alexisinjamaica

Thank you for saying this-- I started to think I was a terrible person for expecting guests who choose to stay elsewhere to pay the day pass fee. I chose the resort we're getting married at and negotiated group rates for a reason. While it's totally up to my guests if they want to stay somewhere else to save money, I feel that they can use the money saved to pay the day pass fee to attend the wedding. That really only gets them onto the property-- I'm still essentially paying for their food and drinks at the wedding. Plus we'll be getting everyone (even people staying at other hotels) a nice gift bag of goodies. Hopefully people are happy with that!

Here are mine, from David's Bridal. Decent price ($139) and will look good on everyone! I got it in this color, Regency.

Love it, thanks!!

So cute!! Do you remember which ebay seller had the tulle circles? Such a great time-saving idea.

Hi Mimi! I'm a Secrets St. James bride too! April 27, 2013. Can't wait! Congrats to you and happy planning!

Ha I know-- trying to get there!!

Every other chair or every few is a good idea. I was going to use just the white table linens that Secrets includes, and only buy/bring cloth napkins. I also am planning to re-sell as much as possible when I get back!

Oh whoops, I meant that they were going to find local cake bakers to bring in cake so they didn't have to go with the Secrets choices. I guess Secrets only has vanilla or chocolate and some brides wanted something else. I'm cool with the flavor options so I'll just use what they have! I planned on bringing in as much of my own decor as possible and not paying for it through Secrets. It's ridiculous what they charge for sashes, lights, etc. I think I'm going to do shepherd's hooks with pommanders lining the aisle, then I want just a simple white organza fabric draped on the structure on the beach. I might bring a capiz shell curtain too for the back, haven't decided. And I'm still on the fence about sashes for the chairs because I think I do want to splurge for the chivari chairs and if I do that they're pretty even without added decoration. Other than that, think I'm going to use the standard white linens for the tables but probably bring my own cloth napkins in my wedding color for a pop of color, and then hurricanes with candles and sand/shells for centerpieces. Not 100% on any of this though, just early ideas!

Or you could pay the fee to become a supporter, and then you can view attachments and get all the perks without waiting. Best money I ever spent!

I'm bringing in a photographer (Saab) but that's it so far. I figure the pictures are the most important part so that's what I care most about. I think some other brides talked about bringing in their own cake on another thread but I'm skipping that.

Well that was pretty much the extent of my craftiness, and I have seen/loved the passport invitations other brides have made, but i didn't trust myself to do them all on my own. I found this site http://www.beachwedlockinvitations.com/beach-wedding-invitations-beach-invitations-passport-invitations-bonus-rsvpbr18790-p-1183.html?osCsid=812017e4408eb9619a8b1a4c94026d80, which has authentic-looking passports for a decent price. They're not as cute as the DIY ones I've seen other brides make, but there's no work involved for me and the price was right. I ordered 100, including tear-off RSVP cards and envelopes and shipping for $295. Should get them next week or so and I'll be sure to share!!

Looks great! I love what you wrote on the registry page. People keep asking me when/where we are going to register, and I don't know how to say I feel bad doing that when people are already spending at least $1500 to come to our wedding for 4 days. Perfect wording!!

Thanks everyone for the compliments! I had fun making them! And @menryluvco-- these could TOTALLY work for a Vegas wedding. Martha also had this example, which would be perfect: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/226949/scratch-save-date-how

Thank you!! Your dress is gorgeous too and I'm sure it will look amazing on the beach!!!

Yikes! That's annoying and no fun. I'm getting married in Jamaica too and using Saab. They offered a few forms of payment, one of which was wire, and one was PayPal. I opted to go with PayPal since I use it so often and am comfortable with it. I guess you'll have to contact the photographer again to request an alternate form of payment (but sounds like you'll lose the $81, which sucks). Sorry that happened!!

I totally understand wanting to feel comfortable, but I also think you're only a bride once (hopefully! maybe? haha) and you should go for the dress that makes you feel more like a bride. I personally like the second option better, I think it's more of a wow, and if your family and friends are used to seeing you in a style similar to the first one you'll really surprise them by going with something different. Also I love the slit-- sexy! Either way, they're both beautiful dresses. Good luck!

Congrats and welcome! I'm a Secrets 2013 bride too (April 27). Happy planning!!

Oh boy! Good luck either way, and definitely let us know how it goes! Congrats and have an amazing wedding!!!

LOVE these! I could be biased though since they look like the pair I bought! Great minds think alike!

I can't decide! I'm thinking of using a steel drum band instead of an actual song with lyrics. It'll go with the Jamaican beach vibe. Thoughts?

Uh oh. I'm at Secrets too. I hadn't thought about bringing in my own cake but now I'm considering it. What does everyone not like about the Secrets options? Is it just the flavors we have to choose from, or has anyone tasted it and not liked the actual taste?