**Calling all Riu Negril brides**

[debbmach]

I just returned from my wedding at the Riu Negril and LOVED it! I will be posting a detailed review soon. You'll love the resort and everything is very organized...you won't be disappointed!

[debbmach]

 

 

Originally Posted by debbmach 

 

I just returned from my wedding at the Riu Negril and LOVED it! I will be posting a detailed review soon. You'll love the resort and everything is very organized...you won't be disappointed!

 

Review is now posted in the review section....let me know if you have any other questions.

[Lua]

Welcome back Deb!  You're officially a Mrs. now - congrats!!!!

 

Great review! You've made me even more excited for april now!

 

Can't wait to see some pics!

[weddingaway]

Hey, everyone!  I just booked my date with RIU Negril for December 10. 2011.  We are getting the free package and maybe upgrading cake, champagne, and flowers.

 

This thread has been so helpful!  I have received the standard files from RIU with pricing details, so let me know if I can help with anything.

[Lua]

yay!! another fellow riu negril bride!!!

[moorerhonda]

Hi I am getting married at Riu Negril August 31, 2012 and was wondering if you know anything about the private beach party celebration or the private disco rental??!!!

[s2thap]

Just checking to see if there are any current or recent RIU Negril brides on this board. I'm trying to figure out what alternatives there are to renting out the disco or having an expensive "beach party" after our semi-private reception. I'm open to any recommendations or advice. Ideally, there's a common area that we can take over for a while. Our group is about 45 people, so we can't easily huddle together.
 

[Mikesbride]

Booked last week!  June 27 2013.

 

sd2thap-i saw one bride post about hosting their own beach party.  she said they brought their own decorations and an ipod with speakers.  they set it up and cleaned it up so it was $0.  every guest brought the alcohol from their rooms and one of the guests played bartender.

[Erin Halley]

s2thap -  Did you ever figure a way to have an "after party" with your larger group?  And did you find there were a lot of hidden costs for the ceremony and reception dinner associated with the large group?  Thanks, and congratulations!

[s2thap]

Thanks, Erin. So, there was one hidden cost, but it wasn't forced on me. They have a professional decorator come onto the property to set up outdoor parties and dinners. I chose not to use their decorations and saved hundreds of dollars. I did the outdoor beach party and it came with a bartender, our own bar, tiki torches and beach clean up for about $30/person. We brought in our own DJ (jaweddingdj.com), which was still cheaper than the hotel's preferred vendor with the vendor fee. Since we were prepared to to the beach party and DJ it worked out well. That additional vendor fee would have blown the budget and was initially presented like it was required. I thought the beach party was beautiful and we released wish lanterns on the beach. They do have restrictions about how much noise the DJ can make and what time he has to shut down, but that wasn't a problem for us. Dinner takes longer than you think for large groups, ours took two hours. So the party started at 9 and went until 11, that was plenty of time for us with the private DJ. Then we kept the party going in the resort's club with their DJ. I'm in the process of posting my full review of RIU in the Resort Review forum. I think it's under moderation right now. MikesBride, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Riu Negril. Congrats! My advice is to keep asking questions and keep talking to the wedding coordinator if something doesn't sound right. Try to think of her as someone who's on your team, although she represents the hotel's money-grubbing policies. I think Dionne really wants you to leave feeling good about your wedding experience. It's more than a wedding day when you're doing a destination wedding.