Sandals Brides Updates!

I was amazed that our pictures were ready to pick up within 24 hours of the wedding! It was great bc our families were on the return flight home with us, so we got to share them with everyone right away!

I don't have a pic either of a beach wedding. The beach wedding I saw took place on the Beach Club side (still on the Riviera side, but just not in front of the main building). It's certainly not private during the day, but later in the afternoon, the beach clears out more. I know that I was oblivious to everything around me during my ceremony, so if that's how you would be, a semi-private wedding on the beach might not be so bad.

They do provide a table for the sand ceremony.

Suzette (our onsite WC) asked us to select music for the following points in the ceremony: processional, sand ceremony, signing of the register, recessional, first dance.

Ahhhh - the wedding programs I spent an entire Sunday afternoon on...truth is I didn't even hand them out! I was so distracted by the fact that our families barely made it to the wedding that was already pushed back an hour, that I forgot about them! I actually didn't give an order of service to the minister, and winged it when I made the programs. I think our order was: processional, vows, blessing of the hands, rings, kiss, pronouncement of couple, sand ceremony, more kissing, signing the register, more kissing...haha. They ask you to kiss a lot, not that that's a problem!

Chairs were provided. The use wooden chairs, but if you choose to upgrade, they can be covered. Ours were covered in ivory satin and tulle as part of our package.

We didn't take our own decorations, but I don't think that would be a problem. When I was at the reception it dawned on me that even though our wedding was small I could have still made cute placecards or favors for the guests.

I was very impressed with everything. It's like a well oiled machine down there!

Wow that is a lot of kissing...the wedding I went to about two weeks ago, they didn't kiss at all. I thought that was strange!

I think that you did the same reception that we are going to do (the hot and cold hor d'ouvres, 1 hour...). What was that set up like? Was there actually a table for everyone to sit at, or did you just kind of mingle around? Sorry for all of the questions! The more I hear you guys talk about your trip, the more I think of!!!

Bridget

hollisandsteph- I think I'll get that cabbies name and number from you just in case. It sounds like you guys got some good deals from him and had fun.

 

Asteff- You mentioned the beach does start to clear out in the afternoon, about what time does that happen? Our wedding is scheduled for 2, I'm guessing the beach may be still pretty full at that time.

 

Also for both of you, did you notice what the ceremonies on the beach looked like? Like did they all have a arch set up or just go with nothing but the beach? I would really like the bamboo arches but they are sooo expensive. I wonder if they do set up some kind of free bamboo thing for the beach weddings.

 

Thanks again. Yous are really helpful!

Dedra-

I saw both a wedding with the arch and one with out on the beach. I REALLY loved the arch! The weddings were the same day. I really did not see too many except those two. Then I saw Amanda all dressed up in the lobby but did not see her wedding. I also saw Iriebride gettting pictures taken on the beach and my friend from another forum getting married on the pier. Other than that I really did not notice other weddings. I was looking for them though since I was getting married the next day and I knew 3 people getting married there..

 

The cabbies name is Homa and his number is 1876-530-0450 or his home number (you can call him there get a better deal. That is what we did) 917-3022. I belive it is area code 876. Like I said he is a really nice, down to earth, outgoing guy.

Yep, we did the private 1 hour hot and cold reception. There were 2 tables - 1 for us, MOH, and BM, and one for the rest of our guests. The table for bride, groom, MOH, and BM is provided, but it is $500 for an additional table that holds 8-10 guests. It's pricey and probably not necessary for just an hour. The time goes so fast! The hor d'ouvres were yummy. They had empanadas, spicy shrimp, cheese, crackers and fruit for us.

You will be kissing A LOT, especially if you use their photographers. It's great. Just about every pose involves kissing at some point. Just warming up for the wedding night!

The beach will still be pretty full around 2 pm. It starts to clear out a little 3 - 4ish. You'll be so in the moment that you won't even notice the onlookers!

Like Steph, I only saw a couple beach weddings, and the ones I saw included an arch.

Thank you guys so much for your great reviews. Can you tell me where you guys posted your pics?

 

Thanks,

 

Heather

I have some pics posted in the thread Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Wedding!

Congratulations and Welcome Back!!

 

This is my first day back from vacation and I was sooooooo excited to read your posts. Thanks for sharing your feedback and pictures.

 

FI and I have booked thetwilight package and we would love to have our ceremony on the beach. I feel much better hearing that the beach starts to clear out around 3pm. We are getting married at 5pm.

 

How long did your ceremony last?

 

Did you both book a butler with your package? If so, was the additional cost worth it?

 

Did you have any problems getting reservations or tables in some of the more popukar restaurants?

 

Thanks in advance...