Riu-Montego Bay

[tjackson]

I'm having me ceremony at 4pm at the plaza gazebo. I put all of my budget into the cinematographer because my parents are not able to make it and I want to make sure that the video is spectacular! I know what you mean about the additional vendor fees. I think it's ridiculous considering that I am bringing 35+ people with me. I took the Caprice package; so my hair is included and the girls at the spa are really nice. I arranged to change my mani/pedi (i will get them done before I leave) for makeup.

[Futuremrsbinns]

Does anyone know which day the beach party is? Or is it everyday?

[Futuremrsbinns]

I mean bonfire..... Which day is that held?

[misslaura11]

Hi tj how is your planning going? I think my number is 28 but 7 of these are kids so 21 adults. What are you planning on doing after your ceremony? I really wanted a bonfire and fire dancers but I'm not sure if its within my budget. Also do you know if we get a wee cart thing to take us to the plaza? I think that I read some where that it is quite a long walk from certain buildings to that area.... Don't want to be sweaty before my vows hee hee what date are you getting married again? X

[misslaura11]

Ps that's a shame that your parents can't make it but you will have a wonderful video for them to watch x

[Talia DC]

Hi MissLaura11,

I'm TJ, but I signed in using my Facebook account, so it's using a different name.

My wedding is October 2013. I'm currently at about 37 people and only 40 are included in my package. Additional people are $10.50US per person. I was a bit upset because in the original document that I received, it said that a private reception is mandatory for groups of 60+ but now they're telling me it's 40+...so I may have to pay for a private reception, which was not budgeted... They are willing to accommodate me, up to 45 people.
Between the vendors fees and changes from the initial documents, I am getting a tad irritated.

For example, it says in the document that the disco can be rented for 4 hours (until 10pm) for $650. Since my dinner is from 6-8, I was wondering if it was the same price for only two hours and I was told that the rental is $650 for 2 hours and not 4. Totally goes against the original information that I was given.

Ahhh well...

Yes, it is a shame that my parents cant make it but they had planned a trip from Canada to Australia and New Zealand well before I decided to get married in Jamaica and therefore have no more vacation time left at work. It's ok. We will legally be married in Canada first and they will be here for that.

How are your plans going? I am not sure about the cart and I'm scared to ask the cost of the bonfire, seeing as how my budget keeps being blown out of the ballpark!

[SophieAlex]

Hi everyone, I just confirmed my wedding date this week for June 11, 2014 at 2pm and im so excited! We are sending our invites this coming week and are expecting 40-50 guests. Im so happy i came across this forum. It has helped me decide the plaza gazebo would be a better choice (hopefully I can change that) and I will be doing the 4 hour $1000 private dinner instead of the free semi private because this way we can do speeches and music for dancing. I chose the second package for $855 but after thinking about it, I don't see much advantage over the 'free' one so I want to change that. Does anyone know if we can change our package after we told them our choice? Im also curious about how much they charge to do hair for the wedding. Im stressing about how much money im going to have to bring down for tipping. Im not a big fan of carying around a lot of cash. Any recommendations on how much i should bring? For photography, im trying to see if someone who is coming has some skills as i really dont want to spend thousands but this is a very important thing for me to have to look back on. Much more thinking to do but 9 months to figure it all out!

[cvjm14]

I'm going to have the free semi private dinner (although you still have to pay something) .... As ive got under 30 and think we'd be lost up on the top and my mum doesnt want to eat her food on the beach - shes a bit funny! Then going down for a Beach party - I'm going to get a dj in (kevan) and he also does a steel band ...only having the band if its only the one fee to have both as its the same company. Would like the band to play after we're married for a bit while the photos are being captured .... So much to think about! Who is your photographer? I've read about another few make up artists on here but can't remember their names .... There is a forum for make up tho under Jamaican vendors

Hi MissLaura, Sorry I'm so late in getting back to you. I took a break from planning lol. I booked Saab for my photographer. There portfolio was just amazing I had to book with them. Have you talked to the WC yet? The beach party sounds fun! Do you know what they will charge just for the party and not dinner on the beach?

[misslaura11]

Hey .... I have since discovered this cocktail reception that they offer - at first i thought it was a waste of £ but when I found out that the cocktails come in coconuts I was very excited! Ha ha! So I am having this but it's a bit pricey - I think it is $10 a coconut pp and they also offer a fruit platter for $8 I think ..... I thought it'd be nice to have during photos and steel band on the west beach which I believe it quite quiet and private. I still want to marry on the plaza gazebo and then move her for a little reception. However the vendor fee for dj and steel band is $350 each 😫 and $90 for any extra people (I think that this means if anyone extra comes with the dj to help but not sure) ..... This makes me sad!! I'll need to double check the beach party price but I'm sure that you pay a set up fee and then if you want a bar man with a bar to do drinks you need to pay per person ..... Ill double check my figures and get back to you. I'm emailing the WC and she seems very nice and helpful xxx Oh I also have a bonfire price which I'll check and write on this - as iv converted it all to £ I'm confused what the dollars are

[cvjm14]

Wow the beach party sounds nice if you can afford it! I finally started talkin to the coordinator and she is quick to respond which is good. We ended up just booking the private reception and will use the hotel DJ. I also booked the plaza gazebo for ceremony. The beach is just not private enough. Starting to get really excited now with only 6 months to go