Riu Jamaica Wedding 2012 Need Help/Feedback!!

[gibstah34]

I am new to the DW world. Originally I was planning to have a huge 200+ wedding in Cleveland, but after talking to many friends and family who have already wed decided that a DW is the route to go.  I always wanted a smaller more intimate wedding so this seemed like the route to go!  Anyways, I know I want to have my wedding in Jamaica, but am debating between Ochos Rios and Negril. Originally I was debating between beaches and RIU, however after doing much research on this wonderful website have come to realize that RIU is much more flexible and less "cookie cutter."  I have a few questions for all of you who have either wed at RIU Ochos Rios or Negril

1. Did you do a private reception?

2. DJ?

3. Rehearsal Dinner?

4. Did you use the photographer with RIU or hire a photographer on the island? I do not want to fly a photographer from the States so if anyone knows of a good photographer in Jamaica let me know!

5. Do you have a choice of what kind of flowers and decor you want or do you have to choose from what they have?

6. Did anyone have a Catholic ceremony?

 

Sorry I have so many questions. As you all can tell I am the most indecisive person ever so feedback would be extremely helpful! If anyone has pictures from their RIU [email protected] 

 

Thanks Happy Planning to all!

[bizzyangel]

I haven't been wed there yet (April 2011) but I do know they don't do Catholic ceremonies per the information packet I got after I reserved my date. I think you need to be in a Church to have a Catholic ceremony.

[OchoRiosBride2010]

Gibstah.....

 

I wont be much help, cuz im still in the process of planning...my advice to you...decide if you want a wedding package, or the free wedding package.

 

Free one is very very simple and you will ahve to pay for added decoration, flowers and reception

 

Private reception : we want one, but there is still confusion as to what the cost of one covers, and how the price of a wedding package affects a private reception

 

DJ: i havnt heard great things about the one at RIU, but im not sure what other options we have as per music, and dancing...i really want to have a "first dance| song.

 

Rehersal Dinner: Im not planning on doing a formal one. I know the day before wedding WC (wedding coordinator) goes thru the motions with you aka rehersal, then u can do what you want. I will probably just gather my wedding party and immediate family for a dinner somewhere...im giving my wedding party their "Thank you gifts" about a month befoe we leave for the wedding during a thank you dinner we are taking them out for.

 

Flowers:the RIU resort usues a florist called TaiFlora, they provide the bride and party bouquettes and flowers, as well as decore.  If you wish to have above and beyond what is included in the wedding package, natually you have to pay for it.

 

PICTURES: I booked my photographer thru the resort, i couldnt be bothered to search around.  I dont need 600 pictures, a few really good ones, i saw samples of their work and im ok with it. I booked the cheapest bundle, and added a bit extra time to it, for about $300 US (althought im canadian)...it depends how important pictures are to you...

 

Bizzyangle is right...no catholic ceremonies in Jamaica...only religous, or civil...which are both done by a minister, not a catholic priest.  if you want catholic youdbe better off going to Dominican or Mexico  i think

 

thats all the insight i have right now, as im still planning, still in the dark about alot of things, but those are things ive learned along the way....good luck

[OchoRiosBride2010]

PS if your wedding is in 2012...you have TONS of time...start thinking about things you might want to ahve at your wedding, write them down...after u book a date and they send you the info pacakge u can go over, what is offered, and how much it all is.  Our wedding is in Novemeber 2010, and im only starting to really pre plan now for small thingsl ike favours, and decore and flowers, but the WC will contact you for that stuff.... Hair/makeup reservations...book at least 6months before ur wedding date...and same with Photographer if you are using resorts, to guarantee someone

[hailothere]

I just got back from Riu, Jamaica, Montego Bay, my wedding was July 31.  I was actually going to write on the site but I figure this is a good place to start.  Let's start from the beginning.  I stayed for seven days, out of the seven it rained twice but not a complete washout either day.  The Riu was beautiful, well kept, friendly staff, nice rooms, however the beds were a little hard.  I was a little afraid because the comminucation with the coordinator before travel was quick however once there, she had an hour meeting with me and the wedding was smooth.  I had the free wedding, really basic, had to pay for the minister and any extras.  They get you with the extras.  There is one flower that is free, to me, it was beautiful.  It had an array of colors, white, orange, purple, yellow and green so it matched my colors perfectly.  Flowers for the brides maids depending on your package start at $25 and for the men the bouitneiere starts at $15.  Then there is set-up, there is the basic ivy arch accented with flowers which is free, they have other set-ups with additional flowers but that is costly, flowers are costly.  You have the basic brown chairs which are free, if you upgrade it costs.  They have white wood chairs at $5 a chair then another chair which is $10 a chair.  You have the gazebo on the beach or the gazebo on the plaza.  I did the plaza, the beach was literally stuck right in the midst of the beach, too many people laying around.  Due to the resort activities, try not to have your wedding at 4:00, the sound system intefers with the sound system from the activities from the resort, my wedding was at 2:00 no problems.  I did not have a rehersal, although you probably could if no one is in the space at the time the day prior,  You may be able to decide how your group will walk to the front if it is a lot of you.  We entered from the side and walked down.  For dinner, what I did was just make reservations at one of the speciality restaurants for the group for the night.  We did not do a private reception although is was basically private.  The dinner was held at the steakhouse restuarant on the second floor.  There was another wedding party down the other end, you would not have even known they were there unless you looked down to their tables they were quiet.  You have your own personal waiter, who we tipped, after you see all the work he does, Nicholas, was his name, highly recommended.  If you want decorations for your table you can do that.  The other party had floating candles on their tables which added a nice touch. I used the photographer from the resort, I will post the link when I get the unedited pictures.  The photographer is PROMT.  Make sure you pay for additional time, an extra hour, you will need it.  Michael, the head photographer took my pictures, my start time was 1:30 at my room, at 1:30 he was there.  His watch starts from the time on the contract, not when you are ready.  He took over 200 pictures, of course the wedding, pictures after the wedding on the gazebo, the beach and around the trees.  You meet with the photo images after you meet with the coordinator.  They will basically go over all the packages with you and show you photos of a previous wedding so you have an idea.  You will NOT have your pictures before you leave.  They edit the pictures, take people out the background, etc.  Put it like this, my parents were highly against the destination wedding and my parents LOVED everything.  They can not believe how well everything flowed, went together for the wedding with very minimal planning by me.

[gibstah34]

Thank  you so much everyone for your detailed experiences! I would love to see pictures of your weddings if you have any! [email protected] or send me a link!

Thanks

[LauraB2B]

Hi Everyone! gibstah34 I am also planning a DW in Jamaica in April 2012...Although we have not booked anything yet (its still a bit too early) we have decided that RIU Ocho Rios is our top choice..Have you decided between Negril and Ocho Rios yet? I was in the same predicament when we decided to start looking for a destination. We knew we wanted a RIU but not sure which location was better...in the end I am happy with our decision...How is your planning so far?

[Mikeytosh]

Hi there as a wedding photographer for over 20 years now I have experience with weddings across Jamaica I've also worked at Riu please contact me I can assist you not only in capturing and telling the story of your big day with creative photography but I can advice you much I can also provide an excellent videographer, and make up artist so give me a link and let's talk before you make any decisions.

 

Regards

Michael