June302012

I enjoyed our wedding at the Veranda. Our guests loved the hotel and the food. And the food at the reception was above and beyond the "regular" menu so it felt special. The general manager, John, was fantastic. The wedding planner there, Shameka, is really sweet but VERY slow to get back to you on things and often only with partial answers. I would definitely engage another wedding planner if you are having your wedding there as a kind of cross-check on things. We had a bonfire on the beach after the reception which was awesome. Overall, a great time. Destination weddings are just a lot of work and a bit stressful so no matter where you choose keep that in mind.

Overall, I was satisified with Tropical Imaging. We got some beautiful shots. I was disappointed though that we didn't get some very key shots (e.g. me and my brother and sister or me and my brother and sister and my husband) and that we didn't get more of the reception. During the reception the photographers were often sitting down and they later told me they had never heard of a bride being concerned about reception shots and that they normally just look to take pictures when something is happening. Since we had paid them to be there until a certain amount of time I would have preferred to have them take pictures throughout the reception (candids and of certain groups (e.g. me and all my law school friends, my groom and his high school friends, etc) and not just at big moments (e.g. cake cutting). I felt like I had to ask for a picture and didn't feel I could fully enjoy my meal because I felt like if I wasn't directing photos to be taken it wouldn't happen. After paying so much I didn't feel like I was being overly demanding in that either. I was also disappointed as we got only two or three pictures of the cocktail hour and absolutely none of us entering or at the cocktail hour. That said, I think they are by far the best on the island and I would not skimp on the photo aspect. And I considered bringing a photographer I absolutely love from home but that is difficult because they don't know the lay of the land as well as Tropical Imaging. Hope that helps.

Hi! I got married at the Veranda on June 30, 2012. I worked with Teresa Brunner (wedding planner) and Tropical Imaging (photographer). Happy to share more details - I have lots of feedback! Please feel free to message me.