NegrilLB

For anyone that was wondering about the space available on the terraces of the steakhouse - I just got a reply from Nicole that each terrace can fit a maximum of 8 round tables. The round tables seat 8 people. If you use the rectangular tables, you can fit more (I think 10 tables per terrace, 10-12 per table). I just discovered the seating arrangement tool on weddingwire.com and it is very cool! You can make a drawing of the whole layout of the reception area and click and drag your guests names to seat them at the table. Kind of fun

We started out looking specifically in Negril, which we love because of the nice beach, but when I started researching I ran into issues such as no kids policies, expensive resort prices, and reception venues that wouldn't work well with a large group (we are expecting around 100). So then I started researching every resort in JA and wound up with a huge spreadsheet with all the resorts costs, capacity, food offered, etc. Then we narrowed it down to about 7 places to check out - if you can call that 'narrow' lol - and we visited all of them when we went down for another wedding at ROR (which was also at the top of the list). The last stop was at Grand Palladium where we stayed the night, and my FI and I individually ranked each resort on about 10 different categories. (I know this makes us sound crazy but I should mention we are both kinda anal and love making lists ) When we compared notes our top two choices were the same, and when my cousin planned his wedding at one of them (ROR) that tipped the scale to Iberostar Rose Hall. We haven't looked back since Couples Negril is a great choice - you will love the beach there!

Oh yeah, and I second msmoodyr... unless you have driven in JA before and are comfortable with it, you would be much better off getting a ride there. I don't know of any places to rent cars other than the airport, but since you'll be in Negril you'll already be halfway to Treasure beach.

My FI and I spent 2 nights at Treasure beach about a year and a half ago. It was very secluded and relaxing. The only thing I would mention is that the ocean floor is very rocky, so it is more of a beach where you would relax on the sand and not so much go in the water. We stayed at Jake's while we were there, which was amazing. We stayed in one of the honeymoon suites (even though it wasn't our honeymoon lol). The double doors in front of your bed open up onto a deck that is right over the ocean. The shower is outside which I loved (don't worry, no one else can see you ). Also you can go up the stairs of your cottage to the roof and there is a private deck with a bed. There are no tvs in the rooms, which normally would drive me nuts but it acutally was much better that way. This is the link for it: Island Outpost - Jake's in Treasure Beach Jamaica The honeymoon suites are called Octopussy 1, 2, and 3 Jack Sprats is on the property of Jake's (or next door) and it's not to be missed. Some of the best seafood ever and a nice local vibe with good music.

We're planning to start the ceremony at 4pm. My family and friends are notoriously late so it may not really start until a little later than that, so we figured this way we'll be done before 5 and have an hour to take pictures. We're planning to do a cocktail hour from 5-6 while we're taking pictures and then start the reception at 6:30.

I know what you mean, we thought about using one side for dancing too, but yeah then the people who aren't dancing can't see what's going on on the other terrace so that would separate people too much. I wish they would just knock down the walls between the 2 terraces to make it one big terrace, lol.

Thanks Lady D - $55 per person to go the hip strip is ridiculous! We will definitely make other arrangements or catch a taxi outside the resort. I'm excited to hear the casino is open. When we were there they were setting it up and couldn't tell how soon it would be done. We only saw slot machines but I'm hoping they have a table game or two.

Yeah, I was not excited about the cake that's included at all, so good to know they're able to do an upgrade

Quote: Originally Posted by magz88 also, would u be able to take a few pictures of the steakhouse for us. different angles of it and looking through to the ocean, etc. Also, where the dj would be if they were in the restaurant terrace and the beach. Where the dancing would be in comparison to where you eat, whether the beach or other terrace. I am going to have approx 80-100 people too, so I am in the same situation as you. When we were there a few months ago we took a couple pictures but none of them really show a good angle with both the beach and terrace The terrace isn't elevated or anything, so you don't need to go down any steps. So the only thing that separates the terrace from the beach is a walkway that has a railing on both sides. I was planning for the dancing to be right in front of where you eat, so that the people still sitting down can still feel part of what's going on.

Quote: Originally Posted by magz88 Yes, I like the idea of the dance floor on the beach as well! Only question i have is...during dinner, would you be able to hear music playing...bcz sometimes people dance in between courses and some people just wanna sit and eat and I would want everyone to hear the music. I know the restaurant is right next to the beach, but isn't there a walk path in between? That's my only concern...and of course if having the dancing on the beach is convenient for everyone. One more thing, do you have to pay extra for lighting on the beach? or a dance floor? That's a good question... The space between the terrace and the beach is only the width of the walkway, which I would guess is 3-4 feet wide. So as long as the speakers are set up on the sand right in front of that walkway, you should be able to hear the music from both the terrace and the beach. I would guess that they have a set of several speakers so some would be pointed more toward the terrace and some more toward the beach.

That's what I've been trying to figure out... I would love to make the beach the dance floor, and that's what we may end up doing. I think my friends would love that but not sure if my older relatives will be into it, lol. But they have lighting they can provide on the beach, and also there are picnic tables on that part of the beach that I was thinking of putting paper lanterns on, so I think that would be really nice. For the first dance and dances with our parents, we may use the available space on the terrace since that shouldn't take too much room. I guess if we use only one terrace then we could use the other for a full dance floor. The dj can be set up on the beach as well, and whether or not we use both sides of the terrace, that is most likely where he'll be. They told me that won't be a problem. There's actually a little massage hut on the beach in front of the restaurant that would make a perfect dj booth, but we'll see if it could be used for that

Quote: Originally Posted by nashidab Hello ladies, Daifje-- Nicole hasn't done much as far as planning for my wedding either. I do understand, since it isn't until october, but I can't even get her to respond to my emails. While you and andrew are visiting, could you please ask her for me how many people can sit on one side of the terrace of aunt ruby's restaurant?? We plan on having our reception there and I just want to make sure that all of my guests can fit on one side of the terrace. We plan on inviting about 125 people and expect 80 to 100 (if that many, its hard to predict since our wedding is still a ways away). I just don't want to over invite and we plan on sending out our save-the-dates soon. I see you are leaving tomorrow so hopefully you'll get this before you leave. If anyone else happens to know the maximum number of people that can sit on one side of aunt ruby's for the reception please let me know. Thanks!! Nicole told us that each side fits approximately 100 people. This is using the rectangular tables, which fit 10-12 people each, and I think it is somewhat a tight squeeze for all 100. Not as many people can fit using the round tables, but I'm not sure how many. We're also expecting 80-100 people (still waiting on the RSVPs to come in) so we're trying to figure out if we should plan to use one side of the terrace or two. It would be nice to fit everyone on one side, but I don't want to cram everyone and I also prefer round tables. So I guess we'll have to see what the final head-count is.

Yeah I thought that was expensive too. I love tulips, but not that much! I used the contact page on their website, which goes to the address [email protected]. That seems to be a general address so you'll probably have better luck with angie's.

The first time I e-mailed them I never heard back, so I tried again and they responded within a few days. They sent me a spreadsheet with the prices of the 3 items I asked about. They quoted a vase of tulips at $140 each, a vase of roses for $65 each, and small vase with floating candle and rose petals at $10 each. If you don't hear from them after a few days, try e-mailing them again.

Thanks for the tip on GrandeGarden - I didn't know that they were an option. Flowers and decorations are the one part that I haven't been able to get much details on as far as what is offered and the prices. I e-mailed Tai Flora and got a response for 3 items, but there wasn't much detail. Basically they said a vase of tulips was $140, a small rose arrangement was $65, and a small cylinder with rose petals and a floating candle was $10. Those flower arrangement prices seemed high to me, but then again I really don't have anything to compare it to. I e-mailed Flower Studio a while ago and got no response. Has anyone had any better luck? I'm thinking of calling but haven't gotten around to it...and calling JA is so expensive. I know that when you get to the resort for the wedding that you pick out your flowers and decorations then, but I don't want any surprises with the prices, lol. If it's super-expensive I'll probably bring more of my own decorations down with me.

Leslie, I was looking at the picture of your cake and it looks sooo much nicer than the other ones I've seen from Iberostar. Is this the type of cake they offer now, or did you have to make a special request and pay extra for the style that you got? I was planning on getting a cake from an outside bakery, but if Iberostar is offering nice ones now I might just go with theirs.

OK thanks! Glad to know the price of the bouquet is less than Tai Flora, I was afraid it would be more. Some of my other questions are... Were you able to secure the Presidential suite before you got there, or did they upgrade you once you got there? Did you use a travel agent? We want to stay there but haven't been able to get any info on the cost or anything. Did you have to pay to get onto the Rose Hall Great House property for your pictures? I was thinking about taking pictures there the day after the wedding also but didn't know if you could just walk onto the property or not. You mentioned the lazy river…is that where you had your ceremony instead of the beach? I remember someone saying it can only fit a limited number of people, so was wondering how it was with 65 guests. That's disappointing to hear that they weren't able to distribute the welcome bags properly. I would have thought that giving them your list of names and rooms would have prevented that. I've never posted pictures either but I believe it involves using Photobucket or a site like that. But a link to an album works just as well

Congratulations and thank you sooo much for posting this detailed review!! LOL @ "in that respect", I remember her saying that a lot when we met her in Sept. too I have about a million questions for you, but I will try to narrow it down to a few - What did you get from Flower Studio and how were their prices? I am thinking of getting the bouquets and some simple centerpieces from them (like some vases with petals and floating candles) but I haven't been able to find out what they offer and what their prices are. - Was one violinist during the ceremony loud enough, or would you recommend trying to have more than one for fuller sound? - Was your reception dinner at Aunt Ruby's? If so, what was the warm appetizer? Also, did you use the beach or the terrace for your dance floor? - Do they offer a choice of chair covers? I liked the ones I saw in someone's pictures that had the black trim. Do they still have those? Thank you so much!!!

Congrats and welcome! There are threads for Moon Dance Villas and Moon Dance Cliffs under Jamaica - Accommodations and Site. You also can find some reviews from past brides. Good luck - there is a lot of info on here for Jamaica! I've also visited several resorts there, and there are a lot of great places to choose from.

Hi edSweety I have been eagerly awaiting your return I am so glad that things went well and I can't wait to read your review! I think I remember you saying you had a fairly large group, so I'm interested in hearing how they were able to handle that. Also I haven't been able to get any info from Flower Studio as far as what they have available and their prices, so I would love to hear what you got from them. Welcome back!

Congrats and welcome!

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sparkles8300 Just in case anyone wants to know where I got the freeze dried rose petals, they were from Petal Garden Freeze Dried Rose Petals - Petal Garden and I got 112 cups for $219 and it was the perfect amount...any less would have been way too few...the beach is breezy so you lose about 1/2 in the wind so to still have a good amount you need to order extra. The florist wanted over $1,000 for the same amount of normal rose petals and these looked way better for way less. Be sure to order the samples b/c the color I ended up going with was not my first choice looking online. Thanks for the tip on the rose petals! I would have been so sad if I got there and ended up having to pay over $1000 when I could have gotten them for so much less.

Choosing the resort was definitely the toughest part for me too! I think I must have researched just about every resort on the island before I made a decision. The 2 that you're choosing between both seem to be good for weddings but are pretty different from each other, so if you have a certain style and budget in mind then that should make the decision easier. Hilton seems to be the nicer and more upscale of the two, but it is also a lot more expensive based on the info I got. Hilton's least expensive dinner buffet that I saw was $95 pp, with a 50 person minimum. Their open bar prices were expensive also ($30+ pp). In general it seems as though RIU Mobay offers a package that includes all the basics that you need in your wedding package price, and at Hilton it is more customized but the costs can add up quickly. Other factors to consider are whether or not you want most of your guests to stay at the wedding resort and if you prefer an all-inclusive hotel, since with RIU Mobay you would have to have 80% of your guests staying there, but it is also very affordable for an all-inclusive. There are so many different things to consider with these 2 resorts but I'm not sure if you have already gathered all the info you need to decide or if you are still researching. If you're still researching, this board will be very helpful. Good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Sparkles8300 Lisa, Yes, the WCs set that up for me. They had 4 of the tall lights coverd in sheets in different colors. Then they roped off a huge dance floor area with rope lights. It look amazing but you can't really see how great it looked in the pics. That is so helpful to know that they can do that! One less thing for me to worry about now