OFFICIAL Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Thread

[kirklin]

I just got married on the 6th in Akumal and it was awesome!  We opted for the Mayan Blessing and it was really really fantastic.  We wanted our guests to have an unforgettable unique experience, and that it was.  If anyone is doing a symbolic, I would highly recommend this and it was a delightful treat for our guests.  But please do make sure that the WC knows this.  We confirmed a year in advance, then 2 weeks before we are ready to leave, she says the minister is confirmed and we had to correct her that it should be a Shaman.  It took her over a week to secure the Shaman.  This was a little upsetting, but it all worked out.  So please make sure you read everything.

While our wedding week was great, I would not say it was relaxing as 4 days we had appointments regarding the wedding.  We arrived Sat afternoon and Monday afternoon was our assigned meeting time with the WC.  Then the wedding on Wed.  Followed by a follow-up appointment with the WC Thursday to collect our decorations and our gift.  Then finally an appointment on Fri with the photographer and we left on Sat.  So while we did have down time, we found we still had to watch the clock to make sure we were out of the water, showered and dressed for each appointment which meant we could never fully unwind.

Everyone at the resort is fantastic and fabulous at what they do, and they work hard to ensure your day is perfect and special.  

I was thrilled to find out that neither my entrance song, or our departure song had ever been played before at a wedding at the resort.  This just added to the uniqueness of our experience. 

Tip - You can reserve tables in the buffet and have a big group dinner if you desire

[Karajacober]

Hi Ladies!

 

I'm so excited to finally be able to post on this thread! We leave for our trip in 160 days and I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. We're doing the Romance Extravangza package. I've been in touch with Anne-Lyse who has been great, but at times isn't totally clear so I'm hoping a few past brides can clear it up/give opinions to the following questions:

 

• Ceremony: We have decided to have the ceremony Beach Front, symbolic. From my understanding, the basic decorating is a white chair cover with a white bow. Did you add in any additional decor? Is the fabric draped across the structure included or is this additional?
• Dinner: We're undecided on the restaurant at the moment as it's difficult deciding on one meal for all 50 people. I asked about an additional cost to have 2 options twice and both responses she totally blew over the question.. Has anyone had any success doing this? We'd be able to have the choices back well before we leave so we could give them plenty of notice. As well, did you privatize your area and have the dinner and reception all in one place? I'm struggling big time here, as I want this to feel like a wedding and not like we're shuffling from point a, to b to c throughout the night. But on the other hand, I feel it would be nice to have a break from outside and have a nice meal inside before heading back out to the reception area. Decoration? Any opinions on this would be great!
• Reception: I'm assuming this is where we'll cut the cake, do the speeches and have our first dance. From there, we're just planning on drinking and having a good time with our guests. Did anyone have this area decorated? I was thinking something for the tables?

Thanks in advance to any responses I get. It will be greatly appreciated!

 

Kara

[TATrisha]

Hi Kara!

 

The draped fabric has historically been extra if you wanted it in a color other than white.  Now that they painted the structure white, I'm not sure if they do the white at all?  Can any recent brides chime in?

 

One of the brides I photographed had two meal choices, but she had to negotiate pretty hard with the staff to get it.  And it helped that she had a friend on the waitstaff.  So I'm not sure if you'll have much luck or if the price will be worth it.  You do have an alternative options for vegetarians or those with other issues.

 

I think the lighting at they do at the reception is nice enough decoration.  Everyone just puts their half empty glasses on the tables and dances and socializes anyway.  I wouldn't worry about decorating them.

[Cryshvlee]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can give me feedback on the spa hair and makeup at the Akumal? I am trying to decide whether to go to the spa of use Beso Brides and travel to their home. I am no willing to pay the $300 us vendor fee to have them come on the resort. I am not so much concerned about hair, more the makeup.

Thank you!

[AdamnJenn17]

OMG thank you for this forum - has answer so may of my questions

[AdamnJenn17]

@@TATrisha Can you confirm the current vendor fee for photographers - what is the usual contractual obliagtion? 3 nigts and 400USD?

 

Has anyone recently used Tropic One Studios - the one endorsed by GBP? are they any good? worth the money?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[deecol]

@@AdamnJenn17 I just got back from my wedding on April 30th and we used the TropicOne Photographers.  They did a wayyyy better job than I expected and I love my photos!  I'm going to be updating my thread this weekend, writing a review and posting some pics so you can see the quality.  The link is in my signature and if you follow the topic you'll get a notification when I post.

Hi Kara!

 

The draped fabric has historically been extra if you wanted it in a color other than white.  Now that they painted the structure white, I'm not sure if they do the white at all?  Can any recent brides chime in?

 

One of the brides I photographed had two meal choices, but she had to negotiate pretty hard with the staff to get it.  And it helped that she had a friend on the waitstaff.  So I'm not sure if you'll have much luck or if the price will be worth it.  You do have an alternative options for vegetarians or those with other issues.

 

I think the lighting at they do at the reception is nice enough decoration.  Everyone just puts their half empty glasses on the tables and dances and socializes anyway.  I wouldn't worry about decorating them.

 

The structure at Tulum is brown, i was just married there on April 30th.  The structure at Akumal is white.  The chairs at the tulum beach front ceremony are white with white bows automatically.  I'll post some pics in my thread this weekend!  A floral arrangement is included in the package and goes on the document signing table, the only other decoration I had was my bouquet split into smaller bunches and tied to the ceremony chairs down the aisle.

 

I did very minimal decorations for the tables:  small bouquet of flowers, a standing table number and an led candle in a mercury glass candle holder.  I'll post more pics of it all on my thread this weekend.

[AdamnJenn17]

@@deecol thank you for the amazingly quick reply
We have been up in the air about it because it is really the only thing we need.  She is a licenced hair dresser and doesnt need any make up to make her look spectacular (no need to cover up those cute freckles  ) and since we are planning on haveing a reception on return to halifax, we arent looking to go too over the top at the reception in Mexico

Edited May 12, 2016 by AdamnJenn17

[Gemma20]

Has anyone had their wedding meal at gran tortuga? We've been before and love the food, I've asked on my wedding wishes if we could be seated in the tented area on the outside of the restaurant as the sea breeze is lovely, there's 19 of us in total, I've not heard back from the wedding co-ordinator yet though.

 

The main thing I wanted to ask is if anyone has requested the standard gran tortuga menu? We love the usual food and to be honest prefer it to the look of the set menu, plus I think it's going to be hard for each guest to be happy with not having a choice of food.

 

And do they decorate the tables or should I take decorations with me?

 

Gem xx

[Moments That Matter]

Welcome to the boards, Gem! Congrats on your destination wedding coming up!!! Hope you find all the answers you're looking for here, and enjoy your amazing journey ahead - cheers!!! Moments That Matter Photography team