Jennkn87

Thanks! Did you look into Jamaica at all? I'm just wondering because it seems that a couple of the other brides on here acted like PC was soo much cheaper, wedding package wise and resort wise. I really want to do this is Jamaica, but then it also gets me thinking, if I could save THAT much money, maybe I should look into it. Although, I really don't want to start from scratch on resort research!! Are you having anything extra at your ceremony, reception? How about decor?

Hello All! Did anyone have any issues trying to decide how long to wait for your AHR after you return? I want to be able to get settled in and have time to get the venue ready, which I will be able to do a couple weeks in advance I'm guessing. I don't want to wait too long as well. My biggest thing is, I would love to display my DW photos at the reception. How long is the normal wait time for them to send your pictures to you? I really would love to base my reception around the guests being able to see the photos and maybe video if I decide to have one? Any insights? Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by 1stmarriage 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!! WOW! Lots of information! You've gotten lots done so far! I envy you!! Questions: Is the resort making you pay the extra fee of one nights stay per each outside vendor you are having? For your welcome party....did it cost your to book for a large group at the suites? How many extra bags do you plan to take for your extra decor? I really don't want to pay the extra 3,000 for the port maria, is the food choices THAT much better than the regular included receptions at the restaurants? Do you know what kind of a buffet you could have on the beach? I've read about some brides doing that. I would rather pay the extra money for a party after since we can already eat at any of the restaurants. *Your cake of half red-velvet, half cheesecake sounds AMAZING! * How much does the DJ cost if I did decide to have a bonfire on the beach? Are the prices a lot different for the guests to stay at the suites? I am planning on letting them have that as an option because my finance's parents will spending a big chunk of money on helping his sisters and brother pay for their stay as well, but I don't want to have to pay for my whole party to come to our resort for the wedding. i think most of the other guests would rather stay at an adults only resort, thought, I'm guessing. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do about flowers, kind of just thinking I will use what the resort includes, then maybe make some of my own to take down. Not fresh, but also LOTS cheaper. then I can bring them back and use them again at my reception. Can't take the fresh flowers back with you...I guess I'd rather pay for the photographer and have something I can return with than pay for the flowers I won't be able to keep, per-say! Do most TA's get flight discounts for you as well? My FI and I will be going down, I'm guessing, 2-3 days before most of the other guests, do you all have to fly together for the discounts? Did she get better rates for you than DW.com? I've been debating on if I would like to check rates with other agents just to make sure I'm getting the best rates with Virgilia at Wright. I'm sure I will come up with more questions for you! Thanks so much for all your information and help!

LOL...I have a feeling I'll be overweight the way it is with everything that will be in my suitcases!! EEK

Quote: Originally Posted by scolen are you working with your TA near you? I'm working with an agent from Wright Travel Agency, not anyone from around here. I found so many good reviews on here about them I wanted to try them! So far...everything has gone great!!

I'm hoping for my TA to get back with me tomorrow and we can set it in stone by thursday!

You could easily make it tonight if you put your mind to it!

I reallly just wanna stay on track with making it special and somewhat extravagant without spending an arm and a leg! I want to have enough left to make my AHR special too! Don't want to be in debt up to my eyeballs at the end of it all! It will be special and pretty no matter what!

I will be happy when we get even just ONE thing set in stone! That will help get me on track!

Great advice! I meant any advice on.. What you would not mess with now that you did the last time. Things your doing differently now from learning the first time. But your last post is definitely good advice for ANYONE getting, or planning on getting married. All too often people forget things like that and let their relationships get taken over by non-important matters. It's unreal how easily some let their marriages fail, without trying to make it any better. I have a close friend doing this exact thing right now. I have actually became farther and farther away from her becuz I am soo against how she handles the situation... But will not take any advice from anyone. It's sad.

He pretty much will go with whatever I am thinking for the most part. We haven't gotten too far into decor or anything like that. Still in the early stages of...which resort, whats the pricing, gotta talk to the parents--hopefully tomorrow or thursday! EEEK. Thats about as far as it's gotten thus far!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Raquelita0715 Wow Grand. U definetly had a better budget than me. Hahaha i heard good things about the Grand in Jamaica but I did hear the Paraiso is better in Playa Paraiso. Then again I may be biased. I have never been to that grand but love Maya and Lindo. Def have your travel agent look around for the best price. I doubt my budget is all THAT much different! I would guess less! I am determined to make it work however it has to though! I have been to mexico a few times already, as well as punta cana. I really wanted to go somewhere new now...and Jamaica was next on my list! I've heard RM is beautiful...one day I'll venture there hopefully!! But for now it's JAMAICA MON!!

It does help! I'm on here alot LATE at night when no one else is on here to chat with so I just end up reading stuff instead...then my mind starts running and I start changing my mind about things! LOL

I've read it's alot easier to pay the extra baggage fee to take them with you, as some resorts will not allow you to ship your stuff there. Plus it probably will end up costing you more than checking an extra bag. It could also get stuck at customs. I just get worried also they will put the bags on the wrong plane!! !

Don't forget to let us know your extra special secrets and advice on what you've learned!!

Quote: Originally Posted by scolen yes i am still on here lol Your almost to 150! Keep it up! I'm just trying to get past a certain point. Hopefully in the next few days I can maybe make it that far!!! I end up reading too much and not posting enough!!!

I know I keep seeing all different kinds of decor, different flowers, all kinds of stuff I could take with me...but then I think to myself....will people REALLY remember how much decor I had? what colors I chose? The resort I'm sure will do a FINE job making it look perfect! I can spend a little on decor for the AHR....and not worry so much about stuff to take down with me!

There are just SOOOO MANY CHOICES! Thats my main stressor right now...oh who am I kidding...it's all stressing me....I go from one thing to the other, change my mind over and over, and then realize...I have to stop!...and just ENJOY the process!! I've got a whole YEAR to worry about it!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jandl2013 Jenn, this isn't my first time getting married. My first wedding was NUTS...I refuse to go down that path again or allow anyone or anything to take my mind away from the point of our day. Though it was stressful planning this and trying to make decisions, etc., I feel like it's time for me to enjoy this planning phase and be comfortable knowing that I've done what I can and the rest is not something I can control. I don't want to be upset during a time i'm supposed to be enjoying things. It's hard sometimes to keep things in perspective, but it's worth it to not be all stressed and nuts which I've already experienced..LOL Understandable!!! You deserve that! I am trying my hardest to not get stressed. As long as everyone makes it down there and enjoys there stay...I won't let little things get to me as much! It's an opportunity some people don't get!...I'm just overly glad I found someone that agreed with my destination wedding ideas! I don't get the point of spending tons of money on a huge home ceremony, especially when you end up not remembering much of the day anyways! I'm all about having our closest family and friends there having a blast and then having a little celebration at home for the rest of our friends/family. I'm always going to have it in the back of my head that i'm nervous as HELL that something will go wrong sometime over the next year and it won't turn out as planned....BUT I'm pushing that aside for now!! Hopefully I can continue to do so! I'll have alot of weight off my shoulders when I get my dang date set!!!!

Trying our hardest to get to 150! LOL

I'm holding myself back on thinking about the extra baggage, I HATE worrying about whether my bags with the decor will make it there or not! I've had my luggage hop the wrong plane once, luckily on the way home, but it SUCKS! I can't imagine if i went to the trouble of making alot of DIY things and spent the money on them, only to have them not make it in time! EEK! Just me being a worry wart again!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jandl2013 At the end of the day, we can't control the weather so i'm going to do my best to not even worry myself about it. I know my venue has a rain plan so I'm just going to hope for the best and just enjoy our day. Love your positive outlook on it all!!!

I'm assuming either way it's going to be HOT! GORGEOUS.....but HOT! I'm planning on having my ceremony later in the afternoon/early evening to avoid the super hot temps that could be going on! I'm reallllllly hoping it doesn't rain. I've read on other threads that at resorts with one wedding you can get lucky enough if they only have 1 wedding a day that if it rains, you can always push it back a little! Which...if it does...I'm perfectly fine waiting a bit to not get wet! I don't want my dream of being married IN THE SAND to be ruined by rain!! I'm guessing no matter what season it is, it will rain at one point all the time...seems thats usually how it works on the beach..even if for only 10 minutes!

Quote: Originally Posted by 1stmarriage Hello, I am a little further with planning. I may be able to answer some questions. I would love to hear ANY insight, planning details, package details, ANYTHING! I'm still in the early stages. Haven't received room pricing yet from my TA, but I have the package details from the wedding coordinator. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping we can make it all work out the way I'm hoping!! Look forward to hearing from you! When is your ceremony date?

Quote: Originally Posted by meganphillips Hi Jennkn87! Congratulations! As far as the Grand, I had a friend that was in a wedding there last year and she said it was AMAZING! So I think we are in good shape:) I also did plenty of research on the resort itself and found terrific reviews. Honestly, it was hard to find anything bad about the Grand. I know it is confusing with all the extras that come along with the ceremony and reception planning. I recommend if you have any questions just call or email the WC. They have been terrific in getting back to me. I know some reviews have commented on how they have been disconnected from the WC, but I have been very pleased with the attention and help that they have provided me. I have been working with Jannelle and Loreto. Sometimes it might take a few days/weeks but they always get back with me and have all of my answers covered. I also call too if I am looking for a quicker response! As far as the Grand, I had a friend that was in a wedding there last year and she said it was AMAZING! So I think we are in good shape:) I am having a cocktail hour followed by bonfire/Jamaican bbq on the beach the night before as a rehearsal dinner. We will be having 75+ guests so all of our events are going to be private beach events. For the ceremony, we will be doing a bamboo structure and dance floor with tables set up around the beach. I don't know my final bill for that but right now I have confirmed $3,500 for dance floor set up and I think there is an additional $3,000 for the private dinner which doesn't include some of the extras like cocktail hour, extra attendees and extra hour of reception. I still need DJ, Flowers. You have plenty of time so don't stress and ENJOY the planning process! I'm really glad to hear you have close acquaintances that have been to weddings here and thought they were amazing. I, too, was unable to find anything negative about the resort and it's wedding coordinators. I am still waiting for pricing from my TA. I'm soo nervous that it will not pan out how I am wanting it to price wise. Guess we shall see! I am still debating on my reception/rehearsal parties. I am really trying to keep the pricing down, I also don't know exactly what my budget is yet! Hopefully I can make it all work! I don't need anything to be SUPER fancy, I have to save some money for the at home reception when we return. Keep me updated on what you decide on flowers and DJ. I am only having 30ish people so I am not going to pay for the extra hour. I feel like the resort is already getting double the money since my guests will be paying for the all-inclusive and we will also be paying for drinks/food that they could (not all together and exclusively, I know) be getting anyways. I haven't figured out the best way to go about all of it and how to spend my money. Hopefully that all falls together soon as well! Thanks again for the insight! Your ceremony is May 25, correct? Thats my dads birthday! :-)