Grand Riviera/Sunset Princess Resort Review & Pics!! Lots of Pics!!

[MsZ]

Everything looks beautiful! THank you so much for your detailed review!!!

[nonchalant26]

This was very informational and appreciated!

[LCBride2007]

remember, it's against forum rules to request that attachments be emailed to you.

[dvorak1]

Hi Robyn - would you send me the pictures too? dvorak1@hotmail.com

My wedding is 4/1/2011 and Patricia has been amazing so far! I have been reading reviews on trip advisor and I need to stop - they are so negative.

We had a chance to quickly preview the resort when we were on vacation in the area in June - it was an unplanned visit (we were looking at other resorts in the area to have the wedding at and didn't like any of them), so Patricia squeezed us in for a quick tour to the gazebo (while she was setting up for a wedding she had an hour later). We fell in love with the resort but didn't get to see any rooms or other amenities. Wouuld love to hear about your overall experience.

 

Thanks!
Amanda

[Courtney2011]

Hi, I am getting married there onMay 7, 2011

 

I havent really done much but book the day. I am confused about wedding packages, do the prices include for your wedding guests? Suzyq76 your pictures are wonderful, is your photographer someone from the resort????

 

Also, where did everyone book there flights and resort at? we are pricing out a few and I didnt know if you had any luck with some.

 

Thanks so much! I am trying not to stress, but I guess it just comes natural!

[SuzyQ76]

 

Originally Posted by Courtney2011 

Hi, I am getting married there onMay 7, 2011

I havent really done much but book the day. I am confused about wedding packages, do the prices include for your wedding guests? Suzyq76 your pictures are wonderful, is your photographer someone from the resort????

Also, where did everyone book there flights and resort at? we are pricing out a few and I didnt know if you had any luck with some.

Thanks so much! I am trying not to stress, but I guess it just comes natural!

Hi Ladies, sorry I haven't been on here much lately!!!

 

The wedding pkgs include different things, some will include for up to 20 people (you, new hubby and 18 guests), and some pkgs include up to 40 people - it all depends on which pkg you choose. Then if you are over the specified pkg amount you just pay the extra $10 -$12 per person charge (I forget what they are). If you are considering a specific pkg let me know and then I can help you out with it!

 

My photog was my sister in law - who does photography on the side. So we lucked out because that is a huge expense on top of everything else - but even a lot of my guests took a ton of great pics!

 

All of our guests pretty much booked whenever the best deal came up - we had people flying from all over the world so we couldn't really coordinate a group quote for anyone. I did have one group fly from one destination, but they were the only 10 who flew on a group quote with a set price from one destination. The 30+ other guests booked online when the deals came - but I was pretty much watching prices every day and letting people know what was going on - that was pretty stressful for me!!!!!!! I felt like the travel agent.

 

Try not to stress too much - this is the reason we choose a destination wedding right? Everything is supposed to be handled for us!!!

 

Any other questions just pop me an email - I'll probably respond much faster! hehe

suzanne.araya@hotmail.com

 

Good luck with all the decisions!!!!

Suzy )

[c and m]

We had our 2 big groups book with a destination wedding planner in Vancouver.  Marsha Steeves.  It depends on the tour company, but we got a free trip for every 9 that booked with her. 

She also got everyone a free room upgrade and everyone was staying in the same area, which made it easier to get groups together to do stuff after the wedding day.

 

We used Dean Sanderson as our photographer.  He has an album in the vendors section on this site.  he was awesome to work with!!

[Melucy]

HI!

 

I have my wedding booked for February 8, 2011 at the Grand Riviera Princess.  My Fiance and I stayed there in November of 08 and LOVED IT! SO figured why not go back to where we know. However, I of course have SO many questions regarding how the wedding works at this resort..THANK YOU ladies, your reviews are soo excellent!

 

We have opted to have a private reception in a banquet hall at the hotel. The beach ceremony is at 3pm for us and then we have the banquet room from 6-10pm. We will have about 35 people there, possibly more -gotta love those "last minute" hopefulls!

 

I still have this urge to be somewhat traditional despite it being a destination wedding. That is why I am doing the banquet style dinner and dance after the beach ceremony. It is costing us 45$ a person, minumum 40 people, which translates to, "you have to pay for 40 people, whether they are there or not". We were in Cuba this past February and saw a wedding at an a-la-carte and people were yelling over eachother trying to do their speaches and they got kicked out after 1hr 30min! Anyways, the DJ is charging 600 to basically press play so we have decided not to do that. You had mentioned a docking station, we plan to do the same so we can have a first dance, father daughter etc. Did they give you any grief for bringing in your own music and docking station? I know they like to make money so i thought I would ask to see if they were ok with it....

 

Also, photography is prbably the most important item on my list, and I know the hotel offers one but is this person any good? did you use the hotel provided one? I know they will charge you extra if you bring one in from outside.

 

 

Just hoping for more input on private vs semi and DJ/music...

 

 

Thanks ladies!

 

Melody

[uworich]

I'd be curious myself as to what people did for music... 

One of the things i'm thinking of getting is a portable audio system ... seeems to have some mixed reviews on amazon but then again, it's only $170: 

Ion Audio iPA03 Portable PA System with iPod Docking Adapter

 

Anyways - if anyone has any information on this resort and the various options, can you please send it to uworich@yahoo.com?  Thanks... 

[hammy0426]

Suzy, thank you so much for your review.  I am getting married at GPR in Feb 2011 and your review has totally sealed the deal for me. I am definitely going to do the private Thai Beach club for my reception!  Just a few questions for you if you are not sick of answering. 

 

Do you have any more pics of the actual Thai Beach Club?  maybe of the inside?  I talked to Sandra and she said that I could bring my own music so I was wondering what the inside looked like -maybe make a make-shift dance area.

 

Also, you mentioned that some of the waiters came out to provide cocktails after the wedding and before dinner.  My fiancee and I have been going back and forth about purchasing a cocktail hour between the ceremony and the dinner.  I don't want to waste my money but I also like the idea of having cocktails on the beach before sitting down for dinner.  what are your thoughts?

 

My last question was about centerpieces for the tables.  Did the resort offer you glass vases to use?  are candles allowed?

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

Meg