IslandLover

THE Reason she has not given you guys the vendor's names yet is b/c you have not put down the deposit. She had no problem telling me who all her vendors are! It is only $200 deposit I think

Welcome to the forums!!

Has anyone had or know of someone who has had a recption at Frenchman's Reef? Looking for a site to do dinner and dancing after the beach wedding and we were not allowed at Frenchman's when i visited before b/c some company had a private event there. Thanks

Hehe...it is crazy reading this post, as I am also using Angela, and even went down there to meet her parents and see Megans Bay!!! I LOVE her and her parents (who also help out a great deal with decorations, cleaning the beach, ect) Here is our plans so far: FIRST...photographer...Our own Jean Marcus!!! I had to put that in since he replied to this thread..hehe!!! I do know the website for Angelas Photographer, I just have to dig it out. He is suppose to be the best on the island and I have seen his website and he does his own editing according to Angela, which is unique for the islands where they ususally send them out to be edited. I decided on Jean Marcus b/c Im a HUGE photojournalism fan, and LOVED his work. I just couldnt keep looking at his pics. It never really occurred to me to use someone from the states, but honestly, I couldnt sleep at night b/c I knew I would not be happy with anyone else....how crazy hu? But I guess that there is that ONE thing in our wedding that just has to be 'perfect' and for me it is photos!!! (now dont let your head get too big there Jean Marcus!!! OK, here is what we have planned so far. Wedding May 9, 2009 Ceremony- Magens Bay- That is the first pic shown with the pink chairs We will probably do a small cocktail hour at the beach, with music, cake, champagne +/- hour dourves....I just hate to have a quick ceremony then run off to the reception...I mean that is the point is to have the wedding on the beach!! Reception-? This is now keeping me up at night. The freakin Ritz will not rent out space unless you have a HUGE party or some corporate event hasnt bought it out....so they let you know 3 months ahead of time!!!! Who can wait that long? So we are thinking about either Havana Blue Restaurant or Frenchman's Reef has a site we can rent out as well. We just need 25 people there to do it and not sure if we will have the numbers. What I want is a sit down dinner or buffet with dancing and music!! Renting a villa is another option....ahhhh!!! Not sure how we are transporting people though, but Angela will take care of that. I just got some more info from Angela yesterday. Officiate can either be Christian or Non Denominational She has her own videographer Dow Video They do the bridal bouquet and cakes, she just wants me to send her pics They use silk flowers for the arches and stuff, but real ones for the boquet and reception centerpieces.....they will use real flowers if you want instead. I forgot to ask about the music Honestly, you can really do whatever you want. I have changed my mind so many times since Ive been talking to her, including the date which was in March, then April, now May!!! She has an al a carte section, so you just tell her what you invision and I know she will do everything she can to help you. Hope this helps Amanda

RRsmile- When in May are you getting married? We are may 9th on Megans Bay but may do our reception at Frenchmans Reef!! Natali- Im from Statesville, about 45 mins from Charlotte!!

hehe..you guys are too funny!!

Thanks guys, we are super excited, could you tell...hehe Dont worry JM...you wont dissapoint!!!

Here is the Post from Island Forum: Well gals, It is now official ...Jean Marcus Strole will be my photographer for May 9th 2009...so dont even think about booking him that weekend...he is MINE!!..hehe After VERY MUCH research, looking at tons of photographers, not only here the on the forum, but also local photographers in St. Thomas, ....he is the best fit for us Im so freekin excited!!! Fist off, Im a HUGE photograpy person...I really think that this is one of the most important parts of the wedding...Pics last forever..sure you have a video..but who ever watches those., umm not even your family sadly but maybe once..pics you place all over the house and in your families houses...so this was a huge deal to me I have 4 Bellet's and I just bought my first Rembrant!! ... umm...photograpy is art...and I love it! Second, nothing is better than photojournalism...I have a photography background...WAAAYYY back in HS, but still love and respect the art, so I may not know where my reception is at yet, but I have my awesome photographer...and that is a HUGE weight off my shoulders. Ill be honest, since Ive been on here, looking at all the websites, I was drawn to Jean Marcus over and over, but never emailed him until I realized that I really wanted him as my photographer...I had to get over the idea that I would have to fly someone out...but honestly it really saved me money in the long run, if you compair prices and packages, with like 2 hours of photos verses 3 days full of pics...seriously it is the way to go.. ......finally, I just said to my FI, listen this is who I want, I photog is to me, and he told me to book it, but when he finally looked at all the photogs I considered, he also felt like we had to have him. AHHHH...so it is official, and Im so excited!! Rock on...

Well gals, It is now official ...Jean Marcus Strole will be my photographer for May 9th 2009...so dont even think about booking him that weekend...he is MINE!!..hehe After VERY MUCH research, looking at tons of photographers, not only here the on the forum, but also local photographers in St. Thomas, ....he is the best fit for us Im so freekin excited!!! Fist off, Im a HUGE photograpy person...I really think that this is one of the most important parts of the wedding...Pics last forever..sure you have a video..but who ever watches those., umm not even your family sadly but maybe once..pics you place all over the house and in your families houses...so this was a huge deal to me I have 4 Bellet's and I just bought my first Rembrant!! ... umm...photograpy is art...and I love it! Second, nothing is better than photojournalism...I have a photography background...WAAAYYY back in HS, but still love and respect the art, so I may not know where my reception is at yet, but I have my awesome photographer...and that is a HUGE weight off my shoulders. Ill be honest, since Ive been on here, looking at all the websites, I was drawn to Jean Marcus over and over, but never emailed him until I realized that I really wanted him as my photographer...I had to get over the idea that I would have to fly someone out...but honestly it really saved me money in the long run, if you compair prices and packages, with like 2 hours of photos verses 3 days full of pics...seriously it is the way to go.. ......finally, I just said to my FI, listen this is who I want, I photog is to me, and he told me to book it, but when he finally looked at all the photogs I considered, he also felt like we had to have him. AHHHH...so it is official, and Im so excited!! Rock on...

Thanks Lady P, Ill check them out. I was just hoping someone was able to find a place that will let you do dancing as well as a dinner..sounds like a villa may be the easiest way to go. thanks amanda

Hey guys, where are you having your wedding reception? I may have asked before, but Im not sure what to do. I want a place where we can have dinner and dancing at sunset. thanks Amanda

Thanks guys, these are all wonderful!!

Morgan, I REALLY think you will regret it if you do not do the video, for multiple reasons. Im like you, I dont like to be center stage for videos...we have been on so many trips and we video everything BUT US. Seriously though, you shouldnt even know that it is there b/c you will be so caught up in the day.. And if you hate it, just dont pass it out to anyone..but get it anyway so you dont regret it in the future! Manda

I actually need help with 2 things. First, I want to say something like "Our greatest gift would be your company in St. Thomas"...but that is really stupid sounding...I just want people to know we dont care about gifts, just them being there for the wedding...any suggestions?? I know I saw something on the forum at some point that was awesome, but I cant find it. Second, we are sending Pre-RSVPs with our STDs and I need 3 options...one with a YES, Maybe, NO....but creative..I see lots of options for the Yes and NO but not much for something like "save a beach chair, unsure yet"..or something like that but more cleaver. Thanks all!!

I TOTALLY recommend a wedding coordinator....NOT at a hotel WC, unless you want to pay BIG $$$$....I had already decided on Angela at: St. Thomas Weddings, St. Thomas Wedding, St. Thomas Wedding Packages, St. Thomas Wedding Planner, US Virgin Islands Weddings, US Virgin Islands Wedding Packages. But we wanted to go to hotels during our visit and we met with them as if w were going to use them, and they are all about the $$....you might as well get married in the states for the crazy prices they want....WCs will have packages for you and we just LOVE Angela. ...seems like the WCs care about YOU, and at the hotels, they charge you for everything and all I heard was.."this is the price for flowers you want, for rental service, for food, for pastor, for band"...ect....all broken down and detailed... with a WC they just make it easy There is also other coordinators in St. Thomas, they are also great from the reviews, I think Bliss Island Weddings posts here a lot too, and Angela is on this site, so you can email them for details and look at their web pages. If you have any other ?s just PM me or ask here. Amanda

St Thomas is more costly than areas like Jamaica and Mexico for sure. St. John was the most expensive Ive seen, but reasonably so, it is secluded and beautiful. Not sure what to say compaired to British VI You can still have a georgeous wedding on a decent budget there, just depends on what you want.

thanks guys, can you give me more info...I guess the thing that matters the most is if there is a MINIMUM amount of days to stay...Ive seen that you have to rent for a week or so...if we can do it a few nights...3 or 4 then it would be great. PM me if you want to email me some info Thanks Amanda

Yeah, the pool was awesome!!!! Had a waterfall too..and also if I forgot to mention, watersports are available...INCLUDING Jet Ski !!! How awesome!!

here are some pics of the Wyndam- Nice resort but you really have a huge hill to walk up or down to get to the beach/pool. The beach is really rocky (I didnt take a pic b/c I thought it would be rude) I also have pics from Frenchmans and the Ritz...just let me know if you want to see them. Lobby The Gazebo The Pool The Beach...I dont think you can see the rocks in the water from here

Magans Bay- You will have beach chair setup and you will walk down the isle through the trees to the beach. They sweep the beach before the wedding Magans Bay- Looking away from beach This is the 'shack' area where if you wanted a reception, hour d'ourves, champagne, ect it would be here..steps from the beach. I hear Angela's parents make it really nice with white drapes and all Magans Bay from above

wow that is too big, Ill have to try and re-size

I started off with a 'test' pic, was too big

Geez..I have photobucket and shutterfly...i didnt know...that is what I get for being a Noob...Ill try again!!! Manda

ok, that didnt work at all!!

Hey guys, Im going to try and post some pics from our visit with Angela's parents a few weeks ago... These are just a few of the St. Thomas pics we got...if you want more, we have them, we have tons! We thought you might want to see the spot at Megan's Bay where Angela does most of the weddings. We also have pics of the Ritz, some of Frenchmans Reef, and Wyndam Sugar Bay...let me know if you want those too!! They actually Sweep the Beach before the wedding so the sand is nice and soft and flat.... You can have your wedding on the beach with a band/violin/steel drum, ect, whatever you want. After there is a shack if you want to have a reception, or we are just doing hour d' ourves, alcohol, ect, they decorate it with white (tool I think?) and make it really nice I have to give props to Angela and her parents, so here is the site if you are interested: st thomas weddings, st thomas wedding, st thomas wedding packages, us virgin island weddings Megans Bay from Above Palm Trees you get married between Turning around and looking the other way Looking to the busy side of the beach The Shack they will turn this into a reception spot with lots of decorations, alcohol, food, ect..whatever you need..even a band. Angela's parents work hard on this and I hear they make it look really nice...white drapes and all!! Angela's Pics: I have pics of the Ritz, Mariott (few) and Whyndam if you guys want too..that was our main reason to go down was to figure out a nice, but within budget hotel for the guests. let me know if you want more