classadiva

I also had a very good experience with Floral Arts. Although many rate them as being very expensive...they are actually cheaper than some others with respect to many items. BTW..Fathoms is just lovely.

Have to say...RK Bridal by FAR had THE best and modern selection of bridal dresses of anywhere I went to for plus sizes in reasonable price ranges...David's Bridal had a very poor selection.

I looked into it but had my welcome reception at the timeshare Club Land Or' which was a short walk around the Atlantis marina...I was however quoted prices from $24-27 per person to go from the Atlantis to the Poop Deck at Sandyport RT..the transportation costs can be steep!!

See post # 75 on page 8...I could not edit the original post.

 

Thanks again guys for the lovely comments...yes..Oskana did my make-up.

Originally Posted by beachbride925 

 

2 weeks till I leave for the Bahamas!! I'm so excited..... any last minutes suggestions????

Ohh...how exciting....all I can say is...just relax....you've probably done all that you can do at this point.  Just have your coordinator check on any and all spa appointments and such when you get there...let them handle the rest...and enjoy!! Please let us know how it goes!!

Originally Posted by islandbride317 

 

Yea!!  CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for sharing some of your photos....EVERYTHING looked gorgeous -- especially YOU!! 

Aww...thank you!

Originally Posted by skp1 

 

I can't wait to see my sites!  I didn't realize Fathoms was that large but that actually good since we are doing food stations instead of a sit down.  I was wondering how it would all fit.  And like you said, we can always close off a section if its too much.  You won't find any pictures on the website, but your WC can send some.  I'm posting one here but it doesn't look as good shrunk down.

 

As for packages vs a la carte, you won't find that on-line either.  I thought the same about adding and subtracting from one of the plans.   But you can do the "custom wedding" package - its a base fee of $3,500 (which seems crazy after reading the Sheraton's prices!) and that includes the premium sites and times, the WC and ceremony chairs.  The rest is extra.  That's better for us since my FI is a gambler and the casino usually gives us rooms and airport transfer.  And there is going to be NO time for a romantic dinner for 2 - who thought of that?

 

My wedding sales person is Rachel Durbain and she is SOOOO helpful and honest - she's where I got most of my good info.  She said the packages are great if you want a standard wedding without much hassle.  But I'm a bit of a control freak so I wanted more input.

 

And I agree with Mike - I'm skipping the videographer - I know I will never watch it again.  I'd rather use those funds towards a great photographer (which I'm still searching for).  But good idea to have a friend use a camcorder.  I just filmed a friend's son's baptism so she owes me!

 

Oh goodness..I had to laugh when I saw that $3,500 price..I kept saying to myself that they are getting away with murder...$3,500 gets you white chairs, water bottles and towels.  At least at the Ocean Club/Cloisters...they give you champagne too for the same price...and the Clositers is a STUNNING location.  The only thing I can say is that since it includes the wedding coordinator...it is well worth it in the end.

 

 As for the size of Fathoms...that picture does not begin to do justoce to the size of the place.  There is a lot of space to the left of that picture and a longer hallway to the right and on the side.  They already have a buffett station basically set up in there which you can kind of see in this picture and it rather huge...so...no worries about that.  We waited in there while transitioning from the ceremony to the reception..... 

 

Originally Posted by skp1 

Congrats Taryn,

 

I'm still in the newbie stage but can offer what I know so far.  All my decisions are based on photos, recommendations and my recollection from prior vacations.  Pending my site visit in October I am having my ceremony on the Royal Overlook and the reception/cocktail hour in Fathoms.  I knew I wanted to be married outside but not on the beach.  Royal Overlook seemed to have the best views.  I also knew I wanted the reception indoors and my wedding sales person suggested Fathoms.  It's close to the ceremony site so everything can be well coordinated.  And its really cool - its downstairs next to the Dig so the walls on one side are glass and you can watch the fish.  Definitely NOT like a typical hotel ballroom.  I am doing a la carte - the packages had extra stuff I didn't need.  I haven't signed the contract but from what I understand to get the group rate you have to guarantee 10 rooms for 3 nights.  Hopefully it won't be an issue but I guess we'll make up the difference if we have to.

 

Good luck!!!!  this message board has been awesome.

Your wedding coordinator did right by you..two perfect locations for what you want.  
 

 

Originally Posted by taryn11-5-11 

Thanks for your help. I want a beach wedding but not reception. What is Fathoms? Where can i see pictures of this?

I was under the impression that if I pick a package, I can subtract some things and add others, almost customize it a little bit.. who have you been talking to there?

 

Thanks again

Hi,

 

  I got married on the beach at West Beach and had my reception outdoors at the Royal Overlook.  Unless you are staying at the Cove as well as your guests, West Beach is the only beach option...at least on paper.  The Cove beach is prettier and more secluded but it is not usually an option if you are not staying at the Cove.   IMHO...the Royal Overlook is the prettiest of all of the outdoor locations.  For inside locations...Fathoms is the best. It has an aquarium for one side of the wall...the only issue...it is HUGE...so...if you have a really small group...it may look a little odd but I was told that they could close off a part of it with the decor.  I knew I wanted an outdoors reception so I did not choose Fathoms.  It is centrally located as is the Royal Overlook and the bathrooms are right there.   You can get a copy of a pdf that has pictures of the locations from your Atlantis salesperson.

 

  In order to get a group rate you must guarantee 10 rooms in your contract for three nights each as has been mentioned. Try to get an attrition clause that allows for 10% attrition....then you will only be repsonsible for 9 rooms if you cancel the other room in time.  They will then block that many rooms for you at the group rates.  I blocked 20 rooms and was responsible to pay for at least 18 based upon my contract.  Thankfully...we surpassed that number of rooms.  

 

  BTW...I think that the packages are for those whom need less than 10 rooms....not sure that you can add or subtract...but just make sure that you get that in writing!!

So glad you were able to get Sweeting!!! Things do have a way of working themselves out. All the best to you!!

 

Originally Posted by adurrell 

Hi,

 

Would you mind sending me the template?  You can PM me.  I don't have permission to open it.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Alicia

No problem....check your messages.

Thank you ladies!!! No one knew they were fake...they looked really good.

 

Originally Posted by robinla 

Hello ladies!

 

I am looking to have my wedding @ the Cloisters in the Versailles Gardens, followed by a reception @ Luciano's in November 2011. I would like my friends and family to stay @ the Atlantis, since it seems to offer the most variety for everyone who comes. The Harborside Villas look like the best value for families who would like to come- has any one ever stayed here, and if so what did you think of it? Did you book directly thru Atlantis, or thru Ebay or any other TimeShare service?

 

Also- any feedback on Luciano's would be great! Like-- what food did you eat? Did you sit outside/inside? Any tips?

 

Thanks so much!

Robin

Hi,

 

  I have stayed at the Atlantis Harborside timeshare at least three times...it's great if you can get in.  You can rent from the Atlantis which will cost you much more than if you rent from a timeshare owner.  Try www.tug2.net and go to the rental section or go to another timeshare rental site.  Now..as for it being a value...not really....you should check out the prices.  Depending upon the season, you can get the Atlantis at pretty good prices and/or the Comfort Suites which has full privileges at the Atlantis.  The only benefit to the timeshare is that they do not hit you up with the RIDICULOUS surcharges and taxes that you get hit with for staying at a hotel on Paradise Island.

 

Good luck too you!!

Awwww...congrats!!!  You will love it...I have a rather extensive thread on my Atlantis experience if you care to look.  Good luck...it sounds so romantic!!

 

Originally Posted by skp1 

I'm glad I stumbled upon this.  I just started the planning stages of my Atlantis wedding next June.  My wedding sales person is awesome - she's totally honest and forthcoming with vendor recommendations.  I've only had one call with my coordinator so far and my initial impression is that she isn't really listening to me and pushing a certain agenda.  Based on everyone's comments here, that isn't typical so if she isn't any different on the next call, I'm asking to switch.  I'm also doing the a la carte wedding as we weren't interested in half the things in the package.  I'm in the process of picking vendors to meet on our site visit in October - so far I only had one thing I was sure of and that was Matthew Sweeting and he's not available!  I'm soooo sad.  I really wanted something casual and off-beat.  Now I'm trying to find:

 

floral/decor - I don't want to spend a lot - my feeling is that the destination is the decor.  I'll check the ones recommended here

photographer - sounds like no one used a local so far.  I know I DON'T want to use Atlantis

DJ - sounds like it makes sense to go outside of Atlantis on this one

entertainment - we'd like a junkanoo thing but it seemed ridiculously priced by Atlantis.  Any suggestions?

 

I'm having trouble figuring out music for the ceremony.  We know we want a DJ at the reception but I can't justify spending $400 or so dollars for music at the ceremony when all you need are 2 songs - processional and recessional.  What is everyone else doing?

 

My wedding sales person recommended Apryl Weech for hair & makeup b/c she's heard mixed reviews about Madera.  I haven't called yet so I don't know any information. 

 

I wish I could share more, but I'm in the early stages.  And I thought a destination wedding would be easy! 

I'm surprised that an Atlantis salesperson would recommend anyone other than someone at the Madera spa...that is a little odd.  In any event, maybe you can get the DJ to come to the ceremony and load up two songs and save some money.  What I did was to hire a steel pan drummer on my own..but he was horrible.   As for the wedding coordinators...I hope that everything works out for you...before I had Alphanique I had Kimly.  I was switched from her because she was on medical leave..if she is back and/or still working there and you can't get Alphanique...perhaps you could ask for her.  I met her at my site visit and I also thought that she was an excellent coordinator.

 

 The only advice I can give is that while I definitely made out just fine with many of the vendors I found..I also got a stinker in the bunch...just do your research.

 

Originally Posted by *slm* 

Classadiva- Thank you so much! That info helps so much! I am definitely going to contact those DJ's to see what they say. Our ceremony is 3pm-3:30pm (which I want music for) and then we are having a 1hr cocktail hour right afterward with music. So should I ask for 1.5hrs of DJ service? or half h of audio and an hour of DJ?

 

Thanks for the Mandara info. I iwll probably end up not doing the Wedded Bliss pkg because I don't need a mani/pedi. I can't get a straight answer out of Shakeria there either in regard to what the pkg includes. It says shampoo+style but I need an updo. So I asked her if "style" is considered a "bridal updo" because they are both listed separately in their menu. She keeps skipping around the answer. I don't want to spend $220 on a bridal pkg if it doesn't include an updo, which is listed as $85 and up!

 

Was Alphanique just as sweet in person as she is via email? I just LOVE her! She told us we could ship items to her for the wedding if we wanted. So I will probably ship out my programs, cocktail table centerpieces, etc...because we are arriving by cruiseship, so we can't bring that stuff on the ship.

 

I can't wait to see pictures!!!!

Hi...so sorry it took me so long to respond...I think you should just ask for the price to set up the audio if you need it...you may not...it depends upon how many people that you have...and ask for the price to play the music.  Just ask for what you need and havethem give you a price.

 

Yes...Alphaniique is just as sweet in person...I would try to ship out what you need now so that it is scheduled to arrive before you leave on your cruise...if there are any problems..you want to be able to fix them.  Good luck to you!!

Please...I had no idea and I accidently just posted something that I did not mean too...I am soo upset right now.

Aww...thank you guys...I also got a few professional pics in which I have posted here:

 

 

 

Wow...just gorgeous!!  Who did your thank you cards?

Thank you...I found a projector I can borrow...I have to look into the inflateable screen thing and Sam's club or Costco's!!  Thanks again.

Thank you ladies...it's not as fancy as some but you can easily add your own pics to the newsletter and I liked the format. 

Thank you Sheree....I will check this out....anymore ideas?

Hi ladies,

 

  We are having a very casual AHR/BBQ.  We want to show our wedding video.  How do we show it? Can we show it from our computer and project it from a screen?  Do we need something else?  Is there somewhere where we can rent this equipment?  Thanks.

Since I literally went nuts trying to find and create a very basic wedding newsletter/welcome book just a few weeks before my wedding, I thought that I would share mine. It's not fancy...but it's a nice basic template I think for those of us that are not as creative as some...and my guests really liked it...some thought it was too wordy...but you can adjust as needed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WeddingNewsletter2.doc

I made these based upon this thread and this is how they came out: