IrieBride08

Quote: Originally Posted by jillhigginsphotography I see so many weddings from start to finish - and it is always sweeter when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony (If done the right way.) I choose a private spot and have the groom stand with his back to the direction that the bride will be walking. (I use a long lens so I am far away and the couple has privacy). The bride walks out and calls the groom's name as she gets close. He turns around - they have their moment - I am able to capture it all. Not only does it make for truly beautiful images, but they get to hang out and talk and enjoy spending time alone. Believe it or not, the walking down the aisle moment is still special to the guys. If a couple waits to see each at the ceremony, they usually don't end up with any "alone" time because things get busy and crazy after the ceremony. You can still get good shots by planning a little time to yourselves before the reception. But honestly - the guys just don't seem to be as sweet then. I think everyone is really ready at that point to get to the reception, hang out with friends and family and have fun. Just my two cents - probably worth one cent. This is such a great idea. I have to figure out how I'll talk FI into it because he seems set on seeing me at the ceremony. We won't have much time after the ceremony because our wedding is at 2pm and our reception starts at 3:30 at an offsite restaurant. We will have only about an hour to get to the reception and that's going to really squeeze us for photos in-between! Our best option is meet an hour before the wedding and take pics then. I'm gonna sell it! Wish me luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Kishalee We are getting the same thing. Everyone has a comment. Both of our families are Jamaican, so people aren't really complaining about the trip....yet. Mostly everyone wants to stay elsewhere (well, we are staying at aunt/uncle so and so's place. or at other resorts..) while not realizing that I have to pay PER PERSON if they stay someplace else. I was trying to get away from the per person issue. No one wants to chip in money for their day pass and now the newest load of crap is... wait for it.... So, since your wedding is at 2 and the reception wont start until 6:30, we are gonna have a family dinner at another restaurant and then come back later... Ummm.... how will it be a family dinner without us, and WHY WOULD YOU GO TO DINNER BEFORE I HAVE TO PAY FOR YOU TO EAT DINNER JUST HOURS LATER!!! ARRRGGGGHHH!!! OMG I'd want to kill them!! I'm getting married at 2 also, but I just decided to have my reception early (3:30 pm) so it will all be over by 6:30 or 7. Then they can do whatever they want the rest of the evening. I also figured it would hold costs down for my bar tab since people are less likely to get plastered in the late afternoon. (Now I could be wrong about this!)

I agree that you should talk to your aunt & uncle and go from there. I'm also doing a group contract and have guests who are bringing a guest (since the rooms are double occupancy.) I don't know all of these people, but I'm treating them as wedding guests anyway, since they are guests of my family and friends. You have to do what's economical for you though!

to the forum! Which resort are you getting married?

Quote: Originally Posted by jen&tyler That's interesting...just a quick question: the guests that are staying at beaches; are they only allowed on the sandals resort the day of the wedding? Yes, they are allowed on the resort without paying a guest pass AND they will be considered part of the wedding group. (Because they still booked the Beaches rooms through our group contract.) Quote: Originally Posted by JamaicaBride062108 Welcome! I'm a Jamaica bride, but not a Sandals bride. The Sandals resorts in Negril really weren't the best deal for us and what we wanted to do, so we went with Couples. My biggest thing was that they don't allow any outside vendors. I'm lucky to have 2 photographers in my family. THey are going to handle the pictures and video as my gift. The same package from Sandals would have been over $2000! That's why I'm sneaking in a photographer too! LOL!! Sandals least expensive photography package is $1400. I have the opportunity to have a professional photographer book as part of my wedding group and she's only going to charge me $2200 to photograph the entire wedding PLUS give us a 2 hour model shoot. This is such a blessing!

Quote: Originally Posted by jen&tyler I too also looked at the sandals resorts; but decided against sandals due to the fact that they are for couples only. My fiancee and I both have friends who are single as well as siblings that are single, therefore sandals would not be suitable for our group. I guess it all depends on your wedding group. I am a little disapointed we could not due a sandals but we are thinking of doing our honeymoon there. I initially thought this would be an obstacle as well, but Sandals has been very accomodating to me and my guests. We have over 40 coming and some are single guests. Sandals also offered us the option of having them stay at the Beaches Resort where they are still considered part of the wedding group. (We did a group contract for 20 rooms.)

Hi Dedra, I also have the flower photos and prices and I'm happy to send them to you after I leave work today. (They are on my home computer!) The prices are very high for flowers! I was knocked out when I saw them! I decided on the spot to do artificial flowers because they seemed so outrageous. For a bouquet with 12 flowers is $150 and for 24, $250 just for the bridal bouquet. This doesn't include flowers for the wedding party, etc. The packet also includes ceremony decor options that are available. I was able to get some pictures from my WC of shots taken by the resort photogs and they actually look very nice. I'll post them as soon as I can upload them to my photobucket account. I also have a photo of the free cake that I will post as well.

I really loved the dress in pics 15-16! You look stunning in that dress!

Those are too cute! A great idea. I'll share another for the DIY bride who wants them already put together (minus the cute clip art!) At DollarTree Direct, you can buy these first aid kits in bulk on line for a dollar a piece (or $48 for 48 kits.) Here's the link!

Wow, I never considered this, but now that I've checked. I'm at 19 family, 22 friends attending! A pretty even split.

Wow, I never considered this, but now that I've checked. I'm at 19 family, 22 friends attending!

Hi! I did contact them regarding a quote for services and found them very responsive, professional and accomodating. I haven't yet decided what I'm going to do for invitations yet, but they are a high contender.

WOW! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to pass this info on to my guests (outside of my air group cities.)

to the forum and happy planning!

and Happy Planning!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Wisco4 Sweet! Do you remember where the best place to hang out during the day is? Which pool or beach area is closest to a place to get drinks, do activities, etc? The place is HUGE!!! (When we looked at the resort map, we were thoroughly overwhelmed!) There are pools, beaches, waterslides, lazy rivers, etc. galore! Just pick a comfortable spot and chill real hard! (Have you visited the Atlantis website? Very cool.)

Awww Mo... I'm so sorry for your loss! I'm glad she was at peace and surrounded by loved ones though. I'm praying for you and your family. (And for your future baby.)

This is great information! Thanks so much for posting! (I'll have to include some of this information in the packet for my guests!)

Quote: Originally Posted by driftaway **Our Travel Agent told us because we were purchasing the "promotional rate" no group concessions will be recognized by Sandals. Therefore, we would have to pay for any optional extras outside the basic wedding package. My wedding coordinator told us that although it is all-inclusive, we would have to pay for any private function that we wished to have in one of their restaurants Honestly, that's the case anyway--any private functions have to be paid for outside of the all-inclusive rate. The free welcome reception and rehearsal dinner are two of the perks of the "group concessions" normally offered when you have 10 or more rooms reserved at Sandals. (How interesting that your stay was negotiated without those "perks".) Glad you found a way around all the drama! Good luck with your wedding plans!

I've been twice, but not as a guest. The place is absolutely gorgeous--but VERY expensive as everyone else has indicated. My friends and I had a "hookup" and got to spend the day at the pool and beach and enjoy the scenery. The drinks were the best, and the property is huge and breathtaking.

Quote: Originally Posted by driftaway That is who is planning my wedding!! Her name is Almarie and she is amazing and so helpful!! I was going to get married at Sandals Ocho Rios, but ran into some problems. So I looked off site and found Almarie. They are bussing all of us(50 people) to the Grande Oceanfront Location. I am getting the bamboo arch with all the flowers shown in the Beachfront photos for less then the cost of the Sandals Package for 50 people. Doves release, 1 hour mini bar, bouquets for 4 brides maid, boutoniere for groomsmen and parents,(lots of choices on flowers and cakes) Wedding cake, great photo package that I can add to. The list goes on and on.. The package and price she developed was great. Plus not everyone in the hotel is walking by during our pictures. I found I was paying for a lot of things I did not want in the resort packages!! I told Almarie what I wanted and our general budget and that is what I'm getting and paying!! Does that mean that you are still entitled to the other perks of having a large number stay at the resort? Like the free welcome reception and free rehearsal dinner? Just curious. I did decide to move my reception offsite to Evitas as well. I'm currently working on getting my photographer because I don't want to use the resort photogs.

This is a great idea. I may bite it and post a Q&A on our wedding website too!

Quote: Originally Posted by Lorilou my wedding is in May, sent the STDs out in September and sending the invitations out next week with a RSVP date of March. We have a good idea of who's going b/c our STD said to let us know if they were a yes, no or maybe. it's the maybe's that worry me. I did the same thing, but I'm having second thoughts about sending an invitation. My STD didn't require an RSVP, but stated that anyone who wanted to participate in the travel & resort group rates would have to make deposits by Nov 1. That prompted everyone to respond by making payments. I recently sent a "Wedding Update" newsletter to everyone letting them know that the airfare and 40% of the resort costs must be paid by Feb. 7. I felt guilty at first sending the Update so soon after Xmas, but since no one was making payments as part of the established payment plan, I had to take drastic action! At this point, my invitation would only be a formality! To date, I have 37 people confirmed to go.

Quote: Originally Posted by Claire I REALLY like these - so petite and elegant. I think this would be a beautiful idea for a small wedding. I couldn't agree more. I think individual wedding cakes would be a really nice touch for your intimate wedding!

COngratulations!! Everything looked beautiful and seemed so carefree and elegant! I LOVED your dress and your BM dresses!