Paradise Island Site Visit- Ideas and Questions

[krazedtrader]

Was in the Bahamas last weekend for a mini vacation and got to meet with a bunch of vendors! Planning a wedding is so much fun!

 

Wedding Planner - Anne Marie Williams

 

I love Anne-Marie, she is super maternal, very detailed oriented and willing to go above and beyond.  We were really lucky that she was doing a wedding at the Cloisters and Luciano's the weekend that we were there and we were able to stop by before the wedding to see the setup at both locations.  Throughout our time with Anne-Marie, she was following up with the pick up/drop off and other details for the wedding that day which was awesome because it means that she is very detail oriented.  She also had the 3 string quartet play for us so that we can decide whether we wanted to go with just the violinist or a 3 string and having 3 definitely makes a difference!

 

Ceremony - Cloisters -  Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.  What more can I say?  I can't imagine being married anywhere else

 

Reception - Luciano's  - I didnt expect Luciano's food to be so delicious, we were sooooo pleasantly surprised.  The Seafood Wellington was unbelievable and we will probably be advising everyone at the wedding to order it.  The Coconut Panna Cotta was also very yummy. The staff were extremely accommodative, willing to make changes and checking with us after every course.  The outside area is also very spacious. The lights come on after sunset which gives it a very romantic feel, especially when combined with the lights on at the Atlantis across the harbor.  Like the Cloisters, I can't imagine a more perfect setting.  My fiance was sooo happy with my pick

 

Cake - Swiss Pastry Shop - We had to pay $25 for cake samples which isnt common in NY, but very common in the Bahamas.  Either way, the cakes by Manfred were delicious, but be careful because the cakes he provides at the tasting are whipped cream with sponge cake.  If you want fondant, he usually makes it with pound cake which means that it will probably taste different from the cake samples.  If possible, I would ask to taste their buttercream and fondant cakes as well.  

 

Flowers - Wildflowers - Can't say much yet but Natalie spent 2 hours talking with us.  She will be doing a sample setup for us to see if we like it. Anne-Marie uses Wildflowers for 90% of her weddings.  I'll give more feedback on them when I see some samples.  However my first impression is that you should know what you want and don't want because they may over recommend

 

Makeup - Regina - Recommended by Anne-Marie.  I paid $100 for a test, but i looooved her.  She put eyelash extensions on me and it was gorgeous!

 

Overall we had a really great experience and can't wait to have our wedding in Dec!

[skp1]

I forgot to report my update - i was there the same weekend as Crazed Trader.  We already did our intital site visit with vendors so this was part vacation, part small stuff.

 

First and foremost we applied for our wedding license - it was really quick and easy - we arranged this service through Mathew Sweeting's office so we had an escort, although i think it would be pretty easy on your own.  While it was fast, I'm so glad we did this ahead of time and won't have to leave our guests during wedding weekend to go downtown.

 

While we were downtown, I stopped by Bobbie Brown and arranged for them to come to the hotel wedding day.  It's just my sister and me so I was quoted $85/each.  I expected that - I'm just glad they are willing to do it.  I did a trial - not full wedding makeup, but regular and I completely trust the BB artists to do a soft, natural look.  Phew, what a relief.

 

I also did a hair trial at Mandara Spa.  They tried to convince me to do it a day or 2 before the wedding but again, I don't want to leave my guests to do all these things - there will be enough to do then.  I brought in pictures and thought I was pretty clear about what I wanted but it didn't come out that way.  it was OK, but not great and it cost my $144 (including automatic tip).  So I'm not sure what I am going to do for the wedding.  I don't think I can do it on my own.  My friends have said they hated their trial too so I may do it and just be more proactive with giving instructions.

 

Other than that we didn't do anything formal.  We met with the GM at Carmines to arrange our rehearsal dinner.  Jose was trying to convince me to do Luciano's instead and I know the food is better, the atmosphere/view is better and they are more attuned to dealing with parties, but Carmine's is just so convenient.  The dinner is for all family, not just those in wedding party so its quite a group to gather.  There are some people who are notoriously late and then factor in the size of Atlantis and not being familiar, there is no way people will arrive on time.  At least this way if they are late, its not holding up everyone including the transportation vehicles.  I think having it on-site will reduce our stress level - if someones late, so be it, they just need to walk over themselves.  We also spoke with someone at Mosaic to arrange our Sunday brunch. 

 

I was expecting to see a wedding on the Royal Overlook but my wedding coordinator was incorrect about that.  There were TONS of weddings that weekend, but none in my spot   Oh well. At least my fiance and I had some time to spend in the areas and work out some of the logistics we had been debating over (like when and where to do the junkanoo).

 

10 more weeks - lots to do!

[swojdyla]

Thanks Mrs Weiss!!

 

[skp1]

Oh yeah, the other thing I realized last weekend is that I have to do pre-wedding events indoors.  I am a mosquito magnet - we were out on the patio of Seaglass for about 30 minutes and I got about 6-8 bites on my legs.  So I have to avoid that at all costs - my wedding dress is short and I don't want to look like a leper!

[skp1]

Well, it's 2 weeks until my REAL visit!  Hard to believe how fast it has gone.  I'm pretty much done with everything - finalized and confirmed all the details with vendors and have all my clothes and wedding supplies/gifts.  Now its just a matter of packing it all!  At least most of it is only going one way

 

[porcell14]

Ahhh, you must be so excited!!  Please post pics when you get back.  Us fellow Bahamas brides wanna see!  Good luck!

[MrsWeiss1211]

best wishes!!!!  have a fabulous time! we'll all be anxiously awaiting ur update girl!

[p2pca]

Mrs Weiss, 

 

Thanks for getting all that info on your recog mission. 

 

I am going to contact that DJ!

 

RE: Ben Jamieson - We are using him, we didn't have a problem catching up to him or meeting him, I am not sure what went wrong there with you.  I am sorry to hear it happened though, because he really is a nice guy.

 

Floralarts: We are going with them and they have been fantastic. We haven't had any hesitation and Monique has been fast to respond and give suggestions.   We tried florama on Bay St and they weren't even interested.  

 

Swiss Pastry shop: I go here everytime when I am down there.  They make awesome cakes, and great sweets for a sweet table.

 

Lucianos - If you haven't been but I think I read someone is using them has AMAZING food and great service.  If you book your wedding there be sure to request that you are to have your reception on the OPPOSITE side of the Green Parrot Bar (next door) it gets sooo loud that you cannot hear a thing. .. unless of course you can speak between the loud bass beats.

 

  

[Lanajoy]

All this information is so helpful!!! We just began planning a wedding for June 2, 2012 in the Bahamas and I feel so overwhelmed.  I looked into hiring a planner to spare me from losing my mind but this forum alone has made me feel at ease. The Bahamas wedding planning seems much more difficult than other destinations and the information seems harder to find.  So I am a church mouse onlooker but just wanted to say thanks and keep the posts coming!   

 

Does anyone have experience with Anna Fox?

[cnrobert]

Hey! I'm also getting married in the Bahamas on June 2, 2012   @ RIU Palace, Paradise Island.