Jennkn87

Quote: Originally Posted by krisf1986 Yes my reception is private and it set up on the beach with buffet cake and champagne included. I think the cost for extra guests is $80 but if I remember correctly iberostar was only 10 guests included. You can also have your reception held in the ballroom for complete privacy however I want mine on the beach! I chose the ultimate package which is $3000 and the deposit was $500 which obviously deducted from the package price. Also after the ceremony there is a cocktail hour with appetizers and a jamaican band playing included!!! However there is an extra charge for music at the ceremony. I am just using their sound system instead of dj or band. Or you can even bring your own speakers and sound system and save money! I did a group contract with my ta and so my guests paid $100 deposit and that reserves their room! Its also a really nice incentive that you get such a large discount depending on how many rooms you book. You also get other incentives like a welcome party with drinks and appetizers, etc. Just for having a group! Im not trying to tell you what you should do but I wouod definitely go with secrets! I was in the same boat as you. I almost chose iberostar but after researching and emailing back and forth with both resorts, secrets is by far better and cheaper. I think iberostar is an awesome resort for vacation but for a wedding secrets definitely takes it! Let me know if you have any more questions! Im happy to help:) I think thats the route we are going to go as well. When are you getting married??

Also...the Iberostar only having one wedding a day really intrigued me. My FI told me I AM NOT aloud to change my mind now...so if I am going to switch resorts, it's going to have to be a decision I make pretty quickly! Sorry for sooooo many questions!!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisf1986 Thats weird. Yes the reception is included in the packages. It should say...but ya my package includes reception with buffet, champagne toast, and cake on the beach or the gazebos or the ballroom for up to 20 people then there is a charge for extra guests. My travel agents name is ketti menne. She works for all about honeymoons and destination weddings and she is AMAZING!!! She got us a great deal and always helps me and gets back to me within a couple hours! I highly recommend her. She also doesnt cost money as resorts and vendors pay her to recommend clients:) let me know if you have any other questions! Is your reception private? At one of the restaurants, or on the beach? Which package did you choose? How much more per person did yours end up being when you have more than the 20 guests? What is the deposit to book your date? Can you do a room block? Do they charge outside vendor fees? What kind of reception is included? I'm assuming a beach party/DJ costs extra? I'm kind of liking that it's smaller, and ALL adults only. I'm still not positive what I want to do yet. I'm waiting on my TA to get back with me with prices. I had all of the wedding package details but I think I threw them away since I was telling myself I couldn't change all my detials now...even tho I haven't booked a date....I'm guessing I'll end up with more questions...ahhh...REALLY didn't want to change my mind but I'm leaning that way now.

I figured the blush colored dresses would be super expensive since they aren't the "norm" YET! I probably will end up sticking with the tradition colors for my dress...That blush one you posted is BEAUTIFUL! It's such a light shade of it that in some of the pics you can barely tell it's blush! I LOVE that about it! I'm going to try to stick to simple yet elegant for my gown. No long train, not alot of detail, beading, ect....I figure since it's on the beach I won't want to mess with all the hassles of the BIG dress! Plus I'm hoping by doing this I can save quite a bit of $$$!! We'll see! I don't know yet when I'll start looking for mine!

Quote: Originally Posted by TrooDIVA No, we've gone with the Grand only. We wanted an adults only resort. Thats what I originally had my heart set on too....It's my wedding AND a vacation..I definitely would like it to be in an adults-only atmosphere--as I know some of my guests feel that way too....I'm just going to have to quit worrying so much and make a decision and STICK WITH IT!!

I got the packages from last year from a suites bride....they've changed alot of things on it! Some of the things CONSIDERABLY! Boo!! Why now!!??? I'm waiting to hear back from the WC with details about what would be different, if anything about the packages and weddings at the suites...to see if it's a difference in which resort you use, or just that they are raising their prices for the new year. Then I start worrying....on the paperwork it says at the bottom...prices supject to change without notice...sooo...today it might cost me $350 for a bonfire on the beach..(which is already $100 higher than the other brides packet I saw)...and come July you might decide to raise it another $100?...Then I would have to pay the new price?? Mehhh.....that part makes me super nervous!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisf1986 I have not been there but have done EXTENSIVE research the last year and a half and honestly I wouldnt choose anything different. I was very picky about budget and my choice of hotel and overall secrets was a Little more pricey than I wanted but was worth it and still not way too much. Also I researched iberostar resorts and also liked them however their wedding packages are much worse than secrets. And more expensive. They did not include alot and I also really wanted my reception to be private and on the beach which is not an option at iberostar unless you pay like $5000 to rent their restaurant. Also iberostar just seems too big with too many people. So far I have about 35 guests! Most of my closest friends and family are coming and its true that some people will not come however I have found that its not necessarily the total cost that determines that. People will or wont come and I wouldnt worry too much cause a couple hundred wont be the deciding factor. Another thing I did was gave my guests the option to stay 3, 4, or 5 nights depending on their budget which also helps. But yes work with a travel agent as my guests are paying less than half of what the pricing on tgeir website is. And it helps cause my guests only paid $100 deposit ti reserve tgeir room and the rest isnt due til February! When I went through the package details that secrets provided me last night again..... it seemed that their prices were more expensive and they didn't include a reception at all...among other things. I did however like how they included some photography (however I want to do a TTD session)....among some other extras. What other differences did you notice? Maybe I missed some things!

Again....your sooo crafty!!! Love the dress!! I would be afraid to order something I've never tried on but it looks amazing!!! Congrats on more steps forward in your planning!!!!

Troo- I've prob asked you before....but did you ever consider the suites for your ceremony or not? I'm seeing I'm going to get charged much more for certain things hat other brides didn't get charged for and the prices are upped from the suites packages from last year...don't know if its because of the year or becuz my prices are from the grand and they just charge more?? Blahh I just want to get my date set!!!!

At least you have quite some time yet! I'm banking on one date now and am afraid it's going to book before I finally make a decision!

Quote: Originally Posted by asu10 Do any Grand brides know if you can use Floral Fantasies at the Grand? It looks like in this thread there was some confusion about using a florist other than Tai Floral. Any insight is appreciated! Thanks! I am under the impression you may use an outside photographer/videographer or florist, but if you choose to do so, they will charge you the fee of one nights stay at the resort....so your looking at paying 200+ to use them, on top of what your paying for their services. From what I'm finding...Iberostar has changed ALOT of their packaging prices and rules in the past year....makes me almost second guess booking my wedding there. I'm sure you will run into things like this at any resort, however.

Did anyone use Wright Travel Agency for your accommodations? Wondering if I'm getting the best deal!? What kind of deals did you get for the bride and groom....other than the upgraded room? I read from a bride at Secrets that they were getting the upgraded...swim up room, for $700 dollars...that was originally going to cost them like $4000 plus? That seems like a VERY good deal...hmmm....

There aren't too many Grand brides on that list...:-(....I'm slowly but surely changing my mind a bit on whether I want to book ours for the Grand or the Suites......HELPPPP!!! What made your decisions?!?!

EM8327 - I have read alot of bad reviews on destinationweddings.com....however there are also good reviews.. I contacted Wright Travel Agency through this website, I read a LOT of good reviews on them. I am also waiting to hear back from a local TA from my hometown to see what kind of rates she comes up with. I will PM you with the rates I received from Wright. What are your deciding factors on which resort you might choose? I was originally wanting The Grand, but now am considering the Suites if I can get better deals, ect.

HELLO ALL! - I'm currently in a bind with my big decision on WHICH RESORT???? I thought I had it all figured out that I wanted to have my ceremony and stay at Iberostar Grand. Now that I'm looking at the price quotes I've been given, as well as talking to some other brides on here, I'm wondering if I should just settle for the Iberostar Suites. The prices are better, for my guests as well as us, the rooms are very similar, and one of the other brides I've talked to has a different setup, per say, on what they are allowing reception wise. My question for anyone that IS having, or HAS had their wedding at the Iberostar properties.....How did you make your final decision on which one??? I originally went into this thinking, no ifs, ands, or buts, I am having my ceremony at an ADULTS ONLY resort..Now....obviously you would think most people that are taking children on a vacation like that would stay at the beach resort. So technically, there shouldn't be THAT many young children at the Suites....but do I trust that?...Should I look into other resort chains(not that I haven't already spent HOURS on researching all of them)....I am stuck between a rock and a hard place! Any insight or advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!!! Thanks so much!!

Quote: Originally Posted by meggyducks @Jennkn87 I absolutely LOVE blush dresses too!! I really like them, but if I were to go with a blush dress I would have to rethink all of my colors I already had my heart set on. So I'm most likely going to go with white/ivory. Thats not to say that if I see a dress I like and it comes in Blush that I won't be trying that puppy on!!! Do you have your dress already?

Quote: Originally Posted by meganphillips I made the deposit of $250 to the WC to secure the date. I've also heard from brides, at the suites, that they didn't have to pay a deposit to secure the date, just that there was a $100 fee if you cancelled within 100 days.

Quote: Originally Posted by muneera0302 I agree with @krisf1986 , it depends on how many nights and which room you get. the best thing to do is check with a travel agent, i used wright travel (the preferred travel agent on this site) and Babs is awesome to work with! she got us a great deal on hotel from thurs to friday in Dec, under $600 per person (flight seperate). At the end of the day, secrets will be a little more pricier than other hotels but it is a 5 star all inclusive adults only resort so you get what you pay for! it's a gorgeous hotel. There is Sunset Beach next door which is definetly cheaper but it's not as nice as Secrets. it's also older. at the end of day i'd suggest you choose about 3 resorts that you and your fiance love, and narrow it down from there as far as the packages they offer for weddings. you can also get the travel agent to help you on pricing for hotel accomadation. Me personally, i wouldn't pick something cheaper for the simple fact that at the end of the day, not everyone will be able to attend anyways, so make sure you and your fi love the place that you'll forever remember as your wedding destination! I had originally been leaning towards Iberostar properties, but I'm starting to think maybe I should go ahead and price another resort as well before I make my final decision. More work for the TA, but thats their job I guess! I have been working with Virgilia through Wright Travel, she's been GREAT so far! I also contacted a TA from my hometown, just to see what kind of prices she could get. I feel more confident with Virgilia though because she specializes in booking for destination weddings. Just makes more sense to me! Plus she's been to all of the resorts!!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisf1986 Hi! It really depends on when u go and how many nights. We are going april 29th through may 4th. So tuesday through Sunday and it costs about $1300 per person without flight. But that is for 5 nights. Most of our guests are staying 3 or 4 nights so its cheaper. But like I said it really depends on when you go too. I chose the the more expensive package for our wedding and we are also adding some things like an arch on the beach and a few other things like sound system and tiki torches. I am upgrading my bouquet also. But I eould recommend doing things yourself like I am. I am making my own centerpieces and bridesmaid bouquets and some other things. It saves alot of money. The other thing that is nice is that deoending on how many room you book you get a discount. So my fiance and I are getting tye swimout suite on the preferred side and because we have 18 rooms booked we are paying less than $700 for a $4000 trip. We are basically only paying for one flight and the room and second flight is free. You can also use this dicount to save everyone money and share the discount. I hope this helps. It is a beautiful resort and worth the money! Let me know if you have any more questions and I will try and help! Have you been there previously, or just read the reviews and done your research? I won't have time, and don't want to spend the extra money, to do a site visit first. I have been researching the Iberostar chain. Did you look into them at all? You are DEF saving TONS of money! That is GREAT! Your prices are very good for your guests too! How many people do you have booked to go down for the wedding?

Can anyone tell me what kind of prices they ended up looking at for their guests to stay at Secrets Wild Orchid? I'm trying to decide if the resort I'm thinking about picking is too pricey for my guests. How much do their weddings end up costing? I'm still up in the air with all the decisions to make! Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

Can anyone tell me what the deposit is for booking your date? Should I work with my TA for this, or email the wedding coordinator herself?

Congrats on all of your life changes happening! I really enjoyed reading your thread. You are SO crafty! I'm hoping I can only be HALF that crafty and do a few DIY things to take with me. I What made you decide to do the suites since you aren't having any children attend? I am leaning towards The Grand, mainly because of the adults-only part of it. I want this to be a vacation for us, as well as everyone else. The Grand is obviously a little bit more expensive. I haven't booked my date there yet, I'm still waiting on a second travel agent to get back with me on pricing. I have been in contact with Wright Travel Agency, that I found on this website. I'm hoping she got me the best rates, because I've really enjoyed working with her so far. We are hoping to get married next September, 2014. I'm assuming the prices are going to raise from what the were for 2013. What package did you decide on? How much of a deposit do you have to put down to hold your date?? I haven't gotten that far yet! Right now the TA from Wright quoted me a 3 night price of $724 for double occupancy, with additional nights being $225 per night. What is your take on these prices? I was kind of hoping that she would get a price quote for a 5 night stay as well, since a few of my guests are making this a vacation and going to stay longer than the 3 nights. When I've quoted on the top sites this is definitely lower than they price the rooms at. With these prices, it includes a room upgrade for the FI and I if we have 10 rooms booked. I also had her quote the suites prices as well, thinking I would give the FI's parents that option since they will be helping their other 3 children pay for their stay, but we have no decided that this might end up causing us to not get the 10 rooms booked at the Grand (worry wart here). I'm just really trying to keep the prices as low as possible, with still having a nice wedding. IF POSSIBLE!! I keep thinking maybe I SHOULD look into a couple more resorts, but then I decide I've already spent hours researching others, and always come back to Iberostar! It's such a hard decision!! For your reception...Did they tell you you HAD to have the private 3 hour reception for more than 30 people? We are going to hopefully keep it under 30...because i DO NOT want to have to pay the extra $3000 for the private reception. I would rather have the dinner that is included, then possibly have a party on the beach following. But here again, I can't get over the fact that all of my guests will be paying for the all-inclusive part, why should I pay them a second time to have a "reception". Still on the fence about this!! I'm babbling, sorry!! Thanks again for all of your ideas and planning! Also- Can you add me to the facebook site?...even if I'm not technically an Iberostar bride yet??

Quote: Originally Posted by infinitybride15 It does seem that way. I think their wedding packages seem pretty pricey though, and they do not have my colors in one of their packages, so not sure how that would work... Humph! I am so overwhelmed with this decision. I just want the place to be nice, have fun and get married. I thought destination weddings were supposed to be stress free?!?! I thought going into this that it would be a LOT less stress than planning a wedding here in the states......WRONG!!!! There are soooooooooo many options and decisions to make. I've done hours upon hours of research and still am not 100% sure on what all I want, and where! Ahhhh!

Quote: Originally Posted by asu10 Have you guys decided on a resort? I know you have been considering the Grand. Once you decide and book it will be a relief! Well...I'm almost certain on the grand...but the more information I keep finding out, I'm afraid it's going to end up being past our budget. Some of the other girls I've talked to on here say there are hidden costs and things you can't get around with receptions and things. I don't know these for sure...she is having quite a larger party than we plan to...so we will see...I'm still (trying to be patiently) waiting on my TA to get back with me with some rates. I'm really afraid I'm going to end up having to change resorts, but I REALLY don't want to. So I'm hoping we can figure it out someway. I don't want to have to start over :-(

Quote: Originally Posted by 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! So----Even if I go with the Gold Star package at the grand...if I have say...34 people, they will make me have the 3 hour reception?...Even though it says that a wedding dinner reception for 1.5 hours is included in the package? I assumed by the way they have the paper set up that you would just pay the extra amount, depending on where the guest was staying, for anyone over the 20 people that are included in the package??? They DEF don't clearly state that anywhere on the paperwork they sent me!! Ahhh! I was definitely not planning on paying the extra 3,000. I"m not sure that I will have over 30...but I'm trying to plan for in case I do.....hmmmm... that changes my plans a little??! The DJ you got is for the reception? My price list says the DJ starts at $570, with $199 per additional hour. I was sort of afraid that this kind of thing would happen, theres always more to the story that isn't plainly drawn out for you! I don't want to book my resort only to find out it's going to be $5000.00 more than I was expecting!! I will PM you me email address! Thanks so much for your info!