sportsdog2

Good question. I did not plan to register, but a friend talked me into it. We are telling our guests that their presence at our wedding in Jamaica is gift enough. Some have asked about a registry, in fact, one guest has already purchased and sent her gift and our wedding is not until December! I was very careful to have a good price range on our registry, but also only include items that we could and will actually use. As my friend said, it's better to register for things you want and will use rather than receiving things that are not your taste. Our registry price range is $.99 - $149.99. We don't expect gifts from our guests, but wanted to include lower priced gifts for those who really want to give us something on top of paying to attend our wedding.

I also December 3, 2009 at RIU Ocho Rios. The countdown is on!!!!!

I also received the email. I deleted it once I read the request for money. I agree, make sure your virus and spyware software is updated and call until Lees Tours can get everything straight.

My guests starting booking in September 2008 for my December 2009 wedding. I've checked the prices on the resort and airline periodically since then. RIU Ocho Rios is/was currently promoting a special which is $300 less than my room rate. Air Jamaica just promoted a special which was significantly less than the airfare rate my guests were quoted - $198 round trip plus taxes vs. $497 RT. I contacted my TA to ask about getting the better rates for my guests. She said those who had paid the airfare were locked in because of the $150 fee to change reservations. She knew about the specials and stated she is working on the rooms, but did not want to say anything until she had something confirmed. Thanks for the tip about price matching. I'll inquire about this. Most of my guests booked through my TA; however, those with vacation clubs waited until they checked availability through their clubs. I am finding that dealing with the travel arrangements has been the most stressful part of planning my wedding. I've had to "push" my TA more than I would have liked. If I would do anything different it would be researching and selecting a different travel agent.

We are doing OOT for guests staying at the hotel. The bags will include mugs from E-bay, notebooks and pens from the dollar store, hand sanitizer, personalized magnets from Vistaprint (free), a welcome postcard/letter (also free from Visataprint), a postcard, coffee or rum from Jamaica which we will purchase when we get there, and a scented beach themed candle. Someone had a good idea of putting a wrist coil keychain with a badge holder in each bag. I might also include this if I can find some at a good (cheap) price. We are using the same photo coasters as AnnaC for favors. I purchased them at a good price from e-weddingfavors.com and got the name tags to go with them. I also ordered business cards from Visaprint (free) for the place cards. The cards are plain white with the wedding of (our names) at the bottom. I'll do calligraphy to write in our guests names. We wanted to do a group trip, but the cost will not work with our budget.

I love this site! Thanks to the recent brides for your advice about the cake. I was stressing a little over the cake especially since my FI wants a traditional Jamaican rum cake. The baker suggested by the RIU is too expensive. I'm glad to know the cake included with the package is just fine. I think we will go with the free cake and bring a 1-tier groom's cake for him.

Thanks for your responses. Since I have not received much response from my guests, I'm leaning toward sending information from Lee's and having everyone book their own trips. How did you arrange the trips? Did you have to pay a deposit? Did you have to give the tour company the exact number of guests?

Hi everyone: I am planning a group trip for about 25 guests and would like to know how others have handled their arrangements. Did you pay for the transportation and the entrance fees? Or, just the transportation? I am working with Lee's Tours and Travel in Jamaica and found a tour for $15 per person. The entrance fees will be another $15 - $30 per person depending on where we go. The cost really adds up for 25 people. I'd like to do a group trip, but do not know if it is tacky to split the cost? If you did split the cost or are planning on splitting the cost, how did you inform your guests? I decided on the excursion based on what my guests said they would like to do. I presented the group trip as optional without any mention of cost. Your thoughts/comments are much appreciated.

Thanks ladies for the hair tips. I was also wondering about the spa at ROR. Bringing your own products sounds like the way to go. I also prefer (and do better with) a roller set. I am hoping that an updo will last through the day. Once the day is over I can get by with a ponytail or just let it air dry.

I am also looking for a bakery in Ocho Rios. I received a quote from a baker suggested by ROR. The price for a traditional Jamaican rum cake is way too high - $500+!!!! My TA does not have information on a bakery. I am thinking of asking the locals or looking around Ochio Rios once I arrive. I found a place in NYC that will ship rum cakes, including the mini-cakes; however, it just seems silly to purchase a Jamaican rum cake in New York to carry to Jamaica. Please let me know if anyone finds a reasonable bakery in Ocho Rios. Good luck to everyone.

It good to know that Michael's colleagues are good. The photo packages are expensive, so, I decided to go witha small package and will hopefully have a nice selection of photos to select from in the end.

Good question. I was thinking the same thing and decided to search the forum for an answer. I sent out STD and a letter with information on our plans, the travel details and the resort for my wedding in December. 32 people have booked already with the travel agent and I do not expect anyone else to book. I am also curious as to what others are doing and have done. Thanks for posing the question.

Thanks so much for this. This site is a lifesaver!!!! Keep up the good work ladies.

I'm sorry I missed this. I would have loved to get 30 cups for my wedding on December 3rd. If anyone else is interested in sharing an order, please let me know.

Congratulations and thanks for the review. It is always helpful to hear various perspectives. You certainly put my mind at ease. Enjoy your new life as husband and wife!!!!!

My FI has not decided on what he is going to where. I've showed him several dresses that I am considering, as well as discussed the colors with him. Neither of us want anything formal, but he likes to "yank my chain" when we discuss his clothing for the wedding. I'm not worried as he has great taste and always picks appropriate clothing for the occassion. I know he is not going to wear Timberland boots, jeans and a jacket despite his teasing.

Thanks to all for your input. I feel much better and will keep my wedding at 4:00 pm. I'll send positive thoughts into the universe for sunny weather on 12/3/09!

Thanks for your responses. I can always count on this list! I emailed Chandlyn and here is the response from her assistant, Nekeisha. "As for the chair sashes these can be any colors , kindly inform us of your color so we can get it for you. The tulle and the runner are normally white however if you are interesting in any other colors that will be at an additional cost of US$80.00 per color for the tulle and US$55.00 for the runner." The chair covers and sashes are $12 per chair.

Does anyone know what the color options are for the tulle, chair covers and sashes? I have not been able to get the information elsewhere. I'd like aqua blue, orange, lavender, or some combination with two of the colors in addition to the white. I really need to pin down my color selection and finding out my options fo rthe tulle, etc. with help. Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Hi Everyone, I recently read several posts about the rainy weather in Ocho Rios during November and December. I'm getting a bit nervous as my wedding is planned for Dec. 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm. Several postings said that it often rains during the afternoon....what to do? Should I change the time to the am (11:00 am or so) or take my chances and stick with the 4:00 pm time slot? Do you know if there is space available inside the resort in case of heavy rain? I'm trying to have positive thoughts and plan ahead while I still have time. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I enjoyed your review. Thanks for the warning regarding the beach gazebo. All in all your pictures were beautiful!

Congratulations and thanks for the review! I'm getting married December 2009 and will hope for the best with regards to the weather. I love your flowers. Did you pay extra? Also, did you pay extra for the tulle around the gazebo? I also want to use the aqua blue and orange combination. Thanks again for your review and I'm glad you are enjoying the married life.

I e-mailed Chandlyn and she also gave me Ms. Movery's contact information and she it would be OK to bring in a cake. She (Chandlyn) quoted the starting price for a traditional Jamaican rum cake as $350.00. Ouch! That seems a little high for 10-15 people.

Congratulations! I hope you had a wonderful time. Please share your pics and reviews as soon as you can.

Here is the information on the packages from destinationweddings.com. The room for site inspeciton/visit is included with the "Reserve 20-29 rooms". Reserve 10-19 rooms and Bride & Groom receive: a free upgrade to next room category from the one paid, special room decoration for room, fruit basket & sparkling wine, surprise gift from hotel management for their room, welcome sign, welcome drink upon check-in, personalized assistance from groups coordinator prior to arrival and personalized assistance from hotel's management during group's stay. Reserve 20 to 29 rooms and receive 1 complimentary room (same room category and same number of nights as majority of group), free upgrade for Bride & Groom to a Jr. ocean view suite deluxe wing (has exclusive features as follows: hydromassage bathtubs, split-level with a spectacular ocean view, concierge service, exclusive restaurants, steak house, gourmet and Japanese on deluxe wing - this replaces above free upgrade), surprise gift for Bride from Renova Spa, 15% discounted prices from Renova Spa for entire wedding group (need to make previous reservations with Renova Spa), late check out (based on availability on site), advanced reservations for one of our A la Carte restaurants for Bride & Groom (one night during their stay, previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator and valid up to 6 pax), bathrobes for Bride & Groom's Room to use during their stay, standard wedding cake during cocktail party for attending guests, 1 complimentary room for site inspection up to 3 nights for Bride & Groom previous to group arrival , plus all items from above section. Reserve 30 rooms or more and receive tuxedo strawberries & sparkling wine for Bride & Groom's room, bottle of rum & fruit basket for Bride & Groom's parents (up to a max.of 2 rooms), advanced reservations for two of our A la Carte restaurants for Bride & Groom (two nights during their stay, previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator and valid up to 6 pax each night) , one hour cocktail for wedding reception at no extra cost (Basic Hors D'oeuvres included) for entire group, 1 Semi Private Dinner at no extra charge (previous reservation with your Groups Coordinator), 20% discounted price for the use of Pacha Disco for private 2 hours use (check details and restrictions with your Groups Coordinator), plus all above items.