Having Second Thoughts about Sandals Royal Hicacos

Stormsong · 02-09-2008, 09:40 AM

Ok, i am freaking out a bit.

I googled some pictures of weddings at the resort we are going to. (SRH) I wanted SOME sort of idea of what they do. I am now having second thoughts! I think we should have chosen another resort!!!!
The weddings are very simple. 15 mins tops. They use a flower heart arch that just looks cheesy. Then, off for a quick toast and cake cutting. And your done! I feel like its a shotgun wedding!!!! I am kinds getting disappointed! Its already too late to change resorts!!
I am trying to think of any way to make this ....i don't....less rushed feeling! I didn't think i wanted anything fancy, but upon hearing and seeing some of other BDW pictures, i realize I want the chairs in the sand, a nice fabric draped arch. (Or, heck, something longer than 15 mins.)

Am I being unrealistic? Or too picky?? I just feel like....why am i making all these plans for things like fans, and flowers....when the wedding is going to be so rushed??

Lisa (Feeling very disappointed and wanting to cry.)

Morgan · 02-09-2008, 10:10 AM

can you add to the basic ceremony? I think at most hotels you can have a ceremony just like that or you can build your own more elaborate custom deal. Most of the weddings on the forum you are probably thinking about are customized.

My view of a DW has definitly changed since being on the forum. I'm still keeping stuff pretty simple, but I'm doing a whole lot more than I expected.

I was looking through some DW groups on the knot & most the weddings I saw were a basic deal like what you described. I also find when I talk to people from trip advisor they had a much more simple wedding with a lot less planning. Maybe us girls on the forum get carried away. I know for me I've planned more than I ever expected to because planning is fun now that I have all this great inspiration. I'm kind of addicted to wedding planning now. I seriously had no interest in it before.

Morgan · 02-09-2008, 10:11 AM

btw, what is your hotel? maybe we can find some options for you that you can get excited about.

oh, & I think most peoples ceremonies are 30 minutes tops. I'm thinking something like 20 minutes would be good. it will be hot. I have always preferred a shorter wedding even if it's indoors.

Morgan · 02-09-2008, 10:15 AM

OK, I didn't realize SRH was Sandals Royal Hicacos. I looked back at another thread to see your hotel name.

My friend was married at a sandals in st lucia & her ceremony was just like what you described. Maybe some of the sandals brides know if you can customize the ceremony & make it how you want.

Morgan · 02-09-2008, 10:23 AM

Wed Sites at SGOR

This sandals has some beautiful options for a wedding, so maybe yours has some beautiful locations you haven't seen yet. I wasn't in love with the location for my friends sandals st lucia wedding. it was in a gazeebo that blocked out much of the view of the ocean. there were lots of flowers. I think it might be personal preference but I want to have the background to be predominantly ocean.

Morgan · 02-09-2008, 10:30 AM

Is this the arch? Yeah, I really don't care for it. But you could easily tell them you don't want an arch & you'd have the beautiful blue water as your backdrop. There is a thread that was started the other day about setting up a wedding with no arch. You can make it look great.

I also read you can reserve a private room for a reception for $80. You can have them wait on your cake until then.

Can you write your own vowes? That's another way to add to the ceremony.

Unless they are really unflexible, you should be able to make your wedding the way you want it. Often when you see the really simple weddings it because thats what the couple wanted. maybe they didn't want to do any planning but just show up & get hitched.

dragonfly · 02-09-2008, 10:31 AM

My experience is money usually will always get you what you want. Tell them you don't want the cheesy heart arch, I opted out of the pillars offered by our hotel I felt simple was better. As for the length of the ceremony tell the hotel you are adding a few of your own personal touches to the ceremony and that should add some time to the length of your wedding. Relax you can have the wedding of your dreams you just need to stay firm and make it clear to the wc at the hotel what your wishes are. Good luck.

Tammy Host · 02-09-2008, 12:11 PM

you may want to see what TA Jennifer has to say. she is a sandals expert and has done many weddings there as well as is planning a Sandals & BDW bridal faire at a sandals this fall.

i would think you can customize your wedding but it will probably be extra. isn't preston bailey in charge of all the really nice weddings at sandals?

Stormsong · 02-09-2008, 02:37 PM

thanks guys! You made me feel better. Maybe I was just panicking!!!
Preston Bailey is in charge of other weddings. For some reason, not at this resort! Your right, i am sure I can speak to my WC and get things somewhat to my liking. When I tried to ask my WC about different things...well...i still haven't heard back. So, added to my panic! :)
Thanks for talking me down guys!
I actually enjoy planning the wedding too. Had at one point considered being a Wedding Coordinator myself. I think I just got stuck on the whole....i am going somewhere else, and what can i alter so far away. (I have never been to a DW wedding before. I am and still are unsure what you can alter, what these typically look like, etc.)
Anyways, thanks again. You all made me feel better!!!

Who is TA Jennifer? How would I find her to contact her about it?

Stormsong · 02-09-2008, 02:47 PM

found TA Jennifer! Thanks! Didn't look at the ADVANCED search features! <sighs> Can I say I am blonde!!!

Lisa