Moon Dance Villas

[scottwashington]

Hi Ladies!

 

I  don't know if I am posting this right but hope it gets to you all.

 

First I have to say a BIG THANKS! to all the ladies that regularly contribute to this forum. This was my No. 1 source for information on the web for planning my wedding in Negril.

 

I had my wedding at MDV AND MDC.  We rented all the villas on both properties and it was all that we could have dreamed.

 

I am a young professional who is very much used to staying at high-end resorts like the Half Moon, etc. but for our wedding day we wanted something a little less cookie cutter and Moon Dance delivered on providing us with a unique and authentic experience.

 

You should know that I never visited MDV or MDC prior to booking my wedding - I was too busy and living in the UK at the time made it difficult. 

 

I considered the Ritz, Tryall (sp?), Half Moon, Rose Hall and Bluefields Bay for my wedding location.

 

The customer service at the Ritz was great but we felt that having our wedding there would be too typical and cookie cutter so we decided against it.

 

Half Moon is one of my FAVORITE resorts and is pure luxury.  However, they were very pricing and their staff was not friendly or competent.  They also could not guarantee that we would all have villas together - and that is kind of the point if you are bringing 90 folks down to Jamaica.  So we decided against them because we got more value for the money AND we got direct beachfront access without having to pay an additional premium - which Half Moon requires.

 

Rose Hall - didn't really like the facility or at least the photos on line.

 

Bluefields Bay - was close to going with these guys. The owner is very nice. However, in the end I am glad we decided to go with MDV.  Bluefields is more of a classical, Victorian vibe where as MDC/MDV is more modern and hip (think ipods, flat screens, etc) so this really comes down to personal style. Also Bluefields is off the beaten path. We stayed there for the night of our wedding and it was very peaceful but think our guests would have become restless being there for 4 days.

 

All in in all MDV/MDC did a STELLAR job. I give them 5 stars! Especially Oneika.  Don't worry if she does not respond ASAP to your emails if your wedding date is a few months out.  She delivers when it comes to crunch time. Her co-worker Kesha evening got involved to help us because we had such a large party and she was professional and kind as well.  Oneika over delivered on our wedding day, our wedding BBQ, decorations, flowers, EVERYTHING was perfect!!! There were often times when my hubby and I sat back and were like who's wedding is this cause it is off the hook! LOL!

 

Well I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. If there are any specific questions I can help you guys answer please do let me know.

 

Also, here are the vendors I used.

 

Photos: Stacey Clarke - she is a sweet heart and the pictures are great and she is much more reasonably priced than some of the other guys.

 

DJ: Sound Illusions - Great

 

Flowers - TaiFlora - Excellent and very professional

 

Decorations: Tai Flora

 

Entertainment - someone Oneika found, we had the African Dancers and fire blower combo

 

Watersports: Wild Thing they are right next door to MDV so it was easy.

 

Best of luck to you all!!!

[LaraJo]

Hey SunnyDBride! I am getting married at MDV in Jul 2011 and have rented out 5 of the 6 villas. The "all inclusive" is an extra $115 per day per person, so calculate that into the nightly room rates for the villas and guests. To your point about the all inclusive being like guests paying for the wedding, I don't really think that there is one way of doings things for a destination wedding that is viewed as being proper etiquette. From what I gather, most people attending a destination wedding assume that they will be paying something. Because we don't want our guests to feel like they are paying for our wedding, and because they are not being given the option of staying at a lower priced resort, we are paying for the majority of the stay (and have chosen the AI option - because really it would be impossible to keep track of what ~40 people eat and drink over the course of 4 days), but asking that the guests pay a portion of the cost. Specifically, guests will be quoted a rate of $250 per person for a 3 night stay, all inclusive. That helps defray part of the cost, but is what our families have agreed upon.

 

If you're having your wedding at MDV, you also have to remember that things like decor, including tables and chairs for the reception and chairs and tie backs (should you want them) for the ceremony, are EXTRA. Estimated costs are on the MDV website.

 

Hope this helps!!

[LaraJo]

 

 

Originally Posted by negrilbridetoo 

 

Hi Kates2425,

We booked the whole villa and the *deal* we got was related to the stay. Normally, MDV has a 4 night minimum night stay. They allowed us a 3 night minimum for all guests.

 

Good Luck!

Hi Ladies! We booked 5 of the 6 villas at MDV (all but the 2 bed room) for our July 2011 wedding and were able to get a 3 night minimum stay. Also, we are planning on visiting in January and are getting the cost (I believe it was a 1/3rd off discount with a max stay of 3 nights - maybe 2?) credited toward the total cost of the wedding. I think there is some flexibility in rates depending on the time of year and how busy they are. Hope this helps!!!

 

[LaraJo]

Hi Negrilbridetoo and Jodyann08!! I'm SO happy to hear that you were pleased with your wedding!!! All of the photos I've seen on different photographer's websites look A.Maze.Ing!!! Would you mind sharing some of your recommendations for vendors? I'm leaning (heavily) towards Sun Gold for photos, but could use some suggestions about music (steel drums for my walk down the aisle, cocktail hour, a live reggae band for the rest of the reception, etc.), flowers and other decor, cake... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks SO much!

 

[candy333]

Hi JodyAnn,

I am getting married at MDV in November 2012.  I have never personally visited the property so I really appreciate feedback from other couples who have been married at that location.  Would you mind sending me some of your wedding photos?  Thanks in advance for your help

-Candy

[LaraJo]

Hi Candy- I got married at MDV in July 2011. If you have any questions or want to see pics other than what I've posted, please feel free to email me: ljtaibi@gmail.com You should feel 100% confident in choosing MDV even though it is sight unseen. We are SO happy that we got married at the villas!! I can give you recommendations on vendors, timing of events, etc. Best, Lara

[soonCB]

LaraJo- We are seriously considering getting married at MDV; however, we would like to book our guests at a separate AI resort and just have the wedding and reception at MDV. Did you have any kids at your wedding? We have a daughter and I heard that they do not allow children. Did your group stay somewhere else for the rest of your stay in Jamaica ( looks like you booked 4 days at MDV). I would LOVE to see some pictures if you don't mind. How much did it cost you for the ceremony and reception?

 

Thanks so much! I am so happy I found this thread and it is still active

Originally Posted by LaraJo 

Hi Candy- I got married at MDV in July 2011. If you have any questions or want to see pics other than what I've posted, please feel free to email me: ljtaibi@gmail.com
You should feel 100% confident in choosing MDV even though it is sight unseen. We are SO happy that we got married at the villas!! I can give you recommendations on vendors, timing of events, etc.
Best,
Lara

 

[MALDJ1]

Hi SoonCB,

I dont know if LaraJo answered you, but we booked Moon Dance for July 17, 2012 and we have an 8 year old son.  They do allow children they just make u sign a waiver saying you are responsible for thier saftey.  We also have three other children attending. (6 to 11 years old).  We have a 2 guests staying off site and have to pay for them to attend the wedding.  But your talking about something different.  If you email your questions to moon dance they get back to u pretty quick.  Hope this helps a little.

[LaraJo]

Hi SoonCB - So sorry not to have responded. Usually I get email notifications from the site letting me know that someone replied to the thread, but I didn't this time for some reason.

 

To answer your questions:

 

Did you have any kids at your wedding? No, sorry, but I'll be of little help there.

 

Did your group stay somewhere else for the rest of your stay in Jamaica? Nope, the guests were at MDV Thursday - Sunday. My husband and I arrived the Wednesday before the guests, but we all left on Sunday.

 

Pics: I have plenty of pics posted on FB if you want to friend me. Otherwise, you can see the professional slideshow (we used Sungold) by looking at this link:  http://sungoldphoto.com/slideshows/Lara-Lane/

 

How much did it cost you for the ceremony and reception? Because we did the all-inclusive option, the ceremony and reception were "free". However, we did have to pay for the stay and the vendors. For example, we had the mento band play for 2-3 hours the first night the guests were with us and that was an "add-on". Same thing for the reggae band we had the night before the wedding and all of the vendors we used on the wedding day:

 

 

DJ: Sound Illusion Cake: Margaret Myrie Florist: Tai Flora Photographer: Sun Gold Videographer: Roxroy Gough Hair & Make up: Rashel Edwards and her colleague Fiona

 

I can get specific pricing for the vendors if you'd like.

 

Hope this helps!

[soonCB]

Hi Everyone,

 

I did hear back from MDV and they do not allow access to the property for the day if you are not staying there. It would be an extra $1000 for our guests if we chose this venue and only stayed there for 3 nights and 4 nights at a Riu. Would be way too hectic and overall not a good fit.

 

Thank you guys' for your advice and thoughts