Jellyfish Restaurant

[LindsayOO]

Originally Posted by cinnagirl 

 

Thanks Lindsay! Do you have to set up the day pass prior to getting to the resort, or can it be bought on the day off?

 

We set it up the day before..and she still had a bit of a hard time getting in...just make sure you talk to the front desk and confirm the day off..then you should be ok!

[LaurenFysh]

What colors are you girls planning on going with? We are using navy and fuschia.

We are using yellow, chocolate brown, and white. We're plan on incorporating a lot if wood, burlap, and lace. Very rustic

[MissyBee]

Pretty! I love yellow- such a happy color

[mimiq]

I actually never paid a deposit.  Mayte confirmed the date with me and that was that!

[inloveinkorea]

I don't think a deposit is 100% necessary, but it sure made me feel better about the whole process.  

[april4884]

Hello everyone!  I just got back from our wedding at Jellyfish....

 

I have read many reviews in the past and heard MANY times that Mayte is busy and to just trust that it will work out.  Being that I am the type of person who has an 11 tab wedding spreadsheet that has always been difficult to understand.  Let me tell you though, once you get there it will all change.  I don't know how she does it all but the day felt perfect.  Mayte does so many weddings that she is beyond a pro and will anticipate every possible detail you can imagine. 

 

There were 20 of us total and we stayed at Dreams Palm Beach.  Great resort for our party.  Not too big that you can't find anyone but not too small either.  The night we got there we took a cab to Jellyfish to go over details and drop off some cash.  She brought us a huge plate of appetizers and like 7 full sized drinks to help us choose our signature cocktails.  We decided on 3 appetizers-bacon wrapped shrimp, spinach ricotta hot pockets, and chicken skewers.  All were amazing.  For drinks we did a Pina Colada for guests as they arrived and both a Caipirinha and Coco Loco for cocktail hour.  For the main menu we chose a Cesaer Salad or Caprese Salad and then had a menu that included all their regular items but with everything about $30 removed. 

 

The day of, I got my hair and makeup done at the resort.  I brought pictures I had taken when I did my dry run back home and allow she didn't seem to look at them greatly and there was a huge language barrier, she did amazing.  A van picked up our guests and the groom in the lobby (Mayte setup) at 4pm and another one came for my dad and I 15 minutes later.  When we got there I stayed in the van and went immediately down the aisle from there (about 5:00).  We had Jorge Allocco do our photography for 3 hours-which started as our guests arrived.  The restaurant and beach looked AMAZING!  Although Mayte does an insanely wonderful job, the setting is so picturesque that anything would do. 

 

We had Pastor Rick do the ceremony and I didn't even meet him until I got down the aisle.  The ceremony was wonderful.  I walked down to What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, which Mayte had perfectly cued.  We did not have a DJ but did pay for sound.  I did the entire playlist myself on iTunes (which had a very Caribbean vibe-I did TONS of research and this was probably the most stressful aspect of the day.  Anyone feel free to ask for my playlist if interested.) and was very pleasantly surprised when there was an emcee there to coordinate it all.  I also didn't pay extra for any form of dance floor yet the restaurant had something set up.  Originally, we had the ceremony scheduled for later but moved it up when I realized when the sun was going to set.  I'm really glad we did because we ended up losing light for pictures.  Dinner was amazing and the atmosphere was priceless.  We didn't rent out the whole resort but honestly did not see anyone else that was eating there because they were escorted to another part of the place at the door.  We were planning on doing wish lanterns but it ended up being too windy.  The staff there really was willing to do anything to make our guests happy and were extremely flexible.  We ended up having buses come back around 10pm for our guest which allowed some of the older, and younger, people to get some sleep while the rest of us just hung out at the resort bar. 

 

All in all, it was nothing short of perfect.  My husband and I had disagreed with my wanting to do the wedding and reception at Jellyfish instead of the resort but after seeing everything he was beyond grateful he trusted me.  We saw many resort weddings and thought they were incredibly impersonal and cookie cutter.  One of our guest actually almost ate at a wedding the first night because he thought it was just a buffet on the beach!  It was the greatest decision we made!  I have no doubt that every single bride was does there wedding at Jellyfish will me ecstatic with the results!  I know it's extremely difficult but seriously trust that everything will be amazing and let it go, you will enjoy it way more that way.

 

If anyone has questions, don't hesitate to ask.  I got a lot of good information from other people's experiences.  Sorry my review is so long!  Here's a few pictures...

 

With Mayte

 

[cinnagirl]

April, it looks like your wedding was amazing! I love the decor set up for the ceremony and reception. It's so colourful! Thank you so much for posting your review! They are always helpful for everyone else waiting their turn.

 

I really like that you took the van with your dad to the restaurant. I think I will do that as well, seems like a nice way to spend some moments together before the ceremony. I would love to see your playlist if you don't mind. Music is something I've been struggling with lately. Do you mind me asking, how far in advance did you set up your meeting with Mayte?  

[inloveinkorea]

Yay!! Your wedding looks beautiful and so do you!! 

 

I would love to see the playlist as well.

[laraandshane]

Does anyone know the church requirements for Nuestra Señora del Pilar church??? Mayte sent me the requirements but are not able to open them. Also I have been trying to get her to respond but haven't heard from her :/

 

Any luck fellow brides??

[april4884]

Thanks!

I was really worried about my meeting with Mayte since she wasn't responding to my email to set it up and honestly, it wasn't scheduled till right before we left.  She had another wedding that night but we were escorted upstairs and she came and met us.  Although we hung out drinking and eating free stuff :-) it was pretty quick and painless.   

 

I struggled greatly with the music too.  I thought doing it myself would help the budget and we didn't really view it as a DJ-type reception.  Plus, being crazy, it was nice to know all the music that was going to be played.  After researching the topic, I discovered the style of music in the DR is more of a spanish speaking Soca and Merengue and less Calypso/Steel Drums.  For us, we decided to make it what ever made us happy. With the music I already had on my computer it only ended up being about $70 and I asked my mother for an iTunes gift card for my shower so it didn't cost us anything.  We just used an ipod and had another one loaded up as a backup.  Keep in mind two that it helps to number the playlists so they are in order for the person controlling it.  Also, there are settings you can set in iTunes to help adjust all the songs to the same sound level as well as do fade-ins.  Here's two websites that helped me:

http://blog.gethitchedweddings.com/2011/11/how-to-have-successful-ipod-wedding.html?m=1

http://weddingrepublic.com/blog/diy-wedding-building-your-own-wedding-reception-playlist/

 

Going into this I had no idea what the vibe of the night would be (people crazy and wanting to dance, just chill, etc.) so I tried to be prepared for everything.  Turns out everything was perfect and I got many compliments on the music.  Sorry the list is so long, hope it helps.

 

01 Procession-
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World:  Israel Kamakawiwo’ole  (I just used the What a Wonderful World portion)
02 Recessional:
Ultimate Party:  Krosfyah & Edwin Yearwood

03 Cocktail Hour (1 Hour):
Boo-Boo Man:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Caribbean Pirates:  Caribbean Party Music:  Jamaican, Calypso, Steel Drums, and Other
Everybody Loves a Saturday Night:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Festival Steel Drums:  Caribbean Party Music:  Jamaican, Calypso, Steel Drums, and Other
In Your Eyes:  Wayne Wonder
Island Song:  Zac Brown Band
Jamaica, Farewell:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Jamming:  Bob Marley
Jouvert Barrio:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Now or Never:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
One Love/People Get Ready:  Bob Marley
One Woman Man:  UB40
Outcast    :  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Rhythm of Love:  Plain White T’s
Rum and Coca-Cola:  Gene Mitchell
Sweet Calypso Woman:  Steel Tropics
Toes:  Zac Brown Band
Want Fi Charge:   Gramps Morgan
Yellowbird:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
04 Reception Dinner (1.3 Hours):
Where the Boat Leaves From:  Zac Brown Band
Gotta Tell Someone:  UB40
Plenty More:  UB40
Golden Eyes:  Tony Curtis
Love’s Contagious:  Tarrus Riley
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy:  The Tams
Perfect One:  Sizzla
Loving You Forever:  Roger Robin
Like An Angel:  Maxi Priest
Love Stomach:  Khago
That Girl:  Jah Cure
Nothing:  Jah Cure
Better Together: Jack Johnson
You’re Just Right:  Kashef Lindo
Jah Love:  Iration
Darling It’s You:  Gramps Morgan
Heaven In Your Eyes:  Glen Washington
The Sun and the Wind:  Gene Mitchell
Your Love:  The Dirty Heads
Cabin By the Sea:  The Dirty Heads
Love Stories:  Beres Hammond

05 Reception Party (2.5 Hours):
All Aboard:  Atlantik
I Gotta Feeling:  Black Eyed Peas
Let’s Get It Started:  Black Eyed Peas
Marry You:  Bruno Mars
Just the Way You Are:  Bruno Mars
Forever:  Chris Brown
My Love:  Da Bhann
Tu y Yo:  Enrique Iglesias
Sweet Caroline (Reggae Version):  Freddie McGregor
The World is Ours Tonight:  Gloriana
Sweat (A La La La La Long):  Inner Circle
Down :  Jay Sean
Till My Last Day :  Justin Moore
Your Love is My Drug:  Ke$ha
Die Young:  Ke$ha
Guitars and Tiki Bars:  Kenny Chesney
Beer In Mexico:  Kenny Chesney
Pump Me Up:  Krosfyah
Ultimate Party:  Krosfyah
Say Hey (I Love You):  Michael Franti &Spearhead
Love Like This:  Natasha Bedingfield
Tonight is the Night:  Outasight
Raise Your Glass:  Pink
Always On My Mind:  Phantom Planet
Give Me Everything:  Pitbull
Don’t Stop the Party:  Pitbull
Gangnam Style: PSY
Umbrella:  Rihanna
We Found Love:  Rihanna
I Am a Bajan:  Rupee
Jump:  Rupee
Blame It (on de music)  Rupee
All Night Til Mornin’: Statement
Wanna Be (Right Dey):  Statement
Santeria:  Sublime
Don’t You Worry Child:  Swedish House Mafia
One of Those Nights:  Tim McGraw
Numb:  Usher
Knee Deep:  Zac Brown Band
06 Reception Backup Mellow  (58 minutes):
You and I:  Ingrid Michaelson
The Way I Am:  Ingrid Michaelson
Marianne:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
I Got You:  Thompson Square
Sunshine:  Steve Azar
When the Sun Goes Down:  Kenny Chesney
The Life:  Kenny Chesney
Magic:  Kenny Chesney
Lucky:  Jason Mraz
You Make It Real:  James Morrison
I Do:  Colbie Caillat
Angel:  Shaggy
Kokomo:  The Beach Boys
Flip Flop Song:  University of Akron Steel Drum Band
Smile: Uncle Kracker
God Gave Me You:  Blake Shelton
07 Reception Backup Party  (1.1 Hours):
Kings and Queens:  30 Seconds to Mars
Telling the World:  Taio Cruz
Dynamite:  Taio Cruz
Got Your Back:  TI
Live Your Life:  TI
Stuck Like Glue:  Sugarland
Letting Go:  Sean Kington
Sube y Baja:  Los Hermanos Rosario
Mujer Prohibida:  Los Hermanos Rosario
La Duena del Swing:  Los Hermanos Rosario
Esa Muchacha:  Los Hermanos Rosario
Tik Tok:  Ke$ha
No Me Digas Que No:  Enrique Iglesias
One Day at a Time:  Enrique Iglesias
Club Can’t Handle Me:  Flo Rida