I Am Back From Jamaica !!! (pics) **UPDATED w/ REVIEW**

Thanks everyone for the nice words !!!
Boy, am I glad this is all over and I can now start thinking about the next phases of my life !!

About Rose Hall ...

FOOD
I only got great feedback from my guests. I picked the Taste of Jamaica menu and everyone is still talking about it ... as the bride, I really did not get to eat that much but I trust my friends and family. An they also told me that the cocktail hour was great (setting by the ocean, food, drinks) ... I did not get to see it and still waiting on pictures but they said that it was amazing (I was taking pictures on the beach and other places during cocktails)

CAKE
I did not know how it would look but my WC kept on saying "don't worry, no problem" ... well, it was a great surprise ... it was a plain white cake with strawberry filling and beautiful floral arrangement ... and the cake tasted REALLY GOOD. I came back with a piece to keep frozen for a year and eat at our first anniversary (don't ask, I am not sure why, this is what everyone told me to do) ... but I am tempted to eat that piece ... that cake was that good

ROOMS
The rooms were nice, I had a great view (ocean, golf course, and mountain views from my balcony), the furniture was new (with flat screen TV, IPOD radio, fridge, great bathroom lights)

STAFF
Staff again, great. They did everything to help. During the rehearsal I broke down because of stress and they started singing for me, during the wedding the servers were answering our every needs. They even made sure the Masters of Ceremony had their plate of food (one of my MC does a lot of weddings and she said that usually the staff always forget about MC and it was nice to be treated differently there)

I however had 3 different WC and this was stressful since I had to start over with each of ther (getting to know them, making sure they know the details, making sure the paperwork is transfered). The first one quit the company and no one told me ... I emailed her one day to ask a question and my email bounced back (I was pretty mad about that). The second one quit a month before my wedding ... this time, at least, she calls and emails me and gives me the contact information of the WC that will be replacing her (still that quite a stress switcing WC one month before the wedding. The third one, I don't think was experienced enough for a large wedding like mine ... but everything went fine and I am happy.

PRICE
I lucked out since I signed the contract when their prices were lower (before they completed their 15 Million $$$ in renovations) but now, the prices of their packaged litteraly doubled. One good thing is that I did not need to buy guest passes. I had 150 guests and most stayed at less expensive hotels in Montego Bay. Neither them or I had to pay extra to have external guests at my wedding.

CEREMONY
The minister was good. He was friendly. I met him for the first time when I walked down the isle on the wedding day ... and never saw him again after the ceremony ... but the little I saw him, I can't think of something really negative about how he ran the 20 minutes ceremony. The gazebo was near the resort rooms and apparently a lot of people were on their balcony watching, taking pictures and filming my wedding ... my guests said that looking at this, you would think it was Beyonce and Jay-Z's wedding ... (I did not look at the resort and don't know how many "paparazzis" were there but I heard some yells and "whohoo" coming from the building behind me)

VIDEO/PHOTOS
It's a good thing I had a lot of guests taking video and pictures. The ones that were provided by the resort were great but way too expensive. My package had 36 pictures included but each additional picture is $20. The video came out nice but he was rushing to leave and missed our first dance, the son/mother dance and the party. Make sure you specify exactly what you expect the videographer to take (I thought that the first dance was a given and I did not specify ... but I guess not for him!! -- don't assume ... have it in writing if you can)

IN CASE IT RAINED
The day before the wedding, it forecasted that there would be rain at my wedding ... but it did not!!! yippe!!! ... anyway, the WC showed me the inside location and I was really happy about it... it was nice and my stress went away ... well not completely since my vision was to have the wedding outside ... but the backup inside location looked amazing ... make sure you ask to see pictures of the "in case it rains" locations

All in all, it was a great day. Sure there were glitches here and there ... but I would still recommend this resort to any bride ...

JABride, we're getting married at Rose Hall in August ... Thanks for sharing you're pictures and a great review..!!!

FOOD
During the cocktail hour, did you have any entertainment for you're guest? What drinks did you give children? Did you have cocktails or champagne? We have currently got a contract for a steel band along with selection of 3 appetisers and champagne ... but cocktails would be nicer, and than non alcoholic cocktails for children?

CAKE
I haven't even asked anything about the cake yet, but glad it tasted so nice... Strawberry cake sounds divine!!

STAFF
Who was you're WC? I originally has Janice Meany, but she left and i know have Ky-Ann... Although i haven't spoken to her for a few months, and we have everything planned now.. She seems pretty nice and very on the ball..

PRICE
I had a mini heart attack when i had seen the price increase for 2008! And got a lot of 'I told you sooo's' when i had family saying that we should get the contract sorted in 2007...

CEREMONY
We have decided on the gazebo for the ceremony location, did you find it overlooked in any way? Was there many weddings on you're day or during your stay at Rose Hall?

Sorry for the 101 questions... Thanks
x

Thanks JABride!!
Yea right, i didnt know Ky-Ann had left! Do you have Yolandi's email address by any chance i best get in contact with her soon.
The fruit / rum punch option sounds alot better than champagne, plus it keeps with the Jamaican theme, so we'll change that option, if its possible.
How long was you taking pictures for? Did the photographer start with group family pictures then finish with just the couple pictures?
We currently have our contract open to choose our reception when we are out there, as we're undecided over a having it at Sugar Mill Fall or Mango Islands. Originally decided on Sugar Mill Falls but heard it may get chilly in the evening on the beach... did you find this was true? Was there any other nice reception locations?

Thanks!!!