Any non-resort Jamaica brides?

[FLgator]

We are toying with the idea of getting married in port(Ocho Rios) while on a cruise. After going through the 19 pages of Jamaica threads, I found maybe one post talking about using a WC other than an AI resort. I believe that most resorts allow you to buy day passes, even so that is a cost we are not wanting to deal with. I know cruiselines have their own WC, but through other forums I have heard horrible reviews, so that is not an option either. Basically, We want to get married on the beach or overlooking the beach and then have a small cocktail/lunch at a beach restaurant (preferably), and I would like a steel drum band. Is this too much to ask!? The only restaurants that I can find that would work for this are in resorts. So, has anyone done something similiar or can you recommend a WC or restaurant you heard about outside of the resorts? Remember, since we will be on a cruise, we will be a little strapped for time...meaning we can't venture too far from port. Please any advice would help!

[JUSTUSTWO]

The only restaurant that I know of is Evita's. A few BDW have used it & loved it. MoWife got married at Riu but had her reception at Evita's. Here are a few links & MoWife's review.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t14428

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t13794

 

I'm not too sure tho how far it is from the port but I'm sure that you can find out.

[driftaway]

I'm staying at Sandals Ocho Rios, but will be getting married off site. I went through a wedding planner from Ocho Rios, Almarie Her web site is

 

Tropical Weddings Jamaica -Ocho Rios ~Montego Bay~ Cruiseship Weddings in Private Locations

 

I leave in 2 weeks. So far everything has been going great. She seems organized. I'm getting married at the Tropical Grande Oceanfront. It is about a 45min drive out of Ocho Rios.

 

Don't know if this helps!

[FLgator]

Driftaway-

 

I have heard some good reviews about her, do you happen to have a price list from her?

 

Wow...2 weeks! You must be so excited, I hope you have a wonderful trip and wedding day. Please post a review when you get back!!

[driftaway]

She has wedding packages which cost different prices. However, I gave her the amount of people and my wish list/budget and worked from there. I started this about 6 months ago, and she came right on budget. However, I'll be honest, since then I've made it larger by adding on from the orginal, so we went over budget, but that is because I have no will power!! I'll pm you all the info.

[Kishalee]

I would recommend The Ruins Restaurant in Ocho Rios. Many members of my LARGE Jamaican family and extended family have married there and loved it. The setting is beautiful and you can see waterfalls, etc. I was going to have my wedding there, but it just worked out to be cheaper at the resort.

[SPRINGBRIDE]

I haven't been on here in a while, but I logged in today and noticed your post. I was married in May in Ocho Rios by way of cruise ship. I too didn't want to use the cruise ship wedding planners because they were expensive and inflexible. I used Almarie from Tropical Weddings Jamaica and we started with a base package and added from there to customize a package for me. If you go to her site she lists the standard package and she is very quick in responding. However, she will work to customize a package and work within your budget.

 

We got married in the morning. She arranged transportation for the guests, which was about 15 mins before they picked up me and the bridesmaids. I chose the beachfront location, about 10 minutes away. I think she can arrange a lunch/dinner. After the ceremony we let everyone choose what they wanted to do for a couple of hours. My husband and I went to lunch, joined by some others, while some went shopping or to Dunn's River Falls. We had a 2 hour private cocktail reception on the ship (which was fantastic!).

[FLgator]

Springbride--

 

Thanks for sharing, it is promising to hear another good review about her. For your beach wedding, did you have chairs and an arch? I too was thinking about just doing a reception that night on the ship to allow my guests to explore the island...do you mind me asking which cruiseline and what restaurant or bar you used?

 

Thanks!

 

Kishalee--

Thanks for letting me know about The Ruins, it looks beautiful... I will be checking into it more!

[SPRINGBRIDE]

We cruised with carnival. We had our reception in the piano lounge/bar (we had 30 guests). The service was awesome! The waiters were going around with drinks and taking drink orders so the guests didn't even have to go to a bar. We also paid for a piano player, and he would sing as well and take requests from the guests, he was a HUGE hit. We had him for an hour and used our Ipod for the other hour.

 

For our lunch that day, I don't remember the name of the restaurant we used. It was up on a hill over looking the ocean, with steps down the side of the cliff to a beach. I'll see if anyone can remember the name. We just asked the driver to recommend a place.

 

For the set-up I didn't use an arch, just chairs and pedestals (I guess that's what you'd call them). Here is the pic from our ceremony on Almarie's website.

 

Tropical Weddings Jamaica Gallery

 

Tropical Weddings Jamaica Gallery

 

I don't have any pictures here with me at work, but will post later. Fell free to PM me with specific questions.

[SPRINGBRIDE]

Sorry I didn't post those links correctly. Our setup is the one with the green chair tie backs and no arch.