JamaicaNicole

I have debated this as well I think ultimately I am going to send to everyone as I might be doing a small backyard AHR after the wedding so this is a way of letting them know if they cant make the DW that we still want to celebrate with them. I am not sure if I want to do RSVPs though through the mail I feel like I will know by the deadline everyone who is coming and I don't need a food choice so I was just going to do them through our wedding website but I am still a while out so we will see.

I didn't see much on there I liked unfortunately and I was so excited when I saw this come through.

I am July 2016, I am a compulsive type a personality though and I had to have everything planned right away. The nice part is that having a destination wedding there is a little less prep work IMO. So far I have put the downpayment on the venue, set up my travel agent for the group booking, downpayment for my stay and the photographer. I also have saved tons of ideas for OOT bags and decorating items that I am bringing my self but I am waiting to closer to start buying. I sent the save the dates out 4 months ago to give people as much time as possible to save up for the wedding.

I have had the same thing happen to me the package price seemed so low and included so much, but it is easy to get out of hand with add-ons. I have gotten great tips on here on cutting corners by bringing things your self such as chair sashes and just remember you don't have to go to crazy on decorations barbecue your destination will be beautiful all on its own!

It depends on what the 10k budget is inclusive of is it just for the wedding, or does that include your stay as well. My stay was the most expensive part around 6k since we are going for 2 weeks.

Congratulations!

Love the slideshow!

Pictures are gorgeous!

I love when they think ahead and get pictures everyone wants to capture that special moment!!

This is so unique and touching, congratulations!!!

This makes me extremely nervous as well, I am not getting married until July 2016 and on a holiday weekend as well 4th of July. I already have people complaining about the price of the trip and they haven't even seen air fare yet.

I think the invitation would be fine since it is only 90 days that they have to book, just get them out as soon as possible. I agree with the wedding website though I feel that they are crucial for destination weddings to keep everyone informed. We are 2 years out and we just posted the link to our wedding website on FB and will be sending out the save the dates in the next couple of months. So if you can get your website out to people before the invitations go out I would suggest that, I have seen really nice electronic save the dates on here that others have done.

My resort is contingent on how many people you have to have the meal option vs buffet, I believe it was 25 or more you automatically go to the buffet option or you have to pay more to do the sit down meal option. I personally like the buffet option.

I would still ask your resort, logically they shouldn't charge you, but my resort said they still would charge the vendor fee just not the one day pass fee. I think the vendor fee is ridiculous and I fought it just explain to them you are bringing a lot of business to their resort by having your wedding there both from all the guests that will be attending and the actual wedding costs them self. Most of the times they will work with you and potentially reduce it but YMMV.

Did you get stickers to out a wedding logo on it?

This is a great idea, I honestly don't think anyone will use the bags in my group. I loved the cozis as well but I was talking everyone and they said they are cute but they wouldn't use them at then at the resort or at home probably so I feel like it would be a waste. Where did you get your tumblers from?

Yea I have heard some brides say that some WC are not helpful until 2 months prior to the wedding when the require you to make all your final decisions. I definitely would not want to wait that long to get information though. I want to be all done planning at that point.

So I think all of my wedding prayers have been answered and definitely my type A compulsive planning personality has. Secrets resorts on their wedding page now has a live chat option to talk to a wedding specialist! Now I no longer have to wait a day or longer to hear back about my general wedding inquiries!

Something strategic I did was some if the resorts offer free fireworks on 4th of July, it usually costs $1500 a minute for them with a min of 3 minutes which is a lot, but having my wedding on that date allows us to get it for free!

Congratulations I am getting married in Jamaica in July at Secrets St James and Wild Orchid. We went there on vacation 2 years ago and love it. It is located in Montego Bay, Jamaica I highly recommend it!

I agree with you completely, you see one set price and then you realize how it quickly adds up. On the outside that package and we got the most expensive one looks great but then you notice that it includes the bare minimum. For example we get all linens but they are white. I have decided to bring a lot of items with me such as chair sashes because I can get them for a fraction of the cost online. The resort we are staying at charges starting at $50 to assemble everything I bring. The caveat on that is it says starting at $50 I do not plan on paying more then $50 and will negotiate with them when I get there if they try and charge more. I did negotiate the vendor fee. I am hiring an outside photographer and they charge $300 per vendor and then $80 per person that comes with the vendor. I personally think this is ridiculous I am already paying enough for the photographer and it is not my fault that the quality of their on site is not up to par. I am fine with the $80 day pass but a $300 vendor fee in my opinion is ridiculous. I negotiated with them about this and they dropped it to $200 for now but said they would revisit waiving it closer to the wedding date since I am still 2 years out. How I negotiated was that I explained that I am giving them return business since I have been to the resort before. I am also bringing in a lot of revenue to the resort with all of my guests, paying for the wedding and extras, and we are staying in the highest tier room for 12 nights.

Hi! It is so nice to see a groom take a part. In my relationship I am the Type A extremely planning oriented one. So he just sits back and let's me do my thing and helps or gives his opinion when asked. This is a great forum you will find a lot of great information on here.

I think we are going to do a registry but I have internally debated it a lot. I still want to have the whole bridal shower experience and we had another member in the family who had a DW who also still had a bridal shower. Ultimately it is up to you one thing that I have learned in this process is at the end if the day it's is your experience and your wedding and people will always judge and have comments do what you want and what will make you and your fiancé happy!

Congratulations!!! I got engaged a month ago and have most of the wedding planned already this site had been extremely helpful!

Hi everyone I am getting married at Secrets on July 4,2016! A few questions I would also like to know about the set up around the pool does that cost extra? For music while walking down the aisle do they include that or do I have to rent a sound system for a half hour? We are getting the DJ for the reception. I saw in some pictures if you have the wedding on the beach black lamp posts for lighting are those included?