allieplask

I know everyone is complaining about hearing back from the WC at the Suites... when I emailed my date request, I followed it up with a phone call and then got a confirmation email the next day. I have heard back one or two times since... but I did email the WC last Friday with a bunch of questions and have not heard back yet... I am SUCH a planner when it comes to things - own my own business and expect emails back the same day. But in this case, you have to think that my wedding is about 13 months away. Whether they respond to my email today or next week it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Just think how many emails they get daily - from brides with date confirmations, brides with upcoming weddings, brides looking to book, brides looking for information PLUS they have to plan and deal with the weddings that are happening daily. That is a ton of work for the few WC they have on property. I have heard that as your wedding gets closer, the resort is much quicker with responses. The WC has also told me that I don't have to pick flowers, tablecloths, cakes, etc. until next January or February. I'm not sure if other people have been told otherwise but that is FINE with me. One of the best parts of having a destination wedding is having less to worry about! We don't have to go find flower vendors and this and that - it's more about choosing what we want and the hotel will get it done. Trust me, this time next year if I'm not hearing back, I'll have a huge problem but right now, it's not the end of the world. And, that's why this forum is so awesome. So instead of the WC answering a million zillion questions a day, probably about the same thing, people can just ask here and then not have to bother her about it.

Hi! I am also a May 2013 bride - we are getting married in Jamaica. Our wedding is May 26 - Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. It seems like the other brides on this thread have similar ideas to our plans for the wedding weekend. We (bride/groom) and our families plan to fly into Jamaica on Wednesday. We figure most of our guests will come in Friday - Monday/Tuesday. For the weekend our events/plans are: Friday is a welcome dinner for everyone. Saturday will be a daytime booze cruise to Margartiaville and to snorkel - my parents will be paying for this so everyone is invited, just depends who wants to come. Saturday we will also do a quick rehearsal, just the wedding party and then have a dinner/beach bonfire at night on the beach for all our guests. Sunday will be the ceremony/reception. Monday we plan to do a brunch for everyone as well. Yay, can't wait! If I can figure out how too I will post our save-the-dates. My FI happens to be a graphic designer so we are making all our own save-the-dates, invites, programs, etc, etc. We also made our engagement party invites for our party last month. We took the save-the-date idea from someone on Etsy but re-created it ourselves. If anyone wants I can email them our Illustrator file if they want to play with designing their own too!

wow! that's awesome! should be a great time. how many people did you invite? we are inviting around 250 so we are anticipating about 100 but who knows? we say the more the merrier! if you get more info on cake customization and menu customization let me know, we plan to rent out the beach front restaurant at the Suites (not sure the same of it) but I would definitely like a custom cake - not just a white one like everyone else.

thanks, i got the same pricing from saab this am! i was surprised that his package price is the same as my at home photog - but my at home photog adds a day before/after shoot so with travel and all my at home photog will only be $400 more... we'd also have to pay a vendor fee at the hotel if we use saab do you know who you plan to use for your wedding? or have you seen/found any other photogs in jamaica that you like?

how many people are you having attending your wedding? and are you making the trip optional for everyone?

Awesome, thank you! I will look into that!

Is anyone here getting married at the Grand at the end of May 2013? We are 95% sure we are flying down our photographer from NJ - he did our engagement shoot and he's absolutely amazing! Just figured if someone was, we could always split his hotel/airfare costs. Let me know!! His costs are comparable to Saab photography plus you get an extra shoot (which Saab charges $550 an hour for and won't have to pay an additional $100 for an off-site vendor) SAAB: www.saabweddings.com Collection A (Michael + Olive) - US $4200, Associate Photographers Price - US $3300 7 continuous hours coverage Two photographers 1 high resolution disc with about 500 images for printing DVD Slide show with 100 images of your choice Photos online for viewing and sharing with family and friends BRAD ROSS: www.bradross.net

have either of you gotten prices from Saab? i was hoping to fly a photographer down from home but it seems expensive... i'm just curious to see what he charges

me allie you emailed? i never got an email

I acutally got a reply from Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours. Here is what they said.... I think the price they quoted is pretty good - especially if we have a large number of people. Because if we have 100 people, $60 a person would be $6,000 total. This would be max $4425 for 100 people. We're not sure how many people will be attending the wedding. If it's only around 50 than maybe the per person makes sense? In the $60-$70 you were quoted - does that include transportation from the hotel? Island Routes Private Catamaran Charter Cruise - Experience the magic of an Island Routes catamaran cruise, one of the Caribbean’s most wet ‘n’ wild adventures full of delectable appetizers, exotic cocktails, and the best panoramic views you’ll ever set your eyes on! Laugh out loud with newfound friends as the undulating shoreline passes you by. You’ll find yourself swaying to the rhythms of reggae music, new and old, while learning the latest island dance moves and enjoying our signature catamaran cocktail. There’s nothing quite like this ‘club on water’ to feel the pulse of the island vibes and see the wonders of the Caribbean. [NOTE: Snorkeling is included; Port of call highlighted locale is Margaritaville] 3 hours. The maximum capacity is 110 persons. Our charter net rates are very competitive and begin at $1950usd for 2 hours and $975 for each additional hour. This includes an open bar with Rum, Vodka, Gin, Wines, Tequila, Beers, Sodas, Juices, Water, Finger food! Live D.J. spinning dancing tunes, first class crew lifeguard, CPR and service trained aboard a state of the art 65ft luxury catamaran custom fitted with double netting, seating areas inside and outside, high tech navigation systems with the best features in Jamaican waters! Charter rates may increase if the date requested is during scheduled cruises and do not include transfers. We are pleased to provide round trip transfers from IberoStar for $15 per person. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any other way that I may be of assistance. Thanks and have a good day!

We had problems with that decision too - what resort. We eventually decided on the Suites (all of our guests are staying at the Grand or the Suites). The Grand did tell me they would allow children at the ceremony and private reception but their prices seemed higher than the Suites. For example, the wedding package is $900 more, it was like $4500 to rent the restaurant out and that only gets you a buffet - a sit down dinner is $70 per person. We will be renting out the beach restaurant at the Suites and it's only $800 plus $18 per person for dinner (comes to like $2,000 for our guests). Just seemed like more money but not really sure what extra we'd be getting. Besides, we plan to do a lot of extras - I am having chairs brought in, different flowers, etc. etc. I don't really know anything about the beach so I can't be helpful there.

we finalllllllly committed to a date.... May 26, 2013!! Also, we just got date confirmation this AM but we are 95% sure we are bringing our own photographer down - just need to check the date with him. Our wedding is on the May 26, so if anyone else wants to use him that weekend... he will be down in Jamaica! His website is www.bradross.net if you wanted to see his work. Married!!!! 6.30.2011 – mrsdeloatch2be – Suites 7.13.2011 – daisymable – Suites 8.28.2011 - MrsWashington11 9.8.2011 - QTPie11 - Suites 9.9.2011 – Islandgirl910 – Suites 9.10.2011 – toiinlove – Grand 10.8.2011 – futuremrstgun – Beach 10.30.2011 – nolabride78 (Stacy & Raymond) 11.6.2011 – pmwoodard1978 (Paula & xx) – Beach 11.6.2011 - ErinDoc (Erin & Bryan) - Suites 11.11.2011 – mrsgreene2011 (Jeanine & Reuben) – Suites 11.14.2011 - Sn2bMrsMarshall (Eric & Sheena) - Beach 11.16.2011 – starrysim – Beach 11.20.2011 - lianac (Liana & Jeff) - Suites 11.24.2011 – Bride2be – Suites 12.3.2011- DeAngelis2be (Christine & Joseph)- Grand 12.5.2011 - Marlena (Marlena & Brian) Beach 12.6.2011 – Kimberli1211 (Kim & Coleman) – Suites 1.5.2012 - clonedtwice - Beach 1.9.2012 – daizyduke – Suites 1.18.2012 - RyGuysBride - Suites 1.18.2012 - nikadawn - Beach 1.29.2012 - JenAndBrad - Grand 2.2.2012 – shanas (Shana & Brian) – Beach 2012 Weddings: 2.11.2012 - bmaxam12 - Suites 2.17.2012 - butyfuldreamer - Suites 2.22.2012 - X-Tina - Suites 2.23.2012 - Luvmoo (Jen & Bobbie) - Beach 2.24.2012 – hayjk – Suites 2.26.2012 – bjcs21 – Suites 3.4.2012- vbbbtk - Suites 3.19.2012-Saskbride2012 (Kari&Sean) = Suites 3.30.2012 - Ciecee (Candyce & Rich) = Suites 4.18.2012 – cGd41812 – Suites 4.27.2012 - Jamaica2012 - Beach 5.12.2012- photolvr77- Suites 5.14.2012 - poddoc - Beach 5.25.2012 - MissHoneyBee - Grand 5.30.2012 – MoBayBride2B – Suites 6.8.2012 – sunshine2413 (Shannon & Maurell) - Grand 6.9.2012 - Sj4680 (Susan & Kyle) - Grand 6.10.2012 - Leah 22 - Grand 6.22.2012 – dcrow55 – Suites 6.23.2012 - fungirl97 - Suites 7.1.2012 – JADE28 (Charene & Kevin) – Suites 7.7.2012 – JamaicaSukie – Suites 7.13.2012 - tdotey (Tomi & Kevin) - Beach 7.19.2012- flamenca520 (Kelly & Andy)- Suites 7.22.2012 – IslandBride201x (Kim & Eric) – Suites 7.22.2012 – MrsDesz – Beach 7.23.2012 – IslandBride12 - Suites 7.30.2012 - noreenp79 – Suites 8.3.2012- amyandjeroen- Suites 8.12.2012 - dthomasg - Beach 8.18.2012 - MrsG 81812- Suites (Will and Ana) 8.24.2012 – Kadijah – Suites 10.6.2012- Jen723 -Grand 10.7.2012 - mcolon722 - Suites 10.13.2012-Mecampb - Suites (Jim & Morgan) 11.11.2012- meeshamillz - Beach 11.11.2012 – futuremrsclark (Megan & Nick) – Suites 12.3.2012 - Sjay (Sarah & Nelson) - Suites 12.12.2012 Bridemichyboo-Suites 2013 Brides 1.07.2013 - Shauna253 - Suites 1.20. 2013- Jreist - Beach 2.21.2013 - Cateyedcutie (Monique & Robert) – Grand 3.07.2013- mcc842002 (Meagan & Tom) - Beach 3.13.2013 - kristencanada (Kristen & Kyle) - Grand 4.27.2013 - albellis (Andrea & David) - Beach 05.04.2013 - CourtandMatt (Courtney & Matt) - Suites 5-18-13 kinsellak1 (Roland and Kate)- Suites 05-24-2013 - heather1214 (Jack & Heather) - Beach 5.26.13 - allieplask (Allie and Nick) Suites 6.5.2013- amybutz89- Suites 6.2.2013 - Lillove81 - Suites 6.17.2013 - Bruuning17 (Laura & Jaden) -Suites

how much did it cost to ship the bridesmaids wine?? i've looked for it in NJ but haven't found a place that carries it. i want to order it but am wondering about shipping costs - and the website won't tell me!!!

Yeah, that is not an issue at all but thanks for the heads up!

Really? Thank you Leah! We sent paperwork in yesterday to secure the Suites for our date but I just emailed the Grand to see if they had our date available! I didn't realize kids could go over there at all! We would definitely pay extra to have the reception private if it means we can do it. The hotel is absolutely beautiful and I like the ceremony locations more than the Suites. And that's awesome you don't have to pay extra - I've wanted a private reception regardless so it'll work out perfectly. We had planned to stay at the Grand anyways, even though we were going to get married at the Suites. My FI is in love with the balconies/swings. It'll probably just be forever until I hear back hahah.

I think I already know the answer to this but I want to make sure... if you have a wedding at the Grand, kids can't come right? Even if we have a private ceremony and a private dinner? Right now we requested a date at the Suites (waiting to hear back) but we will be staying at the Grand (bride and groom). We will have 3 kids at our wedding, an 8 yr old, a 10 yr old and a 15 yr old.

Super helpful! Those are the same prices I was getting when I did it. I have the all-inclusive prices too - she told me $237 per person per night so I think that comes out to the same as yours. I know flights aren't out yet - we paid $400 for our flights from Newark (NYC) to Jamaica last summer (included taxes and stuff). I know we booked in April (for June) but flights were as low as $250 in January/February. Guess it'd best for people to book early. We are just having such a cost issue... we know some of our guests are money-conscious and it's a constant battle between us wanting to get married at Half Moon or going somewhere more affordable so that more of our family and friends can come. Also, I saw on your contract that you did with them and it shows that you booked a certain number of rooms (and only those rooms get the "special" prices). Do you know if there is a penalty if you don't book all the rooms? Or do you just let them know a certain amount of time in advance and then you aren't responsible for those rooms anymore? Sorry for the zillions of questions...

thank you! that makes me feel so much better!

i love the wine idea! how cute, especially that it's called bridesmaid! i'm definitely stealing this from you, thank you!!

Has anyone done a catamaran thing? I'd love to rent a boat for our group for the day - just go out on the water and snorkel.. hang out and drink! I saw somewhere that one bride paid like $60 per person which doesn't sound bad. I just can't remember where I saw that? Also, I have done the canopy tours in Jamaica and they are a lot of fun!!! Would definitely recommend.

With all the information that you have from Half Moon do you know approximately how much your guests will be paying to stay at the hotel? I am having such a hard time trying to price it out because the only online site that lets me do it is Expedia but their costs are way off the $237 per person per night that the WC gave me. Also, Expedia is adding an insane amount of taxes into the price. I'm just not sure? And I want to know upfront before I give all the info to guests and then they have some crazy amount of taxes or service charges added on.

Awesome, thank you! That makes me feel sooooo much better!

Does anyone know anything about the decoriations at the restautants for the reception? I REALLY don't wan't to have to bring my own stuff down, i'd rather pay them to decorate for me.... is that possible????

I see people mentioning that Nicole is slow with emails? Just call her - I have called her a few times now, mostly for information and to check dates. I always get connected directly to her and she is always super helpful! She also follows up our calls with an email with any attachments, links, information I requested.

has anyone done a beach reception??? i'd love to see pictures, information about it....