Iberostar Grand Rose Hall

kendra6303 · July 7, 2012

Okay, so I just returned from my week stay as a Mrs! Here are my thoughts/ review of the whole experience.

1. Hotel: The resort is gorgeous and everyone loved it! We were all impressed with the butler service, room service, premium liquor free minibar and hotel security. I have read other reviews in regards to building 6 not being up to par, however it looked great when I saw it. I heard they replaced the carpet recently. Most guests were roomed on the first and second floor of building 5. I had two guests in building 6, my brother didn't mind the distance since they had upgraded his room to ocean front for free.

2. Minister: I had previously read a review about a minister making inappropriate jokes throughout the ceremony. We met our minister two days before the ceremony and I was sure this old reserved man was not the culprit....WRONG...Moments before the start of the ceremony he made a racial joke, in which my mom and I stared blankly at each other. As we walked to the beach he continued to talk over the music, saying nothing of any importance. At one point I froze and tilted my head to the side in disbelief, my mom had to pull me out of it. It continued once I got to the groom, where he twice jokingly wanted to verify if the groom wanted to go on this the ceremony. At that point, I was talking through my teeth telling him he needed to move on with the ceremony. A couple of guests chalked it up to the minister wanting to lighten the mood, I didn't feel that was necessary at a beach ceremony at sunset. The wedding was not as romantic as I would have liked it to be. Beware of Minister Gordon! Glad we didn't pay for a videographer b/c it would have been a waste.

3. Wedding: I got married on the semi private beach, then had a cocktail hour on the garden terrace, then steak and lobster dinner at Surf and Turf. My main worry prior to the wedding was the flow of events, and while things went okay, they could have been better. After the wedding we took group photos with everyone, then family. Guests looked on the first half of the portrait session, taking pics with the photographer. The second half of the session, guests were lead to the cocktail hour, where a mento band was playing. The set up was nice and there was plenty of food. Most guests were shocked to learn there would be a dinner as well. Once cocktail hour was over we hooked up an ipod playlist and people danced for the second hour, soultrain line and all, it was sooo funny. Janielle was MIA after the hour of dancing and we were hot, so I escorted the guests to the restaurant. She was of course shocked to see me and asked us to wait five minutes while they finished getting the table ready. We actually waited 15 minutes near the staircase which allowed everyone to cool off. While I understand Janielle was focused on preparing the next event I would have liked to see another staff member there to guide us. It is no secret they are inflexible, this remains true even in person.

4. Dinner: We were seated at least 15 minuted late, no biggie. Janielle set up my decorations exactly how I had asked and it looked perfect. Since I had less than 30 guests I had to pick one menu for everyone. The salad and soup came out in a timely manner. the main course took quite a while. I had shot-glass wedding favors made and asked that everyone around the table give a wish or blessing for us, then at the end everyone will take a shot of rum. With a few more people to speak, Janielle came up the me and asked that we speed it up b/c they wanted to close the restaurant. The kitchen lights were off and the place was a little smokey, like they had just thrown water over the grill. I politely and well mannered as I could I told Janielle no. I was not speeding up anything. Everyone at the table was going to speak, take a shot and eat cake, for they sat us late and the main course was delayed. Afterwards, when I explained I was not not trying to be rude, just get what I deserved, she stated she understood and they staff did admit to not having the food ready.

5. Nightly entertainment: Disappointing. It is held in the hotel theater which has no working A/C there were oscillating fans there nightly. The pool/ beach staff turned into cabaret singers and dancers. They attempted to americanize the entertainment and it turned out to be quite cheesy. I visited the Hilton Rose Hall a couple of years ago and their entertainment was genuine cultural entertainment. The disco next door is the best thing going.

6. If you want anything back, I suggest to inventory the items and pass Janielle a list and keep one for yourself. I asked, for the pouring glasses used in the sand ceremony and Janielle states she doesn't know what happened to them. She was able to recover my remaining shot glasses and fans, what are you going to do with shot-glasses with other peoples names that you don't even know? My mom offered up all table decorations to guests, who gladly received them. The remaining decorations I told Janielle I wanted to donate to another bride (floating candles and seashells).

Hubs and I thought the wedding was as close to perfect as it was going to get. Dont allow the small stuff to ruin your mood for the entire night.

Sorry this was so long, just wanted to share.

Cat723 · July 8, 2012

Does anyone know how many people can sit at a table at the Port Maria Restaurant for the reception? I figure you guys will get back to me quicker than Janielle.

thanks

georgiasl · July 8, 2012

I am also planning to have the dinner in the surf & turf with aprox. 20 guests. Were they able to seat everyone at one long table?

kendra6303 · July 8, 2012

I had one table for 27 guests, so yes, it can definately be done. We sat in the middle, with parents next to us then the other guests were free to sit where the wanted. I used the flower arrangement from the arch as the table centerpiece. The Port Maria is an open space with pillars here and there. The tables are square, made for four people per table. Not sure if there is a round table top option available. Im trying to recall the pillar setup....

JenAndBrad · July 8, 2012

Sure! Go to www.BrianDesign.com. Click on "Clients". Enter "Zygmunt" as the Login. You're there! Enjoy!

kfarkas26 · July 8, 2012

thanks for the review kendra! I will def keep all of that in mind... Did all of your guests stay at the grand? and who did you use as your photographer

tgreen · July 9, 2012

Thanks Kendra for the information. I am so nervous because I requested Rev. T. Gordon. Overall, was the beach wedding nice. Did it rain a lot? Also. What time was your seating time for dinner?

kendra6303 · July 9, 2012

All, but two guests stayed at the grand, so we had to pay for day passes for them. With the day pass they could only arrive an hour before the ceremony. I used Merrick Cousley, who was great! He always replied to my emails swiftly and that made me feel comfortable. His package pricing is for all day shooting, so he came at about 3:30 and left right before dinner. I figured it wasn't necessary for him to shoot pictures with other people eating in the background. My hubby played college football and he picked up on that and we used some football poses for the TTD. He sent teasers of the TTD shoot and we are so excited to see the rest. There was a little cloud cover and a couple of sprinkles two days out of our week stay. If you continue with Mr. Gordon, I would suggest you request him to minimize the talking to what is absolutely necessary. He talked throughout the entire entrance of the wedding; asking people to sit down, telling my fiance to turn around and not peak at me (he could have been advised of this before the wedding or without the use of the microphone), and the inappropriate jokes. I chose my entrance song and I wanted it to set the mood but it was over powered by his voice. Only those who knew me best could see my frustrations. I wanted the ceremony to be a bit more romantic. Overall, the wedding was great. Tai Flora did a great job on the bouquet and arch arrangements. I thought I ordered a hair flower but didn't receive one, it wasn't on my final bill so I was okay. I did my best not to sweat the little stuff. Dinner was seated at about 8:45pm and we didn't get done until almost 11.

*Janielle is slightly more personable in person than in her emails. I would suggest you ask for her immediately after checking in to touch bases.

Connolly · July 13, 2012

Does anyone has a price list from Tai Flora they could send me? I have been waiting to hear back from them on a quote for two months! They said they are busy and will get me soon, but I'm getting a little impatient.

Thanks!

kfarkas26 · July 19, 2012

I would also LOVE a quote. ALSO did anyone do any of the alternate set ups for the beach? I am very interested in something different (like the dinner set up on the beach)

Originally Posted by Connolly

Does anyone has a price list from Tai Flora they could send me? I have been waiting to hear back from them on a quote for two months! They said they are busy and will get me soon, but I'm getting a little impatient.

Thanks