CourtandMatt

Matt and I have decided to do a wedding diet. Despite our wedding not being for over a year, we are going to try to shape up and eat healthier. And, hopefully, a few pounds will drop off while we are eating healthier and working out harder. Matt's goal is to lose 22 lbs (get back to his college days) and my goal is to lose 11 lbs. That equates to less than 2 lbs a month for Matt and less than 1 lb a month for me to lose! I will keep you updated on our progress!

Collleeen12: Great idea! Are you going to be bringing down an extra suitcase just for your OOT bags? I really want to order the books but I am afraid for baggage weight. dreamwed2012: CONGRATS on the upcoming wedding! How exciting that it is so soon (comparatively speaking - I am getting married in May 2013)! MJ0404: CONGRATSSS!! We were originally booked for a April 6, 2013 wedding, so we would have been right after you, but we changed to May. April is supposed to be a beautiful time in Jamaica so once again CONGRATS!

I have started sending out Save the Dates. I sent out 59 yesterday, which invites 103 people. Some people I already know wont be able to make it, but I wanted them to feel included and then there are 32 that appear to be definitely coming! I still have probably 20 or so more that we are sending out but I am missing addresses. Yay to moving on things! Still have not chosen color schemes, bridesmaids (despite my groom picking his groomsmen - it is just so hard to pick 3), wedding dress, etc., but I have a lot of time.

I will let you know. I think our TA actually has someone in mind, but we aren't going to start pursuing that until we have a better idea of how many people are coming.

There was no deposit. They only charge you $100 if you cancel by the time they start to process your legal paperwork (someone correct me if I am wrong about this). I haven't had to pay anything (just gave them credit card). Kvanderploeg & Justine416: I highly recommend finding a good TA that will work on the communication. My FI and I never have an issue mainly because if we are even waiting too many hours, our TA contacts them and gets an answer ASAP. If you don't want to work with the TA, just keep bugging them.

I should have been more clear: We actually don't have anyone yet. We are going to work with our TA to find one once we have a better estimate of our guest numbers. If we have too many people, we may need to cancel this. After reading a bunch of posts on here and elsewhere online, I estimated it to be around 50-60 dollars per person.

Peach: I really want it to be an even number. I just like how it looks in pictures. I really just wish we could have had only one or two though but my FI needs his three BFFs. I am going to try to figure a way to get everyone to have some part (my other BFFs). Court shannonmarie: CONGRATS and welcome! Tigger88: CONGRATS!! stefbelle: CONGRATS!! Mlite83: First, CONGRATS!! Second, we first looked at country requirements since we wanted to be legally married in that country. Jamaica is very simple whereas Mexico had a lot of requirements. We also looked at DR which has no requirements, if I remember correctly. What it came down to in the end is wanting our ceremony and certificate in English which only Jamaica could provide of those three (without translation). We also looked at the Bahamas (which has little requirements), but we didn't find an all inclusive and prices that we liked. Good luck! Court p.s. just an FYI, my TA highly recommends weddings in the DR. NickyL: We originally booked at the Grand Palladium (you can find some of my earlier threads about that), but changed it to Iberostar. We just read a lot of bad reviews (there are good reviews, but too many bad reviews for us). We also didn't like the sound of the beach (so many negative comments). And, our final straw was when our TA, who is a family friend of ours, said she would never book us at the GP. So far I have only heard wonderful things about Iberostar Rose Hall Suites (not sure about beach) and have had a great time working with their WC. HOpe this helps, Court Sllefebvr: I could totally see not wanting to do a wedding in Jamaica if you are detailed oriented. My FI and I are so carefree about the wedding that Jamaica has been just perfect for us. I hope it all works out for you! Court

Hi, Kvanderploeg: First of all, CONGRATS on wedding planning! Please do keep me updated! Court amybutz89: If we book 20 passengers then the 21st passenger is free (with a maxiumum of 6 complimentary passengers per group), plus transfers, plus a free upgrade for bride & groom based on availability at arrival date, private check in if group checks in at same time, and a welcome drink upon arrival. I highly recommend our travel agent. She is in Massachusetts. You can find her information on my wedding site: http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding. Court MJ040: CONGRATS!! Court Mlite83: We are looking at around $15,000 with an estimate of 60 guests. This is our price if we book a rehearsal dinner cruise (estimate of $50/pp), photographer, outside officiant, cocktail hour, private reception fee, DJ, extra music, invitations, welcome bonfire with open bar, etc. This is just an estimate. You can obviously make it a lot less (take away people and extras - rehearsal dinner cruise, outside officiant, welcome bonfire, extra music, etc.). Hope this helps, Court

That stinks! Well, good luck at your next resort!!

Have you tried calling with a TA? That is how we got into contact with the WC and whenever we have issues (like more than 24 delay) we contact our TA and she calls the resort. We always hear back promptly. If you don't want to work with a TA, I would just continue to call. I always think you hear back better when you get your voice in there.

My planning is going slowly, but going. Next week we are addressing our Save the Dates. I like that we are just taking our time since we have soooo much time. People keep asking us about colors, but we are taking our time (plus I change my mind every week). The only thing I need to stop dragging my feet on is bridesmaids. My FI has picked his groomsmen, but I have been apprehensive to name my 3 top ladies (we decided 3 persons max on each side - I actually wanted only 1 but my FI has 3 best friends) since I have 5 great ladies plus 2 top men in my life. How do you choose? Gosh, this is the worst for me.

I am also a long engagement. Engaged Aug 2011. Getting married May 2013. It seems that many people now adays are doing long engagements. I met Sarah from Say Yes to the Dress and she said she was engaged for 2 years! CONGRATS! Its all so exciting!

Congrats!! April 20, 2013 was our original date, but when we switched hotels we found that it was already taken May 4, 2013 will do for us!

You can see the rates on my wedding website: http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding. The rates are only hotel (all inclusive hotel rooms). Airfare is not out yet. The special deal is I believe one free person per 20 persons (or something like that) plus an upgrade for the bride and groom. We really wanted this place so we did not focus on the deal. We have only heard great things about this place and we wanted Jamaica so this is where we are having it. If you want to know more about why we chose Jamaica - let me know! Good luck!!

My FI has actually been the one contacting the WCs at the hotel (when our TA hasn't been). We initially got in contact with the WCs through the TA and then our TA said if we ever have trouble getting ahold of them to contact her immediately. That may be the reason why we get such quick responses from the hotel. We have had no trouble getting ahold of them through the phone or email. If you start having issues, talk to a TA (I highly recommend mine if you are needing someone - see my wedding website: http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding). Good luck!!

Hi, All About resort prices: You should be able to find a TA who can get you 2013 prices. The prices could fluctuate when the prices go public (for example, May 2013 prices probably wont be out until middle 2012), but your TA should be able to adjust it down if there is a significant drop. I HIGHLY recommend my TA if anyone is looking for someone. You can find her contact info on my wedding site: http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding. About airline prices: I wouldn't fret. Airlines tend not to release schedules so soon because of changes to schedules and travel patterns (I think). However, I feel that prices don't change that much from year to year because of competititon. So, I am just assuming that the prices will be about the same (or maybe a little more if gas prices increase) and as soon as they are released I am booking. I am not too worried because I think the price from DC to Jamaica is comfortable for my guests. We didn't choose a farther/more remote destination because we didn't want the airline cost to be a factor in our guest's decision to come or not. To all 2013 brides: CONGRATS!! And, HAPPY PLANNING! Courtney

Thanks for letting us know! I am really going to get my guests on top of it. I am having the deposits due by November (our wedding is in May 2013).

HAPPY WEDDING!! And, I hope you do get over your cold!! I have one as well! Take some Advil Cold & Sinus (it works well for me!).

Thanks for the advice. We are having everyone book well in advance with our group price (which I hope still drops even though it is a great price now). Has the hotel filled up for your weekend yet since it is only two months away??

Congrats!! Our resort has packages with a floral company and I was planning to have my hair done at the resort's salon (I haven't decided yet if I want to pay the $70 for make up or do it myself). Most everything the resort offers - photography (although we are outsourcing), videography (we will use the resort), flowers (we are simple so we are just using the resort's florist), officiant (the resort offers one but we found one online that we are excited about), and other decorations (e.g., lanterns) we will bring.

Congrats!! My FI and I are getting married on May 4, 2013. We just ordered our STDs and plan to send them out mid/late March (gives people a lot of time). The first deposit for the hotel rooms are due November 1, 2012, so we are sending out invites around September 1, 2012. We are going to have welcome packets for everyone when they arrive around May 1, 2013. You can see more info about our planning on our wedding website (http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding) or on our planning thread (see link below). Hope this helps!!

Thank you! We are very excited! I am also excited that my officiant and wedding photographer are willing to do the May date! I have already put in a deposit for photography!! Yay!! I am so excited to have someone from my home state do our photos and at the same time not to have to pay the travel fees (since she lives in Jamaica during the winter time)!! My Save The Dates should be here later this week, but in the meantime the following is our proof:

Congrats and welcome to the forum!! My FI and I are getting married in Montego Bay at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in May 2013. BTW - great thinking about school vacation. Some close people to me are not able to come because of school schedules (I totally forgot considering we have been out of school for years).

Congrats!! I am also having a wedding in Jamaica (May 2012). You can check out my details at: http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

I am def. doing a cocktail hour right afterwards. I don't want any gaps. I know that when I go to weddings, it is such a pet peeve of mine to have gap time - I just want to party/celebrate the wedding. Maybe you should ask your friends what they think. Btw, you could always chose to do the cocktail hour somewhere besides the beach. I believe the champagne toast is def. on the beach, but then you could do the cocktail hour inside the building. Matt and I are going to hire a musician to entertain our guests while we are taking photos. I mean they are flying all the way to Jamaica for us - we might as well keep them entertained!