The Ball is a-Rollin’!

The Ball is a-Rollin’!

July 25th, 2010 @ 1:00 pm by Miss Handbag
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So Mr Handy and I finally booked our trip to Jamaica to see the resort and meet with the wedding coordinator

Excitement Level: 1000 x more than you can imagine!

I have been going over and over in my head, things to ask the wedding coordinator and things I need to take notes on for the wedding.

Here is what I have come up with so far:

Take note on the weather - what the weather is determines my dress and the BM & MOH dresses.
Take note on the temperature of the water park. April may not be warm enough for us to get in the water?
Look at all the different areas to get married. Even though I am already set on the ruins, it might be nice to check out other options.
Ask the WC if there will be any other brides in that area that day.

Pricing of the reception location, food, etc.
If I send things that I have already bought to the WC (reception decor, OOT bags), will she hold on to them for the wedding?
Are there group discounts for larger party?
Ask for an activities list on the resort, and maybe a map for the OOT bags.
What is the Salon/Spa pricing?

I am sure there are some things I am forgetting. Destination wedding brides, can you think of any other questions I should be asking?

Tags: jamaica, Venues |

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12 Responses to “The Ball is a-Rollin’!”

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crayfish (message) 4,993 posts, Honey bee

It’ll be plenty hot in April to get in the water that close to the equator! Look up local averages in the guide book. To give you an idea, I was there in February a couple years ago and it was the mid-80s. Tropical islands don’t really cool down to below the 70s…

7/25/10 @ 1:31 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Starry Night (message) 422 posts, Helper bee

I’d ask about other group activities that they can arrange for you, such as bonfires on the beach w/ smores, cruises for just your party, welcome happy hour at the resort’s bar, etc. We didn’t include that type of thing in our wedding budget; once we decided we wanted to add an activity that we paid for it added about $1000 to our budget.

Also, ask about… photographers in the area, DJs, ceremony music (they should have some musicians that they work with, but if you want a special type most planners can arrange whatever you want), local taxes/tip that may not be included in prices…

AND, the rules about getting legally married there. I looked it up online for MX, but the website wasn’t 100% correct. Once I asked our planner what the rules were, we will now be getting married in the states before leaving for Mexico.

7/25/10 @ 1:41 pm (reply)

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fromcharleston (message) 651 posts, Busy bee

I would ask before you go on this trip if she can hold onto stuff for you. (I am a bit nervous about this idea to be honest.) But if she can hold stuff for you until the wedding, why not bring it on this trip and save shipping, not to mention lighten the load closer to the wedding.

7/25/10 @ 1:49 pm (reply)

Member

crayon78 (message) 130 posts, Blushing bee

In addition to the questions above (esp the legal marriage question):

Are weddings only package pricing or can you purchase a la carte? Some resorts we looked at only allowed packages if you booked on your own and otherwise you had to use a separate coordinator.

Do packages include preferred or required vendors or can you choose whoever you want (and is there a cost to allow you to do so)?

Is there a charge to hold OOT bags at the desk (or deliver them to rooms)? (This was something we hadn’t expected but some places charged $1 per bag.)

Are you doing a room block? If so, you may want to ask them how that works and if they require you to have a certain number of rooms (or pay the rest). Also, what type of room are they giving you?

Confirm coordinator is providing day-of services as well.

Have a great time! “Research” trips are fun!

7/25/10 @ 2:02 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Socks (message) 1,323 posts, Bumble bee

That’s so exciting! Sounds like you guys will have a very productive and fun trip!!

7/25/10 @ 2:15 pm (reply)

Member

slicey19 (message) 2,887 posts, Sugar bee

I was at a wedding in Jamaica this past April and it was plenty hot enough to go in the ocean and pools - in fact it was necessary to spend a good portion of the day in the water!
I would ask about outside vendors (photographer, florist, etc.) and also inquire about guests who do not stay at the hotel, the wedding I went to was at an all inclusive resort which charged a significant day fee for non hotel guests to attend and a lot of beach front properties charge a fee to use their facilities.
Also spend some time in the area you plan to say your vows, we spent part of our trip in MoBay and some of the planes are really loud - not something you would want in the middle of your wedding!

7/25/10 @ 5:26 pm (reply)

Member

cgruse (message) 56 posts, Worker bee

April is def. hot! It will be in 80’s. Swimming is a must

7/25/10 @ 5:55 pm (reply)

Member

MsBunting (message) 229 posts, Helper bee

Make sure there’s a back up plan if it’s too hot for grandparents, etc…wheelchair availability, shady areas, emergency water, etc.

7/25/10 @ 7:11 pm (reply)

Guest

april

I was a DW bride too… best decision ever! We got married in Mexico in February & it was def warm enough for the water. I shot a wedding in Jamaica last October & it was HOT! If you get a chance to head to Negril, dinner on the cliffs is amazingly romantic!

7/25/10 @ 8:08 pm (reply)

10.

Member

hyphensmith (message) 260 posts, Helper bee

You will definitely be able to swim in March/April! Its the middle of the high season, so you’ll be fine! When we we’re there this January, it was in the low 80’s…almost perfect! (I like my Jamaica trips to be more on the hot side)

7/25/10 @ 8:23 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

alisa

I love the idea of a destination wedding. i’m also a fellow bee allergy girl