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

[AandNJam]

Hi Courtney!

 

Great planning thread, love the organization!! I realized you’re also in DC! I too am a fellow DC and IRHS bride!

 

I see you mentioned paying the DJ final payment; you’re using DJ Kevan right? Are you just paying him off before the wedding so that’s one less thing to worry about? I think he said pay the final balance day of, but I assume you’re just doing it via paypal? That’s a good idea, so you don’t have to worry about it there.

 

Also your welcome bags, what all did you decide to do for them?

[kincey12]

Hi and thanks for all your planning information! It has helped me a great deal so far. I am getting married at the suties on 3/7/14 so I have lots of time but I had a question about room blocks. I noticed you did that about a year out and I was wondering how you went about doing it, how many rooms you booked, and how much it was. Any information you could provide would be great!

[CourtandMatt]

Originally Posted by kincey12 

 

Hi and thanks for all your planning information! It has helped me a great deal so far. I am getting married at the suties on 3/7/14 so I have lots of time but I had a question about room blocks. I noticed you did that about a year out and I was wondering how you went about doing it, how many rooms you booked, and how much it was. Any information you could provide would be great!

 

Hi, Kincey12

 

We estimated 60 guests and so we blocked 30 rooms at $100 per room = $3,000.  We ended up letting go like 8 or 9 rooms with our 53 guests and getting our entire $3,000 back because we let go the rooms before the deadline and all of the rest of the rooms were fully paid.  

 

Courtney

 

 

Originally Posted by AandNJam 

 

Hi Courtney!

 

Great planning thread, love the organization!! I realized you’re also in DC! I too am a fellow DC and IRHS bride!

 

I see you mentioned paying the DJ final payment; you’re using DJ Kevan right? Are you just paying him off before the wedding so that’s one less thing to worry about? I think he said pay the final balance day of, but I assume you’re just doing it via paypal? That’s a good idea, so you don’t have to worry about it there.

 

Also your welcome bags, what all did you decide to do for them?

 

 

That's awesome that you are in DC!   Maybe after my wedding we can meet up and I can tell you all the DOs and DO NOTs! I did this with a former IRHS bride who used to live in DC!   

 

We are using DJ Kevan.  We are hopefully going to pay the full amount a week or two before the wedding so I don't have to worry about it on our wedding day.  I think we used paypal the first time, so we will just do that again.

 

I will post some information about our welcome bags soon.  I need to update this planning thread anyways!   

 

How's your planning coming along?

[CourtandMatt]

The following few posts will be my attempt at providing a more thorough update to my planning thread:

 

THE PROPOSAL:   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.  

 

 

 

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).  

 

WEDDING WEB SITE:  http://walters-doolin.ourwedding.com/ or go to CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

 

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

 

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

 

BACHELORETTE PARTY:  New York City in April 2013.  Stay tuned!  

 

WEDDING SHOWER:  None.  I didn't want one.  

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATES:  We ordered our Save the Dates through SaveTheDateMagnet.com (New and Blue Enterprises, Inc.).  

 

 

INVITATIONS:   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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDDING COLORS:  White & neutral

 

TRAVEL COORDINATOR:  Our friend Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. is coordinating everyone's travel. 

 

BRIDAL PARTY:  "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?"   In May or June (2012) I mailed "Bridesmaid on a Budget" books to my bridesmaids that included inside the book a photo, personal note, and a "Will you be my bridesmaid?" card to be mailed back to me.   They all accepted!

 

 

 

BRIDESMAID GIFTS:  

 

Bags from Vistaprint

 

 

 

Havaiana flip flops from Nordstrom

 

 

Necklaces from Etsy  (allstrungout1) $70 for 3

Bridal Party of 3 - Island or Beach Destination Wedding - Bridal Party Starfish, Pearl, and Stamped Initial Sterling Silver Necklace

 

 

Bikinis from Figleaves.com

 

 

GROOMSMEN GIFTS:  We bought their outfits. 

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

BRIDESMAID GIFTS:  

 

Bags from Vistaprint

 

 

 

Havaiana flip flops from Nordstrom

 

 

Necklaces from Etsy  (allstrungout1) $70 for 3

 

Bikinis from Figleaves.com

 

 

GROOMSMEN GIFTS:  We bought their outfits. 

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

WEDDING VENDORS

 

 

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.  My package is as follows:  Sandy May as photographer for 5 hours, overtime available @ $200 per hour; Personal website for on-line viewing, editing, and print ordering on Pictage.com; $100 US gift certificate toward prints ordered from Pictage.com; High resolution disc of all usable photos, color corrected and exposure adjusted with the copyright turned over to you; Iberostar day pass to be paid by client.  Fee...............................................................$ 1,400.00 US

 

DJ:  DJ Kevan Stewart.  Info on his package is as follows:  We pride ourselves on our professionalism and efficiency; we arrive two hours before the start of each function and all our DJs are professionally attired to match the dress code of your event. JA Wedding DJ has developed a great reputation for playing a wide selection of music that spans all genres and we have a high success rate in satisfying  diverse wedding groups. We look forward to helping you make your wedding a memorable event by playing music that both touches your soul and stirs your passions.

Additionally, please see below, the details on the entertainment package you chose:

Our hourly rate is US$180. However, once you book us for more than four hours, we can tailor a wedding package to suit your budget.  Silver Package $720.00:  (this package is for  up to 4 hrs of music);   Free meet and greet consultation with your DJ; professional digital sound system; cordless microphone for speeches and introductions; wide variety of music. You can make a deposit (US$200) online via my website at http://jaweddingdj.com/pay.php   

 

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.  My officiant sent an outline of our Jewish wedding ceremony:

 

                                    OUT LINE OF JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY

 

 

 

1. WELCOME TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

1. BEDEKIN CEREMONY (THIS IS THE POINT THAT THE GROOM IS ASKED IF THIS IS THE WOMAN HE WISHES TO MARRY) IF THE BRIDE WEARS A VEIL HE WILL LIFT IT AT THIS TIME LOOK AND ANSWER. THIS COMES FROM THE TIME WHEN JACOB WAS TO MARRY RACHEL AND BECAUSE HE DID NOT LOOK UNDER THE VEIL HE GOT LEAH INSTEAD.

 

1.  EXPLANATION OF WHY A JEWISH WEDDING TAKES PLACE UNDER A CHUPPAH

 

 

1. PRAYER: IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH. BARUCH HABA BESHEM ADONAI. MAIN PRAYER IN JEWISH CEREMONY FOR THE COUPLE.

 

1. FIRST KDDUSH AND REASON WHY WE DO THIS. BRIDE AND GROOM DRINK WINE AT THIS POINT.

 

1.  READING – THIS IS OPTIONAL AND CAN BE SELECTED

 

1. ADDRESS TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM BY THE RABBI

 

1. WEDDING VOWS

 

(10) RING CEREMONY : BLESSING OF RINGS AND GIVING OF SAME WITH VOWS.

 

(11)READING OF THE KETUBAH (IF REQUIRED)

 

(12) LEGAL CEREMONY DECLARATION OF PUBLIC WITNESS. THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THE BRIDE AND GROOM TAKE EACH OTHER AS MAN AND WIFE LEGALLY.

 

(13) 2^ND KIDDUSH . BRIDE AND GROOM TAKE WINE FOR THE 2^ND TIME TO MARK END OF CEREMONY.

 

(14) SHEVA BERACHOT/ SEVEN BLESSINGS FOR BRIDE AND GROOM. BRIDE MAY AT THIS POINT CIRCLE THE GROOM 1,3,OR 7 TIMES TO CONSUMATE THE MARRIAGE. THIS CIRCLING MAY ALSO BE LEFT OUT COMPLETELY. IT CAN BE READ IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH OR JUST HEBREW OR JUST ENGLISH.

 

(15) FINAL BENEDICTION

 

(16) BREAKING OF THE GLASS AND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY WE DO THIS.

 

(17) PRESENTATION OF THE COUPLE AND KISSING OF THE BRIDE.

 

                              END

 

OTHER PRAYERS AND ITEMS CAN BE ADDED IF YOU WISH. THIS CAN BE DISCUSSED AS YOU WISH. 

 

HAIR & MAKEUP:  Rashel Edwards' company.  It cost us $498 for 3 bridesmaids and me.  [email protected]

 

 

VIDEOGRAPHY:  We booked Roxroy Godfrey for 7 hours ([email protected]).  There will be 2 videographers, he will make 2 wedding day highlight HD DVDS and/or blu ray discs, in addition to a full length wedding ceremony video.  It cost us $1250 (we got a $50 discount for full payment).  

 

CATAMARAN FOR "REHEARSAL CRUISE":  Island Routes Tour.  $2925 plus $10pp for transportation to the dock from the resort.  3 hour cruise from 10am-1pm with music, drinks, snacks, snorkeling and a stop at Margaritaville.  

 

RECEPTION DECOR (BESIDES FLOWERS):  We will probably be renting from Cover Me Up Tent Rentals in Montego Bay, Jamaica for our beach reception.  We will probably rent a clear top tent, lights, curtains, and maybe even a dance floor and projection screen.  

 

FLOWERS: We ordered flowers from Floral Fantasies:

 

The bridal bouquet will consist of white hydrangeas, white roses and pockets of white dendrobium orchids, stems wrapped with white satin ribbon.

 

 

 

                              …………………………………………………. U.S $ 100.00

 

The bridesmaid bouquet will be a scaled down version of the bridal bouquet, stems wrapped with white satin ribbon.

 

@ $65.00x 2 ……………………………………………………………. $ 130.00

 

Brother of the bride - using a white rose

3 groomsmen- using white dendrobium orchid

 

@ $5.00 x 4 ……………………………………………………………….. $ 20.00

 

The centerpiece will be done in a 6†cylinder using all white hydrangeas.

 

 

 

 

 

@ $65.00 x 5 …………………………………………………………..... $ 325.00

                                                                                                 __________________

                                                                  Sub-total                U.S $   575.00

                                                   Delivery                        $     30.00

                                               16.5% sales tax                 $ 100.00                                                   

                                                                                    _______________

                                                       Total                      U.S $ 705.00          

                                                                                   

We also get more flowers for free with our wedding package.  They come from Tai Flora.  The following is what they told me they can do:

Groom Boutonniere:  White rose with white hydrangea accent

Centerpiece for registry table (and later used for sweetheart table): white roses

Cake flowers: White hydrangeas

Maid of Honor bouquet (which was really the included bridal bouquet):  White orchids

 

[CourtandMatt]

WEDDING CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES 

 

MY DRESS:  Alfred Angelo 2314

 

 

 

MY WEDDING ACCESSORIES:

My walk down the aisle sandles from Nine West

 

My reception shoes - I am only doing flats since we want a beach wedding and reception.  Plus, I like to be comfortable.

 

For my hair - not too sure how I am going to use it just yet - bought it from Alfred Angelo.  It matches the beading on my dress.

 

I am not too sure about the veil, but this is the one my mom bought.  She loved it. 

 

They have star fish on them.  I got them from Alfred Angelo.

 

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

 

Earrings from Charming Charlies

 

 

Necklace from Nordstrom

 

 

MY FIANCE'S OUTFIT - from Macys

 

 

My FI in his outfit without the jacket:

My fiance in his suit:  

 

OUR RINGS - From the Diamond Exchange

 

 

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE - from Macys

 

That's my FI in the groomsmen attire!   

 

BRIDESMAID OUTFITS:  They are choosing their own outfits.  It just has to be a neutral color and about knee length.  

[CourtandMatt]

MISC. WEDDING STUFF

 

HANGER

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

    MY PINTEREST:   http://pinterest.com/courtneymara/   ESCORT CARDS:  We bought name cards to go in front of plates from Party City.  We will print the names on it.   To direct people to their tables, we bought two frames from IKEA.  We will print a list of names and their table and put it in the frame.    

  TABLE NUMBERS

 

CANDLES FOR RECEPTION TABLES:

 

They were $0.79 each.  They can be found here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50209610/.  

For table numbers, which we plan to put a pictures of our favorite trips in as our "table numbers", we bought these $0.99 frames.

 

 

JEWISH STUFF (Matt's glass to break and kippah)

 

WELCOME BUCKET:  We are giving our guests sand buckets (Oriental Trading Company), snacks from Costco (Chewy granola bar, fruit snacks, cookies, etc.), mini sun blocks and aloe (from Target and Dollar Tree), sunglasses (dhgate.com), welcome brochure (Vistaprint) and sticker to go on the bucket (Vistaprint).

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDDING PROGRAMS:  We got raffia fans from Oriental Trading Company and postcards from Vistaprint.  Will post photos in my post wedding thread. 

[CourtandMatt]

 

OUR WEDDING WEEKEND ITINERARY:

Wednesday:  Arrive in Jamaica.  Put together welcome buckets.  Meet WCs.  Dinner at Hibachi Restaurant.

Thursday:  Wedding rehearsal.  Welcome dinner at 8:30pm at Calabash.  

Friday:  9am pick up for catamaran.  10am-1pm catamaran cruise for all guests.  9-10pm: bonfire on beach for all guests with music.  10pm: light sky lanterns (bought at justartifacts.com). 

Saturday:  Work out.  Breakfast in bed.  Makeup.  Hair.  4:30pm Wedding on beach.  Photos.  5:20-6:20pm Cocktail hour on the lobby terrace.  6:30pm-10:30pm Reception on the beach.  

Sunday:  Meet people at breakfast buffet for goodbyes at 10am.  Couples massage.  

Monday:  Trip to Negril for day with husband, brother, and his girlfriend.  

Tuesday:  Leave.

 

 

Here is a more up to date DESTINATION WEDDING TIMELINE based on my experiences thus far

 

 

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):

Book catamaran cruise

Research photo shots & talk to photographer

Videographer

Hair/Makeup

 

October 2012 (7 months):

Get corset made

Book hotel rooms & flights

Notarize copies of birth certificates and passport

Order invitations

Get travel insurance

 

November 2012 (6 months):

Mail invitations

 

December 2012 (5 months):

Buy yamukle and glass for breaking

Get our wedding rings

Book a DJ

 

January 2013 (4 months):

Mail required documents to resort

Start to get dress altered

Look at groomsmen outfits

Buy bikinis

Pick up groomsmen and grooms outfit

Pick up rings

Call people who haven't RSVPed

 

February 2013 (3 months): 

Plan table decor

Call floral shop

Dress alteration

Order sky lanterns

Attendant's gifts

Grooms outfit altered

Give out groomsmen outfits

Send final list to resort

 

March 2013 (2 months):

Organize a slideshow of pictures & order equipment - if want

Plan first dance

Finish ceremony programs

Write welcome letter

Check resort has required documents

Music list

Wedding toasts

Finalize escort cards

Complete welcome bags

Email guests: itinerary, food requests, etc.

Finalize trip schedule including wedding party day of itinerary

Reserve a tent, curtains, dance floor, and lights (beach reception)

 

April 2013 (1 month):

Pick up any prescriptions or travel stuff need from CVS

Write vows

Call credit cards

Make photo copies of credit cards and passports

Choose all music

Make thank you cards for family

Pick up dress

Email photographer: final payment, itinerary, confirmation, list of shots want

Pay photographer

Email videographer: confirmation, itinerary

Email DJ: confirmation, payment, music list

Pay DJ

Email officiant: confirmation, itinerary, payment

Email Makeup/Hair: confirmation, itinerary

Email florist: confirmation, itinerary

Email tent vendor: confirmation, itinerary

Email resort with finalized list

 

May 2013 (THE MONTH):

WEDDING

Check insurance policies, health benefits, etc.

Sell extra stuff on BDW

Finish honeymoon plans

 

June 2013 (-1 month):

 

 

July 2013 (-2 months):

Wedding photo book for self and family

Check on wedding certificate

Start name change --> New passport, driver's license, SS card, etc.

 

August 2013 (-3 months):

Make an appointment at travel clinic for honeymoon prep

 

September 2013 (-4 months):

 

 

October 2013 (-5 months):

 

 

November 2013 (-6 months):

HONEYMOON!

[Dazeydawl]

My gosh you are just so organized I love it!!!! Mainly cause we hav the same date and I'm not organized so it helps me know where I have to be lol I love figleaves.com!!!!!!!! I bought 3 new bikinis that just arrived last week!! I'm fairly small body frame wise but I am definately blessed lol I have to buy bikinis in bra sizes or they just don't work for me. I think they have great prices all 3 of my bikinis cost me what 1.5 would cost me here at a specialty store