CARIBBEAN PANTRY

[AMB DEC2011]

Has anyone used or is currently using Caribbean Pantry in Runaway Bay as a caterer and/or planner? I'm having my wedding at a villa in MoBay and Natalie Chen has given me reasonable prices for the food, alcohol and equipment and event rental. But I have not been able to find reviews online from past clients. I have spoken with her on several occasions and like her.  I just need some confirmation that she is the right one!

[catererbride]

Exciting! I am getting married in a private villa in runaway bay in Sept. You are the only other person I have found that is too I can't wait and I think it is the best route to have everything exactly as you want it but it's certainly much more expensive. We will have about 30 overseas guests and 30 local. I'm not sure who the caterer is as yet but will be in ja for about a month before so will try out our menu etc in advance. It seems to be very difficult to find references for most vendors especially musicians.

 

Good luck!

[AMB DEC2011]

Your wedding sounds almost identical to mine! I am having 60 guests as well and about 30 from overseas and 30 local.  I wish I could come out there a month a head of time, but my schedule won't allow it.My mom will probably be out there a few weeks ahead of time and I plan to be there a 2 weeks before the wedding (one week before the guests arrive). Currently working on choosing a photographer and videographer

 

Keep me posted!

[catererbride]

my bride twin?

 

It is quite annoying/frustrating organising all of this over the phone and internet and knowing who to trust. I had so much hassle finding a planner and then did find one that I had a great connection with and that I thought was going to work out great and then it fell through due to me stupidly agreeing to her before recieving the final quote. One food quote, NOT incuding rentals cam to $200 per person! Crazy. I do not want a buffet and to be fair I do want a kind of specialized menu to mix up international and jamaica cusine but still... a few diff planners told me that it's a small island and that certain foos need to be imported especially etc. but I live in Bermuda (population 60k & only 21 miles long) and as a catering manager I know very well hoe easy and difficult it is to import food and yet somehow jamaica prices are more than double what they would be here. Odd.

 

Photographer - using marcia roberts and she is very reasonable. We are even having her cover our rehearsal day for local guests that cannot make the wedding so that they can be included in our overall wedding photos.

 

All I have left to do is......try on dresses and buy for myself and 4 bridesmaids, suits for the guys, make invites and infopacks, makeup welcome oot bags and ...that's it? I think

 

7th September is our date and I will def let you know the good and bad and things to look out for in a villa wedding.

 

 

 

[AMB DEC2011]

You are my twin! This is crazy! I am 95% sure that I am using Marcia Roberts too! Her prices compared to everyone else is very reasonable! I love my Jamaican people, but they tend to think that they can "get over", especially on non-Jamaicans. I am having relatives negotiate prices for me on my behalf in Jamaican dollars.Have you found another wedding planner yet? Who are you considering as your caterer now? Have you considered talking to a restaurants who caters?  There are a couple that you may want to contact.  I don't know their price range though.

 

I look forward to hearing about how it all turns out!

[sasha]

@ Catererbride US$200 per person????? thats crazy.  I have never heard of that wedding planner Natalie Chen but have you ask your villa rental agent for their preferred wedding planner as it is safer to us as you sometimes pay through them.  Well happy pallning and all the best if you need any advise i will try to help you Ladies.

 

[AMB DEC2011]

Oh no! Natalie Chen is my wedding planner, not catererbride and she did not charge $200 a person! I think that's another Natalie.  And I actually got her name from my villa rental specialist. LOL!! But thanks for the feedback! I appreciate your offering advice, cause I will definitely take you up on it! I am currently working on transportation for those who are staying at a resort.  Do you know the name of a reputable transportation company in MoBay or the surrounding area?

[sasha]

I was referring to catererbrides comment about the $200 per person charge and i was telling you that i have never heard of Natalie Chen, the wedding planner, who is your villa rental specialist.  I am not sure but when Sadeki did our wedding she provided the transportation you can email her as [email protected].

 

Happy planning!!!

[catererbride]

Hi AMB,

 

How is it all going for you? Not too much has progressed my side...but it's still fun, so that's something

 

I am waiting on a quote from Natalie Chen and another one called Island Deli caterers?? I did email two others but they haven't got replied as yet...no surprise there. It's still like pulling teeth and the trouble is that my Jamaican Fi has the same laid back 'take it easy mon' approach that somehow everything will just slot together on the day....hmmmm... 3 months before the wedding and still no closer to a caterer or music (band, dj, etc.) - sure, 'no problem mon'

 

What did you decide on in the end and any hot tips for me?

 

Thanks!

 

CB

[AMB DEC2011]

Hi Catererbride!

 

It's coming down to the wire til your wedding. 3 months! Very short period of time. Things are slowly coming together on my end. But I haven't ordered my dress yet!! I will hopefully place the order this weekend.  I am getting my DJ through Natalie.  I also booked a sax player for the ceremony and cocktail hour. I am waiting to see if the piano/keyboard player will accept my offer. The reception will be held at Endless Summer in Mobay.  We are currently working on the budget for the lighting and other decor. I feel that I am in capable hands with Natalie and her decorator . But I'm still quite apprehensive. I would have loved to have booked a good jazz band instead of the DJ, but I could not find anyone who could provide video of their work. I also need to find a good hairstylist and make up artist.  The thing that ticks me off the most is the astronomical prices the locals are charging for their services.  But they know that tourists will pay. I won't. So I'm finding it a little difficult to get decent vendors unless my family members in Jamaica negotiate the prices and the vendors are under the assumption that its for a local wedding.  They have saved me a lot of m aloney. I was born and raised in NY, so I don't speak patois like my parents. And therefore can't negotiate.

 

We have 2 villas and rooms at a resort.  We also have transportation for all the out of country guests for the 7nights. So we are planning a lot of activities for the week and ending everything on Sunday with brunch at a restaurant after church service Trying to have as much prepaid for guests as possible. Makes it easier for guests to enjoy their vacation.

 

What are you actually looking for in your reception? Then maybe I can give you some ideas.