Secrets St James/Wild Orchid Weddings 2012/2013

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by 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)?

My wedding hasn't happened yet, but the day pass fee for outside guests is $80 for wedding activities. If you have guests staying elsewhere who want to come on the property on a day when you're not having the wedding, like if they just want to hang out with you and the other guests, the cost is more but I can't remember what. So the $80 is a special reduced rate (probably because you already have to pay for their food/alcohol at the wedding.) I know some brides offer to pay this for their guests but I feel like I chose the resort for a reason and it's not my problem if someone decides to stay elsewhere!

 

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

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

Yes. I'm bringing in a bunch of stuff.

 

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

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

 

Contact information for who?

 

Happy planning!!

[muneera0302]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

My wedding hasn't happened yet, but the day pass fee for outside guests is $80 for wedding activities. If you have guests staying elsewhere who want to come on the property on a day when you're not having the wedding, like if they just want to hang out with you and the other guests, the cost is more but I can't remember what. So the $80 is a special reduced rate (probably because you already have to pay for their food/alcohol at the wedding.) I know some brides offer to pay this for their guests but I feel like I chose the resort for a reason and it's not my problem if someone decides to stay elsewhere!

 

Yes. I'm bringing in a bunch of stuff.

 

 

Contact information for who?

 

Happy planning!!

 

Sorry, im new to the site and was trying to reply to a comment regarding outside photographer, i was asking if anyone had the contact information for them? Also, we decided to go with Secrets for December, i am extremely excited! You're definetly correct about guest should pay for the day pass if they choose another hotel but i know my fiance will want to cover that for them instead.   I really want as many people possible to stay at Secrets but im still giving people the option to stay at Sunset beach next door if they want to go the cheaper route. How is your interaction with your wedding coordinator at secrets? are they quick to respond to emails? Again, i'm so glad you ladies are on here experiencing the same thing, makes this so much easier and fun to plan! I'm also working with Wright Travel as well. They are extremely nice!

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

 

Sorry, im new to the site and was trying to reply to a comment regarding outside photographer, i was asking if anyone had the contact information for them? Also, we decided to go with Secrets for December, i am extremely excited! You're definetly correct about guest should pay for the day pass if they choose another hotel but i know my fiance will want to cover that for them instead.   I really want as many people possible to stay at Secrets but im still giving people the option to stay at Sunset beach next door if they want to go the cheaper route. How is your interaction with your wedding coordinator at secrets? are they quick to respond to emails? Again, i'm so glad you ladies are on here experiencing the same thing, makes this so much easier and fun to plan! I'm also working with Wright Travel as well. They are extremely nice!

 

I'm using Saab, and here is their website: http://www.saabweddings.com/ Not sure if you meant them or another photographer in Jamaica. There are a handful out there that other brides have used, try doing a search to see what pops up in the forums for photographers there. I know there are a few threads on the topic!

 

The WB at Secrets isn't usually very fast about replying to me, but I'm not yet in the 2 month window so I get it. Hopefully when I get closer they'll be on top of it! Otherwise we will have issues. Haha.

 

And yes, love Wright Travel!!

[muneera0302]

I'm using Saab, and here is their website: http://www.saabweddings.com/ Not sure if you meant them or another photographer in Jamaica. There are a handful out there that other brides have used, try doing a search to see what pops up in the forums for photographers there. I know there are a few threads on the topic! The WB at Secrets isn't usually very fast about replying to me, but I'm not yet in the 2 month window so I get it. Hopefully when I get closer they'll be on top of it! Otherwise we will have issues. Haha. And yes, love Wright Travel!!

Are your guests staying at st James or wild orchid? I saw WO rooms in person but not st James. And from the pics online there is a difference. When I send my friends to the secret website, most of the WO rooms pop up and they fall in love. I'd hate to have them pay and when they get there they realize those aren't the rooms

[jrebecky]

I have a question regarding requirements to obtain the marriage license in Jamaica.  I know that at least 2 months prior we need to send notarized copies of our birth certificates and passports.  I'm confused how to get a notarized birth certificate - would getting a certified copy from the vital statistics department be sufficient?  I'm a notary and, at least in Ohio, we can't notarize copies of vital records certification.  The passport would be fine to do; it's the birth certificate i'm worried about.  I don't want to send the wrong thing.  Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?  What have you guys done?  Thanks! 

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

 

Are your guests staying at st James or wild orchid? I saw WO rooms in person but not st James. And from the pics online there is a difference. When I send my friends to the secret website, most of the WO rooms pop up and they fall in love. I'd hate to have them pay and when they get there they realize those aren't the rooms

 

I actually didn't know there was a difference until now since the pics are all mostly the nice, modern WO rooms. I just found some on Trip Advisor that I think are St. James and that is totally sneaky of them!!!! I'm currently booked on the St. James side but since I prefer the modern look of the WO side I asked my TA to check into switching me and my guests to WO. Hopefully they still have space/the rates are similar. I wonder if switching sides affects where on the beach you get married? I will need to reach out the hotel WC once I hear back on the rates. Ugh. So glad you said something. I wouldn't have known!

 

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

I have a question regarding requirements to obtain the marriage license in Jamaica.  I know that at least 2 months prior we need to send notarized copies of our birth certificates and passports.  I'm confused how to get a notarized birth certificate - would getting a certified copy from the vital statistics department be sufficient?  I'm a notary and, at least in Ohio, we can't notarize copies of vital records certification.  The passport would be fine to do; it's the birth certificate i'm worried about.  I don't want to send the wrong thing.  Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?  What have you guys done?  Thanks! 

I haven't had to do this yet (I will next month) and I will try to remember what happens so I can update you!

[Mimi127]

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

I have a question regarding requirements to obtain the marriage license in Jamaica.  I know that at least 2 months prior we need to send notarized copies of our birth certificates and passports.  I'm confused how to get a notarized birth certificate - would getting a certified copy from the vital statistics department be sufficient?  I'm a notary and, at least in Ohio, we can't notarize copies of vital records certification.  The passport would be fine to do; it's the birth certificate i'm worried about.  I don't want to send the wrong thing.  Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?  What have you guys done?  Thanks! 

 

I believe that you need to get a certified copy from the vital statistics department because from the research I have done birth certificates can not be certified in any state.  If I find out anything else I will post.

[jrebecky]

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

I have a question regarding requirements to obtain the marriage license in Jamaica.  I know that at least 2 months prior we need to send notarized copies of our birth certificates and passports.  I'm confused how to get a notarized birth certificate - would getting a certified copy from the vital statistics department be sufficient?  I'm a notary and, at least in Ohio, we can't notarize copies of vital records certification.  The passport would be fine to do; it's the birth certificate i'm worried about.  I don't want to send the wrong thing.  Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?  What have you guys done?  Thanks! 

I haven't had to do this yet (I will next month) and I will try to remember what happens so I can update you!

Thanks!  That would be great.  You are getting close.  So exciting!!!  You'll definitely have to keep us updated on how planning your wedding with the coordinator is going.  I'm so curious!  Good luck and have fun with it!!

[muneera0302]

I actually didn't know there was a difference until now since the pics are all mostly the nice, modern WO rooms. I just found some on Trip Advisor that I think are St. James and that is totally sneaky of them!!!! I'm currently booked on the St. James side but since I prefer the modern look of the WO side I asked my TA to check into switching me and my guests to WO. Hopefully they still have space/the rates are similar. I wonder if switching sides affects where on the beach you get married? I will need to reach out the hotel WC once I hear back on the rates. Ugh. So glad you said something. I wouldn't have known! I haven't had to do this yet (I will next month) and I will try to remember what happens so I can update you!

Rooms are fairly the same as for layout but decor is different. I prefer WO rooms better than st James. St James rooms have lighter wood color and WO have the darker wood which gives it more modern feel. Yea don't feel bad, we didn't know either until I saw pics. Check out www.oyster.com for real pics of the rooms (not those photoshopped pics websites post lol). I'd def see if your TA can check rates for WO. It shouldn't matter as far as your wedding being at one or the other since its all still Secrets

[muneera0302]

I actually didn't know there was a difference until now since the pics are all mostly the nice, modern WO rooms. I just found some on Trip Advisor that I think are St. James and that is totally sneaky of them!!!! I'm currently booked on the St. James side but since I prefer the modern look of the WO side I asked my TA to check into switching me and my guests to WO. Hopefully they still have space/the rates are similar. I wonder if switching sides affects where on the beach you get married? I will need to reach out the hotel WC once I hear back on the rates. Ugh. So glad you said something. I wouldn't have known! I haven't had to do this yet (I will next month) and I will try to remember what happens so I can update you!

St jam is typically a little less than WO but when my TA did the room rates it was about $30 difference for the package between the two so we went with WO. I showed a few of my guest the secrets website and they fell in love with the rooms/decor which was WO. Def wouldn't want them pissed at me for showing them the rooms they wouldn't be in lol