Secrets St James/Wild Orchid Weddings 2012/2013

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by krisf1986 

 

I like the idea of a buffet! I like the selections also however I don't know yet how many guests will be attending. I'm just wondering if for the plated dinner you can choose something other than the options they have posted online. It looks like they have two spicy dishes and one seafood fish but I wonder if you can choose something different?

 

I'm not sure if you're able to choose something other than the offered options for a plated dinner. You'll have to ask the WC about that one, sorry!

 

 

Originally Posted by krisf1986 

 

Also does the buffet cost extra? Or since you have more than 20 guests (which the package includes) do you have to pay extra for them?

 

If you have more than 20 guests it automatically goes to the buffet option and you pay $80 per person for each person over the 20. That covers their cocktail hour apps, dinner and open bar throughout the night.

 

 

Originally Posted by sec161 

 

Past and future brides-

 

I noticed on the site that Secrets wants you to arrive 3 BD early?  Is anyone doing this?  That's one of the resons we chose Jamaica, so we DON'T have to get there so early!  I think if I arrive Thursday for a Saturday wedding, Friday is more than ample time to make all the decisions and it covers the legal requirement of 24 hours...

 

We are arriving on Tuesday night for a Saturday wedding, but it was just a personal preference on our part. I wanted a couple days to settle in, assemble OOT bags, go to the spa for a massage, etc. before guests started arriving. We haven't set our meeting with the WC yet but I'm hoping it would be on Thursday, rehearsal and bonfire on Friday, then wedding Saturday. I think you're right that arriving Thursday should be fine. I made most of my choices already with the WC via email. When you get close to your date, they send you a form to fill out to finalize your choices. That was a big help!

[krisf1986]

Thanks:) I'll have to talk with the wc when it gets to that point but that helped!

[jrebecky]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

I'm not sure if you're able to choose something other than the offered options for a plated dinner. You'll have to ask the WC about that one, sorry!

 

 

 

If you have more than 20 guests it automatically goes to the buffet option and you pay $80 per person for each person over the 20. That covers their cocktail hour apps, dinner and open bar throughout the night.

 

 

 

We are arriving on Tuesday night for a Saturday wedding, but it was just a personal preference on our part. I wanted a couple days to settle in, assemble OOT bags, go to the spa for a massage, etc. before guests started arriving. We haven't set our meeting with the WC yet but I'm hoping it would be on Thursday, rehearsal and bonfire on Friday, then wedding Saturday. I think you're right that arriving Thursday should be fine. I made most of my choices already with the WC via email. When you get close to your date, they send you a form to fill out to finalize your choices. That was a big help!

I'm with you alexis - our wedding is on a friday and we are getting there Tues. early afternoon.  I wanted sometime to settle in and get the oot bags together.  And I like the massage idea - really relax before the big day.  We are also doing the bonfire on the beach, which i am excited about.  It's good to know they send you a form to finalize your choices.  Have you found the planning process easy so far?  Has the WC been good in responding, etc?  Has it been pretty easy to get everything you want? Thanks!

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

I'm with you alexis - our wedding is on a friday and we are getting there Tues. early afternoon.  I wanted sometime to settle in and get the oot bags together.  And I like the massage idea - really relax before the big day.  We are also doing the bonfire on the beach, which i am excited about.  It's good to know they send you a form to finalize your choices.  Have you found the planning process easy so far?  Has the WC been good in responding, etc?  Has it been pretty easy to get everything you want? Thanks!

 

So far they have been great at replying to things in a timely manner! I always hear back same day or next day. The check list is very easy, and they even make suggestions. For instance we want to get married on the beach area, not under the wooden casita. When I noted that they let me know that it was fine for the ceremony but since we'll have 35 or so guests we might want to consider having the reception near the casita where there's more space. That was fine with me so I went for it. And in terms of getting everything I want, so far so good! My biggest concern was the sky lanterns since I know some resorts don't allow them but Secrets confirmed they are ok! Also we're modifying a few things, like having cupcakes instead of cake. It's all been very smooth so far. Knock on wood!

[jrebecky]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

So far they have been great at replying to things in a timely manner! I always hear back same day or next day. The check list is very easy, and they even make suggestions. For instance we want to get married on the beach area, not under the wooden casita. When I noted that they let me know that it was fine for the ceremony but since we'll have 35 or so guests we might want to consider having the reception near the casita where there's more space. That was fine with me so I went for it. And in terms of getting everything I want, so far so good! My biggest concern was the sky lanterns since I know some resorts don't allow them but Secrets confirmed they are ok! Also we're modifying a few things, like having cupcakes instead of cake. It's all been very smooth so far. Knock on wood!

That's great to hear!!!!  Good to know about the beach area for the ceremony - i wasn't really to key on the idea of the casita.  So, that makes me very happy.  I wouldn't mind having the reception in the casita area either.  Hopefully the beach will be a little more private as well.  I'm glad to hear things are going well with your planning!  Anymore advice or comments you can give us about the planning and working the WC aspect of it would be great.  Just so i know what to expect!  Continued happy planning!

[muneera0302]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

So far they have been great at replying to things in a timely manner! I always hear back same day or next day. The check list is very easy, and they even make suggestions. For instance we want to get married on the beach area, not under the wooden casita. When I noted that they let me know that it was fine for the ceremony but since we'll have 35 or so guests we might want to consider having the reception near the casita where there's more space. That was fine with me so I went for it. And in terms of getting everything I want, so far so good! My biggest concern was the sky lanterns since I know some resorts don't allow them but Secrets confirmed they are ok! Also we're modifying a few things, like having cupcakes instead of cake. It's all been very smooth so far. Knock on wood!

 

love the sky lanterns idea! great to know they will except them. where did you get yours from?

Glad to know the process is going well. It seems so far away for me, 3 months out for me is Sept/Oct. and i would love to have a beach reception! you'll have amazing pictures!

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

 

love the sky lanterns idea! great to know they will except them. where did you get yours from?

Glad to know the process is going well. It seems so far away for me, 3 months out for me is Sept/Oct. and i would love to have a beach reception! you'll have amazing pictures!

 

I got them from a GroupOn deal several months back, but they have sales on those a lot! Cherina posted a link to one yesterday: http://www.groupon.com/deals/chinese-sky-lanterns?utm_campaign=6147470&utm_medium=afl&utm_source=rvs

[jaimeandbrett]

I recently went on vacation with my fiance and family this past October 2012 and had the most amazing vacation! Food, service, drinks were amazing. For this reason we want to book our wedding next year but can't find many reviews and happy to hear you are booking with this year - congrats! If you have never been you won't be disappointed but would be interested to hear how the wedding planning/booking is going. I may have up to 35 guests and most of the pricing is based on 20 people and it's hard to understand if drinks are included. Which doesn't make sense if guest are paying to stay at the all inclusive resort that drinks would not be included. Any information would be helpful!

[muneera0302]

Originally Posted by jaimeandbrett 

 

I recently went on vacation with my fiance and family this past October 2012 and had the most amazing vacation! Food, service, drinks were amazing. For this reason we want to book our wedding next year but can't find many reviews and happy to hear you are booking with this year - congrats! If you have never been you won't be disappointed but would be interested to hear how the wedding planning/booking is going. I may have up to 35 guests and most of the pricing is based on 20 people and it's hard to understand if drinks are included. Which doesn't make sense if guest are paying to stay at the all inclusive resort that drinks would not be included. Any information would be helpful!

Congrats and hope you find a great venue! I'm having my wedding in December at Secrets WIld Orchid. i've priced out a few 5 star hotels in Montego Bay and they all charged per person even if the hotel was an all inclusive (wedding is a complete seperate event at the hotel even if guests are staying there). I'm looking to have 65-75 guests so i def know the price concern. my package includes 20 people and we have to pay for each additional person over 20. ALso, if you have guests that are not staying at the resort, you have to pay the per person cost for the wedding plus a day pass (per person) for non hotel guests. The Wedding Cordinator at Secrets begins the planning about 3 months before your wedding but they respond via email if you have any questions prior. Some of the other ladies on here are having their weddings next month and april so they would know more of the interaction between WC and brides. hope that helps.

[muneera0302]

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

I got them from a GroupOn deal several months back, but they have sales on those a lot! Cherina posted a link to one yesterday: http://www.groupon.com/deals/chinese-sky-lanterns?utm_campaign=6147470&utm_medium=afl&utm_source=rvs

 

thanks. I just ordered my bridesmaids dresses! so excited. $60 per dress! i was so happy about the price! especially since i have 10 bridesmaids :-) My colors are tiffany blue (aqua), fuschia/purple flowers and i'll prob have silver and white here and there.