bands

Nice to see another UK bride going all out with the OOT bags! They look amazing! I will def be trying to attempt them myself & think I will be taking a trip to poundland & the 99p store after seeing all the great buys you found!

Could someone send me the template? That would be amazing!! Can't find this anywhere [email protected] Thanks

I'm from Plymouth so we are flying out from Gatwick (gonna stay up at the airport the night before we fly and have a meal or the drive would be so long lol) Thanks for the info that they emailed you about the a la carte reception, we have less than 30 attending so we may change our reception to a non-private dinner if the extras mount up too much i'm going to contact the wedding coordinator and see if they have much available. I love the sound of all of their restaurants at the hotel and going by the reviews it sounds like all of the food it pretty awesome! haha I'm trying to be organised but I start doing one thing and then I think of something else that distracts me lol! Your bags sound like a great idea sure your guests will love them! - have you looked at the planning journal section on this website? thats where I have been getting all my inspiration from! Other brides have posted pics of their DIY wedding stuff and its amazing! so far table decorations I have ordered some coral organza chair sashes on ebay (£15 bargain!!!), I have little seashell place card holders and message in bottle favours that I made... I have to have a think about my centrepieces yet - need something that transports easily and not to heavy as I think with Thomson we only get 20KG pp luggage allowance. Def think hand luggage is great idea for the flowers they have little pins in them so I will just take them out and put them back in when we get there. I'm sure your bridesmaids will look lovely without flowers and plus it is a pain for them to carry them all day - you could always give them fans for the ceremony? How many b.maids you have going? What sort of thing you putting inside the gift bags? love that idea xx

Couldn't agree more about all the formalities! Thats also why we wanted to go away to get married- plus I'm not one for attention so its nice to think that we are just having a small wedding without all the freeloaders you get at a big english wedding We have booked the blue lagoon for the food as we wanted something private where we could have entertainment after the food but its working out so costly we are considering changing to an a la carte dinner instead and having the cocktails / appetisers hour before as other brides have said that they got so much food they were all full and it was only $15 pp. you have right idea about it being laid back and chilled out! love the sound of your colours! We have gone for Coral bridesmaids and the men in Beige. Thats lucky that your sisters didn't want flowers as they are so expensive at the hotel- I have ordered fake flowers online and they look amazing but just need to figure out how i'm going to get them over to Jamaica lol! Our date is 11th April 2014 at the Gazebo Do you know what sort of time frame they will allow the wedding party to stay in the restaurant if we opt for the a la carte wedding meal? Hope the rest of your planning is going wedding- I just finished my invites and favors so on to table decorations next xx

lol don't worry I've never visited Jamaica before!!! BUT cant wait!!! I know we would love the steel drum band for the ceremony, trying to save save save then book extras at the end when we know more about what our budget is. Sooo Jamaican to have them though, and who else would be able to say they had a steel drum band pay for their ceremony!! Have you picked your dress and colour scheme etc? what are you thinking of doing for your reception? xxx

Awww Congrats! Have you visited the hotel before? I wonder if the extras at this hotel are more than others in Jamaica. Know how you feel about the photos - I'm the same don't like the thought of all the pics...trying to negotiate costs with true colours for the 2hour package to see if they will give a little discount. I'm not going to bother having them for reception going to put disposable cameras on the table for guests to have fun with so we get some surprise photos. Vic- how did the dress fitting/bridesmaids go? bet it was exciting seeing your dress again! Have mine end of september so next job is to look for shoes flats vs heels! How is the rest of everyones planning going? xxx

Aww thanks!! I will keep checking their site I have a while to search

I am looking to buy 22 Raffia fans and someone who wouldn't mind shipping them to the UK (I will of course cover postage) ... I cant find them anywhere in the UK so any brides looking to sell their used fans plaeasssse contact me you will be doing me a HUGE favour xx ps would pay $1 per fan plus postage costs

I'm sure with 25 people you should have no problems, if you do then I will be worried, let me know if you have any luck with the wedding coordinator! We have booked through Thomson so considering getting them to check over our reception details with the hotel to make sure its all booked before we go ... its easy for the hotel to agree to something over email, but it would be awful to turn up and not have a reception or anything booked. We have been considering the steel drum band for our ceremony and one of the shows for the reception, but its all adding up! I think we are probably going to take our ipod with our own music and speakers for the reception as the dj looked so expensive. Then going to book true colours for our photos but go with one of the small packages and not have getting ready pics or evening pics just do them ourselves. We have also decided to bring our own flowers and decorations to keeps costs down. Keeping my fingers crossed for your booking!

oh really? how many people do you have going? we have 22 and she said she has booked up the blue lagoon for us (or at least i'm hoping she has, she confirmed it by email) providing we pay for a minimum of 25 people. It seems really difficult to get much info out of the hotel! xx

No worries. Congrats! which location did you choose? The hotel looks lovely. Our wedding is the 11th April at the Gazebo so excited its coming around so fast now!

The grey suits sounds nice! We ended up getting linen waistcoats jackets and trousers from m&s in sand colour- found some of them on the outlet store online which was good, they are still deciding between waistcoats or jackets but I think they are going to go for the waistcoats bcos of the heat. Feels so much better when its all starting to come together! Thanks for the info about the fees as we didn't really know about it so its good cos we can start to budget for the chair covers etc... so cheeky! It really is all adding up. I'm also having a panic about my shoes, i want to wear flat sandals but have had comment from the family like flats will look stupid with your dress (dress is fitted strapless lace full length) so i' think you wont be able to see flats anyway and i really want my feet to be comfortable! What are your shoe plans? xx Hi Becciboo, I think Truecolors are the photographers the GP use - if you go with them then you don't need to pay the vendor fee that you would normally if you pick an outside photographer (we are considering them for this reason) there details are www.truecolorsphotos.com When is your wedding day?

Great news on getting the mens suits sorted! - what colour did you go for? I have finally persuaded my partner to start looking so we are going to try House of fraser, M&S & Debenhams tomorrow, thinking of a sand / beige colour but when I have looked myself they seem so difficult to get hold of in this colour. Have you managed to get much info out of the wedding coordinator? We have our date / blue lagoon reception confirmed but any more info than this is proving difficult - its hard as we are trying to budget costs but i'm scared they are going to add on all these hidden extras just before we go. $600 for uplighting!!! eeeessshh i'm going to try and take as many decorations and extras over but think i'm going to need about 3 extra suitcases the rate i'm going! xx

Hey! We have had this problem! its mad that its costs more money with Thomson for a single occupancy than 2 people booking together! We have an even number booked so far - which luckily for us was mainly all couples except two that we have paired together and they said they would rather share than pay that much each! My friend would like to come but is unable to due to this .... I can't seem to find the holiday offered with anyone other than Thomson/first choice. Great that you have your b.maid dresses how exciting!!! It always feels so nice when you get a discount! xx

wow I love your program's!! Don't suppose you could email me the template? I would love to try & make them [email protected]

Hi Girls!! How are you both? Vic, poor you, it sounds like you are having such a time of it Family can be a right pain because they are not afraid to come out with whatever comment first comes into there head... mine have been difficult about things too like the need to voice an opinion over every decision! The most important thing is that you and your other half have the day that you both wanted and planned without looking back at the photos and having any regrets. (Just for the record I think the hawaiian shirts would look great! They are such fun and they look good in the photos i've seen of other weddings & it totally fits for a beach wedding) We are thinking of getting some hawaiian shirts for the guys to wear to the reception after the ceremony for more photos cos they will prob get hot & sweaty in the other shirts anyways thinking of doubling them up as their gift too! Me and my other half are staying with my family at the mo (while we refurbish our house) I can only sum this up in one word...nightmare! We should have our house finished in Jan, god, hopefully before! Every time we go to discuss anything wedding related someone is chirping in the comments, so we have ended up not talking about it. My mum even ordered up a load of waistcoat samples online the other day and gave them to us to look at they were horrendous and looked like curtains! The look on Brendons face was a picture! How is the rest of the planning going? Nic your wedding is coming around so fast now! Any luck with photographers? A friend was going to come and do our pics but I don't think he can make it so don't know what to do now they are all so expensive! Thinking of doing our own pictures but worried they may turn out bad! You guys have any more numbers booked? I think we have reached our lot at 22 now xxx

Gosh!! Thanks for the info, I didn't know would have just assumed it was included in the package. They are cheeky! Think I will prob do the same and bring my own. Took your tip for the bouquets and ordered them online, they arrived last week and are amazing you wouldn't tell them from real flowers.. Went with a website called silk blooms as they had colours matching my bridesmaids...you may want to check the website out as they have centrepieces & table decorations too. I'm thinking of getting a dj in from outside going to get some quotes so thanks for the info re.80 dollar fee. I had the blue lagoon confirmed for the reception now yay! How is the rest of everyone's planning going? Xxx

Hi girls, Do you keep looking at the reviews on trip advisor like we do? there did seem to be a few negative ones coming in but only seem to be moaning over very small things, but thats great to know that you have been to the hotel and love it its nice to know that!! Do you know if there is much around outside the hotel in the way of things to do?? We have decided that we are not really going to do the whole big stag and hen do thing but when we get to the GP we were thinking of having a day out for the guys and day for the girls maybe the spa for the ladies, so was just wondering if you knew what was around? We had our wedding conformed with Thomson this week... 11th April 2014 at 2.00pm Gazebo so happy, have just sent out my email to the wedding coordinator now to discuss the reception. Vic our is day before so funny!!! Hope both of your planning is going well & family things are getting easier, people in our family are getting used to the idea now i think, its taken some time, but friends are the hardest as they don't always tell you what they are really thinking. Soph xxx

Hi Girls! haha i know so much drama! I wish we had taken that approach and asked people to be bridesmaids / best man etc after they had booked - would have saved making anyone feel uncomfortable, but on the plus side we now have a best man and a bridesmaid which is a great start!! Having a reception home here is a great idea and it will act as a get out of jail free card for those who can't make it, plus love the idea of wearing my dress twice too - am looking into local halls and things or maybe a meal will probably be something quite informal. I'm sure no matter who comes away in the end it will be the perfect day, after all... It was me and my partner who chose to drag everyones asses over there. Thats a nice thing to have the time in premium to either chill yourselves or spend time with your parents. We have all opted for standard class except my mother in law and her husband, plus partners aunty, they fly out the week after us... wish we had the money to upgrade but i'm thinking maybe if we can cut some costs on the wedding bits and bobs we will be able to upgrade as an add on later. Heard from Thomson weddings team that it may be the new dreamliner plane! Nic I thought about ordering bridesmaid dresses from China, my friend getting married in the UK did- she ordered them from ebay... the seller is from Manchester but she orders them from China to save worries about the import tax, the dresses are lovely she said the quality is excellent too. The orange sounds lovely! I bought mine yesterday in Coast, they had £50 off all maxi dresses & in the PERFECT colour so I went for it, 1 fits one of the bridesmaids like a glove no alterations needed, just keeping my fingers crossed that the other dress fits the other as I'm not sure who they are yet haha very risky I know but I have a month to return. I love your idea for the fans for guests and petals! I thought about the paper parasols to give the mums some shade - then use them in the photos. The blue lagoon looks amazing in the videos and yes I thought the same about the sheet separating the parties, it would be good if they have decided to change this. The entertainment is so expensive but I guess they have the monopoly to charge what they like - the ipod speakers... great idea, hoping that the hotel will be ok with this but I guess why not?!! I'm going to check out the place that you ordered your flowers from right now they sound great...Cant believe the hotel ask $35 for 1 lily eeeesssh! The photography is a really difficult decision as I guess you don't want to put your friends under pressure to perform well and not mess up, but if you are a photographer then maybe with some time to practice with them it would work out great? I think we have 8 photos included in pearl island the package (i know thats nothing) but maybe they would do a top up of photos for an extra charge if you use the same photographer? Hope that you find someone !!! I lucky as one of my best friends is a photographer, I'm just sooo hoping that he books up! He has just started out, has an amazing camera..did my friends wedding recently and the pictures came out amazing... going to get all the guests to take lots of photos and put some disposable cameras on the table at the reception so we get some surprise pics. Sophie xx

Hi Nic!! Congrats to you!! How are your plans going - do you have most things sorted now? Gosh October will fly by you will have to report back to us after your wedding!! I have gone for the pearl island package it looks amazing, do you know if it includes any extras for the reception and a room upgrade? I also love the look of the blue lagoon restaurant! Have you opted for any entertainment? Its always hard with friends and family isn't it - hopefully your sis will make it! Def a good idea to have a plan in place though just incase. Would you have a celebration back at home after the wedding for people that can't attend? Thats what me and my partner are thinking about doing xxx

Hi Nic!! Congrats to you!! How are your plans going - do you have most things sorted now? Gosh October will fly by you will have to report back to us after your wedding!! I have gone for the pearl island package it looks amazing, do you know if it includes any extras for the reception and a room upgrade? I also love the look of the blue lagoon restaurant! Have you opted for any entertainment? Its always hard with friends and family isn't it - hopefully your sis will make it! Def a good idea to have a plan in place though just incase. Would you have a celebration back at home after the wedding for people that can't attend? Thats what me and my partner are thinking about doing xxx

Funny that we have been going through the same things with family and friends, & sorry to hear that your brother can't attend but great news about the baby. You should skype each other on the day! I have only immediate family on my side coming and my partner has lots & lots as he has a very big family. (& its my mother in law to be that is the nervous flyer too!!! - her and her husband - but she has been amazing- they did upgrade to premium which I think will help to make the flight less nerve-wracking !!) Some of our friends have been really great very honest and told us straight that its not possible for them, but others have said yes defiantly and then avoid the "booking up" bit! very similar to your situation! We have said that its no problem with us if they are unable to attend as we know its such a big ask. I have found it hard with bridesmaids as we don't want to commit to buying expensive dresses and things if they are then going to be unable to go. A few have mentioned booking in the holiday sales / late deals if something comes up but thats leaving it way too late for me to organise dresses & colours, so i've just said thats no problem with us but I will need to have you as guests. (I don't want to sound mean to them but I think its better all round when everyone is upfront and honest). Have you had any luck with your friends since? How many bridesmaids are you hoping to have? xx

Funny that we have been going through the same things with family and friends, & sorry to hear that your brother can't attend but great news about the baby. You should skype each other on the day! I have only immediate family on my side coming and my partner has lots & lots as he has a very big family. (& its my mother in law to be that is the nervous flyer too!!! - her and her husband - but she has been amazing- they did upgrade to premium which I think will help to make the flight less nerve-wracking !!) Some of our friends have been really great very honest and told us straight that its not possible for them, but others have said yes defiantly and then avoid the "booking up" bit! very similar to your situation! We have said that its no problem with us if they are unable to attend as we know its such a big ask. I have found it hard with bridesmaids as we don't want to commit to buying expensive dresses and things if they are then going to be unable to go. A few have mentioned booking in the holiday sales / late deals if something comes up but thats leaving it way too late for me to organise dresses & colours, so i've just said thats no problem with us but I will need to have you as guests. (I don't want to sound mean to them but I think its better all round when everyone is upfront and honest). Have you had any luck with your friends since? How many bridesmaids are you hoping to have? xx

No i dont mind Questions at all! That's a shame about first choice not matching the deal, but yeh you can get them online anyways for reasonable prices. Think that's good idea for the bridesmaids, my bridesmaids prob going to have chiffon dresses which crease really easily so think I may do the same! Just don't forget them and leave them on the plane haha that would be awful! We have 14 booked so far but we recon around 20 - 23 final numbers, how about u? It's so funny that you have asked about family / friends reactions!!! Cos we have had very mixed opinions! Some in our family love to travel but others are very nervous flyers and haven't flown in years n years so as you can imagine were horrified at the thought to start with ( but now they have booked and are excited which is fab ) think the initial shock has gone now and they understand its what me and my hubby to be would love for our wedding day. How's things going with you? Xx

No i dont mind Questions at all! That's a shame about first choice not matching the deal, but yeh you can get them online anyways for reasonable prices. Think that's good idea for the bridesmaids, my bridesmaids prob going to have chiffon dresses which crease really easily so think I may do the same! Just don't forget them and leave them on the plane haha that would be awful! We have 14 booked so far but we recon around 20 - 23 final numbers, how about u? It's so funny that you have asked about family / friends reactions!!! Cos we have had very mixed opinions! Some in our family love to travel but others are very nervous flyers and haven't flown in years n years so as you can imagine were horrified at the thought to start with ( but now they have booked and are excited which is fab ) think the initial shock has gone now and they understand its what me and my hubby to be would love for our wedding day. How's things going with you? Xx