drbrainfreeze

Yey! Congrats!! Can't wait to see the pics and read the review!!

check this out: Weather in Jamaica in February | jamaica-guide.info February vacationers to Jamaica are more likely to see a bit of light rain than those who visit in January, but the days are still warm and dry, especially when compared to the wetter days that July and August bring. If light rain is all the weather there is to contend with, it's easy to see why many travelers choose to visit Jamaica during the month of February. Temperatures in Jamaica during February generally vary between an average high during the day of 82.0 degrees and an average low at night of 72.0 degrees

Any options for booking your flights out of the US rather than coming directly from Canada?

We're choosing the RIU because of the kid thing (just my niece who is 2 at this point). We were looking at Beaches but it seemed really expensive as far as weddings go. Then we came accross the RIU Ocho Rios. Its just so beautiful and so many good options for the wedding and reception at any price point. I hear the kid's club is not that great, but that the pools are fun. Sadly, the best bet for a LOT of kid things is probably Beaches. You can have it at Beaches, then switch over to Sandals for you and your hubby (I think thats an option)

I have to guess that he would send you a photo with all the low-res proofs that he took. Then you would tell him which ones you want, he would retouch, and then send them to you. Thats what I would have asked, regardless (I'm staying 'til Tues.).....just because you don't want to spend 2-3 hours at his office looking at hundreds of photos while beautiful Jamaica is out there!!! Quote: Originally Posted by KHarrod I noticed that you are getting married on a Saturday also, that's my issue we are getting married on Saturday but we are leaving on Monday. I was asking Michael is the Photoshop is closed on Sundays, how will I be able to view my pics before I leave?

Hmmm, well the RIU better not pass the charge onto me!! I think I'm going to use the Photo Shop for my video, so hopefully that will appease them!

There is room to dance by the pool. Its a very large area

Brian Nejedly (Jamaican photog that I am using) just e-mailed me and said he thinks that the RIU has changed their outside photog policy - He thinks that they no longer charge a fee for an outside photog. Now, I don't know if that means the breach of contract fee or the guest pass, but either way, saves me a bit of money!! Confirmation: You have to pay for the day pass, but there is no "breack of contract" fee. According to Brian - I do still need a day pass to get on the property, but that's all. I've had no problems with Michael any time I've been at Riu. I've read in some online forums that he got in the way, etc., but I have not had any problem with that, and if I did, would tell him to back off. Their wedding coordinator Chandelyn is very cool and very on top of things. She was aware of negative comments made online, and knowing how much that could hurt business, made the necessary changes. *I'm generally not a fan of the huge resorts, but*I think they do a great job with weddings at Riu.

The new dresses are so nice! I had gotten myself down to deciding between 2 but now I may have a problem!! I'm not buying mine 'til Sept so I have a few months

Thanks so much for sharing! Those are really cute

Thanks Marsha! I didn't even know that this was an option. I'll have to take a look at my budget some more!!

That is such a cute site! I really like some of the other stuff on there as well

$5 per person is just for table and chair setup $10 per person is for open bar $15 for just the reception (no food) which includes open bar, tables, chairs and candles. $50 ($55 in 2009) is for a full reception including chairs, tables, food, and drink

Melissa, Love the pics of you and Shawn. Glad they came out so nice. I never knew the gardens were that beautiful! Glad you let Shawn stay a little scruffy! You should have included poor Bojangles though!!

I've used the twists before - they are really really cute but a PITA to get out!! They will show up better than pins though for sparkle

I was worried about if they would get picked up. I think the resort cleans them up afterwards, but I'm sure they miss some. The freeze-dried are really nice and pretty decently priced, but again, I'm not sure they would get past customs

From what my TA has told me, and I am not sure if its correct, is that they don't cancel the Beach Party anymore. Were getting married on Sat night and we were told that due to the beach party, we couldn't have the beach reception

I'm buying 4000 from Petal Garden. Probably silk but they have freeze dried as well. I was worried about bringing in Freeze dried to Jamaica, I know you can't bring fresh flowers out of there so I was wondering if you can bring real (freeze-dried) in....

Or you can pay the "breach of contract fee" - which is absurd, but oh well. I'm hiring Brian Nejedly out of Jamaica and paying for the day pass. If Michael tries to step in, then I will give him the money, just to get him off my back. I have heard bad and good about him so I would rather not take the chance.

I know my TA is helping about 10 brides with the pool receptions next year. A bulk of them are in Jan and Feb. How many people are you having?

You looked so beautiful! How did things go with Brian and the resort?

I believe beach/poolside went up to $55 per person, at least for 2009, possibly 2008 as well. The BBQ menu is the standard, but that can be changed to one of the other menus.

There is not too much info out there on the pool reception, but my TA walked me thru the picture of the pool and where everything would be set up. There are no pics of it at this point. Round tables of 8 with white on white linen. Standard food is the BBQ menu but that can be changed. $55 (2008/2009) price per person includes alcohol. DJ is a separate cost. Hope this helps. The same can be done on the beach.

I would say book it as soon as you make a decision. I am not getting married there until 5/9/09 and I have already booked my poolside reception

Thanks so much for sharing!! You looked so pretty! Robin did a great job.