selassie11

I'm looking to take our guest out on a sunset cruise the evening of our wedding. Through all of my internet searching, all I come across are catamaran-type tours. Are there any other type of boats in service for cruises in Negril? I've never been on a catamaran so I'm thinking only of my experience in the Bahamas, where we went on a number of themed excursions - one I remember specifically as a "Booze Cruise." Those boats had railings and seating, etc. I'm thinking of my 70 year old father and 68 year old mother who will likely pass on getting on a catamaran. I already know I have to put in extra effort to get them off the property to see some of the island, so I'm thinking of their comfort specifically. So are there other types of vessels being used for sunset cruises that I can look into?

doesn't it though?...i will say one of the dangers of this forum is that it's giving me TOO many ideas...and i LOVE it! so TODAY, i'm leaning towards a sunday morning wedding, followed by a "mimosa hour", followed by a brunch. finish up about 1/1:30...guests (and newlyweds) have four hours to self (hang out by pool, laze in a hammock, go to beach) and then we take them on a sunset cruise as a final to-do. everybody checks out monday a.m. and we're off to the other side of the island for our honeymoon! now of course, nothing's set with me yet. but i found this link 10.01.09 Christi and Scott | Excellence Riviera | Photos by Matt on an older thread and it reminded me how i love tropical mornings. i love how bright and vibrant to colors pop in the photos!

So it seems like most folks are going with a late afternoon/early evening ceremony. Does anybody know of or been to a morning wedding where the reception is a brunch? thinking mimosas and rum punch...afternoon at the pool/beach?

hey there. in scouring past forums i came across this link Del Sol Photography Blog true enough it's referring to cancun, but i think the info is still useful - just have to know the time of sunset in your location for that time of year. but i'm still torn....

Hi Jamaica brides! I'm wondering - how did you all decide what time to get married (if you had a choice)? I know that the country does not allow any weddings after 6pm. I love mornings in JA, but I'm looking forward to good food and drinks and dancing and I don't know how folks would feel about being tipsy by early afternoon! I like the idea of a sunset ceremony -- if the sun sets at 6:30, what will it look like at 5:00pm. Just wondering what's best for pictures (??)

YAY! I'm hoping to use Sungold or WPA Associates as well...they take GORGEOUS pics...well worth the money! Are you doing your welcome/rehearsal dinner at Rockhouse too? I'm trying to figure out where to have ours. I'll be going down in July to scout things out. Let me know if you have any suggestions! So far I've seen other brides on all sorts of forums mention Rockhouse, Rick's Cafe, Xtabi and Norma's. I need a place that's lively enough but offers decent vegetarian options (not just salad!). I was thinking of transporting our guests down to the beach area just to switch up the views!

Hi Leez309! And welcome! I'm also a April 2011 Jamaica bride (Negril)! Hope we'll be able to be helpful to one another! YaY!

Hi Queen Diva! Looks like we have the same wedding date (hopefully)...good thing you changed your mind! (teasing) But yes, I can definitely relate! There have been times when I've called the WC, all chipper and excited and feel like the response is (insert blank stare)! Alrighty then! I've connected with L&J and she has also offered a lot of helpful advice. I'm thinking I'm just going to have to be that person to ask 1,000 questions and not worry about the response...if I'm getting on someone's nerves, sorry! My MIL told me to tell the WC straight up, "I need to know EVERYTHING...EVER-REE-THING... or else you'll have to pay it out of your paycheck, 'cause I'm coming with the exact amount you tell me and there's no more money anywhere else!" Though anxious and apprehensive, I am totally in love with TP! And I'm going to employ the help of any and everybody available to make sure it's all i wish for! Hey QueenDiva - who are you using for photographer?

I didn't even know this was here! I'm an April 2011 bride too! YAY! We're hoping to book April 30, 2009 - hoping being the operative word. In order to have the wedding at this resort we essentially have to book the entire resort for 3 nights (90% of guests have to stay there rule) and in order to hold the date we have to put down a 50% (whopper) deposit! So fingers crossed I'll have it in by month's end. Oh and I'm a Jamaica bride too (Negril)!

No problem -- Thanks! I'll check them out. I have a date in mind but until I put the deposit down I know it's all up in the air. So we're shooting for April 2011 loosely speaking. I've looked at waaaay too many Tensing wedding slide shows, so somehow I feel like I have a sense of the visual. But I always wonder when I'm looking at the pics how much was provided and how much was outsourced? $10 per chair? What kind of chair is that?! That twice the cost of what I was quoted for gold chivari chairs in Ocho Rios! I read in another blog that they also tack on a $10pp set-up fee (??) Are you working with a wedding planner or are you working strictly through TP? I sent Shanique an email to request more information about the package and what else I'll have to pay for...just wondering how much she'll share w/o the deposit being put in. If you don't mind my asking, how many people do you have coming and approximately how much is your wedding/reception (decor, flowers, food, bar, entertainment, etc.) costing you? Just the day of - not lodging or transpo or even photography. If you'd like I can PM you instead. I'm getting nervous...I'm love with TP!

Thanks everyone! I'm excited...and I must say this forum is THE BEST! Much MUCH more active than theknot.com or brides.com and soooo much info. It's my new addiction! More time here than on Facebook! LOL amandagee -- trust me i've been trying to figure an ideal location for a while! My best friend is from Jamaica and I've been with her twice. Unlike most, I love Kingston! Gritty and city - the REAL Jamaica. There's a place near there that I absolutely LOVE - Strawberry Hill - but I know that when you tell folks you're having a destination wedding in Jamaica AND expect them to pay $$$ they're gonna want some beach! Plus it's in the hills and the ride up is not for the faint hearted. I can see my mother and his grandmother now - SHEESH - we'd never hear the end of it! So my fiance suggested Ocho Rios, because of all the different tourist types things to do (Dunn's River, Mystic Mountain, etc.). Let me interrupt here and say that I do NOT want a cookie cutter wedding...I've seen the assembly line style weddings that many large AI resorts crank out, and that's just not my vibe! Unfortunately, Ocho Rios doesn't offer much else that's in our price range. So here I am considering Negril and only because a bride on the knot posted pics of a Tensing Pen wedding and I IMMEDIATELY fell in love!! So fingers crossed - that's where we'll be! (Fingers crossed everybody! And toes too!!)

For those of you not doing AI, or doing AI but having an off-site welcome/rehearsal dinner, where are having it or what places are you considering in Negril? We'll be getting married on the cliffs so I'm thinking we should take our guests down to 7-mile beach area. We'll likely have 40 people. Any thoughts? suggestions? I've scoured the forums and the closest I've gotten in terms of suggestions are Norma's (Seasplash) and Xtabi? with Rick's Cafe being a definition No-No (too touristy). What about something fun fun, like a Booze Cruise or Catamaran Tour. Know anything about these types of activities in Negril?

Thanks again. I went to this link but it only shows True Colors as a children's photographer (??). I'll google them. I've contacted SunGold, I'll check back to see if they're still on the preferred list. Thanks L&J! Keep in touch and let me know how things are progressing...any help/insight would be helpful. And I'll do the same...I'm planning to go to JA in July to sit down with Shanique and plan some of this out face to face. I'll let you know how that goes!

Thanks so much! The communication part hasn't bothered me so much, I find it's just so much easier to call! The $500 vendor fee seems a little hefty, but I guess it's standard. I was considering bringing my own photographer. Who is the photographer or photographers on their preferred list? Are you going with one of them?

Hi! I'm looking to connect with any brides who have gotten married, intend to get married, or already booked Tensing Pen in Negril. I'm especially interested in getting a sense of whether I should hire a wedding planner/coordinator and about how much needs to be outsourced....Help! Koko

Hi all! I'm a newbie to the site. Planning a April 2011 wedding in Negril. I wish I had a set date, but that will depend on the venue I book with (I'm still saving/collecting $ for the deposit!) Hopefully I'll have a date in the next couple of weeks! Looking forward to connecting with you all. I can already tell this site is going to save me a lot of stress! YAY!