Jennkn87

Amaxey- I'm getting married at WO on September 19. It's nice to finally find some other 2014 Secrets brides on here! I have a couple more answers to your questions that I have previously asked. She told me that there is a $300 vendor fee charge PER VENDOR. I feel like I've read some things on here before that said the brides didn't get charged what they claim they are going to charge you. I also am getting Misha Earle for photography ( can't wait to hear if you like her!), she pays the vendor fee for you that is included in the pricing, so thats a plus. On top of the vendor fee you have to also pay the $80 for a resort pass, per person. So you will be paying $300 for the outside vendor, then $160 for the makeup artist and hair stylist. It's ridiculous where they get you to pay more and more money! Angelsj and I are both leaving the resort and going to Joni Powell's studio to get makeup and hair done. I am under the understanding that the complimentary meal is only included in the honeymoon and newlywed package. It is complimentary if you book a PREFERRED CLUB jr suit for 7 days, not just a regular room. I also thought that it was included at first. I was also told that there is a $50-$300 set up fee to set up decor that you bring yourself, they decide when you get there I assume how much they want to charge you, which I also feel is kind of ridiculous, considering thats kind of what you are paying them to do in the first place (since they are already making double since everyone is all-inclusive for food and alcohol anyways!) I'm just hoping that it will only be $50. A couple of the past brides seemed to have a bit of decor and things and they said they were only charged $50....so I'm crossing my fingers. I'm bringing my flowers with me...I really don't want to take on another $500 for flowers and decor...Chair sashes, organza for the gazebo, and possibly some table decor, but it won't be outrageous! If you have the Secrets Ultimate or Secrets of love package, a dressing assistant is included in the package. As for the music. She replied to me that if you decide to use the sound system, it is $180 PER HOUR, and that you will be given the equipment to use but will have to "assign someone from the group to monitor the music"...which I took as one of your guests would have to be in charge. After thinking about it for a LONG time...I finally decided this week that I think I'm going to pay the extra $210 and just get the DJ. I would feel bad if someone had to man the music the entire time of the reception and didn't get to have any fun. I feel like we're already paying an outrageous amount of money for all the extras, what is another $200. I can't fathom the fact that he is making $750 for a 3 hour reception (and I've also talked to brides that have told me that he is kind of forward about "tipping" him....if it's the same DJ for everyone that is....IMO thats very RUDE..and your already making out big time on the job!! Oh well! I feel like music is a really important part of the whole thing! I still haven't received any correspondence from the wedding consultant yet. It's already less than two months prior to the wedding date. I read elsewhere that it would be at least that before anyone would contact you to start the planning process. I'm trying to be patient but it's getting a little to close and I have alot of things to finish planning but don't want to before knowing the correct answers to everything!! Sorry this was wordy! Let me know if you have any other questions, and let us know when you hear back from her!!

angelsj - Crap! Is it time for all of that stuff already??? I better get on the ball!!! Has the resort contacted you yet?

@@SWOK - Why didn't you end up liking Misha Earle? I have deposited for her...now you have me worried @@muneera0302 - Which photographer did you use?

I am going to go ahead and say that I shouldn't get my hopes up with getting my professional pics back from Misha for my AHR a tad over a month after our ceremony? I was really hoping that I could play them during a slideshow at the reception. I'm sure they are well worth the wait though! How did you feel about DJ blu? I'm really stuck on whether I want to pay so much extra money for a DJ or just get the sound system and hope I can find someone to take charge of it.....makes me nervous! Music is a huge part of the reception!

Which person at the spa did your hair? Did they also do your makeup? Also- I noticed you had your reception by one of the pools, was there an extra charge for this? Did you hire an outiside DJ? Your pictures turned out absolutely GORGEOUS!

Any chance of a Secrets Wild Orchid/St. James webinar?

Can anyone tell me how much Rashel Edwards runs cost wise? It will most likely just be me getting my makeup done. Also- what is her traveling fee? If anyone has used her at Secrets WO....do they charge a fee to bring her in to do your makeup? I'm trying to decide if I want to just stick with the spa at the resort, or hire an outside artist....decisions, decisions.....

Angelsj247 - Our date is set for September 19, 2014 at Secrets Wild Orchid. I was also worried about it being hurricane season, but I didn't want to have to wait a year and a half to have the wedding, nor did I want to rush to have it in the early summer months and have it be way more expensive as well. From the other brides I've talked to on here..they had no issues whatsoever. It's definitely a chance to take, but I'm just going to pray for amazing weather!! :-)

I'm using Wright Travel Agency. I don't know how much you've seen or heard about them but I've been nothing but happy so far! The owner of this website actually is affliated with them.(not sure if she owns it or not) We are using Virgilia, who is a Jamaica specialist. She has gotten us GREAT rates compared to to others or just booking yourself. She is always there to answer questions, contacts all of my guests for information, and always answers emails in a timely fashion! If you haven't decided on anyone yet I would check them out!!! You can fill out a form giving more information on your destination and they will pair you with a certain specialist!

These are SUPER cute!! How did you put the sand on? does it fall off easily? Did you print with your regular printer? On card stock? Sorry..soo many questions!!

okay! Can't wait to see and hear about everything!!! Congrats!!

Your colors are the same as mine!! When is/was your wedding?

OMG! Thank you sooooo much for posting this!!! I've kind of came to a stand still with wedding planning due to having to study for a big test at work. I haven't gotten to check out the site for anything new in a few weeks. I'm sooo glad that someone has posted RECENTLY about their special day at Secrets! Everything turned out absolutely gorgeous!! I'm still at a loss for what all I want to do as far as decorations, location of ceremony and reception, upgrades, all of it!! Lol. I too have booked Misha Earle! Did you love her? I'm totally excited and hope its worth the extra money!! I am going to do a TTD session with her as well! Did you use your same dress? Are you having an AHR when you guys get back?....I know I've probably asked you all these questions before but it's hard to keep everything straight...especially when they changed the site!! I would love to know more about all of your planning and decision making, also..how much you ended up paying for extras, ect. Thanks again for this post! It made me feel soo much better!

Here is another question for the brides that are not inviting everyone to the ceremony....(Finally I have found some recent brides on here that are in the same boat as we are!).....We decided to only invite immediate family and very close friends to Jamaica with us. Our wedding package only includes 20 people. We will be paying $80.00 per person extra for anyone over the 20 guests. That really can add up. My FI comes from quite a large family (almost 90 including aunts/uncles and first cousins) He decided to only invite his godmother and godfather and their significant others. I sent out an email inviting all of my aunts/uncles/cousins knowing that only a few if any would attend the ceremony in Jamaica. My parents still wanted me to extend the invite. We are planning on having an AHR about a month after we return....our guest list for this is already at almost 300 people. I know most people would not come to the ceremony, and I just can't fathom sending out invites to 300 people and end up having 100 people decide they would like a vacation and decide to come...(highly unlikely, but still!!) So we made the final decision to only invite certain people. I think I have around 60-70 guests invited, but we know for sure some are not going to be able to make it! Now I'm going back and forth on what I should do for my save the dates and invites. I feel like there is no way around sending out different ones to everyone. I can't send one invite with the ceremony invite and the at home reception invite on one since we aren't inviting everyone. I'll also have to send out certain save the dates for the ceremony, then AHR STD's to all 150 guests. Is there anyway around this? Have you guys already decided on what your doing for yours and how your going to save the money doing them? I'm planning on DIY for at least some if not most of the invites and STD's....although I'm going back and forth on which style I like....ex: luggage tags, passports, postcards. There are seriously too many decisions! I hadn't even thought about the showers yet! Eeeeek! Any feedback or opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

I decided to go with Misha Earle. She is reasonably priced. I looked over alot of her work before deciding on her. She also will cover up to $500 in vendor fees which was a definite plus for me!!

Help! I've been trying to figure out how to design my save the dates and invites. I'm so confused on which program to use and how to even get started. I tried using picmonkey, but it isn't allowing me to do certain things I would like to do! I'm thinking about making regular save the dates for our at home reception, then luggage tag save the dates for the people that are going to be joining us in Jamaica. Then I'm thinking of doing the boarding pass invitations for the at home reception, with an extra "pass" on it for the ceremony. I am sooo not creative. I'm about to pull my hair out trying to figuer out something that is not going to cost an arm and a leg!! I would like to do them myself if at all possible, which right now I'm about to give up and just pay extra money! Grrr! If anyone can help I would GREATLY appreciate it!!!! Thanks! I would also love any feedback anyone has on what types of STD/Invites they did and why? I like the boarding passes and luggage tags, but I would like to use some of our engagement photos on them. I also have seem regular invites that I loved too. BLAH! TOOOOO many decisions!

Quote: Originally Posted by Meeks I'm getting married in Jamaica, anyone else? Me! Secrets Wild Orchid!!

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsClark8 No there won't be any kids at ours either which is another plus for Secrets! I'm really in love with Secrets I was just worried about the price difference... I decided when we weren't having kids at our, that I also didn't want kids running around..especially at our honeymoon. I originally was going to go with Iberostar Grand...but then I had our travel agent price secrets too at the last minute and found that the rooms were like 300+ a night cheaper. And the resort is newer. I looked into it even more and read alot of good reviews on it. I decided that would be the place after only a couple of days! I know my TA also said that RIU resorts are really nice as well. But for me...the adults only was a really big decision maker for me!

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsClark8 I'm trying to decide between Riu Montego Bay and Secrets St. James! Any inupt ladies?? How set are you on having any children at your wedding? We aren't having any, so one of the factors that helped me make my decision was going to a resort that is Adults only...Riu isn't is it?

Quote: Originally Posted by TraceyT I will have about that many left (when I'm done this week) that are for laminating. They come with the plastic loops. I don't know what shipping would cost, PM me if your interested. do you have pics? or any more information?

Quote: Originally Posted by RaynDrop Ugh - people are so silly! hahah I completely understand though... We were only doing Parent, Sibling and one friend each (and everyone's other half) Then FI decided he should probably invite is godmother (who is one of his aunts) and he wanted to invite one of my Aunt & Uncles. So my Dad has two sisters - one is the Aunt we invited and we are not inviting the other one or any of my cousins. That is the family that we told a week ago. They do not know my one Aunt is coming... she will tell her sister in due time (as she put it) My Aunt that is coming is involved in our life.. we have done mini vacations with them and spent time with them - my other Aunt has meet my FI maybe 3 times (including this recent visit) So I just told the one that is coming to tell the other that we decided to include them because they are involved -- I trust she will say it in a way as to not make it sound rude! I know when his cousin (who is his god mother's daughter) finds out she is going to want to come - he just keeps telling me not to worry about it - he will handle it *OH BOY* hahah I love the luggage tag & Boarding Passes for the DW Simple STDs for the AHR is great I'm not sure about just changing the wording for the AHR invites on the boarding passes - for those that are invited to both - will it be confusing? I think Post Card STDs for the AHR ? When is your AHR? When do you need to send the invites for that? It would be cute to do something with a wedding pic on it - if you have time to wait til you get home. I thought when people found out that we hadn't asked them already that they would get the hint that we were only inviting immediate family. My mom started it, she thought maybe a couple of my aunts and uncles would want to go, and she said she would pay the extra $80 for them if they so decided to, which only 2-3 are thinking about it, which is what we planned on. We invited all of them anyways. His family is different. His "immediate" family (aunts, uncles, 1st cousins) includes 90 people. Even though some of them, not many, are children and wouldn't be able to go anyways, I just CANNOT fathom inviting them just to say we did, and having even a quarter of them decide they wan't to come!!!! I would literally pull my hair out! Now..if his parents would say they would help pay the extra $80 for each one of them if they came that would be different...but we are currently not on great terms with them, as they are still threatening not coming at all because they "can't afford it". So telling them we can invite the whole fam, but if they all decide to come they will owe for the $80.00 extra...probably wouldn't fly as of right now!! UGH!! Never thought it would be this difficult!!!!!!! I was looking at the Post cards..I really like that Idea. I am waiting to get our engagement pics back to do something like that....I think I will somehow figure out how to print my own luggage tags at least, and then pay for the 250 post cards, with our pictures on them. Then for Invites I will do boarding passes...and I've seen some people that attach like 4 different "passes" to the group...maybe for the Invites I'll add an extra "pass" for the ceremony and only put it on the ones that are going to the people coming to Jamaica? I guess technically I only have to send out like 100-150 of each...since most of those are couples! (duh!! Blonde moment!) So that wouldn't be QUITE as bad! Hell I think I could do the boarding passes myself if I could figure out how to design them! I just can't fathom spending $2 each on the cute ones on Etsy!!

Quote: Originally Posted by RaynDrop Oh so exciting!!! That's awesome so many people have booked already!! I am doing a small ceremony in St. Lucia - we are only inviting 11 couples (plus my photographers so 22 people) and having an AHR for everyone else sometime in 2015. I sent out my DW STDs a few months ago and sent my invites finally TODAY!! I will be doing different STDs & Invites for my AHR because I have no idea when or where that will be yet. I think you can save on postage by sending both STDs (to those invited to both) but I would suggest making two separate STDs for each occasion - really just to try to lesson any possible confusion. Plus then you will have AHR STDs for those only invited to that. There are always great deals on vista print so I am sure that you can make everything on there for not too much money. Don't feel like you need to invite more then you want to... I just told a bunch of family that we are getting married, and it has been told to a few other people also. I just say "we are doing a very small ceremony in St. Lucia (slight pause - then really excitedly) Then We are having a party in MA that we hope you can make it to!" The second part helps lesson the blow of basically telling them we are getting married and you aren't invited LOL Well...we told our closest friends, and then close family. The problem arising now is that he has a very large family. He invited his godmother and godfather....said that was the only ones he wanted to invite. Well of course it got around to his other family members and they started deciding that they wanted to go to. We never actually invited them. Now one of his cousins sent me an invite to our wedding website, which I've only given to the people that have been invited. I'm afraid it's going to end up spiraling out of control. Eeeek! I am coming to the conclusion that I will HAVE to send out separate STD's for the ceremony and reception, as well as invites. I really wanted to do Luggage tag save the dates, but I can't afford to send those to EVERYONE. So...Regular card STD for the AHR that goes to everyone...luggage tags to the 20-40 people that are going to the ceremony, and then Boarding pass invites for the AHR?, and then maybe just change the invites a little and send the same ones for the ceremony as well? Ahh... I am NOT creative..and I want to try to make my own but I've never done anything like that. It seems it would be cheaper, just time consuming..which I usually have plenty of working nights...but I have NO idea where to start!

Quote: Originally Posted by RaynDrop Happy to Help... Are you currently working on anything? Hey Rayn! Been awhile! Hows your planning coming? I'm got my official paperwork with my date and time set and the deposit paid. I've got about 5-6 couples that have sent their reservation forms back to the TA. I blocked 10 rooms for now...Thankfully they are booking up!!! I'm currently in a total rut on what to do about save the dates and invites. I don't want to spend an outrageous amount of money on them. I'm thinkin now to send a regular save the date that says "we will be getting married on this date, please save the date for our AHR on this date..." We aren't inviting everyone to the ceremony....I know alot of people do, but we've already had people find out and say they wanted to go that we weren't originally even thinking about going. You can't really say no..but at the same time every extra person over 20 that in included in our package is $80 per person. I'm afraid if we would invite everyone we are inviting to the AHR- which will end up being 250 or more, we could end up with a HUGE amount of extra money to owe!....so I can't decide how to do the STDs and Invites....I don't want to have to send out separate of both to the different people and end up paying double that what I would usually...ahhh..HELP!

Quote: Originally Posted by itswrightsc How do u know/knew who to send a message to.. It was a lot and would hate to have to write it all out again.. I tried doing it from my phone and lost it then from the computer and had that happen... ;- I think I sent it to Tammy, the owner of the site.

Mine did that a couple times too. I had to send a message to one of the moderators finally.