I need help! I want to get married on an island. Specifically Jamaica or Bahamas. Has anyone done this??
NYCHICK
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
No, but I am from an island. It is not that difficult. Where on the island do u want to get married. What is the exchange rate? How much do u wanna spend?
ferry33
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
I'm looking into Sandals. The thing is that some of the people that will be attending my wedding will not have a date to bring...so they will have to stay somewhere else. I know with Sandals, they give you your wedding/honeymoon combined and do most of the work for you. I just wanted to get an estimate of how much it will cost. We dont want to spend that much...I was thinking around 10,000 at the most. I might have 20-30 people coming. Also, I'm open to any suggestions with any Caribbean Island. Thanks!
NYCHICK
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
The sandals part I HAVE NO IDEA. Call them and ask them how it works. Cause it sounds like that is your only hitch. You are only allowed to go if you are a party of 2?
ferry33
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
Thanks. I'll probably head over to a travel agent as well. I was just wondering if anyone has done this before. Sandals is a couples only resort
shamma
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
Here is a link that will hopefully help in anserwing all your destination wedding questions. All the best and happy planning
As much as I might not like this site, a lot of women on there has gotten married on one island or another, so you can also check them out for information
Sandals has free weddings- keep in mind your guests can only stay on the property if they are couples and adults. My friend is getting married @ the Radisson Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas. The basic wedding is free but they are having a NY style wedding there and are paying. YOu can also look iinto a beaches resort. Good luck!
nov.bride
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I should have added that @ Beaches couples, families and children are welcome not like Sandals where only couples are allowed to stay. Same with the Radisson Cable Beach- couples, families and children. That is why she selected that property.
nferrandi
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
Our friends were married this past September in Jamaica. We all stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay. The resort caters to both singles and couples, but no children under 16 (or maybe 18). The wedding was free, but since there were 60 of us, they payed for outside catering, though I don't believe it was very much, and had a calypso band for an hour and then a DJ. It was one of the best weddings we've been to, but try to find your guests the best deal possible. The travel agent they used didn't do that great of a job, the couple should have done some more research. It was a bit pricey and wound up being me and FH vacation of the year.
ferry33
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
Thanks for the info. I actually just went to a travel agent on my lunch break. It's looking like we might do Jamaica. She's checking into all of the information for me. I want a jamaican band at my wedding also. I also don't want my guests to be spending a lot of money. I appreciate all of the help!
myasmom
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
try the Wyndam Rose hall....thats where we were looking at originally. It is wayyyyyy cheaper than doing it here in the USA. But as someone said it depends on so many factors and variables such as people coming, type of food, etc....the only thing you wont have to pay for is the view lol.
I am having a 2nd reception in Jamaica as well but is is at a place called jakes which is in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
nferrandi
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
You also have to consider if you're planning on paying for some of your guests' trip, or part of it. Our friends didn't pay for anyone but themselves and I thought that was wrong. They should have at least payed the airfare of the people they had asked to be part of the wedding party. I know it sounds like a great idea in a lot of ways, but in all fairness, it's a lot to ask of your guests. We spent over $3000 on their wedding (the shower, trip to Jamaica, and gift at their NY wedding) and that wasn't really money that we had, but we're very close with the couple and felt obligated. We had a great trip, please don't get me wrong, but it is a lot to expect.
MCDO15
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
we were looking at a destination wedding. I didn't work out cuase for the guest to come down, the cost wasn't worth the trip. People would attend but it would put them out alot of money. We found problems with air fare prices and what not. We were gonna do Sandals but they really don't give you much. You don't have a dinner or anything like that.. you get married and then they set you off in a room with some cocktail hour food for an hour or so. I wasn't impressed. Trying to have it some place different.
If your really intrested in Sandales, they have a test flight program which i think is well worth it and we almost went on. You pay 150 pp (so 300). They fly you down to Jamicia in the morning and then you spend the afternoon and early eve on the premises. They show you your possible wedding locations and whats included. Then they send ya back. It's right on there website. If you book within 2 weeks of your trip, that goes to part of the wedding. So the trip is free in a way if you book quick.
Good luck
We decided to stay here (and spend alot more then we can afford) so everybody can attend. We will most likey HM down in Jamicaia and maybe get married again (it's free with 7 might stay @ Sandals)
belle31125
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WHen I was in the DR I saw a bride getting married, it was absolutely beautiful! I can't do it because there are just too many people I would want there and I know they wouldn't all be able to afford it..
ferry33
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
I totally understand that. That's why I am looking around for the best price. I want everyone to be able to afford it. I also have alot of close friends. I am probably having about 10-12 girls in my wedding party so I would not be able to afford to fly everyone out there. They have known for years that I have wanted to do this, so I have given them more than enough time to save for this! Thank God I have such understanding friends!
ferry33
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
I think if you give your guests enough time, they will be able to afford it. I plan on having a mini reception at home in NY for the people who were unable to attend my wedding in Jamaica. I can either rent out a VFW hall, or even have a nice brunch somewhere...or even a backyard party.
MCDO15
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Re: Caribbean weddings?
same thing with us with reception back home (more of a formal dinner at a resturant)
Sandals straight out told me to have poeople book seperate and not a group rate cause they don't offer people anything. I found that hard to belive. We told people 2 yrs in advance. Our cost we were working with was about 800-1000 per person (2000 for a couple) for 3 days 2 nights.... (only 1 full day) Hotel prices are not bad..it's the air that a killer... had more people stayed a few more days, it would be worth it..but not for a weekend
Personally, i don't think thats all bad but my family inst the richest so i took that into consideration while planning. I say go for it...
