RIU Ocho Rios Extra Long Wedding Review

[sportsdog2]

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Originally Posted by TA Maureen Congratulations! Thanks for the great detailed review. I'm sure it willl help future brides. I wish Riu would go back to their old restaurant reservation system (by phone). The biggest complaint is always the reservation system. I used to work for Liberty. It is their policy to send documents out all at once after final payment is received by everyone. Even now that I don't work for them I typically send all documents out together for a group. It seems to be standard procedure so if any of you future brides don't want this you may want to talk to your TA ahead of time. I email receipts of payments but I know at Liberty they don't usually send any receipts if they take your payment over the phone. I guess your card statement would be your receipt. If using Liberty you can request a receipt be sent. They can just email a confirmed itinerary showing the amount paid to date. I also second Norma and Lee's Tours as your best option for excursions and transporation in Jamaica. Congrats again!

Thank you and thanks for clarifying how the paperwork is handled for groups. I wish my TA had informed us of this in the beginning and/or provided an explanation to my guests when they called her. Oh well, lesson learned for my next group trip to Hawaii. I love this forum and all the members who are so willing to share their experiences and knowledge.

[sportsdog2]

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Originally Posted by amqueens Great review! Which vendors did you use for your flowers and cake? Thanks for all of the details!! Congrats!

I worked with Norma from Lee's Tours & Taxis to find vendors for the flowers and cake. I do not know the name of the bakery she used for the cake, but it was delicious and less expensive than the bakery suggested by the ROR. I used Shangri-La for the flowers. Also less expensive than Tai Floral, but a little more than Jan's Flowers. I've read good reviews about Jan's and contacted her before going with Shangri-La. She is very professional and responsive and seems to have the best prices. If you check the Jamaica section you will find contact information for both flower shops there. If you decide to use outside vendors, ask your wedding coordinator what time your vendors should deliver on the day of your wedding. Also, pass along the coordinator's cell phone number to your vendors.

[Jenna in Jamaica]

Thanks for the info! Where you able to pay for the cake/flowers with credit card or cash? I'm nervous about carrying that much cash...since that is how we have to pay for the photog.

[Jenna in Jamaica]

and that is disappointing about Michael. I really want nice pics. you should post yours!!

[Pastryqueen_Tanya]

Thanks for all the great info!

[sportsdog2]

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Originally Posted by Jenna in Jamaica Thanks for the info! Where you able to pay for the cake/flowers with credit card or cash? I'm nervous about carrying that much cash...since that is how we have to pay for the photog.

You're welcome. We had to pay a deposit for the cake and flowers before leaving for Jamaica. We paid both with a credit card and could have paid the balance with cash or credit. We met with Norma the day we arrived to pay the balance for the flowers and cake.

[sportsdog2]

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Originally Posted by Jenna in Jamaica and that is disappointing about Michael. I really want nice pics. you should post yours!!

We do not have the final pictures yet, just the low-res pictures with their copyright wording. Our pictures are beautiful, but not very creative. We had to contact Michael about a problem with our order after returning home. The tone of his email was not customer friendly. The bright spot was his staff...they are great.

[Jenna in Jamaica]

huh, very interesting. So one more question about norma at lees...can i just email them and say I need a cake person?? I have a travel agent that will be handling the transportation so I kinda feel weird contacting them about just that.

[Shakara]

thanks so much for the review! yea I thought I kind of got an "annoyed" vibe from Michael in his email but I thought maybe I was just being paranoid. Your lesson learned sections were VERY HELPFUL! Thanks again!

[btn1091]

Thank you for your review... and really can't wait to see your pics!!