OK, I was just going to comment on the original Planning a Destination Wedding - Budget post, but it ended up that I had too much to say as usual, so it turned into another post.

For those of you that looked at the first post, and thought that it seemed too broad and lacked numbers, I figured I'd give you a look into some ballpark numbers that I encountered while planning a destination wedding this past May in Nassau.

**Necessary disclaimer: I am giving these numbers as an example of what happens when you start adding stuff while planning a destination wedding, not so that you can plan on the same situation or numbers.  Prices vary greatly on number of guests, location, and options, like the original post said...so don't pay attention to the numbers as much as the change in overal budget versus original**

OK, here we go.  We wanted a less-expensive party-type all-inclusive resort, and weren't too concerned with how fancy it was, it was more important that it be laid back and a good time.  We decided that we wanted a simple wedding, nothing fancy, just a beach wedding.  We also decided that we didn't want a traditional reception, and that we would just go out to one of the resort clubs with all our guests after the ceremony to party.  Sounds reasonable right?....Here's where the budgets start going crazy:

-We spent approx. $3,500 on our travel for the week (we picked an inexpensive resort remember?)

-Good news...weddings are FREE at the resort, and the gazebo was perfect for us. 

Now stop here.  This is where we originally wanted to be, and this would have been extremely affordable!  A great deal on travel, and a free wedding makes for a happy couple!  But wait, here come the additions:

-We decided to get a better photo package (turned out to be a great decision by the way): $350

-She wanted a different bouquet (I said flowers are flowers, but lost that argument): $50

-We decided to do a cocktail reception after the ceremony so we could hang out with everyone before starting the party: $750

-OK, now the biggy...we decided to do a reception after all: $1300 (we didn't go too crazy with the options here)

-And, you need music right?  DJ: $500.

So, we started with $3,500 right?  Then we started adding on options...and we ended up over $6000, which is about an 80% increase!   Again, don't pay attention the numbers themselves, but the fact that we increased our budget by 80%.  So, like the original post said, make sure you really decide if you need these additions before you nail down your budget.  In the end, it is was probably at least $20K cheaper than if we got married at home, so I am not implying that it was bad!

Then there was the honeymoon of course...at a much more expensive resort...which was worth every penny!

Looking to add a little more adventure to Jamaica weddings?  I recently returned from an unusual Jamaica familiarization trip where not only did we visit numerous hotels, but we also experienced two new attractions - Mystic Mountain and Chukka Cove.  Both attractions are considered "soft" adventure - ha!  I guess that my definition of soft adventure, a walk along the beach and maybe even horseback riding, is different from the definition in Jamaica.  Here, bobsledding, zip lining, ATVs, etc. are the norm.  

First, we went off to Mystic Mountain where a sky lift takes you 700 feet up the mountain.  The views from the top are spectacular!  It is here that the real adventure begins!  The choice is bobsledding or zip lining.  Being a bit of a coward, the bobsled look sort of tame.  So, I climbed in and found myself flying along the track at what felt like 150 miles per hour.  I am told that I was only going 25 miles per hour, but I am not sure that I believe that! 

Having survived the bobsled, my newly found adventurous spirit decided to try the zip lines.  I was sailing along quite nicely zipping from tree to tree until I came to the third zip line.  Looking out, I could not see it, so my gaze was directed straight down!  My first thought was "what are my other choices?"  Unfortunately, no choice but to take the line straight down! 

Having survived that, I felt invincible, as though I could now do anything.   So, when we were taken to Chukka Cove, I had no fear!  The choice of activities were numerous: ATV, dune buggies, dog sled, horseback riding, beach and of course, zip lining.  Now that I was an old hand at it, I decided to do the zip lines again.  However, this time we took a bus up to the top of the mountain.  Surviving the bus ride up the mountain was truly an adventure in itself!  We drove along a VERY narrow, gravel road twisting and turning along the edge of the mountain.  The site of many rusted out cars and vans that had obviously gone off the road added to the anxiety.  By the time we suited up and began the run on the zip lines, I knew that nothing could be as frightening as the bus ride up the mountain.   

All in all, I definitely recommend these two attractions to anyone that visits Jamaica, and they would be perfect for an adventure getaway with your Jamaica wedding guests before or after the big day.

Well not exactly, but let me back up a little bit here.

I'm back to my wedding in Nassau Bahamas, and I wanted to address a growing trend...the "get to know each other pre-party" before the guests roll into their beach weddings.

Traditional weddings have always had the rehearsal dinner, where guests can mingle and exchange small talk.  Although some couples have done similar dinners at their destination weddings, I have noticed a trend towards more adventurous and laid back events.  So we decided to go that route in the Bahamas prior to our scheduled beach wedding in Nassau...

Being avid sailors we sought out a catamaran large enough to accommodate 40 people, and came across the Flying Cloud (http://www.flyingcloud.info).  Everything seemed to be perfect, so we booked it for the Friday night before the wedding when all the guests would be on the island already.

When we arrived at the dock they were placing the finishing touches on the boat, so we all relaxed with a fine Bahamian beverage and waited to set sail.  Well, given the crew that was invited on this voyage, the party began to pick up speed and I was thankful that someone else was piloting the now party boat.  As we sat down to a nice casual buffet dinner my sister asked me if I had seen one of our wedding guest couples.  I could have sworn they were on the boat, but where were they now?!?  After several minutes of worry, we decided that we would have noticed two people falling overboard (right?). 

Well, unlike the title of this post, they were not lost at sea, but we did take off without them when they weren't looking.  So, my advice to all you destination wedding couples out there:  If you are carting your partying wedding guests around an unfamiliar island, make sure you get a head count before you sail off into the sunset!

Much like my earlier post, everything ended up great anyways.  And below is a very short video of the boat/party.