classadiva

Quote: Originally Posted by ultimateme143 Hi Classadiva Here are some pointers and answers to your questions 1) $150 minimum: Negotiating lower was never an option. We were well above it and didnt have anything crazy. We had a buffet because it was outside. And because we also had a welcome dinner at Carmines which was so amazing. Everything is a per person price, so if you are going to have 100 people be careful becuase its going to get REALLY expensive. We invited 80 and only 40 came. 2) They do still require all the guests to stay onsite. But the group rates are REALLY good. The ones that stayed 3 nights payed $199 a night at the beach tower. I had some guests stay only two nights and it wasnt a problem, but I thinks its because the majority were staying 3-5 nights. The only thing that I warn you about it if you reserve 10 rooms for 3 nights, then you must book at least 30 nights total. So if some people only stay 2 nights and you reserved the room for 3 then the extra night needs to be made up else where. Its confusing. I didnt know that and almost had to pay, but I ended up the exact amout I reserved. I thought it was just the total amount of rooms, not nights. 3) You can hire your own vendors, but they have to be from the bahamas or else you have to pay for a work permit. My suggestion is if you want to bring your own photographer then just say he/she is one of your friends taking the photo's. But the DJ is through Atlantis. They give you a whole list of vendors to go through. Becareful with Floral Arts. They are pricey. I spent $3500 and things were not what I expected. 4) You have to purchase the cake through them and I tell you that was the biggest shock to me when it came to price. Like I said everything is a per person price. My cake was $17 a person. Thats $782 for a 40 person wedding. (that included the 15% service charge they tack onto everything) 5) The site fee is $3500 now. They were pretty strict on that as well, but feel free to ask. 6) Atlantis assigns you a coordinator. Carolyn was mine. She was great. No matter how many changes or emails I sent she was always happy to help. I promise you they treat you like royalty there. But keep in mind that you are dealing with Island people. They are care free and easy going. You might not get an answer in an hour, but you will get one by the next day. she made all my reservations for me and for my family 7) I thought my wedding was perfect. They threw upgrades at us left and right. Room, chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, breakfast the morning after the wedding etc...Everyone there knew we were there to get married and were so loving to us. Hope it helps. you can check out www.shaunkristenswedding.shutterfly.com to see pictures First of all..your pictures are GORGEOUS!!! they make me want to have my wedding at the Atlantis all the more. Did you use their photographers? Second...thank you so very much for your response. It was very helpful. I just have a few more questions. Are you saying that the cost of the Carmine's dinner was used in the calculation for the $150 per person? That was a great idea...the Carmines there is very nice. Just to be clear, I can use my own photographer and florist, but MUST use their vendor for the DJ? If so...how much did the DJ run? How were you able to make your selection? I noticed that you had the blue/white colors throughout your wedding and reception....did you get to pick those colors? Does the site fee include the decoration for these things and does it include the price of chairs at the wedding and reception? I don't think I will have a problem with the room minimum...I would actually suggest that my family and friends consider staying at the timeshare at the Atlantis Harborside as it might be more cost effective as a two-bedroom can hold 8 people and the large 1 bedrooms 4 or 5. I assume they include Harborside in these calculations. Anyway...thanks again.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Maureen Any guests not staying at Sandals will have to pay for a guest pass to come onto the property. At this time Sandals Royal Bahamian is the only Sandals property in the Bahamas but they are opening Emerald Bay this winter. It is going to be even more upscale and luxurious. I imagine guests staying there will be able to go to wedding without purchasing passes but that would be it. Your price per person for the recpetion will vary depending on what you are choosing to do (cocktail reception, dinner, etc.). It will be a per person price for all guests. Thank you so much for the responses. I just don't get it though. If I am paying $75 per person for the reception, and my guests will not use the facilities other than to attend my wedding, WHY should I then be charged $85 or $130 for a day pass that is normally used to have full access to the resort? My guests would not need full access. I know that you are just reporting the facts It just seems a bit odd to me.... In any event...does anyone know when tours of Emeral Bay will become available? Can weddings be booked there for next summer? Also...is it on Paradise Island? Thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Maureen The bride and groom have to be staying at the resort. Everyone would have to purchase a day pass to come onto the property. Plus you would have to pay per head for whatever type of reception you were having. Full dinner reception could be $75.00 per person. Yes, the discount depends on the number of guests booked to stay at the resort. Wedding Groups 2009/2010 Amenities 5 to 9 rooms Complimentary one room category upgrade for Bride & Groom. (Excluding Butler Service Rooms) 10 rooms or more Carefree Wedding Package Rehearsal Group Dinner 30 Minute Cocktail Wedding Reception (Valued at $15.00 per person) Manicure & Pedicure for Bride 35 Minute massage for the groom 1 complimentary person for every 12 paid rooms based on double occupancy Have you checked out their wedding website? How to Get Married & Choose a Caribbean Wedding Location at Sandals Resorts Thank you so much for the information...on my way to check out the website now. So...if I were to have say 100 people at a reception at $75 per person, I would still have to pay for day passes for everyone?

Hi, Is it possible to have a Sandals wedding/reception but not have all or any of your guests booked to stay there? If so, do the costs dramatically increase? Is there a minimum of guests that you have to book at Sandals? If booking at Sandals, what if any discount does the bride/groom recieve on their honeymoon and is it dependent upong the number of guests staying at the resort? I ask because I am thinking of having my wedding in the Bahamas but many of my guests would like to stay at the Atlantis. Thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by damaris Do you mean the Cloisters in Inwood? I'm speaking about the French Cloisters in Nassau, Bahamas...I was actually a maid of honor at a wedding at the Cloisters in Inwood, New York...very beautiful location.

Hi, Has anyone booked the Cloisters for their wedding? If so, what was the cost to rent the location? Does that cost include the set-up fees, costs of chairs, etc? Can you bring in your own chairs, flowers, minister, etc? Also, did anyone have their wedding at the Clositers and reception outdoors at the Atlantis? Thanks.

Hi, Has anyone else had any recent experiences with booking a wedding at the Atlantis? The Atlantis is just about my favorite place in the world as I visit it usually at least once a year and would LOVE to have my wedding there. Having been there this past September and for a quick stop on a cruise last week, it's easy to see that business is slow. Real slow. I would love to have 100 guests and by the time all of the extras are added, I'm starting to think that a wedding at the Atlantis is just not doable. So...I have a couple of questions: 1) Has anyone been able to negotiate a better rate than the $150 minimum? 2) Do they still require that all guests stay at the Atlantis or Harborside? Can you negotiate a 2 night instead of a 3 night minimum? 3) From what I read, you can bring your own vendors for photography, florist, DJ and music...is that correct? 4) Can you bring in your own cake or do you have to purchase a cake from the Atlantis? If you must purchase a cake from the Atlantis, how much would a cake for 100 guests cost? 5) Is the site fee still $3,000? If so...any room for negotiation? 6) If you have used the Atlantis for your wedding, what wedding coordinator at the Atlantis would you recommend? Can we choose? 7) Finally...any suggestions for a wedding in the Bahamas other than the Atlantis that is more cost effective? Thanks...I have so many questions!!