Officially a RIU Paradise Island Bride!

[leahpeah]

Have any of you ladies heard from the wedding planner?  I am 30 days out and still don't have a clue about what my options are as far as the cake, flowers, location, decor, etc.  I have emailed, and called and emailed and called, and they still won't give me any info.  I would be so grateful if any of you have some info.  Thanks!!

[Sassy Pooh]

Yayyyyhave fun and enjoy....I cant wait 2 see your pic's

[MellyD]

Leah,
Can't wait to see pics!!  Who did you book for your photographer?

[kristin928]

Girls,

I just got back from a wedding at this hotel and I can tell you that I wasn't impressed.  (sorry but I am going to be brutally honest). I am a DW bride and my friend decided to do one also (my wedding was on Isla Mujeres). The wedding planner is AWFUL! She told my friend she made dinner reservations for the 'rehersal dinner' and she never made them. The weather was bad when we were there and they forced us to do the wedding on the terrace. The winds were SO bad that the alter had to be held down with two chairs on each side. There was a nasty drain running down the isle and they covered it with a 2' wide piece of carpet that looked like something you would find at your grandmas house. The winds were bad (40-50mph gusts) and it was raining. Needless to say, we all got rained on during the ceremony. The beach wouldn't work out because the waves were slamming into the wall.

I just got back yesterday and I have so many more comments to share.... But I wanted to let you know this information so you are well prepared before your big day. I talked to another bride who got married the Friday before and she was just as frustrated/upset with her wedding (and she was able to get married on the beach).

Feel free to email me with questions and I hope to be back very soon to share more information with you.

 

[iGotsGills]

I just wanted to second Kristin.  Our wedding was in the Bahamas 12 days ago (at the Sheraton, which I am still waffling on whether I recommend; my review is here if you're interested: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/sheraton-nassau-beach-resort-bahamas/reviews/5149).  We decided that, for our honeymoon, we wanted to experience other parts of the island other than our wedding hotel.  We spent our last two days at the Riu before we went home, and I definitely would not have wanted to have my wedding there.  It's not very intimate, the rooms were musty, and, as Kristin mentioned above, the contingency plan for the unavailability of the beach leaves you wither cramped on a terrace or stuck in a not-so-desirable room.  We saw two wedding while we there and at least one of the brides was in "grin and bear it" mode.  While the weather is definitely a factor and time of year is a consideration in booking, I wouldn't have felt comfortable having my family stay here.

[iGotsGills]

I have to agree with Kristin above: my husband and I were married two weeks ago in Nassau and decided to do a little traveling around New Providence after to experience the area in different ways.  The last two nights we spent at Riu, and while it was fine for our purposes, I would have wanted to be married there.  The wedding spaces seemed cramped, and while nicely decorated, the rooms were musty and smelled of mildew (we tried two rooms; I think the hotel may need a little work on their HVAC).  I would not have been comfortable having my family stay there.

 

We saw two weddings there and at least one bride was in "grin and bear it" mode.  Weather was a factor - it was windy while we were there too - and that can go to choosing which time of year you choose to get married, but even on the beach it is very, very public; not a very intimate setting at all.  The bride we saw who was not able to get married on the beach (wind, waves) was married on a terrace, and again, it was just very cramped and very public.  I guess whether it works for you is all in your expectations.

[iGotsGills]

Sorry, the above should have read "wouldn't have wanted to be married there."  I think the gist of my post indicated that but, you know... my bad.

[MissBubbles205]

Thanks Ladies for sharing your recent trips to Riu on Paradise Island.. This was one of the resorts we was looking at before we fell in love with Atlantis.. I hope this is a much better choice although we are loosing the all-inclusive factor.. As always, thanks for sharing!

[DfoDanielle]

HI & CONGRATULATIONS!

 

I am also getting married at the RIU Paradise Island in July 2013...

Good Luck and Congratulations with your wedding,

please contact me to let me know how the process goes.

I am very anxious and curious!!!

Im sure it will be beautiful!

 

-Danielle (Pittsburgh, PA)

 

[email protected]

[MissBubbles205]

Originally Posted by DfoDanielle 

 

HI & CONGRATULATIONS!

 

I am also getting married at the RIU Paradise Island in July 2013...

Good Luck and Congratulations with your wedding,

please contact me to let me know how the process goes.

I am very anxious and curious!!!

Im sure it will be beautiful!

 

-Danielle (Pittsburgh, PA)

 

[email protected]

 Congrats!!... We actually totally changed our minds and have now planned our May 2013 wedding in Punta Cana.. amazing all-inclusive resorts there!! )  And no one in our families have ever been.