Any Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay Brides out there?

[HopeToBe]

Originally Posted by MelB2012 

 

Amazing!! Thanks for posting this. I was wondering what the additional packages were, and if they gave you print outs or a CD. That's GREAT!

 

Chris Lee has such great reviews I would like him to, but not sure who I would book with with... contact him directly, or go through the WC at the resort.

 

Get him on Facebook - that's what I did.  He responds right away.

 

OH - and for the 2014 brides, he has mentioned to me that he may be venturing off to run his own photography business next year in which case we would be charged the stupid $800 vendor fee to bring him to the resort.  Fingers crossed he stays with the resort so we get him for free!!

[HopeToBe]

Originally Posted by dutchess 

 

No they are fake! They are called real touch flowers and my friend got one and it looks amazing! You would never know the difference.

 

real touch flowers?!?!  that sounds amazing!!  i'm looking into that stat!  thanks for the info!  LOVE this site!!

[Jennelle]

Originally Posted by Wicket76 

 

I just got back from getting married at the Gran Bahia on 25 May.  We had a 4pm wedding and it was just amazing.  For anyone that is panicking - don't.  The wedding team knows what they are doing and they are there to make your day special. 

 

We arrived a week before our wedding and we had guests (27 of them) arrive all week so it was really nice to have new faces to see each day.  We have an 8 month old son and he had some many people that wanted to play with him in the water.  We were upgraded to the Golden Club with our Unforgettable package and briefly considered upgrading to Don Pablo but in the end it would have been a waste not being able to use the exclusive areas and not hang out with our guests.

 

On the day of the wedding, my MOH, mother of the groom and my mom headed to the spa for 1:30 to get hair and make up done.  We were suppose to be back at my MOH's room for 3 pm for pictures with the resort photographer but we didn't get out of there until 3:15 which wasn't really a big deal even though everyone was looking for us!  The Spa did a wonderful job of the hair and makeup and I couldn't have been more pleased.  

 

Having a little one complicated things slightly as he needed to be fed before walking down the aisle but photographer waited until that was done and I was in my dress.  I am not sure what time we got down to the lobby but we were a little late as it was and the wedding cart got blocked in by some tour buses which totally didn't stress me out.  My dad was stressed but I told him if we wanted to get married on time we would have gotten married in Germany!  Finally we were on our way about 4:15.  The Gazebo looked stunning and I am so glad I brought my own chair sashes - the fuchsia really stood out against the background of the sea.  

 

The ceremony was really lovely and the minister was just great.  He told my fiance not to turn around until my Dad and I arrived at the chairs even though all the guests were telling him to turn around - I thought it was a nice touch.  The ceremony lasted about 15 minutes and was fairly religious but that didn't matter to us.  Right after the ceremony we had the champagne toast and then some family pictures all the while the steel band that - was part of our package - played.  We then cut the cake and had some more champagne before our session with the photographer started.  We had an hour with him and we had such a good time.  We had Christopher lee and he made us feel really at ease.  

 

From there, we went straight to our dinner at The Garden Grille.  We were seated along one side of the restaurant with the head table in between the two tables of our guests.  We weren't facing them which was a bit of shame but the way the restaurant is set up they couldn't really do that.  The food was excellent and the portion sizes were just perfect.  Someone on here mentioned they were very small and their guests headed to the buffet after - I don't see how.  The wedding cake was served with the cheesecake and they could have just served cake as it was just delicious!  

 

After the dinner and after we put our little guy to bed we met our guests back in the Daquiri Bar off the lobby and had a wonderful time.  We didn't have late night but the rest of our guests headed out to the disco after 11 pm and were out until 3 or 4 am.

 

It was truly the most special day and everyone at the resort works hard to make you feel special.  

 

 

Wow wow wow! Thank you sooo much for sharing your review. You and your photos are stunning! Happy to hear it was a perfect day for you and your guests. Thanks for the info on the flowers as well.. now that I've seen your bouquet. ..you're right, the photos they sent me really don't do the bouquets any justice. Congratulations and thanks again for the info

[Jennelle]

Im sorry if this has already been answered but can someone tell me how they brought their own music (for ceremony and first dance); did you bring your songs on an IPOD or burnt CD?

 

Thank you

[mizjax25]

Hi Wickert,

 

Thanks for posting an awesome review!  Everything looks stunning!

 

I'm milling over the different packages and was wondering if you can explain a bit further what the luxury turn down service is... how does it differ from normal housekeeping??

 

Also, did you enjoy having the romantic breakfast in bed?  I'm just wondering if it's worth paying for these little extras...

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

Originally Posted by Wicket76 

We used the Unforgettable package which was perfect.  

[Wicket76]

Originally Posted by Jennelle 

 

Im sorry if this has already been answered but can someone tell me how they brought their own music (for ceremony and first dance); did you bring your songs on an IPOD or burnt CD?

 

Thank you

We brought a CD and they played it.  You can list which track you want for the MOH and then for yourself.  They don't have an Ipod dock that I know of.  We used Bach's Cello Suite and just let it play from the minute my MOH walked down and then to me.  It was so beautiful - have a listen to it on Youtube

[Wicket76]

Originally Posted by mizjax25 

 

Hi Wickert,

 

Thanks for posting an awesome review!  Everything looks stunning!

 

I'm milling over the different packages and was wondering if you can explain a bit further what the luxury turn down service is... how does it differ from normal housekeeping??

 

Also, did you enjoy having the romantic breakfast in bed?  I'm just wondering if it's worth paying for these little extras...

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

To be honest, we never got the turn down service as our son was asleep before 8 each night even though we told them several times about this so they never came early.  Normal turn down service is that they come in, in the evening and turn down the corners of the bed and usually lay the robes (if in your suite) on the bed.  I imagine luxury includes some towel art.  The night of the wedding they did go in early and sprinkled the bed with rose petals, did towel art and turned down the sheets.

 

The breakfast in bed was disappointing as they only do toast, fruit, yogurt.  I wanted some eggs but they said I would have to go to the buffet. The toast arrived soggy as they wrap the plate in plastic wrap and fruit and yogurt was nothing special.  

 

That being said, I think the package was good value for what we got the day of the wedding compared to other resorts that charge thousands.

 

We really enjoyed the romantic dinner for two that is on the deck over looking the water at Dolce Vita.  We ended up having the entire deck to ourselves and it was so lovely just to enjoy the view, drink champagne and enjoy the food.  It was a lot   of seafood which my husband doesn't really like but the waiter asked us if we were okay with the menu and offered substitutes for the soups and salads.

[Jennelle]

Originally Posted by Wicket76 

 

We brought a CD and they played it.  You can list which track you want for the MOH and then for yourself.  They don't have an Ipod dock that I know of.  We used Bach's Cello Suite and just let it play from the minute my MOH walked down and then to me.  It was so beautiful - have a listen to it on Youtube

Awesome! thanks again Wicket76, I will definitely check out the music you suggested.

[STemple]

Get him on Facebook - that's what I did.  He responds right away. OH - and for the 2014 brides, he has mentioned to me that he may be venturing off to run his own photography business next year in which case we would be charged the stupid $800 vendor fee to bring him to the resort.  Fingers crossed he stays with the resort so we get him for free!!

I will be devastated if he leaves, the Bahia needs to hang on to him!!

[dutchess]

I asked Chris he said no plans to leave so not to worry. Also I said yes to the dress today! Sooo excited!!