Ceremony at SGOR...reception dinner at Sandals Dunn's River?

Hi, everyone!

Ok, so here is my question -- is anyone else staying at SGOR planning on having their wedding ceremony there and then going over to Sandals Dunn's River for their reception dinner? The reason I was thinking of doing this is because (if I am not mistaken), you can't make dinner reservations anywhere at SGOR and I am concerned with how much additional the "private dinner reception" is going to cost per person at SGOR. A lot of this will end up having to do with how many guests attend, but I just don't want to skip out on opting for the private dinner, and end up standing around outside of a restaurant waiting for who-know's-how long with my guests after the wedding!

I thought maybe we could get around this by going to SDR for dinner (where you can actually make reservations if you have a concierge, I think). From what I understand, the food is better at that resort anyway!

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Christie

Unfortunately this won't work and here's why-

The only restaurant that takes reservations at Sandals Dunns River Villagio is the Teppanyaki,-Kimonos- the other restaurants do not. The seating is for ( 10- if I remember correctly) so there is a good chance that your party would be split up if it's larger than that.

The other thing to take into consideration is you may not be able to fit everyone on the transfer- as there will be other guests using teh shuttle service. I believe ( again if my memory is correct) you can fit about 15 on the shuttle.

Concierge can only make reservations for those in the concierge level- Butler's on occasion have a bit more pull and may be able to add a few extras to your reservation-however it'd be hard for them to do 10 or more!

My recommendation- if you don't want to spend the money on the private $25 sit down dinner, these are usually not hosted in the restaurants, is to just upgrade for the $15 cake, appetizer and champagne reception- let everyone do dinner on their own, and then meet up for drinks at one of the bars then head to the disco!

Thanks so much, Jennifer! You always offer such great advice, and I am glad to know for sure that this little idea of mine probably isn't going to fly! (But, I thought it was worth at least finding out about, you know?)

If my FI and I can swing it, I would love to do the 3 hour private reception and dinner at SGOR, which is $75 pp if I am not mistaken -- we'll have to see how the budget is looking closer to the time we are planning to go. Otherwise, your idea of doing the less expensive cocktail reception and then having everyone do their own thing for dinner makes a lof of sense, since everyone in my group is so picky about thier food anyway!

One other reception question: are they immediately following the ceremony or can you delay it so there is time to take pictures with the photographer, and then rejoin your guests? (I am trying to avoid doing photos before the ceremony, as I would like the first time my FI sees me as a bride to be when I am walking down the aisle!) Sorry if you have already answered this questions a million times...I've been looking around the forum quite a bit and haven't come across this question as of yet!

Many thanks again for sharing your expertise!

Christie

i am so glad you threw this out there Christie! I was having the same thoughts...let me share my"game plan" (you know, if everything goes as planned, which it never does! haha)

wedding @ 1pm (or somewhere around this time)

after the wedding:

bride/groom/party: pictures

guests: having dinner/downtime at a bar or resteraunt (perhaps even changing clothes)

around 6pm: meet back up with guests (depending on budget perhaps in a nice white sundress, I'm not gunna want to wear a huge puffy HOT dress the whole night!) and have the appetizer/drink/cake reception Jennifer was talking about including our first dance...

but that's just me- AND i'm still trying to figure out where to fit in TTD...I'm thinking the day after at dunns river falls...

Love the game plan, Kaytee!

That is sort of what I am wondering about...I don't want to "abandon" my guests (sorry if that sounds melodramatic), to go and do photography right after the ceremony, but what else are you supposed to do, you know? You have to capture the moment, for goodess sake! Or maybe we could have the ceremony, do the reception immediately afterward, do some shots with guests, (and then do the ones of just John and I while everyone goes back to their room to change/have downtime), with everyone meeting up for dinner later.

And I am planning on wearing a second white dress in the evening, as well. I found this adorable little white cocktail number online (Style #2005 in the Destiny Collection on the Alfred Angelo website, if you're interested in seeing it. Less than $200, I think!)

Quick TTD sidebar question: what do you do with your dress afterward? Do you literally "trash" or throw away your wedding dress? Otherwise, how would you get a soaking wet gown home?

Anyway, thanks for the itinerary -- I might just have to steal it, my friend!

~ C

it is standard for the bride & groom to do photo's after the ceremony- in both a traditional wedding and a DW!

jamaicabride- I would give yourself more than 30 minutes though - typically most couple suse about an hr-hr and a half for photo's!

If you use less time, great but you'd hate to miss out on a some great photo's if you don't have enough time!

Thanks, Jamaicabride...and great advice on scheduling, Jennifer!

I was thinking about possibly getting married at one of the locations on the Manor side, and then doing some photography on the Riviera side by the ocean (which is the side I am planning to book for my stay), and I have been trying to figure out what sort of time frame we'd need for photography not to be rushed!

I love this forum...