daizyduke

We had our wedding at the Suites. We flew out of Toronto January 5, and returned January 12, 2012 and paid $1680 return. I feverishly researched prices before choosing a date. I tried to make it as cost effective as possible. I originally wanted November, but it was more expensive at the time we committed to a date.

I was just married at the Suites in January. The officiant is a minister. The person officiating the ceremony is the same regardless of whether you have a legal or symbolic ceremony. He wears a suit. No collar as he is not a priest. The difference is the ceremony script. The ceremonies can have as much or as little reference to god as would suit your needs. You can even bring your own script if you prefer. If you want a particular religious aspect, I would think they can accomodate (aka breaking a glass at the end or mention of certain traditions etc). However, you should ask. If you want a priest, rabbi, or other type of officiant that is associated with a particular faith, you would likely have to bring your own from home, or try to find one on the island (which may have vendor fees associated with it). Hope that helps. If you want

Thank you - the video trailer waas more than we could have expected, and worth the money for us. We are excited to see the final product. I am still waiting on my photographer to get me the pictures (she took over 5000 pictures so it is taking some time to go through them) so that I can get the post wedding review/planning thread finished.

I'm no expert on Mexican weddings, but my understanding is that they require blood work and other formalities before you can get married there. Are you only planning on doing a sand ceremony? Is there a legal ceremony? Do you require an officiant? Do you need certain documents? If they have another bride booked that day/place, it might be an issue. I would personally clear it with the hotel, but that could just be the Type A personality speaking. It wouldn't be difficult, and you could still have that carefree wedding you are craving.

We were bad, and just put them in our luggage, knowing that it might get taken away. We got it form the dollar store and took our chances. Luckily, nothing happened. I don't know where you would be able to buy them in Jamaica. I would try asking Tai Flora (although their prices may be high)

Our guests paid $1680 taxes included to stay at the Suites from January 5, 2012-January 12, 2012. It was the best price I was able to find, but one of the factors on picking a specific date was based on prices, trying to make it the most affordable.

The bonfire is right on the beach. it is next to the pool bar. The pool bar is typically closed at night, but they open it for the bonfire. The bar is included for I believe 15 guests, and then there is a cost per person for each additional guest. The nearest bar otherwise is in the lobby, and it would be inconvenient for the guests to go, and I imagine most wouldn't. Although it may be possible to tip a staff member to bring some drinks, I don't know how many they would be willing to bring, and how often. I would recommend that you rent the bar if only for one hour. The underwater shots were right off the beach at the hotel. Even the beginning of the video is the water right next to the hotel. It wasn't stock footage. The videographers took it upon themselves to go snorkling with the camera for the footage. As far as the boat, it's the free catamaran rental. They really went above and beyond what we could have expected. To be honest, when we were in the water, we never thought the video would end up as clear as it did.

Thank you both so much. We are really happy with it. There may be a local videographer that does the same work, however, we really only knew of maybe two of videographers in Jamaica. We found them in the vendor review section of BDW.

Hi everyone, I am still waiting on some of my professional pictures before I do my review, but I did just receive my wedding trailer from Lovestruck films. http://vimeo.com/35780298 I hope to have a full review soon.

Hi everyone. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I had a lot to do at work after we returned from the honeymoon. We got married at the IRHS on January 9, 2012. It was beautiful. There were hiccups. I will proivde a full review when I get pictures from the photographer (I think it works best that way) but am happy to answer any questions people have. We had a rehearsal dinner at Aunt Rubys and bonfire the night before, and a beach wedding with cocktails at the Moon Dance Walk (Jazz Bar) and reception at the Cabalash.

The disco had AC. That said, like any club with a lot of people dancing, it gets hot. I changed into my TTD dress.

A big factor in pricing is timing, and where you are coming from. In Canada for example, because universities/colleges start to get out in at the end of April when they finish exams, prices start to increase with the influx of travellers. Obviously, airfaire will vary depending on what State/Province/Country you live in. However, a good indication of the 2013 price is to look at the comparable 2012 price for the same date. While no guarantee, is should take into account all the random date increases (long weekends, spring break etc). I went to the Suites in April two years ago from Toronto, it cost approximately $1700.00 for one week and is similar to the price my group is paying for our wedding week (we leave in 6 days eek). I know the summer months can be cheaper because it is the "off season", but otherwise what you saw for 2012 is pretty consistant. That said, it is possible to get a deal. It just takes time and a lot of patience to find the best rate, and be flexibe on dates.

All the cakes have different designs. Do you get to pick or are you just surprised the day of?

How were the appetizers? Which package did you get? Would you recommend it?

Everything looks beautiful. You must be so happy. Anything future brides should be mindful of?

What!! That is crazy. I have 44 people (including myself and FI), and if they want to charge me for the rehearsal dinner I will freak out! I hope this is a mistake on their part. I feel as though they are really trying to nickel and dime everything. I know that the contact says things are subject to change without notice so that they can change things at a whim, but it makes it impossible to budget and plan. On top of the fact that this is the first time I have heard this, and there have certainly been larger groups. I hope this works out.

I think they are beautiful they way they are, and your guests would love it. But, at the same time I know the guests would really appreciate having their pictures for the souveneir. I think it would depend on how long it would take/how many guests. I also think their picture makes them less likely to end up in recycling.

I think this is the pic you wanted to post - Hopefully it works for me.

Everything looks AMAZING! Congratulations.

I was having similar difficulties with Jamaican videographers, and really wanted an amazing video to caputure the wedding. I ended up booking LoveStruck Films from California, that do destination videography. I found them on this forum based on the vendor reviews. Their work is amazing! However, they are on the more expensive side. Don't know if that helps at all. http://lovestruckfilms.com/what-we-do/ that's their website.

I think that it should be noted that she is not an officiant, she is a wedding coordinator. While it is a whole other debate whether any officiant (religious or not) should perform gay marriage (civil or religious), she is not performing this marriage. she simply arranges vendors and locations. This is absolutely discriminatory behaviour. While it may have been coached to sound "respectful". A rose by any other name is still a rose. In my humble opinion, your religious beliefs are not hampered by arranging fllorists or coordinating various suppliers. If she owned a restaurant, would it be acceptable to suggest that gay people (or any other group someone may not like) cannot dine there? If she was racist, would it be acceptable for her to suggest that she would not perform a marriage for a couple of a different race, or an interracial couple. If as a Catholic, she felt that every other religion was incorrect, or going to hell, would it be acceptable to suggest that she would not be their wedding planner. I would like to think that all of you answered that this kind of behaviour would not be acceptable in any other form of discrimination. I don't care what excuse you use to defend what are discriminatory actions, or how "nicely" you phrase it, it is still wrong. I am sorry you have to go through this. Plannig a wedding is supposed to be a joyous occasion. I hope you don't let this That being said, I agree with the comment above, better to know how she feels, and not have her plan what is going to be a fabulous wedding.

I know we have had several other people talking about availability We are leaving January 5-12, 2012, and the wedding is January 9, 2012. We just had a couple call to make a reservation, and the Beach and Suites resort are sold out from the 5-7 of January (possibly earlier I didn't check) and there are only TWO rooms available at the Grande. Those guests who thought they would get a last minute deal are going to get a nice surprise when they are unable to book at all. I have a whole group of people who want to book, and I don't know if they are going to be able to. Just wanted to give you ladies the heads up, regarding anyone who hopes to book last minute, this hotel(s) seems to be hopping! Your guests may want to be told that if it is during a possible season, they may not get a room if they procrastinate too much. (Granted, it doesn't help that my date is so close to New Years) I wonder how much of it is wedding related, due to the popularity on BDW.

Ugh, just the thought of carrying that much cash makes me nervous, they sure don't make it easy. What is the maximum amount of cash you can bring without having to declare it? Anyone know??

On that note, is there an ATM machine in the hotel? I don't really want to travel with that much cash (ie paying for the florist, and any musicians we hire). Could that be an option? Although it would run the risk that it runs out of cash or is out of ordre.

The standard lining is free the nicer lining is extra if I recall correctly. I will post pics when I get them.