Alternative to Resort Weddings!

Hi everyone, I wanted to create a section on alternatives to on-site weddings. Everyone, including me at the time, thinks that they can only get married at the hotel. But guess what! You don't have to. Now don't get me wrong, resort weddings are beautiful, but for those of us that find a DREAM destination off-site there is hope! The costs are totally comparable (even cheaper for some options) and you get to have your day your way. Which is really what we all want isn't it! 

For me I decided that I did not want a 'traditional' resort wedding and instead I wanted to hold my wedding at a nearby location the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course at the historic Aqueduct location. I had seen other brides get married here and I really wanted to have it for my special day. To do so was a bit more difficult as I had to hire an outside wedding planner and I choose Almarie from Tropical Weddings Jamaica due to good reviews online. Let me just stop for a minute to say she is nothing short of AMAZING. In the land of 'island time' she would respond to my emails within hours, answering each question well and with detail. She organized every aspect of the ceremony from transportation of the guests from the hotel to the site, to flowers, chair/ties, steel drum band, decor, officiant, everything. It was truly perfect and Almarie was such a great wedding planner! 

I really can't say enough about the company. They offer tons of other venues by waterfalls, on rolling mountains, on a private beach (with no spectators), etc. Almarie is a sweetheart too!

If you have any questions let me know. Almarie and I became quite close and we are still in touch so if you are planning to use her let me know and I will see if she will give you a discount!

Alamarie

Hi Princess J,  It is so nice to see that you are still on the forum after your wedding. I think this thread is a great idea and I'm sure a lot of brides will benefit from this thread. I was just wondering if you knew if people could just get pictures done at these ruins? I would love to get some pictures there! if you could help with any information that would be awesome! Thank you!

I asked about that when I was planning my wedding and I think that you can but it depends on if another wedding is happening or if there is any golf events booked (e.g. tournaments) as they would get priority. The also re-route the golf when you get married here so not sure if it would be AS private if you just went for pictures. I found the golf course staff not as helpful, they never returned my emails, so I had the wedding planner book it without a problem.

 

Originally Posted by exquisite02 

Hi Princess J,  It is so nice to see that you are still on the forum after your wedding. I think this thread is a great idea and I'm sure a lot of brides will benefit from this thread. I was just wondering if you knew if people could just get pictures done at these ruins? I would love to get some pictures there! if you could help with any information that would be awesome! Thank you!

I'm getting married off site, at the Catholic Church in Negril. Reception will be at Lingah by the Sea Restaurant. I've got the reception stuff covered including a DJ but I need to provide transportation for my guests from the resort to the church and then from the church to the restaurant and then, of course, back to the resort(s) again. I decided to do a non resort wedding so that my guests could stay where they want to stay. So far things have gone well, Sonia from Lingah has been very helpful with recommendations and even contacting some of the vendors. Still feel like there are loose ends and don't know if I want / need a wedding planner. Any advice? Recommendations? Thanks!

If you stay at Hilton Rose Hall having the wedding at the Aqueducts is a package option. You could also look at Rose Hall, the estate property, as an alternate location. It's a beautiful colonial style mansion. Also, Johnny Cash had an estate near there that you can rent for wedding and/or reception. 

There is also a popular place in Montego Bay.  It's a great house called Bellefield.  Gorgeous property  

If your pre-wedding planning is going well and you have most of your vendors, perhaps you can just hire a wedding planner for the day of the wedding. I've already hired a wedding planner for pre-wedding and day of wedding -- but I could have done all the pre-wedding planning myself as she hasn't done much work at all.

Originally Posted by WeddingMay 

I'm getting married off site, at the Catholic Church in Negril. Reception will be at Lingah by the Sea Restaurant. I've got the reception stuff covered including a DJ but I need to provide transportation for my guests from the resort to the church and then from the church to the restaurant and then, of course, back to the resort(s) again. I decided to do a non resort wedding so that my guests could stay where they want to stay. So far things have gone well, Sonia from Lingah has been very helpful with recommendations and even contacting some of the vendors. Still feel like there are loose ends and don't know if I want / need a wedding planner. Any advice? Recommendations? Thanks!

Hey Redginger...I don't know why I didn't think of that. Great idea! Thanks!

Bellfield Great House is also another lovely location in Montego Bay for weddings off the resort.  Here is the link:  http://www.bellefieldgreathouse.com/

Hi!

Thanks for your post! Congratulations!! What a beautiful wedding. I was wondering where you had your reception, and also if you don't mind sharing, how much you ended up spending on the wedding? I really would like to get married here and was just wondering if it fits my budget. Thanks!