Has anyone heard of Hummingbird Hall in Montego Bay?

[atalanta]

@Miss K,

 

I remembered you asked about suggestions for planning a catamaran cruise. I came across this review from an Iberostar bride, Princess J, that might be of use to you.

 

"We organized a tour with Dream Catamarans to take our group out for a half day. We didn't book in advance and we planned the trip with our ACV rep at the hotel. We were able to negotiate a 10% discount for our half day trip and it came to $60/person. The boat was fantastic and takes you out to a croal reef for snorkelling then to Jimmy Buffet's Margariteville to swim and go on the slide/trampolines in the water. The boat was open bar as well which was awesome! We had an amazing time and I would HIGHLY recommend this day trip!"

Happy planning!

Originally Posted by Miss K 

Hi Ladies!

 

I hope your trip goes well at the end of May, I cant wait to hear all about it! Well about the photography I was told recently that they do not have a set photographer anymore since their previous once moved the the states to pursue a career. They sent me the info about him but he didnt seem as experienced and he didnt have a portfolio. His pricing was ok but when comparing to other photographers he didnt include as much time. The photographer they recommended seem newer in his career and I just feel in love with some of the other photographers portfolios. Once of the most popular photographers in Montego Bay, Sun Gold Photography I ABSOLUTELY LOVED but they arent available on my day and their prices are slightly steeper. But they have a sister company under them called Associates Photographers that have about 6 different photographers and they give samples of their work and their prices are reasonable, so I am going with one of their associate photographers. I also looked at Stacey Clarke Photography. I can send anyone the info about the HH photography or anyone else if interested!

 

I loved the Hilton, I was going back and forth between the Hilton and Iberostar Suites but since my guest count dropped and is only about 30 - 40 people as of now - we decided on Iberostar Suites. I am definitely an advocate of all inclusive resorts especially when your guests are thinking of saving money. I gave my closest friends and family the option when deciding - most people wanted to pay more for the trip so that once arriving to the resort they knew at least all their meals and drinks are included unless they wanted to venture off and eat at local restaurants and etc. I was able to find a travel agent that booked our trips through Delta Vacations which allows my guests to pay $150.00 deposit to hold airfare and hotel and pay on their trip over the year. This was the best option for us because my guests can pay on their trips like a monthly bill, especially if you have a year to pay towards it and it doesnt appear so expensive. 

 

My TA also told me that Hilton wasn't a true all inclusive - some items at the al carte restaurants were extra money, like steak or etc. And I knew my guests would prefer to eat and drink all week and not have to pay a penny. The Iberostar resorts are all inclusive totally.

 

I am still trying the figure out the welcome/ rehearsal dinner and maybe doing a group boat cruise but I havent had any luck yet, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[delgadot]

@Atlanta- my FI and I are staying at the Beach resort as well. I know that if we stayed at the Suites I would mainly be on the Beach side to be with my family and friends so the extra expense we would be spending for the Suites would be a waste for us:) By the way I told Alisha about our three colors and the third one being just an accent color and she did not seem to have a problem with it either:)

 

@ KayRon- YAY! another 2012 Hummingbird Hall Bride!! Welcome!!

 

I am so excited to have more girls to chat with! There are a ton of resorts in Montego Bay to choose from. Go on to trip advisor that might be helpful for you to decide which accommodation is appropriate for your group. I can tell you that I chose to go with Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort, it is an all inclusive resort that is kid friendly and is beautiful! The food there is great too and the pricing is reasonable:) Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

[atalanta]

@degaldot,

 

Congratulations on the getting the three colors approved by the A-team (my new nickname for Alisha and staff). You make a good point about staying at the beach to be close to family and friends. I guess we decided to consider the suites as a way to have a real beginning of a honeymoon after the wedding without necessarily running into family and friends.

 

Happy planning all!

[KayRon]

@ delgadot

                     Hi thanks for the info, when i heard people planning their weddings and saying how stressful it is now i know what they are talking about. By trying to stick to a buget and finding accommodations for families and guest. My fiancee and I haven't decide on a hotel as yet still shopping around for something affordable for our guest. i was looking in on the package that HH has for videographer and a dj, i'm so stress wishing and hoping that i'm making the right decison for bucking the HH which is a beautiful  place but if you want to upgrade to a different location it's 2,500 more  which i was looking for a beach wedding, but i will see what happens i have a year to go which is not a lot, i'm planning to go to Jamaica to see if i can meet up with Alisha and to give me a tour of the place.

 

 

I hope all goes well for you and your wedding. And i will surely look into the Iberostar thanks.

 

Originally Posted by delgadot 

@Atlanta- my FI and I are staying at the Beach resort as well. I know that if we stayed at the Suites I would mainly be on the Beach side to be with my family and friends so the extra expense we would be spending for the Suites would be a waste for us:) By the way I told Alisha about our three colors and the third one being just an accent color and she did not seem to have a problem with it either:)

 

@ KayRon- YAY! another 2012 Hummingbird Hall Bride!! Welcome!!

 

I am so excited to have more girls to chat with! There are a ton of resorts in Montego Bay to choose from. Go on to trip advisor that might be helpful for you to decide which accommodation is appropriate for your group. I can tell you that I chose to go with Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort, it is an all inclusive resort that is kid friendly and is beautiful! The food there is great too and the pricing is reasonable:) Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

[excellindy]

I know, I wish I'd thought of the three color addition!

 

We're also doing the Iberostars, but I hear you re: starting a honeymoon that's a little more private. I think that my fiance and I are actually going to move locations after a few day to a different place all together. We'll stay at the Beach from like Weds to Mon, and then move to maybe the Caves or Rockhouse from Mon-Thurs or Fri. I do feel a little bad, as I have family coming from all over (West Coast, East Coast and Europe), and feels as though I should be spending tons of time with them--but, if I was having a non-destination wedding, I'd only see them day-of!

 

Our wedsite from HH just went live and people love it. I'm so excited and wish it was closer! I'm so unstressed; HH takes care of everything, so now I'm just stressing out about the fact that I have nothing to do/stress about.

[delgadot]

I have a question for you ladies, I am reading through the wedding questionnaire and on here it states "Hummingbird Hall's staff will not cut or divide cake under any circumstance. If you wish to distribute wedding cake- will you be bringing a "take home cake" or order a "take home" cake from HH?"

 

I am so confused by this...so the wedding cake that comes with the package my guests will not be able to eat at the wedding? I would have to purchase a separate cake so my guests can eat wedding cake at the wedding? I have never been to a wedding and not been able to eat the cake. Do you ladies know what the reason is for them not wanting to cut the wedding cake that comes with the package but willing to cut a cake you purchase separately? I am really confused

 

Another question, are you guys writing your own ceremony script or are you just going to go with what HH offers, I have a ceremony script that I found and I really love the wording.

 

Thanks Ladies!!

[atalanta]

@Excellindy,

 

I need to take some notes from you. I can manage to take the most streamlined process and make it more involved and complicated. For example, we are making our own website rather than using the HH wedsite because we'd like our guests to be surprised at the venue. In addition, I spend hours a day thinking about/planning our wedding (dresses, shoes, bouquets/no bouquets, invitations, STDs, monograms, accommodations, reading threads on BDW).

 

 

[atalanta]

@delgadot,

 

I laughed when I read your message. We wondered the same thing but were assured by Alisha that in fact they will cut the display cake (the one that comes in the package) for the buffet line. What HH will not do is cut wedding cake and package it in little boxes for favors or to be distributed for guests to take home.

 

Ceremony script? I haven't seen a ceremony script with wording from HH. Did you get that with your concept questionnaire? All we received were the order of services (ceremony and reception) so we started editing that to fit our vision of our wedding. I'm sure my FI will want to have a hand in that,too. He's amazing with words.

 

I would recommend you go with the script of the wording you love. That will make your ceremony very personal and special.

 

I just want to reiterate what you have already said. It's so exciting to have other HH brides with whom to talk about the wedding. I love it!

 

Did you ever hear back from reggae tours about transporting your bridal party to the beach? What other transportation will they be providing for you and your guests?

 

Happy planning!

 

 

[delgadot]

@ Atlanta- Thank you so much once again you have come to my rescue!LOL I thought that was so strange regarding the cake I feel like they should be more clear on what they mean because I took it as they will not cut the cake period! LOL

 

So anyways, you are right there was no ceremony script wording on the questionnaire just the order of services..I am just thinking ahead that's all:) 

 

I have not contacted Reggae Tours yet I will reach out to them in September. I plan on utilizing them for the wedding and excursions! I had such a great experience with them for my site visit so I really want to give them business again! 

[atalanta]

@delgadot,

 

I was going through some planning DIY threads this morning. Rosieposie, a BDW bride, used http://www.weddingclipart.com to print free templates so I thought I'd give it a look and see. While going through pink invitations, I came across http://www.weddingclipart.com/images-templates/pink-invitation.html and thought of you.

 

You always on top of things so you probably already have your invites printed and ready to go, but I thought I'd share anyway.

 

Happy planning!

 

P.S. You're welcome about your previous post. I'm happy to help.