jkny23

That sounds like fun though! im surprised they can't do a dinner -- casual on the beach at night. That is so strange. What company are you using for the catamaran? I have been in contact with a vendor that is charging about $70 per person with open bar, snacks, snorkel gear. I haven't finalized my hotel yet and am still trying to figure that out. What month are you getting married? I am looking at November. You didn't think that it would be too much to do the dinner at another hotel and transport people from the boat to the other hotel and back? That is my last step obviously with that activity...still working on the hotel portion. Is your wedding at Bolongo or is this a welcome dinner?

Has anyone done a wedding here or has info on anyone that is having a wedding here? Any opinioins? I am considering ritz and marriott...

I have no choice bc I am so damn picky that I need to see everything before I book...I am an event planner in NY so you know that I am going to be totally crazy about everything!!! I am hearing mixed reviews about the Marriott. The Ritz is obviously too expensive....this is a never ending saga trying to find a place!!! Aruba? haha jk...

Thanks for the info..I cant seem to find the photos for the Frenchmans Reef other than the same ones on the website. Is there a reason why you didn't choose your wedding ceremony and reception at that hotel and went with Bolongo? I am considering taking a quick trip down there this weekend to do a site visit. How is the hotel/pool/beach there? I am just a little concerned since it is really hard to tell online and want there to be enough activities for all of my guests both at the hotel and offsite.

I like the offsite venue idea like the botanical gardens...just curious if there are other places like this to do the wedding ceremony and reception..incase the hotel just doesn't work out?!

Doesn't the Frenchman's Reef have an AI option? I was originally planning to go with Jamaica and just do my wedding there for 50-60 guests but now I keep hearing such bad feedback on Jamaica itself as far as a destination that it is making me a little nervous to pursue it. I wanted to do St. Marteen since I hear it is definitely beautiful but there are no normal hotels there that really impress me. Does anyone know of a garden like area overlooking the water (not in sand) to do a ceremony in the USVI? What is everyones opinion on the Frenchman's Reef or where they host your reception? I don't want to be stuck in a stuffy ballrooM!!!

I also like the fact that they aren't shutting you down at 10:30pm for your wedding. All of the hotels elsewhere give you a curfew for your wedding at 10:30 and then you have to take your function inside or to the bar or something...

This is some great information! I am really looking into your advice and "expertise" is in Jamaica since the last time I was there was about 4-5 yrs ago but to Negril. I was also looking into St. Thomas and St. Marteen however I am afraid that the hotels arent going to be very exciting or nice at all. My wedding should be around 50-60 people the most I believe. Originally I was having my heart set on Cabo like I mentioned but the flights were just a pain in the butt!!! I'm just worried that my guests wont be able to leave the resort in Jamaica. I liked the idea of giving them an opportunity if they wanted to leave the resort to shop around or do whatever they want during the day. We are having 2 nights of functions (welcome dinner and the wedding with a brunch to follow the next day). If I am looking to do this in November, I need to step up on this!!! haha How is the Rose Hall with their water slides, etc? Are there any nightly bars/clubs for the younger guests to hang out at? Are the pools and beach nice from what you remember seeing?

Grace is located in California and wasn't too hard to get a hold of when I was calling her. Marquis is very expensive however a better location. I think the grounds are beautiful but I think that all of your meal functions and whole experience may be a little pricier going to that resort. To me that resort feels more of a honeymoon spot but is gorgeous!

Danidst..I think your comments are so similar to what I would have said...very similar!!! I am anticipating the same amount. Although the Ritz's name seems appealing, I think that there are other properties that can do a great job as well other than that one specific hotel. I am definitely only focusing on either the Half moon or Rose Hall and am looking for the most value from any property and accommodating everyone! Who is the agent you used in NY? I am looking to provide my guests with either an all inclusive or non all inc option....please email me when you have a chance Thanks!!

The photos look really nice!! Do you have any others? Is the area for the reception going to be away from the hotel sleeping rooms? Is there a cut off time that they stated you must end your functions by? That gazebo looks beautiful. Did you notice any other areas maybe another grassy area overlooking the water in a private area to do the wedding? I am anticipating about 50 guests and a few kids. I am looking for something reasonably priced with lots of fun activities for all especially ppl in their 20s and 30s. Did you check out Half Moon when you were there as well?

I think that we have decided not to go with Cabo due to the flight annoyances flying from NY. I just cant imagine 40-50 guests flying out there and having to connect both ways. It will just ruin all of their trips.

Has anyone had their wedding or know anyone that has done a wedding at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel in St. Thomas? just curious how the hotel itself is as well as beach/pool/food...any insight would be appreciated!! i see the gazebo looks nice but curious to see if it looks that great in person!!! I am looking to do a luau welcome dinner the first night on the beach so I am unsure if they will even do that there since they are on a cliff....

Personally I have stayed at the RIU in Negril and was really aiming towards staying in Montego Bay this time around. I was not a huge fan of the RIU chain in both Jamaica and in Cabo. Pricewise it is totally worth it but for me, it isnt what I am looking for in a hotel. I found that it was very commercialized for my liking. Maybe the one in Ocho Rios is different?! If I go with Jamaica, it will be either Rose Hall or Half Moon unless I find a different island!?!? This is not easy!! I am sure all of you have gone through this!!

If you can send me any photos or anything that you think would work for either Half Moon or Rose Hall, that would be great! I am not looking to get married in the sand...more like a garden overlooking the water and in a pretty private area. I am considering November but am nervous w/the weather patterns down in Jamaica so I think we may choose January instead if we move forward with Jamaica. I was really pushing more towards one of the BVI or USVI or one of the St. Martin type of islands but am having a hard time finding a hotel that would suite everyone and their budgets or something that would be fun and accommodating!! We need direct flights out of NY at least in one direction. I am so stressed and confused because I am all over the place with every destination. I got back from Cabo 2 weeks ago thinking the wedding would be there just to find how annoying the flights were from my area.

What is ROR??

I am possibly considering Jamaica as a destination for my wedding for mid-November. I am not sure yet since I am not 100% satisfied with the destination itself. I would have liked to be in a place like st. martin or st. lucia (that type of scenery) however I am having a hard time finding a hotel that I like in st. martin. St. Lucia's flights are too expensive for my group out of NY. i was looking into Half Moon or Rose Hall Resort & country club...not sure which would be a better option. I am anticipating about 50 adults and 6 kids. I am so picky and am looking for a nice and fun resort for all ages for 4 - 5 days. Please help!!! Thanks!!!

I definitely think that your guests looking for a little bit of fun will not really find that at this resort. They wouldn't even pick the music up a little bit when we asked them because they workers said that it was a relaxing pool and quiet hotel. So that was my biggest concern considering people are coming from soooo far on the east coast to get to Cabo! I really liked the Fiesta Americana grounds. I am definitely a little bit of a hotel snot and am extremely picky. I just think that with them making you cut your wedding off at 1030pm (pretty standard) and then going to the inside bar which is not exciting at all, you may be bored even with a bunch of guests. It was beautiful and had a great venue for the wedding reception but just the fear of boredom was more important to me than that lush amazing swanky place at this point. I am reconsidering Cabo now and looking into the islands in the Caribbean due to the fact that it is far. I'll post pics later tonight...sorry for the delay. feel free to write me any more questions.

That is some great information you provided. Now I am really confused!! Both seem great, although I won't be able to do La Samanna since the room rates are very high and my guests would be a little upset having to shell out that amount of money. I am not really thrilled with the way the Westin looks and I know that there is a Radisson Hotel opening up at the end of this summer in the area which is supposed to be nice. Who knows though!?! I have been on every single website reading up on reviews for both locations. I am happy with the Half Moon Resort as well as the Rose Hall Resort in Jamaica. In St. Martin, it is hard for me to find anything that I am interested in as far as hotels are. I love that destination though from the pictures that I see and activities to do just not crazy about the hotels.

the only good thing about the flights to St. Martin is that I am from NY and so are all of my guests. We have direct flights there on AA and Jetblue so that isn't the problem. I was considering Cabo originally and went there 2 weeks ago only to realize how much of a pain it will be for 40-50 guests to get there ultimately. I am having a hard time finding hotels that I am crazy about in St. Martin although I love the way the water and activities look. I am so confused!!! Now I am between Jamaica and St. Martin. Any additional suggestions would be appreciated!!

I was told that St. Martin would be a great selection for a destination wedding out of the NY area since there are direct flights. Has anyone done a wedding there or have any suggestions I originally went to Cabo thinking I was doing my wedding there until I realized how annoying the connecting flights would be for 40-50 guests!!! although I love Cabo, I am looking for some insight as to a place with a nice garden area to get married instead of sand and lots of activities provided both in and outside the resort. I am narrowing it down to Jamaica (Rose Hall or Half Moon or any property at this point -- maybe Westin or La Samanna) in St. Martin. Anyone...please help!!!!!

No pics uploaded yet..but I have many. Just got back late Monday night from Cabo Azul. What a beautiful property! Although I am not a huge fan of the chapel due to the fact that in the ceiling there is a star of david and cross next to eachother and since we are jewish, we felt that it was more of a church feel in there. Also, I think they made a big mistake putting one of the baptism baths in the middle of the aisle so basically when you will walk down the aisle, you will need to walk around the fountain which maybe I don't understand because I don't use that in my religion (or lack there of -- i am not very religious at all!!) The pool was gorgeous but very quiet. The hotel was apparently at a 70% occupancy. There are no activities going on at the hotel and the pool bar, restaurants, hot tub areas were all very quiet!! i think that we may have a little issue with the hotel being quiet because a group of our expected 40-50 for the wedding might be too loud and abnoxious just trying to have fun. We asked them to put the music up a bit near the pool, and they didn't allow that. The hotel is located about 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas so if you are looking for anything to do outside this hotel locally, you won't find that. There is still lots of construction going on and the lobby area may not even be complete until December. I was anticipating a November wedding however they stated the construction will be done by October which may not be the case here. The beach was ok...you can't find jet ski rentals or any activities other than horseback riding in that area on the beach unless you walk further down the beach. I just felt that for such a beautiful property, unless you are looking for peace and quiet, this is not a hotel for you. The restaurants were pretty good, but definitely pricey. We were concerned with these prices given that our guests are flying all the way from NY and are used to high prices; however 2 glasses of wine at $30 and shrimp cocktail to total $70 with tip seems a little extreme!! Sergio the wedding coordinator was awesome...such a sweet guy and I have the upmost confidence in him. I am still undecided if we will move forward with this hotel because I am worried about the location, the activities, and the prices. We are still figuring everything out.... The 2 areas where they can do functions -- the palapa, very nice and can rent out the area for minimum of 40 guests which is right next to the pool for a welcome dinner. The outdoor area where you can host your cocktails and reception was very nice as well. We loved that area! There are all tiki torches lit up with firepits until I believe 1am...if you do an outdoor function, music and everything outside shuts down at 1030pm and then you have to bring it inside to Javiers to the inside bar....again -- very quiet music playing... Feel free to ask me questions and I will post pictures later today.

I am going tomorrow for a site visit for our wedding in November and we are coming from the east coast so -- yes it is a pain in the butt to get everyone over to Cabo; however I think the destination speaks for itself. I will give feedback once I return on Monday night. Sergio so far has been a pleasure to work with. I am a corporate event planner so I know good quality work when I am working with someone like this. He is very proacative and is quick to get the responses you need. I'll see how everything goes this weekend. I found out that construction is set to be complete with facilities open by October 2008!

Curious to see when the construction is set to be complete? I have emailed Sergio about this and am just waiting for a response. I will be seeing this property this weekend on Saturday so I will be able to get a better sense of how things will run for a wedding function. Do you have any clue as to whether or not all of the facilities will be up and running by October?

You should contact a DMC -- Destination Management Company...I have used Tropical Incentives before and they are excellent and may be able to provide you with decorations that you are looking for.