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

[CourtandMatt]

Here is a LONG UPDATE:   ·         Flowers/Decor:   Unknown.  Probably book through Tai Flora.  I will work on this in December.  

·         Booking: 

o   Matt and I are booking our hotel and airfare in October since that is when AirTran will be releasing their non-stop flights from DC.  We will be in Jamaica from Wednesday, May 1, to Tuesday, May 7.  We only have one room booked as of yet.  A lot of persons seem to need the invitation before they will book.    We are estimating around 70 guests.  

·         Invitations:

o   We put in a deposit for invitations through EmDotZee.  This is what they will look like: http://emdotzee.com/blog/2012/01/palm-trees-coral-antique-boarding-pass-invitations/   Ours cost $758.95.  

·         Colors: 

o   I really wanted a neutral wedding that is focused on the beach – so tans, creams, etc.  Matt thankfully has agreed to this. 

·         Outfits: 

o   Courtney:  My dress is bought.  Alterations will start in January. 

o   Matt:  Matt will probably order a cream suit through Studio Suits.

o   Groomsmen: Matt will probably have his guys just order the pants and vest from Studio Suits that matches his outfit.  They will all wear ties.  Matt will confirm this with his best man in October. 

o   Bridesmaids:  The bridesmaids will wear a neutral-colored dress that they pick out.  I have already discussed this with the bridesmaids.  I want their personalities to show through their dresses, but for their dresses to be in a neutral tone.  I gave them some ideas here: http://pinterest.com/courtneymara/bridesmaids/.  

o   Moms:  For photo sake, I was hoping we could get the moms in a similar color.  My fiance's mom will pick out the final color, but my mom gave the options of soft blue, lavender, red orange, or peach.  

o   My brother who is walking me down the aisle:  Once Matt confirms his outfit, we may order a similar outfit.

·         DRAFT Wedding Weekend Itinerary:

o   Wednesday:   

§  Matt and I will arrive.   We will hopefully have a family and bridal party dinner at the Japanese Hibachi restaurant.    

o   Thursday: 

§  Day:  I assume most people will arrive today. 

§  Evening:  Welcome drinks at Blue Moon Music Bar (not renting it - just have everyone meet there).  Followed up with bonfire beach party at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach (this is one of their daily activities, I believe, so it is free). 

o   Friday:

§  Morning/early afternoon:   Private catamaran cruise with DJ, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling.  Not for sure.  Still trying to negotiate.  Ends at Margaritaville.  Party ppl will probably stay there for the afternoon.  I was thinking that this would act as our rehearsal "dinner"/ thank you to our guests.  

§  Evening:  Maybe book a dinner, but I don't want to overwhelm our guests.  Maybe let out chinese lanterns in the sky.  Go to nightclub.  

o   Saturday:

•  Morning:  Working out, brunch with ladies, hair & makeup
•  4:30pm: Wedding on beach
• 5pm: Champagne toast on the beach
• 5:15pm - 6:30pm: Pictures/Cocktail Hour
• 6:30pm - 10:30pm Reception

o   Sunday: 

• Brunch is free – so at leisure or we can say that the wedding couple will be at a brunch place during a certain time frame.
• Matt & Me:  Couples massage.  

o   Monday:  

• Go to Negril for the day.  Cliff jumping.  

o   Tuesday:

• Return to U.S.

  ·         Officiant:

o   Stephen Henriques will officiate our wedding at 4:30pm.  He charges $800.  He will be doing our Jewish ceremony.  

·         Excursion/Rehearsal Dinner/Gift for the Guests: 

o   I have negotiated a price for a private catamaran cruise through Island Routes Tour that has great reviews.  I am still trying to decide if this is too much for us to spend, but it is probably the same cost as a rehearsal dinner in the U.S.  The cruise can take up to 100 persons and will be $2925, plus $10pp for transportation to the dock from the resort.  If we have 45 or more guests, it is cheaper to the do the private cruise than pay to join up with a cruise (which costs $75pp).  They have a great refund policy of a full refund if we cancel up to 60 days prior to the booked date.  This catamaran cruise would act as our gift to our guests (instead of doing an out-of-town bag – we would still do a welcome brochure though) and the rehearsal dinner.  

·         Hair & Makeup:

o   I have booked my hair, airbrush makeup, and eyelash extensions, in addition to the hair & airbrush makeup for my bridesmaids.   Our makeup artist and hair stylist is through a highly recommended company in Jamaica called Chasity Artistry Rashel Edwards.  They will come to the resort and do everything in our hotel room.  It cost us $498.  

·         Photography:

o   We are still booked with our Minnesotan photographer Sandy May.  We will have her onsite for six hours (3:30pm – 9:30pm).  This will cost us $1600.  

·         Videography:

o   We booked Roxroy Godfrey for seven hours.  There will be two videographers, he will make two wedding day highlight HD DVDs and/or blu ray discs, in addition to providing us with a full length wedding video.  It cost $1250 (this is with the $50 discount for full payment).

 

 

That's all for now!  

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

 

I purchased these bracelets.  I will wear one on each arm.  I bought them from misunbridal.com.

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our invitations!   We LOVE them.  We got them from http://emdotzee.com/.  I believe in the end with everything we got we paid $808.  This included our addresses on the envelopes (with the exception of recipient addresses).

 

On top, I purchased a Mrs. Doolin hanger from the original maker of these hangers: Lila Frances.  

[Tulumbride2013]

Court, Awesome planning thread! Love it all! Super cute bracelets and I love the invitations!

[melnryluvco]

Beautiful invites!! You're so on top of everything...you make me feel far behind. Better get on the ball!

[uhura526]

Your invites are so lovely!

[Arch713]

Courtney- From one Minnesotan to another- thank you so much for sharing your details and planning! As a bride just getting started, I am very appreciative for all of your information. Congrats and keep posting!

[CourtandMatt]

Thank you all!  I am very excited about the invites and getting things moving. And, Arch713, yay to another Minnesotan!!  

[Laura2013]

Thanks for posting your timeline for when you get there. I have been stressing over this and am going to yours a guide and hopefully complete mine soon : )

[nbateman]

Originally Posted by CourtandMatt 

 

 I just realized I messed up the years.  Please see the corrected calendar:

 

Our Destination Wedding Timeline:

 

Spring 2012 (1 year + to wedding):

Set up account on bestdestinationwedding.com

Pick location

Pick date

Find travel coordinator

Book block of rooms

Book photographer

Book officiant

 

June 2012 (11 months):

Registry

Wedding budget

 

July 2012 (10 months):

Find a wedding dress

Buy wedding dress

 

August 2012 (9 months):

Birth certificates

Find out about travel documents, visas and vaccinations

Tell bridesmaids about their dresses

 

September 2012 (8 months):

Invitations

Book hotel rooms & flights

Get travel insurance

Buy wedding ring for Courtney

Research photo shots & talk to photographer

Videographer

Hair/Makeup

 

October 2012 (7 months):

Plan first dance

Look at groomsmen outfits

Get corset made

 

November 2012 (6 months):

Mail invitations

 

December 2012 (5 months):

Guestbook

Notarized copies of birth certificate and passports

Table decor

Choose ceremony readings

Get Matt's ring

Plan rehearsal dinner

 

January 2013 (4 months):

Attendant's gifts

Call resort about music

Floral shop - think about flowers

Call officiant

Research honeymoon

Mail required documents to resort

Submit wedding announcement to newspaper

Figure out name change stuff

Get dress altered

 

February 2013 (3 months): 

Create place cards

Bridal party outfits reminder

Look into cakes

Check resort has required documents

Ceremony programs

Pick up Moms' gifts

Call ppl who haven't rsvped

Reception seating plan

 

March 2013 (2 months):

Complete welcome bags

Figure out reception venue & food options

Must play and do not play song list

Finalize trip schedule (including day of)

Email bridal party trip schedule

Wedding toasts

Second payment to photographer

 

April 2013 (1 month):

Write vows

Change insurance policies and beneficiaries

Give resort final head count

Give seat chart to resort

Confirm play list with DJ

Figure out payment plan with family

Write welcome letter for welcome bags

Plan welcome cocktails

 

May 2013 (THE MONTH):

WEDDING

 

June 2013 (-1 month):

Thank you notes

 

July 2013 (-2 months):

Wedding photo book

 

August 2013 (-3 months):

Check on wedding certificate

 

 

HAPPY PLANNING!!

Love this timeline, its so rare that us DW brides have any timeline, I'm keeping this one!!!