MrsViolo

Quote: Originally Posted by Bonnie Hello I was just wondering if anyone has seen the actual chairs they use for the ceremony? I was told there black banquet chairs, I was hoping for the plain wood ones. In the video they had the wood chairs but not sure if they rented them from an outside company or if there the resort chairs?? Your options are the black banquet chairs with the white chair covers which are included with the wedding package. OR The wooden chairs, which are an additional fee. I never asked what the fee was.

Quote: Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne Quote: Originally Posted by MrsViolo I was told if I had over 50 I would have to rent out the entire restaurant for $2500 OR rent out the Piscis for $1700. It kind of makes sense since with that many people you'll pretty much have the entire place to yourself anyway. I'm not a fan of all these different quotes for prices either! I'm renting out the Piscis for $1700 in January. I was tempted to call when I saw all these posts about it being $2500 but I'm not going to. I'm printing out all my emails with the original prices I was quoted and bringing that down. There's no way they're going to get another $800 from me when I get there. I miss Chandlyn Funny how they tell me 40 people and you were told 50 people... they really aren't consistent. I wanted to rent out the Piscis originally and they told me I didn't have enough people, and now the Piscis is rented out by another bride. Is Chandlyn not there anymore? Is Donna Lee still there? Chandlyn left a few months ago to start her own wedding planning business. I get emails from her every now and then advertising her services. I'm not sure about Donna Lee.

Quote: Originally Posted by tram13 Quote: Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne Quote: Originally Posted by tram13 Quick question for past 2013 brides...has anyone used the "free" package? What did you pay for minister fees? The package I was sent by Stephany earlier in the year states that the minister fees are $200. However, I got a phone call a few weekends ago from a Kalfani - I guess he is in the wedding department - and he said that it has always been $250. Apparently the price for 2014 brides is $250, but I was told I am not eligible for any of the 2014 packages since I am getting married in 2013. Oh the confusion ensues... I am getting married Dec 2013 and just checked my documents. It says $250 for the minister fees and I would have received this information in Mar 2013. I was told on Friday that if I have over 40 people then I have to pay to have the Dolce Vita as a private venue. Has anyone encountered this? So far I have 37 people coming and I may have another 5 more but they haven't RSVP'ed. Seems crazy that I would have to inconvenience so many guests to shut down the Dolce Vita when I am only 2 people over the limit. Not to mention there aren't any limits written on any of the documents sent to me. I hate to say it...but I really think that they are trying to gouge us for more money. In the same phone conversation with Kalfani, he told me that to rent out the Piscis, it was now $2500. I told him that I was always told $1700. And after I said that, he was like, okay $1700 then. I think they are looking for anyway possible to make more money off their weddings. I think I continue to grow more and more disillusioned by them and this whole process... I was told if I had over 50 I would have to rent out the entire restaurant for $2500 OR rent out the Piscis for $1700. It kind of makes sense since with that many people you'll pretty much have the entire place to yourself anyway. I'm not a fan of all these different quotes for prices either! I'm renting out the Piscis for $1700 in January. I was tempted to call when I saw all these posts about it being $2500 but I'm not going to. I'm printing out all my emails with the original prices I was quoted and bringing that down. There's no way they're going to get another $800 from me when I get there. I miss Chandlyn

Here's another picture I found. I don't think this picture includes much upgraded decoration either (just the chair sashes)

A friend of mine is at a wedding right now at this resort, she posted a couple of pictures on facebook. It doesn't look like they added any decorations or upgraded. It looks great as it (maybe a bit dark but that could be the photo). I've attached one picture of the head table. The other picture had the bride and my friend in it. I didn't want to post it on here without permission, specially since the bride may be a part of this forum.

Quote: Originally Posted by CdnBrideJoanne Quote: Originally Posted by CristalyneAnkit Hey FutureKeese22, Your review is super helpful! I'm getting married May 24th, 2014 and am beginning to plan my big Indian wedding which seems to be at a standstill since I'm not hearing back from anyone unless I call them directly. Even then I just keep getting the run around and not real answer, just "We're discussing with management" I'm not to worried since most Brides on here said everything went smoothly but I'm still a little concerned since Indian Ceremonies are quite different than Christian Ceremonies and I'm hoping they understand that and can get everything done the way I need. Anyways, I'm wondering how you bagged the free upgrades for your guests! My agent told me for Don Pablo it's an extra $75/person. I'm also wondering if the $800 Vendor Fee got waived for you because you were in the Don Pablo Section? When I spoke to the planners over the phone and asked the difference between Don Pablo they basically said it was a resort within a resort. Any ideas? Thanks so much! My agent (Marlin Travel) told me we can't upgrade to Don Pablo because Transat considers it a different resort. I thought that was very strange. I also can't get an answer from the wedding coordinators at the moment. Very frustrating. I wish Stephanie was still there. We booked through Marlin Travel (Transat). We're paying for the Royal Section and getting the new package that upgrades the Bride and Groom and the parents. The wedding coordinator confirmed when I asked, that since we booked the Royal section we would be upgraded to the Don Pablo section. We don't have to pay an extra $75 per guest since the room upgrade for us is included in the package and we didn't book that section. None of our guests, other than our parents will be staying in that section.

Quote: Originally Posted by MelB2012 Hey Ladies. Only a a couple months left to go until I leave for my wedding. Holy Cow! I have a *personal* questions to ask, maybe more for the brides who've already married in Jamaica. So, I feel like it's going to be hot there, right? And I'm going to be wearing a full wedding dress.... And probably sweat, under my gown, right? What have you ladies done to prevent or reduce sweating/chaffing? (What!? So, I don't have a gap between my thighs... I know I'm not alone here!) I'm worried about my wedding night Ladies!?!? Anyone relate? I love that you asked this question! I had the same suggestions as the others, the racing stuff and baby powder. A friend of mine got married this weekend (in Ontario, but it was hot enough). She said she rubbed deodorant all over her legs and it worked amazing and lasted all day and night!

Just noticed I'm getting married the same day as you! At the grand Bahia Principe but in Jamaica! I'm waiting until October-ish to order our suits. I'm thinking my FI will shed a few pounds between now and then.

What colour is the top suit in this post?

HI Ladies, Has anyone purchased a garment bag for their dress to bring on the plane? I can't find one anywhere. I bought my dress from a Discount Bridal Store off the rack and it was packaged in a white garbage bag looking thing. I'd rather something nicer and a little bit more durable and safe for the plane. Any ideas?

Here's an even better deal on sky lanterns. $16 for 10. http://www.maddeal.com/Canada/Canada/Canada/?did=8832&rsid=12

Hi ladies, There's a deal on right now for sky lanterns. 10 for $22 cdn. Is this actually a good deal? Have people gotten them for much less elsewhere? http://www.dealathons.com/cad/?city=306&cid=49&id=3900&ref=1153&data=9937056

Where are you planning to have your reception? I'm having mine at the Piscis outdoors which is an extra 1700$ on top of the package apparently. I agree with you, I like the open bar and cocktail hour and the guaranteed upgrade (my parents will be very happy with that) I'm doing the Piscis too! I think it's a beautiful setting. AND it includes the DJ for four hours unlike the other resturants. My mom actually called to speak with Someone a couple weeks ago. If you have Over 50 guests who HAVE to pay for a private dinner and the Piscis is cheaper than the private dinner at one of the restaurants. So it was an easy decision. 211 more days..... I feel like a kid on a long car drive, "are we there yet? Are we there yet".

The new packages are out!! I've been waiting for those. Anyway you can email them to me? or post them on this page. It will probably be faster than trying to get a hold of Chandlyn.

C Chris Lee is still at te resort. I've friended him on Facebook and am keep track of his work. The photos on the Arrecrife Facebook page are good enough - and I'm pretty sure most of the ones I post are from Chris. When I see one I really like I usually ask her the photographer was. I've already booked Chris for my wedding day to be sure I get him. When I connected with him on Facebook he said he'd be happy to talk to me before my wedding day to get idea of the types of photos I'd like.

Apparently the wooden white or golden ones I've seen in pictures or extra $$$. So you're either getting the banquet chairs with the white chair covers for free. Or you can pay to add the colour sash (or bring your own) or you can pay for the "upgraded chairs". I'm not sure how much the ungraded chairs are.

I might see you there! We'll be at the resort from jan 11th to Jan 18th than off to our honeymoon spot (Secrets St James!). Our wedding is jan 15th.

I sent out soo many of those mass emails! They didn't really work until I found out our flight was sold out! Then we had a few people upgrade to club class seats so more people could fit on the plane. The prices have gone up a few hundred per person and I don't anticipate them going down. Trips to JA are usually around 2000 for January so I think out 1600 incl take for the golden section is pretty good. We had to do a lot of shopping around originally. I'd rather a lower rate to better flight times. FYI. If your flight sells out, no more free trips. That's the only thing that really bothered me. I know we'll have more than 52 people coming which would be 4 free trips but if they don't all take our flight they don't count. I am also dealing with Marlin Travel in Kitchener! Â I originally started with Flight Center, but that TA was EVEN WORSE if you can believe it!! Â We have the same deal as you but we are paying $1607 with tax for the Royal Golden. I looked up the rates and flight times when I heard that the flight times were out and pretty bad, and the price on my travel date is now up to $1900-something with taxes so I am somewhat happy about my rate but I know that I have lots of people who are waiting for a cheaper rate to come out later on and are not going with our group rate...Not sure if I should send out a mass e-mail and let them know that the price is much higher than what we have now, and we still have the option to change it if it drops.Â

Yep! Just heard about the crappy flight times too. We think it will only be a huge problem for our guests with kiddoes and our older guests (my FI's grandmother is coming and she's 87). The travel agent emailed the resort to ask about late checkout. Here's the response: "Dear Ms St Croix Receive cordial greetings from Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica. We would like to acknowledge that we have received your e-mail concerning the future stay of our mutual clients in our property. Please kindly note that unfortunately we are unable to confirm late check-out as requested at this time. Late check-out is depending on the availability on the day of their departure. If their room is available to do the late check-out , its at an extra cost of US$ 10 ,per hour. Should in case their room is not available. We do have a hospitality room that is equipped with showers and changing rooms and that is free of cost. Looking forward to hosting them in our property" I'm concerned the rooms won't be available since January is a busy time. If there are rooms available we'll probably cover the cost for a few of our guests to have later checkouts. Everyone else should be fine with the courtesy room. Sucks that we arrive so late but I'm happy to get to stay the entire last day.