kendra6303

I sent a picture of a medium/ tall hurricane with a submerged flower/ plant and a floating candle. Maybe is was the size, I don't know, I just decided to move forward in another direction.

Cant help you on this one, I only used them for the arch arrangement and bouqet. I got a quote for a hurricane center piece for $55/ea. and decided I would only get from them what was necessary. I packed my table decorations and used the arch arrangement for the main centerpiece to what I bought.

I chose the basic cake that came with the package, cheesecake to be exact, just b/c it was different. In all of my planning, I never considered cake details. Everything was so perfect on my wedding day I didn't even pay attention to the cake, we had been drinking and partying it up! It wasn't until I returned home and saw pictures of the cake did I realize it was ugly, actually hideous. Although it was not easy on the eyes, it tasted good.

They only host one wedding a day (unlike Sandals which has weddings every 45 minutes), this allows them to focus on you and you only. The resort is adult only and it's 5 star (butler service, premium liquor, room service).

I chalked up Janielles short/ blunt responses my questions to the laid-back Jamaician culture. Since many of the answers were vague, to settle my nerves, I added an international rate plan to my cellphone and called her a few times two to three week intervals the last two months before the wedding. Each time with a well prepared list of questions, including my what ifs. This helped so much more than the emailing. She was available 97% of the times I called.....FYI

Complain to Janielle Tai Flora is not responding, they will call you ASAP.

PM me your email. I only posted a couple on facebook.

Emma, your pics look great! We used Merrick as well and LOVED him. Everytime I look at the pictures it makes me want to get married again, LOL. I have never felt so beautiful and Merrick captured it all!

The costs associated with the free wedding was $20 per head if you had more than 10 people and yes, the sound system as well, which I believe was $100. There was no wedding coordinator fee, of course you might want to tip them.

kfarkas,

From my experience, the price list is upheld to a 't', for I did not experience any "hidden costs". Everything costs money and they are NOT flexible, so it can seem as if they are nickel and diming you but you should be able to clearly add up your services and get know how much it will cost. I chose the free package b/c there were a few things in the Grand package that I didn't care for or wouldn't need. For example, one of my friends did my hair and makeup, we didnt want a wine and cheese tray or strawberries and champagne, we were'nt interested in a couple massage and we didnt want a private dinner on the beach, we wanted to enjoy our guests, we can eat privately at home for free  (I cant recall what else was included in the package). My total for everything was less than 3k, keeping in mind I had just under 30 peeps and I went for the semi-private dinner which was free.

My bill included... $20 for each person over the limited 10 for the 'free wedding package', the mento band, cocktail hour, my bouquet and arch arrangement (tai flora bills separately)

I saved money...by bringing my own table decorations, using my ipod to play the music for the cocktail party/ dance, using the arch arrangement flowers for the the dinner table flower decor, having an informal meet and greet in the lobby bar the night after dinner the night before the wedding

Things I considered....a bonfire, but you have to have at least 30 guests and a fire-eater until I learned the $350 was for 20 minutes (WHAT!) I told Janelle I would set someone on fire before I pay fire -eater at that rate, a joke, but she looked at me like I was crazy, lollllllll

kfarkas, PM me your email, I will send you a couple of mine.

I had the same concern about the cocktail hour menu. They are not very flexible. For dinner, I had a few picky eaters and asked that they made a nice dinner salad with steak- that was do-able for them, but that's all!

Merrick Cousley is awesome! I used him for my July 2012 wedding. What first drew me to him is his response time. He was very prompt in responding to my inquiries, which made me feel very comfortable sending money to another country and receiving services from someone I've never met. His pictures are so bold and colorful. His pricing was reasonable and was not based on blocks of time as many are. His prices are good from beginning to end. He was great to work with; soft spoken, prompt, professional, provided good guidance, we hardly even noticed he was there during the preparation and wedding. It took a few weeks to get my pictures, which I later learned took so long b/c he was editing out my tan lines from the bathing suit, which I was thankful for. 

Kfarkas, I never received an actual price list from Tai Flora. I didnt like the free bouquets included so they sent me a variety of pictures to choose from, then they gave me a quote based off the bouquet I chose. Once you specify the type of decorations you want, they will give you a price based on that. For example: I asked for tiki torches and was given a quote of $8 each. Then I sent a picture of a centerpiece I liked and was quoted $55 for a hurricane glass with shells and water and a floating candle, $95 to add a fish. I ended up packing my own centerpeices and table decor, everyone loved them and it only cost me $100 for everything.<<<<<<<resourceful person with creative friends

Cat, your pics look great, congratulations! Im so anxious, still waiting on mine. Kfarkas, the regular rooms are so nice I cant even imagine what the presidential suites look like.

All, but two guests stayed at the grand, so we had to pay for day passes for them. With the day pass they could only arrive an hour before the ceremony. I used Merrick Cousley, who was great! He always replied to my emails swiftly and that made me feel comfortable. His package pricing is for all day shooting, so he came at about 3:30 and left right before dinner. I figured it wasn't necessary for him to shoot pictures with other people eating in the background. My hubby played college football and he picked up on that and we used some football poses for the TTD. He sent teasers of the TTD shoot and we are so excited to see the rest. There was a little cloud cover and a couple of sprinkles two days out of our week stay. If you continue with Mr. Gordon, I would suggest you request him to minimize the talking to what is absolutely necessary. He talked throughout the entire entrance of the wedding; asking people to sit down, telling my fiance to turn around and not peak at me (he could have been advised of this before the wedding or without the use of the microphone), and the inappropriate jokes. I chose my entrance song and I wanted it to set the mood but it was over powered by his voice. Only those who knew me best could see my frustrations. I wanted the ceremony to be a bit more romantic. Overall, the wedding was great. Tai Flora did a great job on the bouquet and arch arrangements. I thought I ordered a hair flower but didn't receive one, it wasn't on my final bill so I was okay. I did my best not to sweat the little stuff. Dinner was seated at about 8:45pm and we didn't get done until almost 11.

*Janielle is slightly more personable in person than in her emails. I would suggest you ask for her immediately after checking in to touch bases.

I had one table for 27 guests, so yes, it can definately be done. We sat in the middle, with parents next to us then the other guests were free to sit where the wanted. I used the flower arrangement from the arch as the table centerpiece. The Port Maria is an open space with pillars here and there. The tables are square, made for four people per table. Not sure if there is a round table top option available. Im trying to recall the pillar setup....

Okay, so I just returned from my week stay as a Mrs! Here are my thoughts/ review of the whole experience.

1. Hotel: The resort is gorgeous and everyone loved it! We were all impressed with the butler service, room service, premium liquor free minibar and hotel security. I have read other reviews in regards to building 6 not being up to par, however it looked great when I saw it. I heard they replaced the carpet recently. Most guests were roomed on the first and second floor of building 5. I had two guests in building 6, my brother didn't mind the distance since they had upgraded his room to ocean front for free.

2. Minister: I had previously read a review about a minister making inappropriate jokes throughout the ceremony. We met our minister two days before the ceremony and I was sure this old reserved man was not the culprit....WRONG...Moments before the start of the ceremony he made a racial joke, in which my mom and I stared blankly at each other. As we walked to the beach he continued to talk over the music, saying nothing of any importance. At one point I froze and tilted my head to the side in disbelief, my mom had to pull me out of it. It continued once I got to the groom, where he twice jokingly wanted to verify if the groom wanted to go on this the ceremony. At that point, I was talking through my teeth telling him he needed to move on with the ceremony. A couple of guests chalked it up to the minister wanting to lighten the mood, I didn't feel that was necessary at a beach ceremony at sunset. The wedding was not as romantic as I would have liked it to be. Beware of Minister Gordon! Glad we didn't pay for a videographer b/c it would have been a waste.

3. Wedding: I got married on the semi private beach, then had a cocktail hour on the garden terrace, then steak and lobster dinner at Surf and Turf. My main worry prior to the wedding was the flow of events, and while things went okay, they could have been better. After the wedding we took group photos with everyone, then family. Guests looked on the first half of the portrait session, taking pics with the photographer. The second half of the session, guests were lead to the cocktail hour, where a mento band was playing. The set up was nice and there was plenty of food. Most guests were shocked to learn there would be a dinner as well. Once cocktail hour was over we hooked up an ipod playlist and people danced for the second hour, soultrain line and all, it was sooo funny. Janielle was MIA after the hour of dancing and we were hot, so I escorted the guests to the restaurant. She was of course shocked to see me and asked us to wait five minutes while they finished getting the table ready. We actually waited 15 minutes near the staircase which allowed everyone to cool off. While I understand Janielle was focused on preparing the next event I would have liked to see another staff member there to guide us. It is no secret they are inflexible, this remains true even in person.

4. Dinner: We were seated at least 15 minuted late, no biggie. Janielle set up my decorations exactly how I had asked and it looked perfect. Since I had less than 30 guests I had to pick one menu for everyone. The salad and soup came out in a timely manner. the main course took quite a while. I had shot-glass wedding favors made and asked that everyone around the table give a wish or blessing for us, then at the end everyone will take a shot of rum. With a few more people to speak, Janielle came up the me and asked that we speed it up b/c they wanted to close the restaurant. The kitchen lights were off and the place was a little smokey, like they had just thrown water over the grill. I politely and well mannered as I could I told Janielle no. I was not speeding up anything. Everyone at the table was going to speak, take a shot and eat cake, for they sat us late and the main course was delayed. Afterwards, when I explained I was not not trying to be rude, just get what I deserved, she stated she understood and they staff did admit to not having the food ready.

5. Nightly entertainment: Disappointing. It is held in the hotel theater which has no working A/C there were oscillating fans there nightly. The pool/ beach staff turned into cabaret singers and dancers. They attempted to americanize the entertainment and it turned out to be quite cheesy. I visited the Hilton Rose Hall a couple of years ago and their entertainment was genuine cultural entertainment. The disco next door is the best thing going.

6. If you want anything back, I suggest to inventory the items and pass Janielle a list and keep one for yourself. I asked, for the pouring glasses used in the sand ceremony and Janielle states she doesn't know what happened to them. She was able to recover my remaining shot glasses and fans, what are you going to do with shot-glasses with other peoples names that you don't even know? My mom offered up all table decorations to guests, who gladly received them. The remaining decorations I told Janielle I wanted to donate to another bride (floating candles and seashells).

Hubs and I thought the wedding was as close to perfect as it was going to get. Dont allow the small stuff to ruin your mood for the entire night.

Sorry this was so long, just wanted to share.

Originally Posted by Cat723 

 

I've read all over the place that building 6 is not nice, very old.

 

@tgreen  I am super stressed too, but I am the opposite, not the biggest planner.  Thank God for this site or I would have no idea what to do lol.  I have my OOT bags and welcome letter done.  Now I am working on the ceremony itself, readings and stuff.  Not quite sure what I am doing.  Janielle has been a little better since the time has gotten closer but she takes way too long to respond to emails, which is annoying.  How are you bringing everything down to Jamaica, are you shipping anything?

Cathleen

I spoke with my travel agent about shipping items and she advised against it. She stated she was currently hunting down a package listed as shipped and no one from the hotel could account for the package. I am packing my decorations, all glass items will be in my carry-on, God only knows what will become of the glass if I check it. Janielle takes a while to respond and Tai Flora takes three times as long. I've just resorted to calling Janielle and asking a list of questions at a time. Tai Flora actually call me last week, that was a surprise.

I may have asked this before, however I cant recall... what is the tipping etiquette for an all inclusive hotel? I don't plan to carry wads of cash everywhere I go.
 

Eek, the staff don't seem flexible at all! There there goes my idea of trying to get some complimentary hors d'oeuvers for my cocktail hour. I leave on Saturday to the resort and will be there a week, so excited! I have everything packed and ready to go. How is the nightlife on the resort? Wondering if I should brave the onsite club or just head to Margaritaville (a touristy club I visited last time I was in Jamaica, a complimentary shuttle picked us up from the Hilton).

I am under the impression that regardless of ceremony costs, you have to pay for a daypass for any guest from another resort. The basic fee is $100 and I believe its a little cheaper if the guests are from the other Iberostar resorts.

Im planning a wedding for 25 people and doing a semi-private dinner at the Surf and Turf restaurant. I chose the most basic menu from the options given, which is the steak and lobster dinner. There is no additionall cost for the semi-private reception. You are limited to two basic dinner times 6:30pm and 8:30pm.  If you have less than 15 people in your party, the members of your party can order off the menu. If you have more than 15 people you have to pick one menu for everyone, kinda sucks, but it'll save you 3k. Ive asked if I could pay for a private dinner on the beach and 30 seems to be the magic number for certain wedding options.

They have a terrace overlooking the pools and the beach from my understanding.

Tai Flora has only responds to me after I tell Janielle about their response time. From that, I assume Janielle is mediating. I have asked for their direct phone number and I have yet to receive it.