All inclusive resorts in the Bahamas

[smfs]

Still not sure if I should keep my wedding here?!?   ; {

[sndorsey]

First, you made the right choice to marry in the Bahamas!  The license requirements are simple and everyone speaks English, so your marriage license is in English. This is a long post, but scroll to the bottom for the best vendors in the Bahamas!  Message me if you want more details about wedding stuff or tourism in the Bahamas. 

 

Here's my personal recommendation to all of you who are looking for an AI resort wedding in the Bahamas.  We planned to stay and get married at the Riu last July.  About 6 weeks from our wedding, I got so nervous about our Riu wedding.  I was not getting any service from Debbie, read a few nightmare stories about Riu weddings, and I started getting sick about it.  There were many things that got me concerned.  I cancelled our Riu wedding (although the day BEFORE our wedding in the Bahamas, Debbie called me and asked when we could meet to get the details set!!  I had cancelled and hadn't talked to her in about 6 weeks!)

 

I did an Internet search for Bahamas wedding planners.  I found Monique Glinton, who, in just a few weeks, planned us a PRIVATE wedding on Orange Hill Beach in Nassau for an incredible price.  All of our guests stayed at the fun, affordable Riu (which is next to Atlantis).  The Riu allowed us to have a rehearsal dinner in the steakhouse during the late seating (for free because we were all staying at the Riu).  I got my hair done in the Riu spa too.  Then, at 5 pm (when it is MUCH COOLER than wedding times at the Riu), limos came and took all of our guests to the wedding.  I stepped onto the private beach, that was designed for us.  It was far beyond what I could have imagine.  Then the limos took us to Provence, a local restaurant where we had an amazing reception dinner.  This was the only time we ate away from the resort and it was well worth it.  You could even have a reception back at the Riu if you wanted to save more money.  Trust me.  It's worth it to have a PRIVATE beach wedding.  We saw 3 weddings at the Riu while we were there.  The music came through the pool sound system while the pool was packed with people.  One wedding was at the bottom of the stairs that lead from the pool to the beach.  They blocked off the area with pool side chairs and it looked so tacky.  It wasn't romantic or personal at all.  The weddings were also earlier in the day, instead of at sunset.  It is HOT in the summer. 

 

Although Monique was completely unorganized and messed up a few small things, she got the big things right.  And she did it all in about 5 weeks.  And she offered the best prices for what we needed.  She was over $1000 cheaper than Ann Marie (but I guess you pay for it in service). 

 

BEST THINGS:

www.marionixon.com  HE IS THE BEST!!!  You can see our wedding on his blog and several others at other locations.  USE HIM no matter where you get married in the Bahamas.  Check out his Facebook page too.  He is truly an artist, and was extremely professional and nice. 

 

http://www.swisspastryshop.com   I sent Monique a picture of a cake I liked and Swiss pastry delivered a perfect, DELICIOUS cake to our reception site.  A few guests didn't tend to like wedding cake, but they said they loved our cake. 

 

http://www.provencerestaurant.net/TheBuzz.htm  This was our reception site.  It overlooks the water. It doesn't look like too much, but it is in a private, gated community, and the food was outstanding.  They brought out so many selections that were served family style.  I definitely recommend this restaurant. 

 

 

PLANNERS: 

http://www.weddingsinthebahamas.com/  If you can afford Ann Marie, use her.  She is so professional and organized.  We got quotes fro her and she spent a lot of time helping me with details, but the price was not in the budget with the switch from a hotel wedding to off site wedding. 

 

http://www.bahamasdreamweddings.com/home.html  Monique's site.  Just be very clear about what you want.  Like I said, she gets the BIG things right and is very affordable.  She customized a package for us. 

 

 

Overall, the planning was TOUGH that last month, but the wedding was perfect and we had a great time with our families and friends.  AND we have AMAZING pictures and memories to cherish forever. See Mario's site for more pictures or message me!