CourtandMatt

I just finished mine. The raffia fans are from Oriental Trading Company and the brochures I made on Vistaprint.

I ordered the postcard from Vistaprint and glued it to raffia fans I got from Oriental Trading Company. I used a template. I ordered these stickers to go on the outside of our welcome bucket - see my planning thread - we are doing welcome sand buckets instead of welcome bags. I used a template. These came out super well! I am giving them to my bridesmaids. I used a template. The brochure I am using for our welcome bucket. I used a template from Vistaprint. They look awesome in hard copy!

I am actually the opposite - I hate when guys have undershirts on. I hope my FI and his GM don't wear one but I am not going to dictate to them either way. I def. think guys look better without one.

Could you do every other table with the Michaels centerpiece and the other tables with a floral centerpiece (or whatever you get from the florist)? I love what you did here with stuff from Michaels! It could save room in your luggage if you get half the center pieces there!

Chelsea: I did it on Vistaprint. They had that template under their brochures. I couldn't find it when I just looked real quick on Vistaprint's website, but the template is def. in there somewhere. Amber: The FAQs on justartifacts' website says the following: Q: Can I take sky lanterns across the border/on a plane? A: You are able to travel with these items; the fuel source for the lanterns is a wax paper block, similar to a candle. Hope that helps! Court

I have the same dress!!

I like the natural waist!

We found great ties at Macys. We got a white tie and cream tie.

I am so happy that you have the same issue with bikinis! I have to order from figleaves and so I thought it would be fun to get my ladies bikinis from figleaves. I just hope they works for them.

OUR WEDDING WEEKEND ITINERARY: Wednesday: Arrive in Jamaica. Put together welcome buckets. Meet WCs. Dinner at Hibachi Restaurant. Thursday: Wedding rehearsal. Welcome dinner at 8:30pm at Calabash. Friday: 9am pick up for catamaran. 10am-1pm catamaran cruise for all guests. 9-10pm: bonfire on beach for all guests with music. 10pm: light sky lanterns (bought at justartifacts.com). Saturday: Work out. Breakfast in bed. Makeup. Hair. 4:30pm Wedding on beach. Photos. 5:20-6:20pm Cocktail hour on the lobby terrace. 6:30pm-10:30pm Reception on the beach. Sunday: Meet people at breakfast buffet for goodbyes at 10am. Couples massage. Monday: Trip to Negril for day with husband, brother, and his girlfriend. Tuesday: Leave. Here is a more up to date DESTINATION WEDDING TIMELINE based on my experiences thus far Our Destination Wedding Timeline: Spring 2012 (1 year + to wedding): Set up account on bestdestinationwedding.com Pick location Pick date Find travel coordinator Book block of rooms Book photographer Book officiant June 2012 (11 months): Registry Wedding budget July 2012 (10 months): Find a wedding dress Buy wedding dress August 2012 (9 months): Birth certificates Find out about travel documents, visas and vaccinations Tell bridesmaids about their dresses September 2012 (8 months): Book catamaran cruise Research photo shots & talk to photographer Videographer Hair/Makeup October 2012 (7 months): Get corset made Book hotel rooms & flights Notarize copies of birth certificates and passport Order invitations Get travel insurance November 2012 (6 months): Mail invitations December 2012 (5 months): Buy yamukle and glass for breaking Get our wedding rings Book a DJ January 2013 (4 months): Mail required documents to resort Start to get dress altered Look at groomsmen outfits Buy bikinis Pick up groomsmen and grooms outfit Pick up rings Call people who haven't RSVPed February 2013 (3 months): Plan table decor Call floral shop Dress alteration Order sky lanterns Attendant's gifts Grooms outfit altered Give out groomsmen outfits Send final list to resort March 2013 (2 months): Organize a slideshow of pictures & order equipment - if want Plan first dance Finish ceremony programs Write welcome letter Check resort has required documents Music list Wedding toasts Finalize escort cards Complete welcome bags Email guests: itinerary, food requests, etc. Finalize trip schedule including wedding party day of itinerary Reserve a tent, curtains, dance floor, and lights (beach reception) April 2013 (1 month): Pick up any prescriptions or travel stuff need from CVS Write vows Call credit cards Make photo copies of credit cards and passports Choose all music Make thank you cards for family Pick up dress Email photographer: final payment, itinerary, confirmation, list of shots want Pay photographer Email videographer: confirmation, itinerary Email DJ: confirmation, payment, music list Pay DJ Email officiant: confirmation, itinerary, payment Email Makeup/Hair: confirmation, itinerary Email florist: confirmation, itinerary Email tent vendor: confirmation, itinerary Email resort with finalized list May 2013 (THE MONTH): WEDDING Check insurance policies, health benefits, etc. Sell extra stuff on BDW Finish honeymoon plans June 2013 (-1 month): July 2013 (-2 months): Wedding photo book for self and family Check on wedding certificate Start name change --> New passport, driver's license, SS card, etc. August 2013 (-3 months): Make an appointment at travel clinic for honeymoon prep September 2013 (-4 months): October 2013 (-5 months): November 2013 (-6 months): HONEYMOON!

MISC. WEDDING STUFF HANGER I purchased a Mrs. Doolin hanger from the original maker of these hangers: Lila Frances. MY PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/courtneymara/ ESCORT CARDS: We bought name cards to go in front of plates from Party City. We will print the names on it. To direct people to their tables, we bought two frames from IKEA. We will print a list of names and their table and put it in the frame. TABLE NUMBERS CANDLES FOR RECEPTION TABLES: They were $0.79 each. They can be found here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50209610/. For table numbers, which we plan to put a pictures of our favorite trips in as our "table numbers", we bought these $0.99 frames. JEWISH STUFF (Matt's glass to break and kippah) WELCOME BUCKET: We are giving our guests sand buckets (Oriental Trading Company), snacks from Costco (Chewy granola bar, fruit snacks, cookies, etc.), mini sun blocks and aloe (from Target and Dollar Tree), sunglasses (dhgate.com), welcome brochure (Vistaprint) and sticker to go on the bucket (Vistaprint). WEDDING PROGRAMS: We got raffia fans from Oriental Trading Company and postcards from Vistaprint. Will post photos in my post wedding thread.

WEDDING CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES MY DRESS: Alfred Angelo 2314 MY WEDDING ACCESSORIES: My walk down the aisle sandles from Nine West My reception shoes - I am only doing flats since we want a beach wedding and reception. Plus, I like to be comfortable. For my hair - not too sure how I am going to use it just yet - bought it from Alfred Angelo. It matches the beading on my dress. I am not too sure about the veil, but this is the one my mom bought. She loved it. They have star fish on them. I got them from Alfred Angelo. I purchased these bracelets. I will wear one on each arm. I bought them from misunbridal.com. Earrings from Charming Charlies Necklace from Nordstrom MY FIANCE'S OUTFIT - from Macys My FI in his outfit without the jacket: My fiance in his suit: OUR RINGS - From the Diamond Exchange GROOMSMEN ATTIRE - from Macys That's my FI in the groomsmen attire! BRIDESMAID OUTFITS: They are choosing their own outfits. It just has to be a neutral color and about knee length.

WEDDING VENDORS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: I contacted a few photographers who do weddings in Jamaica and finally decided on Sandy May. She has great prices, I love the photos and reviews, she communicates well, and she seems to dedicate time to the couple and their photos (she only takes 3-4 weddings a month). I also love the fact that she is a Minnesotan (which I am). She lives in Jamaica during winter time. My package is as follows: Sandy May as photographer for 5 hours, overtime available @ $200 per hour; Personal website for on-line viewing, editing, and print ordering on Pictage.com; $100 US gift certificate toward prints ordered from Pictage.com; High resolution disc of all usable photos, color corrected and exposure adjusted with the copyright turned over to you; Iberostar day pass to be paid by client. Fee...............................................................$ 1,400.00 US DJ: DJ Kevan Stewart. Info on his package is as follows: We pride ourselves on our professionalism and efficiency; we arrive two hours before the start of each function and all our DJs are professionally attired to match the dress code of your event. JA Wedding DJ has developed a great reputation for playing a wide selection of music that spans all genres and we have a high success rate in satisfying diverse wedding groups. We look forward to helping you make your wedding a memorable event by playing music that both touches your soul and stirs your passions. Additionally, please see below, the details on the entertainment package you chose: Our hourly rate is US$180. However, once you book us for more than four hours, we can tailor a wedding package to suit your budget. Silver Package $720.00: (this package is for up to 4 hrs of music); Free meet and greet consultation with your DJ; professional digital sound system; cordless microphone for speeches and introductions; wide variety of music. You can make a deposit (US$200) online via my website at http://jaweddingdj.com/pay.php WEDDING OFFICIANT: We are Jewish so I really wanted a Jewish ceremony. Thank goodness for Stephen Henriques. He is a leader of the Jewish community in Jamaica and does weddings. He is even mentioned in the book "A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and Latin America." He said he would do our wedding. My officiant sent an outline of our Jewish wedding ceremony: OUT LINE OF JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY WELCOME TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS BEDEKIN CEREMONY (THIS IS THE POINT THAT THE GROOM IS ASKED IF THIS IS THE WOMAN HE WISHES TO MARRY) IF THE BRIDE WEARS A VEIL HE WILL LIFT IT AT THIS TIME LOOK AND ANSWER. THIS COMES FROM THE TIME WHEN JACOB WAS TO MARRY RACHEL AND BECAUSE HE DID NOT LOOK UNDER THE VEIL HE GOT LEAH INSTEAD. EXPLANATION OF WHY A JEWISH WEDDING TAKES PLACE UNDER A CHUPPAH PRAYER: IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH. BARUCH HABA BESHEM ADONAI. MAIN PRAYER IN JEWISH CEREMONY FOR THE COUPLE. FIRST KDDUSH AND REASON WHY WE DO THIS. BRIDE AND GROOM DRINK WINE AT THIS POINT. READING – THIS IS OPTIONAL AND CAN BE SELECTED ADDRESS TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM BY THE RABBI WEDDING VOWS (10) RING CEREMONY : BLESSING OF RINGS AND GIVING OF SAME WITH VOWS. (11)READING OF THE KETUBAH (IF REQUIRED) (12) LEGAL CEREMONY DECLARATION OF PUBLIC WITNESS. THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THE BRIDE AND GROOM TAKE EACH OTHER AS MAN AND WIFE LEGALLY. (13) 2ND KIDDUSH . BRIDE AND GROOM TAKE WINE FOR THE 2ND TIME TO MARK END OF CEREMONY. (14) SHEVA BERACHOT/ SEVEN BLESSINGS FOR BRIDE AND GROOM. BRIDE MAY AT THIS POINT CIRCLE THE GROOM 1,3,OR 7 TIMES TO CONSUMATE THE MARRIAGE. THIS CIRCLING MAY ALSO BE LEFT OUT COMPLETELY. IT CAN BE READ IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH OR JUST HEBREW OR JUST ENGLISH. (15) FINAL BENEDICTION (16) BREAKING OF THE GLASS AND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY WE DO THIS. (17) PRESENTATION OF THE COUPLE AND KISSING OF THE BRIDE. END OTHER PRAYERS AND ITEMS CAN BE ADDED IF YOU WISH. THIS CAN BE DISCUSSED AS YOU WISH. HAIR & MAKEUP: Rashel Edwards' company. It cost us $498 for 3 bridesmaids and me. [email protected] CATAMARAN FOR "REHEARSAL CRUISE": Island Routes Tour. $2925 plus $10pp for transportation to the dock from the resort. 3 hour cruise from 10am-1pm with music, drinks, snacks, snorkeling and a stop at Margaritaville. RECEPTION DECOR (BESIDES FLOWERS): We will probably be renting from Cover Me Up Tent Rentals in Montego Bay, Jamaica for our beach reception. We will probably rent a clear top tent, lights, curtains, and maybe even a dance floor and projection screen. FLOWERS: We ordered flowers from Floral Fantasies: The bridal bouquet will consist of white hydrangeas, white roses and pockets of white dendrobium orchids, stems wrapped with white satin ribbon. …………………………………………………. U.S $ 100.00 The bridesmaid bouquet will be a scaled down version of the bridal bouquet, stems wrapped with white satin ribbon. @ $65.00x 2 ……………………………………………………………. $ 130.00 Brother of the bride - using a white rose 3 groomsmen- using white dendrobium orchid @ $5.00 x 4 ……………………………………………………………….. $ 20.00 The centerpiece will be done in a 6†cylinder using all white hydrangeas. @ $65.00 x 5 …………………………………………………………..... $ 325.00 __________________ Sub-total U.S $ 575.00 Delivery $ 30.00 16.5% sales tax $ 100.00 _______________ Total U.S $ 705.00 We also get more flowers for free with our wedding package. They come from Tai Flora. The following is what they told me they can do: Groom Boutonniere: White rose with white hydrangea accent Centerpiece for registry table (and later used for sweetheart table): white roses Cake flowers: White hydrangeas Maid of Honor bouquet (which was really the included bridal bouquet): White orchids

BRIDESMAID GIFTS: Bags from Vistaprint Havaiana flip flops from Nordstrom Necklaces from Etsy (allstrungout1) $70 for 3 Bikinis from Figleaves.com GROOMSMEN GIFTS: We bought their outfits.