It's Official- I am an Atlantis Bride!!

[md2002]

 

Originally Posted by taryn11-5-11 

I am about to start the process of booking and need some suggestions!!!

 

where did you all chose for your ceremony and reception locations?

 

You didn't pick any of their packages , did everything a la carte?

 

can anyone recommend a videographer?

 

When you sign the contract, you gave an approx # of guests/rooms?  or did you have to guarantee a certain #?

 

 

Thanks! All this makes me so nervous.. but excited!!

I got married on the beach, I think that's what you said further down the post, you wanted to get married on the beach. I chose the Sheraton because it was the best price and there beach was one of the more private beaches. It wasn't really private but as you talk to people you will find there is no guarantee of who or what will be on the beach. I talked to a bunch of WC's down there and they all said I could get married on Sunset beach or on the West End beach of Sheraton Nassau, those were my only real options (In Nassau). You will also find that the beaches charge you to use the location. Sunset was $600 for the site and Sheraton was $700 for the site. This was ONLY to use the space, nothing else. So, I took the lowest wedding package from the Sheraton which was $1200, I was going to pay $700.00 for the site anyway. You have to be staying at the Sheraton to get that price otherwise I believe it is $1700.00 for the package. So, I stayed at the Sheraton and got married there. I didn't use them for much of anything though. I did everything else on my own. You will find WC from hotels push their agenda on you and there vendors. If you get more into the planning stages you can PM my and I can send you pics.. and a video if you want.

 

When I did my package I had to gave 10 rooms booked, that was to get discount rate for everyone. I don't how good of a video you want but my wife and I bought an HD camcorder and had a friend video tape. It's not perfect but at least for the money we spent we have an HD camera AND a video of our wedding. It's just a suggestion. I talked to all my friends who say they watched there wedding video once and never watched it again. I just couldn't see paying anyone $1300.00 to video tape..which was the going rate. That's what we did.

[classadiva]

 

Originally Posted by taryn11-5-11 

Thanks for your help. I want a beach wedding but not reception. What is Fathoms? Where can i see pictures of this?

I was under the impression that if I pick a package, I can subtract some things and add others, almost customize it a little bit.. who have you been talking to there?

 

Thanks again

Hi,

 

  I got married on the beach at West Beach and had my reception outdoors at the Royal Overlook.  Unless you are staying at the Cove as well as your guests, West Beach is the only beach option...at least on paper.  The Cove beach is prettier and more secluded but it is not usually an option if you are not staying at the Cove.   IMHO...the Royal Overlook is the prettiest of all of the outdoor locations.  For inside locations...Fathoms is the best. It has an aquarium for one side of the wall...the only issue...it is HUGE...so...if you have a really small group...it may look a little odd but I was told that they could close off a part of it with the decor.  I knew I wanted an outdoors reception so I did not choose Fathoms.  It is centrally located as is the Royal Overlook and the bathrooms are right there.   You can get a copy of a pdf that has pictures of the locations from your Atlantis salesperson.

 

  In order to get a group rate you must guarantee 10 rooms in your contract for three nights each as has been mentioned. Try to get an attrition clause that allows for 10% attrition....then you will only be repsonsible for 9 rooms if you cancel the other room in time.  They will then block that many rooms for you at the group rates.  I blocked 20 rooms and was responsible to pay for at least 18 based upon my contract.  Thankfully...we surpassed that number of rooms.  

 

  BTW...I think that the packages are for those whom need less than 10 rooms....not sure that you can add or subtract...but just make sure that you get that in writing!!

[classadiva]

 

Originally Posted by skp1 

Congrats Taryn,

 

I'm still in the newbie stage but can offer what I know so far.  All my decisions are based on photos, recommendations and my recollection from prior vacations.  Pending my site visit in October I am having my ceremony on the Royal Overlook and the reception/cocktail hour in Fathoms.  I knew I wanted to be married outside but not on the beach.  Royal Overlook seemed to have the best views.  I also knew I wanted the reception indoors and my wedding sales person suggested Fathoms.  It's close to the ceremony site so everything can be well coordinated.  And its really cool - its downstairs next to the Dig so the walls on one side are glass and you can watch the fish.  Definitely NOT like a typical hotel ballroom.  I am doing a la carte - the packages had extra stuff I didn't need.  I haven't signed the contract but from what I understand to get the group rate you have to guarantee 10 rooms for 3 nights.  Hopefully it won't be an issue but I guess we'll make up the difference if we have to.

 

Good luck!!!!  this message board has been awesome.

Your wedding coordinator did right by you..two perfect locations for what you want.  
 

[skp1]

I can't wait to see my sites!  I didn't realize Fathoms was that large but that actually good since we are doing food stations instead of a sit down.  I was wondering how it would all fit.  And like you said, we can always close off a section if its too much.  You won't find any pictures on the website, but your WC can send some.  I'm posting one here but it doesn't look as good shrunk down.

 

As for packages vs a la carte, you won't find that on-line either.  I thought the same about adding and subtracting from one of the plans.   But you can do the "custom wedding" package - its a base fee of $3,500 (which seems crazy after reading the Sheraton's prices!) and that includes the premium sites and times, the WC and ceremony chairs.  The rest is extra.  That's better for us since my FI is a gambler and the casino usually gives us rooms and airport transfer.  And there is going to be NO time for a romantic dinner for 2 - who thought of that?

 

My wedding sales person is Rachel Durbain and she is SOOOO helpful and honest - she's where I got most of my good info.  She said the packages are great if you want a standard wedding without much hassle.  But I'm a bit of a control freak so I wanted more input.

 

And I agree with Mike - I'm skipping the videographer - I know I will never watch it again.  I'd rather use those funds towards a great photographer (which I'm still searching for).  But good idea to have a friend use a camcorder.  I just filmed a friend's son's baptism so she owes me!

 

[classadiva]

 

 

Originally Posted by skp1 

 

I can't wait to see my sites!  I didn't realize Fathoms was that large but that actually good since we are doing food stations instead of a sit down.  I was wondering how it would all fit.  And like you said, we can always close off a section if its too much.  You won't find any pictures on the website, but your WC can send some.  I'm posting one here but it doesn't look as good shrunk down.

 

As for packages vs a la carte, you won't find that on-line either.  I thought the same about adding and subtracting from one of the plans.   But you can do the "custom wedding" package - its a base fee of $3,500 (which seems crazy after reading the Sheraton's prices!) and that includes the premium sites and times, the WC and ceremony chairs.  The rest is extra.  That's better for us since my FI is a gambler and the casino usually gives us rooms and airport transfer.  And there is going to be NO time for a romantic dinner for 2 - who thought of that?

 

My wedding sales person is Rachel Durbain and she is SOOOO helpful and honest - she's where I got most of my good info.  She said the packages are great if you want a standard wedding without much hassle.  But I'm a bit of a control freak so I wanted more input.

 

And I agree with Mike - I'm skipping the videographer - I know I will never watch it again.  I'd rather use those funds towards a great photographer (which I'm still searching for).  But good idea to have a friend use a camcorder.  I just filmed a friend's son's baptism so she owes me!

 

 

 

Oh goodness..I had to laugh when I saw that $3,500 price..I kept saying to myself that they are getting away with murder...$3,500 gets you white chairs, water bottles and towels.  At least at the Ocean Club/Cloisters...they give you champagne too for the same price...and the Clositers is a STUNNING location.  The only thing I can say is that since it includes the wedding coordinator...it is well worth it in the end.

 

 As for the size of Fathoms...that picture does not begin to do justoce to the size of the place.  There is a lot of space to the left of that picture and a longer hallway to the right and on the side.  They already have a buffett station basically set up in there which you can kind of see in this picture and it rather huge...so...no worries about that.  We waited in there while transitioning from the ceremony to the reception..... 

[beachbride925]

2 weeks till I leave for the Bahamas!! I'm so excited..... any last minutes suggestions????

[classadiva]

 

 

Originally Posted by beachbride925 

 

2 weeks till I leave for the Bahamas!! I'm so excited..... any last minutes suggestions????

 

 

Ohh...how exciting....all I can say is...just relax....you've probably done all that you can do at this point.  Just have your coordinator check on any and all spa appointments and such when you get there...let them handle the rest...and enjoy!! Please let us know how it goes!!