geology_rocks

Anyone know where I can sign up for a "how not to look like an idiot in your wedding dress" class cause clearly I need it. Anyway, in case anyone was still wondering, here is Ivana in diamond white and pearl pink....

The only sure fire way to pick "the one" is to take pictures and post them here for us to tell you! Honestly though, the way I knew my dress was "the one" was when every dress I looked at after didn't compare. I tried on a few Maggies and liked them all but really, REALLY liked the one I ended up buying. Hope that helps!

Quote: Originally Posted by rayfroggie37 Cherielee & Geology - I know that you posted these awhile ago, but I am super-interested in this dress as well. Geology, did you get yours in? Could you post a photo? Cherielee, did you ever find out what the blue looks like? I'm ordering swatches but I'm so anxious! Hope the wedding plans are going well! My dress actually just came in last night. I asked if they could order me a color swatch but the dress store said that Maggie had none to send. I DO have a picture of the white/pink but it's not on me and the color isn't that great. Let me know if you want it, i can email it, I don't want to post it cause it's not me. It looks like the pearl pink is kind of a light rose color, maybe even champagne-ish. Look at this color pallet (rosewater/fragile pink) to get an idea of what i think it looks like (like i said, bad lighting, hard to tell in picture!) The blue is a soft color, kinda like the top of these balloons. So, I know that's not a lot of help but it's more than I had! Hope it gives you SOME kind of idea!

Quote: Originally Posted by jen&tyler Hi! Just wondering if you received confirmation for a reception? Also do you know if it will be private or semi-private? I'm just trying to decide between Riu OR or Riu Negril. Any info. you could give would help. Thanks I'm not sure if this was directed at me but I'll answer anyway! I haven't spoken to anyone other than the confirmation that our date is in fact available and that was via email. I went through the other steps to confirm my date and that is where we stand. I haven't made any requests for a reception because I wasn't planning on paying extra to have a private reception, semi-private and free is fine with me!

Does anyone have pictures of the standard decorations and bouquet included with the free package?

Quote: Originally Posted by ShannonM Thanks everyone! Also - geology_rocks, thanks for the head's up on Grand Lido Negril. I did some extensive reading on trip advisor and was feeling iffy...you just confirmed what I was feeling...so thanks again! Our TA is supposed to get back to me this week with some actual prices...so hopefully we can FINALLY pick a place this week! (Fingers crossed). ... And the Grand Lido Negril is ridiculously expensive too. I, too, was iffy after reading some reviews on TripAdvisor and just thought that for that kind of money, there should be no iffiness or difficulty in the booking process.

We originally had our wedding booked for the Grand Lido Negril but have changed to the Riu Ocho Rios because we have had such trouble with guest services, reservations and the groups department. Our reservation deposit was lost, they have $200 of ours floating around somewhere and no one can tell me where. They said that it "went towards my room" but the invoice they sent me didn't show it. What really turned me off of SuperClubs though, was the way they treated FH's father who was organizing our group reservation. They gave him a rate quote for the category of room requested then said that the rate was a "mistake" and they wouldn't offer it. They tried to pass off a lower room category for a higher price. The groups department was snarky with with him and not pleasant whatsoever. Originally we were told there would be a 15% discount for booking 10+ rooms with every 20th guest being free, THEN, they turned around and said that the only benefit of booking a group reservation was that our group wouldnt' be bumped to another resort if the GLN was oversold. If any of my wedding guests would have been sent to Hedonism, i would have been livid. If booking our rooms was going to be that much of a hassle, it didn't bode well for the vacation or wedding so we opted to take our business and wedding guests elsewhere. Sophie, the wedding coordinator did seem really helpful though. That was just my personal experience that I thought I'd share with you. Check out tripadvisor.com for reviews on all the resorts before you make your decision!

You're going to love this place, there's so much knowlege shared, it's great! While I can't answer any of your questions, I'm sure someone here can. Congratulations! Check out this thread for pictures

I'm hoping there is no minimum, or at least it's 4 days or less! Sort of related to the original question, how to do guests attach their reservation to our wedding package? It says that we have to guarantee 5 rooms for the "free package" but how do they know which guests are yours?

Welcome to the forum! You're getting close, less than 2 months!

I'm sure Michael is a great photographer, I just don't want to pay for him when my uncle has gifted his service to us. He's got a pretty wicked portfolio in my opinion! It's good to hear that if I DO have to pay him the money, at least he'll allow my uncle to do his thing too. I just have to say this again, but heck, it's handy having so many people who have gone through this before me!

I wonder how my guests will feel about standing in the rain? I want a beach wedding! *stomp feet and pouts* Ok, my bridezilla moment is over.

Here is the wedding package information the Gran Bahia Principe sent me. If you want a pretty copy of it, PM me your email and I can send it to you that way. We decided against it because we didn't want to pay for a private reception at an all-inclusive resort. I would rather spend my money on my vacation (call me selfish!) I would definitely recommend choosing a non-Sandals resort if you have non-couple guests. They seem to be pretty strict about their policy and when they do bend the rules they don't bend a whole lot. Hope this helps! CIVIL WEDDING PACKAGE DELUXE BAHIA PRINCIPE WEDDING PACKAGE  Includes all legal fees for judge, marriage license and certificate  Marriage ceremony with music from CD or (clients CD)  Decorated Location of Wedding Ceremony.  Personalized service of the Wedding Planner  Bridal Bouquet & Boutonniere for the Groom ( local flowers)  Wedding cake , 3 House champagne and Soft drinks for up to 18 paxs including the Bride & Groom  Dinner at one of the Speciality Restaurants – 3 course meal for a party less than 12 persons with other regular guests. If party exceeds 12 persons in order for you to eat together it is necessarythat you pay for a private function. A la carte Menu – For a Wedding party less than 12 pax A Set Menu - For a Wedding group over 12 paxs with service charge for all persons in the group (private function). (Dinning for Speciality Restaurants will be counted as 1 of the dining options for all persons in the Wedding Party - per stay)  Floral Arrangement for the Head table ( local flowers)  10 % discount on (Selected) Spa services  12 (5 x 7) Color print Photos including the negatives.  Free room upgrade for the wedding couple (Based on availability).  Special amenities in the room on arrival  Continental Breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding + 1 btl Champagne And T-Shirts  Witnesses if required.  Free late check out – up to 3pm (Bride & Groom only)  Marriage Certificate (2 copies) will be mailed to you within 3 months REQUIRED DOCUMENTS  Notarized copy of Birth Certificates and Driver´s Licence or Passport  Notarized copy of Divorce Decree Final Judgement  Notarized copy of Spouse´s Death Certificate and related Marriage Certificate  Notarized copy of Legal Adoption papers or Legal name change (If applicable) Note: Documents must be at the Hotel 60 days prior to arrival by DHL or FEDEX All document must be translated into English and Notorized by A Notary before mailing to GRAN BAHIA PRINCIPE JAMAICA Mail to: Yanique Chambers – Wedding Planner Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica Salt Coppers Villa, Runaway Bay St. Ann, Jamaica W.I E-mail: [email protected] Tele: 876-973-7000 Ext. 50081  TOTAL NET PRICE (Taxes included): $1400 USD Note: Prices are subject to changed without notice ADDITIONAL SERVICES ( Not included in the Wedding Package ) VIDEO SERVICE: We offer you the option in DVD or VHS  DVD for 60 mins. USD$280.00 VHS for 60 mins.USD$290.00 PHOTO PACKAGE:  Group A 10 Photos+CD with photosUSD$115.00 Group B20 photos+CD with photosUSD$215.00 Group C30 photos+CD with photosUSD$315.00 Group D40 photos+CD with photosUSD$415.00 Group E50 photos+CD with photosUSD$515.00 OTHER SERVICES: ≈ House ChampagneUSD$16.00 per btl ≈ Champagne Moet Chandon (or Similar)USD$130.00 per btl ≈ Gazebo ArrangementsUSD$200.00 & up ≈ Wedding Cake (extra layer)USD$40.00 ≈ Bag with Rose petals(medium)USD$50.00 ≈ Bag with Rose petals (small)USD$35.00 ≈ Baq with Rose petals (large)USD$80.00 ≈ Flowers for HairUSD$15 & up ≈ Boutonniere USD$18 & up ≈ Corsage (wrist/pinned)USD$22.00 each ≈ Single Stem Rose USD$12.00 ≈ Fresh Flowers on Cake(use as Decoration)USD$25 & up ≈ 12 Roses in a VaseUSD$85.00 ≈ Floral Centerpieces for tablesUSD$45.00 & up ≈ Pedestal piecesUSD$90.00 & up ≈ Chair Cover Rental USD$5.00 each All prices attract a 16.5% service charge  Music *Reggae Band USD$3000 - (for 3hours) *Mento Band USD$300 *Saxophonist USD$300 *Flutist USD$300 *Wedding Soloist USD$500 *Guitarist (classical) USD$300 *Harpist USD$300 *Pianist USD$300 *Violinist USD$300 *Classical Quartet USD$1.000 *Classical Trio USD$800 *Calpyso BandUSD$300 *Steel BandUSD$300 (Per Hour Cost) All prices attract a 16.5% service charge CONDITIONS All above prices includes all taxes Request for a wedding must be sent to the hotel in 60 days in advance Wedding date & time is based on availability and hotel confirmation Invoice and payment must be made directly to the hotel Wedding package, conditions, Optional services (extras) prices are valid until further notice All details, services and request of extras need to be discussed and confirmed directly with the wedding department All guests must be punctual to their dinner reservation (If you are 15 minutes late the reservation will be automatically cancelled) Guest must be on the Island of Jamaica 24 Hours prior to Wedding date Groom & Bride must be present at the appointment with the wedding coordinator and with all documents required at least 2-3 days prior to the wedding date. The ceremony will not be performed unless all documents are in place (no exception) This package includes information and procedures required for a civil wedding. Notice that with this information and confirmation of the wedding event booked, this department has nothing to do with room availability or rates. It is a requirement that our clients must be a guest of Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica Hotel to be able to get married inside the Hotel This package is valid until December 2008. Prices are Subject to change without any notice. PAYMENT POLICY •The total cost of the wedding package is $1400.00 •In order to confirm your wedding date a twenty five percent (25%) deposit of the total cost of the wedding package is required. This is equivalent to $350.00 •An additional fifty percent (50%) is required three (3) weeks prior to your arrival. This is equivalent to $700.00. •The final twenty five percent (25%) must be paid upon your arrival. This is equivalent to the rfinal $350.00 of the total cost of the wedding package. In order to pay you must complete the credit card form and fax it to the wedding planner’s attention along with a copy of the back and front of the credit card and a photo ID. Please note that the payment policy of Gan Bahia’s wedding package is subject to change without prior notice. THE GRAN BAHIA PRINCIPE JAMAICA Credit Card Payment Form DATE: _______________________ I _______________________________________ Authorize the Gran Bahia Principe Hotel (Department) to charge my credit card#__________________________________________ Expiration date: ____________________ USD$__________________ For the Following: » ______________________________________________ » ________________________ » ____________________ »______________________________________________ ►VISA ► MASTER CARD ► AMERICAN EXPRESS ► DINERS CLUB ► KEYCARD (Please indicate with a √) Personal or Company Card: Company Name: __________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________ ______________________________ Signature of card holder Name of the card holder ___________________________________________ Please attach with this form a Picture ID and copy of the Credit Card to process payment. Bahia Principe Jamaica Salt Coppers Runaway Bay St. Ann Tele# 1-876-973-7000 Fax# 1-876-670-8503 WEDDING MENUS Cold Appetizers Seafood Appetizers Cheese Plate (5 per person) (6 per person) Smoked salmon Gruyere cheese with paprika Lobster Medallon Good shepard cheese Mini Vol-auVent of Jaiba and Curry Camembert cheese Cream cheese and red caviar Goat cheese with nuts Shrimp Roquefort cheese Price per person, US$ 25.00 Selection of bread Price per person, US$18.00 Garden Appetizers(4 per person) Fonfo with Artichok and eggplant Mousse Tomato, Mozarella cheese and Basil Cucumber barril with Roquefort butter Tempura of vegetables Price per person, US $15.00 Cold Meats Appetizers (7 per person) Italian ham with melon Plum with cooked ham Mini sausage with pastry dough Virginia ham with cream cheese Salami Roast beef vol au vent with cream Steak tartar pearl Price per person, US$16.00 Hot Appetizers Seafood Appetizers Shrimp Tempura Deep fried fish BallsShrimp Tempura Lobster medallon Shrimp on a stick Fried Calamar Fish sticks with tartar sauce Jaiba cakes with Jalapeno Price per person, US$30.00 Meat and Poultry Appetizers (7 per person ) Small Sticks of Meat red Wine meatballs BBQ Chicken wings Turkey Stick Chicken Fingers Chicken Milanese Mini Burgers Price per person, US$20.00 Mix Appetizers (7 per person) Salmon and cream cheese rolls Ham and Cheese on Pastry Musrooms with garlic seasoning Spring Rolls Mini Pizza Mini Chicken Toast Bell Peppers Mini Quesadilla Price per person, US$16.00 Jamaican Menu/ Price per person Us$ 40.00 •Pepper soup •Jerk Chicken breast vegetable •Authetic Jamaica pastry from our award winning pastry chef Caribbean Menu/ Price per person Us$ 55.00 •salad ( Pasta salad) •Soup ( artichoke cream) •Lobster medallion in a black caviar cream •Passion fruit mousse Italian Menu/ Price per person Us$ 43.00 •Mozarella and olives salad •Sicilian seafood salad •Lamb chops with balsamic essence and rosted mushrooms •Carosello pie with chocolate coulis Spanish Menu/ Price per person Us$ 45.00 •Palm Stick and artichoke salad •White wine and crab cream lemon sorbet •Surf & turf •Catalan cream with brown sugar jlhk

So, my aunt's husband should be allowed to do the photography with no charge because he is travelling with us and staying at the resort. Hopefully that's the way things pan out cause it seems kind of silly to pay someone to do nothing. Maybe I'll have him take his 10 pictures quick then bugger off if i have to pay anyway?

If you book the "free" package and don't require the photographer, do you still have to pay the $150? Or do you only pay if you want him to take pictures? I'm so confused (it happens frequently!)

Oooh! I can officially add myself to this list! I got confirmation of my date yesterday! Updated List: October 2007 Brides JerzzyGirl - wedding October 12, 2007 - had a GREAT time! November 2007 Brides Maureen/Mo: wedding November 9, 2007; there from November 3-13th December 2007 Brides Cali/CaliaA07: wedding December 18, 2007 There Dec. 14-21 January 2008 Brides Cherie: wedding January 17th, there January 12th-26th Becky: wedding January 23; there 1/19 - 1/26 Becky (bex1975): wedding Jan 26; there 1/23-2/1 February 2008 Brides Natasha (pouchie) wedding Feb 7th JamaicaBride08: wedding Feb 8th, there 2/3-2/10 Janelle (Jmhein): wedding February 12, there 2/9 - 2/16 Therese (chicago88 ): wedding Feb 15th March 2008 Brides Carolena7: Wedding on March 8th, there from 3/5 – 3/12 Anna: Wedding on 14th March, there from 6th March - 21st March Octavia: March 15, dates there 3/12-3/19 Kimmykatbride: March 26, 2008-there from 22-29, then in Negril for 1 week April 2008 Brides Heidi: wedding on April 4; there from 4/1-4/8 Jen (J&M): wedding on April 9 Jocelyn: wedding on April 10; there from 4/5-4/12 yboone98: wedding on April 11; there 4/9-1/13 Mandie (pook2b) wedding on April 11; there from 4/8 - 4/22 Amanda: wedding on April 17; there from 4/12-4/19 May 2008 Brides Alexandra (geology_rocks): wedding day May 5, there May 2-9 md_ocr: wedding on May 10 Albrosious: wedding day on May 12th leslie: wedding day on May 14th; there May 10th-24th Lizz: wedding on May 16; there from May 10-19 AlmostMrsForbes: wedding on May 19th; there from May 14th-20th (then off to Couples)! Jenn08: wedding on May 23, there from 19-26 Davina: wedding on May 29; there from May 26-June 1 June 2008 Brides Sara (cantwattobemrs): wedding June 10, there June 6-14 FutureMrsButler08: wedding on June 14 JuneBride2B: wedding on June 14 July 2008 Brides Brittney: Wedding on July 12; there from July 9-14 MrsInTraining: wedding on July 19; there from July 16-23 RiuBride2B: wedding on July 26; there from July 23-28 October 2008 Brides Msklee: wedding Oct 25, there Oct 23-27 November 2008 Brides Dara: wedding on November 1st: there from October 27 to November 3 GeminiLibra: wedding on November 15

What happens if it's a steady rain, all day. Do they make you get married inside? That's the one thing that would definitely upset me. Yikes!

Thanks! I'll look into both of those!

What is the safest way to get to the Riu Ocho Rios from the Montego Bay airport? Is there a shuttle company at the airport? Are we supposed to book transportation before we leave? We're not going through a travel agent so I'm on my own to book this. TIA!

So, ask nicely and you shall receive. I sent an email to Riu Ocho Rios and asked if there were any openings during the week we are there... low and behold, there is an opening! I think our decision has been made. Thanks everyone for your help and opinions. I'm totally looking forward to (re)starting the planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by Heidi Have you checked out other resorts? I was really interested in Sunset at the Palms in Negril (my first choice!), but they required guests to stay for a week, and we have a lot of people staying only 4 days. Are you working within a certain budget? How many guests do you think will join you? Does the resort have to be all inclusive? Let us know if we can help at all!!! You guys all rock! So helpful! To answer Heidi's questions... - We're trying to keep it on the budget conscious side, GLN was offering us a 15% discount with the 20th person free but they cancelled that deal making it a bit out of our league. - We have about 26 guests right now (including us.) I don't think any more will come. - I would like the resort to be all-inclusive, our guests were pretty excited about that. We also were looking at Sunset at the Palms but were a bit concerned that you couldn't get snacks late at night and we have 3 couples who want to stay less than a week. It looks really nice and the treehouses looked really fun but alas...

Thanks Heidi, those are good reasons. I'm pretty choked. We have our flights booked so we're kind tied to Jamaica and our date is flexible only within a few days. Ugh, I hope this works out!

How come there are so many Rio Ocho Rios brides as compared to the 2 Rius in Negril? I may have to change my wedding location because the Grand Lido Negril isn't honoring their price quote and actually want to charge us EXTRA for a group to guarantee they won't send my guests to Hedonism. I was looking at the Riu hotels but there is no availability left at Riu Ocho Rios. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks in advance!

Take it back to the jeweller ASAP! And they should be fixing for free. We had my ring custom made. We picked it up and it sat in the drawer for a month or so cause it wasn't officially mine yet. Well, we're about to go on vacation where there was a good chance of the ring officially becoming mine if you know what i mean, so I took it out to check it out! Well, the darn thing looked all spotty and since gold shouldn't tarnish, i brought it back and made quite a stink. Apparently they "forgot" to rhodium plate it AND the head was set crooked. They claimed it was only "a few percent off" but I could see it and I wanted it perfect. They said it would do more damage to fix it than to leave it as is so we said not to worry about it now since we were going away in a week. So, we pick it up a week later and the jeweller dumps a ring out of an envelope and hands it to me - "Um, that's not mine!" and he laughs. I told him I wasn't laughing. Anyway, about an hour later, we get MY ring and it goes into the finace's carryon baggage and out of my control. Anyway, he proposed one night and I wore the ring around the Magic Kingdom all night, got back to our hotel room, took a good look at the ring in the light and wouldn't you know they had ground down the claws to make it look less crooked and in doing so had completely ground away 1 claw and the other 3 were barely holding on. I was not a happy camper. It kinda sucked to not be able to wear my ring on the rest of our trip. grrr... So, it's a good thing you discovered that the stone was loose sitting on the couch at home. Take it in, demand they fix it for free!

We're having our AHR at a hall and you better believe I'm wearing my dress! I paid lots of money for so I want to get as many hours in as possible! I don't expect anyone else to dress up for the AHR but it's my party and I'll wear my dress if i want to!