skp1

I can't wait to see my sites! I didn't realize Fathoms was that large but that actually good since we are doing food stations instead of a sit down. I was wondering how it would all fit. And like you said, we can always close off a section if its too much. You won't find any pictures on the website, but your WC can send some. I'm posting one here but it doesn't look as good shrunk down. Â As for packages vs a la carte, you won't find that on-line either. I thought the same about adding and subtracting from one of the plans. But you can do the "custom wedding" package - its a base fee of $3,500 (which seems crazy after reading the Sheraton's prices!) and that includes the premium sites and times, the WC and ceremony chairs. The rest is extra. That's better for us since my FI is a gambler and the casino usually gives us rooms and airport transfer. And there is going to be NO time for a romantic dinner for 2 - who thought of that? Â My wedding sales person is Rachel Durbain and she is SOOOO helpful and honest - she's where I got most of my good info. She said the packages are great if you want a standard wedding without much hassle. But I'm a bit of a control freak so I wanted more input. Â And I agree with Mike - I'm skipping the videographer - I know I will never watch it again. I'd rather use those funds towards a great photographer (which I'm still searching for). But good idea to have a friend use a camcorder. I just filmed a friend's son's baptism so she owes me! Â

Congrats Taryn, Â I'm still in the newbie stage but can offer what I know so far. All my decisions are based on photos, recommendations and my recollection from prior vacations. Pending my site visit in October I am having my ceremony on the Royal Overlook and the reception/cocktail hour in Fathoms. I knew I wanted to be married outside but not on the beach. Royal Overlook seemed to have the best views. I also knew I wanted the reception indoors and my wedding sales person suggested Fathoms. It's close to the ceremony site so everything can be well coordinated. And its really cool - its downstairs next to the Dig so the walls on one side are glass and you can watch the fish. Definitely NOT like a typical hotel ballroom. I am doing a la carte - the packages had extra stuff I didn't need. I haven't signed the contract but from what I understand to get the group rate you have to guarantee 10 rooms for 3 nights. Hopefully it won't be an issue but I guess we'll make up the difference if we have to. Â Good luck!!!! this message board has been awesome.

I think things have a way of working themselves out. Yesterday we discovered that 10 people in my FI's family had a prior commitment (he didn't check when we booked the date). We moved the wedding a week later and luckily my preferred venues at Atlantis were available and better yet, Matthew Sweeting is available! I spoke to the wedding coordinator again and feel better about her. I also called the DJ recommended by MD2002 who is also on Sweeting's website as a link. Its not a huge amount less than Atlantis but he has a flat fee for 5 hours as opposed to Atlantis's hourly rate so it gives more flexibility - like I can use him for the cocktail hour or if everyone is having a grand time at the reception, we can extend the party. He would charge additional for the ceremony but not that much. I had considered asking a friend to man an Ipod during the ceremony but I really don't want to make anyone work so I will probably just pay the extra and have it covered. Thanks for the info about the steel pan drummer - I had considered it for the cocktail reception but if the DJ is already paid for I'll probably go with that. Now on to flowers and decor.....

I'm glad I stumbled upon this. I just started the planning stages of my Atlantis wedding next June. My wedding sales person is awesome - she's totally honest and forthcoming with vendor recommendations. I've only had one call with my coordinator so far and my initial impression is that she isn't really listening to me and pushing a certain agenda. Based on everyone's comments here, that isn't typical so if she isn't any different on the next call, I'm asking to switch. I'm also doing the a la carte wedding as we weren't interested in half the things in the package. I'm in the process of picking vendors to meet on our site visit in October - so far I only had one thing I was sure of and that was Matthew Sweeting and he's not available! I'm soooo sad. I really wanted something casual and off-beat. Now I'm trying to find: Â floral/decor - I don't want to spend a lot - my feeling is that the destination is the decor. I'll check the ones recommended here photographer - sounds like no one used a local so far. I know I DON'T want to use Atlantis DJ - sounds like it makes sense to go outside of Atlantis on this one entertainment - we'd like a junkanoo thing but it seemed ridiculously priced by Atlantis. Any suggestions? Â I'm having trouble figuring out music for the ceremony. We know we want a DJ at the reception but I can't justify spending $400 or so dollars for music at the ceremony when all you need are 2 songs - processional and recessional. What is everyone else doing? Â My wedding sales person recommended Apryl Weech for hair & makeup b/c she's heard mixed reviews about Madera. I haven't called yet so I don't know any information. Â I wish I could share more, but I'm in the early stages. And I thought a destination wedding would be easy!