MsJillss

Hi there! I know this thread was months ago, but I was wondering if anyone found out any information about pricing (food, decor, drinks etc...)) Would love to hear from you!!

@@LindsT I didn't really shop around for a TA; I picked the travel agency because they offered airmiles.The taxes and fees were included in everyone costs. I originally went to her with a price (taxes & fees included) and asked her to show us some potential resorts. With our TA we were able to compare pricing with a couple different airline companies/resorts & we found out some companies offer discounts after a certain amount of guests that book under your reservation. TA's also have way more access to information than regular customers, and sometimes pricing can be different one week to the next.

@@LindsT Hair & Makeup will be done for me at the Salon and I haven't decided whether I am gifting both hair & makeup to the girls yet. Its also up to them what they want to do. I wanted a Travel Agent to deal with... EVERYTHING. Payments... deposits.. travel insurance, guests from other cities (other then Toronto & Ottawa). She handles it all. I didn't want the headache & she was able to shop around and find us different rates. I went to her with the city and a price I didn't want to pay over and she put together some options for us. My guests had 3 months to get their deposits into her + travel insurance if needed. Now guests have the option with upgrading through her, paying her at their own pace & can go to her with any questions, requests or concerns they may have. In my case, she is my buffer. I make announcements and she deals with everything else. You go girl for not using a TA! Everything will work out in the end

@@LindsT Everyone has their own preference about time of year. I picked April because it was the latest I could get flights out of Ottawa. I didn't have too many options because a lot of airlines stopped their flights out of Ottawa the end of March. I was aiming for April-May time frame originally. Yes I'm bringing as much decor as I can pawn off on family members. I'm also bringing my own artificial bouquets for me and my girls + boutineers so I'm guarenteed they all look the same. I will use the bouquet included in my package as an accent piece on a table and distribute corsages & boutineers to parents. I'm planning on bringing centerpieces, chair sashes, napkins and table runners so far. I've been hunting online to find a good deal on them. We have a Black Friday, Cyber Monday & Boxing day to take advantage of before Spring 2015. I'm a sucker for a good deal, and I can't bring myself to pay over 100$ per centerpiece.

@@LindsT Actually its funny now because I felt so rushed before with all the excitement. I wanted everything big booked so I could start on the details. I was reading a few emails with my WC from a few months ago, and my whole vision has changed. Once your date is booked, everything else will fall into place. And we're all here to help, bounce ideas off of, give advice and share experiences with.

@@LindsT Be careful booking around Easter because I was warned by my TA that the island celebrates Easter very seriously & at times it’s the ‘part time’ staff that work during the holidays. That was my original plan so friends and family could take less time off work. My TA also warned me that there might not be very much contact with the resort during Easter (exactly a week before I arrive) so I should have everything planned in advance as much as possible. Just something to take into consideration! So far I have 40 guests booked & I am expecting a few more. The ceremony will be at the fountain & I have booked the reception at Castaways but I am on the fence about it. I think I’d rather one of the free reception sites (beach/pool) so I can splurge on other items. I’ve also booked the Bridal Suite for the half the day for getting ready with the girls. Be sure to book it through the Spa! Once you book they usually contact you. You also might have a better shot seeing pics of reception sites from the resort photographers. Let me know what you end up deciding!

@@duchovny0901 I booked it through the spa. Asistente Spa ([email protected]) This was in the email they sent me: "We can offer you Private Bridal Room, enjoy your day with your bridesmaids in a relaxing atmosphere, you can be together and have your Hair Styling, Make Up and dress in our private bridal room. Includes bottle of champagne and tropical fruits. Price: Half-day is 150 US$. Please advise if that would be fine. "

@@duchovny0901 I love the purple idea! We are going for a Aqua/turquoise & pink (watermelon/coral/punch) theme. Once I have the bridesmaids dresses picked out, that will solve the color fiasco. I've read alot of good things about the surf & turf. I have a few vegetarian guests, so I hope there will be tasty alternatives for them. I have my foundation laid out I feel, trip is booked, 40 guests so far and I am (hopefully) only expecting a few more. Booked a bridal suite and I have put my deposit down for the divine package. We are getting married at the fountain, reception at Castaways. My coordinator Yeomandry said I can book it now and always switch if I decide to. I have been on the fence about the DJ... Do I bring my own fully loaded music ipod/lap top and depend on a guest to play DJ, or do I put out the extra cash and not have to worry about anything... I haven't decided yet. My photographers are booked... I am dreading the 500$ vendors fee I must pay the resort. Next on my 'to do' list is wedding party attire, so I can then play with decor ideas. I'm on the hunt for nice looking plastic vases so they will be light to travel. I also have booked a local woman to make my artificial flower bouquets. 1+4 bouquets & 5 boutineers. That way I know exactly what I'm getting and everyone will have the same 'color scheme'. I was also thinking about getting her to make flower arrangements to put into vases. She promised we can play with ideas. What are your girls doing about their hair & make up? Will they be getting it done at the resort?

Ladies! I'm excited for you having your weddings so close together! What are you color combos, decor plans...? Dj or no Dj? If your hiring a DJ, is it through the resort? What package are you going with? What wedding package are you getting? Menu options? So many questions...I love hearing what everyone is doing. I'm happy there are ladies sharing in this experience.

Hi ladies, Now that the holiday season is over I can once again focus on the wedding! All of you ladies must be excited your getting married this year! Have you decided between a "symbolic" or legal wedding?? Does anyone know the estimated cost of the legal wedding (translations included)?? Also I'm going for a turquoise & pink (can't decide between guava & watermelon/punch), Any recommendations for places online that sell cheaper chair sashes & runners? With the RIDICULOUS cost to rent through the resort, I'd like to bring alot of my own my decor... Happy 2014 Ladies! I'm excited for all of you!

@duchovny0901 Thank you for the info! I will also make sure to check out videos!

Hey Ladies! I have posted in a few threads now (trying to cover all angles!) haha I have attempted to tediously read through all of them & I have finally decided today it was time to take part in the conversation. I have been confirmed for April 15th 2015 4pm at the fountain. We will be traveling the 12th-19th. I know its far in advance but any other Brides traveling around that time?? A question for past Brides! When the fountain is on full, is it too loud?? FI says I can have what I want but I cant decide between full fountain set up OR walking beside the fountain. I saw a picture with the fountain on full and from the Judge/Pastor/WC's view it was a beautiful backdrop for the Bride & Groom. Please let me know your thoughts & experiences! Happy Planning!

Hi Ladies! I may be a little eager but since my planning has begun; i'd figure i'd read up on my homework & get involved! I may not be a 2014 Bride but I will be NOW Larimar one. My Wedding date has been confirmed a for a Symbolic wedding April 15th 2015 (preferably 3 or 4 pm) but I have to wait to hear back from the judge. Apparently you can only book with a judge 1 year in advance. The more I read though, the more I am contemplating just getting legally married here instead & save myself the headache. So I obviously have just as many questions as all of you! When I started reading all the different forums I had totally different questions! Everyone has been so helpful! Does anyone know if there will be a "set up" fee X2 for moving chair sashes from ceremony location to reception location? Also has anyone heard or looked into Soles Chillout bar for a private afterparty?? I can't remember which forum I read it in. Thanks in advance! Happy Planning!

Hello Future & Past Brides! I made a point to tediously go through this whole forum before I posted anything! When I first started reading I had way different questions then I do now. I will be getting married April 15th 2015! I tried to make it as affordable as possible for friends & family. Now they have lots of time to save & I have lots of time to plan! Any one else planning this far in advance?? Any recommendations for STD's going out?? Because I already made the reservations and guests are already putting deposits down, I'm thinking of sending them out this November with travel info.Once again, super far in advance but invitations wont go out until later next year. Will post more later! So many questions! I had no idea when booking that April/May were SO BUSY for weddings.