meandpaul

It is around 90 miles from MBJ to Ocho Rios. I have read where the bus trip was 3 hours (which sounds like a long time). Maybe it depends on traffic and your particular driver. When I went to Mexico (Playa de Carmen) our 0cab driver was a maniac...

Same here....I suggested the idea of "jumping the broom" to my FI. That is an African tradition so it would work for us, but not sure that is the same as "incorporating Jamaican traditions".

Welcome and happy planning!

I would really like to swim with dolphins, but that cost is scaring me. I know it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I may just have to bite the bullet and do it, but it is still scary.

For those of you who have had to take that long bus ride from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios, did you try to pick your flights as early as possible? I am waiting for some flight prices to (hopefully) drop some before purchasing, but I guess I need to add 3 hours to the arrival time to get my "true" arrival time in Ocho Rios. How long, in general, does it take to check-in at these resorts? Sorry..this post may read a bit scrambled, just trying to get my thoughts/plans together.

Welcome. There is a lot of infomation here, happy planning.

I saw on a bride's bio (cant remember who but she was married at Beaches Boscobel - the same as us) and she said a tradition is for the groom to put a piece of the cake "IN" his mouth and feed it to his bride...then vice versa. I am NOT doing this. It sounds absolutely gross.

Welcome. My honeymoon with be at SGOR. My ceremony will be at Beaches Boscobel. But those are not until Sept 08 so I cant help. Sorry. I am sure there are others on here who have already been there. Happy planning.

Skybus has recently come to my town. When I check their rates online (they are very cheap) the dates only go thru May 08. Two questions....' 1. Does anyone know how far out their dates remain...like, come November, will June then be available and so forth 2. It seems that I have read on here that one airline kept changing the flight times. Was that Skybus? Well maybe 3 questions..for those who have had experience with Skybus, is their flights as good as they seem? Some prices are $10 and then go up to around$35 for the place I am looking for. Thanks

Quote: Originally Posted by MoBride I understand what you're going through. At one point in time I had 4 different weddings booked:a traditional wedding site near home for 250 guests, Riu Tropical bay in Negril for two different times, and Riu Ocho Rios. Oh and I was still looking into Aruba and Vegas (gotta say would love to have it done and over with quickly in vegas and then go honeymoon in Disney World but that wasn't FI's idea of fun). Anyhow, it's normal to second guess but you have to do what's right for you. I went with Riu Ocho Rios because I wanted a family friendly resort that was affordable and because it just opened in 2005. Beaches/Sandals are great resorts. I just tend to think they are overpriced. There was a $1000.00 price difference between a package for two people for 3 nights at Beaches negril versus the Riu. That being said I believe Beaches Boscobel is less expensive than negril and they do offer more incentives in their wedding packages. just be careful because those incentives do require you to sign a group contract which puts you and your guests on a very specific payment plan. Also, I remember when I was a travel agent that their private receptions cost $75.00 per person. things could have changed since then but they are things to look into. In the end you need to weigh your options and do what's best for you. Take your top 2 choices and have your TA price them our for you. Then price out their wedding packages. See what difference there is and then how much that difference matters to you. Thank you so much. The cost is still $75pp for the reception. I don't THINK I will have many people there so we can just to eat dinner together. I will email my TA now to get him working on a price for RIU.

Looks like you had amazing time. Jamaica is beautiful...I can't wait to go. Love the pics, you look beautiful.

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I can totally understand that. I sent out my STD's and after that, to me, there was no looking back on the resort. It's for better or for worse! But honestly, I have heard good things as well. Here are some sites that I found (or most likely that Heidi found for me!) Bio Beaches Boscobel Ocho Rios Resrt Reviews - Jamaica - Debbie's Caribbean Travel Resort Reviews - Beaches Boscobel Jamaica 2006: Dscf0284_copy don-allison : photos : Allison and Don's Wedding : The Arizona Gazebo at Beaches Boscobel, where the wedding was held - powered by SmugMug I haven't checked those sites to see if any new things were added, but last time I read thru them I was totally reassured. Until I came back no here and again realized how much more info the Riu girls were getting. But I am going to trust that when I get there they will work it all out. Since my initial "freak out" last week, I have had time to think (my TA has been out of town until today) without ACTING and making changes. I will get prices from him for other resorts just to reassure me, but I have a feeling that I will stick to this plan already in place. Thanks for all of your responses.

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I chose Beaches Boscobel b/c I liked the look of it better then the Riu and I doubt my decision daily since there are so many Riu brides no here. But it was AI, the price was right and it was child friendly. Those were my reasons. I still like Beaches better, but the Riu girls get such better customer service from Chandlyn then I do from Renee and that is my only concern so far. Renee gives me half-ass info or doesn't respond at all. But I have read that once you are there, they are super accommodating, so I am not too concerned about it just yet. What were your reasons for choosing Beaches? Perhaps if we know why you are doubing your decision, it might be more clear. I guess because I have seen some bad reviews on Sandals and there doesn't seem to be a high number of brides that post here and on The Know who are going to Boscobel. Just the lack of information is scaring me, I guess. Some of my guests will stay at Sandals and just come over to Beaches for the ceremony. It is a lot of money and I would feel horribly guilty if their experience (and my own) was not wonderful. Also b/c my honeymoon is planned for Sandals Ocho Rios. I am not a perfectionist and I am not picky...I just want us to get our moneys worth and keep the disappointments at a low level. I am just beginning this planning so this all may just be the nervousness of it all.

I have sort of scheduled my wedding/honeymoon at Beaches Boscobel and Sandals Ocho Rios, respectively. I am seeing a lot of RIU and other AI plans on these boards. Naturally, that is making me second guess my decision thus far. For those who have decided on their location, what were the reasons for the decisions you made? Cost is important to me but my #1 concern in that the guests who come have a good time (I would hate to feel guilty for them having spent so much money if things go horribly wrong). I realize that all things can't be controlled, but want to explore all options in hopes of making the best possible decision. Thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by MikkiStreak Ok, I'm *way* too into all this planning stuff.... I've been driving myself crazy looking at all these resorts and trying to keep the information straight. Even having it written down on paper drives me crazy because I'm constantly flipping back and forth between the papers to find what I need. So, I created an excel spreadsheet that (pat on back) I think is pretty cool. Basically, it has one worksheet where I can list up to 15 resorts that we considering and check columns for items that are important to us. On that sheet, I can also put in the price of the package that most interests us. Then, there are worksheets included that list specific a la carte items. For every resort I've named on the first page of the spreadsheet, that resort name will populate to the appropriate worksheet that itemizes the a la carte items. I can enter the price of the item and quantity and it totals the amount for me (with subtotals for each category and a final total estimate). The final "total" for the estimate then automatically logs itself into the main page of the worksheet where I'm listing all the resorts and features. Hopefully, that doesn't sound too confusing. But basically, I have this at home and if anyone wants a copy, let me know and I'll post it.... I would love a copy of this too [email protected] (I didnt see it posted on this thread). Thanks.

I am getting married at Beaches Boscobel on 9/1/08 (so that my mother and daughter can attend). The evening of the 1st, we are going over to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios for the honeymoon for 5 nights. Another idea... Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bwilliams Hi new to the site and clueless where to start with planning a destination wedding, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Hi. Just go to the top of the page and click on search. Enter Xcaret and several threads come up. Good luck.

Quote: Originally Posted by meandpaul I would like that info, thanks. My email is [email protected] if you want to chat that way or want to bounce information off of each other. I looked at your wedding website and read where you are doing the private dinner/reception. I was contemplating that but then realized I had to have a minimum of 10 people. I am not sure if I am going to have that many so I am waiting to determine which "reception" to choose. I had an email and saw where you asked if I had any questions for the WC but I am unable to see it on this thread (am I going crazy). I can't think of any questions right now, but I will start a list too. Thanks so much. It is good to chat with someone who is working on the same location as me.

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I think that almost daily. But it is too late, I don't want to go thru the drama of switching resorts as this point. Plus, I have read and heard good things about BB, so I figure it will all work out in the end. I think that once my wedding is closer, Renee will give me the time I require and if she doesn't, then I will take it over her head. She is nice everytime we email, but i have requested pics of things numerous times and she tells me to go to beaches.com and look at them there. I asked her to put me in contact with the photog and she didn't. I asked her to send me pics of bouquets and ceremony sites and she sent me back a picof a beach and a veranda, not set up for a wedding. Like I haven't seen an empty beach before! I think she probably thinks I was crazy, cuz I was like 10 months away from my wedding when I was asking her. But within the next 2 weeks, I am going to bombard her with emails and force her to give me info! I will let you know whatever I find out. I would like that info, thanks. My email is [email protected] if you want to chat that way or want to bounce information off of each other. I looked at your wedding website and read where you are doing the private dinner/reception. I was contemplating that but then realized I had to have a minimum of 10 people. I am not sure if I am going to have that many so I am waiting to determine which "reception" to choose.

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I am finally catching up on posts and came across this one. I am VERY excited to have another Beaches Boscobel bride on here! I was feeling WAY outnumbered by all the Riu chicks. I still have 7 months to go (I am going to FUH-REAK out when my ticker reads 6 months xxdays!), but I will be more then happy to help in any way I can. If i can anyway, Renee (the WC there) hasn't been very forthcoming wtih me, but I am about to start bugging the shit outta her. Welcome to the forum! I have emailed Renee about 3 times and she replies to my e-mails in about a day. She has not been forthcoming with a lot of additional info (since she does do this on a regular basis), she just answered my questions. I, too, have felt overwhelmed by the RIU weddings. I was beginning to think that I had made the wrong decision in choosing Boscobel.

We are having the legal ceremony done in Jamaica so I cant help you with which to do. But to offer a suggestion, if you are given a wedding planner, tell them what you are doing and surely they will cooperate to keep you secret.

I will keep watching this thread. I was planning to order enough for everyone (if my final decision is to buy them). My ceremony will be on the beach which should be breezy. What have others of you done or plan to do? I have read other posts where they could use them for shade too.

This may sound silly and I dont know where you live, but I recently heard from a friend of mine (helping me plan my wedding) that the Dollar General store (in NC) has shells. They looked good according to my friend (she is very picky). FYI

I am new to this whole "posting thing". I am surprised how friendly and helpful everyone is. I get a real sense of community from reading the boards.