catererbride

LOL - mine says spinster too! Nice right?

Thanks Crasht and you know yours will be, and to you, even better! Sky lanterns... you know somebody else asked about the legal side and to be honest, I didn't even look into it. I knew that fireworks require a special very costly license but I just figured that the lanterns are harmless (I bought the biodegradable ones, a bit more expensive) and we are paying a premium for a private villa so we'll do what we like! It turned out fine, I guess it depends how cautious you are and if your villa is next to a police station? Caterer is Gregory Nelson - you WILL NOT be disappointed! He has the same passion for food and service as I do and that says something! (in fact I have never said that about anyone that I have worked with over the years!). His email is [email protected]. He sorted out all tables and linens and our bar (so bar tenders, glasses, drink, ice etc.) Don't be stressed - this is so much fun!!! I thought I would be a complete stress head on the day but I wasn't at all...even though some of my husband's family were late so the ceremony was 45mins late, I was just chilling in my room with my girls! The only things I would have changed, was to be a bit more organised with time so that we could fit in all of our activities , and that i'd eaten more food! I was just so caught up in the moment that time just flew by...We had a local jerk pork guy come up to the villa and do his thing for late night food but I was so all over the place with guests that i didn't get any! (Good job i've eaten his jerk pork & chicken waaaaay to many times before) I am happy it's over but I loved every second and yes, loving being wifey! x Good luck and I am happy to help in any way that I can!

We used Merrick and he is great. Check out some example pics of our wedding last month in my review under the 'Villa Wedding Brides' thread. You won't be disappointed!

Ooops forgot my bridesmaids! Our colour theme was simply different greens and blues - so I bought some cheapy maxi dresses and dyed them! And my shoes....

Ok so here goes, my wedding experience..... I should start by saying that I was told by every wedding planner that I contacted to organize my wedding that I was asking too much and it couldn't be done. Oh and they all wanted up to $2500 for the priviledge of me doing all the work. I didn't end up using one and this is what happened: Went out to Jamaica on 15th August to finalize arrangements for 7th Sept Wedding. Spent the next few weeks driving all over Jamaica to source the following: Catering - had actually organized this from UK via email. His name is Gregory Nelson and he is fabulous! I am a trained chef and catering Manager and have very high standards when it comes to food. This is no 'rice and peas' chef. He was trained in France and is the Sous Chef of a resort in Ocho Rios. Wonderful man, very passionate about what he does, very reassuring and so so meticulous. I wanted 'family style service' i.e. where guests serve themselves at the tables. Dishes of each menu item in the centre of the table so that by passing to/serving each other, they interact more and also if they didn't like certain items, they didn't have to eat them and if they wanted 2nd or 3rd helpings....then they could Worked out great. Gregory also sorted our bar out for us which as having a villa wedding, we had considered doing ourselves but considering that would have meant sorting coolers, ice, extra tables, glassware, enough drink and servers...we just wanted less hassle. In my opinion, Gregory is very reasonably priced. No offense about the rice and peas part either...he can cook Jamaican food very well too. My husband is Jamaican so we actually had an informal family cook off welcome party with all the traditional Ja yummy food. Photographer: Again sorted him out whislt in UK. Merrick Cousley. Lovely guy - very humble and modest. Quietly goes about and does his thing without feeling like he was in the way or too bossy at any point. I think he charges fairly too for the quality of his work. Only annoying thing was waiting 6 weeks for our picks when he originally said 4...but hey, I would rather wait and be this happy than get 'average' pics instantly! He arrived slightly before arranged - at 2pm - bearing in mind our service wasn't until after 5pm and he didn't leave until past midnight. No way I would have paid an hourly rate lol! My favourite picture without doubt (though there are sooooooooo many): But then agian there's this one.....when our son was asked to give the rings, forgot they were in his pocket, so ran off to look inside the villa for them!! Cake - a massive let down. Went through Sheila's Bakery which is in Ocho Rios but doesn't have a website. We went there ourselves and saw that it was a professional set up and gave them our cake requirements and this picture: And ended up with this!... What an embarrassment! Glad Merrick only took one pic of it and that it at least tasted good. Ladies, let's be honest, what crap. Music: Fabulous band that my fiance found and I can hook any of you up that are interested. VEEEERRRRY cheap considering - under $1500 for 6 hours including a guitarist for the ceremony: My hubby even got on the mic for a bit...but hey, you met a Jamaican that doesn't sing?! Wedding Make Up: My best friend she did great I think, plus I am obviously a very au natural kind of gal: Flowers: Only got a few bunches for the head table from a local florist - super cheap and our bouquets were made out of buttons! Centre pieces, quizzes, menus etc: The entertainment and the extras: Mini Golf! Pool! A local rasta who painted our reception 'as it happened'! Floating lanterns And finally, our exit vehicle..... Ladies, this day, our day, was a dream and I think one you can only truly have at a villa. Any questions, fire away x

Hello all, Sorry I have been off the site for ages but I just wanted to touch base. My villa wedding was the most amazing day, a dream that went by too quickly. I am still waiting for our pics for me to post a full report but ladies, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!! Watch this space.... CB

Well done ladies for getting this far!! Cannot believe how little time is left... All I have to do is: pick up dress tomorrow finish up packing spread all my champers out amongst the guests suitcases find someone to make our cake check the band are actually going to show up find someone to do our hair find a casino company But I am feeling great about everything which is great. I leave here (UK) in 10 days!!! Fiance is already out there with family so I will have about 3 weeks out there to get our act together. Best of luck...we don't need it...we own these weddings!

Hi mzthan6, when are you gettig married? We are using a chef called Gregory Nelson [email protected] and he has some great reviews if you google him. It's pretty expensive but still way cheaper than we were initially being quoted through Jamaican planners. AMB, sorry I have been so rubbish, the ?*&% has really hit the fan in the last month with everything from my FI's father figure granddad dying to a major fallout with a best friend (it's messed up) and so now she's not coming (or her hubby or daughter who was my flower girl!!). Crazy! Anyway...I am all over everything now (after a breather and a rather amusing hen/bachelorette party). I am going out to Ja in 10 days and staying until the middle of Sept. How much is Noida charging? I have no clue who we will use and figured more or less that we would do the rounds when we get there. No Idea about videographer i'm afraid Duane doesn't recommend one? We have decided to just set up our camcorder for the ceremony & speeches on a tripod. We don't want movie quality, just a recording of the words as a keep sake and if we can save a dollar here or there.... How is everything your end?

We're using Merrick and he has been great thus far re. communication and also very reasonable in comparision to some. I will keep you posted though as our wedding is 5 weeks today!!!!

Hi AMB, Crazy right? AND changed my mind...no surprizes there Now going with Merrick Cousley for $1400. Doesn't include as much as Marcia but much better work. Did you find yourself second guessing her work too? She is great for the amount you get for your money but quality wise, in many photos I am shocked she even put them on her web. Sure everyone takes the odd bad pic but these are not the ones you use to advertise your work... Just under 8 weeks! Oooh and need to find a baker...any suggestions? Thanks!

Hi Gingerpeach..long time! How did it go? Tell all...pictures? Stress levels...ok. At the end of the day, it's either all going to come together and be AMAZING or it won't and it will be very funny! Either way, I am marrying the love of my life and my closest friends and family will be there so, it's all good Best, CB

Sorry Crasht, I meant to answer your q's too... 1.) so jealous you have so much time to play with 2.) $23 pp, I wish ours was so low and think that based on other quotes that I have been given that's not bad at all even for local food 3.) What's her contact please as I would like to ask her about rentals 4.) Island Deli - rude. I emailed him a few times and he emailed back to ask a few more questions. Then he didn't respond for a week so my fiance called him. He then said he was having a problem sending the quote to my email address (even though I had received an email from him previous). My fi then gave him his email - nothing. My fi then called him - left a message. Then I emailed him from FOUR different email addresses and still haven't heard from him. Bearing in mind our food bill will be about $3k - his loss. Yet again though, another example of CRAP service. 5.) Photographer - this makes me so sad....We had booked with Marcia Roberts as she was so cheap and work was ok. Then I stumbled across Dwayne Watkins work and for me, none of the others come close, even the super expensive ones. He is charging $3k which makes me mad (wow I'm going on a bit aren't I?) and Marcia is charging $1400 (this includes loads). We don't have the money but I have convinced myself that actually, Marcia's work is very average and you do keep your pics for life (blah blah blah). A real conundrum basically and this wedding is going to mess up our finances big time but then as I am going so completely overboard with details, I would be gutted beyond belief if this didn't show on our pics. 6.) Yup - paper lanterns are the way forward! 7.) Our villa is Mount Pleasant, Runaway Bay Phew...it's been a while since i've been on here! Best, CB

Hi AMB! It's getting closer to two months now!!! Natalie has been a no go unfortunately because apparently she is off island on my wedding date? Took a couple of weeks to tell me that but still... Oooh what's your offer with the keyboard player? I am still annoyed by how much these guys are ripping us off. My FI's aunties are teachers out in Ja and these vendors are asking for more money than teachers get paid in a month for an evening...THIS IS CRAZY! I would love a jazz band too but we are going with a reggae band (something my parents insist on and I think it will be great) but true, it is very difficult to find examples of musician's work, partic the less well known ones. I need a hairstylist too (my friend is doing my make-up - she does this professionally) but reckon I should just go about to some local hair salons (NOT in resorts) and get some prices. At least they will be much more reasonable and I don't think their quality will be any less good - just less likely to rip off a 'tourist' and don't you feel that you come under the grey area of 'well i'm not completely a tourist...I have my local links!!'? This wedding is ending up being a sweet fortune. Cheapest food cost I have found 'Gregory Nelson' recommended through C Pantry is $50 pp - I too asked for in JMD and got the fee to have a chat with him so he could hear the dialect Can't afford any activities though Well done for the sax player - great choice and can't wait to hear how yours goes. We are having everything from a casino to table tennis, the theme being casual fun where the Jamaicans and the English simply have a great time together. I actually leave for Ja on 15th Aug so not long to go at all! My latest drama is the cost of wedding photographers as am second guessing my previous choice due to quality - this is messing with our budget big time Anyway... Best!! CB

Am I the first out of us to do a test run of this crazy villa wedding idea?!? Soon2be, you are one smart cookie - this is tough! So far, I have my dress, my shoes, my bridesmaids dresses and small man's suit (7yr old son), about 150 lanterns and 'throwsies' and we have booked the villa (mount pleasant, runaway bay). That's pretty much it and our wedding is on 7th Sept...THIS year. I have a planner coming with me to set up and co-ordinate with vendors...I just need to find & book the vendors! My fiance reckons he has found a guitarist, dj & reggae band for $1000 in total but I am very skeptical of this. He was there last in Feb and randomly started talking to a band in Ochi about our wedding and the rest is history. They do not have any examples of their work so.....? Who knows at this point Enjoy!!!!!

Hi AMB, How is it all going for you? Not too much has progressed my side...but it's still fun, so that's something I am waiting on a quote from Natalie Chen and another one called Island Deli caterers?? I did email two others but they haven't got replied as yet...no surprise there. It's still like pulling teeth and the trouble is that my Jamaican Fi has the same laid back 'take it easy mon' approach that somehow everything will just slot together on the day....hmmmm... 3 months before the wedding and still no closer to a caterer or music (band, dj, etc.) - sure, 'no problem mon' What did you decide on in the end and any hot tips for me? Thanks! CB

I gotcha girl ..... No idea about Royal Plantation but Half Moon? Yes yes and yes. I have stayed there twice - once 10/11 yrs ago and then again with my fiance for New year's just gone. It is intimate and yet has everything you need, it's classy without being pretentious and the staff/customer service is out of this world. Food...don't even go there - I even asked them if they do outside catering but sadly, no. We would have our wedding there if we could afford it! I did go down the route of getting quotes etc. from them and they are very helpful and accomodating re. budget - we just want to go a little overboard with the extras that's all My mum and dad will be staying there for a couple of weeks (before and after our wedding) so we will def be going back there for a visit. Hope this helps a little, CB

That sounds amazing!!! Congrats!

Soon2be, I need your info!!!!!!!!!! I am freaking out (a bit) that with 3 months and 1 week to go, we have NO vendors Positive thinking hat on - check. Advice please! Thanks

Soon2be, That sounds so lovely and...organized!! Here's something you might like then.... one of the many many things I am going to try and sort for the wedding is to have an artist at the villa to paint the reception 'as it happens' so to speak. I came across this idea online and I love it! Then post wedding, maybe we'll have prints made for our parents?? I think I have taken on quote a challenge but it is what it is and I can't wait! Whilst you are over there, you could pop into into Hummingbird Hall to see what it's like - the staff have been hands down the best to deal with re. communication, friendliness etc... it would be interesting to see what there set up is like (to see how you should do it at the villa?). Also go to Half Moon for breakfast or stay a night if you can, the service is out of this world. I first went there with my family when I was 18 and then spebnt New years (just gone) with the fiance - still fabulous just too expensive for our wedding until the next installment.... CB

Hi ladies, We are getting married at Mount Pleasant in Runaway bay and settled on this one after many weeks of seearching through villas and wow are some expensive....Even ours is a little on the $$$ side but once in a lifetime right? Same as you soontobe, we wanted the exclusivity part and the not feeling like we were having a conveyor belt wedding and....same as you, we are now thinking how much easier it would have been to have a conveyor belt wedding!!! After 2 not so great experiences with planners, we are now doing as much as we can with a planner out here (UK) and as much as we can by ourselves. Very very frustrating dealing with planners that completely twist my requests but there we are... Fiance is Jamaican so that should ish make things a little easier??? Anyway, would seriously love to hear how your visit goes partic. re. rentals and pricings. I am guessing (almost certain) that if I phone up to get prices, they will here my english accent and double the price...hence Fiance will do this, soon I hope Good luck!! I certainly need it....4 months to go!

Hello all, My experience with wedding co-ordinators has been highly frustrating and I cannot seem to get any of them to understand what it is that I am asking for and I obviously belive myself to be very clear! Prices have been around the 10% range but one planner charged a flat fee of $2000 which I thought was extortionate. Some are cheap and cheerful and if you are having a standard resort wedding package and just want to have someone along for the ride to make sure things run smoothly, then go for it. We, on the other hand are having a private villa wedding and hence there are loads of additional factors to deal with from glass rental to transportation of food and so on. As a catering manager myself, I have always asked clients to put everything in writing via email as opposed to over the phone to avoid any misunderstanding...I have done this and still yet mistakes are being made. You pay someone to lessen the stress right? We have now ended things with our second planner and are now going to take one out with us and just try and work everything out ourselves. Unfortunately, with a lot of destination planners, we brides are just another number and another wedding...they may have 2,3,4,5 other weddings that week if they are good, so how much focus should we expect really? Plus, my fiance, being Jamaican is a bit livid about some of their fees to us foreigners in relation to say...a very good monthly salary out there and some of these vendors are asking for waaaaaay more than that for one night. Yes, the planners do check out this site, so I certainly won't be bad mouthing anyone and have been incontact with pretty much all of them. I will be factual though and Helen G, for example, is expensive, whether she is worth it or not, I couldn't say. I have seen on this site where she posted a reply to someone else saying that, so before I get one too.......yes I know I am asking for a lot! You go girls....4 months to go and counting!

Anyone know about September? My understanding is that the temp will be great but there is a greater chance of rain? Guests are a bit nervous about this as well as hurricane season but...I'm a positive thinker! Besides, I'm from England and any day of the year has the chance of rain!

They definitely do. I was having concerns about planners a while back and the planner I was mostly dealing with said to me "I understand you are having concerns over which planner to choose!". This site is the ONLY way she could have known that. Things didn't work out in the end which was a real shame because we got on great, it was just a money issue. I can understand why, as a vendor you would do it....I probably would if I worked in the industry in Ja or wherever but I think they can actually go on this as vendors can't they? A lot more straight up.

Hi September Ladies, Not long now! my dress and my ladies dresses sorted but we will probably hire the men's gear out there?? Still waiting on final quotes....even a rough quote would do at this point and working with the villa owner (not our wedding villa but one that us and some of our guests are staying in) to plan the welcome beach party. I find that in general, nailing anyone down is like pulling teeth and is starting to make me go a little bit crazy...are they waiting until August or something? Anywho, can't wait! Happy planning, CB

Wow you look amazing! Very impressed with your make up too...and your cake!! We are using Marcia too and having seen your pics, am very happy about this. Congrats girl!