LisaAndDreJamaica2011

Thanks Queen Diva! I'm excited too! I totally wanted to make myself get married somewhere else, but Rockhouse really was my first love. We've actually decided to expand our list a little bit...lol..We're adding some high rolllers to make sure we get them to book the $355 a night villas. This way, we'll have more of the cheaper rooms for my more economically challenged guests ( me included!) Now on to ordering and sending the save the dates. August 13, 2011

I'm 4 grand lighter! just placed the deposit . I'm going to be a Rockhouse bride

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo After trying to convince myself to get married at first Tensing Pen and THEN Catch a falling star I went back to my first love..Rockhouse! I just faxed over the signed contract to Inise and will hopefully place my deposit today. I'm sooo happy! Catch a falling star is sooo pretty, but it's too small. I was bummed when I thought about having to cut down my invites even further. Tensing Pen Fees were outrageous...the $17-25 additional per person...the $220 per hour DJ....the $6,100 deposit due for a wedding of 70 guests. Insane! I asked to change the menu to a fish, jerk chicken, salad, and plantains and Shanique quoted me $65 per person?? On top of that, when I called to speak to the WC I felt like I was speaking to a brick wall. It took us 40 minutes to settle on a date because she'd tell me a dat was open, and then it wasnt, and then it was but we'd have to stay 5 night because it was a Jamaica holiday...TOO MUCH! Ugh... So...Rockhouse it is! Three cheers!!

I think so too. Honestly, I only ran into that issue when i was attempting to get married in Montego Bay.

Thanks Queen Diva. I've already factored in the extra fees, and tensing is still cheaper than Rockhouse. The whole Day pass issue I didn't seem to run into for negril cliffside hotels, but now i'm worried. I will ask Shanique about that too. Thanks!

Thanks for your opinion! I'm doing the math tomorrow ( once I have all of the prices) and will make a decision based on that. If when it comes down to it, tensing is not so much more, i will go that route. Besides, Tensing can hold 80 people, so I can invite a few more. Catcha can hold 60 tops...so i was really cutting people out.

I visisted both places last week. I was in Negril for a wedding and figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. Rockhouse was my first pic, but too damn expensive. Now I'm choosing between Tensing and Catcha. Catcha is, so far, the cheapest, but I don't think it will be as nice. Let me know what you think! If you see Marvette or Andrea at Catcha tell them Lisa ( the bride andrea has been emailing), wants your opinion .

Tensing Pen vs Catcha Falling StarTensing Pen vs Catcha Falling StarTensing Pen vs Catcha Falling StarTensing Pen vs Catcha Falling StarTensing Pen vs Catcha Falling Star UGH!!! All of the hidden fees at Tensing are killing me. Shanique sends me the following confusing message: 1. It is my understanding that there are additional fees per person: $10/per person for a set up fee and $7/ per chair cover. Is this correct? Should I be adding an additional $17 per person? The costing for the set up and break up fee is subject to change depending on the final number of your wedding party. The costing for the chairs, chair covers and bows is US$7 per person.

Thanks Queen Diva! Hopefully it all works out! Congrats!

@ Queen Diva. You are sooo lucky to be getting married at Rockhouse. Inise sent me a contract yesterday, and the price of food + cocktail food, not inlcuding drinks is $78 ( which is actually going up for 2011 weddings)...was just too much. She does NOT negotiate. Also, being required to bok 27 rooms and then having to pay for them if my guests opted not to stay there was just too much. So much can happen financially between now and next August . I'm now debating between Tensing and Catcha falling star. Wish me luck!

L&J I hear you. Why did you decide to have your wedding at Tensing as opposed to Catcha? I can't seem to find much in terms of reviews for Catcha. I also liked Tensing....I can't decide! I sent Shanique an email on Sunday, but still haven't heard back. When I visited tensing last week, Shanique was out and the person who showed me around was OUT of it. Didn't have a clue....I'll PM You

Any one getting married there? Can't seem to find much info. I visited last Tuesday and loved it. I've cut my list in half and plan to have 60 guests, which Andrea said they can accommodate. Other than that, I don't know much about their wedding packages or requirements. Are guests required to stay there? Any discounts on the rooms for guests? Free stay for the couple ? Rockhouse was my first pick, but the constant No No Nos...turned me off big time. Inise at Rockhouse doesn't move an inch!

plus the off peak room rates at VSM start at $200 a night. More than even rockhouse!

oh...and VSM is out. They don't have their own WC's so you have to pay extra for this woman named Ari to do it, and her fees are crazy. Too much!

Negril Escape simply ain't an option. Didn't even like the grounds! Besides, I was just there for my friend's wedding and I am that girl! I want to do my own thing! You know? You ladies are great with the suggestions, though. Keep em coming . Rockhouse, I've decided is out. Inise just told me that that minimum per plate cost is $60 for 2010, it's going up for weddings in 2011, EVEN if I book in 2010. Crazy. The 27 minimum room requirement is a turn off too. I simply can't guarantee that ( especially in this economy). I spoke with my mom and FMIL and we've all agreed on Catch a falling star. We're cutting the guest list in half, so we won't go over 60 guests. total. I liked this hotel second to Rockhouse, so I'm happy. I loved the fact that Marvette at Catcha said we could easily hook up our ipod and have the bartender man the playlist and the speakers, for no additional cost! The price per plate also starts at @ $25 p/ person and is customizable. MUCH different from the NO, NO, NO I keep hearing from Inise at Rockhouse. Plus i hear catcha has free breakfast in the morning and their rates start at $90 p/n. I'm lovin it!

I am getting married next August at either Rockhouse in Negril or Tensing Pen. I want to have 80 guests. No more. Less would be okay, too...my problem? I probably have to invite about 150, and I'm scared that at least 100 will confirm. I don't want 100! I've heard horror stories of people inviting the world, expecting only about 60 guests, but being forced to accomodate for well over 100. When I went through my list I felt pretty confident that between us, we'll have 65 guests at the minimum. I know I'm blabbering, but if you have any good ideas, I'm open! I was thinking of having 2 rounds of invitations. Since the wedding is in August, the first round willl go out in February, and the second in April. This issue with this of course, means to whom do I send the Save The Dates ( I'm new and can't yet bear to use the acronym )?

Thanks Ladies

Ugh...just heard from Inise and she is NOT budging on the $60 per plate and she says this price is going up for 2011. Should I try to go above her? I'd settle for $55 per plate and no increase....UGH!

@ Tropical love. I'm also doing wedding baskets and have decided on simply filling them with a hand signed welcome note and local fruits. a Mango, papaya, and genips . Cheap and yummy! I'm buying cheap baskets from my local christmas tree shop and just packing them with me. I'm asking the coordinator to get the fruit. If she tries to over charge, I'll simply go a day earlier and buy them myself. I feel okay haggling with local fruit stands, especially if I'm buying them out AND paying in the US $$$

I was at Negril Escape for a wedding two days ago. The hotel itself is a 2, maybe 3 star at best, no where near the caliber of catch a falling star or rockhouse, or tensing, so I wouldn't dare. I most definitely need a dance floor ...oh well, maybe rockhouse it is! I expect to hear from Inise at Rockhouse today. Hopefully she has some good news for me .

Catch a falling star can only accommodate 60 guests for the wedding itself. When I was there last Tuesday, I met the owner and she said, they could squeeze up to 65, but it would totally be tough. I'm still waiting to hear back from Shanique at Tensing Penn. If they have room for 80 guests to attend the wedding and dance, then I'm in!

Hi Ladies, I just came back from a trip to negril and I am debating between Rockhouse and Tensing Pen. I plan to have about 80 guests, and I like both hotels, but Rockhouse's requirements turn me off! They require 27 rooms booked in order to host your wedding. Although I plan to have 80 guests, my cheapo family will def try to squeeze 4 to a room in as many rooms as possible, and since they only have 14 of the rooms priced between 120-150 a night and the rest, priced at $220 ( only two at this price)-350, I'm just not sure it can be done. i just sent an email to Shanique at Tensing Pen. Hopefully, they are more flexible

Quote: Originally Posted by downtownlagirl LisaandDre, I have the same issue...we are inviting 115-120 and expecting 60, which might not fill all the rooms- and what if we only have 40? What I am doing is plotting out worst case scenario of the people we KNOW will come against the cost of 27 rooms for three nights, and factoring that in as a possible cost. Will probably mean we end up at Round Hill after all, although I would MUCH rather have a whole hotel booked out for the weekend! Are you getting any flexibility from Inise? I just responded to her contract today, but I'm doubtful. I think at the end of the day, Rockhouse doesn't need my business. Obviously, they'll only do the wedding if they can make a profit, and if they have enough business already, why would they bend over backwards for me? I know i'll have at least 60 people come, but like i said, my sisters and aunts will try to bunk together, so of the 60, many will be 4 to a room. You know? And when all of the cheap rooms are filled, I know some people will simply decline to attend, which bums me out. I'm looking Tensing Pen as an alternative. Catch a falling star is fantastic as well, but can only accomodate 60 guests. paying for the other rooms is just not an option for me...so who knows...sigh! Good luck to you!

Hi All, I'm currently in contract negotiations with Inise, but I'm not sure there is even ROOM for negotiation with this hotel. I was there a few days ago and FELL in love, BUT the requirement that at least 27 rooms be booked, totally scares me. Although I plan to have 80 guests, my cheapo family will def try to squeeze 4 to a room in as many rooms as possible, and since they only have 14 of the rooms priced between 120-150 a night and the rest, prices at $220 ( only two at this price)-350, I'm just not sure it can be done. For those of you who had more than 60 guests, what did you do?

Hi All, My name is Lisa and we're getting married in Negril, next July or August. I'm currently in contract negotiations with Rockhouse, but given their stiff requirements I'm leaning towards Tensing Pen ( if they can accommodate 80 guests). See you all on the forum!