IslandLover

Ive been looking at Villas..they are great, beautiful everyone Ive looked at. My ? is...is there a villa that will fit 10-15 people (a few of them are kids)..? I havent found one...and if not...is there a place where there are 2 villas close to eachother that we can book so all of our family can stay close? Any help would be greatly appreciated Manda

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan Glad your site visit was great! Morgan, Your Duke Garden Pics are great..i have some hanging up in my appt now...just loved them...though stil HATE Duke..we still lost to Kansas. Get this..we were on the cruise and I was in my Carolina shirt watching the game with a bunch of other fans...hee Manda

Quote: Originally Posted by petunia Amanda, Super report. I know the Ritz is very expensive if you want to stay there, but how were the reception prices? Are they more willing to work with you in ways the Wyndham would not? (your own planner, ceremony at a different location?) The beach at the Ritz is absolutely beautiful as well. Not too far away from the Ritz is Lindqvist beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, which you might also consider. To be honest, I've never really liked Magen's Bay beach. Of course the crowds are a deterrant, but also, since it's a protected cove, it gets very very hot there, with almost no breezes. One good thing about Magen's is there's a place, Udder Delight, right at the head of the road leading to Magen's that has the most phenomenal ice cream shakes. Angela's folks seem like wonderful people. What a special treat for you. You will find some of the most wonderful helpful people down there. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Reception Prices at the Ritz: Very expensive....talked to the WC there today and it is a MINIMUM of $5,000 for the outside terrace we wanted...OUCH..includes food and drinks..if you have a big party I guess this is ok, but not for us. So we will likely have a reception in the outside of the formal dining room, but cant have a band, music, dancing, ect. But with Angela, we get a reception at Megan's Bay so we will have music, drinks and appetizers there, then move to the reception area for dinner later And NO they are not willing to work with me as I thought that they would...all about $$$$ again..I think it is heading this way b/c St. Thomas is so popular for weddings now. As far as Linquest Beach, I have heard it was amazing from a few reviews..Ill talk to Angela see if they can do it there. The good thing about where they do the wedding is here is a covered shack that they completely decorate up with white tool stuff and make it beautiful, but as you will see in my pics, looks like a big wood spot...but seeing pics of it when they are done is amazing. Hope this helps Manda

Ill try to post pics when I get home tomorrow morning.

Hey guys, Sorry, Ive been back a week, but of course as a doctor they load your shifts and I had to work like every day since I got back...time to give you the scoop!!! If you want it ALL...here it is..and it is LONG but honest...get ready!!!! Im using Angela at Paridise Bridal Consultants. (LOVE TO YOU ANGELA) I went on a cruise that we were planning anyway and wanted to meet with Angela on our passing in St. Thomas, but she was on vacation, so we met with her parents...who are completely involved as she in in the wedding consulting. I was a bit worried about not meeting Angela herself...but OMG, her parents work with her 100% and know EVERYTHING about the wedding planning details that really, I felt as she was there.....they were AWESOME!!! First off, we pulled into port...OMG how Beautiful is St. Thomas We went to Aruba, Curaco, St. Maarten, then St. Thomas...and I have been to St. Lucia, Barbatos, Grand Camen, Cozumel, Keys, and some others I dont remember...but OMG St Thomas always blows me away with the views! Why we chose St. Thomas... We have now been on 3 cruises...#1- East Caribbean... #2...S. Caribbean..got engaged on Cruise from Purito Rico to St. Thomas....#3...now to re -visit, we wanted to do Western Caribbean, but now knew we loved St Thomas and we got engaged sailing there...so it was a must and we wanted to meet the wedding coordinator...Western Carribean will have to wait!!! .....St. Thomas...as US virgin Island...means No passport, english, US dollars, great shopping, shorter flight...that is why we also chose here. And we got engaged coming here before..as above I told you this was long....still with me Ok...got off the ship...Angela's parents were there waiting for us. at the dock..since Angela was on vacation they were going to take us around....little did I know I was going to have a PERSONAL TOUR GUIDE...seriously they were so awesome, told me history, stories you would NEVER get from a tour guide...and her dad was so informative, he took us to placed "just for us" to pass by and get pics... This was not on the agenda..they did this for us..took us to multiple historic and lookout places "as we are passing by" and told us history and their history. as husband and wife and Angela..seriously was so meaningful you wouldnt belive it Down to buisness, what you all want to know Wyndham-.....great resort, old rooms, but ok to deal with I think from passing by them. Beautiful resort. They have a kids club and an AI. Problem is....walk is difficult to the beach or pool if you have some elderly people in your group...if we were all in our 20's to 40's...sure, but really having a shuttle take you to the beach or pool is a bit of a pain, and when you want to get to the shuttle to take you up, you have to meet down the hill...but it is a big slope for me and I run 5 miles when I work out... ANOTHER GREAT THING ....Angela's mom..walked with us the whole way...there are '99' steps...but we took the shuttle..quicker really...but she walked every other path..she was awesome . Met with the WC of Whydam....money money money..yeah, will plan it all, worry free, but seriously....too much buisness. I have to admit, I have been through this before...and you can tell those who care and dont ...we inquired about doing a reception there after a beach wedding...they wouldnt even consider Angela to do the reception decorations all...when her brother had one last year there..they are cracking down. Overall Whyndam- Great resort, beautiful views, old rooms, NOT for disabled unless your willing to take shuttle to beach or pool...and WC there will not let you use outside help "unless it is of his own list"... Mariott- Couldnt get into b/c someone 'bought out' the resort..sux for us b/c we wanted to really see it..I have some pics from what I could get Ritz...Good God Amazing.....On a HILL like every St Thomas resort..but the stairs were not as steep, they had them spaced out... Ok i seriously dont know where to start...Obviously the most eye appealing, but more than that...I walked in, they took my hand and treated me like royalty....they took me to the spa, every area in the campus...They do not have Jet Ski's as the Whyndam does...but OMG, they have the reception area's up the butt...They have multiple outside and inside areas that are amazing for a reception...we are booking them now for that..no matter where our guest stay...tiki lights..awesome. My only regret is I didnt get to see Frenchmans Marriott...I think that is where I would book if I could see it...I told the manager that this was important, and a big party could come in,he still refused.....I think it would be great...but how do you refuse such a party? Im not sure how to post pics on here...I have TONS of pics from St. Thomas, Magens Bay, and all the sites... I can say:...St Thomas was the right choice...Angela and her family ....AWESOME!!!! I cannot believe how awesome they are..and her dad owes me a fish fry....trust me Angela...I'll hold your dad to this one!! you guys are great...!!!! Amanda and Ron

Lady P....Im about to post about St . Thomas, check out my new thread.. Manda

Im using Angela as well....I just met with her parents in St. Thomas...when I get a chance, Ill send out a big post with pics of Megans Bay

Im in the same situation, my family has very little money and most wont be able to afford the plane ticket, let alone hotel stay...we are trying to find a nice place, affordable for 2-3 nights...and we are helping out with the hotel stay for most of the family...it is going to be expensive!!!

Ahhh...another AI I didnt know...awesome!! Love the pics there, Ill definately go there when I visit next week.

Can I pay someone to do mine for me?

I will definately take a ton of pics and Ill let you guys know what we find out. After doing 2 cruises on Carnival we are going to do Royal Caribbean this time around...I LOVE cruises, but every time we went to St. Thomas, we always took a catamaran to St. John, so now we can really get a good look at it!!

The photographer Angela uses is Tom Boyd. Here is the website Wedding Photography St Thomas

IM SO SO Excited..we are taking a cruise, we will meet with Angela's mother and I want to see all the different beaches and places to stay. Im not sure of where I want guests to stay..but Ive narrowed it down to the Ritz, Whyndam, or Marriott...but Angela suggested looking at a few other places, so we will do that too. It is so funny Angela finally signed up...I told her about this site about a month ago, told her she was talked about all the time on here..hehe

There are only 2 AI on ST. Thomas....Bolongo Bay and Whyndam

Thanks guys, your all awesome!!

I searched other forums, seems like the only site recommended is the Colored Sands website...which is great but you need a $10 min, and I only need $6 worth... So I wondered if there was another place to get sand and sea shells to put in my Message in a Bottle? Thanks

Im starting to wonder, should I fly in my photographer or just have the one the WC has? I just wonder how more expensive it is to fly someone in? A few thousand is ok, but I only get $1000 off my package if I use who the WC has..to me pics are VERY important.

Im heading to St. Thomas to meet with Angela's mom (she is on vacation) I love the pic of the bay above, beautiful!! Ill hopefully visit some of the hotels and resorts and give you guys a review.

I love the pink too!! It just catches my eye.

ohhh...I love it, how unique..great idea..im PMing you..

I asked about the date b/c of high vs low season and wondering if I can get as good of a deal as you...We are thinking about April 2009, I think prices drop after March, but I think they drop even more after August....I would just LOVE to get a deal like you did, im sure Jennifer will do her best!! Thanks

OH, LadyP, I dont remember when you said what month you were getting married in? Thanks again

Lady P, I just started talking with TA Jennifer, she seems awesome...just curious, where did you decide to stay at? Thanks

They look AWESOME...thanks for sharing..

Great job, I love them and I know your guests will too!!