starrysim

I LOVE the flow of the train on your wedding dress. Beautiful

Girls, I had such a hard time finding my dress as well. Please just give it time, and never make a rash decision, be sure to sleep on it. I was close to pulling the trigger on a few dresses, and looking back, they really weren't good at all. I'm so glad I waited it out until I found something I really love. It will happen! And enjoy the journey - at the time I found it stressful, but now I wish I could try on some more just for the fun of it

Wow, you really made that dress your own! What you ended up with doesn't seem particularly unique (not to say that it's not gorgeous), so I'm surprised you didn't find anything else you liked that was more like what you wanted. But anyway, it turned out great, and you can say no one else will have your dress for sure!

For some reason your post isn't showing up in the quote. But anyway - I did try on the Galante! I found it a little too "foofy," though it did give a great hourglass shape (which I don't have AT ALL, but this dress gave it to me!). I tried a cheap knock-off too, and I thought it was actually nicer than the Galante, because it flowed better. I really prefer the Dulconee - it's a much softer look, and so much more comfortable too. Just to reiterate - this is NOT my final dress, I just tried it on once.

I'm pretty sure that non-alcoholic drinks are included either way. It would be crazy otherwise! This what it says for the restaurant rentals; the cocktail party section doesn't say, though ___________________________________________________ Includes dinner, soft drinks, beer and wine, coffee & tea Open bar optional with extra charge ___________________________________________________

They're both gorgeous dresses, but have you thought about whether you will be comfortable in them on the beach and in the heat? They look like satin - satin can be very heavy, and it will get heavier if the bottom gets wet (don't know if you're planning on that or not), and once it's wet and picks up sand, it will be a mess. Taffeta and organza would fare much better in the water and sand, and they're also much lighter. Not a dealbreaker, but just something to think about. Finally, don't settle! If it's not your gut feeling that it's the dress, then keep looking. The dress won't go anywhere, but you could end up with a costly mistake. I went to many more stores and tried on many more dresses than you. There were lots of pretty ones, but I don't know why, for some reason none of them felt like "the one." I'm glad I kept looking until I found the perfect dress for me. Good luck, and post when you find it. It's so exciting to have your dress ordered!

Thanks for the continued input. I think I will book 3 hours right now, and will likely add on another hour later.

Hi Natalie, We decided to move to the Beach because it looks like most of our guests will be staying at the Beach (simply because it's cheaper). Originally we were going to pay the $30 day pass fee for people staying at the Beach (they need to pay that in order to go over to the Suites for the wedding day), but when it started to look like most people will be at the Beach, we figured it won't be worth it. There are very few differences in terms of the wedding itself - the only one that really affects us is the fact that at the Beach you need min. 40 people to rent out a restaurant for the private ceremony. At the Suites, some of the restaurants have a lower number requirement. Other than that, I didn't see any major differences in the wedding plans or prices. Hope this helped. The open bar costs $7/person/hour for domestic drinks, and $10 for international. I know it doesn't make sense, but it is what it is.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jamaica2012 that is a great point about cancelling if need be!! btw, what's holding you back from choosing your bridesmaids? Oh, we just don't know who's coming yet! My first maid of honour got preganant unexpectedly, and she's due one week after our wedding, so she can't come. Other girls - one is doing IVF, trying to get pregnant, won't be able to come if she does. Other one's father just passed away. It's been one thing after another.

Wow, I was totally wrong. Nicole did send me the agreement when she confirmed the date, and said that I didn't need to sign it. I can't believe I missed that email altogether! The text is pretty much the same as for the Beach, one of the few differences is for the flowers, and it's not even up to date with Tai Flora. _____________________ FLOWER SHOP: the hotel works with an outside flower shop called “Flowerstudioâ€. All flowers services should be hired through this flower shop. If the couple will choose to use another vendor, a vendor fee will apply. The current fee is $100 per person __________________ I think it's also important to note that the agreement doesn't really lock you in to anything - you can still cancel without any penalty, unless you've sent in all your legal paperwork, in which case they charge you $100.

Well, I know that the agreement says to use Tai Flora, but I see so many brides using outside flower shops, so I figure it's not a strict rule. It wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me, so there's no point arguing about it. I'll deal with it in a few months, once we have the bridesmaid dresses and I'm ready to choose flowers. At this point, I don't even know who my bridesmaids will be, so I have bigger things to worry about. lol I never received anything to sign from Nicole at the Suites. Which reminds me, I need to email her to cancel my date. So if anyone wants Nov 16, it will be available

LOL I didn't even notice when I reached 150, and at first I thought I'd never get there! Time flies when you're planning a wedding. Did anyone else sign an actual contract when reserving the date? I didn't sign one when I booked the Suites in December, but when I re-booked for the Beach this week, they sent me a 6-page contract to sign. Among other things, here are a few tidbits I found interesting. I'm not really worried, but I thought I'd share anyway. ____________________ Flowers: The hotel will provide a small bouquet for the bride, with the choice of tropical (local) flowers or roses (white or red). A boutonnière (buttonhole) for the groom and a matching centerpiece for the table where they will sign the license or certificate. Any extra type of flower or size bouquet will have an extra cost. The hotel reserves the right to choose the flower shop for the wedding package and extra flowers and change it without previous notice. ______________________ FLOWER SHOP: the hotel works with an outside flower shop called “Tai Floraâ€. All flowers services should be hired thru this flower shop. The hotel will not allow any other flower vendor to be use on property. ______________________ The hotel will determine the restaurant for the private reception according to the capacity & availability of each. ______________________

Quote: Originally Posted by Marlena ladies, Is the menu set for the reception, or do we get a choice ? (ie chicken or beef) I'm getting ready to print my invites and I don't know if I should list a dinner option on them...any thoughts ?? Yes, there are different menu options for the various restaurants. You should've gotten this info from the WC, but PM me if you don't have it and I'll send it to you. But I wouldn't worry about putting it in your invites - you can just get everyone's choice before you leave, or even once you get to the resort. You never know, you might change your restaurant or their menu might change.

I'd love to hear a review as well. Originally I didn't want a video, but who knows.... The price isn't bad

Here it is, the WToo Dulconee. I can't wait until it arrives in August!

Nope, I went with the Dulconee, which is also by WToo. No one seemed to like Desdemona as much as I did, so I figured something was wrong with me I do love the Dulconee just as much, I'm so excited!

welljen - You looked beautiful, the dress was a great choice for you! It looks like it was a gorgeous wedding. I also love the first JCrew with the flowers.

WITH diamonds!

Lots of places let you take pictures. Bridal & Beyond is totally fine with it, as is The Dressroom downtown (not Becker's though). A few places didn't let me take pics AT ALL (Bea Shawn in Brampton, Becker's downtown, and Mona Richie in Vaughan), and some said ok once I asked, even though it wasn't their policy (Felichia's and Bella's Bridal). I pretty much REFUSED to consider a dress if they didn't let me take pictures of it. For example, the Ella 5459 was a serious contender while I was trying it on, and once I saw the pics, I realized it was so so so terrible (this was actually at Bea Shawn, my friend snuck in some pics with her cellphone, because they were very inflexible. I actually HATE that place, they totally messed up my bridesmaid dress order for my friend's wedding, and overall they have terrible service). I also really liked a Jai Bridal dress at Mona Richie, but I didn't buy it because they didn't let me take pics, and I had pics of two other dresses that I really loved. So once it came time to choose between the 3, how could I choose the one that I couldn't see at home? IMO it's incredibly important to take some pics in order to view the dress more objectively, and to be able to think about it once you're at home. No wonder so many brides end up with dress regret - I know I would have, if I wasn't able to make a decision on my own time, with my own pics on my computer. Sorry for the rant, I just feel so strongly about this

We changed our wedding to the Beach, so I'm updating 2011 Brides 6.30,2011 – mrsdeloatch2be – Suites 7.13.2011 – daisymable – Suites 9.9.2011 - Islandgirl910 - Suites 9.10.11 --- toiinlove --- Grand 10.8.2011 – futuremrstgun – Beach 10.30.2012 – nolabride78 (Stacy & Raymond) 11.6.2011 – pmwoodard1978 (Paula & xx) – Beach 11.6.2011 - ErinDoc (Erin & Bryan) - Suites 11.11.2011 – mrsgreene2011 (Jeanine & Reuben) – Suites 11.16.2011 – starrysim – Beach 12.6.2011 – Kimberli1211 (Kim & Coleman) – Suites 2012 Brides 1.9.2012 – daizyduke – Suites 2.2.2012 – shanas (Shana & Brian) – Beach 2.26.2012 – bjcs21 – Suites 4.18.2012 – cGd41812 – Suites 5.30.2012 – MoBayBride2B – Suites 7.1.2012 – JADE28 (Charene & Kevin) – Suites 7.22.2012 – IslandBride201x (Kim & Eric) – Suites

Here's a map of all three resorts. PM me with your email address if you need the full size version, in case the upload shrinks it. I'm using this one on our wedding website. I might also print some on thick paper to include in our OOT bags. And here's a PDF version: http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/Menu/IBGHRH/IBRH_COMPLEX_MAP.pdf

I've been trying to switch my date from the Suites to the Beach, and it's been a challenge because some emails are getting bounced back. They finally replied to me - one email was from Elizabeth and the other from Silvia McNeish. The email address that seems to work is [email protected]​om.jm

Quote: Originally Posted by futuremrstgun starrysim...that's one of the reasons i chose the beach...i visited both properties last year and i couldn't see a significant difference in them...GO FOR IT! and let me be among the first to welcome you as an IRHB bride!!! woo hoo!!! R~ Aww thanks It makes me feel better that you have been there and still chose the Beach. It's been great being a future Suites bride, but I'm sure being a future Beach bride will be just as fun! The only significant difference I can see is with regards to the restaurants - at the Beach, you have to have 40 guests to rent out either restaurant. At the Suites, it's quite a bit less. I also liked the restaurant choices better at the Suites, but in the end I'm sure it won't matter much. Also, I don't see the bonfire option in the info I got for the Beach - is it still possible? We'd love to do that for our welcome party. Something else just occurred to me - all 3 resorts share the disco, right? So what happens if two brides, at the Suites and the Beach, want to rent it out on the same night? We're thinking of renting out the disco if we don't end up having enough people to rent out a restaurant.

I'm about to move my wedding from the Suites to the Beach. Thankfully they have my date available at the Beach. I just think it would be more affordable for our guests, and we won't have to worry about paying the extra $30 for everyone to move over from the Beach to the Suites for the day. Anyway, before I pull the trigger I just wanted to see if anyone knows of any major or significant differences between the two resorts, in terms of the wedding. Any thoughts?

Wow, that's a pretty good package. I just don't like the $1000 deposit.