Sjay

Hi JayKay - have you posted your wedding pics and I've somehow just missed them...? Don't mean to pressure you, I'm just anxious to see more of Merrick's work before we make a final decision on a photog!
 

Originally Posted by JayKay 

I would definately recommend him to anyone.  Although we don't have our photos back we seen a few just from his camera and they look to be pretty amazing!  He was so easy to work with and fun but professional at the same time!  Also, his prices are pretty good compared to some others we looked into hiring.

 

 

Thanks Abby!
 

Originally Posted by [email protected] 

Hi Sjay,

 

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you.  The petals down the middle of the isle are real.  I did pay a bit extra for those, not sure how much.  You'll have to ask the coordinator.  It was advised that real petals are better as they are heavier than the fake petals, and would do much better in case there was wind.  We lucked out, not much wind at all! The candles stayed lit the entire  duration of our ceremony.  No trick was necessary.  I guess it also depends on the weather and what time of day. Who knows!? I was glad I picked an outdoor wedding! So much fun, especially with the steel drums!

 

Best of luck,

Abby

Congratulations! Your dress is so beautiful and so FUN and you look just fantastic in it! Looking forward to seeing your photos...
 

Originally Posted by Nikadawn 

I'm baaaaaaaaack! Wow did the week blow by soooo fast. I will get started on my review tomorrow so I'll just sum it up for now by saying that I have ZERO regrets in my choice of resorts. I never met Silvia, the WC at the Beach with whom I did most of my emailing pre-wedding, however I spent alot of time with Kymora and Vanessa and they were both fantastic. They went above and beyond and those girls work their butts off! Here's my 12 freebies from the resort photographer, hopefully I'll have the rest of my pics in a day or two....

 

Thank you so much for sharing. Everything looked so beautiful!

I'm in the process of finding a photographer so I will definitely have to look up Sandy.

A couple of questions too if you don't mind. I love the scattered rose petals on the aisle - did your florist provide or did you bring artificial from home? I also love the candles you have attached to the huppa. Was there a trick to keeping them lit? I keep hearing that beach ceremonies are so windy!

I think there was something else...but I'm blanking now, lol. I'll write again if I remember.

Thanks!

Sarah

Originally Posted by [email protected] 

It's been just a little bit over a year since I tied the knot at Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay.  We had a blast.  Here's is my slide show link that Sandy May, my photographer put together.  She and her husband, Pata, were wonderful to work with! She was quick responding, very reliable, and trustworthy.  I received all of my pics on a CD just a few weeks later at home. 

 

http://www.pictage.com/photographer/slideshows/viewslideshow?autoplay=1&slideshowid=28208&slideshowkey=ooalmhqhlqbtctjb

 

Also, If there is anyone interested in touring the country, I would highly recommend booking tours with Ken Gracey who operates Doctorbird Tours!  He grew up in Jamaica as a boy and knew a lot of about the towns.  My small group of 20 booked several personal and private tours with him and felt very safe and trusted doing business with him.  He is so easy going and laid back!  He even drop me to my Trash the Dress site, which was a nice small secluded beach.  One great thing about Ken is how he takes pictures of you and your group during the entire trip and burns the photos on a CD for you to take home! You can search him on tripadvisor. 

JayKay - congratulations! I just read your review, and I'm so sorry to hear about the drama you had to put up with, but good for you for focussing on the positives.

You look so beautiful and happy in your photos. What a lovely ceremony spot. I love the turquoise too!

It was thanks you to I found out about Merrick, and after looking around the last couple of weeks, we're seriously considering hiring him. I can't wait to see his photos of your day.

Congrats again to you and your husband!

Sarah

Thanks everyone! Made some progress this weekend with our photographer search and invitation design.

I'm on the fence about a videographer - on one hand I don't know I want to spend the extra money, but on the other, I'm sure the day will go by in a flash and it might be nice to have some video of it, especially the ceremony. Thoughts?

Hi Alicia, and welcome!

I was in your exact position back in October. I wanted to have a really good sense of what the cost would be for my guests before committing to a resort, however as you've already heard, rates only come out about a year ahead of time.

It was through this site that I happened across a 'role call' for the Iberostar resorts in Jamaica (which we'd narrowed down to be our first choice) and I was suprised to see a number of brides already had their ceremony date booked, some 1.5+ yrs out! We weren't picky about our ceremony date but we had a 3 wk window in which we wanted to travel. I contacted the resort WC directly to get a sense of what dates were available in our 3 wk window, and found out there were only 3 days left!

Needless to say, we moved quickly to book a date with the hotel. There wasn't any cost to do so, just some paperwork and a lot of back and forth with the WC (they're on island time, so be prepared for things to happen slowly). It was nervewracking as it took over 2 wks to finally get confirmation of our preferred date.

I would highly encourage you to narrow down your resort choices and get in touch with the WC's to find out date availability, especially if you have your heart set on a particular date and/or resort. Get that booked and then you can work on your STD's and a little later, look at rates.

Good luck!

Sarah

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Hello Fellow Canadian Brides!

 

Any 2013 brides out there? I'm just starting the planning process, and it looks like this site is going to be SUPER helpful! I absolutely want to do some fun save the dates, and passport invites/boarding pass RSVPs I'm not sure yet if I feel like taking them on as a DIY project, but it seems that I'm in the right place if I do!

 

I'm wondering if there are any eastern ontario brides (Kingston, Ottawa, etc) that can tell me of some good travel agents, or any really that can give me pricing now for March 2013. I am getting anxious to narrow down a resort and book a date, but don't want to do that before I can ensure I can get a good/affordable group rate for my guests.

 

Any help/tips from fellow brides who have felt this anxiety would help! How early on where you able to get pricing? Did you book a date with a resort before knowing what their air/accomodation pricing was like?

 

Thanks!

 

Alicia

I came across a post from you today and just checked out your planning thread and wanted to say thanks for sharing! I'm just starting to plan and feel a bit lost and overwhelmed but you've given me some good ideas. (And I may have questions for you a bit later ).

Photos are of huge importance to me so I just checked out Merrick's site and was very impressed - I've contacted him now so fingers crossed!

Your big day is a week away now...congratulations! I hope you'll share some photos!

All the best,

Sarah

I realize there won't be much specific to a DW, but I'm looking for stationary and decor ideas, and I'll likely check out the fashion show too.

I haven't even thought about our AHR yet...probably won't even plan that until post-wedding.
 

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

We're thinking about going on Sunday. I should warn you, they don't have much for destination weddings...travel agents and gift registries is about it. Only reason we're going again is for our at home reception. 

 

I am! Probably Sunday but still figuring it out.

When are you going?

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Any Toronto brides going to the bridal show at the MTCC this coming weekend?

Thanks for the hello!

Where in Jamaica are you getting married?

We're 11 mos away as of today - Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, near MoBay.

May I ask which photog you hired? I've seen a few names come up frequently in the reviews, but the reviews tend to be mixed...

Originally Posted by brigetteaustin 

Canadian Brides sure do rock!!  If any of you gals need a hand, give me a shout out.  

We just booked our Photographers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!

Hi there! Just wanted to say hi as our weddings are just days apart and perhaps our trip dates will overlap too..?

How goes the planning?
 

Originally Posted by Collleeen12 

I can finally add my date!  We're confirmed for November 30, 2012 at the Beach!

Starrysim,

If this is just a sample, I can only imagine what the rest of the photos look like! So beautiful!

I will have to look into Marcia, err, her assistant.

Thanks for sharing!

Hi, and congrats on the upcoming wedding!

I found your thread b/c I'm currently searching for an experienced DW TA in Toronto and I wanted to ask who you ended up finding and would you recommend?

Thanks!
 

Originally Posted by boardingOT 

If anyone could recommend a good travel agent in Toronto, ON that can help use organize our destination wedding we'd really appreciate it! We want to go to Mexico in Jan. 2013 so we have plenty of time but we have no idea when we have to start booking things? and so far all the travel agents we have talked to have not be helpful, they keep saying they are going to e-mail us info and then they don't? Thanks!

Wow, I've never seen such thing - beautiful!

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Quote:

 

What are sky lanterns?? I'm intrigued!
 

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Are sky lanterns permitted at the IRHG? I'm hoping our guests can release them during our last dance of the night.

 

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I've good news - I heard back from the WC this morning and we've got a date and a place: December 3, 2012 at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites!

Let the planning begin!

Hello all! Finally got our confirmation - 12.3.12 at the Suites!

Congratulations Paula - beautiful photos! Your dress and makeup were perfect! I hope it was the day it you had dreamed of.

I've seen Marcia's name a fair bit on this forum - I'm definitely considering hiring her...although I've lots of time yet.

Sarah
 

Originally Posted by pmwoodard1978 

Sorry I've been so bad about posting a review or informaiton since I've been back, but here is a link to my professional photos. I had Marcia Roberts as my photographer and she took over 1100 photos, and I narrowed them down to a smaller group to share with you guys in this Kodak album.

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=313664225311%3A62527868&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

 

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. I had a great time at Beach and the Grand was awesome for our honeymoon.

 

Paula

Guess what? I got my confirmation this morning!  December 3, 2012 at the Suites!  It's finally starting to feel real, lol.

We've got a wedding website started so I'm going to have building it out now.

BTW, there's an Iberostar Roll Call discussion here you can add yourself to - it's for all three of the Iberostar Jamaica hotels. It's cool in that it helps you identify who else has married on the property so you can check out their planning threads, reviews, etc. You can also find out who's getting married on/around the same date you are - it seems girls get to know each other here and then have the chance to meet each other in Jamaica! Here's the link:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/70055/iberostar-rose-hall-and-suites-roll-call/110

Good luck with getting started on planning - I'm sure we'll talk again soon!

Sarah

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Thanks, I hope you get yours soon as well. I quite literally giggled myself to sleep last night. I can finally get on with the details like booking a photographer and finding a travel agent. WOO HOO!!

 

Thanks! Very helpful. I believe the Suites steakhouse is Aunt Ruby's.

I think it's going to take some work to get him into a suit at all, but really, if my dress ends up being more casual, he might just skip the jacket altogether.
 

Originally Posted by starrysim 

 

One Steakhouse is Uncle Tony's, and the other is Aunt Ruby's.  One is at the Beach, the other at the Suites (I always forget which is which).  As for the weather, it was totally fine for us in mid-November. Not as humid as the worst of Toronto.  There's usually a bit of a breeze too.  That said, my legs got really hot and sweaty under my dress while sitting down during dinner, but otherwise I was fine. My husband was fine in his suit for the ceremony and pictures (a very light wool suit - please don't make yours wear polyester!).  Hope this helps!

 

Yay! Congratulations!
 

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Just got email confirmation My wedding date is February 21, 2013.

Congratulations on your recent wedding! Are you still feeling the wedding high? Your photos are beautiful, and your review's been very helpful, thank you.

I'm a Toronto bride-to-be, patiently waiting for the Suites WC to confirm our ceremony date and I've done a lot of research on the Iberostar properties but was hoping you could help answer a couple of questions.

The steakhouse you had your reception at - is that Aunt Ruby's? Is there just one steakhouse for the three properties? It's an option for a Suites reception too, so I'm confused if it's one in the same or if there are two different steakhouses.

I'm considering the steakhouse for our reception - love the idea of outdoor dining - but I have to ask, what was the weather like? I've read it's quite hot and humid at this time of year - is it like Toronto summer humidity? Better? Worse? If it's the same (or worse) not sure I or my groom could handle it wearing a gown and suit, lol.

Thanks in advance!

Sarah
 

Originally Posted by starrysim 

I've uploaded my review:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/iberostar-rose-hall-beach-all-inclusive-monetego-bay-jamaica/reviews/5355

 

Unfortunately, I can't add more pictures.  I wanted to add more, but there's a bug that won't let me add pictures while editing

Hi, and congratulations! I actually just replied to your Q re: confirmation waiting times.

Not sure what strategy to use here...<sigh>

How often are you contacting the Suites? Are you getting anything from them?
 

Originally Posted by Cateyedcutie 

Hi Sarah, welcome and congratulations on your engagement. I'm a Toronto newbie too. My fiance and I have settled on Jamaica for our destination wedding.