Complete RIU Wedding Plans

[jenanmag]

Since I am sitting up with insomnia. . .i figured I would post all my wedding plans for any future brides to get ideas or past brides to give advice. I leave Wednesday and have a 2 pm wedding on Saturday.

 

The groom's family comes in on Thursday. . so i have goody bags for them. . then my family come on Friday and I will pass out goody bags as well.

 

The goody bags are brown bags with our names and wedding date on them. Inside is a flip flop note pad, palm tree pen, mints with our names/date, mentos with name/date, peanuts, a photo album and a stretchy bracelet keychain to hold your safe key on. I also included a welcome poem on tropical paper. Guests will also get a neon mesh beach bag with a frisbee, flip flop playing cards and ratan fan.

 

Is anyone doing a dress rehearsal before their wedding?

 

 

I have a 10:00 am hair and makeup appointment on Saturday. . .then the girls are gathering to help with my dress and we have the 2 pm ceremony with 21 of us total. I brought my own decorations for the gazebo. . .white tule and flowers. My mom made all the bouquets from shells. . . we are having the steel drum play and are doing a sand ceremony. I am having Michael do the photos and video.

 

After the ceremony we are having rum punch and appetizers while we take pictures on the beach. Then everyone is free to go back to their rooms to freshen up and change. I have a white sundress to put on. Then I thought we could meet for drinks before our 6:30 dinner reservation at the steak house.. after that it is off to the disco!

 

I am having a wedding reception back home the next Saturday. So I have another hair apppointment that day. . .I also have gift bags for guests staying at the hotel in PA. . .their bags are the same but it is filled with food to munch on. . .chocolates, mints, peanuts, crackers and water bottles with our own labels. . .

 

I am going with a sand/shell theme for the party. . .My placecards are little shell picture frames. . my centerpieces are hurricane vases with sand and shells with another little vase in it with a votive candle. For favors, each couple get 2 large seashell candies. One is wrapped in silver foil (milk chocolate) and the other in gold (dark chocolate) They will also get sand dollar cookies too. Kids will get little buckets with swedish fish in it.

 

I have 2 wedding cakes. . .a 3 tier cake (chocolate raspberry) with candy shells all over it. . and a Steelers football cake (chocolate) as well.

 

I am having buffet with an open bar. I hired a DJ and videographer. We even got a school bus to take guests to and from the hotel.

 

Major surprise of the night. ..the father/daughter dance. We start out with 1 minute of Celine Dion "Because You Loved Me" and break into "I"m Too Sexy"!! We are taking lessons. . .but my dad and I still suck! lol So wish us luck.

 

Well, I think that sums it up. I hope it helps some of you. . .if not, well it kept me busy typing for a bit!

 

Anyone know a good cure for insomnia?!?!

[Kandys]

I'm glad you have insomnia tonight because I've just stared planning and I always love it when someone post new and helpful information, so thank you.

 

You sound like you have everything done and I'm sure it will all be perfect.

[cantwaittobemrs]

Everything sounds wonderful! How many people are you having in Jamaica? Sounds like both the wedding and the AHR will be a blast, and the Father Daughter dance will catch everyone off guard I'm sure!!!!

 

When I get insomnia... I try an over the counter sleeping pill for just a few days to get myself back into the right sleeping rhythm.

I find that kind doesn't make me groggy in the morning even if I don't get a full 8 hours. Good luck!

[Bride010101]

I think everything sounds wonderful! I can't wait to see your pics when you get back. : )

 

As for the rehersal... I know previous brides have mentioned it. I have an email in to Chandyln asking about it but haven't heard back. With 8 other people in our bridal party I am hoping we can have one so that everyone knows what they are doing. If you want one, you could probalby arrange it with Chandyln when you get down there.

[Spazz]

Everything sounds wonderful!!!

 

I am having a rehearsal the night before the wedding. I'm pretty sure you can just set it up when you get there, though I emailed Chandlyn to verify. It is at 6:00 the night before the wedding and then she set aside tables at St. Ann's for dinner.

[Marnie&Peter]

Awh cute father/daughter song!!! Good luck with the dancing I am sure it will turn out great!!!!

[jmhein]

I LOVE the father/daughter surprise, that will be so cute!

I would email Chandlyn to see if you can set up a rehearsal with her the night before. We did this, I set it up in advance with her, and it was really needed since we were all so clueless!

Good luck, cant wait to see your pics once you're back!

[jenanmag]

I have an email in to Chandlyn. . .from last week. . but still haven't heard back. Guess I won't be setting up anything else til I get to the hotel.

[ACDCDCAC]

FYI store brand benedryl is the exact same medicine as tylenol pm, without the tylenol. You can get a bottle or pack for WAY less, and it helps you feel sleepy. make sure you have at least 7 hours of sleep or you'll be all groggy, but it does clear out the allergy gunkies so you wake up breathing clear!

[christenew]

A hot bath and half a bottle of wine (or a whole bottle for all us lushes) might also help.