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

[Guest]

Hi all. I'm just beginning to plan and I'm doing things kinda haphazardly until it's close enough to start talking to travel agents. (I'm hoping for Nov 2015). I've got a few random questions for anyone who might know the answer. 

 

I want to bring my own officiant for a symbolic ceremony. We'd do the legal stuff in Canada on the down low and get my aunt's lawyer husband to officiate the ceremony. I'm worried about other brides who claimed that they requested a non-religious symbolic ceremony and the resort officiant talked about God anyways. My question is does anyone know whether the resort will still supply us with a mock wedding certificate to sign during the ceremony? And will they give me a hard time about using my own officiant?

 

Secondly, I want to walk down the aisle to the Over the Rainbow/What a wonderful world medley because I have good memories of dancing with my father when I was a child to What a wonderful world while standing on his shoes. I'm having trouble finding other songs with a similar feel for the rest of the ceremony. Any ideas? We're open to some pretty kooky ideas (copacabana on the steel drum, anyone?).

 

Thirdly, I've read a ton of posts about the photographer and included photos, but it's not entirely clear to me how this works. Is photography during the ceremony plus the 10-20 photos included in the package covered, but if you want posed photos after the ceremony, you pay the hourly rate?  

 

And lastly, the poolside reception - I've seen posts on here saying $1100-1400 for three hours with beer, sparkling wine and special cocktails.  Is that for the option with the DJ, or is that for the speakers but you use your own iPod?

 

Thanks, everyone!

[Dreamteam17]

@@Maggietron if you go to the OFFICIAL gran bahia principe thread all the good info is there about reception pricing and photography

 

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/63282-official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread/

[Guest]

@@Dreamteam17 I have looked through that thread extensively, that's where I got most of the information, it's just not necessarily clear EXACTLY what is included in the quoted prices. 

[Dreamteam17]

@@KatLew I am working on getting 150 posts so I can see your pictures !!! Aug 4 is so close , exciting!!!! No matter what hair style you chose you are going to be beautiful and the day is going to be amazing!!!

[TATrisha]

I'll do what I can...

 

Hi all. I'm just beginning to plan and I'm doing things kinda haphazardly until it's close enough to start talking to travel agents. (I'm hoping for Nov 2015). I've got a few random questions for anyone who might know the answer. 

 

I want to bring my own officiant for a symbolic ceremony. We'd do the legal stuff in Canada on the down low and get my aunt's lawyer husband to officiate the ceremony. I'm worried about other brides who claimed that they requested a non-religious symbolic ceremony and the resort officiant talked about God anyways. My question is does anyone know whether the resort will still supply us with a mock wedding certificate to sign during the ceremony? And will they give me a hard time about using my own officiant?  Yes, I believe you can bring your own officiant and it's not a problem.  I have read reviews and seen pictures when people have done this. Obviously, verify with your wedding coordinator, but it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Secondly, I want to walk down the aisle to the Over the Rainbow/What a wonderful world medley because I have good memories of dancing with my father when I was a child to What a wonderful world while standing on his shoes. I'm having trouble finding other songs with a similar feel for the rest of the ceremony. Any ideas? We're open to some pretty kooky ideas (copacabana on the steel drum, anyone?).  I had Over the Rainbow/Wonderful world walk me down the aisle, but I didn't really coordinate the rest with that song.  A variety of songs that I liked.  We walked out of our ceremony to Walking On Sunshine.

 

Thirdly, I've read a ton of posts about the photographer and included photos, but it's not entirely clear to me how this works. Is photography during the ceremony plus the 10-20 photos included in the package covered, but if you want posed photos after the ceremony, you pay the hourly rate?  The included pictures is 10-20 photos, total.  That includes the wedding ceremony and very few posed photos after the ceremony.   If you want more, you will have to pay more per picture and if you want more time then you have to add on the hourly rate of $350 for 20 more images.  So you can get 5 images from the ceremony and 5 posed after the ceremony to total 10, for example.

 

And lastly, the poolside reception - I've seen posts on here saying $1100-1400 for three hours with beer, sparkling wine and special cocktails.  Is that for the option with the DJ, or is that for the speakers but you use your own iPod? There are two separate prices that are outlined in this post: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/63282-official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread/?p=1514324

Here is the info copy and pasted:

Poolside Reception (Cocktails and DJ or Music) Only Reception Prices:

These options are for 30 persons maximum, in case there's more people will have an extra charge. 
This packages includes 3 hours of open bar, set up, soft lighting, cocktail tables, Tiffany chairs, microphone, and music. (so this includes DJ).

National Bar:         
Beer, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Cocktails, Gin, Whiskey                      $1900 USD 
Special Cocktails: 
Beer, PinaColada Cocktail, Margarita Cocktail & Sparkling Wine   $1100 USD 
Special Cocktails without DJ but with Speakers so we can play our own music: 585 USD

 

So $1100 for 30 people WITH a DJ, $585 WITHOUT a DJ.  $1400 is 50 people WITH a DJ

Thanks, everyone!

[Guest]

Thanks, @! That was really helpful. I kept reading that the included photos were "OF THE CEREMONY" so I was concerned that they would be real sticklers about that and not take any photos after the ceremony ended. 

[KatLew]

I'm getting so excited and nervous! We leave on July 30, and wedding is august 4!!!!

[TATrisha]

You're so close!!!  I hope you have an amazing time!  Remember to try not to stress and just enjoy your time there.

[KatLew]

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/

 

See the above link for my dress!

Hello, 

 

Here at this link you should be able to see my dress?

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/

 

@@KatLew I am working on getting 150 posts so I can see your pictures !!! Aug 4 is so close , exciting!!!! No matter what hair style you chose you are going to be beautiful and the day is going to be amazing!!!

[Dreamteam17]

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/

 

See the above link for my dress!

Hello, 

 

Here at this link you should be able to see my dress?

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/gallery/album/17741-dress/

Yes I can see it , it's beautiful and perfect for beach wedding !!! Love how low it goes in the back very flattering on you. Hair is nice too, are you getting resort to do it?