islandbride317

I searched Google and found the same cake Gemini is using (posted on the 1st page)! I just love how "beachy" it looks with all of the seashells and sand (which I assume is brown sugar?). Awesome pics, everyone! Now, I have some thinking to do... Christie

Whew -- what a relief! I've been joking, calling myself a "Bargain-Basement Budget Bride" and I'm glad to join all of you in the cost-conscious SISTERHOOD! Whenever I watch bridal shows, like "Say Yes To the Dress" on TLC, I feel like I a total cheapskate, since I got my dress, shoes, veil and undergarments (bra & layered slip) for around $750 and these women are spending $5K on their dress alone! I was also excited when I found a triple-row pearl tiara, with matching necklace, earrings and bracelet by a fabulous jeweler in the UK named Jane Carter for $130 (I highly recommend checking out her site at Buy a crystal tiara or pearl tiara headband and wedding jewellery - Beady Eyes Designs). For all of it, I spent less than what ONE tiara would have cost at the bridal salon! Here's to not overspending wherever possible! Christie

I ABSOLUTELY adore "Unforgettable" (the Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole version), and that is the song I will be using for my dance with my father! Something about the back-and-forth singing of a father and daughter duet seems so fitting to me, not to mention it makes me tear up eveytime I hear it now! I will be such a blubbering, but happy, mess, I just know it! Christie

AWESOME Thread, ladies! I have only just started thinking about OOTs...and what the heck to put in them! I love the idea of doing a personalized travel mug (as I understand that they are great to take to the bar/beach/everywhere), and the who can forget the head-aches meds and Band-Aids?! Great information! Christie

Hi, everyone! I am looking for insight on how the whole "bring your own" music for the ceremony works at Sandals. While I may end up springing for a live musician, I was wondering about the logistics of bringing my own CD to play for the walk down the aisle, and afterward. If you marry at one of the gazebos, do they provide some kind of sound system or is it just a little "boombox" off to the side, for lack of a better term? Any tips/info. would be greatly appreciated! Christie

I am planning on a May 2010 wedding, and when we spoke to our at-home TA in January this year, she was also unable to give us exact pricing (but that really isn't her fault, as she informed us that airfare pricing isn't available until at least 330 days out). I was glad to hear that Sandals does price-matches if you book and then the room goes on sale...what a relief! But, if you are sure of where you want to go, I'd say book-away! I wanted to take a few months to speak to our family members about the pros and cons of various Sandals resorts, and find the best fit for everyone and their budget. Glad we did, too! My sister said that our original choice of Sandals Grande St. Lucian was going to be out of her price range and she may not be able to attend, so we did a little more research and landed on SGOR which offered much more comfortable prices for everyone! We plan to book by the end of May, which would put us around 1 year out. I can't wait, either -- the feeling of making it "official" will be AMAZING, won't it? Best regards, Christie

Yes, Jamaicabride, YES!!! Thanks so much -- you have no idea how helpful it is to have an idea of what is available and what things cost before officially booking! Woo-hoo! Christie

Hi, everyone! Ok, so here is my question -- is anyone else staying at SGOR planning on having their wedding ceremony there and then going over to Sandals Dunn's River for their reception dinner? The reason I was thinking of doing this is because (if I am not mistaken), you can't make dinner reservations anywhere at SGOR and I am concerned with how much additional the "private dinner reception" is going to cost per person at SGOR. A lot of this will end up having to do with how many guests attend, but I just don't want to skip out on opting for the private dinner, and end up standing around outside of a restaurant waiting for who-know's-how long with my guests after the wedding! I thought maybe we could get around this by going to SDR for dinner (where you can actually make reservations if you have a concierge, I think). From what I understand, the food is better at that resort anyway! Any thoughts? Thanks in advance! Christie

Congrats on booking a resort! (I hope to feel the same "YEAH!" sense of making my May 2010 dates official in the near future myself...as they say in Jamaica: Soon Come!) Great idea to split the resorts, too. My FI and I are also planning on getting married at one resort (SGOR) and then honeymoon just the two of us at another (SRC)! All the best! Christie

Hi, Rurbanski -- Well, I don't know if this is going to be exactly helpful, as I am 98% sure I am going to book my May 2010 wedding at SGOR, but SRC is where we are planning to honeymoon! We picked SGOR to not only keep costs lower for our guests, but because it seemed to be able to offer a little more in the way of variety (not only the 2 differernt sides, Manor or Riviera, but since it's sooo big, there are 9 restaurants, 3 buffets, plenty of different room "levels", and lots of different activites). The clincher for me was a wedding location at SGOR that I just love (the Roman Gazebo) so that helped make the decision on which resort was right for me! However, my FI and I also wanted to experience a more intimate resort feel, too -- so we are going to spend the first 4 nights at SGOR and have our wedding there, and then after guests depart, just he and I are heading to SRC for another 3 nights for a mini-honeymoon! (We are planning on staying in the Honeymoon Concierge Beachfront Walkout Room). It's a goregous resort and I have read AMAZING reviews on Trip Advisor, so check them out! Don't feel discouraged by not seeing a lot of reviews on this site about SRC or Sandals as a whole; I felt the same way. There are enough threads about RIU and Dreams resorts to make your head spin! It doesn't necessarily mean that those places are superior to Sandals resorts -- it just means that different resorts ended up being the right "fit" for those brides for their own personal reasons. Besides, at a resort smaller than SGOR you are more likely to experience a higher degree of personal attention and might be the only couple to marry there on the day you've picked for your wedding! How special that would be! Best wishes, Christie

Congrats on being Awesome and planning ahead! The BEST Bride-To-Be, in my honest opinion, FULLY realizes she can't plan everything...including the circumstantial events leading up to her proposal! My would-be proposal was a mess: I, beyond anything of my control, was severely rear-ended/in a car accident, AND my only living grandparent (Dad's Mom) fell gravely ill during the SAME day my (now) fiance had planned to propose to me. "A moonlit walk on the Maryland Shore in the surf and moonlight" never happened the way he'd plannned... LIFE came up and plans changed. He proposed to me, on bended knee, right in our living room! It was completely adorable and I never saw it coming! I was so wrapped up in the insurance people and my grandmother's health-status that, he simply stopped me where I stood 3 days after the accident. With the ring burning a hole in his pocket, and so much sincerity and love in his eyes, he asked me to "do him the honor of being his wife", and I couln't say anything else to the man I love but "YES!" We are getting married at SGOR next Spring on May 14, 2010! Things always work out in the end!..... Hugs, Christie

Sorry if I am posting to an old thread, but as a recently-joined noobie, I had this very same question in mind and was looking for opinions and advice on the Sandals vs. RIU topic myself! Originally, I had Sandals Grande Ocho Rios firmly in mind as the resort-of-choice, but then when I came to this site, I was introduced to RIU, a resort I was unaware even existed. Having already done my homework on Sandals, I wanted to see what RIU/ROR was all about. It appears to be a beautiful, all-inclusive resort, with plenty of things to do (not to mention awesome wedding packages) but like a lot of other have said, it seems that the decision really does come down to costs n' kids. I prefer an adult-only resort, and the cost difference to me is not so extreme that I would steer away from my original decision on SGOR. Thanks for everyone's past input -- this thread was just what I had been searching for! It has made me feel so much more confident that SGOR is going to be the right fit for me, my fiance and all of our guests! Best wishes to all RIU and SANDALS brides alike! Christie

Yes, Durham Bride, I am equally sorry we've stolen your thread...but are you at least getting some different ideas out of our theft-of-thread? Please let us know if you have found additional resorts of interest other than RIU and Sandals -- any information is GREAT information! And, Kaytee, yes -- the red one with the fountain is exactly the one I was referring to! I'm glad you think it's sort of cool, but wow! Where is that gazebo in the pic above? Your photos would look amazing with such incredible water views in the background! Do tell if you find out where that is, will you? Thanks for the props on my dress; it's a really simple style, but fits my personality, so I dig it! Have you gotten your dress yet? I was surprised how insanely low the cost of mine was. On sale at David's Bridal, it was only $350, so all totalled, I got my dress, veil, underslip/undergarments and shoes for right around $750! That's what I'm talking about! People can call me The Bargain-Basement-Budget Bride if they want, but I'm not one of those spoiled ladies on the cable channel We TV's show "Platinum Weddings" for sure -- a deal is a deal! I'll be dressing it up with the jewelery/accessories I got from this great jeweler in the UK named Jane Carter. You should check out her site at Beady Eyes Designs - Buy Wedding jewellery, Bridal jewellery, Tiaras for Bride, Bridesmaids, Flower girls if you still need jewelery. She's a rockstar! And, yes, I too am nervous about officially booking at SGOR. I had originally been looking at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, but my sister told me she might not be able to attend due to the cost. So then, we switched it to SGOR...and everyone seems happy with that, but I know exactly what you are saying about the feeling that you might find a better resort after you book, and it will be too late. I'll admit that I have been checking out ROR to see what it is all about and it seems like the cost of the rooms is significantly less expensive that at SGOR. Plus, they are way more up front about what different wedding packages include for the cost before you book (instead of like at Sandals, where the WC contacts you after you've already booked). All I know is that I want a really beautiful location for the ceremony and an actual RECEPTION and reception dinner without spending all kinds of extra money, dang it! I could be totally wrong, but it seems like Sandals doesn't take the same care and interest in weddings as RIU -- Maybe that is why ssssoooooooo many other brides on this site are going there! Yup, I am torn now. I think overall, Sandals might have more for guests to do, more room options, and more restaurants (at a higher cost), but RIU seems to offer much nicer weddings and still gets consistently awesome reviews on Trip Advisor! Arrgh! After I speak to my at-home TA, I'll let you know what she says! Keep on keepin' on, ladies! Christie

Thanks for the pics, Kaytee! The Reef Terrace Gazebo is pretty, but I see what you're saying about the concrete leading up to it... One cool thing is I know my dress will look nice in photos because the girl in the pic is wearing it! Apparently that style is popular for island weddings, because she isn't the first bride I've seen wearing it on the Sandals site! Speaking of which, that is the place where I initially saw the Roman Gazebo pics. At the top of the Sandals.com home page, there is a link at the top right of the page that says "Testimonials". After you click on that, midway down the page, there are three drop-down menus: All The Countries, All the resorts, and All the categories. Click on All the Categories and select "Wedding". That will show you pics of real couples that have gotten married at all the various resorts. The one I am thinking of is at the bottom of the 2nd page with the title Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. You see the gazebo in the 1st of 4 pictures posted by Nathan and Kimberly C. **I am going to attempt to attach 2 of the pics in a stone-age Word document here, because everthing else I tried to paste the pictures here isn't working!** Fingers crossed you can see them! But like I was saying, the Roman Gazebo is sort of an untraditional look, but hey, destination weddings are kinda untraditional, right? It may not be as cool in person though, and that is why I am really going to be looking forward to being taken around by the planner the day after we arrive to see everything face-to-face! Other than that, I am starting to work on research as to where we'd like to have our at-home reception. Since we realize that all of our family and friends may not be able to make the trip, (and since I live in southern Pennsylvania about an hour north of Baltimore) we are thinking of keeping the water-theme going with a reception on a small yacht/private party boat cruise in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. There is a really great catering company that does Caribbean cuisine which is recommended by the boat rental company, and I am getting pricing together for a steel drum/reggae band to play as entertainment. I want everyone to feel as though they're getting to experience a little slice of Jamaica right here in their own backyard... What's hilarious about planning my at-home reception, is that we have only recently decided on SGOR for the wedding itself, and have yet to actually book with our travel agent! (Within the next few weeks, we are going to firm up the details and make it official!) Geez, talk about putting the cart before the horse, huh? Hope all is well! Christie

Kaytee -- Did you ever read the testimonials on the Sandals.com site of SGOR and see the pics of the Roman Gazebo where one couple wed? I think it's just divine, and although it's different than a traditional gazebo, it really makes a unique statement! I, personally, want to walk down an actual concrete/firm aisle instead of sand, and this allows you to do that, with a waterfountain just behind you and ocean views in the distance to serve as your background. The best part about this location is that it doesn't look like you have to spend any additional $ on decorations unless you really want to because it's already so beautiful on it's own! Plus, it looks like this location offers more privacy than some others closer to the beach for your ceremony. The chances of someone in a bathing suit jumping into your pictures to retrieve a rogue volleyball seem slim here...Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think! One other question: do you happen to have the "add-ons" price list for reception extras, etc? Just curious, as I want to figure out if the Signature package is right for me or if I should do something more a la carte! Thanks and Smiles, Christie

Awesome, Dana! Thanks for the info. on the toss, and I hope you are as pleased with Jane at Beady Eyes as I was.... Smiles, Christie

Does she do small toss bouquets, too?

Plumeria's is perfection! I searched for (literally) hours for just the right tropical, Stargazer lily silk bouquet to take with me to Jamaica, and she had exactly what I was looking for on her site! Not to mention the fact that the cost of the bouquet was less than $150 (which is amazing, considering most of the Floramatique/Real Touch flowers on the HibiscusFlorals.com site were almost double the cost). One other INCREDIBLE site to check out if you are looking for jewelery is beadyeyesdesigns.co.uk. Jane Carter is amazing...I was able to find a perfect triple-row pearl tiara and matching necklace, earrings and bracelet for right around $130 (before shipping). What's more astounding is that I received my purchase from her location in England before I received something else I had purchased right from a merchant right here in the U.S.! Her dedication to customer services is to be applauded -- check out her site, ladies! Her jewelery is divine... Christie

Hi-ya, Durham Bride! I, like Kaytee, am strongly considering Sandals Grande Ocho Rios for my May 2010 wedding. One question: Am I the only person, more-or-less destination bride, that had never heard of RIU until coming to this site?? Wow! So many others have gotten, or will be, getting married there...there must be something to it, right? As far as Sandals is concerned, I must say that I was smitten with the idea of getting married at one of their resorts from the first time I saw one of their TV commercials. Plus, I have been a bridesmaid in a number of weddings, and I witnessed so many sane women truly become stress-crazed Brizezillas, and I decided that stress-free, all-inclusive was the way for me! The prices are great in my opinion at SGOR (far less expensive than some of the other Sandals resorts), and my family is happy with all of the different levels of rooms that this 2-sided resort offers. All I can say to maybe help you make your decision is check out TripAdvisor.com, and see what other travelers are saying about the resorts you are interested in -- it's been a rollercoaster of great and not-so-great reviews, but I feel like I'm doing my homework, and I think SGOR will be where I say I do! All the best! Christie

Hi, Karla! I am also a Newbie to BDW, also getting married on the beautiful island of Jamaica! After taking a lot of factors into consideration, my fiance and I have decided on a Sandals wedding at Grande Ocho Rio, followed by a honeymoon at Sandals Royal Caribbean. We've already met with our travel agent, but have not officially booked yet, and since disovering this site, I now want to do more research on Couples resorts! There are so many ways to go, and I'm sure you'll find something that is a perfect fit! Christie

Thanks to all of you for such a warm welcome! I am looking forward to exploring all fun and information that this site has to offer...and meeting some really fantastic people along the way!

Hello, existing members and fellow newbie-brides! What a great idea this site is, right? I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this site and thought it was just what I was looking for to plan my 5/14/10 Jamaican wedding at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios/Sandals Royal Caribbean honeymoon! I look forward to getting to know everyone and sharing ideas on what to do and how to make our destination weddings the wonderful, low-stress events that we have all been dreaming of! Christie