acw271011

Happy to hear it's all good! Looks gorgeous!! You're absolutely right - it does all fall into place! All the best and good luck!

Ahhh I love your hair!! It looks great on you!! Hope you're settling into married life!

We were also married in Jamaica 4 years ago, but it was just my husband and I. We didn't have anyone with us. We had an AHR 2 weeks after arriving home and had family and a few friends. We're quite a bit older, have grown kids and grandkids and it was second time around for both of us so our group was 30 people. I had missed having wedding photos done with our kids and my in laws so desperately wanted pictures. I had a photographer arrive and we did all of the family shots before anyone else arrived. We asked them to arrive by 3 so everyone could get ready and we hit the park on the lake right next door to the hotel where we had the party. We had a DJ so we let all of the family go in, friends had arrived and the DJ announced us. We had another first dance, then went back out to the beautiful lobby that had a huge stone fireplace and allowed friends to have individual photos taken with us while everyone had cocktails. It allowed us to socialize with everyone and visit. We had received some of our wedding photos from our Jamaican photographer and set up a slide show in the room to run for the evening as well. They called us in for dinner so we sat and ate, did toasts and a couple of short speeches, then after dinner we cut a cake that was served as part of dessert. We also had a few other sweets to go along with it. We had done a cake in Jamaica but just a small one that we had with our dinner then kept the rest in our room for 2 days and snacked on it! lol Then after that we had a big dance party until 1 am. It was great!! If had a location like yours I would do the house part for a dinner if it can accommodate your numbers, then do the dance party in the barn with your DJ. Are you having a photographer? That's something that can help with time too as there is likely people that missed getting pictures of you in Jamaica. If you want to do a cake cutting, go ahead. And yes have the DJ announce you. Why not? I'm not sure about the vows part again unless you really feel that it's something that everyone would want to be a part of. We didn't. As much as it was just the two of us in Jamaica, i wasn't up to that part again. I just wanted the party and getting everyone together that we had missed. The only ones missing were our grandkids and my husband put his foot down about that. He said he wanted me to enjoy myself and not have a kid on each hip all night. He knows me too well! lol That's exactly what I would have done. All our kids live a minimum 2 and a half hours away, most of them nearly 5 hours away so we don't get a lot of time with them. I miss them like crazy as much as I like giving them back at the end of a visit! I think you can get a rough plan in your head as to how you want it to go depending on your star time, end time and the number of your guests then just go with it. Good luck!! I hope it goes great!

I'm sorry to hear you're having a difficult time. Is this a private coordinator that you've hired, or is it the resort coordinator? This is definitely the busy wedding season for DWs but that's no reason not to return messages. If it's the resort, have you tried contacting someone at the main desk and letting them know you're getting concerned? Being 2 weeks out is definitely stressful enough!

Oh my gosh those are so pretty!!!!! Now you're giving me ideas! lol I think that's a really beautiful thing to be able to add!

Oh no!!! Why on earth would you think it makes you look matronly?????? It doesn't!! And you are so still a spring chicken!!!! I think it's a beautiful simple short wedding dress and will look beautiful in your wedding photos!! And if it makes you feel good wearing it, then do it!! now I do have a question. Why aren't you thinking of something long for your wedding, and the short dress for your reception? Just curious, that's all..... Yeah - we never get the reaction from our "entourage" that we think we should get. When I first started looking for something to wear, my friend said "why don't you get a nice evening gown". Uh yeah right. We're going to be on a rooftop terrace in Mexico. Why on earth would I look for an evening gown??? They aren't even going to be in Mexico anyway. I told her I wanted to make Doug's jaw drop and she said "well you could get a sexy evening gown". Go figure.....

I agree - I love both dresses but the first is the dressier "wedding" style, the second is definitely the fun, flirty reception style.

I tossed out the week before Aug 28th so the 21st. The Friday after is labour day weekend so that's a no go for me for sure. Could also be Aug 14th? I also agree that if one date doesn't work, maybe more than one could be set up? It's tough to get a big group together sometimes.

Without opening a can of worms that you may not want to open I'm not sure what to tell you. It might be worth asking the photographer what kind of equipment he's bringing and looking around on the internet to see what info you can get, specifically Mexican customs. Is he staying for the whole week with you? I don't know if that helps or not. I almost want to suggest contacting your WC and see what advice she might give you. I did read here that customs are being more watchful of people coming in and doing work but not getting a work visa. Perhaps you could offer to pay the cost of the visa since it's only for one day? Maybe that it's only one day out of a week...... I know that's no help to you. Maybe someone else can provide some more insight. Good luck!

Check out the thread for calgarybride2015 She was married there in January and gave it a glowing review. i know when she gets a chance she'll chime in here with a comment because I know she loved the resort and has great things to say about it! @calgarybride2015 Kim - you're on!!

@calgarybride2015 lol I did!! You're right! I actually had it cut last fall due to all the drugs that I was on. They totally destroyed my hair!! So I had it cut in November when I was getting ready to go back to work. When we saw the doctor in December and preliminary results were good I decided I would start letting it grow. Well now it has been about 5 and a half months and it has grown I'd say close to maybe 3 inches. As I said, it's down just past my shoulders now. I'm surprised because with all the time I wasn't allowed to actually be in a shower - sponge bath only - then with cardiac monitors, course they don't allow you in a shower when you're "hooked up" either. Believe me when I say if I ever have to tolerate another sponge bath!! it will be too soon!!!!!!!!! Give me my nice long, warm shower any day!! Thankfully I have a hairdresser that is a firm believer in good quality hair products and somehow she managed to fix the ends, get the moisture back in it and get it to grow!! I still have drugs I'm on that play havoc with my hair but I'm used to how to deal with it now. And if all goes according to plan, the specialist says we can be off one of them (the worst one) by October!! Which means - ta da! I can drink!!!!!!!! Something I'm allowed to do very little of right now. Heavily limited. But that also means Mexico will be a whole lot more fun!!! lol I've got my eye on a couple of hair styles but still thinking.....

@IzzyDeee how is their pricing? I've heard some of the Ontario ladies say that going outside of the Toronto area is a money saver, and I could always tie it in with a visit to my sister.

I'm on board with whatever is decided and I do like the idea of @@snswedding2016 suggested restaurant if it opens on time!

Welcome to BDW! Have you tried the search bar at the top typing in the resort name to see what comes up? I typed it in and got several threads that came up so give it a try and see what works for you. Congrats and happy planning!

@TinkerSofi Yes - I'm happy we've finally got the resorts narrowed down now too. Just waiting on pricing and when the TA says to pull the trigger to book. I feel like I could name the resorts in my sleep!! I've looked over and over and you're so right - there isn't one that is 100%. But I wish both hubby and our friends had said a while back that they would prefer adults only! I could have eliminated a lot of aggravation!! I even tried with Doug over the weekend giving him two other suggestions. Just to test the waters. He stuck to his guns (thank God) and said no - either Platinum Yucatan Princess or Valentin Imperial. The reviews are good on both but Valentin (I think) has a bit of a better review of the beach. PYP has reviews saying the beach is rocky and you need water shoes to go in. Everyone is having a terrible time this year with seaweed but that's mother nature, not the resorts. It's all up and down the Yucatan and we heard Florida is having an issue with it too. That's not something anyone can control and if it's too gross, you just stay by the pool instead. I definitely have no issue with that. Put me on a lounger, under a palapa with a cocktail in my hand and I'm good to go!! Yeah - dress #1 is really getting the draw I think. I love the way it flows too but it still has some sparkle that should come out in our pictures! I'm almost sure but there is one that I've been eyeing up since January that the store is saying they have (it's an online store) in inventory but she's having a hard time getting her hands on it. I'm very reluctant to make my decision until I see just this one dress and what they're going to charge for it. Just have to wait and see.

No that's OK. If I do a veil that's the style I want. underneath like that. I really like the edging on it. thats really pretty but I would prefer a bit shorter in length so that underneath hair it won't be quite so long. I might look up the store. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk Kim it's actually just past my shoulders now I think. it curls though so it's hard to get exact but yeah just past my shoulders. And if I can get another inch or 2 then they should be able to do something with. not sure I want it up. thinking half up half down. had it up when we got married and I hated it. Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Oh I hope not! But congrats on getting a date! I was married in Jamaica in 2011 and we loved it!! The people are wonderful and the resort where we got married was excellent!

Have a great trip and enjoy the time away! Would love to hear about the resorts when you get back! I'm praying we're finally, finally close to a decision and just waiting to see what the prices do. We're not a group so can't get group rates. We're at the mercy of just watching pricing. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll have that crossed off the list!!

@vancouverpetunia No that's ok. It's on our wedding anniversary which is October 20th. We fly October 18th, meet Joyce of Dream Weddings and do my hair trial on Monday the 19th and then have some fun finally for our anniversary on the 20th. First time!! lol We've never been able to do anything really special yet for our anniversary with two spent in the hospital and one in a new job so this one really needs to be special!!

@@victoriasalv and @lornj29 there are a couple of sites that have been mentioned here I think. Also depends whether you're in the US or canada. These are the two that I noted but haven't yet ordered anything from them. You could search in the search bar up top and see if any reviews pop up. I know I've read info but just don't remember when or who by. Sorry that's not much help. http://www.alltravelsizes.com/ http://www.minimus.biz/

@@IzzyDeee My sister lives in London - where is the shop you're talking about? I'm trying to grow my hair for October and my hairdresser said I can figure on roughly half an inch per month. It's doing well so far, and I figure I can get about 2 more inches by the time we get to Mexico, but it would be good to have a back up plan with the extensions. Would you share approximately what they cost? Also, just wondered - where did you get your veil? It's really pretty! I'm not sure I want that length but I like the style of it.

@vancouverpetunia Thanks! I have to admit #1 is my favourite. My wedding dress was so simple and suited the situation at the time. I'm trying to go super fab without going over the top and #1 does that. Plus, on the site it's only $800 US so even with the conversion it keeps me at budget and I can get the shoulder piece to add on. My stepson is in the US so I have no problem with shipping there. We just pick stuff up when we go down to see the grandkids. I just have such a hard time with shoes that I'm worried it will be a waste of time and I'll just have to send them back. I absolutely LOVE these ones! I was leaning towards a royal blue but these are called sky blue I think and the colour just jumped out at me!

I like those! What a cute size! And really, just big enough for putting a few important things into!

Oh that totally sucks!! I'd be willing to do another night if that makes it easier for everyone! Maybe even a week earlier if that works. We go down to Niagara all the time since it's so close - we love the wineries down there - but yeah, the hotels can really run up the cost big time. We try to get the specials wherever possible but there aren't many in the summer.

I remember hearing good things about Brian Nejedly when I was researching photographers for our Jamaica wedding in 2011. Your photos are really great! And I adore your dress! Congrats and thanks for posting your review!