pzl101

ahh, we must have had a security guard in a bad mood that day! haha in any case, that is a great OOT bag favor. I love the idea of incorporating local things

wow, that is a lot for 8 people ... how much was the dinner reception per person?

haha I want to send one to the POTUS too!!! apparently you can also invite Mickey and Minnie and you'll get a card and gift from them lol

that's a cute idea but the airport security made us throw it out when we were on our way home. it was in our checked luggage and they wouldn't let us bring it

This will probably be ridiculously expensive but a mix of debdrobium orchids, callas and/or hyacinths in bright tropical colors (thinking orange, fuschia, yellow) If I go with Secrets, their included bouquet is just daisies and carnations - can you believe that??? It's the Caribbean and you can't even throw in a simple orchid or a cheaper tropical flower? It's like they force you to upgrade the bouquet....

these are the passport StDs? how many did you send out?

Most likely an intimate wedding with immediate family and close friends only which would be 22 guests plus us 2. However, we can't really afford for lots of upgrades and pricey dinners so the idea of eloping jsut the 2 of us is tempting! I just don't get why the wedding dinner reception is so much when it's an AI!

glad you find it useful! I looked through a bunch of wedding planners at barnes and noble but didn't want a big binder. And I love how I didn't have to create my own. The Google doc probably has more info and tabs than I need but you can just delete or move things around. And I shared the doc with my FI so he can edit it too (although I don't think he has looked at it lol)

haha I agree, I see such great things on BDW and i think no way can I do that.

wow, that's great! are you planning on DIy for other things like programs etc?

thanks for sharing your experience. i prefer a smaller resort as well. My fiance is very interested in Sandals but I think only because their website has a lot of info and makes it easy to read and looks pretty. He doesn't really read into the details about addons etc. Pictures are the most important thing to me and I don't really like being limited to who I can and cannot choose to take pics of my wedding!

thanks for the link! I haven't decided on a resort yet ... Sandals does a great job of marketing itself. The resorts do look amazing but I'm afraid maybe it's too big for my tastes.... decisions...decisions ...

Hey Ladies, In another thread, there was a question about how everyone is organizing their info and I thought I would share what I posted there in this thread as well. I'm a big fan of Google docs in general but Google actually has a Wedding Planner doc It's called All-in-One Wedding Planner. I've only played around with it just a bit (since I haven't booked anything yet) but there are pre-set tabs for budget estimator (with formulas pre-calculated), guest list, music, photographer, caterer, etc all the info you need already formatted. For example, in the guest list tab, they have checklist columns for address/email/StD sent?/invitation sent?/dietary restrictions?/etc Each tab also has some tidbits and advice from Style Me Pretty. It;s nice that I don't have to start from scratch and can edit the sheets as I see fit.

Hey Mary .. where did you find the names? When I go to Sandals' site, it still says outside photographers are not allowed ... unless I am going to the wrong page?

oh ok. I also have been getting info from Debbie and was concerned about her being just a state-side planner. But I'm in the very beginning stages of researching. I haven't decided on Jewel yet (let alone Dunn's River or the Runaway Bay location) so I guess they wait until you are reserved and closer to the date before you work with the actual on site folks. The dinner prices seem expensive ... Thanks!

you emailed them about what? saying your own vows?

how are you planning on using the feathers?

oops, forgot to answer your other question about the group excursion, I'd plan it for a specific day and just invite everyone and hope they can join in

That's something I would put in checked luggage. I brought back jerk sauce in May with no problems.

I was going make the facebook booklet simple with pictures, their name, where they are from and indicate if they are a friend or family member of the bride or groom

So even though I haven't decided on a resort yet, I have made up my mind on a few things - since my wedding will be small, I want to make my own StD and invitations. I'm thinking luggage tag StD on kraft paper with rope/twine. For invites, there was a girl who posted her "Z-fold" invites and they were so cute and creative and different. Also, playing around with designing my own logo (palm tree/initials/date) (Mind you, I am not crafty but in my head, this will all turn out! lol) - OOT bags: keeping it simple with a welcome letter, bottles of local Jamaican rum, coffee and maybe jerk spice. Maybe a "meet the guest" facebook booklet so both sides of friends and family get to know each other - group excursion either a catamaran cruise or Dunn's River Falls. This was sooo much fun and adventurous but not sure if everyone will be up for climbing over rocks and waterfalls. How about you ladies?

I agree that everything is accepted and to each their own!

Ohh I love Allure dresses too! A couple of their styles are my top favs. I heard bad things about David's ... I was planning on going there anyway just to try on different styles to get a better idea of what looks good. I am not one who can make a decision right away (especially something as important as this) so I will probably hop around from store to store. Have you heard of Lotus Bridal in Brooklyn? It's far but has great reviews. Will it still be hot in October in St. Lucia? That was one of the things my FI was being a pain in the butt about - he says it will be too hot to wear a tie. But I was at my cousin;'s wedding in Jamaica in May, it wasn't bad during their sunset ceremony. The groom wore a longsleeve (not sure if cotton or linen) shirt with a vest and tie and it was fine. The sun wasn't as strong then so he should be OK That's so sweet That's a great idea and why my cousin did.

Hi Renee, Who have you been working with at Jewel? How has the communication been?

Gotcha ... I emailed Lisa Marie with additional questions and she was quick to reply back. I'm disappointed about the multiple weddings per day but I guess most resorts do that. I also agree about the 4pm being the time slot. That's great you were the only couple on your day. I def want the ceremony to be on the beach - I'm pretty simple in terms of decor so I may do a mix up paying for certain things or DIY- I don't like the white covers and sash on the chairs but they are just ugly metal folding chairs underneath. If I want plain white folding chairs, they are considered an upgrade. Did you do a run through the day before or just winged it? Was the minister nice and did you customize the ceremony with your own vows or readings?