Rehersal Dinner and Reception Food Ideas

[TATrisha]

Here is the set menu that was at the wedding I photographed... I will post food pictures soon:

[ajswope]

Thanks everyone! I have 25 people coming so I get both options... but for ther rehersal dinner they gave me 4 menus. Can you mix and match or have to pick menu a, b, c, or d?

 

I was thinking for the reception either the Beef, Mahi Mahi, or the Shrimp Kabob. Figured you can get chicken anywhere.. but then i got to thinking how many cows do they really have in Jamaica? silly I know.

 

I wish they had like a jurk chicken so it was more authentic.

 

Any suggestions on things that you ate while there?

What about the deserts? they are all yummy. I want them all haha!!

 

Also, anyone use the onsite DJ? Was it worth the money...Its expensive but i really want someone to say "and here they are for their first dance"..

 

Do they set up a place for people to dance or does it seem more social?

 

Sorry so many questions! I am so excited and this is the first time ive had to ask questions to other brides doing a wedding at sandals. Thanks!!!!

 

 

-Andrea

[Girasole]

This is all good to know. In the original price package I was sent there wasn't any option for buffet or 2 options. We have 10 people booked already without sending our invites out so that is great info, thanks!

[sweetiecat]

Andrea,

 

I have read several resort reviews recently of people being really satisfied with their steak at either Beaches or Sandals, but when I went there, the steak that I had (at an a la carte restaurant) wasn't very good. The reason being, as you guessed, is that the land isn't really conducive to raising beef, and it is expensive to import. Maybe someone who has been more recently can let us know if it has improved or not (maybe Sandals has started importing the beef)? Otherwise, I would stick to seafood/shrimp/chicken, which were all very good at their restaurants. I did have a beef carppaccio (sp?) appetizer, which was delicious and tender - so maybe it varies. Sorry if I'm not being much help here.

 

To help you narrow down the desserts, I would avoid anything like key lime pie or other desserts that are pudding/gelatin based. The rest of the desserts at the resort were fantastic, but anything that was made to gel was overgelled - maybe like they used too much gelatin and not enough pudding? Anyway, the result wasn't very flavorful. The other desserts (chocolate, pastries, etc.) were all great.

 

-Stephanie

[Lisa7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajswope Thanks everyone! I have 25 people coming so I get both options... but for ther rehersal dinner they gave me 4 menus. Can you mix and match or have to pick menu a, b, c, or d? Any suggestions on things that you ate while there? Also, anyone use the onsite DJ? Was it worth the money...Its expensive but i really want someone to say "and here they are for their first dance".. Do they set up a place for people to dance or does it seem more social? -Andrea

They told us you couldn't mix and match on the rehearsal dinner but you can with the ceremony. But they were very accommodating. My sister is a vegetarian and they brought her something from the Italian restaurant since both the choices we picked were meats. I thought that was extremely nice.

Barefoot by the Sea was my favorite place to eat. We ate there 4 nights of the 7 we were there. I loved the jerk chicken at the Sandals Cafe on the beach. The sundowner had great breakfast food too.

We opted to just do the i-pod thing and it worked out perfect. With went over with our wedding coordinator before the wedding what songs we were using and when to stop, play, etc for the ceremony and cocktail reception. Then for the dinner part, just hit play for the next couple of hours. Your WC could probably introduce you guys.

For our 1st dance, it was in the grass. Just kinda where out cocktail part was. You can always go dancing later at the piano bar (where mostly everyone hangs out at night)

[TATrisha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajswope Thanks everyone! I have 25 people coming so I get both options... but for ther rehersal dinner they gave me 4 menus. Can you mix and match or have to pick menu a, b, c, or d? I was thinking for the reception either the Beef, Mahi Mahi, or the Shrimp Kabob. Figured you can get chicken anywhere.. but then i got to thinking how many cows do they really have in Jamaica? silly I know. As I mentioned, myself and my assistant had the beef and it was EXCELLENT! MMMM I wish they had like a jurk chicken so it was more authentic. Any suggestions on things that you ate while there? What about the deserts? they are all yummy. I want them all haha!! Whatever kind of cake (it should be listed on that picture I posted) that the bride had in November was AWESOME! So good. i wanted 20 pieces! Also, anyone use the onsite DJ? Was it worth the money...Its expensive but i really want someone to say "and here they are for their first dance".. The DJ was used at the wedding in November. They were GREAT. it was a beach reception and they had the crowd dancing the whole time. The WC was the one who annouced the couple and all of the toasts though. Do they set up a place for people to dance or does it seem more social? Her reception was on the beach, and they had a spot under the tent to dance, however everyone went out from under the tent and just danced under the stars in the sand. They had a large spot light. And then people went and danced in the water too because it was soo hot! Sorry so many questions! I am so excited and this is the first time ive had to ask questions to other brides doing a wedding at sandals. Thanks!!!! -Andrea

Any other questions that i can try and answer I will. I asked that my bride write a review too, so hopefully that will be coming!

[JenniferSS]

Sandals & Beaches for steaks, imports all of their beef from Brazil! The steaks are great- sorry that you had recived a not so great one!

 

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetiecat Andrea,   I have read several resort reviews recently of people being really satisfied with their steak at either Beaches or Sandals, but when I went there, the steak that I had (at an a la carte restaurant) wasn't very good. The reason being, as you guessed, is that the land isn't really conducive to raising beef, and it is expensive to import. Maybe someone who has been more recently can let us know if it has improved or not (maybe Sandals has started importing the beef)? Otherwise, I would stick to seafood/shrimp/chicken, which were all very good at their restaurants. I did have a beef carppaccio (sp?) appetizer, which was delicious and tender - so maybe it varies. Sorry if I'm not being much help here.   To help you narrow down the desserts, I would avoid anything like key lime pie or other desserts that are pudding/gelatin based. The rest of the desserts at the resort were fantastic, but anything that was made to gel was overgelled - maybe like they used too much gelatin and not enough pudding? Anyway, the result wasn't very flavorful. The other desserts (chocolate, pastries, etc.) were all great.   -Stephanie

[sweetiecat]

Sorry for the misinformation about the steaks!

 

Rereading my previous post, it seems that I may have come across too negative. The vast majority of the food I had at Sandals was excellent.

[bosi]

I dont know the rehearsal dinner options, but for the wedding at BEaches NEgril which should be pretty much the same for Sandals I think, I am going with the carribrean buffet. THey didnt even list it as one of the options,, but I found out......

TO me, it appears more exciting and there is more variety.

[JennLizFran]

Ooooo......what's the carribean buffet??