Sjay

Oh thank goodness! I have to admit I am a little jealous too. They need to step it up big time. I would recommend getting that form filled out and back to them ASAP. I've been waiting on my quote a month now.

Hi, I'm researching the idea of lanterns for my upcoming Suites wedding and wanted to ask - were you able to release them? I've seen some posts where brides said they couldn't, although it seems it comes down to weather vs. the WC saying they couldn't. Also, I think I remember reading somewhere that the Suites provided the fuel - is that correct? Thanks!

:-( Thanks Erin. I hope things turn around for us both!

Wow, that's awful! I can't believe you've gone without a response for that long! Even if they're busy with 2012 weddings, they should at least let you know they'll get back to you soon. I'm thinking it will be Floral Fantasies for me too - I'd pay the travel and vendor fees twice over rather than deal with hassles and frustration any longer.

Just wondering if anyone's heard from Tai Flora recently? They've been MIA on me for a month since I sent my flower and decor order to them. Like the WC, I can't believe the complete lack of communication I'm still experiencing even though I'm about 6 weeks away from my wedding! When do they finally start paying attention?! Argh!

Forgot to quote your original post when I replied...

You bet - will email you his info right now. He manages an online calendar on his site so you can check if your date is free: http://www.merrickcousley.com/

Hi Rebecca, I see a couple of the girls have already provided you the details for the resort photog, but I wanted to write and say hello as we're getting married two days apart! Our ceremony is Dec 3 at the Suites, and the majority of our guests are booked there, so I'm sure we'll run into each other somewhere! I also wanted to pass along info on our photographer as he offers reasonable rates including smaller packages and hourly rates. His name is Merrick Cousley http://www.merrickcousley.com/ (I already checked his online calendar and he appears to be free Dec 1 :-)) If you send me your email address I can send you the details. I'm with you on being concerned and stressed about the WCs. I thought once you were 6 weeks out that they'd be much more responsive!? I've managed to complete 95% of my planning without contacting Nicole thanks to the great ladies and wealth of info here on this site, but now I need to hear from her, and nothing! And don't even get me started on the florist (Tai Flora, that is). Someone please reassure us that someone will start paying attention...and soon?!

We've been back and forth about hiring a videographer to shoot our ceremony... and we've finally decided we're going for it. We're really late to the party however. Can anyone recommend a (local) videographer pretty please? Contact info would be much appreciated as well! Thanks

Ditto LolasMom71 - your hair and makeup is beautiful and I too feel even better about going with the resort salon. Thanks!

Wish I could tell you where in this forum I read it, but if you do a search you will find lots of positive reviews of the Iberostar salon. Based on those reviews, and my wish for simple, pretty makeup, I've decided to use them too. I would suggest bringing photos of hair and makeup that you like - the more you can show/describe the better I figure. I believe there is only one salon for the three properties so if there's a specific time you want in, I'd book it sooner than later.

We're not doing a private dinner since we're 25ppl (and might go as high as 30). I don't mind the pillar lights but I've no idea what the 'regular' lights look like. I think if I can find inexpensive LEDs that I'll just get them and then decide once we're there.

Paper lanterns - to light or not to light? I've got about 15 white lanterns of various sizes that I'm going to ask to be hung directly overhead our dining table(s) at Aunt Ruby's and I'm back and forth on whether to use them simply as decor or if I should buy individual LED lights for each and use them as ambient lighting. I've seen photos of both and both look nice so I'm torn. Past brides - what's the lighting situation like at Aunt Ruby's? I've seen evening photos where the pillar lights are used as well as candlelight and the reception looked sufficiently lit. I'd like the lighting to be somewhat dim to create an intimate, romantic ambiance but not so dark that unlit lanterns won't even be noticed. At this point we've only planned to use candles on our table(s) and whatever pillar lighting is nearby. Oh, and we're a small group (30 ppl) so we might be at one long table or in a U shape (if that even fits with the interior pillars..?!) Thoughts?

Thanks ladies. Cross your fingers for me!

Has anyone here bought anything from a US-based bride and had trouble receiving the delivery? I contacted a past bride on BDW who was selling some decor items and arranged to buy them. She's just told me that she can't ship to Canada. I think the shipping manifesto requires her to indicate country of origin for the items, and since she actually knew they were made in China, wrote that on the form, and now the US won't ship the package to Canada. I suggested she just say they were made in the US...basically just not admit she knows that much about them. (I don't know about you but I couldn't tell you where any of the decor I've purchased is from!) Thoughts?

Ah okay, sorry... I think I did read that up above. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing that link Erin. My preference is still that my FI wear an off-white shirt, and he's found one that will require alterations, but at least he'll have a perfectly tailored shirt that he'll get a lot of use of.

We've got a Winners very close by - we've been checking it twice weekly for about a month now. No go. I dunno, maybe it's the time of year? My FI was supposed to find his shirt and tie in the spring summer (since our colours are lighter) but he didn't bother <sigh> and yup, now it's a lot of work. Thanks for the suggestion!

Quote: Originally Posted by heather1214 I thought the suites didnt allow any other florists on property to do set up beside taiflora? Can anyone clarify? It was my understanding if you used another florist they could only drop off. Hey Heather1214, I'm not sure. I thought any vendor could come on the property, hence the $100 fee. HollyandJohn, can you clarify? It sounds from what you posted (below) that both options are possible. I'd prefer to save the vendor fee; just as long as someone can set everything up the way I want it. Quote: Originally Posted by HollyAndJohn I heard back from Nicole yesterday and if the Floral Fantasies is just dropping off the flowers, you dont need to pay the vendor Fee! I am definately using them now!

Quick update - I emailed Chantal and she responded one hour later. Wow. She's answered some of my initial questions and is already sharing some creative ideas, love it! She did mention they can do set up, which of course I would be charged a $100 vendor fee by Iberostar, but I'll wait and see what the quote looks like before deciding on anything.

Thanks, but my FI looked there already. He only found casual shirts that were too big and boxy for his frame. The search continues!

Okay, after reading all the posts about Floral Fantasies, it was a no-brainer to send them my info and request a quote. I'm hopeful the resort will set everything up - I've put that Q to Chantal but if anyone hears in the meantime, please let us know. I plan to go down with a diagram of how I want everything set up so really anyone should be able to do it. I've asked for a huppa arrangement and centerpieces, etc, so when I get my quote I'll let you know what it is. I have yet to hear back from Tai Flora so at this point I can't compare, but we'll see if they come through. Thanks for the great reco... to whomever originally shared it!

I know, huh? As much as all the past brides' photos are helpful, these images really give you the best idea of what the venues and the properties themselves look like. This is what the WC's should provide to newly booked couples to aid in planning!

I'm at the Suites but I've not ever heard about a bamboo canopy, just the huppa and the arch. Look through wedding reviews here to see what both look like. If it turns out there is a bamboo canopy, please come back and let us know! Jaclyn111, someone once directed me to Oyster.com for resort photos - I found it's got great quality photos and lots of them to help in planning. Here's the link to the Beach, you'll see Uncle Tony's if you scroll through. http://www.oyster.com/jamaica/hotels/iberostar-rose-hall-beach/photos/restaurants-bars--v1857132-34/

I went into RW&Co and found the shirt, but unfortunately it's not really off-white. It looked ivory on the table but when I took it into the light, saw it was a white, but a warm white (vs a bright white which is blue-based). Store lighting can be tricky - you have to check colours carefully and ideally in natural light if possible. Thanks again for the suggestion though!