Gino15

Thanks Kat, they don't we got married on Saturday it was amazing!!! Thank you for all your help. We're still here enjoying the sunshine.

Hi,

Just thought I'd Share if anyone is having any doubts my wedding on Saturday was absolutely amazing! It went just as planned no trials required really well organised. I'm still her in Mexico for another week enjoying the sun so will write a review when I get back.

Thanks Kat for the quick response, also sorry for got to say do they add Vat (tax) onto the final bill? Just so I work out how much to pre load the card with

Hi Kat thank you for all you help on this you have been great. One final question when you paid the bill for all the wedding charges did they present this in USD and could you pay in USD or did they convert to pesos? I am taking a Thomas Cook travel card which would be loaded with dollers however wasn't sure if the final bill was in pesos.

Kind regards

Costs

Costs on the Wedding are quite complicated! So many options and different things you can add so let me give you some key points about mine and what we paid in total to give you an idea.

 

Total guests: 50

Package: Romantic Extravaganza (package only includes 30 guests so if you have more you pay $40 per person)

Reception: Privatised tent at Grand Tortuga

Post Reception: Poolside dancing

Music: Sound equipment only (no dj or band)

 

 

The total Wedding cost us about $8K in USD. 

 

We paid almost $4K for the Romantic Extravaganza package (which includes 30 people) and then paid per person for he extra people above 30.

We paid $2.5K to privatize the restaurant the restaurant (this is based on how many people you have so if you have less than 50 it won't cost you as much). 

We paid $70 per hour for the sound equipment and didn't get a DJ or anything to save on costs, we just played our own music off Spotify and stuff. (6 hours)

We upgraded a few hours of the bar to international bar to have nicer alcohol which cost just over $500 usd.

We did not pay for any extra photos - the packages with the onsite photographer are very expensive! I just have some talented friends take photos and we have 20 photos included.

We also paid for bridesmaids bouquets and groomsmen boutonnieres and a few additional things

 

 

 

 

Photos - Tropic One Studios (on site photographer)

Tropic one studios is the onsite photography company and they have an 'exclusive' contract with the resort which means if you want to bring your own photographer you will need to pay Tropic One Studios between $500 - $1000 which is very annoying and ridiculous.

 

I unfortunately don't have many good things to say about Tropic One Studios. I looked them up on facebook after we booked the wedding and really didn't like their work. Not really very good photography, especially for a Wedding photography. I emailed them to find out prices for bringing someone external on site and the manager emailed me back immediately with their extremely high costs. I then emailed back letting them know that I would not be doing this as it was far too expensive so I instead asked them for their photo package costs and they didn't reply at all. Then my husband emailed to chase this up and we got no response. Funny how they respond immediately when they see an opportunity to get money for doing nothing but as soon as you ask them costs on their work prices they ignore you. I found some package costs online but wasn't sure how up to date they were. It was crazy expensive anyway so I just asked some of my talented guests with nice cameras to step in for me. I have about 4 friends taking pictures (luckily they're talented and I have some wonderful photos which I haven't posted as they're not finished editiing yet).

 

With our package we have 25 photos included with Tropic One Studios from the Ceremony, if you want them for any other part of the day you have to pay extra and it seemed like a lot more (such as getting ready photos, reception, etc etc,) As I didn't like their pictures on fb I didn't want to pay all that money and be disappointed. At the ceremony the photographer was there and took some pictures as I was walking down the aisle and stuff but I didn't think he looked very professioal, he was a bigger guy, and wore all white which I thought was a bit weird as white should be bride only really and he was wearing a baseball cap which looked super unprofessional Some friends took some videos of me walking down the aisle and all you can see is this guy running from behind me to ahead of me to take pictures and it just doesn't make the video as nice. 

 

After the Wedding we went to their offices to take a look at the photos and surprisingly we didn't mind the photos they're actually nice so don't be too worried Grand Bahia brides!!!! I've posted an album below to show what the pictures we got looked like

 

 

 

We didn't struggle too much to cut the 70 photos he had down to 25 to keep. Some of the photos weren't great, someone face would be cut in half on the edge and some of the editing was questionable. After the 25 included each picture was $50 per digital copy!!! He tried to upsell us on extra photos but we said no. There was a few photos that were black and white and I asked if I could have them in colour. (I can change a photo to black and white myself I'd prefer to have a coloured copy so I can choose) and he said NO which I thought was ridiculous.

 

He then loaded up the pictures on a CD for us (old school). We took the CD home just to find it was blank!!!!! I emailed them right away asking to get the pictures and waited a few days - no response. I then emailed my wonderful wedding coordinator to help me with this and he chased her on getting me my pictures and she finally sent a google drive link with the pictures!!! Thank god! When I opened it tho - one of the pictures was corrupt and we couldn't open it so that took another 6 days to sort out. Such bad service. 

 

We also told them we weren't impressed that they never replied to our email about package costs ahead and the manager came and told us that she apparently never received the emails asking for this (either of them! lol that old chestnut!). She also accused us of bring a professional photographer onsite and told us they would contact them and get them to pay but no one ever heard from her. She was just annoying.

 

Don't want to end the review on that note! lol It was a wonderful day and I wouldn't have changed where i did it or anything it was lovely and everyone had a great holdiay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Honey - right I've posted a few extra things such as decorations and costs as I meant to do this and forgot. I hope that helps you get a better idea

 

As per music at the Ceremony they had all the sound equipment there and had an iphone cable so we just downloaded a few songs onto a phone and played it. Make sure this is downloaded and not playing off wifi in case you have spotty wifi you don't want your music to stop or anything. You want to have some extra songs for people to listen to while they wait for you to arrive There is someone there to cue the music at the right times as well so you're looked after don't worry!

 

Re restaurant - they might be able to do the meat off the swords and then have a starter and a dessert - I'm not sure. Talk to the manager Adriane! He is excellent and will try to accommodate you!

 

We got the sunglasses from this website! Turned out great!

http://go-personalised.co.uk/login.html

 

You could definitely do dancing in the tent! It is big! I don't think we paid to privatise the pool but we paid for alcohol upgrade and for the sound equipment. You can alternatively pay for a DJ or band but I don't think there is much of an extra cost to be around the pool! Find out about this!!

 

I posted the albums again and added some extra photos. I hope you can see these. Strange about the others I definitely added more than 1 photo. Sorry I hardly have any photos so far so I don't have that many to share and the ones I've shared are just random ones from guests (other than the Ceremony ones that are from the onsite photographer).

 

I hope that helps Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Kat

Thank you Kat for your detailed review and photos, I have 6 weeks left before we depart to Mexico to get married, and your review has really helped! on the little things like a cake topper, and favor ideas not that I have much room left on my weight allowance. My main concern is my make up, I'm not very good at this myself did you make your appointment once you got there? I am so glad I changed my date to get the Gazebo it looks amazing it meant I couldn't have my 1st choice resturant (grand tourga) but the ceremony photos you have posted just confirmed I definitely have done the right thing. Just one final question do you know if you get VIP bands (so you can eat and drink at all 4 resorts) as a wedding couple for any of the packages or was that included in your Romantica package.

Thank you in advance

Georgina

Hope this works, someone had posted this on a Facebook group I follow Grand Bahia Principe Lovers.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using TapatalkHere is another..

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Hi Akumal2016,

I'm guessing those links are just what I'm looking for but I need to post 150 times to see them thank you anyway:( xx

Hi everyone!

 

We are getting married at the Tulum Gazebo on June 24, 2017 at 4 PM. We have booked the Unforgettable package, dinner at the Gran Tortuga with a 2 hour pool side reception after dinner.  Does anyone know the price of only the videographer?

 

Jaime McCallian- I look forward to hearing how the 4 PM time slot works out for you timeline wise.

Hi Kaitlynb21,

I wondered if you heard anything regains prices for videographers/ photographer? I have emailed tropic one last week asking for packages they offer and and price guide but not heard anything back. Have just chased them but wondered if you found any information out.

Georgina

ame="Gino15" post="1917010" timestamp="1483993917"]

We booked jan 16 too, emails are slowly starting, we have 25 guest so far 8 are children, were having a party when we get back so I'm unsure weather to pay the extra or not, I keep looking at all the excursion you see and there is a lot in Mexico I would like to do!

What date do you get married?

We have the gazebo and the ceremony is at 4 pm (thank you for your help) xx

Umm I was thinking we may have a party when we get back! Nothing booked yet though. Reading a few other posts on here the photography is quite expensive so I'm trying to factor in for that aswell as want lots of pics and a video too. ( watched one on you tube of a recent wedding looks fab) Kids want to swim with dolphins, also want to see turtles and day out to play a del Carmen so there is lots to think about. We get married on 3rd June @ Gazebo at 3pm looks amazing. Can not wait.

Hey yes we are having legal ceremony, I have already send off the witness information as requested by the travel agent and I have already got both mine and my partners full birth certificates. Neither of us have been married before so I guess it should be pretty straight forward. I just don't know if I'm panicking too much now over tiny details as it's only 19 weeks away! Feels crazy to even say that x[/quote

 

Have you legalised the birth certificates ?

This one might sound stupid, now I've been getting my emails and asked for a drinks package, now from what my thomas cook rep had said the meal is taken off the guests Alcarte allowence, so do I still pay extra? Also all guest that are coming are staying at hotel and have paid for all inclusive, so do I still need to budget for the drinks package? I'm so confused by everything I'm useless x

Hi, Yes 1 of your Alcarte is used as a meal for guests, this is semi private only ( so there holiday guests will be in restaurant only drinks in restaurant is part of all inclusive however you only get the restaurant for 2hrs only you then get charged by the hour $300. I am requesting after the dinner to have a private reception for 2 hrs after. There are not many of us 12 in total to have this you pay $250 to privatize then you have to select a drinks package the cheapest is $6 per person per hour cocktails only. So in theory your paying for waiter to serve just your party. How many guests do you have going? I've had our wedding booked since Jan 16 heard nothing for ages now having to make all these choices it's all go.

hey we get married on the 29th may and have also book with Thomas cook! How are you getting on sorting the legal side out? im at a loose end when it comes to stuff like that and feel a little lost any advice is much appreciated thanks

Hi Jaimemccallion,

Congratulations to you first of all!

I was a bit worried at first but think I've got the hang it now. As I understand it if you are having a legal wedding and you do NOT require your parents name on wedding certificate the below needs to be supplied:-

•Blood tests ( in resort $95 each)

•Green cards ( you get these on arrival in mexico)

•Passports

•4 Witnesses

If you require your parents names on marriage certificate the below needs to be supplied

•All the above and

• Birth certificates (Long version) the birth certificates need to be legalised by the foreign office in London go online and you and type legalise documents. This will take you to government page to book and pay £30 per page to be legalised. Send it off to address they post back. Take it to Mexico and grand bahia translate into Spanish ( you will be charged for this not sure how much)

Any name changes will also require legalisation.

I have opted for the first option and not having our parents names on marriage certificate. However my partner is divorced so I have asked wedding coordinator to confirm if he needs to supply his decree absolute and I'm awaiting a response Thomas Cook say he doesn't as we have gone for first option but I'm double checking with Mexico as if you don't have the correct paperwork you can not get married.

Hope this was helpful and questions just ask.

Georgina

@@Gino15, we just got married in October, stayed in Coba and had the choice of restaurant in either Coba or Tulum.  

 

Here are the menus the resort sent me while I was planning.  I hope the links still work.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9Z4XuvqT5HwOFlXT0cxUll0TVE - Tulum

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9Z4XuvqT5Hwc2ZZUTRDV25ZMnM - Coba

 

We also had a small group (22 including bride and groom) and we had our reception poolside.  The poolside reception was $250USD to privatize the area.  We opted for the least expensive bar option which was a cocktail bar and that was $6USD per person, per hour.  Sound equipment was $70USD an hour for 1 mic and 1 speaker for us to plug our phone into.

 

I did my own makeup so I can't comment on the spa services.

 

Are you bringing in your own photographer?  The rates for the in house photographer are quite steep.  We went with the Sunshine package which included 10 free photos but had the option of buying 70 photos in a CD with a printed book for $900USD.  Which we thought was a little crazy for only 70 photos.

 

I hope this helps!  I'm not sure if the prices have changed but those were the ones I got and I started planning in January 2016 and got married in October 2016.

Thank you so much Melaniesum you have been so helpful! Congratulations on your wedding hope you had a fantastic time.

Wow the photography is a little on the expensive side! Unfortunately the person back home who is a professional in the family is unable to come so may have to use the hotels : (

Just one more question do they still have the beach party on a Saturday do you know ? Originally the wedding date we had was Mon 5th and read somewhere that they have a beach party at hotel on Saturdays ? Was going to go for my hen do but they changed the wedding date to Saturday so that throws that idea out but just thought I may go to this instead of hiring the poolside for 2hrs after Meal and save the money and for reception back home and have speeches and maybe show the video for everyone to see....also gives me another chance to wear my beautiful dress!

Many thanks again for your help really appreciated x

Hi @@melaniesum

 

Getting married in GB Tulum (gazebo) in June 2017. I'm also thinking of doing my own make up

 

We currently have Romance extravaganza package but thinking of switching it to Unforgettable. The difference is the 2 hour open bar after the dinner. We're only in the process of booking our dinner. We'd also like to have a private pool dinner.

My question is  if we opt for Unforgettable package which doesn't include the open bar.. can we still have dancing / open bar after the dinner?

 

Could you explain to me how the wedding schedule works esp dinner/reception/open bar?

 

Was the food included in the private pool dinner or is it a la carte? I saw a post with private pool menu on it.

 

I'm also thinking of hiring outside videographers, would that incur fees on the resort?

 

Thanks!!

Hi! getting married the day before you I was thinking of doing my own make up and getting my hair done there!

 

I'm a little bit confuse with the dancing after dinner.. is that included in the package or paid separately? 

 

Best wishes to you and your partner!

Hi Rawrice,

Congratulations to you and wish you all the best too.

Great nice to know someone who is getting married around the same time! Hopefully we can share all our info I have been really nervous as booked back in Jan 16 and heard nothing till about October when they decided to change my wedding date at they overbooked the Gazebo! Have just received my wedding pack but didn't have any info about restaurants yet Thomas Cook wanted me to decide which one I wanted ! So glad I melaniesum has replied and given me the helpful links with all the required information. The dancing after dinner is not included as far as I know I have gone with the Sunshine packaging, melaniesum gave the approx charges above of poolside and drinks and hire of sound equipment think you can have a DJ but think that's around $150- $250 each hour instead of $75. So think it can get quite expensive on top how many guests have you got going ?

X

Hi,

On count down now to wedding in June 2017! Have just received wedding pack from Thomas Cook.

Does anybody know what restaurants are linked to Tulum for wedding meal?

We are only a small wedding party (12 in total) possibly a few more max 4 but not confirmed yet.

With only a small party wouldn't mind a little area where we could hire sound equipment for a couple of hours after meal with drinks is this possible ?

Has anyone had thier make up done by the hotel? I'm confident I can do my hair ( ex hairdresser) but not so with make up but don't want it caked on just looking for a bit of feedback really.

Don't overly want to spend too much on extras would rather spend it on photos and video to remember the day and show family & friends who are not fortunate to share our big day.

Any help tips or advice would be well appreciated x