ROR Brides (Riu Ocho Rios)

[kimberyly]

Omg, I wish I would have seen this thread before! It's like pulling teeth getting details out of them. I just finally got pics of the free flowers too. I was concerned about the colors too, but they told me they would incorporate your bridesmaid dress color into the bouquet.

 

I've been debating how to do a beach party too! They told me $15 pp for the bar on the beach and $300/hr for a DJ!! I wonder if they will say anything if I play an ipod with speakers that run on batteries. I was planning on doing a bonfire too. That's $150-$200 each. I'm still concerned with lighting though. If I do one bonfire, that might not be enough light. I really want to do my first dance with my FI and maybe Dad too at that time. And chairs! Some of my guests are older and won't want to sit on the sand.

 

I've found some old threads where people suggested bringing your own decorations because it's cheaper that way, but for what? Decorations for the dinner or ceremony? My biggest concern is that I will be missing something I thought would be provided.

[bryanandchar]

Oh, and we had our dance at the disco, we didn't meet with the DJ but took a CD we just gave to him to play from for our first songs. He played the rest, it was fun. The guys there work weddings all the time, they know what to do and to announce things. I wouldn't worry about it!

[kimberyly]

Omg, I wish I would have seen this thread before! It's like pulling teeth getting details out of them. I just finally got pics of the free flowers too. I was concerned about the colors too, but they told me they would incorporate your bridesmaid dress color into the bouquet.

 

I've been debating how to do a beach party too! They told me $15 pp for the bar on the beach and $300/hr for a DJ!! I wonder if they will say anything if I play an ipod with speakers that run on batteries. I was planning on doing a bonfire too. That's $150-$200 each. I'm still concerned with lighting though. If I do one bonfire, that might not be enough light. I really want to do my first dance with my FI and maybe Dad too at that time. And chairs! Some of my guests are older and won't want to sit on the sand.

 

I've found some old threads where people suggested bringing your own decorations because it's cheaper that way, but for what? Decorations for the dinner or ceremony? My biggest concern is that I will be missing something I thought would be provided.

[CdnBeatPrincess]

Hello Ladies,

 

Have any of you ladies past or present, doing on off-site ceremony and having reception back at hotel? I need your help!

 

I've contacted the hotel asking questions by in number order, and they come back to me answering none of them. Plus I found out I need to pay for a ceremony package even though I don't want one, just to book a reception. Oh My! At least I got  a year until the wedding, I see how some ladies get frustrated especially with shorter time frames.

 

Can anyone make recommendations on how to proceed with getting answers or have any suggestions for off-site reception?

[bryanandchar]

If your wedding is so far away, you won't have much luck getting any responses from them until actually closer to the wedding. I didn't get much input until about a month before we left. They are very very very busy people, they handle up to 4-5 weddings in a day plus all the inquiries from people trying to book and ask questions.

 

Ask if you can have the free wedding package - it's only $250 or something like that, and that would confirm you a reception, then you just need to pay if you want to upgrade the reception location or details....they'll probably give you a ceremony time also, but you don't need to use it if you're going off site.
 

Originally Posted by CdnBeatPrincess 

Hello Ladies,

 

Have any of you ladies past or present, doing on off-site ceremony and having reception back at hotel? I need your help!

 

I've contacted the hotel asking questions by in number order, and they come back to me answering none of them. Plus I found out I need to pay for a ceremony package even though I don't want one, just to book a reception. Oh My! At least I got  a year until the wedding, I see how some ladies get frustrated especially with shorter time frames.

 

Can anyone make recommendations on how to proceed with getting answers or have any suggestions for off-site reception?

 

[kimberyly]

 

Originally Posted by Kristy28 

JJS Could you send me the packages that you have with the $75 vendor fee?

 

Thank you

 

The photographer that I want is an outside vendor and I was told there was a $350 fee for not using their one photographer they have listed. He's giving me a $200 discount to offset that fee.

 

[CdnBeatPrincess]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm having no luck.  

 

Well I want to inquire but I just want to book or pay what I have to now. At least this way, I don't have to loose my mind and my poor fiance will not have to listen to me rant & rave. Plus I want to save the location I want so I don't get screwed and have to re-plan. I guess we're all in the same boat in the beginning.

 

I found on another post that you can do the steakhouse which I think is semi-private and then have a private beach party for $15 per person plus whatever your dj fees are. Is this correct? or did the fees change on this too?
 

Originally Posted by bryanandchar 

If your wedding is so far away, you won't have much luck getting any responses from them until actually closer to the wedding. I didn't get much input until about a month before we left. They are very very very busy people, they handle up to 4-5 weddings in a day plus all the inquiries from people trying to book and ask questions.

 

Ask if you can have the free wedding package - it's only $250 or something like that, and that would confirm you a reception, then you just need to pay if you want to upgrade the reception location or details....they'll probably give you a ceremony time also, but you don't need to use it if you're going off site.
 

 

 

[bryanandchar]

I think that's right for the fees, their prices change a lot though, so once you get an answer from Keisha, keep your e-mail with your rates.

 

There's also the Plantation which is semi-private, and the look is similar to the steakhouse, they'll have a spot for you somewhere and it's all pretty much the same....your location probably won't be set until closer to your date unless you want to pay for the pool reception or beach reception which is first come first serve and that's $65 per person. It's all very nice, so you really don't need to worry about getting "the best" spot.

 

 

Originally Posted by CdnBeatPrincess 

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm having no luck.  

 

Well I want to inquire but I just want to book or pay what I have to now. At least this way, I don't have to loose my mind and my poor fiance will not have to listen to me rant & rave. Plus I want to save the location I want so I don't get screwed and have to re-plan. I guess we're all in the same boat in the beginning.

 

I found on another post that you can do the steakhouse which I think is semi-private and then have a private beach party for $15 per person plus whatever your dj fees are. Is this correct? or did the fees change on this too?
 

 

 

[meeshie77]

YAY!  I'm finally a ROR bride   April 30, 2012  

 

Thank you ladies for starting this great thread.  It was very helpful in making my decision!!!

[bryanandchar]

Hi again ladies!

 

So a couple of girls asked if there ws anything I wished I knew before going so I've made up a little list:

 

1 - There is AWESOME snorkeling just off the beach, just a short swim. Definately take your own snorkel and mask, you can rent them there for a $25 deposit, but only for 30 mins at a time. We snorkeled every day, so having our own was great

 

2 - There is a dive shop right on the resort: ScubaCaribe. They are PADI certified and were very professional. We got our open water certification there, and went on a couple extra dives too. They go 2x per day at 8:30 and 12:30, so if you're into scuba diving it is so super convenient and fun!

 

3 - Take lots of $1 US bills and $5 US bills with you for tipping - everyone wants a tip! We took a lot and still ran out and getting change is not easy. Also - the cash machine on site ran out of money several times, so getting cash was a pain. Just take lots with you and keep it locked up.

 

4 - We made mugs for all of our guests and it was the best thing we did - it kept everyone's drinks cold all day long and you didn't have to go for a refill every 2 sips! Everyone loved them!!

 

5 - The coffee in Jamaica is awesome, but expensive to buy on the resort - you can get it way cheaper in town if you barter at the shops.

 

6 - If you want to bring home alcohol - buy it at the airport, it's the cheapest spot I saw and probably the easiest. I bought 2 bottles of rum in town, they were originally asking $28 each, I got them for $14 each, but at the airport they were $13 each. There is lots of shopping at the airport too once you get through security - the line ups are aweful though!

 

7 - the RIU hotel is not directly in the city of Ocho Rios - it is about a 5 min cab ride, not really walking distance, and the only other hotel next to it is The Palace. We had friends stay at the Sandals and we thought it would be walking distance between the two hotels but they were very far apart. It was misleading when we booked.

 

8 - for a lot of the tours, you can hire a cab driver to take you where you want to go for cheaper, or just to explore around town or go shopping. They will drop you off where you want and then you just get the store to call them and they'll come back and get you, or they will wait for you, for about only $10 per person.

 

9 - lastly - the Jerk Chicken hut on the beach is AWESOME - don't wait to eat there, you'll want to eat there more than once!

 

It is such a beautiful place - you will all love it!! I wish I could go back.