Calypso

Calypso music has become ingrained in Jamaican culture so it is no surprise that it is a popular choice for a Jamaican wedding music playlist.

The local music of Jamaica ‘Mento’, is frequently confused with calypso. Despite their similarities, the two genres are different. Mento artists employed calypso songs and techniques. Calypso utilizes topical lyrics with a comedic tedge. Mento also uses topical lyrics with a humorous slant; focusing on poverty and other social ills. Innuendos about sexuality are also widespread.

In Jamaica, calypso and soca music from Trinidad are popular. Byron Lee, Fab 5, and Lovindeer are popular calypso/soca artists from Jamaica. Harry Belafonte was nicknamed the King of Calypso, for introducing calypso music to American listeners. It actually originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the early twentieth century).

Dancehall & Ragga

Dancehall and ragga were the most popular music styles in Jamaica during the 1980s. If you really want to get your Jamaican wedding popping this is the music for you!

Dancehall is mainly speechifying accompanied by music, which includes a basic drum rhythm (most often played on electric drums). The lyrics shifted away from political and spiritual themes and began focusing instead on lighter topics. Ragga is distinguished by the usage of digital beats and melodic melodies that are sequenced.

Ragga is widely credited to Wayne Smith’s song “Under Mi Sleng Teng” as its originator. In the 1980s, ragga just edged out dancehall as the most popular genre of Jamaican music. DJ Shabba Ranks and singing duo Chaka Demus and Pliers outlasted the competition. They inspired a modernized form of the nasty boy culture known as raggamuffin.

Dancehall’s lyrical material could be aggressive at times, and some competing singers’ feuds made headlines across Jamaica. Barrington Levy’s pioneering work in the late 1970s gave birth to dancehall.

The Roots Radics were the most well-known dancehall backing band. Yellowman, Ini Kamoze, Charlie Chaplin, and General Echo, as well as producers like Sugar Minott, helped popularize the style.

Outside of Jamaica, reggae music grew in popularity in the 1980s. Reggae affected African popular music during this period, with Sonny Okusuns, John Chibadura, Lucky Dube, and Alpha Blondy becoming famous.

The dub era in Jamaica came to an end in the 1980s. The style has remained popular and influential in the United Kingdom though, and to a lesser extent in Europe and the United States. Dub blended with electronic music throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Dancehall performers such as Popcaan, Vybz Kartel, Konshens, Mr. Vegas, and Mavado had huge local success in the late 2000s. Others, such as Tommy Lee Sparta, Alkaline, and Cashtro Troy, would emerge to prominence in the dancehall scene during the next decade. Dancehall was influencing pop music in Western markets by the late 2010s. Popular songs include Drake’s One Dance and Controlla, as well as Rihanna’s Work.

DJs and MCs

Every Jamaican wedding should has their music agenda with at least a DJ slot with an MC

The Deejay (also known as the MC) is the person who talks in Jamaican music, while the selector is the person who chooses the songs.

The necessity for instrumental music, as well as instrumental renditions of popular vocal songs, arose as a result of the popularity of Deejays as an essential component of the sound system.

Toasting is a sort of beat-driven poetic chanting. While deejays are included in Dancehall music, they are the ones that chant or sing over the rhythm or track. Toasting became popular in Jamaica during the 1960s and 1970s as a result of the growth of many diverse genres.

Producers like King Tubby and Lee Perry began removing the vocals from recordings recorded for sound system events in the late 1960s. Deejays began toasting or throwing amusing and often provoking digs at fellow deejays and local celebrities as the raw beats and bass played and the lead instruments dropped in and out of the mix.

Toasting evolved into a more complicated activity throughout time, becoming as popular as the dancing beats that accompanied it.

The core elements of hip-hop were present in Trinidadian music known as Extempo Wars as early as the 1800s. However commercial recordings did not appear until the 1920s and 1930s.

Dub

Dub music had established itself as an unique reggae genre by 1973, heralding the birth of the remix. It was created by record producers such as Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby. It consisted of previously recorded songs reworked with a heavy emphasis on the bass.

Lead instruments and voices would frequently slip in and out of the mix, sometimes severely manipulated with studio effects. King Tubby had an advantage over the competition because of his extensive understanding of audio technology. He also had the ability to design superior sound systems and recording facilities. He became well-known for his remixes of other people’s songs, as well as those he produced in his own studio.

Jazz

Jamaica has produced a number of noteworthy jazz musicians since the early twentieth century. The Alpha Boys School in Kingston had a significant impact on this growth.

The island’s brass band heritage was also strong, bolstered by chances for musical practice and training in military settings. However, because to the restricted opportunities for making a living playing jazz in Jamaica, many Jamaican jazz musicians have relocated to London or the United States.

Alto saxophone Joe Harriott, today acknowledged internationally as one of the most unique and imaginative jazz composers, was one of the most renowned Jamaican jazz instrumentalists who built successful careers abroad.

Trumpeters Dizzy Reece, Leslie ‘Jiver’ Hutchinson, and Leslie Thompson, as well as bassist Coleridge Goode, guitarist Ernest Ranglin, and pianist Monty Alexander, were all popular.

Reece and Alexander both worked in the United States. Wilton ‘Bogey’ Gaynair, a saxophonist, relocated to Germanyand worked primarily with Kurt Edelhagen’s orchestra.

Mento

Mento is a Jamaican music genre that precedes and heavily impacted ska and reggae. Acoustic instruments such as the acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box are commonly used in Mento. The bass element of the music is carried by the rhumba box. Day-O, Jamaica Farewell, and Linstead Market are among well-known mento tunes. Mento is frequently mistaken with calypso, a Trinidad & Tobago musical genre.

Rocksteady

By the mid-1960s, The Wailers and The Clarendonians ruled the charts. Rocksteady had become the music of Jamaica’s rough boys. The film “007,” directed by Desmond Dekker, gave widespread notice to the new genre.

In contrast to ska’s prominent horn part, the bass line is heavily emphasized in the mix. The rhythm guitar began playing on the upbeat.

Reggae

Reggae was one of the first music genres to emerge from Jamaica and is a popular choice for Jamaican wedding music. First introduced in the 1960s, around the same time as toasting. The genre has roots in early Ska and Rocksteady, but also has its own distinct Jamaican flavor. Bob Marley is the most well-known reggae artists of all time and his songs are still popular today.

It developed in the late 1960s as a reinterpretation of American rhythm and blues and became popular all over the world. Some fans even saw Marley as a Rastafarian messianic figure. Marleys lyrics of love, redemption, and natural beauty enthralled listeners. He even made news for brokering a truce between the two rival Jamaican political parties.

Reggae fusion

This new genre originated from Jamaica and went across North America and Europe. Reggae fusion artists from Jamaica hits include Ini Kamoze (Here Comes the Hotstepper) Super Cat (featured on Sugar Ray’s Fly), Shaggy (Angel), Rikrok (featured on Shaggy’s It Wasn’t Me), Sean Paul (Get Busy), Sean Kingston (Beautiful Girls) and OMI (Cheerleader).

Religious Jamaican Wedding Music

If you want Jamaican wedding music with a religious twist, look no further than The Bongo Nation. This unique group of Jamaicans who are thought to come from the Congo. They are known for ‘Kumina’ a religion and type of music.

In the 1960s, the introduction of Rastafari altered the Jamaican music landscape. It included drumming (used at groundation ceremonies) and gave rise to today’s popular music.

Many of these dances have been in the core repertoire of this volunteer company of dancers and musicians since 1962. They have performed them to enormous audiences around the world, including the British Royal family.

Ska

Ska is a Jamaican music genre born during the late 1950s and precedes rocksteady and reggae. It combined elements of mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues.

The first ska recording was created by Count Ossie, a Nyabinghi drummer from the rasta group. It has a swaying bottom line that is accentuated by vibrant rhythms. Ska was Jamaica’s most popular music genre in the early 1960s, and it was also popular among British mods. It was eventually adopted by a large number of skinheads.

The original Jamaican scene of the 1960s (First Wave), the English 2 Tone ska comeback of the late 1970s (Second Wave), and the third wave ska movement, which began in the 1980s and grew popular in the United States in the 1990s, are the three periods of ska history.

The recent revival of Jamaican jazz tries to restore the sound of Jamaican performers in the early 1950s.

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Money and Wedding Expenses

The Jamaican dollar is the major currency used in daily transactions in Jamaica (JMD). However, because Jamaica relies significantly on foreign exchange, most places will accept US dollars (USD). A wedding in Jamaica costs an average of JMD$1.5 million, or around US$14,285.

Furthermore, as a visitor, the most comfortable and dependable method of transportation would be a bus chartered by the hotel where you are staying or a JUTA tours bus. If you want greater flexibility to roam, you can rent a car, but keep in mind that Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road, not the right!

Legal Requirements for Marrying in Jamaica

In general, if a visitor has applied for a marriage license in advance, they can get married the same day they arrive on the island. Additionally, for visitors marrying in Jamaica, the following documents are required:

A verified copy of your birth certificate with your father’s name on it.

If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent’s written permission.

Divorce certificate original (if applicable).

Certified copy of a widow’s or widower’s death certificate

You and your spouse sign a copy of your Marriage Register at the end of your wedding ceremony. This Register’s aim is to prove that you are now married, but it cannot be used for business purposes. The Registrar General’s Department will complete your official Marriage Register within a week to a month. For more information on the legal prerequisites for marriage in Jamaica, please visit the website of the Jamaican Embassy in your country.

Jamaica’s Counties and Parishes

Although Jamaica appears to be a tiny spot on the map, it is the Caribbean’s third largest island. The county of Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey, as well as 14 parishes, make up the country. Each parish has its own distinct characteristics as well as ideal venues for lovely weddings.

Hopefully this useful info about Jamaican weddings should ensure your wedding goes off without a hitch!

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Resort destinations in Jamaica

Montego Bay’s Wild Orchid Secrets

Secrets is a gorgeous resort suitable for weddings and honeymoons. Nestled in a hidden nook of the island’s second capital, Montego Bay. This all-inclusive resort provides first-class care to its visitors. It will help you make your honeymoon a romantic and peaceful experience.

Sandals Grande Riviera

The Sandals Grande Riviera is the perfect resort for you if you love stunning beaches and the tranquillity of botanical gardens. This resort will enable you to take advantage of the beauty of Jamaica by offering a wide range of activities and wedding sites to choose from.

Negril Couples Resort

Negril is a must-see destination for anybody visiting Jamaica. It´s known for its stunning white sand beaches that span nine miles. Make the beach your romantic haven as you take in the Caribbean Sea’s splendor and enticing scents. This eco-friendly resort provides visitors with customized wedding packages.

Many island vacations mainly include staying in a hotel and relaxing on the beach. However a trip to Jamaica would be incomplete without experiencing the full “yaadie” experience. The “yaadie” experience is multi-faceted, encompassing different parts of Jamaican cuisine, music, and culture. The following is a list of some of Jamaica’s most popular tourist destinations.

Tourist destinations in Jamaica

Rick’s Café

Rick’s Café, located in the lovely city of Negril, offers a wide range of cuisine and entertainment options for those looking for a true Jamaican experience. This vibrant restaurant is believed to have the best view of the Jamaican sunset. Food ranges from the renowned jerked chicken and escoveitch fish to the milder bbq chicken and filet mignon. Patrons can sample a wide range of menu options to suit their tastes. Rice and peas, as well as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, are two other menu items that showcase local foods. In addition, this restaurant offers customers the thrilling experience of cliff diving into the gorgeous water.

Dolphin Cove 

Dolphins are among the most beautiful animals on the planet. Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios allows visitors to engage with these magnificent creatures. The adventure, however, does not finish there. Why not experience a nature walk exhibiting many exotic creatures? You can also see as a shark show and swim with dolphins and sting rays. There is also a kayak excursion allowing guests to see the stunning underwater features. If all of these activities make you sleepy, relax on the beach and be soothed by the magnificent surroundings.

Dunn’s River Falls 

Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jamaica, offering an exhilarating climb up a stunning waterfall, as well as vendors selling local crafts and a gorgeous beach with a variety of water activities. You’ll be able to do more than just lie on the beach here, because you’ll be able to really get up and explore. When you visit Ocho Rios, make sure to include this attraction on your must-do list.

Rose Hall Great House

You will use words like mysterious and exhilarating to describe your stay at the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay. The legend of Annie Palmer, a white witch who murdered all of her husbands and slave lovers and whose spirit still haunts the estate’s halls and gardens, inspired the story of this magnificent mansion. You will be able to see some of the antiquities and gorgeous architecture from the 1800s as you are taken on a tour of the Great House. But take care… You never know when Annie Palmer’s ghost will appear around the corner.

Tracks and Records

Despite the fact that it is not a standard tourist site, it is still a popular hangout for locals and is undoubtedly the place to be if you are in Kingston. Tracks and Records, named after the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, is a sports bar with flat screens. A great place to watch various sporting events and enjoy a hearty menu containing several Jamaican delicacies. Tracks and Records is a must visit destination in Kingston, Jamaica because of its lively atmosphere, helpful service, and delicious food.

Jack Sprat Restaurant

The Jamaican South Coast is typically overlooked because it has significantly less attractions than the North Coast’s major tourist destinations. If you’re on the South Coast, though, the Jack Sprat restaurant is the place to go for delicious Jamaican seafood. Jack Sprat, tucked away in a secluded corner of Treasure Beach, Saint Elizabeth, allows visitors to enjoy the splendor of the Caribbean Sea while dining on “finger-licking” cuisine. It is a favorite hangout for residents who live nearby, and provides tourists with an opportunity to mingle with locals and sample Jamaican seafood.

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Jamaica has a lot to offer as an island, with calm, welcoming vibes, traditional jerk food and infectious reggae tunes. Not to mention the endless beautiful beaches and spectacular waterfalls to explore.

If you’re planning a Jamaican wedding, you’ll want to incorporate all of the island’s traditional flavors, such as curry goat.

You should embrace everything Jamaica has to offer during your preparations by incorporating local flora into your décor. There should also be a menu that allows your guests to indulge in local food. These include wedding favorites like jerk chicken and curried goat.

In the past, couples would pick the goat to be served at the reception together, and it would be slow-cooked for hours to tenderize it. Today, wedding caterers recreate the flavorful slow-cooking of the curry goat and prepare spicy jerk chicken over a BBQ. This eliminates the need for the couple to visit the farm prior to the wedding!

Don´t just focus on the food though. Have local beer and, of course, a rum in the other hand – the true taste of the Caribbean.

Guests should expect a welcome reception with rum punch and possibly rum shots for toasts.

A show-stopping cake is a part of every excellent wedding, and nothing beats a Jamaican Black Rum Cake.

Traditional Jamaican wedding cakes are soaked in rum. Both moist and flavorful, they are baked with a delicious blend of aromatic spices. The dried fruit in the cake has usually been soaking in rum since the engagement. You can imagine how powerful it is!

The wedding cake is traditionally hidden under a veil to keep it disguised until it’s time to be sliced. It’s a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Because your guests will be coming from all over to attend your destination wedding, extend the celebrations beyond the wedding day by preparing a traditional Tun T’anks Sunday.

The wedding celebrations don’t finish when the reception ends. Guests continue the celebrations the next Sunday with cake and, you guessed it, more rum!

The couple and wedding party attend church together on Tun T’anks Sunday, the Sunday after the wedding. Following that, everyone returns to the bride’s home for a second reception, which is typically even bigger than the first! Another rum cake is usually served, with the top tier going to the host.

Another rum cake follows that one with the top layer going to the vicar. The second layer is for the newlyweds.

Because Christianity is the predominant religion in Jamaica, the wedding ceremony will be identical to that of the United Kingdom. You can have a civil ceremony and a celebrant-led wedding. Albeit the legal element of the wedding will have to be done separately for a celebrant wedding).

The only difference is that the bride is given away. Both of her parents usually do this. You’ll see the bride go down the aisle with her mother and father.

Often, the reception will last all night, with attendees dancing and drinking until morning.

You’ll also want to incorporate some Caribbean music. Have a steel drum band for arrivals, a reggae band for cocktail hour, and a local DJ for the reception.

You might imagine a Caribbean wedding as a large gathering of friends and family. Modest weddings are equally common in Jamaica though. For a private, personal vibe, you can marry in one of the numerous little chapels scattered over the island. Or pick for a remote alternative such as a wedding beside a waterfall or on the beach. Many resorts will offer specialized wedding areas, such as gazebos in the gardens.

Uninvited visitors frequently show up at local weddings to join in the festivities. This is anticipated and welcomed. If you’re renting out a neighborhood pub or restaurant for a dance party, expect a few more to show up. After all, the more the merrier, right?

Wedding favors are a newer tradition, but you can incorporate some traditional Jamaican goodies in yours.

Little bags of Blue Mountain Coffee, some of the world’s rarest coffee beans or bottles of local rum are excellent wedding favors. Your guests will love arriving at their hotel to find a few chilled cans of Red Stripe beer waiting for them.. You could also have some extras like banana snacks and tamarind balls.

Just because you’re on a Caribbean island doesn’t mean you have to wear your bathing suit. For weddings, Jamaicans usually dress up, and bright colors are frequent. What you wear is entirely dependent on the invitation’s dress code.

Remember to bring a jacket or wrap to cover sleeveless or strapless dresses if the wedding is in a place of worship.

A destination wedding is for more than just a day.

Your Jamaican destination wedding will be more than simply sun, sea, and sand (though it does sound appealing, doesn’t it?). If you´re etting married in Jamaica you should visit the island’s stunning lagoons, waterfalls, and lush landscapes.

Because locals frequently have a lot of celebrations leading up to the wedding, having dinner and drinks the night before and planning activities and excursions for guests staying at the hotel is a terrific idea. Dunn’s River Falls, the capital Kingston and the Bob Marley Museum, hiking in the Blue Mountains, and spending the day at pubs like the famed Rick’s Café, known for its cliff jumping, are just a few of the must-see places in Jamaica. If you’re a night owl, there’s plenty of great nightlife to choose from.

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Which one should you choose though as there are different ones offering different experiences?

There’s no easy answer to this question however. The one you choose should fit the particular requirements you are looking for in a Sandals resort. Especially if it’s for a honeymoon or wedding.

There are 6 all inclusive resorts in Jamaica run by Sandals. These are : Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, Negril, Ochi, South Coast and Royal Plantation.

It should be obvious that any Sandals hotel Jamaica is a special experience, with just about everything included in your stay that you could possibly wish for.

When planning your perfect getaway, take a second to consider what vibe you’re searching for and the way you’d like to spend your vacation. Are you trying to find a secluded area where you’ll be far from crowds? Maybe you want to be closer to the action with a livelier vibe?

If you’re after a livelier resort, you’ll prefer the Montego Bat or Ochi resorts, whereas for something quieter and more secluded any of the other resorts would be a better choice.

All of the Sandals locations in Jamaica get amazing reviews. if you’re after the highest rated Jamaica Sandals resort however, then look no further than Sandals Royal Plantation. This is rated the number one of all Sandals Resorts and offers an all-butler suite. Closely following this is Sandals South Coast,located within a stunning nature reserve.

Irrespective of which resort you choose you will have full exchange privileges for all of them (except the Sandals Royal Plantation resort).

Best resorts for Beaches

If you’re in much need of a beach vacation some of the Sandals all inclusive resorts in Jamaica are on long stretches of beach. Others are clustered around secluded coves, all properties do include beach access however.

If long stretches of sandy beach is what you’re after, then maybe consider Sandals South Coast. This is located on 2 miles of one of Jamaica’s most unspoilt white sand beaches. it is totally private with no other resorts, meaning you have the beach just to yourself!

Best resorts for Food and Nightlife

If food and nightlife or entertainment are your priority there are several resorts which you wont have to leave if you´re looking to be entertained.

Ochi Sandals Resort is one of the biggest Sandals properties and features a beach club. It also has the largest number of restaurants and bars of any of the Jamican Sandals Resorts.

Sandals metropolisis certainlyone in all the liveliest Sandals properties in Jamaica. it’s more of a celebration atmosphere, with plenty happening, but this resort also can get a touch noisy thanks to its party atmosphere and its proximity to the island’s main airport. But, with 21 restaurants and 6 bars, this is oftena good resort to experience.

If you like the idea of dining and entertainment over at Sandals urban center but want somewhere quieter to actually stay, you should consider staying at the Sandals Royal Caribbean. Guests can stay here and take the shuttle over to Montego Bay for a day or evening.

Best resorts for a wedding or honeymoon

If you want the wedding or honeymoon of a lifetime, then any one of the Sandals resorts is bound to give you that. For that particular romantic experience however there are two resorts in particular you should be looking at.

If you’re trying to find seclusion and tranquility in a quieter location, Sandals South Coast is certain to meet your requirements.. Situated in a 500-acre wilderness preserve this resort features a stunning private two mile beach. For an extra element of magic you can stay in an over water bungalow.

Sandals Royal Caribbean is another option. You can access the private islands by boat meaning you´re as far away from civilisation as you can get.  You could also kayak or paddleboard to the main resort for a change of scenery.

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Resorts are excluded from the Prime Ministers Disaster Management announcements but off resort properties are still unsure on what if anything is happening to enable them to conduct their weddings. Some of these weddings have been booked for two years.

Couples who were asked to postpone their 2020 wedding to 2021 are still unable to proceed with the new restrictions. 

During the current climate, a wedding just isn’t seen as a priority or essential. However, thousands of Jamaicans are out of labor as a result of this policy.

Covid certified resorts are allowed to hold weddings and not restricted by the quantity of wedding guests which is currently 15. They´re also not restricted by the curfew. Currently this is 8pm on weekdays, 6pm on Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. Some resorts are holding weddings of 200 guests whilst the off-resort venues are looking to hold just 100 guests. These venues have put several proposals to the government but have yet to be given any positive feedback. Many of these venues are already licensed, Covid Certified and following the very same protocols the hotels are. Many in the industry have the opinion the government has completely forgot that it is an intricate a part of the tourism industry.

A petition has been created to demonstrate to the government just how many people in the wedding industry in jamaica have been affected by these restrictions during Covid.

No-one is asking the government for special treatment. Covid certified businesses just want the same standards to apply to them as they do to with the resorts.

All tourists must enter Jamaica with a negative Covid test so many of these visitors are already vaccinated. Those working for companies in Jamaica are also volunteering to be tested. The aim being to reduce the risk of infection even further. The whole industry is pleading with the government to sit down with them. Only then will they find out a way to help the industry get back on its feet.

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