Iberostar Rose Hall Brides - Post all info/questions here!

[Islandgirl910]

So just to get this straight LuLu you guys didn't have a cocktail hour that you paid for? Your guests just ordered drinks normally? We want a steel drum band during cocktail hour, so I know we're going to have to pay for cocktail hour. I'm just wondering what types of drinks are served after cocktail hour is over and once the reception begins. So much thought has to go into this carefully because we don't want to get screwed lol.

Originally Posted by daisymable 

I want to book the steel drum band for the cocktail hour.  How far in advance will I need to book this?

 

Originally Posted by lmuze 

Hi Starrysim,

 

Do you know if you are having your wedding at Aunt Ruby Steakhouse, you can have your guests go inside and order whatever they want? We didn't pay extra but most waiters will bring anything your guests want or they just have to walk inside to where there is a bar and they can get anything they want from the bar. That's what we did.

 

Lulu
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrysim 

Are you saying that you essentially had an open bar at the reception without paying for it?  Which restaurant was your reception at?  Was there a regular bar close by?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamLovesJA 

Hey T,

 

At the reception, wine and soft drinks are served. But to be honest I think they will serve any drink you order as we were having kir Royale, Shirley Temples, Rum and coke etc. My guest were just ordering what they usually drink and it was no problem at all. But I think the official status is wine and soft drinks

 

Cam x

 

 

[mrsgreene2011]

Have you been able to get a contact with Nicole via email. I have some quesdtions, but I read on here that she doesn't really respond until you get close to the date. I know I have at least 50 ppl coming. I agree with you regarding the open bar fee. I am hoping I can get a reduce price/upgrades on things. Maybe I will see you there, I am getting married 11.11.11!
 

Originally Posted by starrysim 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeAngelis2be 

 

We booked a group rate (holding 25 rooms) through Beach Bum Vacations and they offered us great rates, plus amazing incentives for the Bride and Groom: for 25 rooms booked we are getting a free cocktail hour with hand passed food, welcome party, and 7 nights Ocean View at the Grand! I would defiantly look into group rates at the Suites with Beach Bum. Come up with a list of things that you would like Iberostar to offer you for free or reduced cost since you will be bringing 50-60 people to stay at their resort for your wedding. We made a tired list of incentives based on the amount of rooms that are booked i.e. 10 rooms booked free cocktail hour and 3 nights free, the incentives increase with every additional 5 rooms we book.  Keep in mind that you can talk to other TAs about offering you such incentives for a group rate for your wedding. Before we went with Beach Bum we had 2 other agents trying to get us the same things but they weren't successful.

This is fantastic!  I'm not dealing with a TA (maybe soon), but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask Nicole to reduce some costs or include things for free.  In particular, I really don't agree with paying for the open bar (per person per hour, no less!).  I would also like them to waive the $30 fee for people coming over from the Beach (we have decided that we would pay this for our guests, but I would really prefer is they just wouldn't charge it to begin with).  I'd love to hear other brides experiences with getting costs reduced or eliminated (and would really appreciate a PM if you'd rather not post it publicly).  

[Jules23]

I am getting married in April (almost 2 months away) and thats when Nicole said we would start finialzing details (steel drum band...dj..bon fire, etc) but I havent heard from her since Novemeber and ive sent her many emails since then - the last being Jan 15thish. Hmmmm.... anyone received contact from Nicole lately? 

[Toiinlove]

Hey Ladies,   This is the quote I received from Tai flora. I think its pretty high. What do you guys think? I probably will still use them however. Does anyone know why the last one is so high? Or those orchids hard to come by?   Hey Latoya,       $150+tax Calla Lily Bouquet           $165+tax Natural Manzanita Tree with Pomander balls and hanging crystals           $35+tax each  32"*5" Cylinders with submerged dendrobium orchids and floating candle         $350+tax each Tall Trumpet Vase with White Phalenopsis orchids      

We do not only provide personalized flowers, but we also specialize in very personalized area décor: varied color table linen, candle ware, structures, lighting among other things. Our website reflects this, so if there is anything else you are interested in, kindly let us know.

 

[MsSmithtobe]

Jules23-  I only have 5 weeks to go and I still have not heard from Nicole.  She finally emailed me the address to send in my docs for the marriage license, but since then I have not heard from her.  I'm starting to get anxious.....

[MsSmithtobe]

For past brides who used Marcia Roberts photography, did you only pay her in cash?  How did you travel with that much cash?

[chan_porty]

Hi DeAngelis,

Do you know if there is a bar near Aunt Ruby's or Cabaresh? I can't decide between these 2 for my reception. Also, were you there on a Monday? Do you know what the Suites Nightclub is like on a Monday night? I was thinking of moving my party to the club but I want to make sure that it's good on a Monday.

Thanks for any information that you can provide

 

Originally Posted by DeAngelis2be 

That's so exciting! We will be at the Grand 11-29-12-6 (looking to honeymoon in Negril 12-6-12-9). Maybe I'll run into you before we head out. Let me know if you have any questions about the suties I met with Nicole in November when I did a site visit. I took alot of pictures of booth the suites and grand while there. What's your e-mail address I'll send you pictures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimberli1211 

I haven't gotten that far but that is a good thing to know! If only I could control the wind....

 

We will be staying at the Suites because we have kids, but we'll be arriving on your wedding day... ours will be on the 6th- probably on the Suites terrace. It just seems surreal to talk to someone ahead of time who will be there at the same time! Too cool! 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeAngelis2be 

Hi Kimberli,

 

Did you choose a photographer yet? I booked Brian Nejely and he will edit your pictures and remove people and objects from the background of your pictures if needed. It's something to keep in mind if you have your heart set on a beach ceremony.

 

When I met with the WC at the Grand in November I made it very clear to hear that I don't want anyone on the sidelines during my wedding. It's the staff's and WC responsibility to clear out the area before your wedding begins. It's best to have your ceremony around 4-5pm because of the lighting from the sun and most people will be heading back to their rooms from the pool to get ready for dinner.

 

 

[chan_porty]

Islandgirl,

I've learned the hard way that you can't try to please everyone. This is YOUR day so go wherever it is that you want to go! Try not to stress too much about everyone's opinions. Just do what makes you and your fiance happy
 

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

I'm all for getting our guests excited, however, many of them think the Suites is very expensive. We live in NY and majority of our guests are flying from NY. Right now rates @ the Suites I see are $373 per night. I just did a general online search for air & room and it's about $1,010 pp for 5 days/4nights. In a way I'm starting to wonder if we should've picked a less "luxurious" hotel and went to a resort that's practical for all. My fiance feels differently. He said we can't please everyone, which I understand, but I don't want to hear people bickering either. I'm just going to pray about it and hope everything works out in the end.  After all this is supposed to be a happy time in our lives.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeAngelis2be 

Hi Island Girl,

 

 

We announced at our engagement party in August 2010 that we were doing a destination wedding to give all of guests and bridal party more than enough time to book. Both my fiance and I are in sales so we've been informing (selling) our guests about the hotel and airline rates, I could prob do this for a living and it's only been a couple of months lol. I'm extremly suprised that I have guests and flights booked before my STD even went out. Some of our guests said that they will be using their tax return to purchase their flight.
 

You need to get your guests excited about their vacation and how much fun they're going to have with all your closet family and friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

I am so jealous that a few of you brides who are getting married a few months after our Sept wedding already have some guests booked. How'd you do it? Up until now not one guest has booked a room for our wedding. Granted we gave them the option of booking through our TA or booking on their own. A part of me feels like many of them are waiting for their tax return before make a move. My fiance and I are going to be booking our room at the of this month, as our TA told us we had more than enough time. But still it'd be exciting to see at least a few people book, ya know?

 

 

[chan_porty]

Hi Maura,

Did you take pics in between your ceremony and reception? If so, were you able to get sunset pics? I'm trying to figure out my times so that I can get sunset pics

 

Thanks,

Chanelle
 

 

Originally Posted by maura777 

Thank you!  The wedding was at 4:30 (but I ran a bit late) and the cocktail hour was 5:30-6:45 and the reception from 7:00-11:00.  It worked perfectly! 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinDoc 

Hi Maura - your pictures were beautiful!!  What time did you have everything begin the day of the wedding.....wedding, cocktail party, dinner?

 

[mrsgreene2011]

I emailed her for the 2011 rates yesterday and when had a response yesterday at 9pm. I was surprised she emailed me back so quickly considering it seems to be hard to get in contact with her. Maybe it was a slow day or I just got lucky.

 

Originally Posted by Jules23 

I am getting married in April (almost 2 months away) and thats when Nicole said we would start finialzing details (steel drum band...dj..bon fire, etc) but I havent heard from her since Novemeber and ive sent her many emails since then - the last being Jan 15thish. Hmmmm.... anyone received contact from Nicole lately?