Mlite83

Wow, it has been a crazy 24 hours but we have OFFICIALLY booked our travel arrangements - we fly from Toronto on Feb 6, 2013 to spend 1 week at Now Jade!! I have just spoken with Pilar and have Sat. Feb 9th held as our wedding day!!  In order to secure early booking bonuses we had to act quick (ie requested a fresh set of quotes Monday and booked Tuesday afternoon).  We have already had 4 couples put down their deposits today too!!  It's exciting, if not a little overwhelming!

Originally Posted by nic2013 

Congrats!! I am also in the same boat you were in. Waiting for my wedding confirmation! I sent the deposit already for January 8th/2013.

I am torn between what wedding package to take.

I selected Your Moments for now because I can always upgrade later. I have over 30 guests coming so I feel that I would be paying a lot extra if I take one of the other packages that are for only 25 guests. Since it is an all inclusive resort, I think I will get my wedding group together and go to the buffet after the ceremony and then to one of the bars to party after.

 

Anyone that has taken your moments package?? How did that go? Were there any extra hidden fees?

 

Thanks

 

 

The your moments package is only for 10 people and does not include any decor -- ie you would have 10 chairs set up and the judges table.  You might want to consider the costs for the set up of additional chairs etc.  Just a thought though

During the webinair Pilar said the upgraded photo package really just meant they were in a hardcover album.  I believe it is still only 24 photos you get....but from what I understand it is pretty reasonable to purchase the other photos (a previous bride said additional packages offered to her after picking her 24 photos ranged from 200-500 dollars I think.

Originally Posted by mic813 

"Devine Package includes 24 photos, upgraded photo package and wedding album"

 

Does anyone know what the upgraded photo package includes?

 

I think I am leaning towards the Devine package.  I like the idea of the live music at the ceremony but don't think I need the video.  Would love a copy of cd with more pictures.  I wonder if they will swap it out. 

Originally Posted by janette34 

For anyone thinking of ordering flowers from Bloom Bridal - DO IT!!!  Although I was super frustrated that they didn't arrive when they were scheduled too they turned out absolutely gorgeous! 

Your bouquet turned out beautifully!  I love the touches of starfish you incorporated!!  Congrats!

Wow, I love your peacock accents, especially in your bouquet!  Congrats!!

Originally Posted by canadiangirl 

WOW so i finally copied all 735 wedding photos, and couldnt wait to post and share with all my BDB, hope you enjoy!!!

 

 

my shoes and flowers

 

me and my new husband...still sounds strange lol

 

 

 

 

off the resort, doing the TTD (what a trip)

My quote was from a local TA - but I think they are part of a larger chain.  It was from Robert Q travel (their head office is in London).  I also priced with Fettes Travel (again a chain with mutliple locations) and had similar prices (maybe a bit more).

Originally Posted by CassidyKristen 

Mlite83 - Thanks for sharing that info! do you mind me asking which agency you got this quote from? I'm trying to get a quote for April 2013. 

I agree - and chances are most people would want to attend but you don't want to turn their vacation into a scheduled down to the minute week!

Originally Posted by echraide 

I like the idea of doing welcome cocktails or "we're having dinner at X place, join if you're free". I'd hate to bombard people with all this formal wedding stuff; I'd like them to enjoy this trip as a vacation for them as well.

[email protected]

That is the address I have been using in conversations with Pilar.

Originally Posted by jc2488 

Do you have Pilar's amil address?

I'm in the same boat -- I was emailing with Pilar about 2 weeks ago and her turn around time (to answer questions, send info etc) was about 48 hours...hoping she responds soon! 

Originally Posted by ashleyblayne 

Is anyone else having issues getting their wedding date confirmed...we are trying to get January 22nd, 2013 confirmed and I have written a few emails over a week and can't get any confirmation from Pilar!!!  We need to know so our guests can put their deposits in to West Jet by May 9th..ahhh...I don't want to keep bugging her but I really want it confirmed so that we can go ahead with everything!!!

I have priced out a variety of resorts (in both Mexico and Jamaica) from two agencies in Ontario and most took somewhere in the 5-7 day range for quotes.  One set of quotes came back quite quickly (ie 1-2 days) for the Barcelo resort, most took about 5 days, but some (including Secrets and Moon Palace) took closer to 10 days.  It might also have to do with the airline your prices are through - I know Westjet was super speedy with quotes for us, whereas Sunwing and Air Transat have been average.  Hope that helps!

Since Now Jade has been the resort I have compared everything else to I kinda felt like I was already one too!  I really appreciated how easy it was to locate information about the resort (between their website, this website and the BDW webinair) -- this was definitely not the case at all resorts! I'm so excited to join the official Now Jade brides!
 

Originally Posted by ChocoTaco7568 

And all this time I thought you were already a Now Jade Bride... Congrats officially on choosing a resort! Let us know when you have a date confirmed.

 

 

Congrats - everything looks lovely! Love the dress!!!
 

Originally Posted by acornk 

Congrats!  It's an exciting and sometimes daunting task to plan a DW but the end result is worth it!  My friend of mine had a DW in St. Lucia and she loved it but the price per person unfortunately made it difficult for friends and family to attend.  In the end the couple decided to change their plans and were married at the Sandals in St. Lucia - just the two of them.  They were very happy as it was exactly what they wanted - low key, minimal stress, beautiful location etc.  I would definitely recommend working with a TA - speak with a few different agencies, if possible, that way you'll be happy with whomever you select as your TA (instead of just ending up with a random TA). 

Congrats to you!  It's an exciting and sometimes overwhelming feelings, especially finding the perfect resort!  Figure out what is important to you - do you want a huge resort or an intimate spot? an adults only resort? all suites? in the hotel zone or something a bit more relaxed?  Once you have a few ideas gathered speak to a travel agent who can direct you towards resorts that match your ideas (and budget).  From there you can start to explore wedding packages (and reviews on here)!!   

Flying out of Toronto for winter 2013 I'm being quote:

08jan - 1120+tax=1466.30/person

06feb - 1255+tax=1601.30/person

* for every 20 paying adults the 21st goes free less the taxes

I think that is reasonable, although I wish the promotion was better - I know Westjet charges more but has every 6th free, unfortunately they also have more requirements around group bookings.  For example the quote expires in 30 days and each member of the group is required to put down $200 pp in order to secure their reservation...for a large group booking I don't think that is very feasible - too much stress!

So FI and I have FINALLY settled on a resort and Now Jade has won!  Truthfully he was sold on it from the start whereas I had to check into a few others resorts to make certain we were not going to find something later and wish we had done more research.  Now Jade has been my standard which I have measured other against and while each resort has their own pros/cons I know we have made a good choice and the cons for Now Jade are so minor I'm not concerned.  Now to get a wedding date booked!

I believe its Adventure Photo -- this website has lots of photos of weddings they have shot and you can check them out by resorts http://www.adventurephotosmx.com/

I know Pilar gave a name during the webinair but I can't remember it...maybe Anthony?

Originally Posted by ChocoTaco7568 

Does anyone know what photography company Now Jade contracts with? Do they have a website and current portfolio or blog?

wow, that is impressive! glad to hear it is all coming together for you!! enjoy!

congrats! everything looks beautiful and your big day is almost here!  all the best!!

Very helpful thread - many thanks!

Beautiful photos, as always DelSol does amazing work!

Stunning photos - the way they capture the light in photos in amazing!

Wow AmyG - you look amazing!  The earring and hairstyle compliment the dress perfectly!

Good finds!  I can't wait till we get Target here in Canada...in the mean time I'll settle for priced to clear Easter candy, haha!