Spazz

Quote: Originally Posted by naughie what did you/are you giving the groomsmen? keith wants to give them an engraved flask but i don't think they'll ever use it! he tells me that i just don't understand b/c it's a guy thing..... To be honest, my FI has about 3 of these flasks from weddings he was in, and I have NEVER seen him use them.

Congratulations, you must soooo excited!!!! Welcome to the forum! Let us know how we can help you plan.

Quote: Originally Posted by jmhein I'm using the resort photographer too... at first I wasn't thrilled with his quality of work, but I recently contacted him asking for a price list and he sent me some newer photos and I think he's really improved!! I have more photos than this if anyone wants me to email them?? JMHEIN - I got your emails of the pictures...thanks so much! I really do like them. I think you just need to tell Michael how you want your pictures to be and what is important to you and they will turn out great. Thanks again!

Quote: Originally Posted by RiuBride2b I also changed my date so that I could get a 4pm time slot. There were no regrets making that decision at all. I wish I would have known when I booked my wedding that receptions weren't held til later. By the time I found it, there were no 3:00 or 4:00 time slots left at all for the month of May. Oh well! I'll figure something out...

Quote: Originally Posted by MoBride I don't care how I get there just get me there and put a beer in one hand and a shot in the other!!!!! Go have a good time I agree with what everyone else said, tell them to talk to your sisters, you're not the planner for these events. Sorry your shower surprise was ruined, that really sucks.

I love them Kelly! You and Everton take great pictures!

Welcome to the forum Andrea! Looking forward to "meeting" you too!

Quote: Originally Posted by BrittneyD we have at least 9 other family members that are coming down on the same flight as us, so I can always have them check in some of my OOT stuff. I'm planning on doing the same thing. I have about 12 of my family on the same flight as us, so I already told them to leave room in their bags for my supplies.

Before shipping anything, check with Chandlyn to make sure that she will accept the packages and keep them for you til you get there. I'd be a little scared to send stuff down there unless I was positive someone at the resort was in charge of the packages.

Quote: Originally Posted by chicago88 Her comments are in italics - FYI. AAAAHHHHH!!! Let's both email her again and ask her to clarify how many people are seated at each table at the Plantation. It will probably take her awhile to get back to us, but it's worth a shot to see what she says.

Quote: Originally Posted by chicago88 LIZZ - Yes, we need to find out how many per table. That would really screw up our place settings? This is the email I got from Chandlyn a few weeks ago: What are the tables like at the Plantation Restaurant? I want to do my seating arrangements and need to know how many people can sit at each table and how many tables can be set up. (I am planning on about 80 guests). We can have square tables joined to accommodate 8 persons

I love love love your dress, it is perfect for a DW!

I had the same problem. I have BMs ranging from size 0 -20 and the dress arguments were really stressing me out. My SIL even got to the point that she said she wouldn't be in my wedding b/c she didn't want to ruin it by being "too fat". I told her I didn't ask her to be a BM based on what she weighed. I asked all of the girls to come at one time to the store I chose that had a lot of dresses in different styles and try them all on and then to give their honest opinion on what they wanted to wear. My SIL is still not happy with the one we picked, but the other 7 girls loved it. I asked the seamstress at the store to add straps and extra material to hers, so she will feel comfortable. So, I still have 1 unhappy BM, but we're dealing with it. To add to what someone else said, I told them they could pick out different styles of the same color, but none of them wanted to do that. Sorry, I tend to ramble...my whole point is that you're not going to make everyone happy no matter how much you try, so go with what you want and try to work with the dress for those who are uncomfortable (I hope that doesn't sound really mean!).

Quote: Originally Posted by bre Tungsten carbide rings are available in black. Tungsten is nice b/c it's virtually indestructible, have a nice weight (as opposed to titanium), and are unique. But they are hard to engrave and not all jewelers carry them. this page has some good examples of black ones: Tungsten Carbide Bands - Wedding Rings Thungsten Rings for mens & womens My FI was saying he wants Tungsten...thanks for the link!

Think about how you felt about the dress BEFORE your sister saw it. If you didn't feel like you were "settling" then, go for it. But if you felt like it wasn't "the dress" before your sister saw it, you should definitely keep looking. I know it's only 1 day and 1 dress, but you want to look back and LOVE your dress.

I answered you (in red)... Quote: Originally Posted by chicago88 Also, I'm still confused on how many people at a table for the Plantation. Chandlyn told me 6 and other people on the post have said 8. Chandlyn told me it was 8. We should both check with her again to make sure. One other thing, my rehearsal is at 6 on Thursday, (the night before). I was thinking we could all go to one of the buffets afterwards. I was going to have everybody come - sort of like a welcome dinner but I guess that won't work if I have too many people. I have the same problem because I have so many people. I think I'll just tell everyone to eat before the rehearsal and then we can go to the bar afterwards.

We are spending the most on travel and rooms...me, my FI and our moms. The most important thing for me to spend money on is gifts for my guests, I've become obsessed with finding the perfect BMs gifts and stuff for OOT bags. I guess I want them to see how much we appreciate them coming such a long way for our wedding.

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Okay here is the Riu Catamaran I speak of: Also, if you don't want to get wet or mess up your hair by swimming, you can always have drinks and hang out. The sports bar was nearly always empty during the day, and there is a small casino inside with slot machines. They also have popcorn and sandwiches that you can snag and take upstairs (sports bar is below ground). The seating area for the shows is empty during the day. The kids are on stage practicing their routines some of the day, otherwise it's quiet except for the reggae coming from the speakers. Anyway, there are TONS of tables and chairs you can all sit at as a group, and there are 3 bars close[/img] Thanks for all of the info!!! Do you know how I can find out about the Catamaran? Is it owned by RIU or is it a separate company that picks up guests at the RIU?

Quote: Originally Posted by IrieBride08 Will the RIU allow you to have a cocktail reception after the ceremony or do all events have to occur in the restaurants? Are they willing to set up an outdoor luncheon somewhere? I know that we can pay to have cocktails on the beach after the ceremony while the pictures are being taken, but I don't think for too long because there are other weddings that will be happening after ours. They may be willing to set up an outdoor luncheon, I never asked Chandlyn that question.

Quote: Originally Posted by LaROR I have the same idea as Iriebride08. What about music and dancing...I don't feel like it's a real reception without dancing. Does anyone know what is the earliest time that we can book the disco at the Riu? Chandlyn told me the disco can be booked from 9-11. But I can't see anyone using it earlier than that, so maybe if you ask, you could get it earlier than 9.

Quote: Originally Posted by jmhein I read somewhere... maybe another bride's review on trip advisor?? ... that they have the standard rum cake but have different flavour options also, I think this bride went with a fruit cream? and said it was really good? Sorry, don't remember where I read that and just going from fuzzy memory! Maybe email Chandlyn this one! Thanks, I'll email her and let you know what she says...

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild You would have a whole wedding day as opposed to a ceremony and reception that lasts just a few hours. Plus, how many people can say they got married then all the guests put their swimsuits on and frolicked in the Carribean ocean? That's a good way to look at it!

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB Hmm, that's a hard one. I personally don't like long wait times for local wedding, and a DW might be different. Is 12:00 the only time you can have your ceremony? SO,, 12:00 Ceremony, probably lasts about 15-30 minutes, then you'll take pictures after for at least an hour.. so now your at around 1:30 or 2:00, so that leaves about 4 hours before your reception. Maybe a cruise or I know some people did a gambling night, maybe some sort of activity.. Did you ask the resort or your WC for some suggestions? 12:00 was the only time left when I booked my date (more than a year in advance!) and I didn't know at the time that they wouldn't start receptions until 6:30. The WC did not offer any suggestions; basically, just told me that this is the way it is done and that's that. I was thinking of a party cruise, but don't know if that's too much in one day for all of the guests: ceremony, pics, cruise, reception dinner, reception dancing. But I may end up doing that.

Quote: Originally Posted by michelle08 Susan, do you have a picture of this bottle?? Susan, I'd love to see a pic of the bottle too...

I'm in the same situation as you. I racked my brain trying to think of things. I contacted a party boat company, thinking that would be an option, but then decided against it. I was going to go off-site and have a reception elsewhere, but don't feel like dealing with that either. Most of my family and my FI seem to think it's ok that there is a large gap and that they'll just go to the pool or to the bar in between the ceremony and reception; but it really worries me. I don't want (1) all of the bridal party to have to stay in our hot clothes all day (2) everyone get way too drunk before dinner and it be a huge drunken mess (3) people to be annoyed. So, I'm absolutely no help because I'm at a loss too. If anyone else has suggestions, I would love to hear them!