atlantis

[ultimateme143]

Things are going well. Thank you for asking. I finalized my menu and lagistics with Atlantis. My planner is Carolyn, she is wonderful. However I am having an issue with the florist that Atlantis put me in contact with. Floral arts Bahamas. They do great work, but I feel like I am getting ripped off. Maybe I am asking for too much. But they are charging me almost $4000 for a 45 person wedding. I'm from NY and I have been to weddings for 200+ people that were beautiful for that price. I have requested quotes from other florists but I haven't heard back from them. Not sure what to do. But I am also starting to think that I might be going over board. Their just flowers and I am not being picky about which ones either. I just cared about the color. Should I really be spending $200 a centerpiece? $4 a napkin and $7 a water goblet? Not to mention $800 for an arbor that doesn't have any flowers, just chiffon draping. Oh and I forgot the 20% surcharge. I just dont know what to do. I almost wish someone would take it over and make the decision.

[britbre53]

Everything went better than expected. I will say if you have not finalized your contract, my planner was Tavares Clarke and he is amazing. It would not have went so well if it wasn't for him. If you do get him, please tell him that Shelly said hello and that I referred you to him. The weather was windy and I was hesitant to keep it outside, but Tavares convinced me that he thought it would be fine to keep it outside and am I glad that I did. The food was exceptional and the service was awesome. I never had an empty glass in my hand. We did the Ceremony, Coctail Hour and Reception all at the Royal Overlook. The way the Royal Overlook is set up is they actually were all in 3 different parts of the overlook, it was amazing. I will say that I don't think anyone ate the cake and if they did, they didn't eat much. I didn't get the traditional cake, I got one with Chocolate Covered Strawberries coming out of the top. The top layer a carrot cake and the bottom layer white cake. It was delicious. It was around $20pp. My photographer was Vincent Vaughn with Bahamas Wedding Images and Pyvonne with Merlin Productions. I absolutely loved them and would highly recommend both of them. For the Ceremony, I had a 1 piece steel pan player, it was pretty cool to add a touch of the Caribbean. Atlantis will get the DJ for you. My mom and I went last April for a site visit to meet with some vendors before we made a decision and there was an event going on at the beach. There was a DJ playing there named Stephen Bain who was phenominal. So, I did request him and was able to get him. He was great, I would definately recommend him if you are going for a DJ. As far as the flowers go, I used Floral Arts as well, there really wasn't much of an option. I too thought they were a little pricey at first and did cut my budget on flowers by almost half. My mom convinced me to cut back on flowers, because you are in the Bahamas and it is already beautiful enough. I had 6 aisle markers, 2 big Pedastal arrangements, Centerpieces for my Reception Tables and my bouquet was Callie Lillies with some roses. The bridesmaids/flowergirls were mini cala lillies. I thought to myself, I hope I made the right decision and I hope that it is worth the money. Well I can tell you that it was absolutely gorgeous and well worth the money. They did a spectacular job. I am glad that I cut back on the flowers, because it was beautiful, not overdone and it did not take away from the beauty of the towers in the background and the lagoon. I also just did standard chairs and linens- we used what Atlantis provided. Our ceremony started at 4:00 and our coctail hour was from 4:30 - 5:30 and our reception was from 5:30 - 9:30. It was beautiful at night, we got pictures of the day and night. Once I get the pictures back I can send you the link to view. I hope I have answered some of your questions, if anyone has any questions, Please feel free to ask away. If I had to do over, I would do it the exact same way. I am so happy we chose to renew our vows there, they truly did a wonderful job.

[duckkeisha]

Thanks for the great info and congratulations on what sounded like a beautiful wedding day. I would definietly like to see photos if you don't mind and I will be sure to keep the vendors you used in mind

[ultimateme143]

Thank you for all the info. I do have a couple a. I am having the reception at the royal overlook too. I have 5 tables and a sweetheart table. Is there enough room to dance? What was your favorit menu item or if you wouldn't mind your whole menu (I know that's a lot of info so I would understand). I too can not wait to see your pictures. Congrats

[funny bunny]

I am getting married in Atlantis on May-23rd. I have lots of info so if anyone needs help let me know.

I read many comments here about how expensive it is to use the Atlantis. I don't dispute that it is more expensive then most of your run of the mill AI resort. At the same time, Bahamas in general is costly, and specifically Paradise Island. Also, please keep in mind that in many ways in the hospitality industry this is considered a 6 star resort, so I am pretty certain it is going to be amazing for us.

Just wanted to give those of you on the fence a little encouragement. I have 3 and a bit months to go, and I am just stoked.

[ultimateme143]

wow our dates are so close I am getting married on may 2. I can't believe it's almost here. I totaly agree about what you said about people being on the fence. I always say you get what you pay for. Atlantis is so easy to work with. The only issue anyone should have is having to decide what you want. They just offer so much. Even things I never would have thought of.

[Hazel]

Thanks Britbre. Your wedding sounded like it was beautiful! It is so comforting to hear that everything went so smoothly for you, especially since I have not had the opportunity to go to Paradise Island yet. I will keep your vendors in mind when I go down in April.

 

My wedding ceremony is actually at the French Cloisters and I am very anxious about deciding where to have my reception on Atlantis because it is hard for me to chose based on only pictures. Also, my wedding is scheduled for 1:00 and I am scared to have an outside wedding at 2 because it may be too hot. There is a possibility that I will be able to move the wedding to 4:00 but I will not know this until 60 days prior to the wedding date. This makes me want to chose one of the ballrooms just in case. Did you see any other inside venues that would be nice for a wedding reception? We are expecting about 50 people.

[nadinekara]

Okay, I am a bride that got totally sucked into the dream of getting married at the Atlantis! My fiance and I were first really focused on the BVI's and Virgin Islands as we sailed around the islands with my friends and fell in love even more and with him being British and me, American, we thought we could intergrate the islands..

but with investigation and knowing the islands. The hotel standards for those travelling and the lack of discounted rooms , it just didn't seem practical to pay 400 dollars a night for my guest rooms and have them pay for the expensive flight to the islands as some were coming from Britain also.

 

So we looked around and Atlantis has been another destination want for us.

We looked at other sites in the bahamas and they all seemed to have the 3000 dollar site fee and the bonus about the Atlantis was knowing you would get a modernized room for a 50 percent discount with rooms over 10.

 

so we were sold.

But the details and the 150 min was sold that we could use this for a welcoming party and also our reception. but as it has turned out we had to argue alot as this was how it was sold to us as the reception itself for a basic reception totalled to be about 175 a person.

 

So far we are negotiating and cutting out some things that would have been nice. luckily I am not worried about making everyone happy and they all understand but definately the Atlantis makes it difficult to do the little perks or even the simple luxuries that one would have at their wedding.

 

If anyone has any more questions please ask me and I can provide more details.

 

~nadine

[Hazel]

Ok ladies, I can officially say that I am now excited about my wedding! I am going to Atlantis the second weekend in March to do a site visit and meet with some vendors. I want to meet with possible the florists, DJs, photographers, videographers, officiants, and musicians. I would like to do all of the research before I leave so that I can meet with the "top 2" in each category while I am down there. Do any of you have recommendations?

 

For music, I am thinking of a saxaphonist for the reception and a DJ, Junkanoo Rush and fire dancers for the reception. The lady at the French Clositers recoomended a Mr. Frank Mullings, but I don't know what he does. Music and entertainment is very important to me because my family LOVES a party!

 

I am looking at Floral Arts as my florist, but they are really expensive and I am hoping to get recommendations for other qulaity florists that are reasonably priced. Someone recommended Island Destinations as an option, and I am now waiting on their quote and pictures from their previous events.

 

I am looking at Tim Aylen for my photography but would love additional recommendations here. I am hoping to find a videographer and photographer within the same company. The photos have to be top notch!

 

I have no idea who to use as my officiant or videographer.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

Monica

[funny bunny]

Some info about vendors I have booked in my bio (see my siggy).

I am getting married in May, and have booked Mathew Sweeting (The island Preacha) as my officient. He comes very highly recomended, and has been great to deal with.

In terms of florists, I have the vendors posted on my bio, and for more info PM me, and I can privetly give you info.

Tim Aylen is my photographer, I personally did not like the selection that Atlantis offered..

In terms of Vidiographer, I know my officient's site has a couple of recomendations, but I opted not to go with one, so I can't comment on that.

I am looking for some info myself, so I would love to connect with you before you go so that I can ask you to see if you can look into some stuff

TIA