Spazz

Hi! I was deciding between the 2 also. I chose the Riu Ocho Rios because it is bigger, newer, etc. It seems like so many people are getting married there and I have heard such great things about it. The RIU Negril does look beautiful too, I just wanted a place with more bars, restaurants, etc because I have a large group coming. I reserved a private reception at the RIU Ocho Rios for an extra cost. If the coordinator already sent you a menu, that's odd that they don't reserve the dinner for you...weird! If the dinner is what is important to you, I would definitely make sure that it will be available. If not at the Riu Negril, then at the RIU Ocho Rios. Could you change resorts and pick a different day/time? Maybe you could tell the coordinator that you are thinking of changing your resort and she then would be willing to reserve the room Sorry, I think I'm talking in circles, it's early...

Stephanie! I'm getting married in Jamaica next May. Let us know how we can help you plan. You'll find so many ideas here. Congratulations!

I registered a few weeks ago for my May wedding next year. I read in some etiquette book that you're not supposed to register until at least 8 months before the wedding, but I don't know of anyone who follows that rule. I'm just going to check online every once in awhile to see if the stores changed inventory and stopped selling something I registered for. I tried to do it myself (trust me...easier than bringing Mike!!!) and it was a little overwhelming, so I went back with my mom. At Bed Bath & Beyond, they gave me a list of about 300 items that you are "supposed" to register for, so it gets a little crazy trying to figure out where to start. Good luck!

Welcome Niki! I am also getting married in Jamaica (RIU Ocho Rios, May 16 200. We'll have fun planning!

Sorry, no price list yet!

I found a great Wedding Organizer at Target, it was only $15 and is great.

Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Let us know what we can do to help!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jerzzygirl Well all of you have answered the questions with the same info I would have. But for the bride that has the noon wedding time. I also had to take the noon slot, but I called mexico, the direct wedding line and they did have a couple that never CONFIRMED there 2:00 time. It was booked by someone but then they never answered the email that CONFIRMs your time. So the women in mexico emailed and put a call out to the bride and said if its not confirmed in 3 days they were going to release there time. Well they didnt comfirm and I was able to get the 2pm time. Better then 12 but not my 1st choice of 4pm. They then sent me a new confirmation #. I emailed the main RIU office and they told me that if there are any cancellations, I can get a later time. Not that I want any brides to cancel their weddings, but I would be really excited to get it moved to later!

These are bouquet options that I got from a girl on another forum.... I see a dove

I could have sworn I saw a picture somewhere of a dove in a cage at the RIU, waiting to be released. Give me a bit and I'll find it for you....

Thanks for the reassurance. I'm trying to just let things be and figure it out when we get there, but my inner control freak is taking over! I'm sure it will be fine, I just need to relax. I think the more time I have to plan, the more stuff I start to worry about. Maybe I should get back to work

Okay, I have a few questions I was hoping you girls could help me with. 1. Did you book your date online at the RIU site? I'm asking this because my date (8/8/0 seems to be booked even though there are available times listed on the site. Is there a backup list just in case someone cancels? I booked my date online. I want to get a later time. The only time that was available when I booked was 12:00, so I emailed the RIU offices and they said if anyone cancels, I can have their later time. Hopefully this happens! 2. Is there a deposit/fee associated with reserving your wedding date? I believe it is a nonrefundable $250 deposit. 3. My wedding date will be on a Friday. I have heard that there is a beach party on Friday nights. Is anyone considering merging the beach party with their reception? If so, how does this work? (As far as guests not staying at the hotel, food, etc..) Also, how does this work if you are planning on doing some of the traditional reception things (ex: first dance, speeches/toasts, etc.) My wedding is on a Friday too. I was just going to do the beach party, but now I have between 60-80 guests coming, so I decided to reserve the disco. My bridesmaids are excited to do some of the traditional stuff, like the speeches/dances/etc, so we're doing it there. I could have done without it all, but since we have the disco, now I'm doing the whole thing. 4. I'm assuming majority of people will be flying into Montego Bay. Are any of your guests complaining about making a 2 hour drive to Ochos Rios? People have sort of moaned about it, but my TA made arrangements for there to be big vans picking everyone up, loaded with beer/water/etc, so at least we can try to make it fun. I'm sure the ride back will be hard though. 5. Is anyone using Air Jamaica vacations for their guests? I used them when we went to a friends' wedding in Montego.Yes, we booked with Air Jamaica. We're flying out of Philly and it was so much cheaper than US Airways. Thanks in advance!

Congrats on your engagement. I'm getting married in Ocho Rios, Jamaica next May. There are a lot of Jamaica brides on here, so if you decide on that, we can definitely help you out!

Mine may be a little less expensive because it's a month later. But if I were you, I would definitely go on a couple other websites and check out prices to make sure you're not getting overcharged.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jerzzygirl No, We decided to just have the dinner at the steak house. I really enjoyed it last time and I like the location. I dont think I will be having more then 25 guests so no need to go somewhere else. I did book the disco, but I think I might cancel that so we could go to the beach party. My wedding is on a Friday too, so I'm thinking the same thing. I booked the disco, but may cancel it for the beach party. Let me know how it goes when you get back!

Quote: Originally Posted by hln321 OH MY GOSH!!! I'm starting to get mad!!! We already booked through my TA - put down a $300 deposit for the trip @ $3300, and a few guests have put down the same deposits for their trips. I emailed her with the info (she's traveling right now and only available via email), hopefully I hear from her soon. If I don't, any ideas about what to do Is the deposit refundable? If so, I would start getting prices from other TAs.

I used a friend's mom that is a travel agent and I believe she negotiated directly with RIU and with Air Jamaica. Including airfare from Philly, 3 nights is arpund $800. Most people are coming for 5 nights and it is around $1050. You should definitely check out what is going on! That seems really expensive!

I was thinking of the Cool Runnings tour too, but wasn't sure when the days/times were, so didn't know how to put that in my itinerary. I would rather everyone just do their own thing, but I don't know if people are going to expect me to have things planned for them. I'm thinking of writing in the welcome note something along the lines of it's their vacation, so it's up to them to decide what activities they want to do. The only day I need everyone to come together is obviously my wedding day. If it was just my friends I would have no problem, but now all of my aunts/uncles/etc are coming, so they may have other ideas than just going to the pool bar! Are you having a private dinner and reception?

I'm starting to go a little crazy here. I'm trying to figure out if I'm supposed to host a rehearsal and dinner for the bridal party. Also, if I'm supposed to plan group activities. My sister just bought me this book "The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings" and it seems like everything I thought would be so simple is really not. What are all of your plans for your time down there? Please give me input so I can get my mind back on track!

This is my dress, obviously not on me but on the model! I'm having a tough time with bridesmaids dresses b/c I have 8 and they are not agreeing on very much!

Sort of off the subject... I keep seeing all of your logos/monograms. I am completely uncreative...how do you make one of those?!?

Product: Maggy London Silk Halter Dress

You could try to get a seamstress to work on it and let some of the seams out. I just saw it on Nordstrom's website, the biggest they have in that color is a 14. You can get it shipped to you. I've ordered from there before and it's $5 shipping.

I love the idea of a little treasure box with the rings in it. I would feel much safer with my rings in the box when my little nephews are carrying it than in a shell or on a pillow! Also, the flower boy idea is great. I have 5 nephews and no nieces, so I was trying to think of other roles they could have in the wedding.