calgarybride2015

Most people are planning to have a cocktail hour/ party between ceremony and reception- are you booking one of the private parties (health bar or beach bar)? Or what is the difference between that and just a regular cocktail hour.? Andrea sent me prices for national, international and premium cocktail hours but was noticing on extra cost sheet there is some options for private cocktail parties?

 

Also- has anyone picked their cake from the slideshow or are you waiting to get down there to do that? Some of them look a bit hideous I was thinking about asking for cupcakes with a starfish on them..

 

I am getting so excited now! I want to go back and try on my dress!

I think the cocktail parties that are listed for the snack bar or health bar are for the people having their dinner/reception in the Ala Cartes.  Since I am having my dinner/reception in the palapa, I am understanding that they will just open the palapa an hour early for us to have the cocktail hour there.  Would be too far for our patients (haha I am at work - I mean our guests) to walk back to the resort.  Since I find it silly to pay for booze at an all inclusive, I am choosing the cheapest liquor option.

I believe I will pick #6 of the cakes (don't have the slideshow open).  Its the square cakes with pink ribbon and flowers on top. I am totally happy with that.  I also believe they will use the same types of flowers from the bouquets if you want.

I may upgrade from the small to medium bouquet and that was quoted to me at $42 extra

I tried my dress on again when we bought our bridesmaids dresses haha!  My actual dress should be in though in about 2 weeks. YAY!!!!

 That would be super annoying!! I wish our flight would change for an earlier time but would be irate if I suddenly had a non-direct flight! 

Good luck with your travel agent! You would think she should be able to do that since that is what you paid for and so far in advance there is likely still room!

 

That brochure would have been handy in planning!! I don't think we were given any rates from Air Canada- just Transat, WestJet and sunwing. Our travel agent advised us against Sunwing- and WestJet had the best price but would only hold seats for 30 days. SInce we had booked so far in advance I wasn't ready to do that- and our TA was able to get Transat to come within 100- with the exception of the child rate being a few hundred more.. Transat 'supposedly' has a better room selection and is called the 'Sirenis Le mirage' but haven't found any evidence to back that up! If we had a big number going from Saskatoon I would have asked to find us a better deal but since it is just a few couples it wont make a difference for our bonus credit.

Well her rep at AC told her that the dates weren't finalized yet.  but when I called them myself, he said they were, but AC Vacations was still deciding what to do with our file (he went and talked to them haha), so he told me to tell her to advocate for what we wanted.  So she may be a bit confused in that regard. She said to just sit tight until they got back to her.

I got all the brochures from a Flight Centre, had alot of different hotels and their wedding packages, etc.  Was a decent start.

It's funny how much of a bad rap Sunwing gets on here, but I LOVED them when I went to Cuba this year.  All the great service, all the free food and drinks (even champagne), it was unreal. I would loved to have used them but I went with AC as they had the only prices in our price point (and we went over it!!!  I wanted under $1500 and I think our Calgary guests are paying $1565). 

I think 30 days no matter what seems quick! People need to think it thru, ask for time off, etc.  I totally understand.  Child prices were all over the map for us, but with this package they are $971 I think for the first child.   Let me know what happens with the Le Mirage package. I think I have read that somewhere before.

I also just listed on our wedding website that if they planned to stay at another resort they would have a day pass fee, as well as any transportation to and from the resorts at their own cost.

Edited:  That being said, we have friends coming who live in Mexico and I never really thought about it until this post that we should probably pay for them.

This is a good question.

When I reserved my spot with the airline, I then made up my invites and sent them out, this directed them to our wedding website for all the info.

I didn't do any STD stuff, or pre-emailing of the website.

Since it is your wedding and you do want to have that invite done up - I would send it, and maybe use that opportunity to remind people that their full payment is due in September.

Just a thought.

We made that error thinking that would just be able to add another city but Transat only flies from Saskatoon from Christmas on! Oh well its not a big deal just glad that they are coming!

 

 

I would like to get chocolates made of even M and Ms in our colors. I am a huge chocolate fan!

We got a brochure early on that showed all the airlines and who flew from where and when, so I kind of knew that the more chartered airlines (sunwing, etc.) had reduced flights.  

Still really worked up about my flights changing.  I called Air Canada myself and they have confirmed my flight in cancelled. He obvisously can't change anything for me, but he did tell me what the options are - so I contacted my travel agent and asked her to advocate for us to get a direct flight just the day earlier.  We will see what she says. She has no idea I called the Airline so probably is wondering why I can't just wait and see if my flight does get adjusted.  I am not the sit around type lol

Calgarybride2015. I emailed Adventure Photos after receiving the details from Maria/Andrea to ask for pricing, but haven't heard anything back yet. It does appear that they are new to the hotel.

 

I'm glad to hear you have positive reviews of them. I will chase them again and she if they come back to me. Only 5 months to go

Hey if you send me your email I can email it to you.   An idea - just ceremony and 1 hour photo session $700 USD,    getting ready/ceremony/photo session $1200.    full day $1600 (this is what I booked)  They didn't even ask for a deposit!

Have you checked out their website? I found a website called Adventure Photos which is probably the same thing? I can't find Grand Sirenis on their site but you could check out pictures from other resorts to give you an idea. What I like about Grand Sirenis is that there seems to be beautiful locations for photos!

I also googled Grand Sirenis wedding pictures to get an idea of what there was for locations and some ideas. We are paying for a niece to come and take pictures. She is just getting into photography and had gone to Now Saphire a few months ago to do a wedding and I loved those pictures!

It sounds like we are having pretty much an identical wedding! I am a teacher and on summer holidays now so really starting to get excited and plan things! 

Yes she did say that you pay for all guests.. I also inquired about upgrading to gold package if then got a disccount on the meal because gold already includes a private meal- the answer is no- so I think we are doing the right thing by taking the free package (silver) and just upgrading what we want!

 

I believe she said free was 10 double rooms for a week. We have some guests flying WestJet from Saskatoon and some Transat from Edmonton. This affects the discount that we get from airline but not for the guests for the wedding.

I was told 10 double rooms for a week gave us the free wedding too!!!   

So far everyone has booked with us in a group, so that is nice (there are perks for us!)  We have 7 out of Toronto and the rest out of Calgary.

BUT!!!   I found out today Air Canada may be revising their schedules and we may have to change our dates. I flipped my lid but the travel agent said not to panic, worst case we can go the same day but connect thru Toronto (won't be direct).  Apparently when you book this far in advance it happens alot ?!?!   but I am freaking out.  I already booked the wedding!!!!  I will hope at most it will just change a day or two.   

anyone else have this happen?

What is everyone doing about favors? Also has anyone inquired about bringing extra decorations? Will they incorporate them into their own decorating scheme or will we be responsible for doing that? I don't think that I am going to bring very much extra but was thinking about some lanterns and possibly jars for a candy buffet-if I figure out how to get my candy there! lol

I asked if they had any candles, etc. I could rent and was told that most brides bring their own so they get what they want.  From what I know you don't get any decor - you will get the flowers from the ceremony (2 hanging, 1 sitting) and they put those on your head table, otherwise it is up to you.

For favors we are getting everyone a maracas. We plan to have them at the ceremony and have a note on them that says 'shake at the kiss'  I found them cheap on Amol's and have a friend in the USA getting them to me.    Then I am also making luggage tags and using them as place cards.  Haven't decided what I want to do with them yet (just their name, or our wedding info, or a funny saying 'not my bag' or something)      I will make a sign with table numbers and get a few tealights and maybe sprinkle the tables with sea shells.     

I also bought mexican postcards to use for the guestbook and an antique like box/suitcase for them.    Then will make a sign on what I want them to do with it.

The biggest thing I have to bring is all the maracas.  But I know I will need an extra suitcase.  Am I the only bride scared to put stuff under the plane??  I know I can't bring it all on carryon LOL but scares me.

I wonder if over the years the resort photographers have changed?

Lots of people mentioning in the earlier posts (ie 2011) pictures were included and they don't seem to be now.

Photo Adventures is the place now and I was scared, but a girlfriend just got married there and she used them and LOVED them. She ended up buying way more photos then the ones that were included and I saw them and think they are fantastic.

I have been talking with Maria by email for the last few days- and she has responded to my emails almost immediately!

I am a bit confused and going to clarify in the next email I send about what her name is! The email that shows up says its from Maria but then the name at the bottom in the signature line is Andrea?

 

Regardless whoever is answering my questions is doing so promptly and they are very friendly!

 

We have 33 people booked right now with the possibility of a few more.. so we have decided to go with the palapa with the BBQ menu. I haven't decided what I am going to do for cocktail hour. At first I thought it seemed silly to pay for cocktails at an all inclusive resort but since the wedding area is so far away from the actual resort will probably do a cocktail hour.

Hayley- are all your guests going for 2 weeks? I wouldn't be able to get that much time off work so we go on the 7 for a week. I don't think any of our guests have chosen to stay longer.

Andrea is using Maria's email.   Maria went on mat leave and she is willing in, that is what she told me anyways. Andrea is much quicker  

Awesome number of guests!  less than 2 weeks and I shall know for certain who put the deposit money down.

I couldn't stay the 2 weeks because I have my school aged kids and it's not really a honeymoon, so we plan to go elsewhere after (maybe Vegas!)  A few guests are staying 2 weeks and I know one couple is doing 1 week with us, then 1 week at another resort.

I am doing the cocktail hour because of the distance back to find a drink!  But I agree, seems silly you have to pay for booze at an all inclusive.

Sorry I answered and you didn't ask me hehe... Sounds like most of us are doing the same thing. Can't wait for your reviews.

Having a hard time picking songs??

Are you getting flowers for your bridesmaids? They seem pricey.

Andrea also told me that when you upgrade your location for the reception the 10 people are no longer included, so you pay the BBQ menu price for everyone.  Did she tell you that too?

We should all throw our questions out on the board to see if 1. we have different answers lol and 2. to see if anyone forgot to ask anything!!!

Our group booking deposit deadline is July 18, so I plan to send some reminder emails out as alot of people haven't responded.  We sent out invites to 56 people, and I think we have about 20-22 people RSVP'd (but not everyone has put their deposit down)  I also put my general RSVP for that date as well, even just for an idea of who may come but book alone, etc.

It can be frustrating because you need to get info to the hotel, you need to order favors, etc. and don't want to be too far off in your numbers, so I hope my sweet reminder email will help

I have 7 months and I am sooooo excited!!

I am also a Canadian bride!

I am in Calgary, AB and marrying at the Grand Sirenis Riveria Maya on January 21, 2015!!!

I don't know about having to upgrade thru your travel agent?  I booked thru the hotel myself, and my travel agent just did our packages.  I have booked the free wedding but paid to upgrade to the palapa/private beach and never had any issues, or haven't been told there are any (IE I said I wanted it and wasn't told otherwise).

As far as I am aware from other brides, if the space is available you can pay for whatever you want!!!!

In Canadian dollars the upgrade from the free package to have the palapa was $980.  That is for 3 hours.  You pay for extra time over top of that, and you pay for the DJ, etc.   The beach bbq menu was approx Canadian $31.    That's what I chose.  The reason I chose the free package is because I didn't want all the extra fluff in the gold or higher packages. So this way I get more of what I actually want and it is actually cheaper.

You should email the wedding coordinators to get all their info, they sent me pages and pages of extras, costs, etc.

Good luck!

I had to stop looking too, when researching, becuase you can make your head spin.

I read the reviews form time to time now, but I know so many people who have stayed at this resort and 2 who have married that I am happy with our decision and feel safe.

Just frustrated right now that I emailed Maria last Friday and sitll no response!

I heard when we get the actual wedding planner a couple-few months before the day, she is way better communication!

My questions weren't even that hard (things like - how many seats per table in the palapa, etc.) sigh! Otherwise have been very happy!

Hello, I could find their basic wedding information thru their website. My travel agent emailed them to get all the detailed info, and wow they send alot. Took a few days - maybe a week - to get a response but ever since communication has been good. We are booked for January 2015. I didn't look into the Barcelo property, but I know someone who has stayed there and enjoyed it. We choose Grand Sirenis for the price point, and also becuase I know people who have married there/ stayed there and got no bad reviews. Good luck!

Hello!

I am marrying at this resort in January 2015!  I have booked the date and my base package but yet to do all the extras (like cake, flowers, etc.) 

There is another thread - which was posted for you - with pages and pages of info!

I also know about 4-5 people who have been to this resort, and 2 who have married at it.  No bad things to say about it

Not sure which is easier to keep in touch - maybe email me?

hayley82, thank you!  I decided to do 3:30pm too!   Just becuase I read online that you lose the sun around 530pm in January and don't want my pictures in the dark either.  I can't send back my stuff until people have RSVP'd/paid their booking deposit, so hopefully sometime this summer I can make all things final.  I didn't realize they wanted you to skype over emails.

I think it sounds like I plan to do what ftmacbride is doing also.  I plan to do the beach ceremony with reception in the palapa - upgrading from the free package. I plan to start at 330pm, so all the extra time inbetween/after I will pay for an open bar and have it go until 11pm. I plan to also do the beach BBQ menu.  I never got a firm answer how long we get the palapa for, but I think I read 3 hours, so may need to pay 2 extra hours of open bar so people don't have to leave the site.

To make people feel reassured - my friend just attended a wedding there in March. I talked to the lady who married and she also has nothing but good things to say!  She also loved the resort photographer too!

The more I ask around the more people I know who have been to this resort and not one bad thing has been said!

Hello ladies,

I am new to this group and glad I found it.  I have some reading to do!

I just booked my wedding for January 21, 2015 at the Grand Sirenis.   I booked the free package with upgrade to the palapa for ceremony / reception.  What worries me is that Maria (wedding coordinator) confirmed the date but didn't confirm I got that package and upgrade.  She is like 'you have lots of time to fill out all the paperwork'  Yes I do, but I want to know forsure.  Was this anyone else's experience? I am pretty sure they do more than 1 wedding a day.

I am still debating on time, as I don't want to be taking pictures in the dark, anyone else have a January wedding?

Thanks!