Lara

Aww what a great idea! Sadly, we have no outdoor space that we can dry these on, so we wouldn't be able to do these. Otherwise, I would totally follow suit=) Good job!

honeesweetie4u - do you have a website or phone number for your photographer that you can share? I can't find anything through a google search=(

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait for your full review=)

We're still deciding, but it will probably be "Forever" by Ben Harper. It's a great song and FI used to play it on his guitar and sing that song to me when we first started dating =) Plus, "so give me your forever, not a day less will do, for you" are such simple, perfect lyrics for a first dance IMO.

Ooh those are all fabulous! Fantastic job! You've inspired me to start my DIY projects =) my wedding is 9 months away, but hey it's never too early to start, right?

Congrats! I had the exact same experience - we ended up deciding on the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril and boy did it feel good to finally have settled on a place! We're both May 2010 Jamaica brides - mine is May 26th at 4pm on the beach at RPTB. Happy planning!

We're having an AHR because we have lots of friends and extended family members that cannot make it on trip, for medical or financial reasons. Our AHR is going to be very informal, just like a giant party for all of our nearest and dearest. In my mind, I'm not even considering it a "wedding reception" - just a big old party! That's taking some of the pressure off, for sure=)

Sounds great! Your AHR is going to be amazing. Loving everyone else's idea of getting a pinata - you should definitely do that! Maybe set up a makeshift photo booth and have props like sombrero's and maraca's (sp?) for people to pose with? That'd be fun!

We're sending out our STD 9 months in advance, to give everyone tons of time to save up if they want to come on the trip. The STD include the general information on the AHR as well (includes date and location) and we plan on sending out an email invitation to the AHR about 4 weeks before the trip (that would be 8 weeks before the AHR).

mich999, thanks for this thread. It pretty much sums up all the feelings I've already been having about our AHR. FI and I have different feelings about it - I think we can/should do without the AHR, because the DW will be enough. FI is more concerned with the people who aren't able to make it on the trip and wants to celebrate with them, too. In the end, we're compromising and having a low-key event back home a month after our DW. I'm sure, like you, I will not regret it afterwards but probably won't be too keen on doing it in the in between time=P

Mags, I had a similar dilemma in my own search for a resort. Originally, FI and I wanted to keep the price down to $1600 (after tax) for our guests but after months of exhaustive searching, we found that that just wasn't possible (we're coming from Vancouver, BC, though so that made a huge difference in our search). We were a little discouraged b/c we thought Jamaica would just be out of our reach and began looking into Mexico options. However, after some discussion with our close friends and family, all said that what matters most is what WE want, so if it meant a few extra hundred dollars per person, so be it. And in the end, the difference between Jamaica and Mexico was only a few hundred bucks so we decided, with our family/friends blessing, to fork out the extra $$ to get the wedding we really want - in Jamaica! I think you just have to keep an open mind, do a LOT of research both on your own and through a travel agent, and in the end what is meant to be will be. Good luck in your search!

I had a very different experience getting info on RPTB- we're coming from Vancouver, BC, Canada and had a hell of a time getting direct flights/packages from Vanc. to Jamaica for May 2010. At the end of the day, price wasn't a factor anymore b/c there were only a few options for us to choose from, just based on flight availability alone! We decided to go with Signature Vacations and the only package they were offering for May 2010 was for RPTB so that decision was easy for us to make! It was either that, or just suck it up and do Mexico instead (super easy to get to mexico from Vancouver any time of the year), but we had our hearts set on Jamaica!

Congrats and welcome, from one Jamaica bride to another! I'm getting married at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in May 2010. I had actually already booked the RPTB based on my TA's suggestions and then found this forum afterwards. All of the reviews I've read on here about RPTB have been stellar so I'm so happy about that! I really think I made a great decision...you will, too, after reading all the reviews on here! Good luck!

Welcome, from one Jamaica bride to another! We're getting married in Negril, also - at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in May 2010. Everyone I've talked to says that Negril is the best place on earth! My cousin was just telling me today that he's been back to Negril 8 times because he loves it there so much! Happy planning=)

Wow what an awesome deal! I love those dresses! I'm sure your BMs will love them too, they're so pretty=)

Oops! Just re-read your post and saw you posted $600 asking price. I'm emailing you right now for details=)

Hello! I'm a regular size 6, so I've been told I'll probably be looking at a wedding dress size 8 or 10 (eek!) - I love this dress! How much are you selling it for? Would you ship to Canada?

Hi! Is the flight centre GC till available?

Nuts! That is actually one of the dresses I have my eye on, but I want the floor length version. Too bad =(

Hi! I might be interested in a bunch of these items - I'm in Canada, too! Are you on the West Coast? I'm in Vancouver, BC. Interested in the 22 finger starfish, 4x6 starfish postcards and possibly the knot guide to destination weddings. Let me know! Lara

Congrats and welcome! I'm a newbie myself and don't really understand the whole site yet either, but I've already gotten so many ideas from here, it's fantastic! Good luck in all your planning!

I've had my eye on a few Maggie dresses for a few months now, but my best friend has actually asked me not to go dress shopping until after her wedding in October because she might regret her own choice and want a Maggie! haha! Anyways, I can't wait until I finally get to go try on some of these beauties! You all look fabulous, ladies!

Our wedding is in May 2010, and so far no one that is attending with us has ever been to JA, so we'll all be first timers! I can't wait and am really happy to let go and adopt the island attitude - at home, I can definitely stand to be more laidback haha

Thanks for the review! Another extremely happy RPTB bride, I'm so glad to hear it! My wedding is at the RPTB in May 2010 and I cannot wait! P.S. I was already considering bringing a cute cake-topper like yours and now after seeing your pics, I'm 100% sure I will! Thanks for sharing=)

I agree - dress #1 is the classiest, prettiest one of the three, IMO. The straps are absolutely gorgeous and the detailing at the waist and low back are simply stunning. You will look beautiful in whichever dress you choose, because you're so beautiful! But if it were me, I'd choose dress #1!