~Debra~

Congrats and welcome to the forum! Yay for another Jamaica bride!!

Cuba sounds so exciting! Congratulations!! and welcome!!

Welcome!! That's sweet your supportive!

Very confusing! LOL Are you asking how she was able to get the group rate without knowing how many guests we are having?

First, you definitely don't have to pay for everyone to come. Second, most people usually have their guests book through their TA but you can't make them. some guests may choose to book their trip on their own. Our TA came up with group rates for our hotel and flights but not together so everyone is using our TA for the hotel but some of our guests are using their own TA to book their flights or booking their flights on their own. We just told people that they aren't obligated to use our TA (because they aren't) and if they decide to book their own accommodations to still RSVP for the wedding on our website so we will have a head count of who's coming regardless.

I was looking into this about 2 months ago. Me and one of my friends were talking about doing it. For the life of me though, I can't find a class in my city. I might have to travel to get it done but I'm willing to do that. I think it would be so much fun!

Oh but a friend of a friend lives there and my friend and her husband would go visit all the time and her and her husband LOVED it there. Me and one of my friends were just talking about how we should take a trip there before the year ends. Maybe you could do that too??

Quote: Originally Posted by JoLo908 Does anyone know if it is nice in Charlotte NC? And what the job market is like? I am curious, after doing some research... Joanna, first I wanna say I'm sorry to hear about your FI being laid off from work, especially at a time like this. Second, Charlotte is somewhere that's high on list of places to live also. We are thinking of moving there when my FI gets out of the military. I know nothing about the city itself because I've never visited or anything. I just wanted to comment on the job market since you said you're studying to be a teacher and I am also. The Charlotte school district seems to always be hiring teachers. I'm going to be a high school english teacher and they always seem to need those! So, as far as YOUR job goes, I think you will be fine. I don't know about your FI because I know nothing about that industry...sorry.

That's really cute and creative! I don't think I've seen a STD like it yet

I've never heard of getting an engagement gift before but if you want to get him something I'd say go for it. I'm getting him a wedding gift though.

Oh ok thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by trophywife I know!! I feel like I'm waiting for a day that will never come!! What do you do to keep your beans from jumping outta your heart?! I feel like this wait is forever and sometimes I just wanna elope!! I can't take it!! LOL well I'm enjoying calling him my FIANCE, for one. I never get tired of saying that. Plus, I look at all this time as time to plan my wedding how I really want it to be and it gives us time to save money for the wedding too & believe it or not, time is going to fly!!! I can't believe its been over a year already that we've been engaged. Before you know it, 2012 will be here.

Your pics are cute and gorgeous ring! your proposal sounded so cute..him being so nervous and all. You too make a cute couple!

Our engagement will be about 2 years...not quite as long as yours. Having a date that's sentimental to you makes it all the more special!

I just got a quote from Floral Fantasies. They seem pretty reasonable and I love their designs. There are a couple brides here who used them. They do charge a delivery fee of $50 to come to Ocho Rios though because they are located in Negril. If you don't mind the delivery fee you should check them out. Floral Fantasy; Flowers for All Occasions from Negril, Jamaica

Congratulations. You will find alot of info here. Have fun planning!!

Congratulations!!! I'm having a long engagement too. It just gives us more time to plan our weddings!!

That's why I'm having my wedding OFFsite. That's one of my fears. Gosh.

I gave my speech when I was MOH in a wedding after the Best Man but the DJ was the MC and he coordinated when it happened...sometime after dinner.

Quote: Originally Posted by inachka4ever Very nice pictures, thank you. Makes the decision making a lot easier. By the way, what about the view, is there any differences in that, such as a room with the ocean view, or with something else? How do you request it? If anyone knows, please share.... That's a good question! I was wondering about that also because my TA said all our guests rooms are oceanview rooms so I went on the website to see the description of the oceanview rooms but it didn't exist. Are there standard rooms that are oceanview and some that are not? I would love to be able to tell my guests what kind of rooms they will be in. I asked my TA but she hasn't got back to me yet. I asked her if my guests would be able to eat in the specialty restaurant and she said only guests in deluxe category rooms would. I assumed she is saying my guests don't qualify. Thanks everyone who gave me the prices of their junior suites. I don't consider myself cheap but I'm having a hard time swallowing those prices. LOL I budgeted 2500 for us for 7 nights, airfare included. Hopefully my TA can make that happen.

That's funny!

I was thinking about this too and I decided that I'm not going to send invitations to those people who have not booked by our deadline. The majority of our guests have already contacted us or our TA to inquire about deposits and things. I'm actually impressed how on the ball they are. We decided the few we don't hear from, we will personally call and ask them if they plan on attending or not. When we sent out our STDs we included our website and said that the preferred method of letting us know is RSVPing via our website. I'm sure not sending invites to those who haven't booked is probably an ettiquette NO but hey, its a DW...we can break the rules! Besides, we are having an AHR in September and we are having about 200 people so I'll save my money for those invitations. The wedding, our group is small, 40 ppl, so I'm not gonna waste the extra money to send invitations to those few people who probably won't RSVP or book by our deadline.

LOL that is hilarious!

Alyssa, I love your signature pic. Although my girls won't be having parasols, I love the pic that you and your hubby took. How did you get the "B" on the parasol? Did you take it somewhere and have it done or did you do it yourself? If you did it yourself, can you tell me how??

I haven't done any DIY projects yet but I would love to makemy own invites. I might try it. I also might try to do the programs too. I'm so NOT creative. I don't know.