Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[soontobemrsdow]

Honestly not going to lie, it totally does suck to pay extra for a bar when you're at an all inclusive but I definatly think you should get it. I had 40 guests and it cost $810. Just a word of advice though, if you don't want to pay the money for the bar then I would say don't rent the gazebo because people will want to drink and the closest bar to the gazebo is the lobby bar and that's an easy 5 minutes walk away.  

 

Originally Posted by ames9782 

alright, so i have a bit of a beef with these "extra" costs.  we are considering renting the gazebo for the night dance thing (only gonna have a bout 30 guests so trying to decide if worth it) but in order to rent it and have the bartender down there its $20pp PER HOUR.  so for the 2 hrs we'd be there that's $1200 (for booze) AT AN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT!!!!!  others thoughts on this because that really disturbes me!!  i don't really know what to do anymore.  do we still rent it and just not have the bartender down there?! i have no idea what to do now......

 Now I'm not positive because you have the free package but I was able to switch out the photographers they would give me to get flowers instead. Just ask Bev when you get down there, she is really nice and tries her best to do whatever it is you want.

 

We had some people we food allergies and they were really good about it. You just have to have a list ready of the people with the allergies and then even on the day of the wedding beverly spoke to me first confirming the people with allergies and even went and spoke to them personally to let them know they were being taken care of. It was awsome and everyone had a great dinner!

 

You get a certified copy of your marriage certificate before you leave and they will mail the i guess...real copy? when its ready. i got married jan 11th and haven't heard yet about it being ready but I've also had no problems yet changing my name with the copy that I got before I left so i guess its not a huge deal when it comes.

Originally Posted by JayKay 

I just got an email back from the assistance planner.  Here are the questions I asked with answer.  Hope this will help someone.

 

Hi there,


1. We have decided to use the free package which includes 5 pictures from the resort photographer.  We are using a different photographer and therefore, dont need the resort photographer. Can we substitute something else for that such as chair covers or chair bows? Please note that we cannot offer a substitution should you not wish to have the photos that comes with the package.


5.  We have some people who have severe food allergies, what do we do about this and do we have to pay for a separate dinner for them?  Please advise us of the food allergies so that special arrangements can be made. This would be at no additional cost.

6. Do we receive our marriage certificate right after the ceremony or is it mailed to us? This is mailed within 2 months of the wedding date.

 

 Who cares do it anyways! Its the last time you'll ever be involved in that part of a wedding! We had like 6 or 7 single ladies and 4 single guys and we all had a bunch of fun doing it!

Originally Posted by tris 

 

We're also doing our first dance right after we get married. I think I'd rather do the cake after dinner though. And we're still unsure of the boquet/garter toss. We were expecting more people to come but many have been dropping out and as of right now it's us and 15 guests. Seems silly to throw a boquet at my 2 bridesmaids & 2 single friends, and the garter at literally the 1 single guy (best man), haha.

 

we used mywedding.com for our website and honestly it was AMAZING. i started doing one on the knot and it was confusing and i hated it. mywedding is laid out so well and easy to use. Everyone knows i'm not that great with computers and so when they saw our website they were like how did you manage to make it so nice? lol. I joked around and said i spent weeks working on it 24/7 but really it was so easy and would recommened it in a heartbeat!

 

Originally Posted by acw271011 

 

now I have a question. did anyone use a free wedding website and if so which one? did anyone send out save the date cards electronically and if so where did you find them? now that our date is confirmed I want to get it out to everyone. we have people that have been waiting to book vacation depending on our date so now I can let them know.

 

 I paid and got a wedding package with the hotel but still never had to put down a deposit and all was fine. There was even a wedding i think at like 11am on the day of mine that Beverly told me how they wanted our time slot from the start (4pm) but we had asked first so it was ours. You should be ok they seemed very organized.

Originally Posted by ames9782 

 

i know with the free package you don't have to put a deposit down.. but it's my understanding that if someone comes along and wants that day and that time, they can have it if they put down a deposit????(even though i've already booked and confirmed)  

 Drinks are included during dinner. House wines and beers but Beverly said if someone really wanted a mix drink she could arrange it but eveyone drank the wine and was fine.

 

As for striking a deal I was hoping the same to just be like hey here's xxx amount of money but Beverly does it all on her computer and makes up a big invoice the day before your wedding that you pay then with the breakdown of everything so come the day of your wedding everything already settled up you just have to bring tip money.

 

Which on that note ladies please desginate someone to do your tipping for you before hand and give them the money the day before the wedding (parents or bridal party). I was so wrapped up in getting ready and just all those emotions of the day I forgot my money in the hotel room. Luckily my dad loves me and had thought about it before hand and brought some with him and took care of all the tipping for the night as a little extra gift to us. I was planning on running back up to the room to get some but I was so busy between pictures and dinner and everyone wanting to speak to you I never had time so it was my saving grace that my dad thought of it.

Originally Posted by katelynn 

I have a weird question that my mom asked me today that I hope someone can answer. Will drinks be served throughout dinner or do we have to pay a bartender during dinner hour for drinks.

 

I am also wanting to get the bartender for the gazebo now after my mom said that it was a must...lol! I am hoping to strike a deal with Beverly when I am down there as we have 43 people and at $15pp/hour I think it is ridiculous seeing as it is an ALL inclusive resort! A friend at her work went to a wedding in Jamaica and they only had to pay for the bartender for like 2 hours which I think would be more reasonable. Any suggestions??

 Congrats and have an amazing time! I know you will!!

Originally Posted by akua420 

I'll be sure to take lots of pics and let you all know!  I got the idea from another bride that did that, and she said it was fantastic.
 

Everyone at work threw me a Bridal Shower today, it was so cute.  Presents, cake, flowers and wine. Now I'm half-cut trying to get everything ready, and my boss just told me I only had to work a half day tomorrow so I can get ready for my Friday departure.  I didn't think it was possible to be more excited then I've been all week, but trust me, it IS!!!!

 

On another note our photographers set up a really ncie page for us on their website with some pictures from the day of the wedding so I figure you guys can go there and check them out if you want!

 

twofortwophotography.com and it's under the Love in Jamaica section. 

 

We still haven't gotten the pictures from them so this is all we have to look at too from what they shot so far during the week and am sooo excited to see the rest. They contacted us a few days ago and said it's almost ready. soooo excited!!! Then I'll try to figure out how to upload some here for you ladies to see! I'm not gonna lie I might need help though! lol

 

 

[lmarie]

Soontobemrsdow.. who exactly did you tip? Thanks
 

Originally Posted by soontobemrsdow 

 

Which on that note ladies please desginate someone to do your tipping for you before hand and give them the money the day before the wedding (parents or bridal party). I was so wrapped up in getting ready and just all those emotions of the day I forgot my money in the hotel room. Luckily my dad loves me and had thought about it before hand and brought some with him and took care of all the tipping for the night as a little extra gift to us. I was planning on running back up to the room to get some but I was so busy between pictures and dinner and everyone wanting to speak to you I never had time so it was my saving grace that my dad thought of it.

 

[lmarie]

Thanks! Thats great

 

Originally Posted by Espejo2be 

We got a price of 89$ per night for the hotel only and they got return flights with redtag for $600.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmarie 

I am from Newfoundland, most of our guests are travelling from here, do you mind if I ask what kind of price your guests got booking the flight and hotel separetley? Some of my guest may have to do that, since our deposits were due a few months ago and some people still have not booked with our agent yet.
 

 

 

[acw271011]

akua420 - best of luck! have a wonderful, wonderful wedding and make sure we all get a detailed report when you get back!!  oh and pictures! lots and lots of pictures!!

[lsmith211]

so much help Mrs Dow - thank you!!!!

[katelynn]

thanks for the info Mrs Dow it is deffinately helpful. I also looked at your pics and they are AMAZING! It looks like all of you had such a great time!! Do you remember where you got your TTD as it is so pretty

[Espejo2be]

Thanks Mrs. Dow!! The extra info was a great help and btw, your pictures are gorgeous!!!

I have a question, and it may sound a little odd but, does anyone know what the legal drinking age is in Jamaica? We have a few people who are 17-20 and want to know if they will be allowed in on the all inclusive package...

[ames9782]

Mrs. Dow thanks so much for the advice! will definitely keep all that in mind for the rest of our planning!!!

[soontobemrsdow]

we tipped beverly and brought her some lotion and perfume from bath & body works (but gave it to her the day after the wedding to make sure she did a good job. If she didn't we were only going to give her the bath & body works stuff, but she was amazing so we gave her some money as well) When we gave her the money we said you and chandyln did an amazing job so we hope she gave her some of the money but who knows.

 

we tipped the steel drum band, the waiters/cooks from dinner, the bartenders, and the DJ.

 

We were planning on tipping the minister as well but the day before our wedding we had our rehersal and we found out that his daughter had broken her leg that day so he was only there for like 10 minutes. He disappered right after the ceremony on our wedding day so we think it's probably because he was going to be with his daughter. Plus we had to pay him the $400 cash from the package so he got paid pretty well if you ask me lol

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmarie 

Soontobemrsdow.. who exactly did you tip? Thanks
 

Thanks! It really was the most amazing week of our lives. everyones already asking if we can do it again next year for our 1st anniversary and we're actually thinking about it! lol. You will have such a great week!

 

lol my ttd is actually from sears. I was going to use my actual wedding dress for our ttd but then with like a month to go changed my mind and needed something quick and ordered that one for only $70 on sale! Up close the beading on the front was a little tacky I will admit  (and freaked out about it when i first saw it lol) but it doesn't show in the pictures so far, so I'm happy!

Originally Posted by katelynn 

thanks for the info Mrs Dow it is deffinately helpful. I also looked at your pics and they are AMAZING! It looks like all of you had such a great time!! Do you remember where you got your TTD as it is so pretty

 I'm pretty sure it's 18. But honestly their so laid back there everyone will be fine. But if they've never or rarley drank before tell them to take it easy because the drinks are strrroooong!!! Also just a tip,The cups are really small they serve there so pack a travel mug or hand them out in your oot bag which I'm sure you've read all about in the other forum topics. They really do come in handy and is a nice souvineer for the guests to take home!

Originally Posted by Espejo2be 

Thanks Mrs. Dow!! The extra info was a great help and btw, your pictures are gorgeous!!!

I have a question, and it may sound a little odd but, does anyone know what the legal drinking age is in Jamaica? We have a few people who are 17-20 and want to know if they will be allowed in on the all inclusive package...

[jenandmark]

I am!!!!  Are you going to be there too?