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

[daifje]

Taylorbride: I am so sorry to hear that you are having a hard time. As far as the cost of the wedding goes I know that it kind of stinks that you have to pay for it. What I will say is at least they are upfront and open about it. Take my advice--> I have been looking at destination weddings since september 2008....THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE DESTINATION WEDDING...THEY ALL GET YOU IN THE END....AT LEAST IRHS IS UPFRONT ABOUT THEIR COSTS AND YOU DON'T GET SURPRISED AT THE END. If your travel agent is suggesting that you can have a free wedding in the carribbean I suggest that you fire him or her becasue they are giving you very bad advice. In long run it is still a lot cheaper than getting married in the US.

 

There are some resorts that have cheaper packages but they are cheaper resorts that are not as nice. You can try to talk to Nicole but my experience with dealing with many wedding planners at these large resorts is that it can be difficult to get them to break protocol but you can try.

 

As far as the beaches closing is concerned I became alarmed that they would forget about the one wedding per day policy at the suites to accomodate brides from the beachs. I have been in touch with nicole and asked her this directly but she averted answering my question. She just said that by the time my wedding comes around (May, 2010) it should be re-opened. After saying that she also would not commit to when it would reopen. She said that she would keep me posted. For those of you planning a wedding sooner I think that you should call them and make them commit one way or another so that there are no surprises.

 

Looking forward to getting down to the plannning; hearing you guys talk about cakes and flowers is getting me all excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Jen

[NegrilLB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylorbride I am using Jim Fish Photography from here in ST. Louis. He is so nice. Give him a call and talk to him about it. I know that every situation is different for him. Jim Fish Photography My fiance and I went shopping last night and I found the earrings, necklace, and braclet for my MOH and bridesmaid. I'm pretty excited b/c I've had trouble finding something that I liked and that I thought they'd like....I'm pretty satisfied. I did end up spending over $50.00 on myself for jewelry (not for wedding I already had that) and I already have enough of that crap. But it's all so cute. I made a list today of the things I have bought and the things I still need to buy. I've bought a lot but the list of things to still buy seems never ending. Last night @ Target I bought this cute folder with different dividers in it. I labeled every section and have organized all of my receipts in there. It was only $1.00. I feel a bit more organized. Does anyone know anything about the HUPPA @ the Iberostar resort. I want to take some material to Jamaica to add some color to it. I need to know the measurements of it. Also, I thought I saw a bride on here who was doing a site visit @ this resort soon. Anyone know what happened with that? I cannot find any planning threads or wedding reviews from this resort. Thanks for listening to me ramble....

Imuze mentioned she was going for a site visit Sept. 18, and coincidentally I will also be there Sept. 19. This will be my 2nd visit there because we stopped by there in June when we were down for a friend's wedding at the RIU Ochi. I'll be there again for a wedding at RIU Ochi (that place is popular!) but this time my parents will be with us so they'll be able to check out the place also.

I took a few pictures while I was there for the first visit but I couldn't figure out how to post them so I never did. There are hundreds of pics that people posted on tripadvisor.com so that's a good place to go if you want to see how the resort looks. Someone posted pics of the wedding ceremony set-up and reception, so those are helpful. If there are specific pictures any of you want to see let me know. I might have it already or I can take one on my next visit.

[magz88]

Hi,

I am getting married at the suites on may 14th and then staying at the caves for a few nights afterwards too! I'm soo excited..have heard so many good things about that resort even from some people i know who are from jamaica...

[nashidab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NegrilLB Hi nashidab, the baker I was going to use is Caryn and her email is: [email protected] She is based in Mobay but I believe she goes back and forth between JA and the States, so you'll have to confirm with her if she is going to be able to be in JA at the time of your wedding. She hasn't responded with the other baker's contact info so I haven't found anyone to replace her yet. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

I did a search and found a thread on this site regarding cake bakers in Montego bay. One bride used Sheila's bakery and she attached pictures of her cake in her post. The cake looks very nice and modern. I haven't contacted Sheila yet but her email address is [email protected]. Here's a link to the thread.
http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t37890

If Caryn ever gives you the other baker's contact info please let me know.

[Carina]

Hi Ladies,

 

Well, I think I have my computer issues worked out and figured out how to get my pictures on here. Anyway, here is a quick review of the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach.

 

The resort was beautiful, we booked the best room and hoped to get upgraded to the Presidential Suite, I think there are 2 or 4, but apparently they just varnished the floor so couldn’t do it.

 

We arrived on the Saturday and had a rehearsal dinner on Monday night at the Japanese restaurant as some of our guests didn’t arrive until Monday. We all sat around the grill and had a great time.

 

We got married on Wednesday and I chose 3:30 to get married so that it wasn’t too early. Everyone hung out at the beach, then my maid of honour and I and our mothers went to the salon which is at the Iberostar Rose Hall Grand. For the life of me I cannot remember the manager’s name, but she is a beautiful lady, inside & out. We actually had a manicure and pedicure the day before and at that time checked our appointments for the next day – good thing – they only had me booked for a hair updo, but I had requested hair & makeup for both myself and my maid of honour. Anyway, the manager rectified that by calling in extra people. They drive you back and forth from the spa in a golf cart, but on the day of the wedding, the manager brought her extra large car to drive all four of us so that the wind from the golf cart would not mess up our hair! The bookings were originally made by Sandy from the IRHB, so, I suggest you all doublecheck your appointments with the spa directly once you arrive.

 

I notice a lot of you seem to be trying to find someone to make a cake. We had the cake that was part of the package and it was delicious. They make it according to how many guests there are – we had 29. So, to me, trying to find someone on the island to supply one just seems to defeat the purpose of a destination wedding when the cake the resort provides is great!

 

Also, the pictures I have posted were taken by the resort photographer at Digipix. We advised that we wanted to upgrade to 24 with a CD but on the day of, my husband and his best man spoke to the photographer and asked him to take as many pictures as possible and to give them to us on a CD and they’d throw him some extra on the side. So, in addition to the hotel package – we also have a CD (and a spare) with close to 500 pictures which we had by the next morning.

 

For the flowers I just went with what was provided, but picked the alternate tropical. I did ask for the multi coloured palm leaves wrapping the stems and didn’t get them, but no big deal. I think the flowers were beautiful and also ordered a bouquet for my maid of honour, and a wrist corsage for both of our mothers, with boutonnieres for the groom, best man, and the groom’s father. I didn’t order any extra flowers for the pews or for the arch, just took their standard which they then added to the dinner table after – even though I don’t think they matched my decor!

 

I included pictures of the dinner set up at Uncle Tony`s as I could not get Sandy to tell me the length or set up no matter how many different ways I asked. Anyway, we had 29 people and that was the set up – except that they originally had space between the three different tables, but my cousins made them move them together! I brought the decorations for the table, all they had was the white table cloth, cutlery and glassware. I brought the brown and teal runners, the shells, tea lights and holders, and starfish in addition to the starfish bottled stoppers.

 

The one major suggestion I have for anyone getting married here is to rent the restaurant. Sandy kept telling me that you had to have 40 people to do this and we only had 29, however, there was someone on the next night with 28 that did it! Further, on the night of our wedding, another wedding party was ushered into the restaurant just as we were finishing. Their ad says one wedding per day – so it was a bit of a surprise – but apparently, when I spoke to the manager – he said that we didn`t book private so they figured it would be okay and that party was married offsite and only having their dinner there. The other issue is that there are not really any bars or discos to go to after dinner. There is a disco next door but it doesn`t get going until later and is for a younger crowd, so it may not be appropriate for all of your relatives. There is a karaoke bar, but not really where you want to be on your wedding night. I would suggest either renting the beach restaurant and having a band play afterwards with an open bar, or having a cocktail party with DJ or band set up on the terrace.

 

As for the wedding itself, everything went smoothly as far as I was concerned, although my fiancé was sweating it out!! It had started to rain so they pulled the chairs inside off the terrace where we originally planned on having the ceremony to see if it would dry up, but it didn`t so they set up in the lobby instead. This ended up better in my opinion, as even though we were inside in the air conditioning, it was still hot, so imagine being outside! And, the marble looked great in the photos in my opinion! While waiting for everything to be re-arranged, I was in my room with my MOH and mother having room service (advice – don`t have the veggie sandwich – onions! My husband didn`t appreciate it) and champagne and OJ! The wedding consultant`s assistant, Crystal, waited with us and then when they were ready, brought us down and instructed us. I also had a CD playing before, during, and after the ceremony – all wedding songs done on the steel drums!

As you can see from the pictures, the weather cleared up even before the ceremony started. I would recommend around 3:30 for the ceremony so that even with delays, you will have time for pictures before the sun sets, which is around 6 pm or so in May. You can see from some of the pictures on the pier that the sun is going down, however, the pictures taken on the beach with the pier in the background were taken after that and it seems brighter!

The best advice I can give is to try to arrange everything you want, but don`t stress too much. You will meet with the wedding coordinator once in Jamaica, and honestly, I think that is probably the most important meeting as she didn`t seem to recall any of the prior requests I had made. For example, I enquired about the prices of different flowers by e-mail using the specific reference numbers on Tai Flora`s website, and once there she told me it was too late I should have enquired before!! And she also told me on the day of that the flowers ordered for my hair wouldn`t be there in time for my hair appointment but in time for the wedding. The salon called over and pressured her and the flowers arrived in 15 minutes!

 

Overall, everything was amazing and we shared an incredible week with our friends and family!!

 

Oh yeah, some of you asked about the cost, we did pay an additional $18 per person over 6 or 8, no extra grat added to the bill, but we did tip the staff, particularly the waiter who kept running up to the main bar to get mixed drinks!

 

Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Wedding - a set on Flickr

 

If this link doesn`t work, let me know your e-mail and I`ll e-mail the picture!

 

Carina

[GregsBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashidab I did a search and found a thread on this site regarding cake bakers in Montego bay. One bride used Sheila's bakery and she attached pictures of her cake in her post. The cake looks very nice and modern. I haven't contacted Sheila yet but her email address is [email protected]. Here's a link to the thread. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t37890 If Caryn ever gives you the other baker's contact info please let me know.

Hi ladies!! I contacted Sheila yesterday and she responded within a couple hours. She sent me a couple samples of her work as well as pricing and flavor options. The file type she sent the pics in won't allow me to post them here, but I can forward the e-mail to you if you like. Here are the flavor and pricing options:

Sponge cakes range from 50 - 100USD
Vanilla, choclate, carrot, coffee from 60 - 120USD
Traditional Jamaican Wedding Cake from 70 - 220USD
We offer fillings in guava, strawberry, lemon and apple which are additional cost if you if you choose to use filings
Fresh cut flowers are not included and the sizes range from 6" - 12" in all flavours

I hope this helps!!

[nashidab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregsBride Hi ladies!! I contacted Sheila yesterday and she responded within a couple hours. She sent me a couple samples of her work as well as pricing and flavor options. The file type she sent the pics in won't allow me to post them here, but I can forward the e-mail to you if you like. Here are the flavor and pricing options: Sponge cakes range from 50 - 100USD Vanilla, choclate, carrot, coffee from 60 - 120USD Traditional Jamaican Wedding Cake from 70 - 220USD We offer fillings in guava, strawberry, lemon and apple which are additional cost if you if you choose to use filings Fresh cut flowers are not included and the sizes range from 6" - 12" in all flavours I hope this helps!!

Thanks Christina! I would love to see the pics. My email address is [email protected].

[GregsBride]

Hey Nashida! I just sent the samples to you

[breeze616]

Hi Ladies, Here are the sample cakes that Sheila has done

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am going to post these in the cake thread too.

[GregsBride]

breeze616 - thanks for posting these for me... I would have never figured out how to do it!!