Secrets St James/Wild Orchid Weddings 2012/2013

[semisweet]

Originally Posted by kristencanada 

 

I am getting close! 3 and a half months! I am starting to put things together and am trying to do things myself to save some money! Does anyone know if the 4 hours that you are allowed for your cocktail hour, dinner and reception are enough? I just want to be able to have a first dance and a bit of dancing, then we can head to the disco. Also, does anyone know how much extra it costs to add an hour onto your reception? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Kristen

 

I didn't add on an hour, and the reception was incredibly short! We didn't even have father/daughter and mother/son dances or a bouquet toss and still people barely had any time to dance! On the upside, going to the club after was really fun. We gave all the guests little glow stick bracelets so you could see who was with the wedding all around the club. I don't remember how much the extra hour costs, sorry.

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

I used Misha Earle and she was fantastic!! It took her some time to get the pictures up, but it was definitely worth the wait!

 

One thing you should know: if you decide to use the hotel photographer that comes with the Ultimate package, they pretty much force you to go on a 30 minute photo shoot with them immediately after the ceremony. We had a 4:00pm ceremony, so if we had waited until after the cocktail hour to do group shots it would have been too dark. We ended up doing a first look picture, then all the group shots, then went to the ceremony, then went on a photo shoot with the hotel photographer, and then a photo shoot with Misha, and then finally made it to the reception. I would recommend that if you plan to hire your own photographer, don't use the hotel's photographer at all.

 

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

 

I didn't add on an hour, and the reception was incredibly short! We didn't even have father/daughter and mother/son dances or a bouquet toss and still people barely had any time to dance! On the upside, going to the club after was really fun. We gave all the guests little glow stick bracelets so you could see who was with the wedding all around the club. I don't remember how much the extra hour costs, sorry.

 

This is good to know, thank you! I might strongly consider adding the hour. I want to do the father/daughter and mother/son dances and maybe some toasts and a bit of dancing. We can go to the club after though and I love your glow stick idea!

[emilyj]

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

I got married at the beachfront casita in October (the day after Sandy hit!). There is only sand, and it is in the public area. It wasn't a problem - people were very respectful and I hardly noticed that there was anyone else around.

 

We chose to have the reception in their ballroom, so we had the  cocktail hour on the patio right outside the ballroom. We loved it, but you also have the choice of having the cocktail hour and reception on the beach, as shown in some of the pictures.

 

 

Thanks for sharing your experience! Hopefully you can answer a few questions that I have since I am considering Secrets.

 

1. Did you choose the ultimate package? Is so, were there a lot of add-ons that you needed?

 

2. Did you bring any of your own decorations? Was there a set-up fee?

 

3. Were you able to have dinner with your group nightly?

 

4. Did you choose to hire the DJ for your reception?

 

Thanks!!!!

[jrebecky]

So you were able to get the steel drum band for $150?  How long did they play for? 

[Mimi127]

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

I got married at the beachfront casita in October (the day after Sandy hit!). There is only sand, and it is in the public area. It wasn't a problem - people were very respectful and I hardly noticed that there was anyone else around.

 

We chose to have the reception in their ballroom, so we had the  cocktail hour on the patio right outside the ballroom. We loved it, but you also have the choice of having the cocktail hour and reception on the beach, as shown in some of the pictures.

 

 

 

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

I used Misha Earle and she was fantastic!! It took her some time to get the pictures up, but it was definitely worth the wait!

 

One thing you should know: if you decide to use the hotel photographer that comes with the Ultimate package, they pretty much force you to go on a 30 minute photo shoot with them immediately after the ceremony. We had a 4:00pm ceremony, so if we had waited until after the cocktail hour to do group shots it would have been too dark. We ended up doing a first look picture, then all the group shots, then went to the ceremony, then went on a photo shoot with the hotel photographer, and then a photo shoot with Misha, and then finally made it to the reception. I would recommend that if you plan to hire your own photographer, don't use the hotel's photographer at a

 

Thanks for sharing.  Did you have a lot of guest?  I am thinking of having my reception inside because I really do not want to deal with the sand during the reception.  Secrets has not really been of any help and said that I would not be able to have the reception on the patio because the space is limited.  I was also thinking that I would use the resort photographer to take pictures of our guest during the cocktail hour while we take pictures with our photographer.

[Mimi127]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

I'm bringing table linens, stuff for centerpieces (flowers, vases, candles, table numbers in frames), fabric to drape the arch on the beach with, making and bringing my own pommanders and shepherd's hooks, signs for the cocktail hour and guest book, menus, plus all of my OOT stuff. Don't ask me how I'm getting it all there because I have no idea! Haha. I think we might do a steel drum for the ceremony-- you can hire one solo steel drum for 45 minutes for $350. I thought that might be a fun way to get the steel drum since I agree with you that the jamaican trio isn't as exciting.

 

I am with you Alexis was looking at Secrets add ons and just for linens the price was ridiculous and when I think about what  we will be spending I have decided I will be bringing a lot of my decorations but I may splurge on the flowers but I am not sure yet.

[kaycag]

I also booked the untimate package. I haven't had a need to add on anything but I am incorporating a few of my own ideas as far as decor and a few other minor things.

[muneera0302]

This is so helpful! Im trying to decide between Secrets and Iberostar Grand, so far seems like IG is way more expensive. Did any of you ladies have guest attend your wedding that did not stay at the resort (day pass)?

[muneera0302]

Will Secrets allow you to bring your own decorations and do it yourself? If so, I'm definitely going to do the same!!!! 

[muneera0302]

Does the hotel have their contact information? I totally agree on splurging on photos!