Secrets St James/Wild Orchid Weddings 2012/2013

[mrlddst]

I didn't have my wedding there but I just returned from Secrets Wild Orchid for our honeymoon.  It was fantastic!  Please, please, please make sure you get all of your benefits while your there.  I booked everything Christina Smith over email. She made sure that everything was in order.  We had the honeymoon welcome including fruit and champagne, romantic dinner (she was able to get the wedding gazebo for us), rose petal turn-down and bath, couples massage, champagne breakfast in bed and reservations at the himitsu hibachi table.  I will definitely go back.  

 

I saw a few weddings while I was there.  They were all less than 8 people so I couldn't tell you about chairs since they had everyone under the gazebo.  I would definitely inquire about an off premises photographers.  We had our pictures taken by the resort photogs and they were okay but nothing really special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kaycag]

Hey Ladies! Just wanted to let you know that if you're using a TA, let them know that Secrets is having a special for 2013. If you book by the end of 2012 you can receive a $200 resort credit and there is also a spa credit (I think $100). Just an FYI! Happy planning!

[Nurseabc]

Hi can you share with me your photos and experience there, I am getting married there in oct and wedding planner has been rude and feel its very pricey!

[kaycag]

Originally Posted by Nurseabc 

 

Hi can you share with me your photos and experience there, I am getting married there in oct and wedding planner has been rude and feel its very pricey!

 

Check out Cbritto's post in Married at Secrets St Wild Orchid/St James???. She has a link of her wedding from October of last year.

[ashleyscsu]

I am getting married at SWO in January 2013 and have booked Misha Earle as my photographer...check her out http://www.mishaearlephotography.com/

[kaycag]

Is anyone using outside vendors for their wedding? I'm curious about their work and pricing...

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by kaycag 

 

Is anyone using outside vendors for their wedding? I'm curious about their work and pricing...

 

I'm bringing in a photographer (Saab) but that's it so far. I figure the pictures are the most important part so that's what I care most about. I think some other brides talked about bringing in their own cake on another thread but I'm skipping that.

[kaycag]

I'm am not traveling with a cake! LOL. I'm going to bring some decor but I wanted to possibly decorate the chairs. I dont want a vendor charging me a zillion dollars for a chiffon ribbon. I'll keep researching.

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by kaycag 

 

I'm am not traveling with a cake! LOL. I'm going to bring some decor but I wanted to possibly decorate the chairs. I dont want a vendor charging me a zillion dollars for a chiffon ribbon. I'll keep researching.

 

Oh whoops, I meant that they were going to find local cake bakers to bring in cake so they didn't have to go with the Secrets choices. I guess Secrets only has vanilla or chocolate and some brides wanted something else. I'm cool with the flavor options so I'll just use what they have!

 

I planned on bringing in as much of my own decor as possible and not paying for it through Secrets. It's ridiculous what they charge for sashes, lights, etc. I think I'm going to do shepherd's hooks with pommanders lining the aisle, then I want just a simple white organza fabric draped on the structure on the beach. I might bring a capiz shell curtain too for the back, haven't decided. And I'm still on the fence about sashes for the chairs because I think I do want to splurge for the chivari chairs and if I do that they're pretty even without added decoration. Other than that, think I'm going to use the standard white linens for the tables but probably bring my own cloth napkins in my wedding color for a pop of color, and then hurricanes with candles and sand/shells for centerpieces. Not 100% on any of this though, just early ideas!

 

[kaycag]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

Oh whoops, I meant that they were going to find local cake bakers to bring in cake so they didn't have to go with the Secrets choices. I guess Secrets only has vanilla or chocolate and some brides wanted something else. I'm cool with the flavor options so I'll just use what they have!

 

I planned on bringing in as much of my own decor as possible and not paying for it through Secrets. It's ridiculous what they charge for sashes, lights, etc. I think I'm going to do shepherd's hooks with pommanders lining the aisle, then I want just a simple white organza fabric draped on the structure on the beach. I might bring a capiz shell curtain too for the back, haven't decided. And I'm still on the fence about sashes for the chairs because I think I do want to splurge for the chivari chairs and if I do that they're pretty even without added decoration. Other than that, think I'm going to use the standard white linens for the tables but probably bring my own cloth napkins in my wedding color for a pop of color, and then hurricanes with candles and sand/shells for centerpieces. Not 100% on any of this though, just early ideas!

 

 

 

I saw the chair options they had and I think I'm going to spring for the chivari charis as well. I wanted to put some decoration on the back of them but I won't do every chair. If I can get away with every other chair or even every three and it still looks nice then I will. But whatever I can pack in a suitcase and someone elses carry ons then that's what I'm taking. Hurricanes and candles add an elegant touch. They're little but they do so much. Are you renting your table cloths and napkins and traveling with them?