KJT1985

Thank you so much for all the kind words! We've decided to go ahead with planning our destination wedding and will hope for the best!!

Yes but I want EVERYTHING in one place. It's such a pain to search fifty difference places and still not come up with all the information you need. I was hoping that people on here could help make ONE thread with a lot of this information so people would have one place to go to help save time. Riu is only ONE example of many resorts. I've ran into some resorts that don't even have the wedding package information and some of these resorts might be exactly what i'm looking for. If I didn't have to so much work to find it out i'd appreciate it. And i'm sure the wedding coordinators could spend so much more time giving brides attention instead of answering the same emails...

When we decided to do a destination wedding we KNEW a lot of people wouldn't be able to go - and we were fine with that. I was fine with it when my mom even told me that my brother probably couldn't go because of school and her and my dad would be my only family members to attend (including extended family). I'm just upset because I feel like I'm in a lose-lose situation. We can have the wedding we've been dreaming of and probably not have my parents there - or we can have the wedding we don't want (and would have to pay more for) so they can attend. Grr this isn't how you're wedding is supposed to be!!

My fiance and I are planning our wedding for February 23, 2010. We want a destination wedding. My parents don't like him much and have thrown subtle hints that they aren't happy about having to travel for the wedding - but they aren't paying for the wedding so I don't feel too bad about it. We've been engaged since October and have been checking into things for a couple months now. We're in the process of picking a resort but last week my dad found out that he's being sued by an old employer for breach of contract (long story and I doubt my dad would lose the case). This morning my mom emails me to tell me that she doesn't think they would make it to the wedding because they'll probably be tied up in court. Now, I personally think she's overreacting. She seems to think that this guy will be able to make them shut their business down until things get settled in court. All of this guys previous lawsuits have drug on for years. So...what do I do now?! Do I go ahead and plan the destination wedding, hoping things will get figured out so they can come while risking that they might not be there? Or do I forget what we really want, plan a wedding here that will cost US much more money with the chance that this case won't even make it to court? I'm only stressing out because it's almost a year away and we need to start reserving things - wherever it is. I know a lot of people wouldn't give a second thought to this - they would do what they had to make sure their parents were there. But my parents have been far less than supportive and aren't the ones paying for the wedding. I'm so torn. This is supposed to be a great day and now i'm stressing over it. I don't know that I could be fully happy if they weren't there or we had to sacrifice our wedding dream to make sure they were. I think i'd be especially bitter if they were just using this as an excuse, get us to do it here, and then it never even goes to court. I'm thinking we should go to vegas today for the holiday weekend. Haha. What would YOU do?

I don't personally have the information for Riu Ocho Rios but I've sent a message to a bride on here who posted about her wedding there. Hopefully she still has the information and is willing to help. I wish I knew a more efficient way to do this and had more time to format it better. If you have information like this for ANY resort in Jamaica please feel free to copy/paste it, thanks!

I too wish there was something standardized or one location for it all. I wish I knew how to create websites - I'd do it myself! (OK, thats a LOT of work and I have other things to do but I could TRY) I posted the information I've gotten (only two resorts) but it didn't take that long - just copy/paste! I'm slightly OCD so I really like having things in one place and in order....

SUNSET BEACH RESORT - JAMAICA WEDDING PHOTO SERVICES 1- GOLD PACKAGE This is for the Bride and Groom whom are on a budget but their wedding photography is still very important to them. Includes up to 5 hours of photography, with an approximately 500 images of the Bride and Groom getting also a private posed photo shoot of the Bride and Bridesmaids, the Groom and Groomsmen, the ceremony and finally the reception, selecting the best images. Here are the package details: 5 hours of photography capturing approximately 500 images. All images will be provided on a high resolution CD with rights assigned. Providing(100) 6" x 8" professionally processed color and black and white photojournalistic print ( 30) 8"x10" prints ( 5 ) 12” x 24” prints Personalized DVD slide show with music. Price Only $1,699.00 . The cost for additional hour is US $ 50.00 2 - PLATINUM PACKAGE This is one of our more popular packages. Is designed for our more discerning wedding couples who want through coverage of their most important day of their lives. We ensure that there is sufficient time allocated for formal family & friends, group photographs, formal bridal photography, as well as full coverage of both the service and the reception. It’s includes: Up to 6 hours of professional wedding photography, capturing as many as 1000 images of the bride and groom getting ready, a private posed photo shoot of the Bride and Bridesmaids, the Groom and groomsmen, the ceremony and finally the reception. This package also includes a professional assistant who not only assists the photographer, but also helps with poses, arranging the brides dress, placement of props and lighting which allows the photographer to be free to focus on capturing as many timeless images as possible. -6 hours of photography,1000 images ,All images will be provided on a high resolution cd withrights assigned. -Providing (150) 6" x 8" professionally processed color and black and white photojournalistic print - (50) 8"x 10" prints - ( 12” x 24” prints - 2 wedding Albums with all of your favorite images. (120) Personalized DVD slide show with music. Price Only $2,299.00 * The cost for additional hour is US $ 50.00 --- We also have some other packages with just CD or DVD with all the photos but we just analyze this by requests. The ULTIMATE Photography Package from us is one who has: - Hard Cover and Photo paper Album (12x24 inches), about 12 pages with approx. 80 pictures in it. 100 (6x8”) prints (different than the album). - 5 Personalized DVD slide show with music. Here we include all the photos we take(500) aprox. . All images will be provided with rights assigned. Prices change regarding the how many hours of service you require Plan Package Starts at – US$ 2099.00 (max. 6 hours) WEDDING PHOTO SERVICES WEDDING PACKAGES (Ceremony and photo-session. Max 2 hours) Group A: 30 printed photos US$ 300 + CD with 30 photos Group B: 55 printed photos US$ 530 + CD with 50 photos Group C: 80 printed photos US$ 720 + CD with 80 photos Group D: 100 printed photos US$ 850 + CD with 100 photos Group F: Digital Wedding Album 12”x24” (15 pages) About 60 photos of your preference CD with 60 photos US$ 1000 Group G: Digital Wedding Album 12”x24” (15 pages) About 60 photos of your preference CD all your photos US$ 1400 *Digital Photos 6 x 8 inches High Resolution PHOTOS ON ´CD´ -- 100 photos --- US$ 500 -- 200 photos --- US$ 700 -- 300 photos --- US$ 950 These prices includes copyright. photographer Name: Jorge Alloco email: [email protected] www.jorgealloco.com WEDDING PACKAGES - Katie_T85/dresses/DW RESORT INFO - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (sorry, they sent them as Jpegs) - i'd be more than happy to email them if you send me address

RIU Negril clubhotel ADDITIONAL SERVICES NEGRIL, JAMAICA 2008 The optional services listed in this document are available at an extra cost. You may request the addition of any of these details to your package with your on-site wedding coordinator. She will contact you regarding this available services one or two months prior to your ceremony. However, if you wish to inquire on any of the ceremony details beforehand, please contact your coordinator at the following address: Riu Palace Tropical Bay Riu Negril Riu Montego Bay Keneika Rowe Dionne Arthurs Chantelle Hemanas [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Please note the prices listed in this document are for reference only and are subject to change without prior notice, as many are serviced by external providers. Although they correspond to the additional services at Club Hotel Riu Negril, they may be used as reference at: • Club Hotel Riu Negril, • Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay • Hotel Riu Montego Bay A. ADDITIONAL DECORATION AND FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS. DECORATION USD Chair cover with bow $6 Chair cover without bow $4 Boutonniere $10 Bridesmaid bouquet $35 Corsage $12- $15 Rose petals per bag $10 * Table I.- Ceremony decoration for weddings in Negril. Floral arrangements are serviced by an external provider to Riu. To view images of the additional floral arrangements, you may visit our florist`s webpage at: Boulevard Florist.com. Some of the images shown correspond to the bouquets included in the wedding packages. Bouquets numbers 5,6,8,9,13,14,16,19,25,29 & 30 are included in both the Royal and Caprice Packages. All other bouquets,arrangements & decorations are additional charges B. FOOD AND BEVERAGES OPTIONAL SERVICES. The wedding reception is held as a sit-down dinner at one of Riu`s Specialty Restaurants. An area is reserved for the entire wedding group to celebrate at the open-aired restaurant. FOOD & BEVERAGE USD Bottle of sparkling wine $20 Hors d` ouvres $8 - $12 Small wedding cake $60 Medium wedding cake $110 Large wedding cake $250 * Table II.- Food & Beverages available in Negril On the other hand, it is also possible to organize a private reception either indoors or outdoors on the beach. However, please keep in mind this options are subject to availability at the resort. You may check availability with the on-site wedding coordinator. C. PRIVATE RECEPTIONS. PRIVATE RECEPTION USD 2 hours $500 4 hours $1000 Beach dinner $50/person Tent for beach dinner $500 - $600 * Table III.- Cost of Private Receptions in Negril D. LIVE MUSIC BANDS. Riu Weddings offers CD or recorded music during wedding ceremonies. However, we can also arrange live music for your ceremony and/or reception. You may choose from a wide variety of local live music bands in Negril, Jamaica. These are available at the following costs: LIVE MUSIC USD/ hour Disco $125 DJ with sound system $165 Mento band $170 Pianist $225 Reggae $600 Saxophonist $250 Steel Band $300 Violinist $300 * Table IV.- Live Music Bands in Negril. E.EXTRA SURPRISES. AMMENITIES USD Horse and Carriage ride $280 Butterfly Releases N/A Dove Releases N/A * Table V.- Extra Ammenities. E. PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES. It is possible to hire a photographer or videographer to record your wedding. At Club Hotel Riu Negril, this is done by the following external provider: TRUE COLOR DIGITAL IMAGING True Colors Photo.com [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES USD Extra wedding photo $10 24 coloured 5X7 prints and CD $253 36 coloured 5X7 prints and CD $345 50 coloured 5X7 prints and CD $460 DVD edited & dubbed video $310 Combo Package: 24 5X7 prints w/negatives & DVD $520 Deluxe Package: 5 8x10, 10 5x7, 20 4x6 w/neg & DVD $633 Super Combo: 10 5x7, 100 images on CD & DVD $633 Super Deluxe 10 5x7, 160 images on CD & DVD $805 Super Exclusive 10 5x7, 180 images on CD & DVD $863 Table VI.- Photographic Services in Negril. At Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay, the photographic services are provided by: WESTERN DIGITAL Contact: Jascynthia Jackson [email protected]

Maybe there already is and I don't know about it, but I was thinking about all the time I spend and emailing I do to find out wedding package pricing and pricing of all the add-on items. Wouldn't it be nice if we all could come together and share all the information we've obtained? I would at least check into so many other resorts if the information was easily obtainable. Some resorts don't even have the packages prices on their websites and a bigger majority don't tell you anything about the additional items. What do you think? Is that something people other than me would appreciate?

We're considering Jamaica as our wedding location. I'd really like to know where you all are getting married, what the trip (length too please) is costing. What package did you choose and what additional things are you adding on (along with their cost). I'm so worried that I'll end up going way over budget with all the additional things I didn't think about. Thanks in advance!

Hi there! I haven't looked at Sunset at the Palms but a travel agent did suggest Sunset Beach Resort Sunset A two week stay there was quoted to me at $4424 and have been emailed all the wedding package and additional item (extra bouquets and such) information. If you'd like to give me your email address I would happily forward them to you so you have an idea of what their weddings cost. good luck!

My name is Katie. My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding for February 23, 2010. I'm from Colorado, my parents live in Kansas and he's originally from Toronto but living here now. I think that a destination wedding is really the only fair way to do it since somebody will have to travel no matter what - might as well make both sides do it so there's not a chance for bitterness of why one side got to host over the other. So there's that AND the fact that my parents haven't offered to help financially and this will be much cheaper to do ourselves (at least i'm hoping!). LOCATION: We're not yet decided on a location and trying to pick a specific resort is even harder. We're leaning toward Punta Cana, DR or Negril, Jamaica. Our total wedding/2 wk. honeymoon budget is $11,000 including my dress and all that (don't' need to worry about tux rentals for a Caribbean wedding!) I've been emailing a local travel agent who does this sort of thing (at least she says she does) and here are the resort suggestions she's made: Dominican Republic: 1. Occidental Grand Punta Cana $4089/2/14 days Occidental Grand Punta Cana, All Inclusive Dominican Republic, All inclusive Punta Cana Vacations 2. Dreams Punta Cana $6716/2/14 days Dreams Punta Cana Resorts & Spas: Plan Your Wedding 3. Gran Bahia Principe $4200/2/14 days Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana Jamaica: 1. Point Village $2100/2/14 days Point Village | Home 2. Sunset Beach Resort $4424/2/14 days Sunset 3. RIU Negril $5544/2/14 days Wedding Packages by Destination. Honeymoon Holidays. Weddings by Riu 4. RIU Tropical Bay $7394/2/14 days Wedding Packages by Destination. Honeymoon Holidays. Weddings by Riu *prices for two weeks, two people, no air. I didn't want to go with the most expensive nor the cheapest options so her suggestions were narrowed down to the Occidental, Gran Bahia Principe, or Riu Negril. I have heard wonderful things about Negril's beaches and was leaning toward that resort since it was cheaper overall than the Occidental. Gran Bahia is still being considered but I haven't heard as much about it. However, after hearing some people's stories about Riu Negril and personally having a problem with the wedding coordinators communication (seems like she doesn't care to help me) i'm starting to think it might not be the best option. There's so many things to consider - not just the expensive the stay but also the flights, packages, what's included, what we'd want to add and how much THAT would cost. I wouldn't be so picky if it was just a vacation but this is a once in a lifetime deal and I want to be as close to perfect as it can be. I'm also afraid that I will pick a resort and start thinking of all the things I want that aren't included and the cost will spiral out of control . I'm thrilled to have a resource that let's me hear from other brides who are further along in the process than I am and can give me advice to learn from. Thanks to all! Katie