Recent RIU Negril Bride - happy to answer any questions!

[ec121212]

Hello,

 

We were recently married at the RIU Negril on 12/12/12 - it was absolutely amazing - both the week long stay as well as the actual wedding day. I do plan on completing a proper review on this site very soon, but wanted to let any future RIU Negril brides know they could ask questions here if they like! I know how difficult planning/prepping can be when you have no idea what to expect. 

 

We did opt for the free package for our wedding day at the RIU, but I am able to provide a bit of information on the other packages too. Dionne, the WC on site was wonderful, and everything came together perfectly the day of our wedding. We couldn't be happier!

[mrsjones2014]

Congrats! How many people did you have at your wedding?

[ec121212]

Thanks! We had 35 people and two children.

[mrsjones2014]

What made you choose Riu over other resorts? We are having a tough time deciding where we want to go! They are all beautiful and offer somewhat similar weddings... We are really looking forward to making it all about the week, not just the wedding. We have guests that will be coming everywhere from Vancouver to Scotland to Australia! I need to find a resort that will keep us occupied for more than 2 days

[sadietexas]

We are looking at the Riu Negril for our wedding in June. How were the rooms? I've read very mixed reviews. And did y'all do a beach or gazeebo wedding? What would you recommend. We are planning on about 40 people, most in their 30s. I want a fun atmosphere too. There's just so much to think about, its a little overwhelming!!

[ec121212]

Congratulations to you!!

 

To be honest, we lucked into finding the RIU Negril - as it was one of the recommendations from our travel agent. We were really skeptical at first, as the reviews online were all over the place. Trying to keep costs as low as we could for our guests, this one seemed to offer a fair bit of stuff compared to other locations. And, it was gorgeous, our entire group seemed very happy. That said, it really does appear that most of the resorts are absolutely beautiful. We were torn between some locations in Montego Bay, and some in Negril. We opted for the beaches and sunsets offered from Negril over Montego Bay (which is obviously way closer to the airport). We also liked the free wedding package offered by the RIU, as most of the add on items for the pay packages seemed unnecessary. We were happy to pick and choose items to add a la carte. They also let us organize our own private beach party for no extra cost (we had to set up and take down ourselves), but a few decorations, speakers and lanterns made dancing on the beach the perfect ending.

 

We did find the week actually went pretty fast, as the wedding day was right in the middle. We took a catamaran ride the next day organized for our group which was awesome. I would definitely recommend this. I'm not sure how many activities you are hoping to plan, but it did seem there was a fair bit available - we just didn't look into other activities ourselves. Most of our group was happy with the free activities around the resort (snorkelling, wandering around the fish sanctuary, playing beach volleyball or bocce ball), but I did see quite a few off resort activities advertised. One person in our group did rent a motorcycle to tour around Negril - I would not recommend this, as he came back with some pretty dangerous sounding stories. Or perhaps, just don't rent a bike alone... 

 

I'm sure your agent could help you to organize activities also?  

 

Happy Planning!

[ec121212]

Congratulations to you!!

 

To be honest, we lucked into finding the RIU Negril - as it was one of the recommendations from our travel agent. We were really skeptical at first, as the reviews online were all over the place. Trying to keep costs as low as we could for our guests, this one seemed to offer a fair bit of stuff compared to other locations. And, it was gorgeous, our entire group seemed very happy. That said, it really does appear that most of the resorts are absolutely beautiful. We were torn between some locations in Montego Bay, and some in Negril. We opted for the beaches and sunsets offered from Negril over Montego Bay (which is obviously way closer to the airport). We also liked the free wedding package offered by the RIU, as most of the add on items for the pay packages seemed unnecessary. We were happy to pick and choose items to add a la carte. They also let us organize our own private beach party for no extra cost (we had to set up and take down ourselves), but a few decorations, speakers and lanterns made dancing on the beach the perfect ending.

 

We did find the week actually went pretty fast, as the wedding day was right in the middle. We took a catamaran ride the next day organized for our group which was awesome. I would definitely recommend this. I'm not sure how many activities you are hoping to plan, but it did seem there was a fair bit available - we just didn't look into other activities ourselves. Most of our group was happy with the free activities around the resort (snorkelling, wandering around the fish sanctuary, playing beach volleyball or bocce ball), but I did see quite a few off resort activities advertised. One person in our group did rent a motorcycle to tour around Negril - I would not recommend this, as he came back with some pretty dangerous sounding stories. Or perhaps, just don't rent a bike alone... 

 

I'm sure your agent could help you to organize activities also?  

 

Happy Planning!

[Mikesbride]

How was your arch decorated?  Some pictures I have seen of the free arch is a green and red arch made of leaves and flowers.  Other pictures of the free arch I have seen are white fabric.  What were the price options on photographers?

[ec121212]

Hello - we brought our own photographer from home. We found the prices of photographers in Jamaica to be really high..

 

I've attached a picture of our arch.

 

Best wishes!

 

 

 

 

[Soon2BMrsCanty]

Hi!! Im so excited to find a RIU Negril Bride as it is one of the resorts Im looking into Iberostar is the other!! I noticed you had 35 guests did you incur a lot of per guest fees on top of the free package? That is my fear I invite 50 people and only 10 are including with cocktail hours private events etc?? How were the accommodations for kids we have 3 nieces traveling with us? I've already gotten my date confirmation June 14 Im just nervous about it all!!