Sandals Antigua Wedding

[ConnieMarie]

Hi I am getting married June 19,2012 at the Sandals Antigua resort and I was just looking for any advice or feedback people could give me.  I havent been able to find alot of pictures of a wedding at that resort so I would love to see some of a wedding on the beach!  I have my first phone planning session on July 27th so I am still in the early stages but am very excited!

[SarahTD]

Hi Connie,

  I just got married at Sandals Antigua and it was fantastic.  I didn't get married on the beach because all of the beaches there are public and I wanted a little more control over who was in the pictures and what music was playing right next to me.  That being said, it seemed like most people on the beach were pretty respectful of weddings going on so don't necessarily  be discouraged from it.  I found this site so helpful before my wedding, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

   Sarah

[tanyingying]

Hi Connie,

 

I'm an intern at the weddings dept at Sandals Grande Antigua. Like Sarah said, the beach is public so you will have people walking around. It also depends on what time is your wedding.

 

here are some pictures that i've taken from some weddings at our resort. Hope that it helps. =)

 

Island Paradise theme

Vision in white

 

[ConnieMarie]

I am thinking I may do it in the gazebo on the resort but where you can see the beach.  Where did you have yours?  I do have a couple questions about the photographer packages.  Did you get a package before hand?  I want to get a CD with all of the pictures on it do they do that or do you have to buy each one individually? I am so excited to have our wedding there the pictures are beautiful! Thanks for your help!

 

Connie

[SarahTD]

Connie, we got married in the large gazebo by the reflecting pool.  We had 5 other couples with us and they all got to sit down for the ceremony which was nice.  They also set up our reception in there so we had shade and the steel drum band set up right outside.  It was really wonderful.  We still had some pictures taken on the beach at sunset.  I didn't choose a photo package beforehand.  We actually didn't choose a package at all- we had several people taking pictures for us so we only chose a few of the Sandals photos which were wonderful.  I don't know if you are taking anyone with you, but this is a nice option.  Either way, I didn't let Sandals make me choose until I saw their photos.  We did have the ceremony videotaped which was $500 but I felt it was very worth it since not very many people got to go with us. 

 

It is really a beautiful place and lots of great areas to take beautiful photos.

Originally Posted by ConnieMarie 

I am thinking I may do it in the gazebo on the resort but where you can see the beach.  Where did you have yours?  I do have a couple questions about the photographer packages.  Did you get a package before hand?  I want to get a CD with all of the pictures on it do they do that or do you have to buy each one individually? I am so excited to have our wedding there the pictures are beautiful! Thanks for your help!

 

Connie

 

[ConnieMarie]

What time of day do you think is best to get pictures on the beach?  I have noticed in different peoples pictures the water doesnt look as blue in some and I was wondering if maybe that is because time of day. I want to have the wedding when it is really sunny out and the water is really bright teal.

[SarahTD]

I know what you mean.  Mine were kind of like that because we were going for the sunset.  If you want to forgo the sunset and get blue water, I would do it before 4.  My wedding was at 4 and we took pictures on the beach around 5 or so.

[stluciabound]

Hi ladies!! Congrats to SarahTD on being a newlywed and ConnieMarie on your engagement!! We are getting married at the Grande St Lucian April 14, 2012 and I am also trying to plan all the details. I am wanting to hire teh steel drum band and was wondering how they were for you Sarah. How long of a reception did you choose? Did you find the photographer still did a thorough job getting shots even though you didn't select a package beforehand? Any inside info is much appreciated!!! Thanks Sarah and happy planning ConnieMarie!!!

[SarahTD]

Hi there...Thanks very much.  I loved the steel drum band!  It's $300 for an hour which made it the most expensive part of the entire thing, but I really liked it.  My advice is to maybe make a list of requests because they can play just about anything.  I didn't do that and, while it was fine, they did play "Hot Hot Hot" for about 15 minutes.  The conga line got exhausted   It didn't ruin anything at all and steel drums just say Caribbean to me so, even though my husband thought I was crazy, I thought it was totally worth it.  I had the hour long reception which was plenty.  I thought the photographers did a fine job and took a ton of pictures.  They work on commission so they want to take as many as possible that you will like so you will end up buying more so I found them very thorough and we ended up buying several even though I have a ton my friends took.  I love my beach pictures.  Anyway, that's the scoop.  Glad to help with anything else.

   Sarah
 

Originally Posted by stluciabound 

Hi ladies!! Congrats to SarahTD on being a newlywed and ConnieMarie on your engagement!! We are getting married at the Grande St Lucian April 14, 2012 and I am also trying to plan all the details. I am wanting to hire teh steel drum band and was wondering how they were for you Sarah. How long of a reception did you choose? Did you find the photographer still did a thorough job getting shots even though you didn't select a package beforehand? Any inside info is much appreciated!!! Thanks Sarah and happy planning ConnieMarie!!!

 

[stluciabound]

Thanks Sarah! That is great advice. I really was looking forward to the steel drum band so I am happy to hear they are as good as what I am hoping. I will make a request list. The WC did say they play a lot of current stuff and do a good job of getting the guests involved so that is exciting! If you don't mind me asking, how many guests did you have? I am trying to decide between the 1 and 2 hour reception with sit down dinner. Any input would be great. Thanks again and congrats!!

 

Originally Posted by SarahTD 

Hi there...Thanks very much.  I loved the steel drum band!  It's $300 for an hour which made it the most expensive part of the entire thing, but I really liked it.  My advice is to maybe make a list of requests because they can play just about anything.  I didn't do that and, while it was fine, they did play "Hot Hot Hot" for about 15 minutes.  The conga line got exhausted   It didn't ruin anything at all and steel drums just say Caribbean to me so, even though my husband thought I was crazy, I thought it was totally worth it.  I had the hour long reception which was plenty.  I thought the photographers did a fine job and took a ton of pictures.  They work on commission so they want to take as many as possible that you will like so you will end up buying more so I found them very thorough and we ended up buying several even though I have a ton my friends took.  I love my beach pictures.  Anyway, that's the scoop.  Glad to help with anything else.

   Sarah