Secrets Wild Orchid 2017 Wedding

[BritML0121]

Hi! 

I am newly engaged, and we are planning a destination wedding at Secrets WIld Orchid in Montego Bay for late 2017 (possibly November/December).  We just stayed at this resort in April and absolutely loved it ! 

Any recommendations for outside vendors for photography and videography are welcomed!  I have been reading, and I have seen that people aren't as satisfied with the photographers that comes with the resort.  We also want a videographer to cover our entire day, including the reception so if anyone has any recommendations, I would appreciate it !

 

Thanks ! 

[Moments That Matter]

Welcome to our forum community BritML0121 and Congrats on your Montego Bay Wedding next year!!! You're sure to find loads of wonderful resources here to help answer your planning questions.

 

Wishing you happy research, and all the best with your plans - Cheers!!! MTM Photography team

 

...leaving you with some inspiration from our Blue Venado Beach Club Wedding Album:

[AdamnJenn17]

Make sure to check with the resort to see if outside vendors are even allowed - many resorts have contracts with specific ones and either do not allow others or they charge a fee to use them

[BritML0121]

@@AdamnJenn17

Thank you!  I did check with the resort, and they just charge a fee, which is annoying.  

[AdamnJenn17]

@BritML0121there are many great photographers out there like MTM photogrpahy that cover those fees if you buy a big enough package   - also some resorts have "ways around" the fee - like booking the photographer a room for 2 or 3 days and having them attend as a "guest" which means including them in the reception and everything - if you are still under the max for the reception/ceremony including them wont cost you anything - but if you are already over and paying for extra people it will

Sometimes this way around can be significantly lower than the fee itself as the fees can go as high as 1000USD for photo/video

Edited May 13, 2016 by AdamnJenn17

[RandL2015]

BritML0121 CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming nuptials!! I had my wedding at SWO last Thanksgiving weekend. EVERYONE had FABULOUS time!! You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!

 

I used the resort photographer and videographer. I thought they they did a good job. Pictures and video were ready at checkout.

We are thinking about going back for our 1 year anniversary this November.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Happy Planning!!

Lydia

[acw271011]

@@BritML0121 Congrats on your upcoming wedding! You will love this site for planning. There are always tons of ideas and suggestions from the brides past and present and they're always willing to share.

Jamaica is a very popular place for a destination wedding and as you can see you've already had some great suggestions. I'm also a Jamaica bride but a different resort and we fell in love with the country. As to photographers and videographers, you'll get varying opinions from everyone mostly because what everyone is looking for is different. Style is a big factor as well as price and what a package includes. Jamaica does have some amazing photographers to choose from. I know there is a recent bride from SWO (February of this year) that used Misha Earle and her photos are stunning. I would suggest you take a look at the reviews section of this website and see what past brides have to say then take a look at their respective websites and see if any particular "style" speaks to you. We used Merrick Cousley and were more than thrilled with what he put together for us so definitely check him out as well. He was super easy to work with, very responsive in terms of communication and competitively priced. And yes some photographers will assist in some way with pricing to work around resort vendor fees but I wouldn't count on that. Just consider it a bonus if it happens.

Good luck and happy planning!

[Moments That Matter]

AdamJenn17 makes a great point, however since we're based in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, it wouldn't be cost effective for you to have us cover your wedding.

It's still a great idea to hire a professional photographer local to Montego Bay to ensure you capture your once-in-a-lifetime beach wedding celebration in a photo record you can cherish forever.

There's really no comparison between a guy at the resort wearing a "Photographer" t-shirt and a true professional ~ who'll create images that will take you right back to those magical moments that matter, complete with all the emotions around them - priceless!!!

 

Wishing you all the best with your research, BritML0121 and that it works out just the way you envision, or even better!

Cheers, MTM Photography team

...a wee sample of our "work" to make you smile

Edited May 15, 2016 by Moments That Matter

[BritML0121]

Thanks everyone!   I actually got in touch with the photographer I wanted from home, and he is actually going to travel with us and be a guest at the hotel, so we won't have to pay a vendor fee.  When I compared the cost of getting a photographer here, with a few local photographers in Montego Bay, the cost is just about the same since this photog is thankfully charging us a discounted rate.  There are so many photographers that were highly recommended from this site too!  

 

Now I am looking for a videographer.  I am sure the onsite videographer is great and works just as well, but the most important aspect of our wedding to us is photos and video, and I would want someone to be there recording from beginning to end.   If anyone has used an outside videographer or knows of any, please let me know !!

Thank you ! 

[acw271011]

@@BritML0121  We use Roxroy Gough for our video in Jamaica. He was great - reasonably priced and easy to communicate with. Here is his website:

 

http://www.roxroygoughcinematography.com/

 

We enjoyed working with him. He was very personable and we love the video that we have.

 

Good luck and happy planning!