kater

The beach at the Riu Ocho Rios is great! A nice size, and no rocks or coral, just a little seaweed. Crystal clear water! Beautiful!

I wouldn't sweat it. We had the beach gazebo last month and didn't even notice the gazebo's condition, and nobody else did either. Also, we realize now that there were the typical "dr. feel goods" at the property line, but the two of us never noticed during the ceremony, and the guests thought it was pretty funny. Not many people can say that they had people selling pot yards away from their nuptuals. With a destination wedding, we definitely found that it's so helpful if you just keep an upbeat attitude and be ready to expect the unexpected! And if you're still sweating the small stuff, just grab another margarita! No worries!

We brought two photogs and had no problems. I would make sure you contact Chandlyn or Nikki before you go, and print out their emails saying it's OK, then keep those with you. We went with the free package, which didn't include photography, so nobody even asked us about it.

We brought two photogs and had no problems. I would make sure you contact Chandlyn or Nikki before you go, and print out their emails saying it's OK, then keep those with you. We went with the free package, which didn't include photography, so nobody even asked us about it.

I dreaded this same topic! My wedding was November 7th, right at the end of hurricane season. I had read some reviews telling people not to go in Nov. b/c of the rain. However, I wanted 4pm because the lighting is BEAUTIFUL at that time of day, and you're the last wedding of the day, so don't have to rush away. Most of the time we were there, it actually did its rain showers at noonish, not later in the afternoon. Stick with your guns about the 4pm, you won't regret it. Just remember, you can't control the weather so if you go with the mentality of "Jamaica no problem" you will have a fantastic wedding, come sprinkles or sunshine!

I know this might not be the answer that you're looking for, but I wouldn't waste the effort. Everyone speaks english and they use the patois basically when they don't want you to know what they're saying. It sounds like a fairly complicated language, and I think guests would not get much use out of it, in my honest opinion.

I had absolutely no trouble traveling with my dress. No extra charges, and the flight attendants practically worshipped it every time I stepped on board. Even if you do have to fold it, the humidity gets any wrinkles out. All of our guests had irons in their rooms, even though the Riu info says there are none. No worries!

Yes, I agree. The Blue Mountain bar area is the best place to meet up. The house band starts playing at about 8, and is fairly loud, so you may want to meet earlier than that. Entertainment starts around 9, so you would want to have all of your meet/greet done by then.

It really freaked me out to look at the calendar and see that the wedding is one month from yesterday! Time flies so fast when wedding-planning. What exactly does Chandlyn contact you about besides reception info? I'm not whether to email her about little details, or to wait until our meeting there? How much detail are you going into with her?

I haven't run across this in a thread yet..but I've been pondering this: If you don't have bridesmaids standing up with you, who do you hand your bouquet to when you need both hands

I was also wondering about the steel drums...if you don't have them play at all during the actual ceremony, I assume they still count that into their time? It makes me a little torn that I would be paying for an hour, but if it's a 20 minute ceremony, would actually only have them playing for 40 minutes....

Thank you SO much for posting that map. It's the first time I've seen one on here, and I was wanting to include one with our pre-travel information!

Thank you sooo much, you just crossed one thing off of my list for me! So, did you cut each page into thirds and tie them together? I think that's what the picture shows...but am not 100% sure

I've heard a lot of good things about it, but sometimes it seems like it's just there already, and sometimes people have been charged $150. So, if you decide to go with it, be prepared for the extra charge. I know we are going to go with it!

#4, cute cute cute!

For those who have purchased the wedding video through ROR....they say to bring 3 songs to use for the video. I'm trying to decide which three to use and I was wondering during which parts they actually play these songs. I think it will make a difference whether I pick slow, sappy songs, or upbeat songs, depending on what the songs might actually be playing along with. In other words, what are you seeing on the video as the music is playing?

I think we're convinced it would be worth the investment to buy some speakers and bring them down and use the ipod versus shelling out for the dj. Here's the "probably stupid" question...about how much should we expect to shell out for a nice set of Bose speakers? Also, what did you do with the speakers when you weren't using them, did they fit in the room safe?

Albertabride- you just gave me a great idea! One of my good friends is a fantastic guitar player, and it would be so great to have him play. Do you happen to know what the travel would be like for a guitar? Would it be checked baggage?

Sally- definitely post what you find out from your site visit! It would be so helpful. I am trying to create a restaurant guide for guests and am still so confused whether Mammee Bay is available to them or not!

Wow, I hadn't noticed that yet. We would be in the same boat, having reserved it for the reception dinner... and we're the only ones staying in a suite! If this is the case we might be pretty lonely, haha.

Yes you will definitely have to buy him a day pass. From all of the posts on here, you might also get suckered into paying the $200 "loss of sales" fee since the hotel isn't making any money from your photographer staying there. I'm not sure whether that makes you more of a target, but it's something to keep in mind!

Does anyone who used Lee's know how many people can fit on their busses at one time? Our guests are coming in two different waves, and we definitely want to use Lee's, but didn't know how large of numbers they can accomodate...?

here is a link to a website about it: Rain Forest Trams - Attractions

My aunt just emailed me a section of her Vacations To Go newsletter about a new attraction in Ocho Rios. It sounds really fun! Something a little different than what is offered already. Could be a good group activity, or fun to do as a couple. Here's the description: Ocho Rios, Jamaica is the home of a major new tourist attraction. Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain celebrated its grand opening last month and is predicted to draw at least 100,000 visitors each year. The multimillion-dollar, eco-friendly attraction features a ride through the tropical forest in custom-designed bobsleds inspired by the famous Jamaican Olympic bobsled teams of the '80s and '90s. Passengers on the 3,280-foot, gravity-driven ride travel on winding, stainless steel rails through Jamaica's lush rainforest, controlling their descent with individual handbrakes. The bobsled track was designed and laid so as not to disturb the natural landscape. Other highlights include a state-of-the-art chairlift ride that takes visitors above the treetops to the 700-foot peak of Mystic Mountain, a zip-line canopy tour and the Jamaican Railway Station & Mystic Pavilion. The Jamaican Railway Station is a replica of an early 20th-century Jamaican railway station, and features a lookout tower with spectacular views of Jamaica's north coast, a bar and restaurant, retail outlets, and a photo shop. The Mystic Pavilion is home to an island culture and heritage center.

Yes PLEASE keep us informed, especially as to what the Riu has to say for itself.