Courtney & Matthew's Iberostar Rose Hall Suites May 4, 2013 Planning Thread

[CourtandMatt]

 

Matthew & I got engaged on August 25, 2011 in Tahiti.  He proposed during our EngagementMoon to Tahiti and New Zealand. 

 

 

He proposed with a "stand-in" ring until I picked out and received my dream yellow diamond ring.  The ring arrived on December 29, 2011.  

 

 

Engagement Party:  My girlfriends threw Matthew and I an engagement party at the White House bowling alley on November 12, 2011.  

 

Wedding Planning:  In late 2011, we finally decided that we wanted to get married abroad.  After much thought on the location, it finally came down to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.  In order to have the "best of both worlds," I booked Matthew's birthday in the DR (for April 2012) and we booked a wedding in Jamaica (for May 2013).  

 

The resort: After reading through a lot of threads, putting in a deposit and shortly thereafter getting back a deposit for Grand Palladium, and finally discussing with our family friend who is now our travel coordinator, we decided on Iberostar Rose Hall Suites.  I have heard only great things about the resort.  Here are some reasons we chose this resort: great reviews, one wedding a day, good communication with the resort, reasonably priced weddings, lazy river, my colleague who just stayed there said the food was great, and our TA highly recommends this resort.  

 

The date:  Saturday, May 4, 2013

 

Wedding photographer:  I contacted a few photographers who do weddings in Jamaica and finally decided on Sandy May.  She has great prices, I love the photos and reviews, she communicates well, and she seems to dedicate time to the couple and their photos (she only takes 3-4 weddings a month).  I also love the fact that she is a Minnesotan (which I am).  She lives in Jamaica during winter time.  She confirmed for our original date - April 6, 2013 - we are waiting to hear back if she will do our May wedding instead...

 

Wedding officiant:  We are Jewish so I really wanted a Jewish ceremony.  Thank goodness for Stephen Henriques.  He is a leader of the Jewish community in Jamaica and does weddings.  He is even mentioned in the book "A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and Latin America."  He said he would do our wedding.

 

Save The Dates:  We ordered our Save the Dates through SaveTheDateMagnet.com (New and Blue Enterprises, Inc.).  I will post pictures when I have the actual Save the Dates in a couple weeks.  

 

Travel Coordinator:  Our friend Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. is coordinating everyone's travel.  She is great to work with.  I highly recommend her.  

 

I will post more when I have more information.  In the meantime, you can stay up to date on my planning by checking out http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding!  

 

Happy planning!

 

Courtney

 

[marilili]

Congrats! Happy Planning!

[CourtandMatt]

Thank you!  We are very excited!  I am also excited that my officiant and wedding photographer are willing to do the May date!  I have already put in a deposit for photography!!  Yay!!  I am so excited to have someone from my home state do our photos and at the same time not to have to pay the travel fees (since she lives in Jamaica during the winter time)!! 

 

My Save The Dates should be here later this week, but in the meantime the following is our proof: 

 

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

I have started sending out Save the Dates.  I sent out 59 yesterday, which invites 103 people.  Some people I already know wont be able to make it, but I wanted them to feel included and then there are 32 that appear to be definitely coming!  I still have probably 20 or so more that we are sending out but I am missing addresses.  Yay to moving on things!  Still have not chosen color schemes, bridesmaids (despite my groom picking his groomsmen - it is just so hard to pick 3), wedding dress, etc., but I have a lot of time.  

[CourtandMatt]

Matt and I have decided to do a wedding diet. Despite our wedding not being for over a year, we are going to try to shape up and eat healthier.  And, hopefully, a few pounds will drop off while we are eating healthier and working out harder.  Matt's goal is to lose 22 lbs (get back to his college days) and my goal is to lose 11 lbs.  That equates to less than 2 lbs a month for Matt and less than 1 lb a month for me to lose!  I will keep you updated on our progress!  

[CourtandMatt]

 Well, we are three weeks into our diet and Matt has lost 10 lbs whereas I have gained 1.5 pounds.  O man.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!  We work out hard, so I know it is the food, but man o man...

[JayKay]

I love love love your engagement ring!! I love yellow diamonds!

[CourtandMatt]

 I am less than a year out!!  Yay!   The countdown begins! 

 

Today Matt and I registered at Crate & Barrel.  Matt has already picked out his groomsmen, but I want to do something special for my ladies so I will be asking them in the coming weeks! 

[Dazeydawl]

Same date! in Jamaica!! Also trying to lose weight over the coming year!! I got a gym membership and start tomorrow.. im trying to lose about 20lbs over the year

 

And your ring is beautiful!!

[Kristin Ri]

Your ring is so Beautiful! Congrats!!