Royalton White Sands

[Bridetobe771]

It all depends on how much photography you want...and if you like the resort photographer....

I'm looking for all day coverage from 2pm to 11pm and I thought the royalton prices were VERY high!

So I shopped around and guess what outside photographers are cheaper AND some of them cover the $450 vendor fee!

My fiancé and I got several quotes, now we just have to decide but we're definitely not going with the resort photographer!

Hope this helps!

Pam

I am trying my best to go the simple and the least time consuming route (this is the whole reason we decided to have a destination wedding) I agree the resort photography packages are high and if I do have time I will look at using an outside vendor. I didn't think I would find someone that would cover the $450 resort fee. I'm hoping for a 4pm wedding so I wouldn't need a photographer for 9 hours. Probably looking at 6 hours at the very most.

Pamelas21 have you received any information about on site hair and makeup? Or are you planning to have an outside vendor also?

[pamelas21]

I would definitely get some quotes Bridetobe771!

 

It doesn't hurt and trust me you'll prob save some money!

 

We're getting married at 4:30 on the beach, reception on the beach as well until 11pm and I'm really hoping to do lanterns at the end of the night so I want the photographer and videographer to capture everything!

 

Good luck with planning!

 

Pam

Oh forgot about your question!

 

No haven't looked into it yet!

 

I will do so soon though!

 

If you get anything please let us know - I'm sure all of us would appreciate the info!

 

<3

[Dimps]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing. My friend got married in Jamaica last year and she used Joel Finnigan for her photos. They turned out well.

[CherJK]

First, I want to preface this with the fact that my fiance and I have taken professional level photography classes, so we are going to be a bit pickier about quality and style than most couples.

 

However, the biggest regret many brides have is not spending more money on photography (http://petapixel.com/2013/03/21/brides-often-regret-not-spending-more-on-wedding-photography/). I strongly recommend finding someone who has the style you like. You probably won't be able to articulate why you like one particular photographer more than others, but that's ok! Also check out as many of their weddings as possible. Some photographers will shoot one wedding that you absolute love (which they of course highlight in their portfolio), but the rest of their work is not so good.

 

I know photography can seem expensive, but you are not only paying for the photographer's time (both all day to shoot and multiple days after to sort through all those pictures and retouch them), you are paying for their experience to take advantage of the lighting, to position you to make you look your best, to touch you up a certain way, etc. You are going to be looking at these pictures pretty often in the future, and it would be a shame to spend tons of money on everything else about the wedding and not have the pictures that show those details that you spent so much time on.

 

We're going with Dean Clarke, and while he is pricey (and unfortunately does not pay for the resort fee), his style corresponds with our personal photographic styles, and he does a great job on lighting using both natural light and flash.

 

Also, a 4pm wedding means photography should probably start by 2pm (earlier if you're having a first look) if you want to capture all the detail shots, getting ready, and individual bridal portraits before the ceremony. Then after the ceremony, you need time for family and group shots, bridal party shots, and then couple shots. Then you want pictures of dinner, first dance, cake cutting, guests dancing, etc. so you probably don't want your photographer to be on a strict timeline where, if something runs long, you miss capturing important moments. This link provides a pretty realistic estimate on how much time to allocate for different types of pictures (http://www.linandjirsa.com/wedding-photography-timeline-ideal-times-for-your-photography/).

 

If anyone has any photographic questions, feel free to ask!

[Dimps]

RWS says their packages include a "semi-private" dinner. What do they mean by semi-private? Isn't it either private or not?

Thanks CherJK!

For those who have chosen the Main Beach for their reception, does that include a dance floor?

[Dimps]

Has anyone seen pics of the skylight patio? Or labelled pics of all the other location options?

[pamelas21]

First, I want to preface this with the fact that my fiance and I have taken professional level photography classes, so we are going to be a bit pickier about quality and style than most couples.

 

However, the biggest regret many brides have is not spending more money on photography (http://petapixel.com/2013/03/21/brides-often-regret-not-spending-more-on-wedding-photography/). I strongly recommend finding someone who has the style you like. You probably won't be able to articulate why you like one particular photographer more than others, but that's ok! Also check out as many of their weddings as possible. Some photographers will shoot one wedding that you absolute love (which they of course highlight in their portfolio), but the rest of their work is not so good.

 

I know photography can seem expensive, but you are not only paying for the photographer's time (both all day to shoot and multiple days after to sort through all those pictures and retouch them), you are paying for their experience to take advantage of the lighting, to position you to make you look your best, to touch you up a certain way, etc. You are going to be looking at these pictures pretty often in the future, and it would be a shame to spend tons of money on everything else about the wedding and not have the pictures that show those details that you spent so much time on.

 

We're going with Dean Clarke, and while he is pricey (and unfortunately does not pay for the resort fee), his style corresponds with our personal photographic styles, and he does a great job on lighting using both natural light and flash.

 

Also, a 4pm wedding means photography should probably start by 2pm (earlier if you're having a first look) if you want to capture all the detail shots, getting ready, and individual bridal portraits before the ceremony. Then after the ceremony, you need time for family and group shots, bridal party shots, and then couple shots. Then you want pictures of dinner, first dance, cake cutting, guests dancing, etc. so you probably don't want your photographer to be on a strict timeline where, if something runs long, you miss capturing important moments. This link provides a pretty realistic estimate on how much time to allocate for different types of pictures (http://www.linandjirsa.com/wedding-photography-timeline-ideal-times-for-your-photography/).

 

If anyone has any photographic questions, feel free to ask!

 

Well said CherJK! I haven't looked into Dean Clarke - I will now!

 

<3

RWS says their packages include a "semi-private" dinner. What do they mean by semi-private? Isn't it either private or not?

Thanks CherJK!

For those who have chosen the Main Beach for their reception, does that include a dance floor?

 

 

Has anyone seen pics of the skylight patio? Or labelled pics of all the other location options?

 

Hi Dimps! Semi-private means at one of their a la cartes....they'll give you a semi private section of one of the restaurants depending on how many people you have. Note that the wedding packages are only up to 20 people - after that you have to pay extra per person.

 

My fiance and I are having a private beach ceremony and reception so the wedding packages aren't applicable to us!

 

What's this skylight patio and how come I haven't heard about it?!?!

 

Would love to know more if you can share!

 

Thanks!

 

Pam

[pamelas21]

Emailed Dean Clarke but he's unavailable on my day!

 

Just waiting on one more quote now and then we'll decide!

[dec2014star]

Hi! Just sent you everything!

 

Are you getting married THIS july?

 

I'm having 51 guests plus Fi and I it's 53 total so I'm doing a full wedding!

 

I'm just starting to work with the wedding planner on the details - not sure if the packages are for me seeing as I have more than 20 people.

 

Plus I'm having a private beach wedding so I think I'm going to go the ala carte route!

 

Keep everyone posted on your plans!

 

I'll share - every one share!

 

Would love to read what other brides are doing!

 

Take care!

 

Pam

Hi Pam and everyone else =)

 

I really put the planning to the back burner but should start more working at it again.

 

Again our wedding will be this year December as mentioned before.

 

I think Pam we are kinda have a similar vision as to what we want.

 

I also have more than 20ppl...35 so far?

I am also thinking of beach reception, so my understanding is that is cost 300 to set up the beach reception, probably more for  decor?

 

 I havn't really looked at what the Al la carte entails.

 

Did you receive any other pics or brochures from them? 

 

And I just want to ask everyone about photography.

- in the package; there is a 1hour photographer included but probably not going to use it for the rest of the day

 

I'm just wondering what you guys think about this.  My aunt and uncle does wedding photography for family and church friends...they are not professional per se... they don't have samples or anything like that.  I have asked them to help me for the videography but they said they will bring all their equipment and they even said that they have this underwater cam and can do shots there too... 

 

But somehow I am having some second thought? They have paid their deposits and my Fi and I are planning on paying for the rest of their trip. On one end we are saving some $$ because a professional photographer will cost at least 3-4grand plus the 450vendor fee? =(

 

Any thoughts girls?

 

Is anyone going to have the ceremony at the beach gazebo? did anyone talk about decorations there yet?

 

And also, is anyone having a legal ceremony there? as oppose to the other one I forgot the name

 

Sorry this seems to be a very long post.

 

Again happy planning everyone.

I would definitely get some quotes Bridetobe771!

 

It doesn't hurt and trust me you'll prob save some money!

 

We're getting married at 4:30 on the beach, reception on the beach as well until 11pm and I'm really hoping to do lanterns at the end of the night so I want the photographer and videographer to capture everything!

 

Good luck with planning!

 

Pam

Oh forgot about your question!

 

No haven't looked into it yet!

 

I will do so soon though!

 

If you get anything please let us know - I'm sure all of us would appreciate the info!

 

<3

I heard Chasity Artistry Rashel Edwards is pretty good for hair and make-up.. u can find her on FB

My co worker used her and I booked her as well

[SoEze]

Hi Bridetone771! Congrats! I was looking into those resorts also. I haven't quite made a final decision as yet though. I'll keep you all posted.

 

Pamelas21 thank you so much for the info

For the brides who have found outside photography, do you mind sharing the info for those vendors? Especially the vendors who'll pay the outside vendor fee ????