Secrets Saint James Wild Orchid Bride 11/9/2013 - Need Planning Help/Tips

[muneera0302]

@SWOK - Why didn't you end up liking Misha Earle?

 

 

I'm hoping to have Dwayne Watkins! I've received several quotes from other photographers but I'm still waiting for his! Fingers crossed he's not crazy priced!

 

His price is higher than some of the others mentioned in this thread, however, you get what you pay for! My photos are AMAZING and captured everything in the best way possible. the colors, the poses, the overall presentation of my pictures was the best money we spent. Dwayne and his assistant were def a blessing!  I've read some reviews of people going with cheaper photographers and not being happy with their choice. That's def a day you will never get back, but your photos will last a lifetime! ALso, they are super professional and had fun shooting our guests! He's very create as well!

[rachelchic81]

We paid the vendor fee for our photographers (who also did video) so I saved money by doing that

 

The resort is great, you are going to love it!  The preffered side has some awesome perks, like on the main floor there is always a little food bar and all kinds of drinks you can just help yourself to at anytime!

 

http://cardensweddingphotography.com/blog/2014/01/jamaica-wedding-photographer-tricia-pat-secrets-wild-orchid-montego-bay/

[pamelas21]

His price is higher than some of the others mentioned in this thread, however, you get what you pay for! My photos are AMAZING and captured everything in the best way possible. the colors, the poses, the overall presentation of my pictures was the best money we spent. Dwayne and his assistant were def a blessing!  I've read some reviews of people going with cheaper photographers and not being happy with their choice. That's def a day you will never get back, but your photos will last a lifetime! ALso, they are super professional and had fun shooting our guests! He's very create as well!

 

I know you're right about photography! Your pictures are so stunning! He's obviously very talented!

[amyknight11]

Hi how are you!  We leave in 17 days cannot wait .  We have 31 people going including myself and my fiancee.  We got the Wedding in Paradise Package (for free)(you get this for free when staying 7nights, or having so many rooms booked). We opted to take the free package and just add on from that.  We felt the other packages were too expensive for what we were actually getting.  Neither of us are huge cake people so we just have the free wedding cake for picture purposes, as well as the champagne toast.  We are getting married right on the beach so I emailed the resort of how I wanted everything set up.  We aren't doing a reception that is private because we also thought that defeated the purpose of the amount of money everyone paid to even join us.  We paid to eat and drink with the all inclusive, so after our ceremony we will have our photo-shoot and then have dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort and then party at the bars after dinner.  This was our own personal preference, we wanted something not over the top and crazy expensive. If we wanted that we would have gotten married back home !  My personal opinion is the paradise package is great then just add on from there everything else you may want.  Everything we added on is still cheaper than doing one of the more expensive packages.  We are spending alot of money on pictures/video since that is the only thing we will have as a keepsake of this adventure. Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer.  Happy planning , when is your wedding?

 

Hi, I have been reading through this forum for a bit, and would love to hear how your wedding went! I am still in the early stages and have not yet chosen my destination, but Secrets Wild Orchid / St. James is one of my top choices at this point. Would you mind sending me a couple pictures of your ceremony set-up and/or reception? I think I will have about the same number of guests as you, and I definitely want the more intimate/private beach setting. Thank you!!!

[angelsj247]

100 days away for me! Im very excited and finally have all my major stuff planned, next week i will b sending my documents down there!

[Jennkn87]

angelsj - Crap! Is it time for all of that stuff already??? I better get on the ball!!! Has the resort contacted you yet? 

[angelsj247]

angelsj - Crap! Is it time for all of that stuff already??? I better get on the ball!!! Has the resort contacted you yet?

 

They havent contacted me yet but july 30th is 2 months away! It says in there package they need the documents 2 months in advance so its going down there this week!

[cora4600]

@@angelsj247 @@Jennkn87 I can't wait to hear about your weddings when you get back!! 

[amaxey]

Hi all....I'm new to this forum, but finding lots of good info here already!

 

I didn't see a new thread for 2014 Secrets St James/Wild Orchid brides, so I thought I'd try here...

 

We've already sent all of our paperwork to the resort (about a month ago), so that's done.  Not an easy thing...but we finally found a notary willing to do it. 

 

My fiance and I are traveling alone....and I'm running up against some issues I hope some previous Secrets brides may be able to help with:-

 

- I'm having outside vendors come on property for make-up (Rachel Edwards), hair, and photography (Misha Earle).  Does the property charge a vendor fee for each vendor or is it just a single vendor fee?  Wording in their documents indicates a $300 vendor fee total, but I don't want to find out differently once I'm in country.

 

- I've read on other threads that the Romantic Dinner for two (on the beach or gazebo) is included (in either the Wedding or Honeymoon package), but the resort sent me different options starting at $290 per couple.  I've asked which is included in our package but received no response for 3 days.  Does anyone know?

 

- I'd like to have our ceremony right on the beach with the bamboo arch, and I'm looking to bring my own fabric. My WC was quick to point out that there will be a charge for the florist to help me put my fabric on the arch...but didn't answer how much the arch rental/set-up would be.  Anyone know?

 

- Since it's just the two of us, I'll require a little dressing assistance.  Does anyone know if the WC will help out in this dept or should I just ask the gals doing my make-up and hair?

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Any advice a former Secrets SJ/WO bride has to offer about what they'd do again, or what they'd do differently is very appreciated!

[angelsj247]

Hi all....I'm new to this forum, but finding lots of good info here already!

 

I didn't see a new thread for 2014 Secrets St James/Wild Orchid brides, so I thought I'd try here...

 

We've already sent all of our paperwork to the resort (about a month ago), so that's done.  Not an easy thing...but we finally found a notary willing to do it. 

 

My fiance and I are traveling alone....and I'm running up against some issues I hope some previous Secrets brides may be able to help with:-

 

- I'm having outside vendors come on property for make-up (Rachel Edwards), hair, and photography (Misha Earle).  Does the property charge a vendor fee for each vendor or is it just a single vendor fee?  Wording in their documents indicates a $300 vendor fee total, but I don't want to find out differently once I'm in country.

 

- I've read on other threads that the Romantic Dinner for two (on the beach or gazebo) is included (in either the Wedding or Honeymoon package), but the resort sent me different options starting at $290 per couple.  I've asked which is included in our package but received no response for 3 days.  Does anyone know?

 

- I'd like to have our ceremony right on the beach with the bamboo arch, and I'm looking to bring my own fabric. My WC was quick to point out that there will be a charge for the florist to help me put my fabric on the arch...but didn't answer how much the arch rental/set-up would be.  Anyone know?

 

- Since it's just the two of us, I'll require a little dressing assistance.  Does anyone know if the WC will help out in this dept or should I just ask the gals doing my make-up and hair?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Any advice a former Secrets SJ/WO bride has to offer about what they'd do again, or what they'd do differently is very appreciated!

Hi, welcome when is your date? Mine is sept 30. I sent my paperwork to them and once tgey recieved it they sent me a form to fill out.

I am going wih the basic free package and will have 8 people coming- 2 bridesmaids.

My photographer is visual embrace. I have to pay 300 vendor fee.

Basically you have to pay 300 for each seperaTe vendor- so if you have a phographer and makeup artist the u have 2 vendor fees, plus if they bring any assistants then its an additional 80 for each assistant from what i understand- ive asked. So for my makeup artist i found joni powell with gourmet makeup and i will travel to her salon 15 min away for 80 bucks instead of paying 300 to get her in.

I am also wanting to get married on the beach i told them hat and they sent me back my forms having the ceremony location in gazebo so i have an email i to that question. I also am getting the 4 post bamboo arch wih sheer draping and ribbon. It is 450. If you bring anything they need to set up there fees start at 50 and can go up from there.

I was planning on bringing my phone with music but they offer there sound system for 180 and im wondering if they will handle playing the music, if so im just gunna pay for that to so i dont have to worry about it.

Im sure your makeup hair people could help you put on your dress there prob used to it i would ask them.

I also dont thing that the dinner for 2 come in the wedding package- i believe its in the honeymoon package but you have to pay for that package if you want it.

Hope i answered your questions- let me know if you have anymore i know it can be frustrating! This site helped me alot.