Off Resort Jamaican Wedding

[MrsSLMP]

Hi all,

 

my name is Shakera. I recently got engaged in February. My finace and I have been together for over 3 years now. He flew all the way to Washington, DC from Canada,  where I was finishing school and proposed to me. It is a day I will never forget =) For years we knew that we wanted to get married and when it happened it would be in Jamaica. I am Jamaican and all my family lives there--kind of a no brainer. We had everything planned so it is a matter of executing it. With all my family in JA and his large Canadian family, we knew that the resorts were not going to be able to accomodate our needs  and budget. Shopping around we were proven right. 

 

After visiting Jamaica for a week and touring different villas we chose Laughing Waters Villa. The property is breath taking--has everything that we need: large garden areas, ocean view, large beach, waterfalls and most of all PRIVACY!! There was no need to go futher. The wedding will be on May 09, 2017. Being a weekday we get all the vendors esp. photographers for less. Just yesterday we booked our guests into the Grand Bahia Runaway Bay,  20 mins down the road from the venue through  Ama Travel/ Air Canada Vacations.

 

The most excting parts so far are completed-- found my dress, got our engagement photos done, booked the venue and hotel. There is still lots to do: STDs, invitations, finding a wedding planner, photographer, videographer....oh gosh

 

Some days I feel so overwhelmed with all to come, but I know it will all work out.

 

I hope to keep blogging and walk you guys through my experience of planning a destination wedding off resort.

 

Congrats to everyone and happy planning!!!

 

Shakera.

[Moments That Matter]

Welcome to our forum community Shakera and Congrats on your upcoming Jamaican wedding - So Exciting!!!

 

Sounds like you've got a good start already, so well done. Wishing you all the best with the rest of your plans, and that you enjoy your research thru all the great resources you'll find here - best of luck!

 

We'll leave you with some visual inspiration for some magical beach wedding moments that matter we've captured in our magnificent Mayan Riviera....enjoy!!!

....these are from our Blue Venado Beach Club Wedding Story

 

 

 

Hoping all your plans turn out just the way you envision - or Even Better - cheers!!!

Moments That Matter Photography team

[JasminMattPhoto]

@@MrsSLMP  Hi Shakera! Welcome to the wonderful BDW forums! There's a plethora of information at your fingertips within this community.

 

We're currently staying at the Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica (as I type this!), ready to photograph a wedding at the Jewel Runaway Bay resort this coming Saturday. We are absolutely in LOVE with Grand Bahia Jamaica. The grounds are meticulously clean and well kept, the staff has been more than pleasant, and your guests will enjoy the time they have on the resort.

 

Your wedding day plans sound fabulous and we're so happy to hear that you're going to be able to welcome your fiancé's large Canadian family, as well as your Jamaican family, to your big day together!! We just wanted to mention briefly that we are always more than happy to travel to photograph weddings. 

 

If you have any questions at all about Gran Bahia since we're staying here, we are always more than happy to help answer them. If you would like photos from the wedding we're photographing this Saturday for some Jamaican wedding inspiration, we can be sure to post some upon our return.

 

In the interim, feel free to peruse our portfolio of work on our site at http://www.jasminandmatt.com/portfolio/wedding/as well as our most recent teasers from weddings (ones that don't have highlights yet posted on our site) at http://client.jasminandmatt.com/guestlogin/testgallery/

 

Hope you enjoy everything that waits ahead with the planning process for your wedding!

 

Cheers!

Jasmin & Matt

Edited June 16, 2016 by JasminMattPhoto

[DreamArtPhotography]

Congrats! @@MrsSLMP

 

Jamaica is beautiful, feel free to check our work =)

[tiffanyt]

Hi @@MrsSLMP!

Welcome!mI can't wait to read more about your planning along the way. Laughing Waters is beautiful! I considered having my wedding there but was worried about having to pay for everything I wanted individually. Do you also have a travel agent or are you doing it on your own?

[Mangosong]

@@MrsSLMP Hi welcome and congrats on your beautiful engagement!

 

If you need help with a list or to do list, weddingwire has an app to check it off, along with deadlines. Life saver for me!

[MrsSLMP]

Hi @@MrsSLMP!

Welcome!mI can't wait to read more about your planning along the way. Laughing Waters is beautiful! I considered having my wedding there but was worried about having to pay for everything I wanted individually. Do you also have a travel agent or are you doing it on your own?

 Hi @@Mangosong,  

 

I have a travel agent assisting my guest from Canada, Mexico and the US. She is a life saver...one less thing to worry about! 

[JasminMattPhoto]

@@MrsSLMP As promised here are some photos from around the Grand Bahia Jamaica Resort. We had an absolutely amazing time there. Your guests are going to have a blast.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions <3

[Mzzash]

Hi shakera congrats on your engagement I am just wondering how much they charged to rent out the laughing waters venue for your wedding

[MrsSLMP]

Hi Mzzash, 

 

I was charged about $1, 000 use which does not include the rooms for the day.