' for the room ends up coming in.  Since it is a free' upgrade, they say they only have to give it to you for the night of the wedding, which is ridiculous/  Who wants to move rooms in the middle of their trip?!!?  Especially with the amount of crap you tote along to have a wedding.  Sheesh. All ended up well, but they really could have avoided the whole situation by just saying - yes you have it.  It started us off with a bad taste in our mouth about the resort and it wasn't even needed.

Originally Posted by LaurieMc 

 

I'm planning my Oct 31st, 2014 wedding at the GS!

 

Anyone who has the catalogues please email me! Laur767@hotmail.com.

 

Sgreen - so many questions for you! Which location was your ceremony at? Also am very curious as to your cost with your upgrades and the presidential pkg - not sure if that is rude!

Ask away!  Our location is the "secret spot", which is on the Maya Beach resort side (we stayed at the riveria maya side so we could never find the place).  It's right behind the disco of the resort.  This spot is what you get with the Presidential and I highly recommend it, as you will not have any creepers and onlookers like you would with more public beach ceremony spots.  I think with the Pres package and all of our add-ons we came in at around $5800 for the resort costs (not including our own trips or photography costs of course).  the value of the package was huge in my eyes.  We had a luxury wedding experience but at greatly reduced cost to what it would have been at home. 

Thanks! The dresses are from David's bridal, we just got one here in edmonton. Super reasonable prices!!

I thought it might be fun to show a few of my crafties in action...

We were super pleased with how they all turned out!

Originally Posted by yasminlkerr 

 

Gorgeous pics sgreen99!

 

I have a question for any previous brides - we're going for the Presidentual package, but I wondered what is included in the ceremony set up, the brochure says 'romantic decoration' so does that include all the hanging flowers etc that are on the gazebo, and how about colour ribbons etc on the gabezo do you know if you have to pay any extras with this package?

 

Also as I understand it bridesmaids bouquets aren't included so I know we'll need to pay extra for these, but with regards to the brides bouquet can you have any flowers, or do they have set bouquets and you have to pay extra for certain flowers?

 

Thanks!

For flowers there is a catalogue that explains it, the standard offering for Pres. package is really nice, stay within if you can because any of the upgraded "exotic' choices are ridiculous.  The flowers were just find from the standard so that's what we went with. If you look at my review, the only upgrades we purchased for the actual ceremony set-up was: The coral chair bows, The White runner and two bags of roses sprinkled on top of the runner. (*the mason jars, programs and fans were our own).  So, pretty sweet setup with the Pres package.  I think the extras we got came out to about $250 or something?

Originally Posted by kayleshahunt 

 

Sgreen99 beautiful pictures!! Did you have your hair and makeup done at the resort?

My hair was done at the resort, makeup by a friend (it's all in my review....)

Question for any of you ladies that were married previously: Did you send a thankyou card to your WC at the resort? What did you use as the mailing address?  This is what is says in their email sig, wondering if that is an address??

GRAND SIRENIS RIVIERA MAYA RESORT & SPA *****
Ctra. Federal Canc?n - Tulum, zona costera, km. 256.3

What do you think?

Originally Posted by NSinyerd 

 

I just want to add to this that I am being charged the penalty fee of $300 to have a photographer from outside of the resort come. I am not sure if this is the case for brides like Sarah whose photographer was a guest but I know that I have argued this fee and it's looking like I will still have to pay it.

Yes true!  Elizabeth brought it up in our meeting. I had never mentioned anything about the photographer before but it came up during our meeting because of guestlist VS. seats at the ceremony (photogs were on guestlist from AMA but not requiring seats at the ceremony). She said something about the outside vendor fee but after explaining that they were both guests and paying for seven days accomodations she dropped it.  Sounds like they are def. sticklers though, which sucks   that was one of the reasons we brought from up here, by the time you pay for a min. $3000 photography package down there plus outside vendor fee, you might as well just pay for someone's trip and at least get the style you want!

Hey girls! Hope everyone is enjoying my review   I thought I would add something, that I totally forgot until just now..  My photographer friends and I had a get together the other night and one of them was just at the Sirenis (a few days before my wedding in fact) shooting a wedding.  Apparently that bride and groom had also requested that Photo Caribean not show up (via email), and they did anyway!  They were in the way of the couple's hired photographer for the entire time, even blocked her view of the kiss.     Horrible!!

So, I guess I was lucky that they actually followed my instructions and didn't show??  You may want to re-iterate (if you are using someone else) that they not show up.  Just FYI!!

aaaand a few photos for reference to my set-up, etc!!

OK.... Here it is!!! I'll put all the photos in another post.  Here's a link to the actual review page if you'd rather read it in the order I posted:  http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/grand-sirenis-riviera-maya-all-inclusive/reviews/7024

Ben & Sarah Tentative Wedding Day Schedule

Ceremony at 3:30 pm

10:00 am (need times from spa)? Bride & Girls to spa for hair.

11:45am  Return to bridal suite after for make-up (Claire) & prep (Radelle meet up at this time) *have details ready for Radelle*.  Lunch delivered to girls in Bridal Suite.  (Suite #             ).

12:45 pm Radelle moves to shoot with groom & boys in Best Man’s Suite

 (Suite #              ). *deliver groom’s gift.  If possible do a few group photos of boys at this time? 

1:45 pm Radelle Returns to Bride’s suite (BM’s into dresses at 1:45).  Bride into gown at 2:00.  Few group photos & bridal portraits in & around suite?  *Girls need to depart for lobby bar at 3:10 to be shuttled.

3:00 pm Guests meet at lobby bar in front of wedding office. Shuttles begin to wedding site.

3:10  pm  Groom and groom’s party /all remaining guests to wedding site.

 3:25 pm  Bride, BM’s and Bruce to wedding site.

 3:30 pm  Ceremony begins (Owen in charge of music).

 4:00 pm   Champagne Toast (Michale Jespersen), followed by full group shot and family photos.  *request car and drivers for bridal party photos??

4:20pm – Mexican Trio to start playing and light appetizers served while guests mingle.  *Mom and Aunt Alice to oversee setup of décor in Palapa while party off doing photos*

5:38 pm  (approx) Sunset.  Radelle to return for photos inside the Palapa??

 6:00 pm  MJ to invite guests to get last cocktails and take seats in the Palapa.

6:10pm  Grand entrance of Bridal Party.  Mike to share any announcements from WP/wait staff, and call Albert up for Grace

6:30 pm Dinner Served

7:30pm Speeches & Toasts

8:30pm  Cake Cutting

8:40pm  Dances (Photography coverage ends after 3^rd dance).

9:00pm  Garter Toss/ Bouquet Toss

*Palapa rental and bar service ends at 11:00.  Invite guests to rejoin party at the Disco for the remainder of the evening.

Originally Posted by NSinyerd 

 

Sarah,

 

I absolutely love your photos and can't wait to read your review.

I know you'll probably answer these questions in your review but just wondering a few things:

 

Did you get your bouquets made at the resort? What size are they? What were the costs for them?

I assume that you brought some of your own decorations for the ceremony and the reception. What did they charge to set this up for you?

Did you use their paper lanterns? If so were they all one size and how many did you use?

Which meal did you choose for your guests?

 

Thanks for sharing your day with us!!

Nicole

 

 

Thank-yoU!!

We had the Pres. package, so my included bouquet was already the best they made (it was stunning, we were blown away by the florals!).  Elizabeth did have a lower package bouquet with her when she gave me mine, and I'll be honest, it was pretty small, so if you don't have the pres. package I would ask to see the size of your standard!

I ordered bouquets for each of my girls, I believe they were about $25 each, and then they made me a 'mini' bouquet for my tosser at around $20.

They didn't charge us anything to set up that I know of,so that was nice. We had quite a bit of stuff too, when we showed up at her office Elizabeth's eyes were about as wide as they could be lol. They did a beautiful job setting us up!!

We rented the paper lanters, I think there was just the one size and I believe it was $10 per lantern (think we did 12). Money well spent, they really added to the look!!

We just went with the standard BBQ (code for buffet).  Least favorite thing of the entire wedding...The food blew   It was cold, and not served when we asked it to be.  But whatevs, the rest was incredible

Originally Posted by sgreen99 

 

 

 

I got them all the same necklace from Etsy (Below), it looked really cute!  For bracellets, earrings I just said do whatever, I wanted them to be able to bring in their personalities with the accesories they chose.

 

Had to check my planning thread, they are from allstrungout1

Originally Posted by Bride2B0713 

 

My bridesmaids will have the same dress, except in a turquoisy-blue. What jewelry are you doing for them? I need ideas.....

I got them all the same necklace from Etsy (Below), it looked really cute!  For bracellets, earrings I just said do whatever, I wanted them to be able to bring in their personalities with the accesories they chose.

Hey Peach, check my siggy, I posed links to my photog's blog posts from our day

I just returned from my wedding, and all I can say it - DO IT!!  First of all, it's not really "trash", my photographer uses the term "rock the dress" so people aren't as afraid of it.  It was so amazing to put that dress on just ONE MORE TIME, the day flew by so quickly!  And, it gives you another chance for some amazing photos of just the two of you, we were on a pretty tight schedule on our day with sunset so early, I'm so thankful for the extra shots.  Do it ladies, you will not regret it!

Sidenote - my dress came out CLEANER after swishing in the ocean, the bottom was black from the reception and now it's pretty clean. I rinsed off in the pool and then sat it on our balcony for the day to dry. Once it was dry and shook that sand out and voila - clean as a whistle!

Here's a couple of peeks my photog has given

Originally Posted by Bride2B0713 

 

My bridesmaids will have the same dress, except in a turquoisy-blue. What jewelry are you doing for them? I need ideas.....

I gave them each this necklace that I ordered on etsy:

 They looked super cute!  I told them whatever for earrings and bracellets, I wanted them to be able to bring in their personality. Most did dangly silver earrings and just simple pearl or silver bracelets. They looked fantastic!! The dresses are so goregous on the beach! There's a little snippet from my photographer's blog below, you can see how they looked