Ceremony at resort... Reception elsewhere!

[CHAKLIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandabride6 The reception is at Day O Plantation Restaurant & Bar. They provide everything including transportation for guests. I was a bit skeptical at first but my uncle lives in MoBay and knows the owners. He's also been there before and said the place is a very popular reception site for Jamaica brides and that's all the confirmation I needed.

I am going to check them out...how many guests are you expecting? I need a big venue...We're lookin at close to 200.

[Pandabride6]

I'm expecting about 60 guests but I think the venue said they've handled weddings for 200. Their website is dayorestaurant.com .

 

Honestly, I realized that resorts know that if you've never really been to Jamaica, then you're willing to shell out whatever to have a great reception but there are lots of sites that offer way more for the same price since the American/Canadian dollar is already strong there.

 

After getting these crazy quotes for the reception at the resort (like $4 for one cocktail beef patty), I knew I needed to look around. To put that in perspective, I can get a dozen cocktail patties for $4 in the states.

[CHAKLIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandabride6 I'm expecting about 60 guests but I think the venue said they've handled weddings for 200. Their website is dayorestaurant.com . Honestly, I realized that resorts know that if you've never really been to Jamaica, then you're willing to shell out whatever to have a great reception but there are lots of sites that offer way more for the same price since the American/Canadian dollar is already strong there. After getting these crazy quotes for the reception at the resort (like $4 for one cocktail beef patty), I knew I needed to look around. To put that in perspective, I can get a dozen cocktail patties for $4 in the states.

Thanks, I've added them to my list, although Ochi is our first choice b/c my family is in Kingston and his family is already in St Ann, but for the right price/package we'll make something work!! Thanks again

[spellbound1995]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandabride6 I'm expecting about 60 guests but I think the venue said they've handled weddings for 200. Their website is dayorestaurant.com . Honestly, I realized that resorts know that if you've never really been to Jamaica, then you're willing to shell out whatever to have a great reception but there are lots of sites that offer way more for the same price since the American/Canadian dollar is already strong there. After getting these crazy quotes for the reception at the resort (like $4 for one cocktail beef patty), I knew I needed to look around. To put that in perspective, I can get a dozen cocktail patties for $4 in the states.

Pandabride6,

I must say that you have single-handedly kept me from going crazy. I thought that I was the only one who had issue with the resort pricing! I am also looking into have my reception at Day O. Thanks for the post (and for my sanity).

[Pandabride6]

Quote:

Pandabride6, I must say that you have single-handedly kept me from going crazy. I thought that I was the only one who had issue with the resort pricing! I am also looking into have my reception at Day O. Thanks for the post (and for my sanity).

I'm glad I was able to help! The prices ARE ridiculous at the resort... $900 for a DJ? Lemme tell you something, FI's cousin has a DJ friend in MoBay who was willing to play at our wedding for $70 U.S...all night... No Joke!!! This goes to show how strong the dollar can be there. Luckily we're not held to having the reception there!

Me and FI's families are both from Jamaica so they already know how pricey the Rose Hall resorts can get. They basically said to stop wasting the money and go to a place that will provide the true Jamaican experience for guests, the experience me and FI already know and love.

I posted in the first place to reach out to other brides having a ceremony at a resort. I mean if you were planning to have your ceremony off-site, then it's pretty much implied that you would need an independent site for a reception. So I'm glad to I'm able to help and possibly give an independent Jamaican-family owned restaurant some business.

Now, as a disclaimer, I haven't had my reception yet so I can't give any reviews just yet. But my contact with the owner has been nothing but pleasant and forthcoming.


Here's the link with a few pics that made me contact them in the first place...

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-2009-a-46964/

[kdnicholer]

I looked into it but noticed that they are i montego bay and not sure how I feel about that ride. Any places in ocho rios?

[Pandabride6]

Quote:

I just wanted to say that I have found Rose Hall Resort's banquet, catering, and wedding prices to be a lot higher than other resorts in Jamaica. I think 2 of you looking for outside venues may be staying there. It is possible to have a less expensive resort reception. Just thought I would mention it. Evitas and The Ruins are popular reception venues in Ocho Rios.

By "staying there" did you mean staying at the resort? I wasn't sure what you meant. I am planning on staying at Rose Hall and having the ceremony there. I just wanted to post this since I never noticed this topic being brought up before.

I have actually negotiated with the resort to have a less expensive reception and got it but I told them I would still shop around. I did and then chose not to have the reception there anymore.

[spellbound1995]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandabride6 I'm glad I was able to help! The prices ARE ridiculous at the resort... $900 for a DJ? Lemme tell you something, FI's cousin has a DJ friend in MoBay who was willing to play at our wedding for $70 U.S...all night... No Joke!!! This goes to show how strong the dollar can be there. Luckily we're not held to having the reception there! Me and FI's families are both from Jamaica so they already know how pricey the Rose Hall resorts can get. They basically said to stop wasting the money and go to a place that will provide the true Jamaican experience for guests, the experience me and FI already know and love. I posted in the first place to reach out to other brides having a ceremony at a resort. I mean if you were planning to have your ceremony off-site, then it's pretty much implied that you would need an independent site for a reception. So I'm glad to I'm able to help and possibly give an independent Jamaican-family owned restaurant some business. Now, as a disclaimer, I haven't had my reception yet so I can't give any reviews just yet. But my contact with the owner has been nothing but pleasant and forthcoming. Here's the link with a few pics that made me contact them in the first place... http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-2009-a-46964/

You're too funny. No need for disclaimers. I contacted the Day-O Plantation and have been relieved every since! Jennifer was super responsive and extremely helpful and accomodating. I look forward to having our reception there! I expect to have an awesome time.

Now about your FI's cousin, the DJ. . . you had to know my next question would be, will he do our reception too? If so, is he available on April 3, 2010? I'm not sure if $70US was the "family price," but if it is, what would he charge us?

Thanks for everything!

[baj]

great idea, good luck with the rest of your planning

[Pandabride6]

Quote:

Now about your FI's cousin, the DJ. . . you had to know my next question would be, will he do our reception too? If so, is he available on April 3, 2010? I'm not sure if $70US was the "family price," but if it is, what would he charge us? Thanks for everything!

With the DJ, we're deciding to go with the one the reception site offers. It comes with our package. I think the DJ honestly gave us such a deal because he heard about our desperation, lol. I don't know if he gave us that price because he knows FI's cousin either. But if you're still interested, I can try and get his info for you.