Sandals Antigua Brides??

[marleydog]

Hi Viki,

 

No problem about the dress box.  I'm using one for mine.  There is no way I'd put it in the hold & risk losing it.  I'd be devastated.   Re the veil, yes I'm wearing one.  I debated for a while about it but I know Mike would love me to wear one.  I've gone elbow length with diamante droppers on it.  Hopefully the sun will catch them & make them glisten.  Then again, maybe I'm just romantisizing. lol. 

 

Yes, definitely chase up your passport. 

 

I'd also heard your could have your dress steamed for the big day.  Dania did tell me this was chargeable though so perhaps check on that front. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by viki6069 

QUESTION TO ALL ANTIGUA BRIDES ... DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY WILL STEAM YOUR WEDDING DRESS UPON ARRIVAL?  HAS ANYONE HAD ANY ISSUES WITH TRAVELING ON THE PLANE WITH THE DRESS IN THE GARMENT BAG?

 

Alex thanks for the heads up.  I researched on line the dress box you mentioned and found a site that said in the old days you could hang your dress up but not all airlines let you do that anymore.  Didn't even think about it.  Are you boxing your dress?  There is no way I am checking it with my checked luggage cuz I just know it will get lost and then what

 

[marleydog]

Congratulations & welcome back Sarah.  Your photos look amazing & you both look fantastic.    Cant wait to hear your review.  Were there any negatives at all?

 

How you feeling now you're back? 

 

 

Originally Posted by SarahTD 

Ack!  So busy at work, but I want to write everything down and answer any questions, but this should tide you over 

The officiant was very entertaining.

The day before the wedding.

 

[SarahTD]

Hey everyone!  

Please feel free to ask me any questions.  I know how helpful this was to me before I went and I'm happy to help.  First of all- it was AWESOME!  The resort is amazing and the people were so friendly.  I loved every minute of it.  Okay, now down to the important part THE WEDDING:

 

It was incredibly easy.  We met with Sasha who really knows her stuff and is very friendly.  We decided on the large pavilion by the reflecting pool because everyone would fit and we could also have the reception inside it.  Great for 12 people, but probably won't apply to Alex and Viki so you will have more options.  We didn't commit to any photos until we saw them and no one pressured us at all.  We did have it videotaped.  Very steep at $500, but I'm so glad I have it.  We had several friends taking photos also and they saved us a lot of money.  Sasha walked us through everything so don't worry that you'll be left not knowing what you're supposed to do or where you're supposed to go.  The ceremony was wonderful.  I thought I would be nervous and teary, but I wasn't nervous at all.  I felt very relaxed and I had no idea how much fun I would have during the ceremony.  Vaughn was our officiant and he was funny and kept things light.  I got a little teary, but it was very joyous.  The flower ceremony was a bit of a letdown and I think it was my fault that I didn't make it clear to Sasha ahead of time that I wanted a big deal made of it.  Vaughn just kind of said they want to give flowers to their moms and then we did and that was it.  They were dressed roses and our moms appreciated them, but it just felt a little passed over and not as special as it should have been.  The reception was great.  We had the steel drum band and it was really good for a large group.  I will confess that there was even a conga line.  The food was pretty good and the drinks flowed.  

 

Here are the only negatives: We picked our menu and time for the morning after breakfast in our room and it never showed up.  We gave up and went to Bayside which is where we wanted to eat anyway, but it was a pain having to wait for it and not have it show up.  Also, we picked the menu for our special wedding dinner.  We could choose between eating from the menu at Mario's or a special menu at Bayside.  We chose Bayside and what sounded like a delicious meal.  It took 2 hours!  There was a 40 minute wait for the entree and we didn't even care by the time we got it.  We were wishing we were with our friends and family at Barefoot.  Now, those are really the only negatives so that isn't bad at all.  Oh, this is important- watch where you're standing for the pictures.  The photographers put us in the grass by some flowers and I ended up standing in an ant hill.  I got 17 bites and there are photos of my new husband pulling ants out of my dress. It wasn't a big deal and it didn't put a big damper on things.  The nurse visited and put some alcohol and caladryl on the bites and we moved on.  That was even before the conga line!  Makes for a good story anyway.  Overall, I loved my wedding and I'm so excited for you guys because you've really made a good choice.  I can't wait to hear about your experiences.

 

Viki: The reef in Antigua is not very pretty honestly.  We saw some rays, lobster and urchins along with some barracuda and other fish.  I feel any day spent under water is a good day, so we still enjoyed the diving, but this is not the place to go to expect great diving.  The dive guys are really nice once they warm up.  We were able to store all of our gear there so we didn't have to lug it back and forth.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions about wedding, resort, etc.  I'll be happy to help! 

[marleydog]

Hey Sarah,

 

Thank  you so much for taking the time to post your review.  It’s a great help. 

 

From the pictures of your wedding on FB, it looks like that was the site we were thinking about because it looked a little more private (and shaded).  We also liked the idea of having the reception in there.  Do you think that with just 6 of us it would be too large & look silly?  You said you also had your reception in there, how did that work?  Once the ceremony is over do you then go off & have pics taken whilst they set up the table etc?  We’re having the 30 min hors d’eourves & then the 2 hour reception but that’s not scheduled until 5.30,

 

From the photos I’ve seen both on here & FB they look really good.  What did you think of the photographers, did you have to direct them or where they pretty good at getting good shots? 

 

Glad to hear that the Officiant kept things light.  I’m pretty sure I’ll tear up too.

 

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the Flower Ceremony.  You had such high hopes for that too.  I’m sure both mum’s loved the sentiment behind it though.

 

Your conga line sounds wicked.  Do you have any pics?  Would love to see them.

 

Thanks for the heads up about meals etc.  Will certainly bear that in mind. 

 

You’re so lucky having been there.  The anticipation is killing me & I know that Viki is wishing time away too.

 

Once again, congratulation & thanks for the review.  I’m sure I’ll think of many more questions so will drop you a line. 

 

Take care

  

[SarahTD]

This was the start of the conga line.  That's Sasha behind me.  

More conga.  Not the most flattering picture of me, but I was really hot!

 

Alex, I think that size would still work perfectly for you.  They had the bar set up already and then I guess they set up the table while we took a few pictures.  I came back and it had appeared.  It may have been tucked away by the bar because I'm not honestly sure when it popped up.  I didn't really direct the photographers.  They told us what to do and, if we thought of something we wanted, they were very easy going about everything.  

 

Originally Posted by marleydog 

Hey Sarah,

 

Thank  you so much for taking the time to post your review.  It’s a great help. 

 

From the pictures of your wedding on FB, it looks like that was the site we were thinking about because it looked a little more private (and shaded).  We also liked the idea of having the reception in there.  Do you think that with just 6 of us it would be too large & look silly?  You said you also had your reception in there, how did that work?  Once the ceremony is over do you then go off & have pics taken whilst they set up the table etc?  We’re having the 30 min hors d’eourves & then the 2 hour reception but that’s not scheduled until 5.30,

 

From the photos I’ve seen both on here & FB they look really good.  What did you think of the photographers, did you have to direct them or where they pretty good at getting good shots? 

 

Glad to hear that the Officiant kept things light.  I’m pretty sure I’ll tear up too.

 

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the Flower Ceremony.  You had such high hopes for that too.  I’m sure both mum’s loved the sentiment behind it though.

 

Your conga line sounds wicked.  Do you have any pics?  Would love to see them.

 

Thanks for the heads up about meals etc.  Will certainly bear that in mind. 

 

You’re so lucky having been there.  The anticipation is killing me & I know that Viki is wishing time away too.

 

Once again, congratulation & thanks for the review.  I’m sure I’ll think of many more questions so will drop you a line. 

 

Take care

  

 

[viki6069]

Sarah the review is soooo helpful.  You said you didn't pay for pictures ahead of time.  So how did you do it?  Ebony said we had to purchase some sort of package in advance in order to have the photographers so we were worried that we wouldn't have photographers booked if we didn't do that, but it sounds like you still had the photographers and made your decisions afterwards.  We have debated the video too? 

 

Did you get scuba qualified over there? and if so, how much was that?  I used to be Scuba qualified but it's been 20 years.  Your pictures look so fun and I know your guests must have had a fabulous time.  We cannot wait!!!

 

 

[SarahTD]

Vickie- I don't think there is any shortage of photographers there.  We had several just at our wedding and they don't do 2 weddings at the same time so I don't see how there wouldn't be any available.  Ebony may just be pushing, but I don't know for sure.  

 

My husband (tee hee) and I are both advanced open water divers.  If you are certified, you are certified for life.  The rub, though, is that if you haven't dived within a year, you have to have a refresher course which is about $70-$80.  Before I went to Jamaica a few years ago, I hadn't dived in 10 years or more and I did the refresher at a nearby dive shop, got my log book signed and it was not problem.  They also offer the refresher at Sandals, but every dive shop there I have ever dealt with are very strict about their rules so, because it's been so long, I would see if you could do the refresher course near home before you go.  It only takes a few hours.

 

If you choose to go through the whole certification again, I would actually recommend doing it at the resort because they do it faster, you're diving in the Caribbean instead of a lake and I don't think it's any more expensive.

[viki6069]

Thanks Sarah I will look into it here to see about a refresher course.  My certification is through PADI but I got certified in Okinawa, Japan about 20 years ago and haven't gone on any dives in like 18 years so I don't even know if I have a record of it.  If we have to get totally certified all over again might just stick to snorkeling expecially since you said the diving wasn't fabulous. 

 

I think we might go ahead and just pay for the $500 small package of photos and then at least we have the photographers for sure.  Still debating the video???  Are you getting the video Alex??

 

Also not sure I want to spend the extra money on the ocean front private dinner if you don't think it is worth it. 

 

Did you use the spa for anything.  I am booked for hair and makeup and we are really wanting to do the couples massage.

[SarahTD]

Vickie,

  It wasn't the ocean front private dinner I was talking about.  The night of your wedding (or another night you pick), you get a "special" dinner at Mario's or Bayside where they decorate your table and all of that.  We didn't do the private dinner so that is still probably very cool.

 

   My sisters got us the Scents of Love couples massage and it was lovely.  We followed it up with facials for both of us and that was also wonderful.  The only downside is that you're barely sitting up and still naked when they are trying to sell you products.  They take no for an answer pretty quickly though.  I do recommend the spa.

 

   I love my video and I'm really glad I have it.  You might consider it since it will just be the two of you.

   Hope all is well with everyone.  I'm so excited for you!
 

Originally Posted by viki6069 

Thanks Sarah I will look into it here to see about a refresher course.  My certification is through PADI but I got certified in Okinawa, Japan about 20 years ago and haven't gone on any dives in like 18 years so I don't even know if I have a record of it.  If we have to get totally certified all over again might just stick to snorkeling expecially since you said the diving wasn't fabulous. 

 

I think we might go ahead and just pay for the $500 small package of photos and then at least we have the photographers for sure.  Still debating the video???  Are you getting the video Alex??

 

Also not sure I want to spend the extra money on the ocean front private dinner if you don't think it is worth it. 

 

Did you use the spa for anything.  I am booked for hair and makeup and we are really wanting to do the couples massage.

 

[viki6069]

Hi ladies!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  We were so busy and had a nice cookout with our "Brady Bunch" for Father's Day   I pick up the wedding dress on Saturday with my daughter and my soon-to-be step-daughter.  Lets hope it fits!  We have 30 days until we leave and I just can't stop counting down the days.  I know we are probably driving everyone crazy with our countdown but we are so flipping excited.

 

I have decided I am going to wear a veil so just have to find one now at a reasonable price.

 

Thanks Sarah for all the info.  I got confused with the dinner.  Were you guys in a Butler suite?  and if so, any recommendations on how to use the Butlers?  I read somewhere to let them know ahead of time what we want and it will be ready by our arrival

 

Just keeping busy now and working out like crazy to get ready for those bikinis