Gran Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum/Coba - POST HERE!

[cdlillad]

By the way, the best place to look at pics are on the photography page on Facebook called "Arrecife Studio Mexico". Mostly just ceremony pics though, I don't think I've seen any reception pics on there. Christi

[Julie2011]

I also got an email for Eugenia yesterday saying that we need to pay $90 of Dj Bijan to come into the resort...We booked him months ago after hearing there was no extra charge???

 

Im also thinking about not doing the sand ceremony, I already have soooo much stuff to bring and havent been able to find a set with a inside cork (so the sand doesnt mix up on the way home)

 

Has any former brides had the mariachi band play at the ceremony? How where they? We have hired the "romantic trio" and wondering how it went for others.  Did you have them play while your bridesmaids walked down the isle or just while guests were getting seated before the ceremony?

 

Any word on if they are doing video's?  I keep hearing they are working on it, but would love to see a sample to see if its worth doing. I have emailed the resort photographers twice but no

response =(

 

Any of you bringing down fabric for over the wood alter thing at the hammocks location?

Where did you buy it? and do you know how long it needs to be?

 

Thanks ladies,

Happy planning =)

[kat15.4.11]

we ve booked the mariarchi band for the ceremony dont know how it will happen 45 mins set?

[dfranklin]

Tanya-Karolina (and others who may be getting married at Akumal),

 

I am also getting married at the Akumal beach location (and private reception with cocktails and dancing- trying to decide between dinner at Frutos Del Mar vs poolside buffet) and would love to see some pictures that you are also requesting! Did Eugenia offer any other outdoor reception sites, in addition to the pool?

 

Can you please email me when you get them at dara.franklin@gmail.com.

Thank you!

[melady24]

 

Originally Posted by waybuloo 

OMG Girls am majorly stressing out!! 

 

Had an email from Jazmin yesterday saying that as of May 2011 anyone that booked through first choice will now be staying on the Akumal side!!  I booked Tulum & have booked the gazebo at Tulum for my wedding!!  As the rule is you have to stay on the side you are getting married in the email it said I may have to change wedding location.....excuse my french but WTF!!!!  So I called Mexico straight away & got through to Jazmin.....she basically said it was due to room allocation & that now Thomas Cook have the contract for Tulum & First Choice have it for Akumal?  My answer was but I booked last May!!!!  She has told me to put it all in an email & she will take it to her superior & see what she can do.  Meanwhile I ran my TA yesterday at Cooperative & she is calling First Choice head office this morning so will keep you updated.....but what a major stress....I have threatened that I will cancel the whole booking if they stick to their decision....god just what I need 17 weeks before we go!!!!

 

Also on the whole DJ thing....I booked DJ Bijan 11 months ago, at the time I emailed Jazmin & asked her if there would be a charge to use him, she replied that there is a charge for any DJ other than Bijan & the resort one Bob.  In addition to the email about Tulum yesterday I received another email saying that there had been a change in their policy & all DJ's other than Bob will be charged a $90 outside vendor fee  again WTF!!!! So I mentioned this in my phone call to her & again she said put it in an email & she will take it to her superior & see if on this occasion she can get the fee waived as I booked so long ago!!

 

I have to say she was really lovely but it seems like they can change their mind whenever they feel like it!!

 

On a different note....Abbie.....another bride I met on here got her maracas when she arrived in Playa Del Carmen for $1 each, I think I may do this as all the ones online seem really expensive.

 

Sorry for rant but am really stressing out now!!!!

Lisa, sorry to hear about your frustration... I am starting to freak out just from reading all the posts...   By reading previous posts it seems that they hounor previous bookings, etc if you make a big fuss about it.  I am sure it will work out for you too.

 

Quick question - you said that resort's DJ is DJ Bob?  How much do they usually charge?  I got a $190 per hour, but she did not say who is playing.

[cdlillad]

Julie- I would be ok with paying $90 for the outside DJ I'm using. I'm just afraid they will charge for every single external vendor I use. For example, if the DJ brings an assistant. Then if I have to pay for the makeup lady and if she brings a separate hair stylist. It could start adding up. And really I could even deal with that if the photos I'm buying are $15 per photo and I'm sure I'll but at least 150 photos. Julie and Kat - We are going to have mariachis for AFTER our ceremony, for our toast. I got the impression from Jazmin that mariachis are more appropriate for after the ceremony to celebrate. The actual ceremony would have more slow type classical music, so I would use a CD for the ceremony. I did some research on the Internet about Mexican weddings and mariachis and it seems they normally start playing after they pronounce you husband and wife and then the party begins. I would love to hear from other ladies who used mariachis and which part they performed. I read on this forum that some brides paid for the video and it turned out good. But I haven't seen any samples. Melady24 - We don't know any details about the resort DJ. Several brides used the resort DJ and they were happy with it. DJ Bob is an external DJ, but he is very popular with American and Canadian brides. Christi

[TATrisha]

sorry everything is so stressful for you ladies

 

Originally Posted by Julie2011 

Im also thinking about not doing the sand ceremony, I already have soooo much stuff to bring and havent been able to find a set with a inside cork (so the sand doesnt mix up on the way home)  I used a frame that has a picture in it and then the sand behind it.  We stuffed it with paper towels to  make sure the sand wouldn't shift.  Really... it's never once been set up in my house.  It's still in the packaging from Mexico, so I wish we would have just dumped it and left the stuff there.  But that's just me.

 

Has any former brides had the mariachi band play at the ceremony? How where they? We have hired the "romantic trio" and wondering how it went for others.  Did you have them play while your bridesmaids walked down the isle or just while guests were getting seated before the ceremony?  We had the trio for our cocktail hour, so I can't speak much for the ceremony... but it is NOT a mariachi, or anything close actually.  But they were very good.

 

Any of you bringing down fabric for over the wood alter thing at the hammocks location?  I think I was the first one to do this, so what I've told everyone after me is to bring at least 10-12 yards, but if you see my pictures the fabric is not on the ground.  I think if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably bring 15 yards and them have them cut off the excess. 

Where did you buy it? Hobby Lobby, $2.99 a yard and then a 40% off coupon. and do you know how long it needs to be?

 

Thanks ladies,

Happy planning =)

[aimesmiles]

Hi Lisa

we had a similar problem we wanted to get married at Tulum but First Choice we're better priced so i spokie to Jazmin about it all and we've arranged to get married at the Tulum gazebo then back to Akumal for the dinner in Le Arlequin the poolside party!! You could suggest something like this if its available!!! Sorry to hear its so stressfull chin up!!! x

Originally Posted by waybuloo 

OMG Girls am majorly stressing out!! 

 

Had an email from Jazmin yesterday saying that as of May 2011 anyone that booked through first choice will now be staying on the Akumal side!!  I booked Tulum & have booked the gazebo at Tulum for my wedding!!  As the rule is you have to stay on the side you are getting married in the email it said I may have to change wedding location.....excuse my french but WTF!!!!  So I called Mexico straight away & got through to Jazmin.....she basically said it was due to room allocation & that now Thomas Cook have the contract for Tulum & First Choice have it for Akumal?  My answer was but I booked last May!!!!  She has told me to put it all in an email & she will take it to her superior & see what she can do.  Meanwhile I ran my TA yesterday at Cooperative & she is calling First Choice head office this morning so will keep you updated.....but what a major stress....I have threatened that I will cancel the whole booking if they stick to their decision....god just what I need 17 weeks before we go!!!!

 

Also on the whole DJ thing....I booked DJ Bijan 11 months ago, at the time I emailed Jazmin & asked her if there would be a charge to use him, she replied that there is a charge for any DJ other than Bijan & the resort one Bob.  In addition to the email about Tulum yesterday I received another email saying that there had been a change in their policy & all DJ's other than Bob will be charged a $90 outside vendor fee  again WTF!!!! So I mentioned this in my phone call to her & again she said put it in an email & she will take it to her superior & see if on this occasion she can get the fee waived as I booked so long ago!!

 

I have to say she was really lovely but it seems like they can change their mind whenever they feel like it!!

 

On a different note....Abbie.....another bride I met on here got her maracas when she arrived in Playa Del Carmen for $1 each, I think I may do this as all the ones online seem really expensive.

 

Sorry for rant but am really stressing out now!!!!

[Babyshaws]

Hi ladies,

 

I'm marrying here 21st April and was recommende here by Waybuloo (thank you soooo much for that!!)

 

After speaking with her I realised how little I know about what will happen on the day and what my options are! I want to know everything!!

 

I'm assuming that the above problems won't effect me (and hopefully not you ladies in the end, kick off until you get it the way you were sold it!!) since I'm pre-May.

 

Are the hair and make-up stylists good?

What reception choices are there? (small budget as we have very few guests & 2 young children of our own) is their DJ $190 per hour and do you have to have a DJ? I'm happy to wack an ipod on a docking station!

What are the cakes like, is it worth bringing our own ribbons,  cake topper?

Do you have a good choice of flowers? I want tropical and bright!

 

I do have so many more questions but typically cannot think right now! But anything you can tell me would be fab!

 

Thanks so much

Gemma xx

 

[Julie2011]

I got quoted $190 per 45min for the resort Dj.. Who I think she said was DJ Bob?? not sure though. Eugenia emailed again today saying that I will for sure need to pay the $90 visiter pass =(  Guess we might be stuck with that

 

Thanks for the info on the mariachi band Christi.. I really wasnt sure..was thinking of having them play while the guest got seated just sort of in the background and maybe for the bridesmaids, then my song on ipod.. plus have them play some more for the toast...hmm  

but it makes sense to have them for after the I do's