Newbie Grand Palladium Jamaica

MrsD · November 23, 2011

Hi! I'm a Newbie!! haha

I'm getting married at GPLH April 18 2012!!!! It's been booked since April 2011 hahaha...so for awhile I was sitting back relaxing, not planning much...haha...now it's crunch time!! I feel so far behind...however I've been told I'm not, so I guess that's a good thing!

AmandaBride · December 29, 2011

Hi ladies!

My fiance and I are planning on getting married at the Grand Palladium Jamaica in April 2013. I was hoping you all could help me out and clarify some costs, etc. as it is not really clear on the website options.

Is there an additional charge for dinner on top of the wedding package prices that are advertised online? It says that the price includes up to 8 guests, and then there is an additional $20 charge per guest after that. Is this just for the ceremony, and the dinner is an additional cost per guest after? As well, I read on some forums that there is also an additional lump sum cost to rent out the restaurants for the reception.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Amanda

AmandaBride · December 29, 2011

Hi! I'm a newbie as well!

I am planning on getting married in April of 2013 at the Grand Palladium. Do you know if the the cost advertised on the website per wedding package includes the reception dinner? I know it says there is a charge of $20/guest after 8 guests. Is this just for the ceremony and the reception is an additional charge for dinner, etc?

Any help would be great!

Thanks!

Vancity Bride · January 3, 2012

Hi Amanda,

We're getting married at the GPLH in April of this year and we dealt with the same questions. The wedding packages do not include the cost of the reception; those fees are additional. Do you have a wedding coordinator yet? If not, you can contact the resort and start asking your questions now - they're usually quite helpful

They'll provide you with some options for where you'd like to host a reception, what type (ie: private, semi private, etc) and then give you some price ideas. The price I was quoted per guest was $45 for private reception dinner.

Here is the responses I got from my wedding coordinator to give you more info:

WEDDING PACKAGES:

All our wedding packages caters for 8 guests and you will pay $20 for each additional all-inclusive guest. Offsite guests will purchase an event pass for $70 and children under 12 yrs. will pay $35. The event pass for offsite guests will last for the duration of the event and includes all that is provided at the wedding e.g. meals etc.

PRIVATE RECEPTION:

As it pertains to a reception, you can either have a private or a non-private reception in one of the restaurants.

A private reception can be hosted in either the Poseidon or the Blue Lagoon which can seat from 20 to 200 respectively. It is US$45.00 per person for this option and you will get a set menu for all the guests (a choice from any of the 7 a la carte menus), an open bar, the location for up to 4 hours from 6:00pm â€“ 10:00pm and the flexibility to have a live band or a DJ/music system (please see attached).

We also offer a buffet style private reception. These vary in price depending on the menu chosen. I have attached all 3 buffet options for your perusal. Minimum for a buffet style private reception is 50 persons and can be setup indoor or outdoor.

A non-private reception dinner can be hosted in any one of the 7 a la carte restaurants; this is at no additional cost, however you will be dining among other guests of the Hotel and there is no option for your own entertainment (background music is provided for the entire restaurant). The restaurants open at 5:30pm. We cannot accommodate a non-private dinner if you have more than 30 guests. Please see attached group restrictions for the a-la-carte restaurants.

We ask that you select the menu options before hand once there are 10 or more persons in the group to facilitate a more efficient service.

I hope this helps you out!

Cheers and GOOD LUCK!!

Charlene87 · January 4, 2012

Hi Ladies,

I'm getting married at GPLH October 6th 2012! We are from Toronto and are using L'Escape Travel Services to coordinate and plan the wedding. So far so good, love working with Jasprit & Raun.

We just went through pricing with the hotel and I've got the same prices as Vancity Bride posted up above me. Much higher than I expected for a DW but as long as the guest list doesn't skyrocket we should be fine in terms of budget.

The DJ option was quoted at $2700 for 3 hours which is INSANE! But Jasprit is going to work with the hotel to understand why it's so high compared to other resorts where they charge $450 for 3 hours flat. Is anyone just bringing an ipod for the music? Thanks for mentioning the $200 charge for speakers - I wasn't aware of that cost.

We've chosen the Lover's Bluff Gazebo for the ceremony and the Blue Lagoon for the reception. I found the Blue Lagoon stunning because it's open air and very elegant.

Someone asked about photographers up above - we're flying our photographer from Toronto for the weekend and we're using Mark Anthony photography for our wedding.

Goodluck to everyone!

AmandaBride · January 4, 2012

Thanks so much Vancity Bride and Charlene87! What a great help! I wonder how far in advance I should be booking the ceremony and reception if I am planning on April 2013!?!

Amanda

Vancity Bride · January 10, 2012

Hi Charlene87 -

My fiance and I were floored by the DJ price as well - that's just plain RIDICULOUS!! My fiance is really tech-saavy so we plan to take advantage of the a/v set up and just use an iPod loaded with lots and lots of music for the reception.

Cheers!

Vancity Bride · January 10, 2012

You're welcome, AmandaBride - glad I could help!

Re: booking your choices, you've definitely got some time, but if you're thinking of hosting a private reception there are only 2 locations to do so at the GP, so the sooner you book, the better chance you have to get your choice. I've also booked the Blue Lagoon and I agree with Charlene87 in the reasons why. Maybe chat with your wedding coordinator and find out if there are several other weddings booked on your day so that you have a better idea of what you're up against.

Cheers!

brighteyes · January 13, 2012

Hello Ladies! I am also getting married at the GP on April 23, 2012! I am very excited but starting to panic. I have not been in touch with a wedding coordinator yet. My fiance and I have been communicating with Glendon, the manager of the Wedding Department but the last time we corresponded was in November. All we've settled is the deposit to secure the wedding date and we signed the wedding contract. I am going to call because I recently sent an e-mail and have not heard back from him yet. There's ONLY 3 MONTHS LEFT!!! So for all you ladies getting married this April 2012, can you PLEASE give me some feedback as to what you have accomplished so far in terms of the planning (i.e. reception, ceremony, flowers, hairstyling, etc.)? This would be so helpful! Thanks girls and happy planning:)