Leah22

DeAngelis, thanks for the feedback! Did you have to pay for the party on the beach (minus the bonfire)? Did you bring your own tiki torches or did they provide them? I wanted to have a beach bonfire party but they doubled the price for 2012!

Heather, you can't put down a deposit. They won't charge you until the end, after your wedding. There's no way to lock in the rates, so you may be subject to a rate increase in 2013. Have you talked to the WC?

Thanks Kendra. I have all the package info but I want to know the quantity and quality of the bouquet and decorations that come with the free package, so I know how much to provide on my own. I know the free package essentially comes with nothing, no flowers, no aisle runner, etc. but it does come with a few items: arch, chair covers and ties, bouquet, basic table set up. For the private reception you're required to have 30 people minimum.

Very doubtful. But you should talk to the WC.

But you might actually be surprised where your numbers end up. We thought we would struggle to find 5 couple to stay at the Grand (for the free package). But so far everyone has booked at the Grand except for 2 couples (they can't stay at the Grand because they both have toddlers). I have a few relatives who I thought wouldn't be able to come at all because of the expense and they also chose the Grand! It's a little shocking. But we're still waiting for several people to book, so I'm sure more will end up at the Suites.

I've tried your links a few times and it tells me "the browser session has expired"

Congratulations! I have lots of questions! (There are very few Grand brides on here.) Where did you have your ceremony? Was the location private (no on-lookers running around in the background)? Did you have a private reception at Port Maria? If so, how is the space organized? Is there room for long rectangular tables? Do you know about the Grand's new policies? No outside vendors...flowers, music, entertainment, etc. This didn't affect your wedding, but it will be affect your April 4th wedding. Did you just use the Grand's recommended vendors or did you find people from the outside? I'm still hesitant to use Tai Flora, but I fear there are no other options (unless I bring fake flowers). If you used Tai Flora, how did you like the quality of their work compared to the price? Did you go with their included bouquet or did you upgrade? Did you do any extra events, like bonfire or group rehearsal dinner? Where is the bonfire set-up (near the Suites or away from the Suites)? Which wedding package did you have? I haven't found anyone yet who has done the "free package" (probably because it's new). But I'm still trying to figure out exactly what basics are included. Thanks! I think that's all for now.

The wedding package actually states that 90% of the guests have to stay on the Iberostar property at ANY of the 3 hotels. It specifically states that they can be at the Grand, Suites, or the Beach resort. This was an issue for me because we have rooms blocked at the Suites AND the Grand, but most of our rooms are reserved for the Suites (my wedding is at the Grand). So I've discussed this with the WC and the PR manager. The 5 rooms requirement is only relevant if you have the free wedding package. You need to have 5 rooms booked for 3+ nights OR have 1 ocean front room for 7+ nights.

Yes, I'm getting married at the Grand. We wanted to do an adult-only hotel, but at least 2 kids will be at the wedding (including my fiance's 2-year old nephew). The Grand worked out perfectly because our guests can choose to stay at any of the 3 hotels, plus they allow kids to come to the wedding and a private reception. As of now most of our guests are staying at the Grand, but we have a few at the Suites, and at least 1 couple at the Beach. I was worried about asking to people to pay an extra day fee to attend the wedding, but then the Grand changed their rules and waived the day fees for the wedding day. The communication with the WC is really terrible. I understand they're busy, but I can't wait until the last minute to figure out everything. She normally responds to all of my requests, but it can take a while to get an answer and frequently her answers are inconsistent or non-informative. I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping that it will all work out in the end.

Is the $18 like a day pass separate from the wedding package fees? Or is it part of the wedding package? All of the wedding packages charge an additional $18 per person ($20 at the Grand) when you exceed the number of people in your package. This fee gets added to your wedding bill, so your guests do not pay it (you do). I agree, I thought a destination wedding would be super easy and not stressful. This thing has been stressing me out like crazy. The day pass waiver at the Grand is a new rule for 2012. The only positive rule change that they've implemented.

Can you change your wedding to the Suites instead of the Beach resort? Then no one will have to pay a fee. I've been fighting with the Iberostar the last few weeks over their recent fee changes (and new vendor policies). And I haven't gotten anyone to budge. I even contacted the corporate office. Alternatively, you could stay at the Grand and have the wedding there. The Grand waives all day pass fees (for guests at the Suites and Beach resorts) IF you do a private reception (30 people minimum). But it will be more expensive to host a private reception at the Grand. And for the Grand, you need 80 or 90% of the guests just to be staying anywhere on the Iberostar property (at any of the 3 hotels, not just the Grand). It's crazy how all 3 hotels have completely different rules. Good luck.

Kristen, Congrats on choosing a date and location! Weddings at the Grand for 2012 now have a set list of vendors that you are required to use (including music, flowers, entertainers, etc). So you don't have many options if you're trying to stay cost effective. The only vendor that you can choose on your own is the photographer/videographer. These are new policies and they may change for 2013. But if you know you're going to have a decent sized group, I would suggest going with a travel agent to reserve some rooms. I did that and we're able to get several perks out of it, like free nights and a free group dinner/cocktail hour (these are promotions offered through the resort). Good luck with the planning.

Millebe, The old rates included the standard open bar. The new rates now include a "premium open bar," which was previously optional. I would prefer to have options.

MrsG, I'm getting married in June at the Grand and the Iberostar seems to find ways to add on fees. I would suggest that if you have several guests who are staying off property or local, that you consider a villa or a non all-inclusive hotel. I believe that ALL all-inclusive hotels will charge an extra day fee for non guests (since they can come for the full day and eat/drink/etc). But if you get married at a private villa or regular hotel, then you won't have to worry about a day pass.

How's your planning process at the EDR? My fiance and I were going to go there on vacation this past September, but we had to cancel at the last minute! I was very bummed. I considered it for the wedding, but then we went with Jamaica. We actually stayed at Secrets St. James 2 years ago and LOVED it. Wild Orchid and St. James are the same. They're just separate buildings on the same property. (WO is usually advertised as a little more expensive, but I don't think it's worth it to pay extra to stay at Wild Orchid). WO is slightly closer to the restaurants, night club, entertainment area, etc. But St. James is only a 3 minute walk away. St. James seems to be a little quieter because of this (but like I said, it's a small property). St. James is right next to the spa/health club. The decor is also different at the two hotels. St. James has a better, quieter stretch of beach (and more space). We had a great time. Top shelf liquor, great food (lobster and fillet is offered at many restaurants), but the wine choices were horrible (I'm a wine drinker, so I was bummed about this). When we went, the hotels had JUST opened, so it was a bit of a growing pain as they were figuring things out. But we had a great time regardless. When we visited Secrets, we both thought that it would be a great place to get married with a few friends. I have not been to the Grand yet, but we chose this hotel over Secrets because it's supposed to be better than Secrets. From what I've heard the accommodations are better, food is better, service is better, alcohol choices are better, etc (this is coming from several travel agents, Trip Advisor reviews, and a friend who went to the Grand around the same time we were at Secrets). Plus the Grand comes with Butler service and wine and liquor in your room (at Secrets there's no Butler option and you only get an upgraded mini bar if you upgrade to the Preferred Club -- the typical mini bar only has beer, soda, water, and juice). We actually met a staff member at Secrets who told us that the Grand was better. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. If they are the exact same price, I think I would choose the Grand. But if you see a deal for Secrets then I would take it. Good luck.

Jen, I reached out to Iberostar. I emailed the corporate office and heard nothing back. I complained and Janielle and Angellie (WC and PR Manager) and heard nothing in regards to the rule changes. But Janielle said I can bring in outside flowers/decorations. As long as no outside vendors come onto the property. Not sure where I'm going to go from here. I don't want to find another venue after I already have several people booked at the Grand. But I'm definitely not going to put any more money into extras at the Grand for the wedding. For instance, I was going to do a beach bonfire with steel pan band the night before my wedding. But after doing the math, it will be more affordable for me take my guests on a catamaran cruise or excursion.

NIkadawn, Congratulations! I love that you went with a short dress! It looks great! Did Tai Flora do your flowers?

Montego Bay is kind of in the middle and there are not many excursions nearby (besides a catamaran/snorkeling, Margaritaville, and the shops at Rose Hall). But there are many excursions around Negril (as well as Ocho Rios). Negril is closer to YS Falls, Mayfield Falls, Pigeon Island, Black River, and Appleton Estates. Dunn's River is in Ocho Rios, as well several others popular stops. I chose Iberostar over Negril because of the proximity to the airport after hearing my parents and guests complaining about a long drive to get to the resort. I've been to Ocho Rios before and did not consider that area for my wedding.

I would also like to point out that the rates to rent the night club and host a beach bonfire have also increased...but ONLY at the Grand. Brides at the Suites and Beach resorts will pay half the price to rent the night club (which is shared by all the resorts) and to host a beach party (it's the same beach...and all beaches in Jamaica are public property!).

Thanks for your post Jen! I'm really pissed about this whole issue...the rate increases and the required vendors. Plus their vendors are double the prices they should be (including Tai Flora). I'm going to write to Iberostar right now.

The Grand has a free wedding package if you book 5 rooms (but it's a bare bones package with nothing included). I haven't heard anything about the Suites having a free package.

I'm interested! I just sent you a PM.

I'm interested. I just sent you a PM.

Tai Flora doesn't sell wholesale (I asked them). And my WC says they only work with Tai Flora and she doesn't know any wholesale florists. Which other florist are you referring to?

Hi beachbum! What's your cost per person for hosting the wedding off-property? I'm considering a switch to an off property wedding as I watch my wedding costs at the Grand rise. Thanks!