RaynDrop

Quote: Originally Posted by Marymack I hired a professional,a young couple who havent been in business long.They gave me a great deal. I get 8hr on wedding day plus they both take pictures.I paid$500 cash plus their trip.Still came out cheaper than Sandals package.... Check them out on web and facebk.....Meet the Burks.... Hey I have another questions... someone else was just recommending these photographers to me. Does the package you get come with and prints and/or albums or anything like that? Or do you get a cd of all the images?

Quote: Originally Posted by Masha I had wedding in Negril, I posted detailed review here http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86852/back-from-sandals-negril#post_1927290 If you have any questions I can help YAY!!!!!! Thank for repling Sandals Brides are feeeeeeeeeeew around here! I will read every work of your post and let you know if I have any questions THANKS!!!!

Thanks

I have not won anything ... at all

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Lol i was thinking the same thing. No i didn't post in there. Just lurking. Was interested on what to expect at the resort, what's the weather like etc hah yeah I was just looking for things about my resort and hoping to find all the good to know stuff!!

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Hey you might find this forum helpful. http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=10&page=1 These are sandals/beaches regulars. It's frustrating that there aren't any sandals brides in here This website took some getting used to... so far most of things I have read are old but interesting.. I hope they are still relevant. Have you posted anything on there ??

Quote: Originally Posted by redsoxgrl Haha, yes! No guests is EASIER!!!! We just didnt want to honeymoon with our friends and fam. We also pieced together our own ceremony script and it was just approved by the officiant through our wedding coordinator. Just letting you know in case you were thinking of doing that...you are allowed to but it has to be approved by the officiant. We just built our own since much of the things didn't apply. Here's a snapshot of our day... We have wedding booked at 3 (we plan on using the beachside gazebo). We will be picked up directly after (around 4) for offsite photos all over Negril. We have the offsite photog for 3 hours. We plan on doing TTD pics at sunset. We get back around 7:30-8. We take a quick shower and then we booked the candlelight dinner on the beach at 8:30pm. We just did the beautiful beginnings cake (which i plan on having them change the flower on top to a silk flower real touch topper i bring), and i guess some little reception comes with the beautiful beginnings package so both the cake and whatever else will be delivered to our room. I guess we could just eat some cake after our candlelight dinner. I forgot to mention that we are doing a very small sandals photo package. We were kinda stuck doing this because it was the only way to get any pics of our ceremony since the offsite photog isn't allowed on the resort I think the reason there are not many sandals brides is because of the COST (their room rates are expensive comparative to the amenities), and how RESTRICTIVE the wedding stuff is. They don't allow outside vendors (unless you pay for them to stay 3 night...um no). Also, the choices are expensive and limited. They wanted 1,400 for photography. Only 110 pics, 2 brag books, yadda yadda. Honestly i don't really trust them to take my wedding photos, i have seen examples online and i'm not impressed. I hired my offsite photog for 3 hours at 1500, all images with rights on cd. And her photos are artistic and professional. Unfortunately i still have to pay for a small package through sandals to get pics of the ceremony. I didn't like any of the bouquets offered. I can't use an outside vendor...so i'm doing the real touch flowers to get the bouquet i want at 1/3 of the price of sandals. Honestly, i dont know if i would have chose Sandals had i known all the restrictions, but i have worked around it and i'm pretty pleased with the results haha. So we shall see I am pretty psyched about our Butler category room!!! Its in a newer building and just recently renovated so I think that will definately be amazing! Sounds like an amazing day! I guess maybe I didn't do a lot of research because to me Sandals isn't that expensive. I have heard some other girls talk about how much stuff cost them and I guess St. Lucia/Sandals is more ... oh well - just don't tell my guest! LOL I need restrictions cause I can't make up my mind an other so the few things to pick from the better HAHA I can't wait to hear all about your wedding and seeeeee pictures!

Quote: Originally Posted by scolen come one 150 i am almost there i am trying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Looks like you made it YAY

Quote: Originally Posted by jandl2013 I keep hearing bad things about DHgate. I did some research and it seems like a number of ppl had issues with them. I thought about using them also. Oh really --- I haven't heard anything bad.. I only know a few people that have used them. I hope they all have no issues

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Hey you might find this forum helpful. http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=10&page=1 These are sandals/beaches regulars. It's frustrating that there aren't any sandals brides in here Oh Thanks I will check it out! LOL I guess we are just too special

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 i know! i really would like to include the schedule in my welcome pre travel packet with the OOT bags. We're giving ours a month before the trip. are you bringing all your stuff to the resort?? I would love to add some stuff like this when I send my St. Lucia / Sandals info packs -- but I am sending those out more then a month ahead ... I guess I could send them with my the packages I'm sending a couple of weeks before we leave. I have some stuff I am sending a head of time - but as for my welcome bag stuff. I am bringing all the with me and giving it to them when they get there.

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 BTW HERE'S THE WEEKLY THEMES & EVENTS AT SANDALS EMERALD BAY Monday - Manager’s Cocktail Party 06:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday - White Night Chocolate Late Night Buffet 07:00pm-9:00pm Wednesday - Casino Charity Sandals Select Dinner 08:30pm-10:00pm Thursday - Reggae Night 09:00pm-10:00pm Friday - Junkanoo Beach Party 07:00pm-9:00pm Saturday - Cabaret 09:00pm-10:00pm Sunday - Love Is All You Need Lover’s Game Show 09:00pm-10:00pm of course schedule is subject to change but i really hope they do the beach party on friday so that would be perfect as welcome party for our guests. Oh that is awesome you got this. I asked my WC how far in advance they set the schedule for these thing and if she could send it to me. She told me it changes every month. So yes she can send it but not til a month before we leave That all sounds so fun!

Quote:Originally Posted by m8chow I found them on DHgate, I haven't received them yet but hopefully they're just like the picture. The seller was really nice and sent me a bunch of pictures of the item before I ordered. I'll tell you if the guests like them You're soo right! If I could just find the flowers I could go make my own hairclips!! Thanks for the idea Yeah let me know how the quality is when you get them : ) I hope you are able to find flowers to use !!!

Quote: Originally Posted by minigodiva Hi Rayn, Had a busy weekend, so couldn't check the forum until now. We sent about 120 stds (some we know already can't make it but just for formality) so we might end up with 80? I think that's pretty huge for destination. LOL. I wish I can engrave something on the back of the luggage tags that's a little permanent like a quote or something. holy wow that is a huge DW! That would be cute to engrave them - I wonder if you could stamp them .... like with a rubber stamp .... hmm

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Thanks for the email. It's the same pdf i received from sandals I guess i'll just have to wait till i talk to my WC end of this month. And where are the other Sandals brides?? ughhh HAha I know right... I can't believe there aren't more Sandals.... I haven't been able to connect with any St. Lucia brides either Booooo!

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Ok now im confused too hahaha. Pre wedding dinner is that like the welcome dinner that will be free if you booked more than 6rooms? Yes - It comes free with a certain amount of rooms (I think for me it is more then 6 rooms though) or if you don't have enough rooms you can pay for it. This would happen before your wedding date --- then there is the reception which is after your ceremony --- I was a little confused at first too I just emailed too

Quote:Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Ooh that would be super!!! Thanks! Quote:Originally Posted by pongyang2001 I do have the sandals weddingmoon pdf but i think there are more options on the reception dinner. Does st lucia allow reception on the beach? I want mine on the beach Oh you might have the same info I have... There are prices on the info I have... there is one for the Pre Wedding Dinner & the reception dinner... but I think there are two reception dinner options.. and I can't remember if it has both.. I will just send what I have. (I assume most of the prices will be the same but they might be different since we are on different islands) I think that the WC and I talked about beach receptions because I think I asked her how private it was... so I think they do allow beach receptions... but now you have me wondering - hahah

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 I'm changing some items from the seaside serenade package. I liked the island paradise as well but i figured it was easier for me to stick to starfish and seashells theme. Yes we are doing the private reception dinner. Did you discuss with your WC on how much it would cost per person? I little bit I think -- I haven't decided on what we are going yet... I can send you all the info I have gotten from Cherina & Sandals if you like. What is your email?

Quote: Originally Posted by pongyang2001 Ladies What are you doing for your package? I am doing the seaside serenade. I love them all... If I was going to pick one I would go with Island Paradise.. but when I made all the changes I'm not really doing any of them. I am making my own brooch/flower bouquet, I like the Bamboo with Tangerine Fabric for the ceremony structure, I haven't decided on what table lines I like, I want cupcakes so I'm not sure if each one will just have a little flower or something on it. Um and I can't remember what else I have decided on yet. Are you doing a private reception dinner?

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow We're doing yellow and grey, how about you? Hehe poor guy but it'll all be forgotten once he's in paradise! Have you ever travelled to the fall? I wonder if I need to buy my bridesmaids cardigans. The weather is so iffy but I still want to do a beach wedding and beach reception. Have you decided on your wedding and reception sites? Oh Grey and yellow is pretty!! I'm asking all my guest to wear white (or shades of) and doing yellow as an accessories color. I am sending all the girls yellow flower hair clips and the guys yellow ties - then they can wear whatever they want (as long as it is white! haha) As for other things like decorations - I don't really have colors - I just want bright and tropical - I am making a brooch bouquet for myself - it will be a mix of flowers and brooches .. bight colors. I'm undecided about what to have my MOH hold... I don't have to decided on my ceremony/reception space until I get to the resort. They show us all the options when we get there and they we pick. I know the options include - beach, garden lawn, and garden gazebo. I always just assumed I'd want the beach .. but I might change as I'm sure the gardens are amazing! I'm not too sure what to expect for the temperature. I did google 'average temperature in st lucia in october' and it says days 86 nights 79 --- So I don't expect it to be chilly but I'm not sure if the nights might feel chilly at that point. Our Ceremony is @ 4 -- I imagine it will still be warm if not hot by them so I dunno! I did get the ladies pashminas to include in the welcome bags - I couldn't think of anything else to do for the guys except socks LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow LOL your friend is so cute! I hope she goes along to the wedding. I love the enthusiasm! We're having 2 bridesmaids and 2 groomsmen. I decided to not name a MOH and keep them both as bridesmaids. Or co-MOHs lol Ooo is there any way to cruise all the way back to where you're from? That would eliminate 1 flight for FI but extend the vacation... Wooot LOL Oh she will be there... her babies have plenty of people that can take care of them while they are gone! I actually looked into us taking a ship from Boston to St. Lucia both ways... well I had my TA look anyways. She said the only options was to do a private charter and never even gave me prices cause they were outrageous. I guess I should have asked her what they were anyways haha He will be okay - we fly all the time.. he just hates it --- he can deal! 2 of each sounds great! What are your colors?

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow Cute ideas!!! One thing I worried about when picking the bridal party was the feeling that I was forcing them into coming for the DW. They assured me afterwards that they were coming regardless and I shouldn't have worried. LOL I don't think we'll get a chance to do a HM until our 1 year anniversary. It might becoming a babymoon at that point, we'll see how timing is How about yourselves? Will you extend your vacation time in St.Lucia or island hop? My friend invited herself to the wedding hahah -- I said "we are keeping it small only parents, siblings. . . " and very excitedly she said "AND ME" haha it was really cute... she literally JUST had told me she was pregnant with her second baby so I wasn't sure if she would be able to come after hearing that .... We just decided to have a MOH and BM and haven't even asked them to do it for us. I don't see why they would say no.. FI's brother will be his BM and he has already booked! Right now we are booked at the resort we are getting married at for one week before and one week after the wedding. Since the beginning of planning I have tossed around all the different options. One of which was to do a cruise... I just looked into doing that and found one that would work for us date wise - so we haven't booked it yet but I think that will end up being our plan. So we will be at the resort for 4 days after the wedding then a 7 night cruise My FI HATES flying so I need to get as much traveling in at one time as I can hahah How many people are in your wedding party?

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow Small is great as well, it just means that everyone gets to bond. That's what we're hoping for since we're from such different families. The barefoot sandals were soo easy, but it can get interesting as an OOT item because you never know what size a person's foot is. What kind of Will you be my MOH/Best Man gifts were you thinking? Hurray for your first booking! Congrats!!!!!! You're so organized, you're going to have such a great DW. Yay! Thank you for keeping an eye out for me, I really appreciate that. Yes, we're getting married in Mexico, the area is a stretch just outside of the Cancun area. We were there for a bridal walk through in April and were sold on the location. It's a very small resort so there's no way people can get lost and they'll run into each other all the time. Yeah - I was going to get flip flops for my OOTs but I don't know if I want to ask people what shoes size they are or not. My plan for my MOH is to put a little 'poem' I wrote on a set of wine glasses... for the BM a little 'poem' I sort of wrote but my FI needs to tweak on a decanter --- I will package them each in a little wood suitcase that I will paint/decorate. Are you doing a HM ?

Quote: Originally Posted by redsoxgrl I had my first phone call with WC end of aug. I felt like it went well and she didn't try and push us to purchase anything we didn't need. We are eloping so we are having no guests..but I still wanted to plan something special. I still have some odds and ends to tie up but overall I feel like things are moving right along! The only things I have left to book are sandals photography for ceremony (going with cheapest pkg bc I hired an offsite photog to take us all over for 3 hours after our ceremony and ending with TTD at sunset!) and the candlelight dinner after we come back from photos! That all sounds like a lot of fun No guest sounds soooo much easier!! haha

Quote: Originally Posted by m8chow Darnit, hopefully I find something nice. I'll keep you posted. I finally finished my first set of barefoot sandals. Only 18 more sets to go! LOL 22 is a great number! You'll know approx how many people are coming at all times. I saw the great DIYs you did already and they're so cute! Any more DIYs coming up? We have 36 booked right now and one of my bridesmaids haven't even booked yet since she doesn't know if she's flying from Toronto or New Jersey. I have my fingers crossed that she'll book soon though, I feel bad when prices go up on people even though it can't be helped. hehe Thanks for chatting, I think it's keeping my mind off of the craziness that I'm sure will be coming up. Yes we wanted to keep it small...and I would drive myself CRAZY if I had to wait to find out if a bunch of people were coming. We only invited parents, siblings, and one friend each .. then we added his Aunt since she is his Godmother and so then I added one of my Aunts cause she was so super happy/excited for us that it will be nice to have them there. And each of there significant others of course. I plan on making my own Barefoot Sandals... but I'm not doing them for everyone (at this point anyways) 19 sets is a lot -- good luck! I have lots of DIY projects planned.... I love doing crafts in normal life so I am excited to get to make them for myself (&guest) rather then to sells to strangers HAHAH Invites, my own barefoot sandals, my will you be my MOH / Best Man gifts (we weren't doing a wedding party at all - but now we are only have a best man and maid of honor), all my other gifts for my guest, and umm probably a lot of other things --- oh this is my list of DIY projects on my To Do List I had my first booking a couple of weeks ago.. So exciting.. I hope everyone jumps on board soon I'm not familiar with your location.. is that in Mexico? If I see any luggage tags I think you might like I'll let you know!!!