Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Brides??

[yasminlkerr]

Hi girls,

 

I have a question for any previous brides who went with the Presidential package...

 

When I had the documents sent across there was a separate document for a 2 hour cocktail party / session where guests get cocktails and we can use the DJ for an additional 2 hours. I've queried this with Fernanda who has confirmed this is completely separate to the sparkling wine and canapes that is included with the package. But she did say that because the Palapa is so remote and far away some people have that option, or an hour for beers etc to be put on while we are having photos taken.

 

The only problem is we really can't afford to pay anymore out - so those of you who've had the Presidential package, did you go for this option? And if not did you find it a problem for your guests, were they standing around with nothing to drink for an  hour or so? We're hoping our ceremony will be fairly late, maybe 5pm so shouldn't be too long in between.

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Yasmin

[yasminlkerr]

Hi girls,

 

I have a question for any previous brides who went with the Presidential package...

 

When I had the documents sent across there was a separate document for a 2 hour cocktail party / session where guests get cocktails and we can use the DJ for an additional 2 hours. I've queried this with Fernanda who has confirmed this is completely separate to the sparkling wine and canapes that is included with the package. But she did say that because the Palapa is so remote and far away some people have that option, or an hour for beers etc to be put on while we are having photos taken.

 

The only problem is we really can't afford to pay anymore out - so those of you who've had the Presidential package, did you go for this option? And if not did you find it a problem for your guests, were they standing around with nothing to drink for an  hour or so? We're hoping our ceremony will be fairly late, maybe 5pm so shouldn't be too long in between.

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Yasmin

[MJKH]

I think you have to stick to and work with the budget you feel comfortable with. We paid for lounge furniture and cocktails (and brought baskets of our own nuts and other snacks for them to put out on the tables) while we were out taking photos in between the ceremony and reception (plus the pre-dinner mariachi trio). I think our wedding time was closer to 3:30 though, and so it was a long time for our guests otherwise to be in that beach area. I'm sure if you work with the coordinator to keep that time in between a little tighter...to be respectful of your budget...it can certainly be done. I kinda wish we had booked even more photography time pre-ceremony for additional "first look" photos in other locations around the resort when my hair and makeup was the freshest, rather than running all around the resort in between the ceremony and reception trying to cram everything in. I would have loved having more time with my honey pre-wedding to casually stroll around and do more photos then...those pics are definitely my favourite!

 

I don't know if that helps...personally for us the stroll from our room to the palapa was a beautiful walk...if we had been guests at a wedding and had a couple of hours to kill in between, we would have walked back to our room to freshen up and/or gone to one of the bars for a drink or two!

[MJKH]

I think you have to stick to and work with the budget you feel comfortable with. We paid for lounge furniture and cocktails (and brought baskets of our own nuts and other snacks for them to put out on the tables) while we were out taking photos in between the ceremony and reception (plus the pre-dinner mariachi trio). I think our wedding time was closer to 3:30 though, and so it was a long time for our guests otherwise to be in that beach area. I'm sure if you work with the coordinator to keep that time in between a little tighter...to be respectful of your budget...it can certainly be done. I kinda wish we had booked even more photography time pre-ceremony for additional "first look" photos in other locations around the resort when my hair and makeup was the freshest, rather than running all around the resort in between the ceremony and reception trying to cram everything in. I would have loved having more time with my honey pre-wedding to casually stroll around and do more photos then...those pics are definitely my favourite!

 

I don't know if that helps...personally for us the stroll from our room to the palapa was a beautiful walk...if we had been guests at a wedding and had a couple of hours to kill in between, we would have walked back to our room to freshen up and/or gone to one of the bars for a drink or two!

[JHo2013]

Hi Beautiful Brides!! I was really excited about sharing posts on this website and starting my own planning journal. But then life happened and things got crazy! Anyways - our wedding is coming up in about 3 months! Fernanda had sent us a long list of documents to fill out - such as the processional songs and order of the bridal party walking out, top restaurant choices for the rehearsal dinner, etc. We're really excited! I actually been considering a wedding videographer for the wedding - because I think I will regret it if I didn't get one. Did anyone hire one? Do you have any recommendations? I've researched a few and they're quite expensive! I'd really appreciate any feedback at all

[yasminlkerr]

Thanks MJKH that's really helpful!

[marloes]

Hi Ladies!

 

I know this post is older, but I am in the same boat! We have not put our deposit down, we are still debabating weather to book directly with Grand Sirenis or with Air Transat for our wedding package. If you still have those documents, could you email them to me as well? marloesvanheeren@hotmail.com

[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!

[sgreen99]

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. 

[sgreen99]

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.