Wyndham Viva Fortuna, Grand Bahama Island

[LAtravelgirl]

I always like how they think they are giving you an answer, but it really isn't an answer. I don't understand how we are to edit music once we arrive at the resort! It does say there is a dj that plays the music, so at least we don't need to assign one of the guests. Canon in D is nice, I think I am more caught up in not getting a choice, than the selection.

Out of curiosity, what music did your mother want played?

I didn't spend a lot of time in the liquor store we stopped in, as my brother just wanted to pick up some of the local beer to bring home. I do recall seeing some California wines which were a lot more expensive than we pay here for them, but that is probably true if you buy them anywhere they need to be imported. $5 corkage isn't a lot, but I am not one that has ever brought a bottle to a restaurant, I can be happy with any house wine, until trying the wine at Viva. Maybe the wine has improved. We recently stayed at an all-inclusive in Cozumel that you could actually buy more expensive wine, or drink the house for free. The cocktails are delicious at Viva, and upon request, they will make them stronger.

 

Here are the replies I received today:

I wanted to see what the options are for ceremony music. Do you provide any? Are we able to bring our own, if so, what format is needed? We do provide the music while you  will be walking down the isle... The sound that we play is CANON D  -- However if you prefer you can bring your own cd .. Please recorded in the same order that you need it to be play in case you have more than one song .   About the format normally we check the cd before with the dj but I will ask him if is any particular that you should know to download the songs -- I will let you know

 

I also wanted to check and see if the resort offers sparkling juice for toasting. If so, what kind is available?

about your other question, do you mean sparkling wine?   You have one bottle included as part of your honeymoon package and can be serve in the reception if you want, however  it will not be enough for everybody; you could at some extra bottles. Each one cost US$20 .

 Please remember that you have to cocktails included to be served as well during the reception.

[markandlisa]

Yes I completely agree that they answer but don't really answer, very frustrating. Are you dealing with Loyda too?

 

Music:

 

Oh my mom is just saying that I need different music for all the different times, prelude, girls walking, me walking......I like the Canon in D so that is what it will be , for the amount of work that would go into finding and downloading music and hoping it will play on their machine, I don't feel like it is worth the stress. I do agree it would make it feel more like a real ceremony with the different music though. I think if you have some music in mind to put them on a CD and also on an ipod and hopefully they will be able to work it out down there. 

 

Ceremony:

 

I have more worries about what the "minister" is going to have us say........Are you writing your own vows? We are undecided, neither of us like to speak in front of people so we don't know what to do. I have tried to get something from Loyda as to what will be said during the ceremony but yet again, no real answer! 

 

Wine: 

 

Mark and I don't drink a lot so I'm not really worried about the booze, so I'll be quiet until someone brings it up and than I'll go find a liqour store, if no one says anything then I figure they are happy with what is there ,  why add an expense if I don't have too 

 

Talk to you later

Lisa

[LAtravelgirl]

I was told we do not have a choice in the officiant, so I don't think we get much say in what goes on during the ceremony. Neither of us are much on public speaking (main reason no one but family was invited is because FI doesn't like being the center of attention, I get pretty self-conscience, too knowing everyone is staring at me). So we will not be writing our own vows. I tried to explain to FI that we need to write toasts and that didn't go over with him very well. I guess I will be writing the toasts to our parents. I think saying a toast to each other at the reception is like saying vows to each other as it is a sign of appreciation which I think stems from feelings and all. And no, I have no idea what I will say. I don't want an overly religious ceremony. I have xeroxed a couple of passages from Native American poems and from other cultures and such if we do get a say in what the wording is at the ceremony.

I wouldn't worry about the liquor, either. The reception/dinner is only 2 hours long, so they can always go to the bar afterwards and get whatever they want to drink. The info I was originally sent said we get a choice of cocktails at the dinner reception, too.

My FI couldn't care less about the music. He keeps saying that the resort knows what to do and to stop worrying. He hasn't dealt with any of the strange emails or confusion of the resort staff. I think they are making it more difficult by not being clear on everything from the start. Or when things change (like switching the guitarist for a keyboardist) they should send out an email. I shouldn't find out because I asked about ceremony music and got a random reply about a keyboardist, that I then had to get clarification if the keyboardist was for the ceremony or reception.

[markandlisa]

Yup, I totally agree!! 

 

I was wondering if you had to wear bracelets when you were there? Also my daughter is wondering if they have different colours for bracelets depending on age? 

 

If we do have to wear bracelets they will definitely be coming off for the wedding!! haha

 

It sounds like you and your fiance are just like us....don't like being the center of attention so the less we have to say the better..lol

 

Off to bed, talk to you later

Lisa

[LAtravelgirl]

Yes, bracelets are a requirement. I would hope they allow for them to be cut off and new ones put back on after photos. I will be trashing my dress the day after, so I guess I wil be using up another bracelet for those photos, too.

I am sure the kids will get a different color so they do not get served alcohol, but I couldn't say for certain as we were all 18+ last time.

I was happy to hear your kids can enjoy the disco with the rest of the guests.

[WeddingsBahamas]

LAtravelgirl, here is an elegant non religious ceremony that you may want to try - http://www.bahamas-destination-wedding.com/an-elegant-non-religious-bahamas-wedding-ceremony/

 

Let me know what you think....

[LAtravelgirl]

That wording is great! We can only hope our officiant says something as beautiful.

[LAtravelgirl]

I was looking up sunrise/sunset times for Grand Bahama Island. It looks like the sun sets around 5:20. But you said Loyda gave you the option of a 5:30 start time? I don't want to be taking pictures in the dark. I know it is an option to take photos before the ceremony, and it's not that I am superstitious, I just like the idea of everyone seeing me for the first time walking down the aisle.

[LAtravelgirl]

Hi Lisa,

I asked Loyda about wedding start times after seeing that the sunsets around 5:20, and also about what format to record to in case I find time to select music. Here is her email response:

 

Now is getting  dark much earlier  around 5:00PM ;  we recently change one our back our clocks...

I  advise the weddings  not later than 4:30 so you can have better ligth for your pictures.

 

For the cds, the dj told me thod DC-R of CD+R does not matter , the thing that mathers  is how you recorded.  You can recorder in WAV sistem  not MP3

 

I know your programs had a ceremony start time of 5, so you might want to shift your schedule, or do photos first or something.

[markandlisa]

Oh wow, what a twit!! And I had told her I had wanted to move it up to 4:30 but she said it didn't need to be!!! That gets me, if I hadn't already printed all the brochures I wouldn't care as much. Wow, I worry about everything she has said to me now, oh well, I guess I'm printing all new brochures!! Thanks so much for asking about that and letting me know. As for music we are actually doing that as I speak and so far we have found nothing that suits!! Ugg, 6 days till we leave and I'm now nervous :/ Thanks again