CourtandMatt

The following few posts will be my attempt at providing a more thorough update to my planning thread: THE PROPOSAL: Matthew & I got engaged on August 25, 2011 in Tahiti. He proposed during our EngagementMoon to Tahiti and New Zealand. He proposed with a "stand-in" ring until I picked out and received my dream yellow diamond ring. The ring arrived on December 29, 2011. WEDDING PLANNING: In late 2011, we finally decided that we wanted to get married abroad. After much thought on the location, it finally came down to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. In order to have the "best of both worlds," I booked Matthew's birthday in the DR (for April 2012) and we booked a wedding in Jamaica (for May 2013). WEDDING WEB SITE: http://walters-doolin.ourwedding.com/ or go to CourtneyMara.com/Wedding THE RESORT: After reading through a lot of threads, putting in a deposit and shortly thereafter getting back a deposit for Grand Palladium, and finally discussing with our family friend who is now our travel coordinator, we decided on Iberostar Rose Hall Suites. I have heard only great things about the resort. Here are some reasons we chose this resort: great reviews, one wedding a day, good communication with the resort, reasonably priced weddings, lazy river, my colleague who just stayed there said the food was great, and our TA highly recommends this resort. THE DATE: Saturday, May 4, 2013 ENGAGEMENT PARTY: My girlfriends threw Matthew and I an engagement party at the White House bowling alley on November 12, 2011. BACHELORETTE PARTY: New York City in April 2013. Stay tuned! WEDDING SHOWER: None. I didn't want one. SAVE THE DATES: We ordered our Save the Dates through SaveTheDateMagnet.com (New and Blue Enterprises, Inc.). INVITATIONS: Our invitations! We LOVE them. We got them from http://emdotzee.com/. I believe in the end with everything we got we paid $808. This included our addresses on the envelopes (with the exception of recipient addresses). WEDDING COLORS: White & neutral TRAVEL COORDINATOR: Our friend Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. is coordinating everyone's travel. BRIDAL PARTY: "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" In May or June (2012) I mailed "Bridesmaid on a Budget" books to my bridesmaids that included inside the book a photo, personal note, and a "Will you be my bridesmaid?" card to be mailed back to me. They all accepted! BRIDESMAID GIFTS: Bags from Vistaprint Havaiana flip flops from Nordstrom Necklaces from Etsy (allstrungout1) $70 for 3 Bridal Party of 3 - Island or Beach Destination Wedding - Bridal Party Starfish, Pearl, and Stamped Initial Sterling Silver Necklace Bikinis from Figleaves.com GROOMSMEN GIFTS: We bought their outfits.

Hi, Kincey12 We estimated 60 guests and so we blocked 30 rooms at $100 per room = $3,000. We ended up letting go like 8 or 9 rooms with our 53 guests and getting our entire $3,000 back because we let go the rooms before the deadline and all of the rest of the rooms were fully paid. Courtney That's awesome that you are in DC! Maybe after my wedding we can meet up and I can tell you all the DOs and DO NOTs! I did this with a former IRHS bride who used to live in DC! We are using DJ Kevan. We are hopefully going to pay the full amount a week or two before the wedding so I don't have to worry about it on our wedding day. I think we used paypal the first time, so we will just do that again. I will post some information about our welcome bags soon. I need to update this planning thread anyways! How's your planning coming along?

We aren't doing any special ceremonies, besides having a religious (Jewish) ceremony. It really just depends on who you are. My sister did a flower ceremony thing and still has the dried flowers. I just want to stick to the classics. Also, I arrive a few hours before you, so I will be missing you at the airport. Happy wedding though!! Yay to all of us May 4 brides and May 4 Jamaica brides!

I am pretty sure I read somewhere else that it is 20 persons per table which would equate to 80 person capacity. Totally not 100% sure though!

When do you arrive and leave? I am flying into Montego Bay on May 1 and leaving May 7. Will I see you at the airport?

Have you looked at IKEA?

Please post your plan!! Congratulations!!!

I was told by the Suites WC that I just have to pay for Rashel's hair stylist. Kassi22 - I look forward to hearing what they tell you.

My Final TO DO List based on month: MARCH Slideshow of pictures (FI task) Plan first dance - probably to "Marry Me" Order ceremony programs (waiting on final Vistaprint stuff) Order welcome brochure (waiting on final info from resort and then will print all Vistaprint stuff) Check resort has final documents (FI task) Choose wedding toasts (who and when) & inform speakers Finalize escort cards Make sure welcome bags are complete (pretty sure they are but waiting for last materials - also need to buy tissue paper) Email guests: food requests, itinerary, suggested packing list, etc. Finalize trip schedule & venues Finish honeymoon booking APRIL Pick up dress (already scheduled) Write vows Call credit cards to tell them will be using them in Jamaica Make photocopies of credit cards and passports Finalize music list including aisle songs, mom/son, brother/sister dances and MUST PLAY and DO NOT PLAY lists Write personalized cards to family members Pick up all last travel stuff (sunscreen, medicines, etc.). Photographer: make final payment, send day of schedule, and send final photo shots want Officiant: confirm arrival time and finalize ceremony DJ: send song list, confirm arrival time, and make final payment Videographer: Send day of schedule, and music list want for video Makeup/Hair: Confirm arrival time Resort: send finalized list (reception venue, food, music, etc.) MAY 4 2013 WEDDING MAY (post wedding) Change insurance policies and beneficiaries Health benefits changes? Order extra pages for passport (Bride task - need it for honeymoon) Sell all extra stuff on BDW JULY Make a wedding photo book (hopefully have photos by now) Make family gifts - wedding photo books AUGUST Check on wedding certificate if it hasn't arrived NOVEMBER = HONEYMOON! After honeymoon, work on name change - SS card, driver's license, work, passport, etc.

My Final TO DO List based on month: MARCH Slideshow of pictures (FI task) Plan first dance - probably to "Marry Me" Order ceremony programs (waiting on final Vistaprint stuff) Order welcome brochure (waiting on final info from resort and then will print all Vistaprint stuff) Check resort has final documents (FI task) Choose wedding toasts (who and when) & inform speakers Finalize escort cards Make sure welcome bags are complete (pretty sure they are but waiting for last materials - also need to buy tissue paper) Email guests: food requests, itinerary, suggested packing list, etc. Finalize trip schedule & venues Finish honeymoon booking APRIL Pick up dress (already scheduled) Write vows Call credit cards to tell them will be using them in Jamaica Make photocopies of credit cards and passports Finalize music list including aisle songs, mom/son, brother/sister dances and MUST PLAY and DO NOT PLAY lists Write personalized cards to family members Pick up all last travel stuff (sunscreen, medicines, etc.). Photographer: make final payment, send day of schedule, and send final photo shots want Officiant: confirm arrival time and finalize ceremony DJ: send song list, confirm arrival time, and make final payment Videographer: Send day of schedule, and music list want for video Makeup/Hair: Confirm arrival time Resort: send finalized list (reception venue, food, music, etc.) MAY 4 2013 WEDDING MAY (post wedding) Change insurance policies and beneficiaries Health benefits changes? Order extra pages for passport (Bride task - need it for honeymoon) Sell all extra stuff on BDW JULY Make a wedding photo book (hopefully have photos by now) Make family gifts - wedding photo books AUGUST Check on wedding certificate if it hasn't arrived NOVEMBER = HONEYMOON! After honeymoon, work on name change - SS card, driver's license, work, passport, etc.

Date Triplets! Yay to May 4 2013!

Thank you all for the bag suggestions! I also just found that Oriental Trading Company has some (although I question the quality of some of their products). Btw, the photos of the resorts makes me want to travel a TON!

That's a great way of looking at it! I am actually quite jealous that you saved all that money!! Great choice!

Ladies! I am desperately looking for cheap beach bags. I was hoping for bulk jumbo bags to come in stock at dollar tree, but I just called and they are not going to be getting them in bulk any more. I also called the individual stores and they said that they are not going to get them. Any one have any leads??? Please help!

When I have trouble getting emails back from tai flora I then resend that email and add info@taiflora and sales@taiflora (google those email addresses bc they may be off - I don't have them in front of me).

OMG!! Mine comes up as well!!! I pray my Fiance does not google image search our resort!

Hi! She will probably be back in Minnesota in July since she lives there in the summer. Let me know though what you find out!

I did start my alterations just so I could get it all done before other things make it on to my long wedding to do list!

BEAUTIFUL! What Etsy dealer did you get this from??

Ceremony: beach Cocktail hour: lobby terrace Reception: on the beach You?