85 replies to this topic

[irishbebe03]

Hi Ladies,

 

I have been looking into having my wedding at the Wyndham or Bolongo Bay resorts from looking at their websites. I am looking to have my wedding in a gazebo or on the beach and have the reception right at the resort. I need a resort that can accommodate this. Please if anyone has had their wedding at any of these places or at any place in St. Thomas that they loves please let me know. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

p.s. I have been to St.Thomas before back in 2009...But I was on a cruise and was only there a short time..but still loved it

[TaraBinki]

Hi! I'm getting married July 20, 2012 in St Thomas at the Marriott. I wish I could help with the Wyndham or Bolongo but we went down in August and fell in love with the Marriott. We didn't end up even checking out the other resorts. We are going to have a welcome cocktail reception at Iggie's but havent started talking to them about it yet. I have plenty of pictures from St Thomas if you want some and video haha The ceremony is going to be at the Marriott SeaCliff Terrace and then the reception right on the resort at a privately owned restaurant Havana Blue. I don't know your style but its very modern open and amazinggg! The Marriott also has a gazebo too you can have your ceremony. We are going to have a fairly large wedding approximately 100 guests so we went with the marriott because of this! Feel free to PM me with any more question! Tara

[moemarx]

Hi Irish,

 

I'm a fellow Jersey girl getting married in St. Thomas in May of 2012!  My fiance and I just booked an estate and will be hosting our reception there.  We have not made a decision on the ceremony location, but are hoping we will be able to host it at a resort where our guests will stay and we can host the welcome dinner.

 

You will find that this site is a great resource and will be a huge help to you.  Some of the resorts that I have come across in my search are:

Marriott

Westin

Ritz Carlton

Secret Harbour

Bolongo Beach

Emerald Beach Resort - Best Western

 

I hope this is of some help and wish you luck on your search.  If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me.  I can't say enough about how calm and happy I've felt since we set the date and picked the venue.  I feel like now we can just relax and enjoy all the other stuff. 

 

[irishbebe03]

Where do you live in nj? I live in ocean county. I am also thinking about the month of May to get married in because it is our anniversary (may 19th). I have looked into having it at Bolongo and Wyndham...I have gotten some prices from Bolongo but not Wyndham yet because you have to call them directly and speek to someone. I have been looking in NJ at places to get married by the beach but everything is so expensive per person. We don't have that much money because we just bought a house..lol So we are on a tight budget. What is an estate that you said you have book? I look forward to talking to you more soon.

[Lizzdee]

Just randomly saw this thread, but I am from Ocean County too!

[moemarx]

May is a great time and it would be so nice to be able to do it on your anniversary.  How long have you been together?  I liked that we would be able to take advantage of the summer/hurricane season rates without the risk of a hurricane.

 

We live in Union County.  I agree with you, prices and expectations around here are crazy.  If we had a wedding here we would have to invite nearly 200 people!  This would include extended family members who will tell me they haven't seen me "since I was this big", bosses/co-workers, and parents friends.  Before you know it....you've spent $40k, you barely ate, and it's all over 5 hours later.  Not to say that the traditional wedding isn't gorgeous.  I just knew it wasn't right for me and when I told my fiance he, of course, couldn't be more relieved.  We just don't have the money to save money for a home and have the big fat Jersey wedding. :-)

 

The estate is called the Stardust Villa (www.stardustvilla.com).  It looks stunning and the owners have been so nice and very easy to communicate with.  I'm not sure if you've considered a coordinator (I know some resorts won't allow outside coordinators), but I can't say enough good things about the girl we booked with.  We are working with Janelle from Island Bliss weddings (www.islandblissweddings.com) and it feels safer to us to have an "advocate" and point of contact on the island.  She is from the states and I believe she moved to St. Thomas after planning her own wedding down there several years ago.  I found recommendations from other brides on here for her and my experience so far has been great.  She is friendly, professional, and most importantly very quick to respond.  We found her fee to be very affordable...plus she works closely with most of the vendors on the island and receives better pricing than you or I would be able to get on our own. 

 

I'm so happy to see another 2012 bride on here...especially from nearby.  Doesn't it seem like it's so far away?  I hope everything works out for you in your search.  How was the pricing for Bolongo?  Did you find it affordable for you and your guests?

[TaraBinki]

MoeMarx- Wow the Stardust Villa looks amazingg! That's going to be so so pretty! Congrats!! have u decided on a photographer or dj? or any other details?!

 

 

Has anyone received 2012 rates from any resorts or hotels yet for the rooms? How are they looking if so?

 

I'm super nervous the rates are going to be outrageous for the guests... I just want them to be like semi affordable for the people who really want to attend! I also have been hearing mix feedback from the cleanliness of Bolongo Bay...has anyone else seen this either? We were thinking of doing two blocks of rooms at the Marriott & Bolongo to give people options

 

and Yesss 2012 seems SOO FAR Away somedayss! haha Especially July!

 

Has anyone set up wedding websites? Or decided how to do the whole invitation rsvp thing? when its so far away

 

~Tara

[irishbebe03]

I agree with you moemarx...with the time and money you put into the wedding you might as well enjoy it. I will have to look into Stardust villas. Bolongo seems like a nice place and okay prices but it's just a starting point for me. I still want to call the Wyndham for their prices. I just love the picture on there site with the gazebo they have overlooking the water. It does seem far away in a way but in another way I keep thinking about all the things I have to do and I start to worry. Once I pick a place and then the date I will start to feel a little better I know.

 

I'm excited to have another women to talk to now that is in my same shoes I'll keep ya posted on what the Wyndham has to offer once I call them. How are you working this destination wedding with your bridesmaids and groomsmen? Are you seeing who is able to go first and then ask them to be in your wedding or what? lol  talk to ya soon

[moemarx]

I couldn't agree more Irish and look forward to hearing about the Wyndham.  For the most part we've been pretty fortunate with our bridal party.  The party is pretty much siblings so we haven't had to worry.  It includes my fiance's brother, my brother and his girlfriend, my sister and brother in law, and my best friend who lives out of state.  The biggest concern will be my friend who will be a mother of 3 by the time the wedding gets here!!!  Though I know she going to do anything she can to make it happen, due to cost she'll likely have to leave the kiddies behind for longer than she ever has before.  Plus she lives in California and just learned that flights are 12 and 14 hours long to get there!!!  EEK! I feel terrible, but I had no idea!  Can you believe that!!! 

[moemarx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaraBinki 

MoeMarx- Wow the Stardust Villa looks amazingg! That's going to be so so pretty! Congrats!! have u decided on a photographer or dj? or any other details?!

 

 

Has anyone received 2012 rates from any resorts or hotels yet for the rooms? How are they looking if so?

 

I'm super nervous the rates are going to be outrageous for the guests... I just want them to be like semi affordable for the people who really want to attend! I also have been hearing mix feedback from the cleanliness of Bolongo Bay...has anyone else seen this either? We were thinking of doing two blocks of rooms at the Marriott & Bolongo to give people options

 

and Yesss 2012 seems SOO FAR Away somedayss! haha Especially July!

 

Has anyone set up wedding websites? Or decided how to do the whole invitation rsvp thing? when its so far away

 

~Tara