Secrets St James/Wild Orchid Weddings 2012/2013

[muneera0302]

I actually didn't know there was a difference until now since the pics are all mostly the nice, modern WO rooms. I just found some on Trip Advisor that I think are St. James and that is totally sneaky of them!!!! I'm currently booked on the St. James side but since I prefer the modern look of the WO side I asked my TA to check into switching me and my guests to WO. Hopefully they still have space/the rates are similar. I wonder if switching sides affects where on the beach you get married? I will need to reach out the hotel WC once I hear back on the rates. Ugh. So glad you said something. I wouldn't have known! I haven't had to do this yet (I will next month) and I will try to remember what happens so I can update you!

These are the pics for the st James rooms: http://www.oyster.com/jamaica/hotels/secrets-st-james-montego-bay/photos/junior-suite-oceanview/

[semisweet]

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

So you were able to get the steel drum band for $150?  How long did they play for? 

 

 

 

They played for the entire cocktail hour (and a half, since my husband I were late getting back after our photo shoot). The contract says the price for the steel drum band is $350 or so, but when we got there they offered us a lower price without us even asking. Apparently, the corporate office tries to offer a "local" music group, and steel drums aren't technically Jamaican. They said that since most people associate steel drum bands with Jamaica, and prefer them over the Jamaican trio they offer, they give a discount for the steel drum band for the cocktail hour.

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

 

These are the pics for the st James rooms:

 

http://www.oyster.com/jamaica/hotels/secrets-st-james-montego-bay/photos/junior-suite-oceanview/

 

Thank you! I forgot to reply back on this thread but I saw the pics, and that helped. Thanks again for the tip!! Are you all booked at WO? Also, what is your date?

[FutureMrsBarr13]

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

 

I have a question regarding requirements to obtain the marriage license in Jamaica.  I know that at least 2 months prior we need to send notarized copies of our birth certificates and passports.  I'm confused how to get a notarized birth certificate - would getting a certified copy from the vital statistics department be sufficient?  I'm a notary and, at least in Ohio, we can't notarize copies of vital records certification.  The passport would be fine to do; it's the birth certificate i'm worried about.  I don't want to send the wrong thing.  Has anyone else had to deal with this issue?  What have you guys done?  Thanks! 

My FI and I ran into this issue as well. We ended up sending the certified copy from vital statistics (my birth certificate is actually OH). It's watermarked and stamped - you can't get anymore official than that! They processed our birth certificates/passport information without an issue.

[jrebecky]

Originally Posted by semisweet 

 

 

 

 

They played for the entire cocktail hour (and a half, since my husband I were late getting back after our photo shoot). The contract says the price for the steel drum band is $350 or so, but when we got there they offered us a lower price without us even asking. Apparently, the corporate office tries to offer a "local" music group, and steel drums aren't technically Jamaican. They said that since most people associate steel drum bands with Jamaica, and prefer them over the Jamaican trio they offer, they give a discount for the steel drum band for the cocktail hour.

That's great to know.  Thanks so much!  Hopefully, I will get that offer or at least negotiate it!

[muneera0302]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

Thank you! I forgot to reply back on this thread but I saw the pics, and that helped. Thanks again for the tip!! Are you all booked at WO? Also, what is your date?

I'm finally booked for WO Dec. 20, 2013!!! Yay i'm so excited. I'm also booked for the rooms as well. What did you decide about your rooms?

[kaycag]

Almost time Alexis...you ready??!!! LOL

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by kaycag 

 

Almost time Alexis...you ready??!!! LOL

 

Ack I know!! Getting there I think. Just need to finish up some things like OOT bags, order some more table linens and take care of the whole birth certificate thing so we can get married legally. But I'm still not in the sweet spot of 2 months and haven't started working with the WC yet to finalize my choices for the menu and whatever else. I did reach out to Tai Flora to discuss flowers so I have that done. Yay! Getting excited!!

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by muneera0302 

 

I'm finally booked for WO Dec. 20, 2013!!! Yay i'm so excited. I'm also booked for the rooms as well. What did you decide about your rooms?

 

Yay congrats!! I haven't heard back yet from the TA about switching rooms and if it's possible, but the pics from Oyster weren't as bad as I was expecting so I decided I'm OK with St. James if that's what it ends up being. I forget what site I was on, maybe Trip Advisor, where I found a couple pics that made the St. James side seem more English than modern, and that freaked me out. But I wonder if they were just older pics. Anyway, my mini freak out is over, and I'm now OK with whatever happens.

[muneera0302]

Ack I know!! Getting there I think. Just need to finish up some things like OOT bags, order some more table linens and take care of the whole birth certificate thing so we can get married legally. But I'm still not in the sweet spot of 2 months and haven't started working with the WC yet to finalize my choices for the menu and whatever else. I did reach out to Tai Flora to discuss flowers so I have that done. Yay! Getting excited!!

Aw how exciting! Well I can't wait to hear feedback from you after your wedding. Again mines isn't til dec so I could use as much advice as possible. I think ima get my bridesmaids personalized robes and other stuff, don't know what else yet. I'm going to start ordering decorations soon.