Getting married at Sandals resorts...questions

My fiance and I decided to get married at Sandals Dunns River. I received information on the wedding packages, photography, flowers etc. I was curious as to what other brides or bride to be are doing. I would like us to have a nice wedding (it will only be the two of us) without spending too much money as we have a new addition to our family on the way. I would like a nice room, but its not a big deal if I don't have an Ocean view or a butler. I would like some pictures and a video. I'm planning on having my mother do my bouquet and bout. and taking it with me or either having it sent ahead of time. So most likely I won't need the flowers. What about decorations? Would I need decor for my wedding site, such as additional flowers, or are the wedding sites nice enough to go "as is". Also, I'm wondering what tips other's have to make our wedding nice but cost effective. Did you do the ala carte pictures or did you get one of the packages, etc? Can I take a CD with my own music? I'm open to any and all suggestions, tips, advice...We haven't booked yet, but hopefully in the next week. I'm waiting to received some information so we won't have a scheduling conflict.

Also do they provide witnesses for you if its just the two of you (I might have asked this before but can't remember)?

I was married last May at SGOR and I was like you. I wanted to keep the cost very low so I went with the basics. I literally ordered nothing extra. I bought a couple of 8x10 pictures and had my hair done. That was the extent of it. It was just my husband and I and another couple. I wanted to save the money for fun stuff like excursions and shopping. I do not regret a thing! We took a TON of pictures with our own cameras and I still look at them all the time!

I am getting married at Beaches which is a family resort owned by Sandals. So I have the same options and costs. I am trying really hard to keep it cheap but having a hard time doing it. I have 17 people coming so I feel I need to do something. I am extending our reception from half hour to one hour. Which is $25 per person including the two of us. Hair is $70 and I need a DJ or island band. Which is $250 and hour. Sand cermony is another $100 and I haven't talked about pictures yet. Which go from $150 to couple of thousand. I asked by wedding coordinator about ordering a small package and if we like more can we upgrade. Didn't get a straight answer. I know if we weren't at the resort and having a wedding in NJ the costs would have been alot more money, but we are struggling just to pay for this and pay for the trip and our normally monthly bills.

This is my second wedding and his first. I don't want to have any regrets but at the same time I cannot afford what I want. Sucks but will all work out.

You may want to take a peek at the signature wedding package....

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Originally Posted by KathleenandDan I am getting married at Beaches which is a family resort owned by Sandals. So I have the same options and costs. I am trying really hard to keep it cheap but having a hard time doing it. I have 17 people coming so I feel I need to do something. I am extending our reception from half hour to one hour. Which is $25 per person including the two of us. Hair is $70 and I need a DJ or island band. Which is $250 and hour. Sand cermony is another $100 and I haven't talked about pictures yet. Which go from $150 to couple of thousand. I asked by wedding coordinator about ordering a small package and if we like more can we upgrade. Didn't get a straight answer. I know if we weren't at the resort and having a wedding in NJ the costs would have been alot more money, but we are struggling just to pay for this and pay for the trip and our normally monthly bills.   This is my second wedding and his first. I don't want to have any regrets but at the same time I cannot afford what I want. Sucks but will all work out.

Another question I thought about and some of my friends would kill me for asking this (because they know me and my Blackberry are attached at the hip) I know I am going to get married and relax and all, but will my blackberry work over there (Verizon) and will I have good internet access? I haven't traveled out of the country much. I want to at least be able to call my parents or email them and other close friends and family to announce that we are finally married. Especially since we are traveling with just the two of us.

I have an odd question regarding Sandals (Negril)!

So I call Sandals wedding team every time I have an important question and so far have received 2 different answers to 2 questions.

If anyone knows the answers to these for definite I would be delighted!!

Q1-we have 1 child that will be staying in Beaches & attending our wedding in Sandals Negril. My question was 'is there a time limit he can stay in Sandals for the weding'.

I have been told by Sandals that he can only stay for the Ceremony....and later someone else in sandals told me he can stay for Ceremony AND reception! As this is the Groom's brother he MUST be allowed to stay for the meal!

Q2-do guests staying at Beaches have to pay for a day pass to come into Sandals for the wedding?

I have been told (again by 2 different sandals people) that A:yes they still pay but Sandals guests do not pay into Beaches...and B: No they do not have to pay for day passes & we only have to pay the reception per head fee!

How could you stay sane with all this confusion

Never mind! We booked anyway & spoke to the sales manager at the resort. We are getting special permission to have the child stay for the reception as long as we go for the private one, which we were going to anyway! And found out that while sandals guests do have exchange privileges with Beaches, it does not work the other way so we will have to pay day passes for all the guests staying at Beaches.

Im getting married at Beaches Turks and Caicos! I have hired an outside photographer, who is not allowed on property, so they will be taking us off property. We will also be adding a 2 hr reception with apps and open bar. dj etc. We will also be doing the sand ceremony. Im going to purchase some ala carte pictures, you do not have to hire a beaches photographer if you do not want to. they still pics everywhere and all the time. I will be purchasing the video for sure! And that is a recommendation from other brides as well.

All of my flowers are being done before hand (clay) and I will be bring them down. Sandals or Beaches DO NOT ALLOW anything to be shipped prior to your arrival! Be aware of that! We got a pretty great deal for our concierge level room and I have been told you should call once a month to see if they have reduced prices and they will change yours. I have already had my rate dropped once by $300!!