Dena

We got married in November and had our reception at Dolce Vita, which was good. The grill also has great food as we had a family dinner and one of our a la cartes there. It depends on the food your looking for but I found all the food at this resort was really good. Good Luck!

We paid $250 for the gazebo but that didn't include a dj. They will tell you it is $500 for the gazebo with dj. Just tell them that you don't want the dj and that you have seen that other brides have gotten it for $250 without the dj.

Hi Ladies, I have just returned from my wedding at the Bahia and thought I would offer some advice and pointers for all you excited up and coming brides! I was there the same week as Jmarshall and her review was awesome and I would definitely agree with most of what she said. We had a few different experiences so I thought I would mention those. First off Vinette is absolutely amazing. I am a huge control freak and it was really difficult for me not to be emailing everyday about every detail, but I quickly learned that they do this 3 to 4 times a day and I had to put trust in them. My advice because I know that there are a lot of you who seem to be very frustrated with the resort not getting back to you about your questions, as long as you have your wedding time and dinner time confirmed all the rest will be discussed when you have your meeting when you get there. I know for some that may seem strange but I can't stress enough that they have it all together. If there are specific things that you want just make sure you have your list when you have your meeting and they try to move heaven and earth to make it happen for you. I also learned that if you don't bring things to their attention they will never be the wiser. I had Raschel Edwards, which I have to say is friggin absolutely unbelievable! She did such an amazing job with all my girls and really stepped it up when we had to move my wedding time up because of the weather. It pored rain the whole day I was getting married. At 3 pm it finally let up enough that we went ahead with the gazebo wedding. Vinette called at 3 and said we had to go now and get everything moving into high gear so that we could hopefully make everything happen while the rain was at bay. Raschel was still working on 1 of the girls when we got the call but everyone came together and made it happen. I was lucky enough to get the wedding in just in time. As soon as we were pronounced husband and wife it actually started raining again. I got off topic there sorry girls, so as I was saying I had read on here about how they wanted to charge for vendor fees and such but thought I would lay low not mention it to anyone, especially online (because they do check all these websites) and see what happened. I in fact didn't have to pay a vendor fee for Raschel, Vinette was great help with that and gave her a vistor pass for the day. If you need anything and I mean anything ask Vinette. During our meeting Vinette was very honest with me about certain things like the hair and makeup and the pictures. I actually brought a photographer from home and again was a little concerned about what would happen if they found out and tried to make us pay the vendor fee so I said nothing to no one, again the best advice I could offer. If you stay off their radar there will be no problem! I met with the photo center and they explained their packages to me and what was included in my wedding package. Going into this I had no idea how much the packages where but they actually are quite reasonable. The most expensive I think was $800 and that included quite a bit. None the less we said that we were only interested in what was included in our package and that was fine with them. After meeting with them I met with my photographer and simply told him to lay low, stay out of the way of the resort photographer let him do his thing and then we could do our own thing once he was done. The resort photographer only did the ceremony so it worked out fine and the pictures we got from him were really nice. I will say that they really do a great job and what pictures I got from them were beautiful, but I had preferred bringing someone with us so he could capture our whole week and all the little extras. One thing that I was really shocked about was the cost of the pictures above what was included in your package. Obviously when we went to look at our pictures they were all gorgeous and we had to pick only 15 (which is what comes with the Romance Pakcage). After agonizing we were able to get it down to 35 so we figured we would pay for 20 extra no big deal right, ya that is until we found out they want $11 US per picture to put on CD. We felt that was absolutely outrageous! We ended up cutting more and only paying for an additional 5 because we weren't sure what pictures of the actual ceremony our photographer got. I know I am skipping certain things but I am trying to go over just the most important stuff. We also rented the gazebo for a party after which was so worth it! We had been collecting shall we say bottles from the resort all week and had quite a stash going by the time the wedding came around. All I will say is that a little money can buy you a lot down there and if you meet the right people you will be VERY surprised as to what you can get. I will gladly private message you should you want more details. I mentioned to Vinette that if possible we would like to get some mixes and juices set up out there. Not only did she come thru and set up an amazing table with juices she also gave us some rum punch, cups and a cooler for ice. I can not say enough for Vinette, I couldn't believe how special she made me feel. I know there were at least 2 other wedding the day I got married yet she made me feel like I was the only one. I had brought some gifts from home for the wedding staff but also ended up giving a cash tip because of such an outstanding job that was done. There is so much more that I could go on about and I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions, just send me a message and ask away. Remember ladies, your in a tropical paradise and even if small things go wrong (because they always do) don't let it ruin your day! Everything is IRIE MON!!!!!! Hope I could be helpful and I hope all of you have the amazing dream wedding that I had. Oh sorry one more recommendation, if you are thinking of doing a second "honeymoon" week DO IT. It was the best decision that we made. The wedding week was so busy and crazy and without our second week I probably wouldn't have felt like I got much of a vacation. Good Luck Ladies!!!!!

So excited and stressed!!!! We leave in 4 days!!!!! Can't wait to get there.

Quote: Originally Posted by MelB2012 Yea we do! I would suggest maybe Monday or Tuesday night? So Nov 11th or 12th for a drink or something? The 10th I've trying to put together a "welcome dinner", and it's my brother's 19th birthday. And the 13th we're doing a catamaran excursion... and then it's our weddings, so.... Thos are the dates I suggest. "Where" is another story... Lol. At a bar.... somewhere? I've never been to the resort. Haha. The Monday night would probably work for me as long as we did it around 8ish, because we are doing a group trip that day and will be off resort. I would suggest we meet in the lobby and pick a bar from there and go together. They should have a lobby bar would be my guess but we can figure it out then. What does everyone else thing about that?

We all need to set up a time and place to meet when we are at the resort. Anyone have any suggestions?

OMG girls!!!!!! 3 weeks :)

Quote: Originally Posted by bentley2009 Were having our hair done too an my friends hubby whose coming is doing our pics (he's a photographer). We definitely should get together for a drink while we're there! My names Christie btw We booked the royal golden club rooms for our stay, which area of the hotel are you in? If you'd like, Feel free to friend me on Facebook, I'm the only Christie Alicia on there! Christie, I added you! I am Dena Fleming Fortin on Facebook! We just booked the regular rooms because we are blowing our budget with the honeymoon. We are heading out to Negril for our second week to the Sandals resort.

Well we went last night and paid our balance at the travel agent!!!! That sucked but it is all getting so real now. I had my shower on the past weekend and got totally spoiled. Oh a good note fiancés birth certificate came in already so I just need to go get everything notarized and will probably have it sent out by the beginning of next week.

Quote: Originally Posted by bentley2009 Very nice! We're out around 8:30 I think. Are you having your hair done by the resort and what are you doing for photography? I am having my hair done by Raschel Edwards (I have her booked for all the wedding party). My "cousin" is doing our pictures, or that's what the resort will think lol. I felt better bringing someone with us and found it a lot cheaper. What are you doing. I definitely think we all need to meet for a drink!

Quote: Originally Posted by bentley2009 Ours is at 12 and we booked dolce via for dinner. What time is yours and where are you doing dinner? We're from Toronto area, where are you from? We are getting married at 4 and I think we are at Dolce Vita for dinner at 6 ( I think). We have rented the gazebo that night to have a party too! I am in St Catharines but we are flying out of Toronto, what time are your flights. We are flying Air Canada and we depart at 9:20 am I think.

Quote: Originally Posted by staceydale I will be traveling November 16th - 26th! Our wedding is on the 20th! How have you guy's found the planning? I have booked the Dolce Vita for the dinner and reception but that's about it. I'm getting nervous, because I feel like I have nothing done! Hi Staceydale, Its too bad we will miss you too! I am travelling the same week as MelB. Our group is heading home on the 16th but we are off to another resort in Negril! I have to admit ladies I am having a slight meltdown because I didn't realize that I had to physically send notarized copies of our documents to the hotel. I thought they could be send by email and we could bring the originals with us. UGH! After discovering this my fiancé tells me that his birth certificate is damaged and probably not acceptable. I should have checked this myself when I originally asked him about it months ago but I mistakenly thought he had it under control lol!!!! We end up having to rush order his new one which is $65 and are currently waiting for it. I have sent an email to the wedding coordinators at the resort because I have looked into shipping the documents and everyone says they have to have a physical address not the PO Box that I have. SO.....if anyone knows the physical address that I send my documents I would really appreciate getting it as you will likely respond quicker than the resort. Boy I need a Bob Marley shot for sure!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by bentley2009 I know it feels almost too easy lol! We have everything sent in so now just time to wait! Where are you from and how many are travelling with you? We have a small group of 12 Hey Bentley2009, We are getting married on the same day down there!!! What time is your ceremony? We have about 30 people in our group so its really great.

Quote: Originally Posted by MelB2012 ERMAGAWD! We leave for our wedding 60 days from today! It doesn't even seem real. I feel like I have most things done, and yet SO MUCH to do. Eek! DENA!? Can you believe it? I know Mel!!! I am slightly starting to freak out. I am in the midst of finalizing the rooming list with the travel agent and getting the final balance taken care of, that sucks

What a great idea Mel! I think meeting at the resort would be great. We are travelling the same week as MelB2012 November 9-16th. So exciting!!!