Wedding In June '06, Help! Options

[AKEdkuktr]

Hi. I am new to the forum and hoping all of you can assist! My fiance & I have FINALLY set a date - I joke that we are doing the five year plan, as it will be five years between our engagement and wedding!

We both love Grenada, and pretty much met through Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, so we have to get married in the Caribbean and have the Yankee Clipper involved!

So far - land based vacation for 6 nights on Grenada. Wedding on a Saturday, board the Clipper on Sunday and stay on board for 2 weeks. We know we want to get married on a beach. We will have a few people with us - as few as 5 counting us, and as many as 16 (doubtful). We were thinking of a sunset wedding, and a dinner following. Questions: Which beach/ which hotel/ which restaurant? A couple of thoughts we have... True Blue Resort for hotel & possibly dinner? OR Aquarium wedding & dinner? OR... what else? What are pros/cons of all?

We will have the Windjammer Wedding Planner assist with details and such, so we can take advantage of their 50% off 1st anniversary cruise! Always thinking ahead...
(bb
So, need recommendations for:
HOTEL?
FAVORITE BEACH SPOT FOR A WEDDING?
FAVORITE DINNER SPOT FOR A DINNER FOLLOWING?

Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to your wealth of knowledge! Last time there stayed at Flamboyant - think Grand Anse is too crowded for any privacy...

[Xplorer]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Although I have only visited Grenada once, my favorite spot on the beach as well as restaraunt would be the Aquarium.

When is the wedding?

[Anse]

Welcome to the board.

I may be exceptionally well qualified on this question. I got married on the beach at sunset, so I have a few idea's.

First thing to keep in mind. Grenadian law says that you have to be married by sunset. So you need to plan very well, because if you run late, and the sun goes down, it may not happen. The sun can set very fast sometimes (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Secondly. All beaches in Grenada are public, from the water to the high tide line. That being said, you can get married on any beach you want, just getting access to that portion of the beach is the only question.

Third, you obviously need a beach on the West side of the island, if you want a really good background. I like Morne Rouge area, but from a photographers standpoint, the best pictures will be from Grand Anse. That goes the same for many of the others except for Grand Anse. One of the best locations if it was just from a photography standpoint would be Quarrantine Station, but it does not have the surroundings, it is just a good photo location for getting the sunset as it is up higher than the beach.

I chose to use the Chief Magistrate to perform the wedding. I really liked the service, and the signing of the book. You will need 2 witnesses that are over 18. You also have some paperwork that is needed beforehand.

I have many favorite restaurants in mind. I would think of The Aquarium, The Red Crab, True Blue, The Beach house, and best of all Coconut Beach if it is repaired. If Coconut Beach is repaired by then, you could possible have the wedding right outside the restaurant, then go eat overlooking the water.

I chose Grand Anse, and had no problem with it being crowded. You should not have a problem in June. In true Grenadian style, several of the people on the beach stopped to watch, and congratulated us afterwards. We were happy to have them there, as we wanted a Grenadian wedding, including the people.

I can provide you with excellent names for a florist, a photographer / videographer, and even someone that will make you an authentic Grenadian wedding cake if you desire.

We did witness one year, a neat wedding at the Grand Beach. They have a backdrop that they set up that is covered in flowers that is beautiful. After the wedding, a catamaran pulled up on the beach, and the couple sailed off into the sunset on the cat. They came back several hours later. The wedding party had dinner at the hotel, and the couple had a meal on the cat while sailing. They told us it was really great.

Let me know if you want more details, or help, I would be happy to do so. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[mieka]

Welcome on board and congratulation for your upcoming Wedding.

Anse gave you some good recommendations. I think Aquarium is a good choice, plus the soon have also cottages, so you may book accommodation there too.

Another good spot I find is Epping Plantation House - it is not on the beach, but you will have privacy and a perfect romantic surrounding. They will even help you with all the wedding arrangements & papers.

You can also contact Simply Weddings (http://grenadaweddingservice.com) which is a wedding co-ordinator in Grenada who may can help you with finding the perfect spot.

[LAINDY]

Hi!

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I am so excited for you, to be married on the beach and then board a Windjammer for two weeks! What a great way to begin your lives together.

As I am also new to the forum and new to Grenada (just visted) I don't have as much info as those who have visted much more (Anse!), all I can tell you is I really enjoyed True Blue Bay. The "beach" there is definitely not what you are looking for for the ceremony, but the food and atmosphere were wonderful and I'm sure Bernadette would take care of your every desire for a wedding dinner. She was great for the party we had (a 50th bday) as well as a couple of other parties I saw while there. Should you chose to stay there while in Grenada, they have some excellant choices in accomodations. I may be a little partial to them as they were my only Grenada experience while staying on the island, but maybe check out their website (www.truebluebay.com) and if interested, contact Bernadette or Mary or Shineal to see what they can offer you.

Captain Julian should be back on the YC when you are there and he and the Windjammer crew will be sure to make your start as a married couple absolutely fabulous! I hope you will send us a full report of the wedding as well as a "not so full" report of the honeymoon (hey! kids can read this forum! (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) )

[AKEdkuktr]

Wow - thanks for the great replies and ideas. I think we are leaning toward Aquarium. I've heard so many wonderful things about them from so many sources. gorgeous beach (for wedding) and wonderful food (to eat afterwards)

As for hotels: still gathering info. I have a friend that just loves True Blue, and I know we would love it too. But, I do worry about the no beach thing... I am thinking maybe we should go to the Blue for our first anniversary prior to another Yankee Clipper. But, since this is a special trip, and we will have some friends along - we have started thinking of Grand Beach Resort. The website doesn't say much about the rooms though. Anyone have any experience with this hotel? Looks like a nice property though, lots of fun things to do, and then of course the Grand Anse beach! It appears that they have a new room type? The WJ wedding coordinator has recommended them.

We will be using the Windjammer island wedding coordinator to assist with all, so I don't think we will have to worry about much in the way of details. Tell me though - what is a Grenadian wedding cake?

We are a 40 something couple doing second marriages - so want small, simple, casual & fun! And - no stress too...

Does anyone know if the Aquarium would handle groups? And what menu options they might have?

Thanks ... you guys are full of information!

[AKEdkuktr]

Oh wedding isn't for 18 mos! We have a LONG time to plan... We are going sailing in the BVI this summer (bareboat charter), so the wedding will be the following June (2006).

It is always fun to plan trips ahead of time - but especially this one as it is a special trip.

[Anse]

I have stayed many times at the Grand Beach Resort. The location, and the grounds were one of the nicest locations in Grenada. I have not been there since the hurricane. But since your wedding is quite a bit of time away, I feel confident that the grounds will be back in great shape before you get there. They have a new section, with slightly larger rooms, and a number of older buildings. You want a direct beachfront room, do not choose a garden view. This will put you directly on and looking out over Grand Anse and St Georges. LEt me know if you are interested, the Sales Manager is a friend of mine. Do a search and read the reviews here on the board. The location is great, but the service sometimes is great, and other times is lacking. Go there well informed, and you will have no problems. I stayed there this summer for a few days, and things were great. The pools and grounds are really spectacular.

I will look and find the links for my pictures of the beach that is by the Aquarium.
I personally think Grand Anse is a nicer location for a sunset backdrop wedding, but the restaurant is very nice.

Aquarium would have no problems handling a group. Menu choices would be pretty well open as well, if you plan in advance. Du to the time of the year you are doing this, lobster will be out of season, so cross that off for "fresh" caught, but I am sure you can getthat if need be. They have a wide range of food choices, chicken, fish, seafood, etc...


I don't know how to describe the wedding cake. It is not the North American yellow cake, for sure. I will try to describe it later. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[AKEdkuktr]

I'd love to see the photos of the Aquarium beach. Thank you.

As for hotel - my friend loves TB and said the service is great as is the food. The Grand looks lovely and the beach to die for. So, how bad is the service & the food? I must say I'm a bit worried. Is it more than just island time - because that is everywhere in the Caribbean and one learns to get used to it quickly as you unwind from busy lives. Can you offer specifics?

I see from the hotel website that there are 2 different beachfront rooms - one is new. They do not have any photos or descriptions of the difference. Do you have any info about that?

Thanks again! You guys are great.

[esemes]

Aquarium would be my choice too. But 18 months from now, who knows what else may be up and running. The Spice Island Inn Resort will be open and will be fabulous. The Grenada Grand will be OK by then, but their service has always been questionable. Check www.tripadvisor.com as well for hotel opinions and definitely do a search in this forum (there is a search function on top) and you will find opinions and pictures.

[esemes]

I'd love to see the photos of the Aquarium beach.  Thank you. 

The Grand looks lovely and the beach to die for.  So, how bad is the service & the food?  I must say I'm a bit worried.
I see from the hotel website that there are 2 different beachfront rooms - one is new.  They do not have any photos or descriptions of the difference.  Do you have any info about that?

Thanks again!  You guys are great.

This is the "new" part of the hotel. right on the water, 4 stories, overpriced.
Now damaged.
(IMG:http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/605006/PEWYS-47330744-IMG_0812.JPG)

THese 2 story buildings are the older rooms, they have more color and as you can see, the one complex on the left, is also on the water whick is on the left of the picture by the fence.
(IMG:http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/605006/QEIJM-010694877-IMG_0795.JPG)

Look for more pics in here, do a search above.

[AKEdkuktr]

Thanks for the pictures! I'll look @ Spice Island again, but if I remember correctly they are quite a bit more $$$. I'm sure they will be wonderful however. I'm just not sure I could afford it - we will be paying for several rooms.

So, now I'm back to my original question. True Blue (nice rooms, good food, good service) vs. Grand Beach (gorgeous beach)???

[Xplorer]

Hi AKEdkuktr,

I have attached links to a few Aquarium photos. If I knew how to, I would embed them in the body of the text, but you will have to settle for links to the photos which are posted in the "grenada photos" section of this site.



http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/displa...?album=22&pos=8

http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/displa...?album=22&pos=9

http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/displa...album=22&pos=14

[esemes]

There you go. But the water can get much rougher. This was a good day in the pictures...


(IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/albums/userpics/10009/Grenada-7.jpg)


(IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/albums/userpics/10009/Grenada-6.jpg)
(IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/photo/albums/userpics/10009/Grenada-2.jpg)

[AKEdkuktr]

Aquarium does look like a pretty place! Beautiful. And it sounds like the food is good too (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) A winner.

Now - BACK TO THE HOTEL QUESTION...

Any advice?
True Blue (nice rooms, nice service, nice food, no beach)
Grand (beautiful beach, OK rooms, service & food iffy)

What else is there that is consistent and wonderful without being terribly expensive. This is a special occasion and I don't want anyone in our party to be dissatisfied or disappointed - especially us!