Helen G Events

As a wedding planner in Jamaica I can tell you that there are great bakers in Jamaica. There is a very good baker in Negril that all the hotels and alot of persons use alot. You can inbox for details or find out who your resort will be using. She is also mentioned here. You can also read the other older posts on cakes to see who other persons have been using.

Hi,

 

Of all the resorts I have worked with I love Iberostar. Their onsite planners are very responsive and the rooms are great. Then there would Jewel Resorts and then there would be RIU but I had a bad experience last week while staying at RIU Montego Bay as a guest and communication is sometimes slow and then there would be Grand Pall. But get your own linens for wedding receptions there.

The hotel package decor is normally pretty standard and looks ok. You can ask the resort planner to send you pictures or samples. They will reply.
 

He is very very good. A little pricey but worth every penny.

December is pretty cool by Jamaican standards and its not a rainy month. September is during the hurricane season and its pretty hot that time of year. Not alot of rain unless we are expecting a storm or hurricane.

Hi,

 

I have worked with both Misha and Brian for my clients and both are really really good. Either way you cant go wrong. Happy planning and all the best.

Yes at the hotels its different than when you do it yourself as the hotels just have the minister come in and do the ceremonies for that afternoon so its discounted. But if the minister has to travel to you alone whereever you are thats the usual rate.

Hi,

 

Most ministers usually charge between US$300 and US$350 to do everything and to send the marriage certificates to you after your wedding ceremony. Certificates usually take a max of 6 weeks to be prepared.

August is extremely hot and also risky as its hurricane season but we have weddings year round and during hurricane season. You have to decide if you want to take that chance. October, November and December are cooler months  but we do get some rain but not as much as Mayand early June, it usually doesnt last long but as you know we can't predict. Just have a back up plan in place if it rains. But in the summer months you get better rates at the hotels than during or closer to winter season.

Hi,

 

You have Iberostar, RIU Resorts (Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril) Beaches, Grand Pallidium are all good choices. If you are on a serious budget there is also Holiday Inn, the rooms aren't great but the food is good and its easy on the pocket and they have a nice beach gazebo which I have used for weddings before.

 

Happy planning and all the best.

Hi,

 

Natalie is no longer there. The new coordinator there that I have been working with for the last few months for a clients wedding there next week is Glendon. If you have international call time call 876 -633-9900 and ask for the weddings office then him.

 

Take care and all the best.

For photographers you can also check out Michael Saab, Sungold, Misha Earle and Marcia Roberts they are always good choices.

Hi,

 

I wanted to say all the best to all the 2011 brides and thanks for choosing Jamaica as your wedding destination.

Hi,

 

We work with Devon Shaw of www.jamaicaweddingphotos.com alot and he is one vendor that I know will be there and on time. I dont have to worry about Devon when coordinating an event.

 

Most times or at least all the times we have worked with him he is there at least 30 minutes to an hour before the wedding starts. Alot of the pictures in my event portfolio found at www.helengevents.com are from him as we do use him alot because his prices are reasonable and you also get the quality.

Hi,

 

I have worked with them alot and they are really good. But you have to know what your budget is for photography as their packages start at over US$1900.00

Hi,

Can you send me an email at [email protected] and I will give you some names and email addresses you can use as they also deliver islandwide.

Hi,

 

Just to let everyone know that most business places downtown Kingston was open on Friday. The courts and alot of banks and companies were open downtown. I drove downtown and was able to conduct business and had no problem. From Thursday the situation has been under control and I have gone to most areas in Kingston and Spanish Town without any problems at all and the tourist areas are definately not affected. It seems business as usual as if nothing happened. Everyone moved about freely except for in the troubled areas and I even drove pass one the barricades to get where I was going on Marcus Garvey Drive and no problem.

Hi,

 

May I make a suggestion, you can get a cake vendor from Montego Bay to deliver the cake as it is nearby and the delivery charge may equal the same for the prices of her cakes or maybe even less or another suggestion is since you are all staying at hotels and most large hotels have good pastry chefs who could do it in an around about way and find out who he or she is and see if you can work out something privately. They do alot of private work and alot of the hotel staff know each other well and will tell you if the person is good or not. If you have friends in Jamaica you can ask them to call and check for you.

 

But personally when I have events I bring cakes in from elsewhere.

You know I have been to alot of locations and Coyaba Gardens is one of the locations that I really like if you are not looking for a garden setting.

Hi Everyone,

 

Just wanted to find out what location you are going with for your wedding in Jamaica, to see what venues or locations are really popular with brides to Jamaica and it will also help other brides identify locations quickly. You can also state why you selected your location.

 

Thanks much.

Hi,

 

The violence is really centralized in one area with flare ups in certain known trouble spots in certain areas islandwide and there are ways to get around these.

 

Today is a public holiday so when school and work starts tomorrow we will see what happens.

 

But for now the police are remaining vigilant and the army has been called in, based on news reports on negotiations taking place we hope it will be over soon.

 

But all in all most Jamaicans are ok and the situation seems that it will not be prolonged.

 

Have a great day everyone.

Hi Everyone,

I think when giving statements persons or people in general tend to leave out some factual information. I was not going to respond to this post but felt I needed to. Unlike other vendors who charge a package cost where you have no idea what their fee or mark up is or what the actual vendor cost is I state upfront what my fee is. Further what this person neglected to state was what services they requested and for how many people and also that this venue required staying on property to have your wedding there and that the requirement was waived. This quote was for 50 people for a private beach location for full sit down dinner with a bar and a cocktail menu with the following:

Details
Equipment and Furniture Rental- Tents, Chairs and Tables
Rental of tent
Rental of white plastic chairs to be covered for ceremony and reception area

Linens - Tablecloth, Overlays, Skirting, Napkins and Ties
Cover torch bases
Chair covers and ties

Catering and Bar Service
Reception food
Wedding Cake

PA System, DJ, Entertainment, Photography and Videography
Photographer (photographer would have also provided high res cd of wedding)
Videographer (for entire evening)
DJ for 3 hours and PA system for ceremony and reception

Flowers
Brides Bouquet
Maid/Matron of Honor Bouquet
Give Away Father, Bestman and Grooms Boutonniers
Skirting with lights for cake table
Decorated aisle with flower petals
Pew Ends
Centerpieces for guest tables (low arrangements)
Arrangements for head table
2 Large Floral arrangements for ceremony and reception area

Décor, Lighting and Accessories
Tiki Torches (for around tent, bar area, and perimeter)
Decorate ceremony signing table (decorated with flowers, foliage )
Decorate guest signing table ( floral and table cover)
Draping and decorating of headtables
Palm trees for ceremony and reception area
Fichus trees with lights
Miscellaneous (telephone, delivery of flowers, glassware etc. accomm, labour
:this was US$551 and this covers delivery and set up of all rentals including the tent, delivery of flowers etc
Paperwork, Invites, Programs, Tags etc.
Location Cost
Pastor and documents processing and marriage certificates

I know the quality of my work and the service I offer speak for itself and I do offer references to all clients and I do ask that persons state the facts when giving their opinions. I say this not only for myself but also when you are reviewing any other vendors.

Thanks much and have a great day.

The main thing is to check if the resort has sent your documents off. I am getting the feeling that they are waiting until they have enough to send in one batch, because they are out of town instead of sending in one couples paperwork at a time and this delays your certificate by at least 2 weeks.

Hi,

 

I would like to add that the system at the Registrar General is now more efficient. I did a wedding on Feb 27th and we received the certificates 2 weeks ago.

 

I am not sure why it is taking the resorts so long to get the certificates but usually if the documents are sent off right after the wedding it really shouldnt take more than 4 to 6 weeks for it to be processed and have it in hand.

We coordinated Katies wedding in Feb. You can possibly contact her for feedback on how everything went.

 

Take care and happy planning.