Sandals Royal Caribbean March 2013 Wedding

[conniealice27]

I have booked my wedding at the Royal and it is all set for March 11 2013 @ 3:00pm! I would love to hear from any brides that have been married here, and find out the inside scoop on what to do/not do.  I am considering doing the Traditional Wedding picture package by Sandals, but wonder if other brides have been pleasantly surprised by the photographer or not so impressed. I would like pictures of our actual ceremony, and if I use an outside Jamaican photographer they will not be allowed on the property. I know that our airfare alone was $1700 round trip, so flying in somebody to do the pictures for us seems like it would get extremely expensive (air+resort+pictures!!) I am interested in hearing options- from either brides who have been or brides-to-be! I look forward to hearing from you!!

[jilliebeans]

Hi! I'm also getting married at Sandal's royal caribbean!! Our wedding is on January 6th, 2013.  Luckily, my sister is a wedding photographer so she'll be taking care of that for us so I'm no help on that front.  Have you decided what kind of reception you're going to have?  I'm trying to find out more information about what my options are for a private dinner without much luck...

[conniealice27]

Congrats!! That's coming up quickly!! Have you spoke with the wedding planner from Sandals yet? I'm only having a my MOH and BM at our ceremony, and I want it to sweet and simple so I wasn't planning on doing anything other than the Beautiful Beginnings package and the little free "reception" with wine and hors d'oeuvres that follows. I figure with only 4/5 of us, it will be easy to get a dinner reservation for afterwards and just enjoy the night!! How many people are you having? If you have ten or more rooms they give you a 1hr cocktail receptions. If you want a DJ for an hour it is $3OO and they have different rates if you want a band, ect. They get pretty pricey; the Steel Drum Band is $6OO per hour. I have seen brides on here do the Catamaran Cruise which is only $195O plus 8$ per person and includes 2hrs of entertainment, open bar and catering! 

On the next post I am copying the resorts diff reception options for you, I hope this helps!! 

 

 

 

[conniealice27]

Reception Information

Sandals is pleased to offer you and your guests a wide variety of menu options that will enhance your wedding experience starting with “Private†Welcome Cocktail Reception, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Luncheon, Buffet or Plated Dinners and ending with Farwell Brunches.

 

Charming Cocktail Reception for $15 per person

Private Resort Cocktail Reception Area for 30 Minutes Wedding Toast
A Selection of Chef Inspired Cold Hors d’oeuvres

• This option is a complimentary inclusion for Bride and Groom and up to 6 guests; this menu price is applicable to additional guests, and exclusive of day pass fees; this option also is a complimentary inclusion for all guests under wedding group contract or group code with 5-9 rooms. Sparkling Wine provided for wedding toast; food and beverage upgrades available at an additional cost.

   

• Premier Cocktail Hour Reception for $20.00 per person

  Private Resort Cocktail Reception Area for 1 Hour Wedding Toast
  A Selection of Chef Inspired Hot & Cold Hors d’oeuvres

• This option is a complimentary inclusion for all guests under a group contract or group code with 10 rooms or more. Otherwise this menu price will be applicable to the Bride & Groom and all wedding guests, exclusive of day pass fees; Sparkling Wine provided for wedding toast; food and beverage upgrades available at an additional cost. Minimum 8 persons required.

  Splendid Wedding Dinner for $45.00 per person

  Private Resort Dinner Area for Two Hours Wedding Toast
  Splendid Plated Wedding Dinner
  Full Open Bar (2 hours)

• This menu price will be applicable to the Bride & Groom and all wedding guests, exclusive of day pass fees; Sparkling Wine provided for wedding toast; food and beverage upgrades available at an additional cost. Minimum 8 persons required.

   

•  

• Splendid Wedding Reception & Dinner for $60.00 per person

  Private Resort Cocktail and Dinner Reception Area for Three Hours Wedding Toast
  Selection of Hot and Cold Hors d’oeuvres
  Splendid Plated Wedding Dinner
  Full Open Bar (3 hours)

• This menu price is applicable to the Bride & Groom and all guests, exclusive of the day pass fees. For the Splendid Wedding Reception & Dinner, the day pass rate would be a reduced price of $75 per person. Sparkling wine provided for toast; food and beverage upgrades available at an additional cost. Minimum 8 persons required.

This fee applies to the Bride & Groom and all Beaches guests. For the Private Wedding Reception & Dinner, the day pass rate would be a reduced price of $75 per person. Minimum 8 persons required.

All private functions may be held in select areas at the resort. In the case of inclement weather, functions will be moved to an indoor location. All private functions must be booked and paid for at least 60 days prior to the wedding date to ensure availability. Guaranteed guest count for your wedding is due 72- hours prior to the event and refunds are not issued on no-shows or cancellations. All prices are in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice. 

[jilliebeans]

We're doing Beautiful beginnings too, it looks great. that's nice there's so few of you I'm sure that will make it easier!  There's only about 10 of us.  Honestly I wanted to just go to dinner after the wedding at one of the restaurants because it's inclusive by our travel agent said they probably wont put that many tables together so we can all sit together so we'd be separated, and that seemed not worth it.  I can find the price per dinner, but I'm sure there will be charges for the tables, and linens and everything else right? We're going to go to the night theme party after our dinner, I thought that would be a free fun after party, and it's bonfire and caribbean night so it should be fun )

 

 I don't talk to my representative on the phone until late november, but the emails we have passed back and forth have been really slow and she never really answers my questions, so it's getting kind of frustrating.  I'm trying to find a bride on here that has already been there and done it so I can get her perspective so hopefully someone has!

[conniealice27]

If you go to the do's and don'ts section, there is some really good advice on there! I read from quite a few brides that although they tell you that you probably won't get a table together, you most likely will. It's more of a ploy to get you to do the reception. If you have a concierge or butler room the chances are extremely high that you'll be just fine getting reservations as long as you request them the day you arrive! When you think about it, food and drinks are free anyway. . . but I'm sure the reception is more intimate and personal so it might be a good expense for you. Did you see the post that gave all the information on the receptions? It didn't let me post right away, and was being "moderated" so that should show up soon hopefully! That'll give you a really good idea!

[jilliebeans]

hey! i couldn't see the reception stuff you posted, just the message before that saying you were planning on doing that.  maybe it doesn't work on the chat?  you can email me if that's easier   jillianstaffiera@gmail.com  where can I find the do's and don'ts section?

[conniealice27]

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/6691/what-i-would-and-wouldnt-do-again

 

Here is a link to the do's and don'ts. Love it! I also have acquired a copy of the standard ceremony script that Sandals uses. . . I would definitely recommend using your own!! For us it was off base as far as what my marriage represents. I actually used some pieces from a bride's ceremony she had posted on here. . .  she had used bits and pieces from ones she found as well. It was just beautiful, and represented my fiance and I perfectly. I can e-mail you a copy of the generic Sandals one, if you would like! 

[jilliebeans]

I would love that!  jillianstaffiera@gmail.com  I haven't really got to that part yet, but I'm working on it ;o)  I've been reading a lot of stuff about brides knowing to request certain things, like white chairs instead of brown that don't cost any extra money but they won't do for you unless you ask, have you seen any more of that kind of stuff?  I want to make sure I don't get jipped on something just because I was totally clueless about asking. What room are you guys staying in and how long will you be there?

[conniealice27]

I sent you an email with the ceremony script!