hutchets

Ours at Mammee steakhouse was similar but our glasses had a blue rim around them and we had charger on the table under our plates. We scattered a few gems and such around as well and they provided candles. It was very pretty. Our waiter actually set ours up for us but there were no other dinners in there but us.

Switching resorts - We did this. We stayed 5 nights at the RIU with everyone else. Then on Monday, we moved to Couples Tower Isle for 5 more days as a few couples stayed another day at the RIU. I have to say, we did not think that Couples was all it was cracked up to me. For us, it was to quiet and coupley (if that's a word). All these excursions were included in the price (it was more expensive than the RIU) but we only got to do one as the sea was too rough to do the others so that really stunk! The food was good at the other place but there wasn't near the selection as it was much smaller. The beach at Couples and was a 1/3 of the size at the RIU and was rocky. It's not in a cove so go figure. We decided we would probably not go back to a Couples resort. I think I had expected more from it as it costed more and is played up more. I will have to say, that by going there, we saw two resorts with one flight and won't waste our time whenever we go back on Couples. the staff was great but there were just certain things I didn't like about it. I felt like it was too much of a hotel unlike the RIU. It wasn't a hastle packing our things up as we sent a lot of it back with our parents. I would say that if we had stayed at the first resort, we would have been just as happy and spent less money. Good luck with your decision.

I love your wedding date!!! How easy to remember.

It may be cutting it close but I think it will depend on how many pictures you take after the ceremony. Our photographer took pics of our group (ours was at 4pm) and then each couple who was there so that they could go on and have drinks before our dinner. My husband and kids took quite a few more pictures until around 6:15. At least it will not be hot for your ceremony.

It was Erich Saide and when we had finished our pictures on the stairs, I looked up and saw the moon and the sky and so we had to get the sunset pictures. It was luck that we were shooting at that time.

I did not use the resort Photog. I had planned on it and then decided against it. Another bride on here was getting married two days before me and was flying down a photographer so I used him since he was there already and I'm sooo glad I did. I felt like the resort photogs pics were too posed for me. Erich Saide is who I used. He was great and we hung out with him while he was there as well. He's from British Columbia. He's a band and fashion photographer and is now doing DWs as well. I lucked out with him being there the same time as me. My ceremony was exactly 20 minutes but we wrote our own script. I did not want a 10 minute ceremony. Guests arrived at 3:30 and the wedding started at 4pm. I had recorder songs for the guys to play on thier CD player before the wedding actually started. Some of our favorite songs were played and when we ran out of music, they had their own to fill in the gap. It was nice and worked out well and we didn't have to pay anything for it. Make a CD of some of your own steel drum music and such and it will work as well as save you money. We did the semi-private at the Mammee. They only use the Plantation if there are many weddings in one day to where they cannot fit them in Mammee comfortably. The Mammee is closer to the bar area where the Plantation is across the large pool and away from everything.

Here are a few pictures from our wedding for you all to see. If anyone has any questions at all I can answer, don't hesitate to ask or PM me. I'm not on here quite as oftern as I used to be! I will do a full review soon hopefully. The kids in the pics are mine and they stood up with us. The picture of the cake is the free one. It was plenty for 19 of us with a little left over and tasted good.

Finally able to post a few more of our pics! I really need to post a review but haven't had time. Thanks to all the ladies on here for their wonderful ideas!

Yes it was! He's wonderful. Do you know him? I had been contacted by another bride who was going to be at the RIU the same time as us and was flying him down. She wanted to know if I was interested in using him while he was there. Best decision I could have made over using the resort photog!

Hello Ladies! I'm back from Ochi and absolutely loved it. We were married 4!6 at 4pm. First of all, the weather was perfect. Not too hot and it only rained one morning for about 15 minutes while we were waiting for a private excursion with our group which I had booked with Lee's tours prior to leaving (which was another great decision!) The RIU was probably the best choice I could have made as far as where to have our wedding and guests stay. It was perfect and everyone loved it. We met with Keisha the day after we arrived and went over our decisions/ceremony but I had all of that pre-determined so it was very quick. We kept with the free flowers and ceremony and did not upgrade a thing. White chairs can be used and cost nothing extra. We used our own music and script. Please do not stress about making these decisions so early on in your planning!!! It really is not a big deal and will get taken care of within 1-2 months of your date. Part of the beauty of a DW is less stress so don't put it on yourself unnecessarily. Your guests will not know any different if things are exact as you dreamed. Honestly! I never met the minister until I walked down the isle. The ceremony was great and he used what we wrote plus a few of his own lines which didn't bother me at all. There was only one other wedding the same day as ours and it was in the gardens an hour earlier than mine which was on the beach at 4pm. Perfect temperature at that time of day also! It starts cooling down around 4pm and is much hotter in the mornings so I'm glad we didn't do earlier. We did the semi-private dinner at Mammee and were the only ones in there! I was told by Keisha that it depends on how many weddings there are each day as to whether you might get moved to the Plantation or not. Lucky us! The beach party was that night so after dinner, all our guests hung out for the party and in the bar area right up the stairs from it. I'm glad I didn't pay for anything private as it was plenty of fun without it and much cheaper! You don't need much for decoration for the gazebo or the dinner. It's pretty enough with what they use. Make it easy on yourself is all I can say. You will not be disappointed if you go here for your wedding. Keisha and her helper are great to work with!

Let's see if these show up this time.

Wow- I have had no time to post much since we got back from Jamaica. Getting ready for our AHR this Saturday. Everything in Jamaica was absolutely perfect. Best 10 days ever! Here's one pic from my photographer. Lenore-I cannot thank you enough!!! Erich is wonderful!

Hey ladies!! Just checking in from Jamaica!! We have been here since the 13th and are so loving it. The wedding was absolutely wonderful with no stress at all! I cannot say anything bad about the RIU. They were wonderful and I would definitely return!!! We are at Couples Tower Isle now until Friday and it's much quieter than the RIU. I'll have to write my review when I return.

Tenny - You look Beautiful!!! I'm leaving for Ocho Rios this Wed. and cannot wait. I had a pretty productive weekend and now two days left to finish up before leaving. FI and I finished up our ceremony music tonight. I was able to get my pre-travel sand buckets with goodies delivered this weekend and everyone loved getting them. Increases the hype ot it all and there are things they will want to use on the way down. Made my BM (daughter's) flip flops and hair flower as well as added rhinestones to her bouquet I made. Made my sand ceremony frame Cleaned house and mowed!!! I do NOT want to come home from being gone 10 days to a dirty home FI and kids are packed and I plan on finishing mine up Monday. One bad thing, my son is getting sick which just sucks three days before we leave. He's had a fever today and just feels like crap. Hopeing I can get him feeling better by Wed. Welcome back to all the brides who've gone and already returned. It's going fast!

I leave on Wednesday the 13th for Ocho Rios!

These are my ceremony flip flops. I made them last night and only spent $5 to make them. They have my something blue.

Ella, If you don't get your sandals, you can make them SO easily. I just made mine last night and they are so similar to many I've seen on etsy and cost me $2.50 from Old Navy plus I already had purchased ivory ribbon for my bouts. Ribbon and a glue gun are all you need. I'm going to get some turquoise swarovski crystals this weekend to place in the center of my bows though. My something blue. I'll post a picture after I attach the crystals.

I wanted to let you all know that if you have questions about your wedding, Keisha, the wedding coordinator said for me to have you email her directly. She's been a sweetheart to work with and has responded within one day each time. I look forward to meeting her next week. Here is her email. [email protected]

mmcst38 - We are handing out "pre-travel" sand pails with everything in them. I do not want to have to carry my favors/gifts down with the risk of them breaking plus the extra weight of everything. I just told them all I would be dropping something off this weekend as I leave on 4/13 and they leave 4/14 so now they are getting even more excited! I have tips in there for them as well that they will need before they leave along with a few things for them to bring down (lanyards, door magnets, gum, mints, etc.) We are having a meet and greet at 8pm in the Dunn's River bar at 8pm on 4/14 so that information is in the brochure I'm giving them this weekend. I just want them to know the agenda before we head down there so it will help them plan their own time while there. I LEAVE IN 5 DAYS!!!

Can you tell me the location of the beach gazebo on the resort? Trying to prepare my guests before we leave next week!

Definitely on Saturdays! I'm leaving this Wednesday and checked with Keisha to be sure. We are going to just do that after our reception dinner and then on to the disco! No private reception needed.

I was noticing how quiet is is myself. We leave one week from tomorrow. I still need to decide which of my two dresses I will wear since I received my special necklace yesterday. I may end up taking both of them and deciding the day of since they are not typical wedding dresses. Still trying to finish our ceremony music. I'm so indecisive but don't have much time left to get it done.

Amanda, which song did you end you end up walking down the aisle to?

That would be a hard decision. Have you spoken with your father or mother at all to discuss it? I'm not sure what I'd do in that situation either. You just have to feel good about the decision you make and not have any regrets.

Question for those who have been married before or have kids already.... Who are you having walk you down the isle? I would feel weird having my father do it a second time so I was thinking about having my 12 year old son do it or walk by myself. My son is wanting to dance and moonwalk down the isle though and I told him he can do whatever he wants.