JamaicaBride010908

My friend is getting married in the Mayan in Dec. They’re doing the legal wedding here first. They were planning on going to the Gran Bahia Akumal. However, both she and her TA have had trouble getting responses from the WC there, so they are thinking of picking another resort. What they want is an all ages, 4.5/5 star in the Bahia price range, with a reasonably priced package for their "vow renewal" wedding, and most important - a WC that will return their calls/emails and confirm a date with them!! She`s actually a very laid back bride, so she`s not unreasonable or ultra fussy! Her TA suggested a RIU for the free wedding package, but when I look at the RIU site (She is busy with other things right now, so I am trying to help with research) they don't look free to me Plus the RIUs appear to be quite a bit more expensive? That’s all the TA suggested. She`s getting anxious to pick and book. Her TA is her cousin so she won’t be changing TAs... KWIM? Did anyone get married at a Gran Bahia in the Mayan? Do they all use the same WC? What was your experience? It seems a nice resort, so it’s a shame she’s having no luck. I suggested maybe the Palladium since I know that’s a popular one, but I didn’t get married there, so what do I know. There are lots of great resorts, but of course for a DW there's more to it than that. Can anyone recommend their Mayan resort as having a good WC and wedding package choices? TIA!

Have you tried asking your WC which florist they use? There can't be that many in Negril, so maybe they use Floral Fantasy too and you can get the flowers you want from them, through Sandals. That's what I did. I found what I wanted on the website, but got them through Couples and paid the resort for the upgrade. Good luck!

I requested and got a whole detailed list of excursions from a company called Talk of the Town. They came highly recommended, but we didn't do any of them! If anyone wants it, PM me with your email addy and I'll send it to you.... or contact them directly, as my prices may be out of date now!? But it would still give you an idea of all your options.

Quote: Originally Posted by currier73 You didn't hijack the post. You actually helped me quite a bit when I was trying to decide. Thanks for all the great advice. It mostly came down to price for me. Heather No problem, mon ...and I totally understand about the price thing. We would've loved to get a better deal like that! Look forward to reading your review and seeing your pictures when you return.

Quote: Originally Posted by currier73 Misohapi, I will say that I did a lot of research. I was originally going to go with couples but it was actually this forum that got me to change my mind. Couples is great if you are looking for a resort that is less "hotel" like. Many of the rooms do not even have windows or tv's. Many people like the fact that you can here the ocean and and other night sounds through the shutters. My only concern with this is what if got really hot? Would the AC work while I was getting ready for the wedding. I will say that the costs at Couples are much better than Sandals with flowers, hair styling, ect.. but the trip was cheaper at Sandals. Sandals is having a huge sale right now (I got 45% off our room). I just wanted a resort that was more spa like. I did not get that feeling from Couples (I could be wrong b/c I have never been there). I also heard that Sandals is a little more fun while Couples is a little more secluded. The final decision came down to the price (we are on a strict budget) and the fact that sandals waived the wedding fee ($200). If you want more information on Couples, they have a great message board on their website and the people really answer all your questions. Let me know if I can help you any further. Heather I think people are still responding to your earlier posts on the Couples MB... hehe. I haven't been to Sandals, but like you, I did a lot of research (on many resorts) before I picked Couples Swept Away. The rooms are definitely less "hotel like" in the older section, but the new section has tvs and mini-bars and glass on the windows. We just took a standard room in the older section and loved the nuetral toned decor (I hate bright or flowery rooms, what can I say... hehe). The A/C worked fine and I cranked it when I was getting ready... lol. I'd recommend that to everyone!!! Both resorts have pros and cons for sure. I'm sure both have great food. Both include a ton of activities (like diving). Both have "free" wedding packages. I'm sure they're quite similar. A big price discount could be a make or break factor for sure! Reasons we picked CSA were the room decor (no tv, natural, huge verandahs), that there were no differences in services between room types (i.e every room can have breakfast room service and flag service on the beach), that the grounds were lush, tropical, secluded... and as far as the wedding... free cat cruise on our wedding day, and a big, big, big deciding factor for us... they allow outside vendors (like Sungold) whereas Sandals does not.... and Paula and Damian are so awesome! Anyway... sorry... not to hijack the post! Just that she asked why one over the other! You will love Negril and have a fabulous wedding at Sandals.

Congrats! So Sandals won out over Couples did it? I can't give advice, since I went to Couples, but they are on the same absolutely stunning beach with the most amazing sunsets. You will love it there!

Quote: Originally Posted by Juniorbaby01 do you know if the caves let people have a wedding w/o staying there? Good question. We stayed at Couples Swept Away and I was investigating off-resort options for a reception (since all they had was the beach with no music or a completely closed in/big/stark banquet room). I contacted pretty much all of them (sent out a ton of emails) with no luck. The resorts with restaurants (like the Rockhouse) were willing to book us a few tables, but couldn't do anything private. Other resorts (like Blue Cave Castle), told us that they could only do weddings and/or receptions for their own guests. The only place I found that did weddings/private receptions for non-guests was Negril Escape and SeaSplash (private receptions anyway - that's were we ended up going). It doesn't hurt to send them an email and ask though. You never know.

Just a few minutes down from Couples Swept Away, right on 7 mile beach is the Sea Splash resort. We didn't stay there (as we stayed at Couples) but we had our reception in their banquet area at their Norma's restaurant. It was a fabulous, private, tropical wedding venue, and the food and service was great. We walked through it and the grounds are nice. It's definitely more the small intimate type of resort, and they do allow children for sure, and even have 2 bedroom suites. Check it out! Beach Negril Jamaica | Sea Splash Resort Beaches and Pool

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bmosley What Did You Do After The Dinner? Our dinner was at 7:30, and we had our own private area, so we had a steel drum band, and danced a little. I think we left around 10:15 or so. Lots of resorts have a night club, but ours was closed that night. But they had a bonfire on the beach, so we grabbed a drink and snuggled into some lounger chairs by the fire and listened to the guitarist. It was nice

We only had 14 guests, and we found it to be a really nice number. As for costs, we took everyone off resort for dinner. We couldn't have done that with a huge group, nor could we have given all the favours and post-wedding thank you packages if we'd had a large group. We only had 1 person stand up for us on each side. Money savings aside, we really enjoyed a smaller number. We had more time to actually spend with everyone.

I did have trouble hearing back from the WC too, at least until a few weeks before the wedding. They're just very busy, but once you're there they're awesome.

We were married at Couples Swept Away. It was amazing. Jamaica's an incredible country. As everyone's said, you have to be careful everywhere, but we loved the country and found the people very nice and friendly. I have a review on our wedding and the resort.

I'm a Couples Swept Away bride, but Couples Negril looks great too. Couples is a great chain!

oh hey... just looked at your screen name. I think we've already talked through the Couples message board!

hi, and welcome I'm new here too, but I'm already married. We went to Couples Swept Away and it was amazing! I have a review in the review section, plus a bit of a resort review in the Sandals Couples section, and more in the Jamaica section. I love seeing brides helping brides. PM me if you have any questions.

Well, I already posted a review of my wedding in the wedding review section. We were married at Couples Swept Away. So I posted about the resort in the Couples and Sandals section. So I want to add a bit here for other Jamaica brides about the only vendors we used. Sungold Photography - Paula and Damian are a couple based in Negril but will travel to other parts of Jamaica. They were amazing, and fun to work with. We found their prices to be very reasonable. We got over 700 images on DVD and they were with us for 8 hours (including a lunch break). They do lots of weddings at non AI resorts, such as Moondance Villas, Tensing Pen, Rockhouse, etc. I highly recommend them. Norma's at Sea Splash resort - We went there for our reception dinner. They have a fabulous venue for small to medium sized groups. There's a private, upper banquet area. It has a thatched roof and open air sides, and overlooks the beach. It's such a perfect tropical setting. We pre-ordered our food off the menu ahead of time. (removed prices and sent to our guest to select) This they suggested, and it made for speedy service. The prices were reasonable and the food was delicious, with lots of selction. We opted not to decorate in the usual wedding fashion, and told them simple flowers on the tables were fine. They still decorated nicely in our theme colours and shells on the table. We hired a steel drum band, but whatever type of music you want, they will arrange it for you. I recommend this place. They're right on 7 mile beach, just down from Couples Swept Away. Only thing is that it would be too small for a larger group. I did also talk to Carey at negril Escape. Of course I don't know how good it is, but he was wonderful about giving me options and pricing. The venue looks stunning right on the cliff edge, and they will do the full blown wedding reception deal right down to chair covers and all, for bigger groups. I found that other places, like Rockhouse, would only reserve us tables amongst everyone else. Other cliff resorts only did receptions for their own guests. Floral Fantasy - Although we went through the resort for our flowers, this is the florist Couples uses in Negril. I wanted orange toned flowers, so I was out onto their website where I could look at options well ahead of time. I also talked to Rosemarie there, and she was so nice and helpful. If you need a florist in Negril, check them out.

Thanks We certainly did have an amazing wedding and trip. We love Jamaica. It was there where we got engaged a year earlier. "Once you go, you know" We will return!

We were married at Couples Swept Away on Jan. 9, 2008 and were there for 2 weeks. I wrote a wedding review in the wedding review section, so I won't repeat that here. I also see a recent very detailed review of the resort from TA Jennifer with some great pictures. So I'll try not to be repetitive, but as a bride who was recently married there, I have to say this resort is incredible. We had 14 guests with us and they all wished they were there for another week too. So much to do and so little time in 1 week. The rooms were comfortable and decorated in neutral tones. (no dated flowery prints). The beds were large and comfy. The water was always hot. We had a huge verandah. The grounds are lush and gorgeous, and being on 7 mile beach it's a prime, perfect beach location. The sunsets are stunning. They have beach flag service and came around bringing us drinks and water, plus cool towels and fruit kabobs. Pretty much every morning we put our card out for breakfast room service (included) and woke up to fresh coffee, fruit and croissants delivered to our door. But the buffet was great for a full breakfast. The food was great, and there were lots of options for dining. Always somewhere to eat. They have a beach party that's lots of fun. There are 2 pools, one with a swim up bar, plus a big lap pool for serious swimmers. The watersports included are many. The snorkel boat went out at least twice a day, but being divers we took advantage of that and went out lots. We never had trouble signing up for anything. We'd decide to take a hobie cat. No problem. DH wanted to water-ski. no problem. Glass bottom boat trips and catamaran trips are included. We did the cat cruise on our wedding and considering going again, but a bus trip to Pirates Cave was also included. The resort also has a fullscale sports complex with racquet sports of all types. Plus there's a salon and spa. We've been to other AI resorts before, but I have never come across one that includes SO much. Plus no tipping, and despite that the staff is amazing. They go out of their way and are super friendly. My SIL is celiac and can't have wheat, so they offered to make her special meals even. If you are looking for a romantic resort for your wedding, or even a honeymoon, where you'll be totally pampered, this is IT. I'd go back to a Couples over Sandals or a Grand Lido anyday. As for weddings, they take care of everything. Of course, it's not a good choice if you have lots of guests with kids, but there is a Beaches right next door. It may also not be the best choice for very large groups, especially with many singles, as it isn't huge, and has more of a peaceful, low key atmosphere. Lots of Couples come here with just the 2 of them, or with a few other couples or a small group, for more intimate weddings.

The wedding day We picked an 11 am time for our ceremony so that we’d have bright sun for our photos, not be affected by possible afternoon showers, and well, to be in honest, I didn’t want to hand around waiting all day! hehe. We had a full schedule too. The ceremony was beautiful, short and sweet. They’d posted “wedding in progress” signs and kept the onlookers back. The waves gently crashed and the sun was shining bright. It was a perfect day. After our kiss, we walked back down the aisle to where a table was set with our sand vases. We did our short sand ceremony and the signing. After lots of hugs and a quick group photo on the beach, we headed to the garden for our little champagne and cake reception. Here they gave us cool towels and served little fruit and cheese kabobs, which was a surprise. We’d picked Jamaican rum/spice cake and it was delicious. My sister in-law is celiac and can’t eat cake, so they brought her a huge plate of fruit. We did the cake cutting and toast, and sat for a bit. They played the rest of my CD with Bob Marley in the background. After a time there, we went back to the beach to do our photos. Here is where I should mention our photographers. We had Paula and Damian from Sungold Photography in Negril come and shoot our wedding. They were a super couple and we ended up with over 700 images on DVD. They were so amazing I’ll write a vendor review about them. We were so happy with our photos (and I'm not even photogenic.. hehe) We`re so glad we didn`t use the resort photographers there. We had to pay a vendor fee and guest pass fees, but it was well worth it. They took photos of us with our guests, and tons of just the 2 of us. We had a short break where we changed into bathing suits and just married t-shirts, then met up with everyone on the beach for the catamaran cruise at 3:00pm. This is included in the stay of the resort, so we thought it would be a fun thing to do on our wedding day. The photographers came along as well. It was so much fun. We went to Pirates Cave where we could swim and use the slide. Some people jump off the cliff. Rum punch was served and music played. After awhile there we headed back, just as the sun was thinking about setting. Back at the resort we waited for everyone else to disembark the cat then took a groups shot before I did the bouquet toss off the side to the ladies in the water. We took sunset pictures on the beach and it was about 6pm when we were done and the photographers left us for the day. Our day was incredible, and the resort was fabulous. No regrets at all. We`d had some trouble reaching our WC before we went, until really close to our departure date, but once we were there she was nothing short of amazing. All the staff there was so wonderful.

Hi, my name is Debbie and I am a bit late coming here, as I am already married! We tied the knot on Jan. 9 on the beach at Couples Swept Away in Negril Jamaica. It was the most incredible, fabulous day of our lives and a DW is the only way to go!!! So I am here to post a review about our wedding at Couples, a bit about the resort, the fabulous photographers we used, and the off resort venue we went to for our reception dinner... Coming soon I LOVE to talk about my wedding and answer questions. I spend a lot of time on the Couples MB. I don't want to let it go! hehe.. Ya mon, everyting be irie.