HopeToBe

For the girls who have used (or will be using) Rashel Edwards from Chasity Artistry, can you pls advise how much she is charging you, if you don't mind sharing? I am being quoted $270 for air brush make up, lashes, and hair plus her travel. Each bridesmaid is an addition $70... Seems like quite a lot to me! ... Or is it best to just stick with the resort's make up artists/ hair salon? Any feedback on the quality of the job the resort does? ... Rashel's work just seems to be really good from what ive seen/read. Torn!

We used Merrick Cousley and we were so happy with the results I believe the resort photographer changed right after my wedding in January 2012.  Also, take note, the resort photography store has multiple photographers, probably 5 or so, so each one may be different in talent.  I suppose if you were considering using the resort photographers you could ask for samples of each photographers work to compare them. I don't think there is a 'best' restraurant to have your dinner at, but if you are looking for meat and veg I would say the Grill.  We had our supper at the Grill and the food was amazing. They are also really good accomdating food concers as my mom has a severe dairy allergy and they were able to make seperate plates for her. I beleive the suppers start at 6pm at the earliest and I'm sure if there is just the two of you you could probably do a private dinner, I would ask the planners. We booked our excursions once we got to the resort.

Rashel Edwards quoted me 70 for hair and 70 for make up and 100 for travel.  I'm not getting married until Jan 2014 and she cautioned me to book quickly since she's already booking into 2014. If you're getting married in March you may want to check with her ASAP to see if she's available on your date. 

Hi Soon2BAMrs, My husband and I got married there last May at 11am. I can tell you it was very rushed! My hair appointment was made for 8:30 however when I arrived at 8:15 I read on the sign that they did not open until 9 am. I began to panic as I was supposed to be back in my room to change in time for the photographer who was arriving to take pictures for 10:30, be down at the lobby for 10:45 and then to the Gazebo for the ceremony at 11:00.  My hair and make-up wasn't finished until 10:30. I ran back to the room to find the photographer had been waiting for me. I had to rush to take some before pictures and then throw the dress on and take some more pictures, etc. By the time we got down to the lobby it was past 11:00 and I was in a panic because I was late. So, essentially I was like 20-30 mins late for the ceremony! In the rush of things I forgot to apply sun screen and ended up with 2nd degree burns on my shoulders! The ceremony turned out beautiful though! It was more than I could have imagined. After the ceremony, which is only about 10 - 15 mins, we celebrated with a champagne toast. We then took some group photos with our guests followed by a shoot with me and my new husband only. During this time our guests went off and did their own thing. The blank part is the part in between your photos and your dinner. Our dinner was at around 6 or 7 that evening so we had the rest of the day, I would say from 1 pm till 6 or 7 to do whatever you wish.  I hope this helps some and answers some of the unknown. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to enjoy and take in every moment. It happens so fast! My only regret is that I wish I would have had more time to enjoy it. Congratulations to the two of you - I am sure it will be everything you imagined!

Hi Soon2BAMrs, My husband and I got married there last May at 11am. I can tell you it was very rushed! My hair appointment was made for 8:30 however when I arrived at 8:15 I read on the sign that they did not open until 9 am. I began to panic as I was supposed to be back in my room to change in time for the photographer who was arriving to take pictures for 10:30, be down at the lobby for 10:45 and then to the Gazebo for the ceremony at 11:00.  My hair and make-up wasn't finished until 10:30. I ran back to the room to find the photographer had been waiting for me. I had to rush to take some before pictures and then throw the dress on and take some more pictures, etc. By the time we got down to the lobby it was past 11:00 and I was in a panic because I was late. So, essentially I was like 20-30 mins late for the ceremony! In the rush of things I forgot to apply sun screen and ended up with 2nd degree burns on my shoulders! The ceremony turned out beautiful though! It was more than I could have imagined. After the ceremony, which is only about 10 - 15 mins, we celebrated with a champagne toast. We then took some group photos with our guests followed by a shoot with me and my new husband only. During this time our guests went off and did their own thing. The blank part is the part in between your photos and your dinner. Our dinner was at around 6 or 7 that evening so we had the rest of the day, I would say from 1 pm till 6 or 7 to do whatever you wish.  I hope this helps some and answers some of the unknown. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to enjoy and take in every moment. It happens so fast! My only regret is that I wish I would have had more time to enjoy it. Congratulations to the two of you - I am sure it will be everything you imagined!

I'm booking the steel drums for the ceremony and then hoping we can get a spot reserved for us at the buffet for lunch.  We want to take everyone on a snorkelling tour for the afternoon, then dinner at 6:30.  I did book the gazebo afterwards but now am thinking that we can all just head to the lobby bar or whatever.  I'll decide when I'm there and if they'll supply us with rum punch or booze to bring to the gazebo as paying $20pp/hr for the bartender is ridiculously expensive.  I'm not hiring a photographer so we will save money that way.  This is a 2nd marriage for both of us so we want to keep it fairly simple but still appreciate everyone has spent a lot of money to come to Jamaica with us so we want everyone to have a great day.

I just want to make sure I can bring sky lanterns and sparklers in a suitcase (to be stored under the plane) and I don't have to worry about anything right? I would rather not ship to Jamaica.

All right, thank you! Another option that we decided to do is buy our own liquor and bring it onto the resort. She said a corkage fee of $15 US per bottle will apply. I don't mind doing this, as it is way cheaper than spending almost $20US pp/per hour for a total of 4 hours. I'm expecting 60+ guests, so the price will add up.

Hi Staceydale, I was reading your post, not sure if this was answered but I called and spoke with Chandlyn yesterday. I am renting Piscis also. She told me that, that price includes restaurant for 4 hours DJ for 4 hours cake cutting if you want it there However, when I asked her about drinks she told me that the guests will have the option to have pop, beer and wine all night and that if I wanted something more than that then we could contract a bar. She did not tell me that drinks stopped after two hours. As you probably know Piscis is the beach bar so they have a bar there, the other thing she told me is that our guest could just go and get whatever they wanted at a bar??? Contracting a bar service fee in the "additional Fees" states the price is 20 per person per hour, she also told me this price     However it would be very upsetting if we contracted a bar for our guests and they only had to walk a few feet to get a drink like on the other side of the bar... LOL    Don't forget that the rental of Piscis has a fee + 10% tax and if you want a bar it is fee + 17.5% tax If you have found any different information from your reaseach or other brides that have had a wedding please let me know.

Thank you for this info. I had no idea! I love this site The cheap cost for the gazebo /DJ is ONLY if you do the semi-private dinner... Which means you will be eating with the general public. Semi-private is not private at all. Hence the expensive cost of $1700 for your own private, separate, dinner venue...hope everyone is aware of the difference in private vs. semi-private. I personally don't want to be eating my nice, fancy, relatively formal, celebratory dinner with every other guest at the hotel

WOW! Where is THAT? I could only assume that is to book a building/space that would otherwise be used... I also have booked the "dancing area"... which is actually the GAZEBO we get married at... and the DJ for 2 hours for $500. I'm curious WHERE in the resort you have been quoted. I would assume for that price, it's like the resort Lobby or something...

Ya Julia, that is awesome you got your day! so what days are you going? we are March 5-12 and then going to negril 12-19. we haven't booked our hotel for the 2nd week yet, waiting for rates to go down a little more i think. Beverly has been fantastic to deal with directly, except sometimes she won't eamil me for a couple weeks, like right now, i've been waiting for a few days, but i know she'll get back to me. it's weird you deal through your TA. what travel company did you use? i used selloffvacations actually! the actual wedding i'm not doing much planning, i don't want to stress the day of. working on finding a photographer right now and planning the 2 events that we are having for the guests so they get to kow each other. it's gonna be fun! but ya the day of, just going to be simple. wedding in the gazebo at 3:30 dinner from 6:30-8:30 then from 9-11 we are renting the gazebo and beach area with a DJ for only $500! cheap! dancing barefoot in the sand is what i wanted! how's yoru planning going?

Hi Everyone,

In a bit of a Catch22 over here and was hoping to get some insights/feedback regarding DW invitations.

On the one hand, sending invites out 12+ months in advance is deemed "too early", but on the other hand, we need to get RSVP's from everyone in the next few weeks since, for those whom RSVP, their deposit will be due this June. 

Is it tacky / odd to send a Response Card with the Save the Date?

OR

Is it tacky / odd to send the Save the Date with the formal invite?

So confused on the best way to go about this!  Pls help!

Hey ladies...I'll be getting married in January 2014...and I cant wait! Thanks again everyone for all the helpfull advice...this site has made the planning process so much smoother I have rented the Gazebo and DJ for the after dinner party/dance. Can anyone tell me if this is the same gazebo that you get married in? As well, does the resort set up any decorations, lighting in the gazebo? Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

We are considering getting married at this resort next May 2014 but am having trouble first getting estimated costs for all the "extras" that would be required:  upgraded wedding package, cost for a private dinner/reception site, cost for a DJ for the private dinner/reception site, if there is a cost for a bit of a customized menu...

I'm assuming most of you have upgraded the wedding package and ensured a private venue for your dinner/dancing, so was hoping you might be able to give me a ball park on the extra costs?

Also, if you did do a private dinner/reception area, what area/restaurant did you use?  I understand their is an open-air garden restaurant we could rent out for the night, or something by the pool or beach?

Lastly, did you most of you bring in your own music/decor?

Much appreciated if you could pls shed some light!!

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

We are considering getting married at this resort next May 2014 but am having trouble first getting estimated costs for all the "extras" that would be required:  upgraded wedding package, cost for a private dinner/reception site, cost for a DJ for the private dinner/reception site, if there is a cost for a bit of a customized menu...

Has anyone done any of this for their wedding, and if so, was hoping you might be able to give me a ball park on the extra costs?

Also, if you did do a private dinner/reception area, what area/restaurant did you use?  I understand their is an open-air garden restaurant we could rent out for the night, or something by the pool or beach?

Muuuuch appreciated if you could pls shed some light!

Thanks!