Royalton White Sands

[pamelas21]

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

 

Gah! Ladies, I’m JUST hearing about this skylight patio which is insane! And it’s my first time seeing this document (Royalton Event Policies & Procedures) that Dimps has graciously shared with me! Thanks Dimps!

 

Turns out the Skylight patio is the only COMPLETELY private area to host a ceremony. Note that’s it’s 7 floors, 42 steps up, no elevator….Either way my fiancé and I are getting married on the beach but I thought it best to note it for other brides interested!

 

If any of you want to see the doc, please let me or Dimps know – we’d be happy to email it!

 

I’ve also posted it here as an attachment.

 

I want to thank all of you for keeping this thread going and for posting helpful stuff, etc. YOU GUYS ROCK!

 

Wishing you all a beautiful wedding day! <3

 

Pam

[pamelas21]

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 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

 

Hi Pam and everyone else =)

Hey Polly! Haven’t talked to you in a while! I added all my responses in red! <3

 

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

I did too – the wedding planner told me we wouldn’t start planning until June for my November 18^th, 2014 wedding BUT this issue with may date changing changed everything! Now I’ve told her I want to start planning now and getting things more organized and she says that’s fine.

 

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

YAY Congrats!

 

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

 

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

Wow, 35 – that’s awesome!

 

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?

Yup, ladies please note it WAS $10 per person for beach or poolside reception set up! But that’s been changed! It’s now $300 for set up total which is great – I save some money! Yup décor is definitely extra!

 

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

We’re hosting our rehearsal dinner at the Italian a la carte! I wanted the steakhouse but it’s too small for my group!

 

Did you receive any other pics or brochures from them?

Polly, I’ll email you everything I have again so you have everything that’s new!

 

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?

 I would say go with your heart! I will be honest, my fiancé’s aunt is a photographer BUT she does landscapes! She did my engagement party and I just have to be honest and say I wasn’t happy! ….sorry if that’s bad She offered to do the wedding as well and this time I respectfully declined! Photos are 2^nd most important to me! <3 I would suggest looking around and getting quotes for sure! Go with your gut!

 

So far I’ve gotten quotes from:

Stacey Clarke

Merrick Cousley

Visual Embrace

Marcia E Roberts

Brian Nejedly

Saab Weddings

 

I’m waiting on a quote from Dwayne Watkins and then Fi and I will decide! It’s honestly very hard to decide – at least for me – probably because it’s so BEYOND important for me! <3

 

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

I’m getting married on the beach (not gazebo) so we’re renting a Chuppah/canopy…..the Royalton works with Tai Flora - here’s the link: http://www.taiflora.com/index.php

 

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

We’re having a legal ceremony! YAY! I immigrated to Canada so I’m going to have to get my birth certificate notarized and then translated from Spanish into English I think! I have to look into this!

 

Sorry this seems to be a very long post.

Don’t even worry about it – that’s what we’re here for – to help each other!

 

Again happy planning everyone.

 

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

 

You booked Rashel Edwards for BOTH hair and makeup? Be warned! I read on that policies and procedures document that as of this moment the Royalton is ONLY allowing Photographers and Videographers as outside vendors. Everything else HAS to be their preferred vendor! Did you confirm with Laura (wedding planner) that you can bring Rashel Edwards in? Let me know!

 

Wishing you all the best Polly!

 

Keep us posted with your plans and good luck!

 

Pam

[mysticjade]

We’ve decided to bring our own photographer from home (she’s doing our engagement photos and our at-home church wedding), it’s an extra cost but I’ve seen her in action before at a previous destination wedding I went to, so I know she knows her stuff and vibes with us.

 

Wow! 51 booked already! That's great! We are planning a small wedding immediate family and our closest friends. We have 30 on our invite list and are expecting 20 or so to book. I'm so excited. Choosing the resort was so stressful, I've spent the last 3 weeks searching forums, reading reviews etc. I really hope the Royalton has space for our wedding. Hoping to get a response today sometime. (We are also booking with Sunwing

We are from Northern Ontario (just outside Sudbury).

 

I'm from Markham but I just bought a house with my fiance in Brampton!

 

We have 51 guests booked in with deposits with Sunwing for November 2014!

 

So excited for you! How many people are you expecting?

 

Pam

 

I’m also Canadian! From Scarborough specifically.

[CherJK]

@@dec2014star, I agree with Pam about the photos...go with your heart. I had a friend who preferred her uncle's pictures to those of the professional photographer they paid over $4k for, so you never know. If your aunt and uncle have done wedding photography previously, that is a huge plus because they have experience with the stress and speed of a wedding. You only get one chance to capture some of the moments. You may want to consider having the professional (along with your aunt and uncle) capture the actual ceremony and then a few couple shots after (or whichever shots are most important to you) during their hour. Staged pictures are much easier to get correct as you're not in a rush. Also, consider doing research on posing so if your aunt and uncle can't direct you into the shots, you can know what angles make you and your fiance look best. Lastly, worst case if you don't love the editing of the photos, you can send them out and get them touched up by someone else.

 

@@pamelas21, I'm really glad to hear that they let you start planning earlier than mentioned! I want to start planning now, but my wedding isn't until next April haha. Also, you mention photography is 2nd most important to you...just curious, how does your list pan out (i.e. what's important to you and what's not)?

 

@@SoEze, see below for some info on photography quotes I received.

• Dean Clarke Photography: All packages include full wedding coverage with 2 photographers. At least 300 pictures for $2600; 500-600 pictures + some prints for $3100; At least 800 pictures + some prints + photo book for $3600; TTD session is $500 additional to any package
• WPAJ (Wedding Photographers Association of Jamaica): 3 hours for $1175; 5 hours for $1675; 8 hours with 2 photographers + 2 hours for honeymoon, rehearsal, or TTD for $2175
• Brian Nejedly: Will pay up to $350 of resort fee for all packages. 3 hours for $1550; 5 hours for $1900; 8 hours with 2 photographers for $2800; 8-9 hours with 2 photographers + TTD or rehearsal dinner + photo album for $3500

 

Lastly, does anyone have any pictures of the different reception areas available? I saw some photos from a wedding that took place there (http://saruniaphotography.com/tag/royalton-white-sands-resort/), but I wasn't sure what location they used for their reception (in looks like it took place somewhere covered but open to the outdoors). I'd also love to see what poolside looks like. Thanks so much!

[pamelas21]

@@CherJK Oh my gosh thanks for sharing that link! I hadn't seen it yet! So happy we're all gathering more and more photos and info on this place!!

 

I honestly don't know where her reception was located - my guess would be one of the a la cartes.....I'm going to email Laura and ask her!

 

I guess you could say everything is important to me! LOL I'm a virgo - total flipping perfectionist!

 

BUT at the same time I REALLY dislike how much weddings cost! It's crazy how much photography, videography, etc cost!

 

Getting married on the beach with our toes in the sand...just like we met...that's most important to me! <3

 

At the end of the day though, little things don't matter! I'm sure all of us will not regret choosing the Royalton!

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos with a wedding set up yet - hopefully as they have more weddings we'll be able to see more....

 

You're lucky - your weddings not till April!

 

I'll be sure to give you EVERY detail you need when I return from my wedding in November <3

[CherJK]

@@CherJK Oh my gosh thanks for sharing that link! I hadn't seen it yet! So happy we're all gathering more and more photos and info on this place!!

 

I honestly don't know where her reception was located - my guess would be one of the a la cartes.....I'm going to email Laura and ask her!

 

I guess you could say everything is important to me! LOL I'm a virgo - total flipping perfectionist!

 

BUT at the same time I REALLY dislike how much weddings cost! It's crazy how much photography, videography, etc cost!

 

Getting married on the beach with our toes in the sand...just like we met...that's most important to me! <3

 

At the end of the day though, little things don't matter! I'm sure all of us will not regret choosing the Royalton!

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos with a wedding set up yet - hopefully as they have more weddings we'll be able to see more....

 

You're lucky - your weddings not till April!

 

I'll be sure to give you EVERY detail you need when I return from my wedding in November <3

 

Agreed with hating how much weddings cost haha! Do you mind if I ask what you are planning to spend when all is said and done? However, I of course understand if you would rather not share that information. My budget was originally $15k, but it looks like it'll be closer to $20k for about 60 guests (includes our travel, rings, photography, everything, but we are cutting corners by bringing fake flowers, doing the Jamaican experience menu, etc.). However, I want to see if that is realistic since I won't have a detailed quote for everything until the date is closer and we actually start working with the resort.

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how your wedding looks!

Found another wedding! It's a renewal but shows a lot of cool places to get some couple pictures...http://jamaicaweddingphotographer.blogspot.com/2014/04/niya-ethan-destination-jamaica-wedding.html

Edited May 7, 2014 by CherJK

[pamelas21]

Thanks @@CherJK!!

 

Oh my gosh you’re so good with finding photos :D

[SoEze]

Thanks @@CherJK! You guys are great at sharing and finding info. I haven't been so lucky. I truly appreciate the openness and info sharing in this forum

[pamelas21]

Crap Rashel Edwards is booked for my day!

 

Man I'm getting close! Gotta start locking ppl in!

 

6 months to go!

[mysticjade]

Wow @@CherJK thanks for sharing your finds!