islandbride317

Oh, Karen....I am fuming about all of this absolutely unnecessary, completely ridiculous nonsense you've been going through (not to mention your sweet & kind FI)! What makes these people think that they've got a right to intrude on your life like that, and it's going to be "a-ok" with you?! The absurd depths to which some people will sink never cease to amaze me. And I can't believe this friend of yours (who you HAVE really been there for 100% +++) for being sort of nonchalant about the whole matter! "WTF" doesn't even cover it! Be strong lady, and remind your FI will little notes and unexpected surprises (if that's your thing) HOW VERY MUCH you love him and can't wait to be his wife on that beautiful day, March 6, 2010! We're here and WE LOVE YOU, TOO!

Hi! Ok, so I already said this in a different thread about Sandals photography, but I thought I'd reiterate it here for you! Here's my suggestion: I am also getting married at a Sandals/Beaches owned property, and for these very reasons (SUPER HIGH prices, low photo quality, poor customer service regarding photography, etc.), my fiance and I have booked a photographer off the resort to do the bulk of our photos. We will just be purchasing the (6) 8 x 10 photos for $150 and the $500 DVD from Sandals of the ceremony itself, and that's it for our photo budget going to Sandals. I couldn't see spending thousands of dollars for sub-par photography when a professional off-resort photographer was an affordable alternative. Brian Nejedly is an American Photographer that lives in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and he's agreed to have his associate do a 3-hour combination portrait/TTD photo session for us for only a little over $1000! I am pretty sure we are going to end up with at least 100 digital negatives, so we feel like we got the deal of the century....and will end up with photos we can be proud of and enjoy for years to come! Hope that helps, since now I think you CAN bring in a photographer (the rules just changed recently), but they have to be staying there as a guest for a certain number of nights. Maybe check out Brian and see if he's still available? He's FANTASTIC to deal with and his work is pretty darn great for the price, too! Here's the link to his site, if you're interested: Jamaica Wedding Photographer - Brian Nejedly

CONGRATULATIONS, Jennifer! Whew -- doesn't if feel sooooo super-duper GREAT to have your resort selected and finally BOOKED?! I remember the day that we booked our wedding at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios in Jamaica, and I was absolutely elated and over the moon that NOW I would be able to really get into the nitty-gritty of planning (ordering invitations, thinking about stuff Jamaica-related for OOT gift bags, you name it!) And the resort you've selected looks just beautiful -- cheers to you, my fellow May 2010 Jamaica Bride-to-Be!

Quote: Originally Posted by OchieBride If your not going to take the bags I would love to have them. let me know! I'm so sorry, OchieBride! With a deal like that, I couldn't pass them up, and I already snagged them from lovely Miss Christina....I'd still highly recommend if you can track them down somewhere that you get them because they are awesome little bags!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

OMG -- that's so great that you just got engaged on Saturday! CONGRATS and aside from saying "yes!" to your fiance, you just made another fabulous decision to join BDW - You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! I am also a Jamaica Bride (getting married at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, in beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica in May 2010), and we selected this resort because it is an all-inclusive that offers a WIDE variety of room levels for guests to choose from (so there is bound to be something available that fits everyone's chosen budget). Plus, there is a wedding gazebo on the property on the Manor side of the resort (there are 2 sides, Manor & Riviera) that I absolutely fell in love with, so that helped me make my decision as well! If you are okay with the idea of not getting married on the sand, then this gazebo may be as appealing to you as it was to me! It's called the Roman Gazebo and this is a pic I found of another couple on the SANDALS website: My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (resort, attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

LET'S HEAR IT FOR ANOTHER JAMAICA BRIDE-TO-BE! Yea, Mon! You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (resort in Jamaica, attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

You're gonna LOVE being a part of this amazing forum!!! My best advice as you start down the road to your wedding day would be just to take your time and do lots of research before you book or buy anything (attire, flowers, you name it!) and make sure it's all that you've envisioned for your BIG DAY! And that's where this phenomenal site comes in: BDW has proven to be invaluable in my planning, and it's comforting to know that there are other brides and grooms out there experiencing the same highs and lows during their planning process...a friend is always just on the other side of your computer screen! CONGRATULATIONS and Welcome to BDW...it's a wedding-planning heaven!

Like the other girls have said, if you love each of the flowers you've named, then I say only incorporate a few of each in the different colors, so the bouquet doesn't become too large and overwhelm you. I think you've got quite a lovely selection going, and the end result is bound to look fabulous! And for your girls, maybe do something that only incorporates one or two of the types of flowers, and consider doing something monochromatic, or just the lighter pink and hot pink, but save the white just for you!

Thanks again girls, and Kathy -- you're right: Lisa's story made me get all teary-eyed, too! Lisa, I am soooo glad that your Mom pulled through her accident and was there to see what a beatiful bride you made! And dang it -- I feel just awful if I made anyone of you sad that maybe you might not have gotten "dress day shopping" pics, but feel free to post any pics you might have with your moms or the other special women in your lives from your actual wedding day if you'd like! THOSE pics (and of course your videos, too) are what are REALLY SPECIAL in the long run!

Thanks bunches, Kathy! And I know it's a bummer that you didn't get a pic of you & your Mom (since she was busy behind the camera snapping away!), but there's always this: some brides don't have their mother there to share the memories or the experience at all. Not to bring everybody down, but a friend of mine lost her mom to cancer a few years before she was even engaged, and dress shopping was especially painful for her since it highlighted the fact that her mother had passed) so I guess it makes me feel even more grateful that I had my "mommy" with me! Now maybe we should all call our Moms and tell 'em we love them!

Thanks for all the sweet compliments...this is probably my favorite photo out of all of them, and I'm not even wearing a dress in it! And Kathy -- you AND your Grandma are too darn cute for words, IMO!

Hi-ya, ladies! Ok, so I guess I am sort of sentimental, but I was just going through pictures from my wedding-dress shopping excursions, and I found one of my mom and I on my 1st day out that I felt was really special and wanted to see if anyone else had a pic. they wanted to share! Here's my Mom and I just after we bought my first dress (which is now the dress I will be wearing for my AHR since I changed my mind and got my Sottero & Midgley a few months later, which she totally adores and it's her DREAM DRESS as much as it is mine!): Anyone else have a "Mama N' Me" moment they'd like to share?