Has anyone heard of Hummingbird Hall in Montego Bay?

[excellindy]

Thanks!  I'm so excited. HH finally confirmed our deposit last week (it took over a week for them to confirm our wire transfer), and so we're definitely on for 4/21/12! 

 

We're really interested in the sky lanterns that HH has to offer--there was some talk about them comping those for us if they use our photos, etc., in materials but I don't know if that can be figured out right now. Currently, they're working on our Wedsite and I'm busy obsessing over the wedding design form that Alisha sent once we were confirm.

 

Where is everyone planning on staying? We're getting group rates at the Iberostar. 

 

I'm so excited to not be having an all-inclusive wedding. I really feel like this FITS!

[atalanta]

@ degaldot, I know how you feel about budget constraints and decision making. We are sort of in the same boat with you for different reasons. We prioritized people, venue, ambiance, food, alcohol, and DJ over attire, photography, videography, extra flowers, and transportation. So now we are trying to squeeze the latter items into what's left of our tiny budget. Thank God for frequent flyer miles and my sister offering us her time share for our honeymoon. To cut additional costs, I'm going for a sample sale dress, having my bridesmaids carry fans instead of flowers, asking our friends to upload their pictures of us for our photography, setting up two still video cameras at all of the venues for videography, considering breaking apart the bouquets provided in the package to make corsages for our moms, floral hair wreaths for our flower girls, and extra boutonnieres for the guys, and having our guests make their own travel arrangements to the aqueduct and HH. I'm open to other cost-saving suggestions, too.

 

Getting back to your question, I think the golf cart tour is 20 dollars extra per extra person. An extra couple of hundred here and there begins to add up so I completely understand your frustration. I have a couple of suggestions. First, could you and your then husband take the golf cart and rent a couple of cabs to take the rest of your bridal party to meet you at the beach for pictures? Second, did you mention something about reggae tours? Are they doing the transportation for your wedding party from Iberostar-HH-Iberostar? Maybe they will do this for you, too, for less than $220? Hope that helps.

 

We opted for having our wedding at the aqueduct and cocktail hour at the gazebo to have the beach be a part of our wedding. Since we'll already be in the vicinity of the beach, neither our bridal party of 14 (not including us) nor any family will be going with us on our golf-cart tour. Also, remember though that we will not have a professional photographer so pictures aren't that important to us. We will just take a few group pictures (family and wedding party) at the aqueduct and gazebo before heading off for our private golf cart tour.  We've read that the bride and groom rarely have time for each other on their wedding day so we are taking this "gift" from HH to make sure that we do have some time for just us after the wedding ceremony. We are planning to meet our bridal party with our guests back at HH after the tour.

 

 

@ delgadot and excillindy, I first heard of sky lanterns through Alisha. She brought it to our attention as an alternative to fireworks as she remembered how disappointed we were that we couldn't afford them for our fourth of July wedding. Alisha didn't mention cost when we spoke, but Lola later mentioned somewhere in the vicinity of $250 for 25. Since then, Alisha has informed us that the police department has revoked their permit for sky lantern releases due to high winds. We are very disappointed about this and hope that the permit becomes reinstated by our date next year. 

 

That said, Iberostar brides seem to be able to bring their own lanterns and release them without a permit. I'm really intrigued by this not only because of the independence and cost factor (sky lanterns are ubercheap) but also from a practical standpoint. How are these brides flying from the US with gel fuel in their suitcases? I figured I'd either get more information form the Iberostar board or talk to Alisha about it in more depth as the time nears. The price discrepancy, according to Lola, takes into consideration that HH staff would inflate them all and bring them out to you and your guests ready to release. 

 

@ excillindy, we, too, are working on that concept questionnaire. I agree with you about the all-inclusive weddings. They work for some brides, but not for me. I love to be able to ask my questions as they pop into my head, and Alisha and her team have a consistent A+ rating.

 

Happy planning!

[delgadot]

@ atalanta- Thank you so much for the suggestion on transportation for the pictures!! Checking with Reggae Tours sounds like such a great idea I will definitely have to look into that!!

 

As far as the sky lanterns go that is so sad to hear that HH's permit was revoked...that does make you wonder how Iberostar is still allowed to do it...???

 

Which Iberostar location are you staying at; Grand, Suites or Beach?

 

Also, you said you are using 3 colors for your theme, I am using three colors but on the concept questionnaire it asks for 2 colors maximum...do you know if HH will be flexible and allow us to add one more color just as an accent for the flowers and possibly the Chinese lanterns?

 

 

[atalanta]

@delgadot,

 

You are welcome. Any time, that's what these boards are for--for us to help each other through this process. I haven't chosen my Iberostar location yet. I'm thinking about the beach for my guests and upgrading to the suites for my fiance and me.

 

What about you? I remembered you mentioned staying at the beach to accommodate your guest's price point. But are you and your FI also staying at the beach, too?

 

Ah, yes. We actually put that the accent color for our flowers in our contract (oops excillindy, I forgot about that change, too) so in the concept questionnaire I just put pink and purple with teal accent for flowers as per contract.

 

It didn't seem to be a big deal to have them include a third color in the contract, especially if you only want it for the sky lanterns and the flowers. I would just check with Alisha and her staff.

 

@ everyone, how much input are you getting from your FIs with planning and the concept questionnaire?

[KayRon]

Hi miss k i'm also new to this post, i've just recently decide to have my wedding at the Humming Bird Hall but my fiance and i having a hard time trying to find a nice and affordale hotel for our guest, do you have guest traveling to Jamaica for your wedding.

[KayRon]

Hi Atalanta,

                I'm new to this site i've been reading a lot of you ladies posts and i'm so happy that each and everyone of you having your wedding at the humming bird hall. My fiancee and i just agree to have our wedding there, when are you getting married i set a date for August 18, 2012.

[KayRon]

@ atalanta

                  when are you getting married.
 

Originally Posted by atalanta 

@delgadot,

 

You are welcome. Any time, that's what these boards are for--for us to help each other through this process. I haven't chosen my Iberostar location yet. I'm thinking about the beach for my guests and upgrading to the suites for my fiance and me.

 

What about you? I remembered you mentioned staying at the beach to accommodate your guest's price point. But are you and your FI also staying at the beach, too?

 

Ah, yes. We actually put that the accent color for our flowers in our contract (oops excillindy, I forgot about that change, too) so in the concept questionnaire I just put pink and purple with teal accent for flowers as per contract.

 

It didn't seem to be a big deal to have them include a third color in the contract, especially if you only want it for the sky lanterns and the flowers. I would just check with Alisha and her staff.

 

@ everyone, how much input are you getting from your FIs with planning and the concept questionnaire?

 

[atalanta]

Hi KaRon,

 

Welcome to the thread KaRon. We are always happy to see another HH bride. I'm like you. Although my family is Jamaican, most of them live overseas as does all of our friends and my fiance's family. I, too, am having a very difficult time finding reasonable accommodations for our guests. With the research that I've done, Iberostar Rose Hall (Beach, Suites, and Grand) continuously gets the highest marks for their respective price points. For this reason, I have been leaning towards using the Beach for guests and having me and FI stay at the Suites.

 

In some ways, I love that it's all inclusive so guests don't have to come up out of pocket once they are on the island. What I don't like is that you still have to pay per person for food for things like a welcome and/or rehearsal dinner, the day-after-the-wedding brunch.

 

I also like the idea of having a bonfire on the beach ($250), but then one still has to pay $350 for drinks when the drinks are already included in the price of the resort?!?!! It just doesn't make any sense to me. I think it would almost be better if they called it a setup fee, but saying it's for drinks just makes me feel ripped off and played. I still need to look into whether we can have these activities without the extra costs by not doing them privately.

 

My uncle offered to host a welcome dinner at his place, but I am really afraid of outside people attending (It's a Jamaican thing) and raising my costs and/or inviting themselves to the wedding. However, if I do take him up on his offer, and we do a group outing, and rehearsal dinner elsewhere, I just don't think that guests will be getting the biggest bang for their buck.

 

As delgadot would say, so many decisions! BTW, we are getting married a month before you.

 

 

Originally Posted by Miss K 

Hey Ladies!

 

Osharp your vow renewal is very close! Congratulations again and cant wait to see all the beautiful pics!

 

Also ladies, I did finally hear back from the wedding coordinator at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites about having a welcome dinner or etc at the resort. She said yes that we can plan a private welcome dinner or any other functions since all my guests are staying there. The prices are kind of expensive but I choose to just have appetizers and drinks it makes a world of difference for me since I am only expecting 30-40 guests. The wedding coordinator was actually very helpful, it just takes her a long time to respond to emails.

 

 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by KayRon 

Hi miss k i'm also new to this post, i've just recently decide to have my wedding at the Humming Bird Hall but my fiance and i having a hard time trying to find a nice and affordale hotel for our guest, do you have guest traveling to Jamaica for your wedding.

 

[KayRon]

Isn't that something i'm jamaican also, i know what you mean about having outsiders to your dinner my mother wanted to have a after party the next day for extended families that are not attending the wedding, she's planning on having it at her brothers place which i'm scared that outsiders just gonna walked in and help them selfs to things but that wont happen cause i'm not gonna have a after party. it's a little stressful to find a nice affordable place for my guest which i dont want to break their pockets, still looking though. i wish you all the best for your wedding and hope you find something affordable for your guest, when you do please notify me.
 

Originally Posted by atalanta 

Hi KaRon,

 

Welcome to the thread KaRon. We are always happy to see another HH bride. I'm like you. Although my family is Jamaican, most of them live overseas as does all of our friends and my fiance's family. I, too, am having a very difficult time finding reasonable accommodations for our guests. With the research that I've done, Iberostar Rose Hall (Beach, Suites, and Grand) continuously gets the highest marks for their respective price points. For this reason, I have been leaning towards using the Beach for guests and having me and FI stay at the Suites.

 

In some ways, I love that it's all inclusive so guests don't have to come up out of pocket once they are on the island. What I don't like is that you still have to pay per person for food for things like a welcome and/or rehearsal dinner, the day-after-the-wedding brunch.

 

I also like the idea of having a bonfire on the beach ($250), but then one still has to pay $350 for drinks when the drinks are already included in the price of the resort?!?!! It just doesn't make any sense to me. I think it would almost be better if they called it a setup fee, but saying it's for drinks just makes me feel ripped off and played. I still need to look into whether we can have these activities without the extra costs by not doing them privately.

 

My uncle offered to host a welcome dinner at his place, but I am really afraid of outside people attending (It's a Jamaican thing) and raising my costs and/or inviting themselves to the wedding. However, if I do take him up on his offer, and we do a group outing, and rehearsal dinner elsewhere, I just don't think that guests will be getting the biggest bang for their buck.

 

As delgadot would say, so many decisions! BTW, we are getting married a month before you.

 

 

 

 

 

[KayRon]

A rip off indeed i hate hotels that do that why would you call it all inclusive if u have to pay extra outside the package that just don't make any sense.
.

Originally Posted by KayRon 

Isn't that something i'm jamaican also, i know what you mean about having outsiders to your dinner my mother wanted to have a after party the next day for extended families that are not attending the wedding, she's planning on having it at her brothers place which i'm scared that outsiders just gonna walked in and help them selfs to things but that wont happen cause i'm not gonna have a after party. it's a little stressful to find a nice affordable place for my guest which i dont want to break their pockets, still looking though. i wish you all the best for your wedding and hope you find something affordable for your guest, when you do please notify me.