1stmarriage

You're very welcome! I couldn't imagine planning without help. I started planning in June. I only have to pay a one night stay for the photographer. The others were vendor fees of at least 100.00. I don't carry my book around everyday so I don't have exact numbers right now. The vendor fees adds up quickly! It seems ridiculous! Since I'm having the welcome party at the resort where most will be staying, its as simple as making reservations for the restaurant. The coordinators says it will not be a problem unless the bride at the suites reserves it for her group. To have them come over to the grand will incur a fee for each guest. I'm estimating that I will need 2 additional suitcases for decoration. I've heard of brides traveling with as many as 7 suitcases. LOL You MUST have a private reception with 30+ guests. There will be no way to get around the extra 3,000. The same menus (which are 3 choices) are used for a beach party. You can choose between buffet and plated food options. If you want you can send me your email and I will send them to you tomorrow. If I'm not mistaken the DJ is 300.00 for the 1st hour and 150.00 every hour thereafter again I can confirm that tomorrow for you as well. The difference in pricing for the suites and grand was 48.00 per night for standard 58.00 per night for ocean view and 71.00 for oceanfront based on a 3 night stay. I totally agree that you should invest in the things that matters the most to you. I wanted to rent the chiavari chairs..tai flora rents them for 9.00 per chair. Covermeuptent rents them for 8.00. As bad as I want them I just can't imagine paying that much. I know a local bride that rented those same chairs for 2.50 per chair!!! So I'm gonna do away with them...for now anyway. No you do not have to all fly together. I have a package for a 3/4/5 night stay for my guests. The resort highly suggest that the bride and groom arrives at least 3 days before the ceremony. Most agents requires full payment for airline at time of booking, with payment arrangements just for hotel. It's easier for people to make payments on both. My TA prices were slightly better. The determining factor was the no contract and deadline incentive along with the payment arrangements. You should definitely check other agents. I'm so happy that I did! The less stress for me and my guests...the better!!! I hope I was able to answer all of your questions! Happy Planning!

My wedding is on the May 31st. I will have about 50 guests. 99% of them are staying at the suites hotel. I wanted to make things affordable as much as possible. I originally was signed up with destination weddings.com but later decided that they would be too stressful with the contracts and deadlines. Just as I was to make a decision, I found a travel agent here in NY that allows payments for both hotel and air (I'd be happy to share her info, if anyone is interested). We were able to get group rates thru delta airlines and she was able to block out rooms for my group. She has been WONDERFUL!!! No contracts..no minimums..no real deadlines. I was also able to negotiate the same incentives that destination weddings offered. My FI and I were even bumped up to first class for free! The downside of having everyone stay at the suites is I have to pay a day pass fee for them to come over for my wedding and reception. I was able to negotiate 20pp with the resort. I am having a beach ceremony at 430-500pm and reception at Port Maria from 7-10. I want to be able to take pics after the ceremony before the sunsets also. I decided against paying the extras money for a cocktail hour because everyone will be coming over from an all inclusive resort to a 45 minute ceremony...Hopefully they will not come starved (I will let them know, there is no cocktail hour). I opted for the buffet which has a huge menu!! I chose merrick Cousley for photography. I have seen his work and loved them. He is also less expensive than the others that comes highly recommended. I chose Kevan Stewart for my DJ. He is the number one DJ for those that has married at Iberostar. I've only heard great things about him. I heard the hotels videographer isn't bad. I chose him because the other highly recommended videographer (roxroy) is a pretty penny. He delivers a cinema like video. He takes your day and turns it into a 6min video. His work is phenomenal but I didn't want to miss anything from the day so I chose to get the traditional video. I chose real touch flowers by angels accents.com. I LOVE there work. I wasn't too impressed by the resorts recommended florist. I chose Loni Jones for makeup. I haven't seen to many Iberostar brides use her but she is on the next level. Her page shows that she has worked on the set of Americas top model. She is definitely more expensive than Rachel Edwards (the other highly recommended makeup artist) but I decided on her because of her creativity. I am going to go with the resort for hair. I've heard great reviews about them for hair. I've seen pics of the resorts custom cakes and they look just fine. I heard that the cheesecake is to die for. I'm ordering a custom cake, 1/2 red velvet and 1/2 cheesecake for an additional 250.00. I've ordered all of my decorations already mostly thru amazon. The hotel has basic deco but if want anything with a specific color or theme you have to bring it yourself. Some brides has been lucky enough to use deco that was left by past brides. I have purchased sashes, runners, vases to create my own centerpieces (using the bridesmaids bouquets), shells to scatter on the tables, votives, and I also purchased my own aisle runner (I've heard that some brides have said there's was dirty or torn..although that was at the Beach resort). I've also booked a thank you gift for my guests. I booked an excursion to Negril for the day after the ceremony with Jamaica tours. I Don't remember exactly how much that was pp but if you're interested I'll look into my emails. Oh I am also having a welcome "all white party" the evening before the wedding which just involves booking one of the restaurants (at the suites, if it's available) for my guests as a meet and greet. I am also creating welcome bags for everyone. Sorry if I'm all over the place with this message. Any questions..feel free to ask!!

Hello, I am a little further with planning. I may be able to answer some questions.

I would rather hang a small pic of him from the bouquet.

I'm getting married in May 2014. I wanted to hold off until November so that I could loose some more weight, but I don't want to be rushed then to make a decision. When are you getting married?

How soon in advance did you ladies order your dresses?

With WITH !

WITH!!!

Lol I refuse to answer. I say "if you still have questions after reading the invite please call me".

My Passport invitations were a absolute hit!! My future in laws keeps ordering extra just to give out as keep sakes. With all the info that I provided in the book, I still get asked questions!! Ugh, I wish people would just read everything in there first!!

Thanks for that info! I'm in NY. I will check it out.

Question to past and future brides..To airbrush or to not?? How did it hold up with tears and sweat??