nursemorgan

Thank you for the tips! Does anyone know which days of the week the courts are closed? Are they open on sundays? Does anyone know their hours of operation and how far in advance I need to have my app mailed down?

@@TaraBinki Can you fill me on on the Seacliff Terrace? And Havana Blue? If you could do it again was there anything you would change? Is there a place I can see your wedding photos? Sorry to be so crazy but I have had not the best luck with Marriott so far but I love the location and I am determined to make it work! Do you think they would be able to do a beach party? Do they allow bonfires? I have heard Bolongo Bay will do it but I am nervous about traveling from the Marriott to bolongo bay and also about the mixed reviews online. I spoke briefly with Marriott about having a dinner on the beach for our reception but they wanted to charge me $2000 to set up chairs and tables plus our food and alcohol bill. I felt like that was not worth it. What do you think quality-wise? We are having a massive reception party when we return to jersey so I don’t want to waste money if it could be better spent inside of Havana Blue. Did they allow you to have the entire Havana Blue restaurant as your location? Or was it still open to other guests? I would love to just buyout the place for the night but is it a huge restaurant? We are looking at 40 guests confirmed so far. I saw somewhere you worked with Kate Atwell… did the planners at the Marriott get you in touch with her? Did you end up booking the catamaran for your rehearsal dinner at Iggys? That is also on my radar for our trip. I definitely want more semi formal, less beachy casual too. Just curious how this went down. How was the Marriott with bringing in your outside photographer? Did you start to discuss this with them from the very beginning? I guess I didn’t realize how many questions I would really have lol but mainly my wedding is in 4 months and I am not sure where we are having our post-ceremony dinner. It’s my biggest stressor right now. We are getting married in St John. Did you deal with Havana Blue completely separate from the Marriot planners? Thank you so so so much for your help in advance. I am desperate. Pictures are appreciated as well!!! J

You literally did exactly what I am planning on doing in MAY 2014!!! I only have a few months left to plan and was just informed by Marriott I cannot reserve space in Havana Blue because I have 35 people on our list! Ahhh How did you get around this? If you could post photos and ANYTHING you have that could help me get a better idea of what I am walking into I would appreciate it so so much! -Morgan @@moemarx @@irishbebe03 I am also a fellow JERSEY GIRL! Cape May NJ to be exact If you could both post photos for me of your weddings I would so so appreciate it! We are staying at st thomas marriott but i only have a few months left to plan! Help is appreciated!!!!! AHHHH!!

Hi All! So so so happy & thankful I found this thread! I am getting married in St John on Trunk Bay May 6th 2014. We are staying at the Marrriott Frenchmen's Reef in St Thomas. I am having trouble deciding the logistics of our actual wedding day. I originally wanted to take a private boat from st thomas to st john, get married, get pictures taken, get back on the boat and go back to st thomas for dinner at the marriott, however, I think my plans are changing. After speaking with the marriott, I was bummed. They told me I could not make a reservation for 35 and that I would have to do a banquet in one of their event spaces. I didn't really want to use any of their spaces so I asked if they could just serve us dinner on the beach. They charge a $2000 set up fee in addition to each persons dinner and alcohol bill. It seemed very pricey to me to just set up dinner and chairs on the beach. I have a rather large budget, but I am not down to get ripped off. I am wondering if anyone could recommend a place in st john for a dinner. I really would prefer a "beach party" after dinner, but I haven't even suggested this to Marriott yet... thoughts anyone? Also, we are getting married in the afternoon. I want to get pictures done after our ceremony... what do i do with that time lapse for our guests? We didnt want to have a formal cocktail hour but does that mean they just hang out on the beach? I feel a little overwhelmed with everything and would appreciate advice!!

Did anyone actually end up using Bolongo Bay Iggys for their reception? They have mixed reviews online and I just cant decide what to do. We are staying at St Thomas Marriott and i want a good quality reception.

Hi All! So so so happy & thankful I found this thread! I am getting married in St John on Trunk Bay May 6th 2014. We are staying at the Marrriott Frenchmen's Reef in St Thomas. I am having trouble deciding the logistics of our actual wedding day. I originally wanted to take a private boat from st thomas to st john, get married, get pictures taken, get back on the boat and go back to st thomas for dinner at the marriott, however, I think my plans are changing. After speaking with the marriott, I was bummed. They told me I could not make a reservation for 35 and that I would have to do a banquet in one of their event spaces. I didn't really want to use any of their spaces so I asked if they could just serve us dinner on the beach. They charge a $2000 set up fee in addition to each persons dinner and alcohol bill. It seemed very pricey to me to just set up dinner and chairs on the beach. I have a rather large budget, but I am not down to get ripped off. I am wondering if anyone could recommend a place in st john for a dinner. I really would prefer a "beach party" after dinner, but I haven't even suggested this to Marriott yet... thoughts anyone? Also, we are getting married in the afternoon. I want to get pictures done after our ceremony... what do i do with that time lapse for our guests? We didnt want to have a formal cocktail hour but does that mean they just hang out on the beach? I feel a little overwhelmed with everything and would appreciate advice!!

Where did everyone have their ceremony and reception in St John? We are looking for a location for our dinner on the island. Is Janelle reasonable in price? And what sorts of things was she able to help you with in your planning process? @Taghan @keith_pitts @yuliag

Hi BDW world! I am brand new to the site! My fiance Brian & I are planning our wedding for May 6, 2014. Our wedding is literally four months from today!!! I wish I could say that I am right on track with all of our plans, but I am definitely, without a doubt, 150% behind schedule based on every one of the four wedding planning timelines that I have been trying to follow. This is super hard for OCD me to admit, but I am way behind. We got engaged last April and I was convinced that 13 months was way WAY more time than what I needed to plan our dream destination wedding, but between my career beginning as a night shift nicu nurse in my dream hospital, my Dad having a few health issues, my mom & I having opposite work schedules, and attempting to spend as much time as I can with my family & fiance, the wedding planning got put on the back burner. I literally have been dreaming of this day since I was 6, and to be honest, I probably starting planning shortly after that 7th birthday. Let me just say, my entire life has been about planning. Whether it be planning my wedding, my meals, my work schedule, I was ALWAYS making lists of some sort or another. I get so much pleasure out of making a list and completing the contents on that list. Lately, I have still been listing away, but unfortunately I have been slacking with actually completing this list. So, today I decided to get back to my normal self & PLAN! Yay for crossing things off my list! In addition to planning our destination wedding, we are also planning our reception back home here in Cape May, New Jersey. To sum it up, we are basically planning two events at once... and literally have only four short months left until our first event! Sheesh... should be a very eventful few months! I am planning on posting on this blog as frequently as I can to help track my planning progress and get myself back on track! Try to check back frequently for updates on my planning! I really appreciate any advice or words of encouragement any previous or current destination brides can give me! Heres to a roller coaster of a wedding planning ride! -Morgan While Brian is sitting here watching college football (Auburn vs Florida State to the exact) I get the pleasure of wedding planning while I “spend time” with my future hubby. Since we are planning TWO events, I am trying to break down our “To-Do’s” weekly so I do not get too overwhelmed. St Thomas is May 4-11, 2014 with our Ceremony Date May 6, 2014 in St John Cape May, NJ Reception June 6, 2014 List of Things I Have Done: Dress (Said Yes to the Dress!) Choose Location (Trunk Bay- St John USVI) Choose Hotel (We are all staying at The Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort in St Thomas, USVI) Flights Booked (check!) Invitations for our St Thomas Vacation & St John Ceremony (picked out on Etsy, still being designed, not ordered, NOT sent out… I know, I know, I told you I am quite a bit behind) Wedding Wish Lanterns to send up post-ceremony (check!) Save the Dates for Cape May Reception (purchased, but not sent out) Decide on wedding colors (check- blush pink and pewter gray) Stamps for Invitations (check) Maps for welcome bags (check! CANNOT WAIT to share photos of these awesome maps the best Etsy shop designed for me!) Labels for my welcome bags (check) Guest book for islands (check! Cant wait to show you our unique finger print guest book we had designed for our trip!) Emailed our photographer about reserving our Cape May reception date! List of Things To Do This Week: Stamps for Cape May Save the Dates Order/Send out Cape May Save the Dates Order Bridesmaids dresses Figure out what groomsmen are wearing Book photographer (Hello Gorgeous Photography!!!) Contact St John planner Drop deposit to Cape May reception venue Contact Adventure Center about our “boat day” in the islands Order welcome bag supplies- sunblock, chap stick, H2O labels, bags, etc. Decide on post-ceremony dinner location in either St John or St Thomas USVI (THIS IS WHERE I AM HOPING THIS SITE COMES THROUGH FOR REVIEWS!!) Contact Marriott St Thomas to discuss room arrangements Honeymoon location (somewhere in the Caribbean!) Contact bridal party about flights J Make snack bag labels “two less fish in the sea” “all because two nuts fell in love” for goldfish & nuts, and water for boat day treats Hopefully this List of To Do’s get completely completed this week and then it’s on to next week’s list. Baby steps, but like seriously, I can do this! KEEP ME ON TRACK PEOPLE!!!!

@@JustNoelle I have a few questions and you seem like the ultimate expert for destination weddings LOL 1. Who did your trash the dress session? And how was it doing it underwater? We are considering it. Were you able to get your dress semi-dry to fly it back home? I feel like no one ever has explained the "cleaning up after the trashing" process to me lol so I am just curious! 2. Did you ship everything down in advance or carry it on the plane (OOT bags, etc.) 3. Where did you start your planning thread? I am new to this website and I can't find the specific forum where I could start my post about planning my wedding. Did you wait until after your wedding to do one long "planning post" ? Your wedding looks fabulous and you looked stunning. Congrats & and advice you can give this "newbie" would be greatly appreciated. I am getting married in four months in St Thomas/St John and i have SO MUCH LEFT TO DO!!!

Any advice between staying in a villa vs marriott frenchmans reef?

Any tips on reception locations in st John? We are getting married on trunk bay may 6, 2014 and i am way behind schedule!! We are staying at the marriott in st thomas but due to logistics of traveling back and forth we are considering venues on st john for dinner! Any suggestions?

We are also planning on doing wish lanterns. Do you have any advice related to them?

I am also doing wish lanterns and am looking for any advice you have related to them! Did you seek permission from the island? Did you send them up on the beach?

@@butterflyaniam Can you post pics of your wedding at the villa? Did you stay there as well or just host your reception at the location? @@Tonir Where was your wedding location? Can you possibly post photos? I am getting married in St John in May, staying in St Thomas at the Marriott... but I still dont have a reception location for an intimate dinner!! ahh!

@@kokalloa can you share more info about your couples massage/cocktails at the Ritz? Just curious if you got a package?

OMG I LOVE YOUR PHOTOS!!! Where is the dock/pier at? I'm getting married in St. Thomas and doing a TTD the next day. I looove that pic and would love to steal the idea! I saw you posted that it was in Grand Turk.. is that in St Thomas or a separate island? Which photographer did you use? And where did you stay? Okay i re-read what i wrote and i realized i know it is a separate island lol but how did you get there? Fly? Boat?

Does anyone know of any photographers/videographers willing to travel between st john ceremony and st thomas reception?

where is this church located in relation to trunk bay?

@@TropicalBride10 Hi! I am getting married in May in St John and we would be staying in St Thomas. Have you made any progress with planning?

Is it rude to leave and go to a different resort a few days before the end of the week when your guests leave? We are trying to figure out the logistics of honeymooning with a DW..

@@jkny23 would you be able to post photos of your wedding at the Westin? Did you end up locating a band?

@@kelleylove @BVIBride09 @brecluse I know this thread was started forever ago but I am staying in st thomas in may. we are getting married trunk bay st john. we want to do a day trip to jost van dyke, but i am looking for a good company to charter our boat through. Any suggestions?

@@sherri do you or anyone else here have a recommendation for a catamaran day trip boat company? We are getting married May 2014 in St John, but staying in St Thomas for the week. I am in search of: a private boat to transport between the two islands. a boat to take the guys out fishing the day before the ceremony. a boat to take my ladies to Jost Van Dyke the day before the ceremony. Any suggestions?

Did anyone end up using a catamaran for their reception? Looking for reviews in the St Thomas & St John area. If you could include any cost info for a half day or full day catamaran trip that would be great as well!!

@@petunia Thanks for the great map!