budgetbride2015

Hey ladies!!! It's been a while how's the planning going? For me ....welp it begins. Tomorrow is the deadline for deposits and out of the 82 save the dates that were mailed out only 4ppl booked and they're couples...smh but hey i'm not going to stress. Less is more

Congrats!!!!! How many ppl are you inviting?

I just got my rates for next year but Mark didn't mention anything about the room being free if we book at least 20 rooms

Thanks @@jennifernoel1 the reviews about him online are really good. I called him and left a message. I tried emailing but for some reason it didn't go through

@@jennifernoel1 that's AWESOME I'll be shooting him an email tonight

@@jennifernoel1 can you email me your TAs info? My travel agent still hasn't gotten back to me

Oh ok will do...that's awesome that they allow other florists. I read in the contract they only use Tai flora but i emailed them and it took two weeks for them to reply and they didn't even give me the info i requested .....not cool at all

Hey ladies!!!! If you haven't already check out these threads...These ladies got married back in 2011 but has done an amazing job at DIY projects and have really cool ideas and ways to save money but still a have a fabulous wedding search for ...Mrstgun's & torilynnsmith I already have a few ideas i took from them. Since i'm so early but really don't want to wait till the last minute i think i'm going to start with making 30 of everything and then as people book add on. My family keeps joking that i might be having twins that one's hiding (NOT FUNNY) but if that's the case I won't have time to do anything (unless i clone myself)....LOL!!!

@@jennifernoel1 do you mind if i ask the rates you were given? I'm still waiting for my travel agent to get back to me which sucks because i wanted to have this info before this weekend so i can at least give it to my bridal party and close relatives

@@jennifernoel1 that's not bad at all thanks something to think about. My wedding is in august I don't think we'll have that issue with the rooms selling out but I could be wrong

Awesome review thank you!!!! Did the resort change the company they use for flowers? I thought they used Tai flowers....We are bringing a photographer and videographer with us. I'm going to send them links to local photographers who have pics on the resort along with info on the resort so they can plan the day out.....You sound llike you had an amazing time. We get married August 2015

@@jennifernoel1 that's actually not bad i thought i would have been higher...how many rooms did you block? You should be able to keep it under $800 esp if most of your guests are flying from Florida (flights are usually pretty reasonable to JA) how long are most of your guests staying for?

@@jennifernoel1 @@helenk I'm not giving them a choice but i know some will seek out another resort to save money since the Iberostar is not cheap....riu is one of the most budget friendly resorts in Jamaica and if i was traveling with a family i would consider staying there to save money since they charge per room not per person and kids under 12 stays free There is a thread for this question ...LOL!!! I guess since they are sacrificing to fly all the way to Jamaica to celebrate with us we would have to pay....prayerfully only a few will book at another resort. I am making it clear that i will only cover the wedding day only...so they will miss out on the welcome party

@@jennifernoel1 @@helenk I'm still deciding my fiance doesn't want to do a room block....my TA also advised me the benefit of not doing a room block if the prices drop she can offer the cheaper rate even after they book Etiquette question. ...who's responsible for the day pass for guests who chose not to stay on the property?

@@jennifernoel1 pretty much....I was going to do a beach welcome party with a national bar for 2 hours but definitely going the free music bar route if we can. ....I believe it's offered when the bar is usually closed and they pull a bartender to serve your guests Also I'm trying to decide if I should just have everyone book on their own through the travel agent or get a room block. .....with the room block we would have to pay the deposit upfront for the rooms any thoughts @@helenk @@jennifernoel1

@@jennifernoel1 @@helenk I haven't started making payments yet. From my understanding you can pay towards it in advance but i would hold off only because you might be able to do somethings without actully paying for it (like a free cocktail party, or welcome party) depending on your guest count and what the WCs suggest. I know i've read where brides hosted a meet and greet at the music bar for free instead of paying for a private set up Also check to see if you can put all the money on a card that doesn't charge an international fee. When i made the deposit i was charged $7/$12 for the deposit. If the wedding is going to cost me over 4grand i don't even want to know the fee my bank will charge

@@helenk too much. This is why men are not included in the planning process. I asked my FI to ask his friend how much he charges to design a logo. He instead told him what we wanted, gave him all the info... his friend started working on it and when I inquired about the price that's when he asked him..so $75 ... I could of gotten my sister to do for free....not as nice of course but within my budget....Lol

This is what happens when you read to many posts in a day.....I almost switched my wedding location to the Royalton resort.... CRAZY ....It's so beautiful and its new (opened in 2013) but then i realized that 1. My fiance will leave me..lol! 2. It's so new that they don't have the experience our coordinators have 3. We know what we are getting because ppl have actually gotten married and shared their experience with us...with that said DON'T read any reviews once you have your date booked ...lol! Ok i'm back. :D what packages did you guys decide on? At first i chose the cheapest package and then added on from there but the more expensive one turned out to be only $75 more once i added in everything (cocktail hour, steel band, etc) and that's all included with the highest package and you get a couples massage with it..... Planning is starting to feel real now. My bridal reveal party is in 2weeks. I'm going out to pick out items for them today (I have a party for everything ) I'm also having a logo designed to scan onto our OOT tote bags. I know its a little over 12 months away but I'm in school, expecting and have a teen so it will be here before the new baby starts walking ..LOL!!!

@mention @@jennifernoel1 thanks I spoke to my TA last night and she's going to take it from there

@@helenk @@jennifernoel1 Good tips thanks!!!! Ok ladies who did u guys contact for group rates and incentives? I am working with a travel agent but from my understanding you set up you group rate agreement and incentives through the resort. But i called reservations they said i needed to call the WC. When i emailed Loreto (WC manager) He told me to contact hotel or TA because they don't handle group rates......so annoyed

Hey ladies! Has anyone started on OOT bags? I'm trying to do something every month so I'm not overwhelmed at the end. I actually just want to write checks my last 30 days before my wedding

My family is from Jamaica so this is like a family reunion for them....smh then my FI is a Kappa and have 3 families mom, stepmom and dad ..so not ok

So my FI and I just came up with our initial guest list 187ppl...WHY?!?!?!?!?! I'm praying only half replies yes and a third actually books....I HATE big weddings and big wedding parties. And even though 187 is not big for a local wedding it is for a destination

Ladies here's a tip you probably already know about. ....Pinterest, the dollar store and a hot glue gun is your best friend. You can create a beautiful center piece for under $20 oh and if you have a Christmas tree store near you....you are in luck Soooo I tried to attach a picture to show you guys and I'm below the post requirement. ..LOL! Im sure by next year I'll meet it

@@jennifernoel1 No the $800, is just to rent out the restaurant. If I'm not mistaken u have to rent the tent from an outside vendor the hotel works with PLUS pay for the set up fee per guest at for dinner and the bar. Which is ridiculous because it's the same food your getting in restaurants. @@jennifernoel1 i'm not. I am going to send the WC a pic of a design I want them to incorporate into my cake but since they don't credit you for not using something in the package I'm using everything @@Tatimrivera Congrats!!!!!! So exciting .....I'm looking forward to your reviews and pictures