SANDALS BRIDES - Am I missing Something?

So, I see the forum is full of questions, tips and tricks on contacting florists, chefs, catering companies, packing your own starfish in a box to pin to the back of the chair covers, etc.

 

I was under the impression this stuff doesn't apply to me, since I chose Sandals. Is that a mistake?

 

We booked a Preston Baily décor package and will be deciding on our actual ceremony location 60 days before we leave.

Photography is provided by Sandals, you just choose your package.

Cocktail hour, champagne is provided by Sandals, we just booked a steel drum band to play during that hour.

We opted for the $75 pp 2-hour reception dinner and the let us choose our menu. They close the patio of one of the restaurants for our group.

 

I am quite possibly doing my own hair and makeup because I don't trust the Red Lane Spa employees! But here's the thing...

Where do I get ready without seeing my man?

Where does my man get ready?

Does a Sandals employee escort my offsite guests to the wedding location when they arrive at the resort?

Will someone come and get me when it's time to walk the aisle?

Will someone seat my guests?

I don't "approve" the décor, it just gets delivered and set up on that day, so I just assume it'll look the way I want it to look?

The photos are taken after the ceremony, while guests have cocktails and listen to the steel drum band. Will the photographer rush us through the session to stay on schedule for the reception dinner?

I think I'll blow my lid if they try to cut corners on my wedding day!!

 

I keep hearing about the Sandals staff being *super* nice and *super accommodating* during your wedding day and sometimes ppl get upgrades on their wedding nights, etc. It's not like I've had bad service so far or anything, but I'm just terrified I'll be one bride in an assembly line of brides and they won't give a sh!t about my special day!!!

 

Anyone? Panicking at 4 months out...in case you couldn't tell.

I know what you are saying! I went the Sandals route so I wouldn't have to worry about contacting a million vendors. I liked the idea of just showing up and picking out a few things and getting married!!! I don't want to stress! I want to relax, smile, get married and have fun. If I wanted to spend a ton of money on vendors and have the stress I would have just stayed at home! Anway, I just started this whole DW thing so I don't know much. We are getting married in St. Lucia at the Sandals Grand most likley. It will be sometime in August. We are working on the exact date now. When you get married will you please do me a favor and tell me how it went

 

JLW

Oh, and can you tell me how the resort photog is too!!! I can't find any pics that have been taken by a resort photog and it scares me....

Frig, you and me both sister. Did you knwo that the ONLY thing that really bothers me in the whole Sandals process is this f'ing PHOTOGRAPHER THING!!!!!!!!!

I didn't realize in the beginning how much of a factor the perfect photog is and now I'm freaking out because I don't get to a)choose, or b)see any of this guy's work in advance I keep asking my coordinator for samples and she always answers all of my questions except that one. They can't send me photos of other ppls' weddings due to copyright issues. Like JEEZ...that's why I'm hoping someone on here posts a pic of some Sandals photography...ASAP!

If I come across any I will let you know!!! I wish I could at least afford an off site photog but I can't. Plus you have to pay the vendor fee on top of it. Oh well! We just bought a really good camera that we will be taking with us. I plan to make someone take some pics with it just in case.

I found some pics of a wedding that recently took place at SRB. They're good but they're not the same pics you'd take at a local wedding. Obviously...but I mean they won't look *as* polished as they would if you had a super staged photo shoot at all the nice buildings in your home town, type of thing.

Since you chose a beach wedding, you're most likely look for laid back, low key, relaxed, not stuffy, not fussy, etc. That's what the pics are.

 

P.S. My Sandals does not allow 3rd party vendors as per the website info. Are you allowed to bring a private guy to yours

Im getting married in August too!! We haven't decided on a location yet, but 'm real interested in Sandals and Breezes packages. It just depends on if my daughter( and his (2) will be going or not.

We got married at SGOR in August 08. As far as the photographer goes, we used our own. Luckily for us my husband's uncle is an excellent photographer, so we had him do our pictures for us. Because he was family they didn't say anything to us. Sandals still sent a photographer to take some pics during the ceremony and reception. I'm not sure if it was because we didn't purchase a package or not, but I was so unhappy with the pictures they took. My makeup (which I had done at the Spa as well with my hair--great service I might add!) had run from me sweating, and I had a black blotch under one of my eyes. No one told me until later so it was in all of my pictures. The photog didn't do any touch up work (fortunately our other pictures were touched up and that is not on there anymore!). Whatever he took is what you got. We took our free one and that was it. We had decided that if he had some good shots we'd purchase them, but it wasn't worth it to us. However, I've seen some beautiful photos that others have had taken there, and some of the couples with us had photos taken and they turned out great. Sadly I think it's the luck of the draw!

Hi ladies!!!

 

Im getting married at Sandals Antigua in two weeks and I'm not really stressing over much!

 

I have an amazing dress, and heard great things about the Spa so I'm happy about that. I plan to do my own makeup. I have very sensitive skin so I would like to use my own products and would like a natural look.

 

I kind of want nicer flowers than what they offer in the weddingmoon package but did not purchase yet, maybe they will give a deal when I get there.

 

 

My biggest worry are the pictures. I was sent a few, and they are OK, pretty good but not amazing and certainly not worth the money they charge. I did not buy any as of now. I've read many times, they give a great deal when you get there because they want you to buy something! So when we get there I'll buy something cheap. Then I plan on buying all the photos on the CD... I've read the avg. price is about $200. Then when I come home I'm going to look into local photographers and get a quote for editing or enhancing those pictures. Once I buy the pictures, they are mine, therefore that is legal. Also, even in my picture editor, when I hit auto correct it realy enhances the colors. I'm hoping that works out... being that I'm on an island my familiy and friends are expecting amazing photos!!!!!!!

I believe other photos taken of you throughout your time at the resort are also on this CD, dont know the set-up of this?

 

And I heard in regards to the video, also $200 you can view it before you buy?

 

 

This annoying site wont let me upload anything... contact me if you want to see some of the pics I have.

I was told by my Sandals wedding coordinator that in order for a photographer to even show up to your ceremony, you have to purchase a set of photos beforehand. I take it this is not true now? We opted for one of the a la carte options, I think the $290 one. But if we do not have to purchase any photos ahead of time, I'd MUCH rather do that. Does anyone know for sure Thanks!