*The official St. Lucia Brides CHAT thread*

Our dinner at Jacques is on a waterfront deck just for us. I believe it can hold up to 50 people. We're having 30 guests. Not sure if something could work out with them.

Just so you know, choosing the resort is the toughest part of planning a destination wedding. Once you get that squared away, you will feel so much better.

I have no experiences with Bay Gardens, but I've heard wonderful things. Out of everything you've mentioned, that's probably where I would lean towards. I totally get what you were saying about not wanting Coconut Bay. I thought you were more concerned with keeping children occupied, but if you're looking to go out, that's definitely not the place to be.

Hi ladies!

I introduced myself on the newbie thread and now I wanted to introduce myself to all of you St. Lucia brides! We have just decided on St. Lucia and are so excited! We were planning on a traditional church wedding and reception but realized that we would rather spend the money on US and go somewhere fun! We are planning on going this August but do not have a date nailed down yet.

I have read through some of the posts and it doesn't seem like any of you are going the Sandals route (at least for the wedding). I can't find a lot of information about it so I just wondered why? I don't want anything to fancy or that cost a lot so I figured we would take the free wedding from Sandals and just do a few ad ons. Any thoughts? Please tell me I am not making a mistake here. Also, do you ladies know where I can find pictures of brides on here that have been married in St. Lucia? I have search through some threads but have had not luck finding any.

I have never been to St. Lucia or to a Sandals resort. I am excited but a little scared too. I have heard a lot of great things but some bad about Sandals. Can anyone calm my nerves?

Thanks in advance for all of the help!!! I need it!!!

JLW

Thanks for the email and details. I wasnt aware that the resturant options were private. i have received copies of the menus from awesome carribean weddings, but thought they we would have to eat with other diners, which i dont want. I also didnt realise you had the option to dance too, so can you arrange to have a DJ, play ipod or do the resturant have their own music. Also do you know id they decorate the resturant for you? I too am starting to think about a room only option, as much as i like the idea of not having to worry about meals, i dont want my guest to ber restricted. In addtion, i want to be in the centre near the nighlife, we have alot of young singles coming who will appreciate that. Im worried that if we do AI we wont get to fully explore the island and will be restricted to the resort.

You seem like you have everything under control, cant wait to i get to your stage and know what im doing. Its hard trying to make the right decision and please all of our guest who are so varied, the young, the old, the families, the couples, the singles, the kids. I just want everyone to have a really good time if there paying all that money.

Thanks again for your help.

Thanks for the email and details. I wasnt aware that the resturant options were private. i have received copies of the menus from awesome carribean weddings, but thought they we would have to eat with other diners, which i dont want. I also didnt realise you had the option to dance too, so can you arrange to have a DJ, play ipod or do the resturant have their own music. Also do you know id they decorate the resturant for you? I too am starting to think about a room only option, as much as i like the idea of not having to worry about meals, i dont want my guest to ber restricted. In addtion, i want to be in the centre near the nighlife, we have alot of young singles coming who will appreciate that. Im worried that if we do AI we wont get to fully explore the island and will be restricted to the resort.

You seem like you have everything under control, cant wait to i get to your stage and know what im doing. Its hard trying to make the right decision and please all of our guest who are so varied, the young, the old, the families, the couples, the singles, the kids. I just want everyone to have a really good time if there paying all that money.

Thanks again for your help.

Hi all how are your wedding plans going? I am still as indecisive as ever and still trying to find a resort, once that is sorted i can get start planning other stuff. We have definately decided not to stay at the Almond Smugglers cove given that the reviews are not very good. We were considering Bay Garden Beach Resort, but since speaking to our guest they would all prefer AI, especially because of the children, which does make sense. I have looked into the Windjammer, but the AI prices are far to expensive for our guest to pay, approx £1800 ($3600), so thats not an option. I know its our wedding, but i really feel as though i have to make sure that we please everyone else, as i would like all my family and friends there with us. The only other cheap AI option is the coconut Bay Beach resort, which has excellent facilities for the children travelling and its close to the airport. only downside is that it is on the otherside of the island. Kristy maybe you could help here as i know you have stayed there. Would you recommend it and do you think our guest would be bored, the singles in particular?

Please help if you can and post any ideas you may have regarding accomodation.

Thank you in advance.

I stayed at Coconut Bay for 8 nights and loved it. The resort was only at like a third capacity because it was hurricane season, so that was great.

When FI and I went there, we were just looking for a relaxing getaway and that's exactly what we got. We hung out by the swimbar and the pool mostly. =) Had we gone during peak season though, the place probably would've been overwhelmed with kids which we would not have liked.

Here are some positives: Affordable, near the airport, comfortable rooms, super friendly staff, great Kids Club, adults can use the water slides!, food was good, drinks were not watered down, breakfast buffet had everything you wanted, great pools, beautiful grounds, beach party buffets on Tuesdays and Saturdays were yummy (try the pumpkin bisque!).

Some negatives: Beach has a lot of seaweed but it's cleared daily, isolated location, only two "nicer restaurants" (Silk-Asian and Bellagio-Italian, but there is also a main buffet and a 24 hour grill...I loved the grill!), the showers annoyed me but I'm trying to remember why.

The resort has two sides: one for families, one for adults. There is an adult only pool so guests can get away from kids if they want to. We never had a problem getting chairs or anything like that, but like I said before, we went off-season.

We arrived a day after a wedding there, so the guests were still around. Everyone looked to be having a great time. We went on an excursion at the same time as them and it was a lot of fun (the all day island tour).

Something to note...while the northern end is the more lively part of the island, the southwestern end, Soufriere, is where all of the tourist attractions are - the drive-in volcano, botanical gardens, diamond waterfall, etc. You're actually closer to those things by staying at Coconut Bay.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or another, just trying to give you honest answers! I would show you my pictures, but my camera got stolen while going through customs in Puerto Rico. Don't be stupid like me and make sure it's in your carry on! If you have any more questions about the place, just let me know!

I am also a newbie and am getting married in St. Lucia in June, 2009! We decided on The Rendezvous and would love any info if anyone has any about it. Sandals looked wonderful but since money was a bit of a concern, we decided on The Rendezvous.

What is everyone doing about flowers for your wedding and reception? Our resort will provide some but I'd love to work with someone ahead of time.

Chickadee

Welcome Chickadee! I'm picking my flowers when I get down there. My WC will arrange an appointment for me to meet with a florist and I'll take care of it all then. There's so many beautiful local ones that I'm not worried about it at all.

As for the reception, most of us are having is at Jacques Waterfront. I'm splitting my reception between Jacques and Villa Capri (where we're staying). Good luck on the wedding plans! I've heard some great things about Rendezvous.