JSLM

Hey... So its been a month since we got married. I can't believe it. I have to say I am so happy we choose to get married in the Bahamas. We had a great time and so did all our family and friends who came. I'll just give you guys a quick little summary of how it was. The Riu was a great choice. It may not be as nice, big or new as other RIU's in the Caribbean but well worth the money. The food was really delicious. You can't go wrong with free unlimited drinks. And Atlantis was right beside us so it gave our group plenty of variety if they got bored. Riu staff was great to us. Even though we were worried about dinner bookings (since we never heard from the wedding co-ordinate) We had to speak with management but they already had our request. So I'm guessing the email got sent.lol The only thing I was disappointed with the hotel was that they were not willing to provide us with an upgrade to one of the beachfront suites, I really was anal about having a nice room but they made us pay for it. I don't know if it was the timing we were there or because we technically didn't have a wedding package with them but still we had over 50 people booked into that hotel so I would have thought they would have, We got married at the Cloisters which was worth every penny. I have to say all our guests loved the location too. It was a nice surprise for them and from what I heard they loved it gave them beautiful scenery for their own photos. Luciano's was where we did our reception. Food was delicious. Our planner ended up getting Josie as our DJ which worked out perfectly. He was great. Our Photographer Mark took a million photos of everyone (not just us) which was so great and we got a lot of photos to share with everyone. Our Planner Debbie at Weddings in the Bahamas went over and beyond our expectations. She was great. I can't believe its over already: ( Anyways sorry for blabbing on and on... just wanted to share my experience. Happy planning to everyone and I i'm so excited for everyone who chooses to get married in the Bahamas! You won't regret it!

BahamaMama2013... I would say its the norm for the RIU not to respond. But you should re-email them back this week and just say its been over 6 weeks I haven't heard from you. I emailed them about 2 weeks ago and I got a response,. I emailed Debbie and although the reply was from her account it was another person emailing me back. Debbie apparently hurt her leg and is off for a bit??? so this girl is taking care of things. We are bringing so many things down. We are anticipating 5-6 tables. We are going to take a third suitcase and just pay for it. As well spread alot of things between our parents and brothers. The only worry right now I have what to do in case it rains. So mad cause they said the only option is getting married in the conference room in Atlantis. I think they should have a better back up especially since we're paying ALOT extra to get married at the Cloisters. When we decided to get married they had said the rain option was still at one and only (under the pool deck) and now they are saying that they don't do that anymore. WTF. We have so many people who have not RSVP'ed... so annoying. We also have about 4-8 people who are going to decided like the week we leave if they are going to come which is annoying cause I don't think they understand that this is still a wedding. I'll definitely keep you posted about the hair and dj... and EVRYTHING!!! i can't believe its almost here.

Hey Tia Maria... Yeah Jose is suppose to be really good! Our wedding planner is finding us someone, we'll see if its him. We had contacted him a few months ago but we felt that he was really pricey for a Tuesday wedding. We have so many friends that are Dj's that we contemplated paying for their stay for 4nights and get them to DJ it would have worked out cheaper and we would know the music is exactly what we wanted. But he didn't know with transporting or renting equipment how that would work. I have my fingers crossed that the DJ we get is just as good. The good thing is we provided a list of what we like and what we don't like. Plus since we are from 2 different backgrounds we are pretty much bringing down a lot of music that we'll just tell him to play. here's hoping it all works out.

I have no clue what I am going to do with my hair. I'm comfortable with it down but everyone is telling me its going to be sooo hot and that it will fall out fast. I'm planning on doing a trial for my hair and make up when i get down there. the flower balls (as i call them) are just like ivory artificial flowers in a shape of a ball with a ribbon attached. I think the other name of them is pomanders? or kissing balls? The centerpieces that I am doing are actually white birdcages. I plan on filling them with some white shells that i found at target and then going to stick a candle inside. I'll bring 5-6 down and between our family they will be distributed in a few carry ons. What are you thinking in terms of centerpieces? And have you guys decided on DJ or photographer yet? Yeah i got quoted from Wildflowers and i was shocked how expensive flowers are. I have no idea who my WC deals with but it seems just as pricy. I asked about rose petals for down the aisle and they quoted me over $300... I was like yeah right no thanks! I've read on the internet and on this website about freeze dried rose petals. Pretty much are real flowers just with the moisture taken out??? i dunno really but they apparently last weeks and are way cheaper to buy. I'm just not sure if they would allow this. I had booked the steakhouse for dinner for 40people for 9pm but I really like the idea you are doing with the buffet at a way better time. I'm going to email RIU this week and get this switched. Are most of your guests staying the week?

Hey, I love the idea of doing your welcome dinner at the buffet. I'm going to have to talk to the FI about that because having a dinner at 9pm for 40+ people. Will take FOREVER... and its a long time to wait for dinner. Our colours are pretty much yellow and grey. Guys are going to be in grey pants and vests (except my FI will wear a full jacket just for the ceremony) Girls are in yellow. Have to say its not the easiest colour to work with. Have you decided what you're going to do with your hair? i Don't want my hair up but i don't know if it will last down. I'm going to be going to Atlantis for my hair and make-up so hopefully it turns out okay. I am bringing down a lot of things, or at least it feels like there is a lot of things. I'm bringing fans, parasols, these artificial small ivory rose balls that will hang at the end of each aisle. OOT bag stuff. My centerpieces, table # things etc. I will be bringing another suitcase all together plus we know that with our family and friends we can spread some of the items around. How about you??? I cannot wait for the day to come. I just want to be finished with all the decisions and my place is becoming so crammed with all the little things I have been buying. At the Riu did you book a junior suite room? or did you upgrade?

Hey, sorry for the late response. I haven't been on here for a while. We have about 40 people booked. A lot of our friends and family are booking last minute in hopes of trying to get a cheaper deal (which I'm sure they won't). We are flying with sunwing sunday to sunday. A lot of my family hate this option because of the late flight so we do have a few people who just did their own flight, hotel, and transportation even though its more expensive. At this point I'm like whatever. I tried my best to find the cheapest deal. No matter where you go to get a group booking. If its with sunwing/signature vacations whether u go with a travel agency directly with sunwing or like another place such as expedia, I found that the group quote was all the same and that the quote was from the same sunwing rep. We had a wedding planner, so she set up a bus for guests about $250ish for about 27 people? Kind of works the same so look into that. Its so close to RIU such a waste of money.plus I was told I can't use the bus for 2 trips. So might need 2 buses. So annoying, another money grab. Dj I also got from the planner, we were looking at jose ageeb?? (I probably totally messed up the name. My FI was dealing with him). He quoted us 1200 for 4 hours, our wedding planner also said 1100. This is also such a rip off because we don't know what we'll get. We have sooooo many friends who dj and were thinking of actually paying for them to come for 5 days and get them to dj. We just don't know about the set up like with equipment and stuff. I have main things in place but still sooooo much little things to do. With sooo little time. Starting to feel the pressure. How about you? Hows your planning going? You getting everything together? Have you picked out your dress? Please feel free to ask me anything I really dont mind!!!

she FINALLY responded. Pretty much said you can book the stake house but if its a large group you have to do the 9pm seating. She is really nice. I met her in October when I was there (before finalizing a date or place). She does really focus and put you first when you are there, so no worries. We hired a photographer from there. I kind of wish we got one from here now. For the price to have a good photographer from Bahamas for one day, you could hire one here (yeah you may have to pay their way) but they would probably be able available to take pictures throughout your stay, and not just the one day. I don't know what it would cost, like if they need license etc. I'm still looking for groomsmen attire, have the bridesmaids done. We got suckered into getting a DJ, it wasn't our initial plan. Again another price. You definitely don't have anything to worry about. Sounds like you are pretty organized. How many people are you expecting to come?

Oh yeah still waiting for ALOT of RSVP's. Because our date for travel is so close to long weekend, a lot of people do not know if they will get the time off work. I still haven't heard back from the RIU WC. Its been more then a month. I actually just emailed the hotel in hopes it gets to someone else. Last time I spoke to the WC Debbie it took her almost 2 months to respond and she used the same excuse that she was having computer problems. How are your plans coming along?

Oh yeah still waiting for ALOT of RSVP's. Because our date for travel is so close to long weekend, a lot of people do not know if they will get the time off work. I still haven't heard back from the RIU WC. Its been more then a month. I actually just emailed the hotel in hopes it gets to someone else. Last time I spoke to the WC Debbie it took her almost 2 months to respond and she used the same excuse that she was having computer problems. How are your plans coming along?

I still feel like I have so much to do. I had met Debbie the last time I was at RIU so she is my only contact person from there. I'm actually waiting to hear back from her to see about booking a rehearsal /welcome dinner... I think the only option is the steakhouse and I was told that it was only available for a group seating at 9:30... plus i'm inquiring about their spa and prices for the bridesmaids, mothers etc. We are expecting around 40... 70 would be our max. How are your plans going?

hey ladies!! Congrats on the up coming wedding. I'm getting married in July so I'll let you know how it goes. Give you the heads up of what worked and what went wrong. lol ddbx524... when went to the Bahamas and spoke with Atlantis they told us it would be min $150 per person. I don't know if that changes depending on the venue you choose because they have some beautiful spaces! BahamaMama2013... I forgot to ask you... Did you ask about doing the reception on the outside patio?? I'm just not sure if you would be able to have a dance floor, or if it only holds up to 50 people? We were considering this but I forgot what they had said.

Thank you BahamaMama2013. Glad I can help some how. I'm getting married July 30th. Count down is on! I am working with a WC... Check out Weddings in the Bahamas. They offer a Cloisters package which is what I took. Cloisters is owned by Atlantis I believe so you would have to technically go through them to book, but if you go with this WC she's been great so far she can arrange everything for you. I am not a very organized person and I hate having to deal with vendors and negotiating things etc so for me a WC was the way to go. They will help you with everything you need, flowers, transportation etc. The only thing is cost goes up up up. They are usually quick to get back (although I have been waiting over 2 weeks to hear from them right now). I too have been waiting over 2 weeks to hear back from Debbie from the RIU. Let me know if you need any more help.

Congrats bahamamama2013 (love the name). I cant really give u a price list on Luciano's because it canreally vary as thry have a lot of options. If you go to their website you can look up their menu. If you consider Luciano's you have to also take into consideration on your guest transportation. I would say it will cost close to double the riu. If you are doing open bar, its per person per hour so if your doing 4hrs its close to $50per person just for alcohol. I also think Debbie is slow. Avg an email response every 2 weeks. Lol

Lucianos has a huge menu. You can check it out on line. Prices vary so I would a have a look. Cake isnt included. You do have the option of open bar. Cost all depends how much your willing to spend.

I took the latest time slot which is 5pm, and it gives you 2 hours there. They didn't charge me more only because I'm actually getting married on a Tuesday. You are already paying the extra fee JUST to get married there, which if you are using Ann Marie is already in your package. When you speak to Ann Marie I think she will tell you. I'm not to sure how it works if you are choosing to get married on Fri, Sat or Sunday. I think she was telling me that usually they give brides who are actually staying at the One and Only or Atlantis later time slots. I think you would have to get married earlier? Not a 100% sure on this. But never the less best to secure that site as early as possible.

Were doing a 4 hr reception. 1 hour for cocktails and 3 for food and dancing. It would go til 10:30ish. The place has no problem if you stay longer..as long as its open bar. If you are having a large number of people chances are your reception would be outside (thats where we are doing ours). You can do centerpieces decor etc. They charge a lot.

Hey.... i'm actually working with Anne Marie also! She's been great.I have been to the Bahamas, last time was in October before i finalized my dates (just to make sure we still loved it). I don't know if you will have a chance to check it out before your big day but you should try.You will love the Cloisters, its more prettier in person. Its very private and serene. Also went to Luciano's for dinner and the food was great. RIU is small but the atmosphere was really nice. Met a lot of people. Everyone was very friendly. Plus Atlantis was next door and I think we walked over almost every night. Have you set your date? And I'm more then happy to help out and give you info on anything!!

I totally fought hard NOT to have a shower but I lost. My mom and bridesmaids jnsisted. I told max 30 people. The good thing is I live in a condo so we're using the party room for free. Just have to worry about food costs which I already said I would pay half for. We were planning on doing a AHR but as we figured most of our close family and friends are coming with us plus, our budget increases on a weekly basis se decided no AHR anymore.

Yeah I'm starting to get nervous too. I think with the distance I feel like the communication is a little laid back. Trying to be calm. Im not a great planner organizer my self so I'm really relying on my WC. This website helps a lot but it also makes me feel like I have so much still to do.

Wow I love what you did. Looks so elegant and pretty.

Wow this is so pretty. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for the tips. So not photogenic so hopefully I'll remember some of these.

Good job. I wish I would have thought of doing something like this earlier.

These look fabulous! Great job. Thanks for sharing.

Still trying to decide whether to rent or buy. My FI actually is in a wedding a month before and just bought a grey suit. Instead of buying another suit he may just wear the same one. Curious if any canadian brides found good deals on rentals. Most places we looked into expect the rental to be returned the day after. We were told that it would be an extra fee for rentals over a day and even more for a week.