Destination Weddings Discussions

Getting Married in Sandals Negril 9/18/10

This is really my first time being on the board and I see there is a lot of information on here.  I was wonder, I'm trying to figure out if I wanted to have a private reception or just have dinner @ one of the restaurants.  I'm planning to have 20-25 people come to my wedding(which I well talk to about that in a few minutes).  For me I just think that paying 50-75 dollars for dinner @ a all inclusive resort seems a little crazy.  Can I get some advice on this please ladies.  My second think is I have sent out the save the date card in August and people are saying that they are coming but I dont see money being put down yet for the rooms.  Should I send out some more information telling them to put there money down by this date or something.  I dont want people waiting to the last minute to put down on the rooms and make payment and I would like to have a count on who is really coming and who is not.  Or should I just send it when I send out the invitation?  HELP I'M GETTIN A HEADACHE THINKING ABOUT IT LOL!!!THANX IN ADVANCE LADIES!!!
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Re: Getting Married in Sandals Negril 9/18/10

  • We did the private reception and for us it was worth it, but we had 50 people.  For a smaller group, they will probably be able to accommodate you in one of the restaurants, but they won't be able to guarantee you that.  Are you working with a travel agent?  That would make all the travel and accommodations much easier on you.  They can get a a group block and your guests would only have to put down a refundable 10% deposit.  Your TA would handle all of this for you.  All you would have to do it provide your guests with their contact info and the prices basically.  Sandals did an amazing job with my wedding so I'm sure no matter what you decide, you will have an incredible wedding, too!  GL!
  • When I sent my save-the-dates, I included the address for our wedding website.  The website had all the information about booking accommodations.  Also, since your wedding is about 11 months out, I think it's okay that people haven't started booking rooms yet.You should definitely look into working with a travel agent because they can tell you who has booked accommodations.  A travel agent is also helpful for fielding questions, so you don't get bombarded with the minutia of travel planning.If you have deadline for guests to book this information could be included in your invitations.
  • Hi and Welcome.As Natalie said it would be worth it if you're having a large group like she did because it would give you your own area, but I'm only having 22 people and that includes the 2 photogs and me and my fi. At the suggestions of a past knottie (shout out to Lisa7) I'm going to do the cocktail hour instead which is only $15 pp. I'm figuring that will keep our guest entertained while we do our pictures and then we can all go to one of the nice buffet resteraunts for dinner as a group. It's also a money issue for me. My FIL have been so wonderful and paid for our entire weddingmoon and honeymoon for us. Then my parents have paid for and are hosting the AHR of 150 people when we get back home. My fi and I could pay for it, but we have other irons in the fire like selling my house and trying to find somewhere for us to live in the same town as each other after we get married! As for the booking question I would add your wedding website to the STD and put something like: "Please see our wedding website for trip information and dates."Hope this helps.
  • I am having a small wedding at Royal Carribbean(between10-15 people), so we are just doing the included/mandatory cocktail for $15 per person and then we are just going to try our luck at getting reservations for a restaurant later that evening. As far as RSVPs go, I pretty much know who is coming and who isn't. And I am working with a Sandals Specialist(I can give you her information if you'd like) who is taking care of emailing everyone for me about booking. I basically gave her the email addys of everyone who talked about coming, and she emailed them and introduced herself and told them to conctact her for all bookings. She's sent a few reminder emails out to them as well when prices drop, etc. HTH
  • Thanx alot for the information and help.  I do have a travel agent but to me a travel agent is going to tell you to have a reception.  I want to find out from other people that have had a wedding there and know what is going on.  Because she is going to do what I tell her so I wanted to have more information on it myself.My travel agent has told me a few people has called her but that was about it.  I know I can be a little pushy but I'm such a right now kind of girl LOL!!!
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  • Hey!  We got married next door at Beaches Sandy Bay and just got a table for 25 at one of the restaurants.  We were on too tight of a budget for a private reception.  Only one restaurant at Sandals can hold that many people (the buffet) so just know that's your only option.  But it's very do-able.I just sent out STDs (at about 9 months out) and invitation (at 4 months out).  It is very common for people to wait until last minute.  We had a lot of people interested but they weren't sure if they could afford it until later on.  As long as they decide 45 days out you're good.  So I'd set up a website where they can go to get some questions answered (we used Wedding Window) and then send out invites in June or July making it clear what the deadline is.
  • We did the private dinner and loved it and was well worth the $. I liked it b/c we didn't have to share the space with all of the other guests, had our own wait staff, own bar set up, etc. Plus it comes with the linens, centerpieces and dinner. We were in the garden where guests can't just walk through, set up our i-pod, let it play and hung out. Very nice since we had 29 guests. As for getting your guests to book, I just sent a "friendly reminder" a couple of times. If you held any rooms with the deposit, the rooms will need to be booked within 3 months (I think that's the time limit) so you don't loose your deposit. We sent a brochure with info, pics, etc.(PIB) Feel free to ask any questions. I've got a ton of pics and info in my planning and married bio. GL and happy planning =)
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  • Thanx alot ladies for the information that was giving.  I really appreciate the help  :-) & lisa I would love to see picture!!! I love looking @ wedding pictures, it gives me a idea of what I will be going through in a minute LOL!!!
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  • Hello and congrats!  I just got married at Sandals Negril a few weeks ago.  Like you, I thought that paying extra for a reception was crazy...mainly because there was no way I could afford it!The resort ended up putting tables together for us at the Bayside (where the buffet is usually set-up).  However, some nights the restaurant is not a buffet...they set-up restaurant-style with menus.  We wed on a Sunday and had a menu to choose from (Sandals actually created a special menu to cater to our guests...no extra fee).  We had 29 people so I think that they did this for their benefit as well.  The dinner took a long time, but was wonderful.  I might have preferred it to be a buffet so it wouldn't have lasted so long, but like it said, it was still wonderful!  I did all of this planning when I arrived at the resort.  My TA also had been trying to arrange something for me a week or so prior to leaving so I'm sure that helped too.  Also if you have 10 rooms booked, you get extras too (we only had 9, but had 11 guests come onto the resort for the wedding...so Sandals was also taken care of on our wedding day).If you have questions (and I know Lisa was a huge help to me!), feel free to email me (and of course I have 1000s of pictures!)... ourdayin2009 at hotmail dot com.GL!
  • So did you still do the 30min reception before that(Because I know you have to cut the cake) or did they put it together with you reception dinner? & I would love to see pictures. Do you have the pictures on your website?Thanx in advance for the information :-) 
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  • We cut the cake after dinner at the restaurant...we didn't plan anything special.  Honestly, I wouldn't have changed 1 thing.  The piano bar was next to the ocean gazebo where we wed.  So while we were off getting pics taken with the Sandals photog (which you'll do whether or not you've hired them to photograph your wedding), guests helped themselves to the bar, some went for a swim before dinner, and we all just really hung out at there until our 6:30 dinner time.  It worked out perfectly (our wedding was at 3)!    My internet is "out" at home (changed providers and now regretting it).  So I don't have any pics on our website right now.  If you want to send me your email address, I will let you know when I'm up and running again...
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