Readjusting our wedding in Negril/Montego Bay? Help!!

[downtownlagirl]

Would really appreciate some creative advice. Little long -sorry- but here's the scoop:

We had a date booked at Round Hill in Montego Bay for about a 60-person event, and our friends donated their villas there, so the core wedding party can probably stay for free. However - the setup costs for ceremony and reception plus the WC total at least $5K, and RH is NOT inexpensive on food and beverage, so in effect we don't save anything - it's still pricey. Add to that my fiance freaking out because we just bought a house, and like many guys, not being a huge fan of the "weddingy wedding", AND being shy about being "center of attention" .

So, I suddenly need to do a really low-cost wedding that will seem relaxed and cool, make our friends and family happy, treat people who traveled really well, and not stress out my guy. I thought about doing the ceremony at Round Hill and reception at some ultra-casual, barefoot type restaurant in MoBay that would theoretically be more affordable. Not sure how RH will feel about that, but we could still have all our friends at the same hotel for a nice long weekend.

OR, we could cut the guest list significantly and do someplace like the Caves in Negril (12 villas) where everything up to 26 people is covered in a package for 7-10K, and then take a few days at Round Hill, maybe with the core group. The rooms at the Caves are expensive though- feel like that's asking too much of the guests.

Thought about Rockhouse but you need to buy out 27 rooms for a 3-night minimum and we can't ensure that- we are inviting 120 and expecting 60, but what if we get 30?

I did suggest just doing it at home and the man wants destination; doesn't think staying at home will be any cheaper. Aaargh!

What would YOU do?

[heartbeat]

I think having an off site reception would prob work best.... I've read about some people doing it on here and they just went to a casual restaurant and had a meal. Do you want a traditional type of a reception or do you just want to feed your guest?

[yumyum90]

What if you went with an all-inclusive where you get to use one of the restraurants for food. I've heard great things about Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay.

[downtownlagirl]

I would LOVE a suggestion of where in Mo Bay to hold an offsite reception. Round Hill is kind of far out but we could bus people. The only restaurant close by is a tiny one called the Lobster Trap. It would actually be fun to do it there but they are hard to reach and I'd be surprised if they do such things.

As far as the reception - we hate the long drawn out formal dinner anyway. If we have a beautiful spot, lights, music, good food and endless cocktails that is all we need!

[heartbeat]

endless cocktails are fun! I dont know much about this restaurant besides they are in Mobay and they do weddings Day-O Plantation Restaurant.....sorry i cant be of more help.

[sorord1]

Try to contact Dawn from Jamaica Elegant Weddings. She is a WC that assists with offsite weddings and receptions. Plus she is very affordable.

[downtownlagirl]

thank you all!!!