lild428

I tried this route but the photog I really wanted was willing to go but wanted a crazy amount of money plus all expenses paid. I don't think he quite realized how much a Sandals resort costs - even for just one night. It wouldn't have been a "vacation" for him since he would not be bringing his family. So I'm just getting a very cheap Sandals photographer package - digital only for like $600 something - I can always add more photos if I like them. Plus, we have our family and friends who can take photos. I used to be obsessed with the photo thing, but it just stressed me out so I decided not to worry. If I need to come back home and get dressed back up for those "must have" shots, I can hire a photog home for way cheaper than usual since it would only be a couple hour photoshoot

Hey I'm getting married at Grande Riviera on Nov. 4th and we have almost the same number of people going. 18 including us. I'm also doing the ceremony at 3pm and am requesting the sit down reception at 5pm since that's closest to dinner time. That will allow time for pictures, etc. I'm also having my ceremony and my reception in different areas of the resort. So we have the free cocktail hour so we're paying $57 per person for the reception dinner (total of 3 hours, and open bar for the whole time, even the free cocktail hour.. that's $12pp so that's why it's $45 + $12 = $57pp). Also adding a DJ for 3 hours. I'm still deciding on the menu. I hate having to decide on ONE choice for each course. I also do not like any of the appetizer options lol so I'm trying to get some more options -- my wedding planner (here, not from Sandals) said that once you get to the resort you have some flexibility with the menu -- more than you do with the WC you are assigned from Sandals.

hey congrats! did you mean 2015?

Thanks - I did email one of them for their prices and one of their first questions was "where are you getting married?" I said I'm not sure yet lol and I'm still waiting on a price list. I mean honestly, some of the differences between what the photog charges and what Sandals charges for them are close if not more than what it would cost to pay for 3 nights lol

We just opted for the Beachfront concierge room in the Riviera building.. I like oceanview So I asked my wedding planner what the prices were for the "partner" photographers and was BLOWN AWAY. For 4 hours of shooting and UP TO 200 edited images on a CD... Anywheres from $2,800 to $4,250!! Holy crap..

thanks. and yea, we're locked into sandals. we (and all the guests) put a deposit down for the week. i really like it there so i do want to stick with it.. just makes it hard with photography.

We thought of eloping too.. but we have 10 other people in addition to us going..

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! So I'm torn on what to do about photos.. I skyped with a local photographer I'd love to bring to my wedding, but the $$ he wants in addition to covering his expenses (flight, hotel stay) is just crazy He's really incredible, but I don't know if I want to swing it or not. I wasn't exactly prepared for that quote. He inquired about coming/leaving the same day but I really don't think that will work - not only with flights but also with the resort. He'd be willing to stay 1 night - but Sandals charges and arm and a leg for one night! He does leave behind his wife and 4 kids, so I guess I can see how this wouldn't be a fun awesome vacation for him, even though it is Jamaica. I thought by paying his flights and stay for 3-4 nights that'd be great - or maybe even a little bonus, but not quite what he was asking for. Any suggestions?? I just can't see myself trying to pick out photos at the photo shop and hoping I'm satisfied with them. What if I hate them all? I can't redo my wedding...

Exactly!!!! That's why I'm hoping my photographer here will be willing to come along with us lol That way for the same price I'd probably spend with Sandals I can have way more photos and they'll be edited too. We talk on Monday about it.

That's really weird.. right in the Sandals wedding packet it lists the photography options.. I think the lowest package is called "Simply Romantic" and it's $1,200 and it comes with 42 photos (36 5x7's, 6 8x10's and a photo album of purchased photos and all 42 photos on a disc). I spoke to my wedding planner last Thursday and that was the cheapest package offered. $1,200. It blows my mind. And I might HATE the photos. Or even worse, spend hours trying to pick out 42 out of the 200+ photos they probably take. I'll have to ask about having outside photographer if the photographer I know locally can't come. Do you know who you spoke to that quoted you those prices?

ahhh what a nightmare!!! i think it might be more than $200 to bring an outside photographer in.. i might be mistaken but i thought it was at least 3 nights charge. it's really crappy they charge a minimum of $1,200 for the photo packages... and that only includes 42 photos!

No offense, but you've been posting this same response anytime anyone asks about photography. And you also direct messaged me on this website with the same info. Will you get something from The Memory Factory if you get people to use their services or what's the deal..?

Thanks for the info. The reason I ask is I might be paying for a photographer from my area to stay at the resort for a few days and shoot the wedding. I was having a hard time paying $1,200+ for Sandals photography and not even sure if I will like the photos, or worse, having to spend time on my honeymoon deciding what photos to buy or not buy. If anyone has done this before, did you pay for the room and flight for them in exchange for photos? Or room and flight plus extra money for photos? This particular guy is SO well known in my area, has done hundreds of weddings, but has yet to do a destination wedding as far away as Jamaica, so it's new to the both of us lol That's awesome! Having a family photographer is such an awesome perk!

Good to know... thanks for your response!

Hi, Have any of you had a guest attend your wedding who also happened to be a professional photographer? Was Sandals cool with it since they were a paid guest of at least 3 nights? Thanks for any stories on your experiences!

I'm also getting married in November, but in Jamaica at a Sandals. Anyways, a ton of our family/friends won't be able to go, so my future mother-in-law suggested we do like a "Jack and Jill" party before we leave. Something that won't hurt the bank account... BBQ-ish. We haven't done anything about it yet either lol so don't think you're alone. I think it'd be worth putting together though.. I'm not having a bridal shower. We already have been living together in a house for over 3 years so it's kind of silly to have a party just to ask for things I don't need. I could, of course, when doing the Jack and Jill, make a Sandals registry or just politely ask for gift cards to Target, etc. since we're already established. I also live in the Northeast, upstate NY, so right before or after the wedding isn't feasible for an outside type thing. My future mother in law has a decent backyard and we know people who can provide tents/tables/chairs. We could just do some chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and some side salad stuff. Or maybe using a restaurant's catering would be cheaper - we'd have to price it out. It probably would be cheaper doing something at home than at a restaurant..? Not sure. Septemberish would still be nice outside I would think..

There's lot of gardens to explore. And on the manor side, they could walk around up to the butler suites to explore... it's a pretty big complex..

You sound exactly like me!! Yeah the beach is small, but if that's super important to people, they could always spend a couple nights at Grande Riviera for the wedding and then a couple nights at, say, Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay (near the airport anyways so it's not like it's out of the way). I might suggest that to my parents who will be visiting outside the US for the very first time. Might give them the "full" experience.

When we were there, we only saw the Riviera side. We hung out at the beach, did some paddleboarding, ate at the Beach Bistro and the pizzeria up near the Riviera pool, saw the Ochi Pool, walked the gardens. The floatie mat (the cement pad that's anchored in the water) was awesome and it was so nice to sunbathe on it haha Music was pumpin out of Jamie's Sports Bar, and the staff was having a blast with everyone. I was not happy we had to go I wanted to stay and explore. My wedding planner is a certified Sandals specialist and she recommended either the Reef terrace gazebo or the Overlook Treehouse (http://cdn.sandals.com/sandals/v11/slideshows/resorts/sgo/media/large/slide-19.jpg) for the ceremony. We didn't see the Treehouse but it looks very pretty! I know Grande Riviera is a little far from the airport, but it seems like it has something for everyone and no one is on top of one another unless you want to be. There's 15!! restaurants which is crazy.

Not sure when my first call with wedding planner will be.. probably not for a little bit - we just officially booked our room yesterday. I was thinking of booking the cheapest photo package and then go from there. It's not like they're not going to let you buy more pictures lol It was funny.. we went there off a cruise in December '13 (you can buy day passes) and while in the water with my fiancé, a photographer came over and started snapping pictures of us. We're like "we're not guests here!!" haha the guy taking the pics was super friendly and funny so I would imagine if you just told them what you're looking for, you can end up with some nice photos. Of course, your guests will most likely have digital cameras with them too. Just an option - you could always dress up in your dress at home after you return and snap some great photos with a local photographer in case you aren't thrilled or want a special pose done... certainly would be cheaper too! I'm in the middle of creating a website on theknot.com. I started it before we got our booking number for Sandals. I'm putting all these pictures on there to try to entice people to go lol. 14 people is pretty good! I know our parents will go, but other than that, I think at least 2-5 other couples would go. I know most people do not have the time or money to go, and that's okay with us. We just had to do what we wanted to do! Bring on Jamaica!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the $50 credit... I do have some time though lol Are you adding a photo package or no? Do you have a lot of guests? I'm thinking of making a wedding website and putting all the info out there. If you want to come, cool. If not, oh well!

I'm a little late to this thread, but please post a review or something and let me know how your experience was - I'm getting married at the same resort in November 2014.

Congrats to you too! Have you chosen the location you're getting married at? I'm planning on the Reef Terrace Gazebo since it overlooks the ocean. I was thinking the beach area is a little small and you can't really prevent people from walking by.

Hi all - I'm new here. I just placed a deposit on a week at Sandals Grande Riviera, November 1st through the 8th, with my wedding on November 4th. I was wondering if there are any SGR brides out there and what your experiences were. I'm just going to to the free package, Beautiful Beginnings. I'd say we'll have about 10-20 guests there.