pook2b

Wedding Review SJG I managed to get as many details as I could before traveling to Jamaica as I was so worried things would go wrong. I really shouldn't have worried. It all went fine. I had emailed Ester our wedding co-ordinator many times as I hadn't really heard from anyone since I had booked with Virgin. Here's how it went... We booked just over a year before we were due to travel. Firstly I had to send copies of birth certificates, divorce certificates, passports and for the Sunset jamaica Grande, I also needed to send copies of our driving licenses. These copies had to be certified by a solicitor then sent to Virgin to be forwarded on to Jamaica.. We were also required to take the originals with us. (Later I found out this was in case the copies weren't satisfactory- ours were). We then had confirmation of the date and time along with a list of optional extras. We filled this in and again sent it back to Virgin. This all happened in the first month. It then went really quiet and I began to get worried. I emailed our wedding co-ordinator who assured me that everything would be fine, leave it to her and she would mail me about a month before we flew just to check things were ok. This frightened me a bit, ONE MONTH, I was sure we would need to communicate before then. I set about choosing clothes for everyone. There were 8 in our party, Hubby to be, Mother in law, Father in law, Brother in law, Step son and Step daughter, My daughter and myself. As the wedding was in April, I had decided to try and relax till after christmas. This wasn't easy. I then emailed Esther again with lots of questions. She was great and answered them all and confirmed an appointment time for us to meet the morning after we arrived at SJG. I had also read as many different reviews as possible to gain extra tips. I had already emailed and requested the south tower and a lower level as we all prefer not to be too high up. We then flew to Jamaica. On the plane we were presented with Champagne and chocolates. On arrival to the hotel the staff all knew there was a wedding party and made us feel really special. We checked in with no problem and were shown to our room. It had been upgraded to an ocean view and was beautiful. We hung up our dresses/clothes and tried to forget the wedding till the next morning. When we met Esther she was so so friendly. She gave us a book of photo's and told us to check out the flowers. We choose the style and color and she phoned the florist whilst we were there. She then booked the spa for my hair and make up. She had previously booked the photographer and DVD guy. We chose a small photo package as we knew family would take lots of pictures too. Warning either do not chose your photo package in advance or chose a small package and upgrade after. We struggled to find 24 pictures that were more outstanding than the pictures family had taken...and they are a lot of money too. Esther showed us the wedding spots, the beach gazebo or the garden gazebo. We chose the beach gazebo because this went out into the ocean and was a little more private, (Its beautiful too). The garden gazebo is very close to sunbathers. Esther told us what time to get ready and told my husband to be downstairs in her office 30 minutes before the wedding (to put on flower, chat with minister and start the DVD rolling whilst on the way to the gazebo) Esther then said she would collect me 15 minutes before the ceremony. That was is, we were all set. We started to relax and I checked out the spa and found they did a Jamaica bride package for $70 more than what I was going to pay and it included a massage, pedicure and manicure. I asked if they could change it and they said it would be fine. I had the massage the day before by a guy called Courtney and my manicure and pedicure followed by Michelle. Whilst I was having the manicure and pedicure I could feel an atmosphere, I asked Michelle and she said that as i was having a package that cost $155 they were unsure of how to split the money as I would be having four therapists treating me by the time I had also had my hair and make up done. It was very tense and I felt like I was doing them out of money. Michelle said the tips were the only real source of income and they relied on it. She also went on to tell me about her poor lifestyle, Yes I felt bad for her but I was here to feel good. She even gave me a piece of paper with her address on and asked if I could send gifts from England. I was really uncomfortable. Anyway, I walked out feeling relaxed but guilty.Next morning, the girls, mother in law and I went to the spa to have our hair done. Our hair looked amazing and would definately recommend them for the hair however the makeup was a different matter. I didn't realize how heavy it was until the DVD was replayed. It looked ok in the photo's, but beware girls, you may have a line around your chin. This is the only thing I would have done differently. I would have done my own. That was hair and make up done. Back up to the room to avoid seeing future hubby. It all seemed so quick and the next thing we knew, Esther had called to say she was on her way up. She arrived at the door and helped me into my dress. Then we went down in the lift and went into her office to collect our bouquets. We walked through the lobby were everyone clapped us. It was great. The girls thought it was fab. We walked down the steps and headed for the gazebo. I could see my future hubby with his family. They sent the pageboy back towards us with the ring cushion so he could lead our parade. Our song played and the pageboy walked slowly to the gazebo followed by the girls throwing petals. I followed behind and new I was about to marry the man of my dreams. We said our vows and were pronounced man and wife and then the minister continued with the vows we had requested that included the children. Please contact me if you would like a copy. We then sat under the gazebo to sign the registar where the minister also did our family unity candle ceremony. This again was lovely. And then... the photo's began. We had photo's taken in every possible angle and combination. Beware, Photographer doesn't like anyone else taking pictures, but its your wedding, let your family take pictures too. After an hour of pictures we were led to the gazebo again were there was champagne and the cake set out for us. We had speeches, ate and drank and then got out of the sun. I was a married woman, yeehaaa. As we got married at 11am we decided to get changed after the wedding but kept our hair in. We spent the day chilling out (it seemed to fly by). We then had a table for 8 in the south grill in the evening. A perfect evening to a perfect day. The sunset was beautiful whilst we ate. The pictures were ready 2 days later and the DVD 3 days later. The DVD is a must, its so good. The music and editing was great. As I said before, the pictures were 'ok'. I'm sorry this is taking so long, but I wanted all you future brides to have an insight that I didn't. Please contact me if you want any more info.

Hi All, Was reading through your details of the sand ceremony and too was worried about transporting a glass container to Jamaica from England and back again. As much as I wanted the sand ceremony, I have opted for a unity candle ceremony with 5 taper candles, one for my partner and I and one each for our 3 children. These will be easy to transport and an ideal keepsake afterwards.

Hi People, i have 16 days till I get married and I am so so excited. Esther the wedding coordinator has been absolutely fantastic. She has answered all my questions and really reassured me that everything will be fine. She has even offered to help me dress as my dress laces up at the back and as my flower girls are 11 and 8, I don't think they will manage it. Would love to hear from other SJG brides and share my excitement. Pook2b

Hi Folks, I am getting married in 19 days at Sunset Jamaica Grande at 11am. Few things I am worried about, I haven't chose flowers yet. I haven't booked photographer or videographer. I haven't picked a location at the resort. I am hoping for us to have hair and make up done in the salon (4 of us) My wedding coordinator says leave it all till we get there, but as we don't get to the resort till tuesday evening, and get married on the friday, it doesn't seem like much time. Especially as I'm sure the wedding coordinator has to coordinate other weddings in that time. Please let me know if any of you have booked all this is advance. Thanks Pook2b

Me again! Just a few more questions.....for now. Did Esther help you get dressed? seems like a funny question, but it will be my daughter 11, and step daughter to be 8, who will be getting ready with me, I'm not sure they will be able to help me with my dress, although its not huge, it does have a lace up back. Did you have much of a choice for your flowers? I am hoping to stick with the package flowers, yours look beautiful, I would them just order two smaller posies for the girls. What extras did you have? and how much? ie flowers, hair and make up, photo's, dvd, I do have a price list but just wondered whether the prices are the same. Can you recommend and MUST haves? We are hoping to have the ceremony, have pics taken then go somewhere quiet just for cake and champagne. (as there are only 5 adults and 3 children) do you think they would accomadate this? Did you have the romantic meal for two on the beach? If so, how was it? Would love to see more pics if you have them. Thats enough questions for now, thanks again for your help. Pook2b

What can I say, you look fab! I too am getting married at Sunset Jamaica Grande on 11th April 2008 (34 days) Cant wait to read your review. How many people did you have at your wedding? (there are 8 of us altogether) Did you have an evening reception? Did you upgrade your flowers from wedding package? Was Esther your wedding coordinator? Did you get your dress pressed in Jamaica? Did you get your room upgraded as per wedding package? Did you have hair and make up done at the spa? So sorry for all the questions, just getting a tiny bit nervous now, ha ha. Thanks again for sharing your pic's (you can never see too many wedding pics) Pook2b

Monicaswave (I have a tattoo I HATE on my chest and it shows with most mid low tops so I always have to cover it. I am in the middle of the process of getting it removed so by the time of the wedding it should be all gone though. I am trying this new procedure that uses glycolin to remove the tattoo and it is way more effective than laser removal....and less painful. I used laser before so I know the difference. Let me know if you want more info on this too.) What is this treatment called and how expensive is it? I have had five sessions of lasering now and my tattoo's are very faded but not gone. I would be interested in this treatment as lasering is soo painful. Thanks Pook2b

Hi, I have got a lot of useful advise from this website, but also wondered whether any one else is getting married at Sunset Jamaica Grande. I would love to share idea's and plans with others in the same situation as myself. I am traveling to Jamaica on April 8th and getting married on 11th April. Traveling with future Husband, my daughter, future step daughter and step son and mother in law, father in law and brother in law to be. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hi Guys, Thanks for your replies, though coming from England, we dont have those shops. I guess our 'Body Shop' is an equivelant. Thanks

Can you help? I would like to take a gift for our wedding co-ordinator and for the maids who will be cleaning our room, nothing too expensive, but maybe something i can buy here in England that they wouldn't be able to get in Jamaica. Pook2b

Hi Denise, I too am getting married at the Sunset Jamaica Grande 2 days after you. I am an avid reader of the trip advisor forums and weighing out the pro's and con's there are many more good reviews than bad. The photo's of the resort look good, and i agree, bad news makes good reading. You never get to read about weddings, but you always read about murders.... I have worried myself silly about the resort and decided that its all booked, and a holiday/wedding is what you make it. If we get chance to meet up after the weddings, i bet we will be laughing about this. Just over nine weeks to go.......I guess we should be worrying about the clothes and packing and let the rest happen. Hope you agree. Take Care Pook2b

Thank you for all your replies. I will contact Esther WC and ask her. As Maura says, if full name is on documents it should be okay. I'm sure others have come across this problem as lots of people have shortened names, especially in the UK. Thanks again, and if anyone knows any rules on this before I can contact WC, please let me know. p.s. When I find out, I will post and let you all know.

Requesting help from all you brides, I am trying to find out if it is 'legal' to use shortened names during your vows. i.e. My partners name on his birth certificate is David, and mine is Amanda, however we are known as Dave and Mandie. Do we have to use David and Amanda or can we use Dave and Mandie during the ceremony? A bit of a weird question but I cant find the answer anywhere. Please help. Pook2b

All the best Poochie....go get him girl!!!

Help! What type of ceremony should i have? Has anyone got married at Sunset Jamaica Grande? (I am getting married on 11th April 200 I am trying to work out what type of ceremony to have or whether they have one set out for you? I would be really disappointed if the ceremony was over with in a few minutes. I would also like to include our three children within the vows, does anyone have any idea's? This has been puzzling me for a while? Has anyone got their vows i can check out and amend? Hoping you can help. Pook2b

Congratulations and welcome to another SJG bride. Really sorry, i cant help you. We are having a really small wedding...Partner and myself, our 3 children, mother and father in law and brother in law. So just the 8 of us which is covered in the wedding package. Have you tried e-mailing Esther? she is the wedding co-ordinator there and is really helpful. let me know if you need the address. p.s. when is you wedding?

Well, thats it, not much more to do. Booked the seats on the plane, the parking for the cars, the travelodge for the night before we fly and just had a phone call to say my wedding dress has arrived. Alterations cant be made till end of February. So all i can do now is sit back and wait......and check out all the messages on this site. The guys have got there clothes sorted, he girls have got there dresses. Just need to sort out clothes for my partners six year old son. We are wondering whether to right our own vows or use traditional ones. Also whether to include the children in the vows too. I have read somewhere that children can take part too. As it is second time round for us, i thought this might be a nice idea. Would like your thoughts on this. I would also like to find something special for the children to keep, my partner and i will have wedding rings, its easy to find something for the girls but what about my step son to be....? Was thinking of something personalized but what? Ideas would be gratefully received. Counting down Pook2b

Well, thats it, not much more to do. Booked the seats on the plane, the parking for the cars, the travelodge for the night before we fly and just had a phone call to say my wedding dress has arrived. Alterations cant be made till end of February. So all i can do now is sit back and wait......and check out all the messages on this site. The guys have got there clothes sorted, he girls have got there dresses. Just need to sort out clothes for my partners six year old son. We are wondering whether to right our own vows or use traditional ones. Also whether to include the children in the vows too. I have read somewhere that children can take part too. As it is second time round for us, i thought this might be a nice idea. Would like your thoughts on this. I would also like to find something special for the children to keep, my partner and i will have wedding rings, its easy to find something for the girls but what about my step son to be....? Was thinking of something personalized but what? Ideas would be gratefully received. Counting down Pook2b

Hi Denise, Hopefully you are feeling as excited as i am. I would agree with you that after all the monies you have spent, the last thing you need to pay for is a private reception at an all-inclusive resort. We arrive at SJG around 5.30pm on 8th April. Maybe we can catch up at some point and toast 'our weddings'. I wish we had a few more people going to our wedding, but as its second time round and a lot of money, we will just have to share pics and dvd's when we get back. (we are having a big party on our return for family and friends). Just a suggestion, why not all meet up at one of the beach bars in the evening and have a party on the beach? that way you've got your all inclusive food and drink and ample room to dance. Maybe contact esther and see if its possible to borrow/hire a cd player and take some cd's with you (of your taste). I think this is what i would do if there was a few more of us. Pook2b

Hi All, I booked through Virgin and had to give a prefered date and time that i wanted to get married. Virgin then wrote to us with the date and time confirmed. Virgin then sent a list of optional extra's including prices for us to chose from, we returned our choices together with the documents needed. I booked our wedding nearly a year in advance. When I e-mailed Esther back then, she took a while to reply. Now the wedding is getting nearer she seems to reply quicker. Maybe she thinks there is plenty of time. She has now reassured me that EVERYTHING gets sorted when you arrive at the resort. All you have to do is arrange your clothes. We get married 13 weeks today and I cant wait, I am so excited. I look forward to counting down to our wedding with you all. Pook2b

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year to you all..... Guess what?..........most of us are getting married THIS year!!! Its coming around quick, just over three months. Hope to chat to you all soon. Pook2b

Hi denise, Our wedding package is organized through Virgin and we are adding optional extra's to it. Esther at Sunset Jamaica Grande has answered some of my queries and been very helpful but Virgin have been corresponding with me regarding times and dates etc, I have also had to request the optional extras from Virgin who then pass the request on to SJG. They seem to deal with loads of weddings so i am sure everything will be fine. We arrive at SJG around 3.30pm on 8th April 2008, we may just have to take a sneaky peek at your wedding :-)

The bride that I spoke to had 15 in her party and didn't request to have somewhere blocked off, they just did it for them. I think that with the reviews on the forums, you have to read between the lines. All forums are the same, some good and some bad. Generally as a whole, SJG seems to be an all round great for wedding party's and for kids.

allaboutodd If you want to read the review, go to Sunset Jamaica Grande trip advisor. There has been some mixed reviews (negatives seem to be from people who have had to transfer there because Mo Bay is being re-vamped0. There are a lot of wedding reviews and a few pictures too. Hope this helps. Pook2b

Hi allaboutodd. After reading a fantastic review from a recent bride who got married in November, I have no doubt that I have pick the perfect place for our wedding. We have also sent messages back a forth and she advises that we dont pay extra to have a reception as we can all sit together anyway and go from bar to bar, restuarant to restuarant when we please ad the staff were really accomodation. She also says that the DVD ($300) is a must and they do a brilliant job. We are going to have 24 pictures of 4x6, this works out to be $110. We have ordered about $800 of optional extras (£400 in our money) this includes button holes for the guys and flowers for the girls. There are 8 in our group (3 children) and all staying at SJG. I cant wait now, really getting excited. Please contact me more if i can help. p.s. we booked through Virgin and they have also been great, sorted all documents etc. Let me know what you decide. Pook2b