Rockhouse Hotel Brides Post Here

I am also planning on a Rockhouse wedding. I'm waiting on confirmation from the hotel and feel very happy with my choice as I have researched so many. I hope that everyone has success with their planning wherever they choose to wed or honeymoon!

 

-Carla

This is a gorgeous resort and I would love to get married there but, I am not expecting to book 50 rooms.

Just an FYI - I don't think you need to book 50 rooms. There are 34, and it's a minimum of 28 rooms that need to be booked in order to have your wedding there.

I just got back from a week in Jamaica. I spend two nights at the Rockhouse, and I was so impressed. I absolutely loved it, and when we moved to the next resort (Half Moon), I missed the Rockhouse. As long as everything goes well with the contract, we're going to have our wedding there!!! I'm so excited!

 

The staff was super friendly, and the service was great. The resort is even prettier than on the website.

 

You just climb down the ladders and you're on a reef. They have snorkeling equipment at the pool, and it is totally worth it. The water was warm and clear. Even my mom who hates swimming loved it. They had water noodles and rafts at the pool area (these were left overs from other guests) which made the snorkeling even more relaxing. You can even explore old pirate caves depending on how adventurous you are.

 

Near the resort are some smaller jerk restaurants, beer gardens, and souvinier shops. We felt safe walking around. The only dangerous part is that there aren't sidewalks. It was really easy to get to other parts of Negril. Kenny Tours has a couple of buses on site waiting to take guests around. The fares are set, and they will come pick you up which is great. I think they also do day trips.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS (A):

We stayed in a villa and premium villa. The villas are round huts with a wall that divides the bathroom from the sleeping area. They have 120 degree views of the ocean. They are pretty basic. No TV or hair dryers, but they had everything you needed including shampoo, conditioner, soap, and aloe.

 

The bathrooms are the interesting part. There are no doors separating the "bathroom" area. Both had an outdoor shower which is fun and an indoor sink. The villa had an indoor toilet. Therefore, I would not recommend that you put guests together that do not know each other. The premium villa had an outdoor toilet so there is privacy there...except people walking by might be able to hear you! I think the standard rooms have a normal shower and a door to the bathroom.

 

There seem to be a couple of other differences between the two villas: size and level of privacy. I think both were private enough though. My mom thinks that she is going to just do a villa to save money. Either are great though.

 

The main difference between the studios/ standard room and the villas is that the former are all one building that looks like motel. I do not think there are views. The inside was very similar to the villas.

 

FOOD (

The breakfast and lunches were really good. But we were really disappointed with our dinner that we had in the main restaurant. It was really bland. This is the primary concern we really have about having our wedding there.

 

They just purchased the restaurant next door so there are two options, but only the main restaurant can do weddings.

 

DRINK (D)

The drinks, especially at the pool, are really small which makes drinking super expensive. This is an issue because they do not do per person drink pricing. Therefore, you have to pay for every drink without a discount. They will bring in special alcohol for you, but they add their mark up to it. Therefore, serving a nice bottle of scotch could cost you $500! Not so happy about this as I think our alcohol budget for 80 people is going to end up being $5K!

 

RECEPTION CHOICES (A)

There are three areas where you can have a party. The pool, main restaurant, and terrace by the Pushcart restaurant. All of them are great and have wonderful views of the sunset. I think we are going to have our reception at the restaurant because I want to have it in a separate place from the ceremony, but the pool area is great too. They have white table cloths, 8 foot rectangle tables, and chairs so you don't have to worry about renting anything.

 

FLEXIBILITY (A)

This is my favorite part about having a wedding here. They seem so accommodating. The wedding coordinator will do what you want. It makes me feel like my wedding will be unique and special. This was something that I didn't like when I was looking to have a wedding at an AI.

 

WEDDING CONTRACT (TBD)

We just received our wedding contract. Everything seemed standard except that there is a clause stating that the menu prices could increase by 15-20% because 2010 prices are not set. I'm trying to see what can be done about this. It seems like a completely crazy increase given inflation.

 

Here's the link to some pictures I took. Picasa Web Albums - lisalobalzo - JamaicaScouti...

 

Let me know if you have other questions.

 

Lisa

Hello Lisa!

 

Thanks for posting those pics, they're beautiful. How was the weather while you were there? I am considering Rockhouse (as well as Tensing Pen) for my small wedding in 2010. The dates that we're considering are late April or early May or late May. Did it rain at all while you were there? I've read on many weather sites that May is tends to be the rainiest month for Jamaica. From your pics it looks like the weather was great! What time of day did you take these pics?

Thanks!!

The weather at the Rockhouse was good when we were there (April 23-2. It rained one night around sunset and another day in the morning. But it was just for a little bit and other than that it was sunny. We spent a couple of days in Montego Bay, and it rained a for two days basically straight. I'm not sure if Negril had the same problem or if Montego Bay has different weather. I'm telling myself that Negril just has better weather because I want to get married outside!!!

 

Lisa

This message is for anyone who has attended a wedding at the Rockhouse hotel...

 

I am looking for feedback about the steel drum band and DJ. I am really concerned about booking them. Music is so important to my fiance and I. But it doesn't sound like we have a choice as to which band or DJ is used. Also, neither of them have demos!

 

I am looking to have traditional wedding music played by the steel drum band. And then I want a DJ that doesn't just play songs like the electric slide and the chicken dance.

 

The last thing I want to do is fly someone over from the states. So I'm hoping there is someone out there who can reassure me:-)

 

Thanks!

Lisa

I emailed the Rockhouse last week with a few general questions, and they responed very quickly. One thing that they quoted me, they are booked until July 9, 2010 and only do so many weddings a year...so if you're thinking this place is for you, I would reserve a place soon!

Hi LisaAnn,

 

We probably won't do our visit before the wedding Nov 12th weekend, until September. I'm assuming that will give Inise enough time for us to put together details. To be honest, I haven't been doing very much planning, but like you, music is very important to us. A number of our friends can DJ the event, but like our photographer friends, we would prefer for them to be able to enjoy the event and hire both a DJ and steel drum band.

 

Was the rockhouse not able to help with that?

 

I'll let you know if i find anything out.

Cheers.

A

Inise is able to book the band and DJ for you, and you don't have to pay a deposit which is great news! But you don't have any selection as to the vendor. They do not have demo tapes, references, etc. I'm not even sure if it is the same people that do all of the Rockhouse weddings or if it varies depending on availability.

Inise said that the Steel Drum band can learn music if you want a specific song played. And you can provide a DJ with the play list.

I'm sure it will end up being fine, but I am just nervous about it. I went to a wedding with a bad DJ, and it made for really awkward moments!

Other than that, the planning has been super easy!
Lisa