PLEASE HELP: Reception question

[Sara1373]

Hi,

 

We are getting married at Couples Negril at 4:00 p.m. and am starting to worry about timing of things. So they say the ceremony is about 30 mins, then there will be pics (maybe an hr)? What will the participants be doing while we take pics. Also, at all inclusives where food, drinks etc is included are people spending extra money to have a private dinner for people (its $90 pp at CN) or we can have a separate space in a restaurant for dinner (what we were hoping to do), but the restaurant doesn't open until 6:30 p.m. so there is an hour lag in ceremony, pics and dinner. My dilemma is that for those not staying at our resort (singles, etc) it is a $100 charge per person for them to come onto the resort (which includes a meal, all drinks, etc), so in addition to that $100 pp charge to just come onto the resort, paying another $90 pp for dinner is going to get insanely expensive (we are going to have over 25 ppl). Thoughts? Anyone been in this situation and have any suggestions?

 

Thank you so much, this has been my biggest stress.

Sara

[Geralyn]

I'm not sure how the couples resorts work their receptions but I know the RIU's offer dinner in the restaurant or a private reception. You should ask the WC at your resort what they offer. As for the time between the ceremony and reception..I wouldn't worry too much about that. After the ceremony is over everyone usually hangs around and congratulate you...some resorts do a chamagne toast right after. Then you'll prob do group shots and other pics..you really won't have that much time in between. And if the guests have any down time they could always have drink at the bar. I wouldn't worry about it too much...besides your in Jamaica...No Problem!

[KJT1985]

We're just going to do the dinner in one of the restaurants. We're going to be having receptions back home (two - fiance is from Canada, i'm from the US) so we didn't feel the need to spend lots of money on a private reception in Jamaica. Most of the people attending the wedding will probably also attend the receptions and we probably won't be having terribly many weddings guests. Either way i'm sure your guests will be fine. Just remember to have fun and not worry, you're guests will have a blast either way!

 

Oh yeah - and i've heard a lot of people say they just did the restaurant dinner then the whole group went to whatever resort club was available and danced the night away. This way you get free entertainment too!

[ErinB]

Hi Sara -

 

A cheaper option might be to host a cocktail hour in the garden. It should only be about $15-25 per person for passed hors d'oeuvres and champagne.

 

This is what we did. We were married at 4 on the beach, had a private cocktail reception where we cut the cake did toasts, etc. Our dinner reservation was at 6:30 in one of the restaurants. They didn't happen to be busy at that point so we pretty much had the place to ourselves and they seated the other guests at the other end of the dining room.

 

It was like we got the best of both worlds. It also gave guests time to run back to the room to freshen up before dinner. It was REALLY HOT!!!

 

Keep in mind that although you are staying at an AI, the upcharges are for personal service. So if you have a private dinner for 30 people the resort is going to have to set up and tear down your space, have a wait staff for just your group, have food and beverages separate from the normal service area, etc. That is why there is an extra charge.

 

If you haven't already done so, please check out the Couples Mega Thread. I think you will find lots of helpful info and some great links.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t39034

[sn0048]

I agree the cocktail hour is the way to go! That way people will have some drinks and feel free to mingle with one another

[jamaicabride10]

Hi Sara.

We are doing exactly the same as you. Our ceremony is at 4pm in Sandals Negril & I am planning for us to have a private 3 hour reception on the beach starting at 6.30 at a cost of $75ph, AND we too have to pay for our guest day passes!!! After the ceremony we are going to have a steel drum soloist for an hour in the 'cocktail hour area' wherever that will be (I think when we arrive we can look at some areas around the hotel & let the wedding co-ordinator know where we want it), and our guests can just mingle & chat & have a few drinks while they wait. Also there will be hot & cold hor's d'ouvers (sp?) for them to nibble away on to keep them from starving! lol. I certainly don't think 1 and a half hours is a long time to wait during celebrations. It will fly by for them &, as said previously, give everyone a chance to freshen up in some air-con! I think the extra cost for the private reception is worth the extra cash as they set up all your area, give you a private plated meal, have a private bar set up beside you & you get all of the wait staff/bar service just for your party! No waiting & good personal service. But if you need to keep on budget then the free option in a restaurant would certainly help!

[A2Bride]

Wow, that can get expensive! Our ceremony is at 4; thinking reception dinner around 6:30 with a cocktail hour between the two. Luckily we are charged $19pp for the private reception. I would definitely ask them about the semi-private option. Good luck.