AlexisinJamaica's Secrets St. James 4.27.13 Planning Journal

[jrebecky]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

I'm back!! Everything was so much fun and turned out just how I wanted! Secrets brides: you won't be disappointed. The WCs are awesome and made sure everything ran smoothly. Here are a few pics for now, more to pics to come when I get them from the photographer!

 

Note: I had my hair and makeup done by Pretty Faces Jamaica. [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/prettyfacesjm They were awesome!

 

I'll update with more info about the day/weekend when I get some time, but wanted to send these for now...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexis you looked beautiful!!! I'm so happy to hear everything went so well.  I can't wait to see more pictures and hear all about your wedding!!!!

[BridetobeABCD]

EXCELLENT PLANNING THREAD!!!

[alexisinjamaica]

THANKS GUYS!!!

 

Originally Posted by jrebecky 

Alexis you looked beautiful!!! I'm so happy to hear everything went so well.  I can't wait to see more pictures and hear all about your wedding!!!!

 

Originally Posted by BridetobeABCD 

EXCELLENT PLANNING THREAD!!!

 

Originally Posted by uhura526 

How gorgeous!  Congratulations, Alexis!

 

Originally Posted by gitika 

Everything is absolutely amazing!! Thanks soooo much for sharing your ideas and tips. I am also getting married at Secrets, Montego Bay in November 2013.

Can you please share your program template with me? My email is [email protected]. 

 

Yep, I'll send it right now!

[kisha311]

You looked so beautiful! Your makeup looked flawless, great selections. Can't wait to read the rest of what you have to say

[SWOK]

wow, alexis, your journal is ah-mazing. thank you for sharing! my wedding is at SWO 12.3.13 and was wondering if you could share some dos and donts when you return from secrets! what options to get, what to for go. also did you have the hotel deliver your welcome bags (it said that had a fee of $3/bag) which i thought was kinda silly but just wondering! I also am getting the welcome bonfire - what time did it start? how long did it last? anything you would do differently? what was just perfect?! i know you will be super busy so take your time and let me (and everyone else!) know when you can!

 

CONGRATS!!!!

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by SWOK 

 

wow, alexis, your journal is ah-mazing. thank you for sharing! my wedding is at SWO 12.3.13 and was wondering if you could share some dos and donts when you return from secrets! what options to get, what to for go. also did you have the hotel deliver your welcome bags (it said that had a fee of $3/bag) which i thought was kinda silly but just wondering! I also am getting the welcome bonfire - what time did it start? how long did it last? anything you would do differently? what was just perfect?! i know you will be super busy so take your time and let me (and everyone else!) know when you can!

 

CONGRATS!!!!

 

Yes, will do! Sorry that I have been slacking on updating this thread but I haven't forgotten! As for the bag delivery, I was going to have them do it, but in the end I just delivered bags to guests myself. I had an idea of when people were arriving thanks to a list from our travel agent, so I just made it a point to call rooms shortly after arrival to confirm they were there, then I walked over to present it to them. In the end I liked this because I got to welcome guests soon after they arrived.

 

The bonfire is from 7-9pm. It was a lot of fun! I mentioned on another thread, but just be aware that in addition to the open bar and DJ they also set up a table with ingredients for s'mores. I loved this and had planned to bring them for guests anyway, but that made it much easier. Had I known they included that, I wouldn't have schlepped all that extra stuff with me on the plane! Oh well.

 

Overall everything was perfect! There are very few things I would change-- one is I would have eaten more wedding cupcakes! I was surprised by how good the wedding cake was, and with the craziness of the wedding we hardly ate anything. Wish I had one of those right now. Haha.

 

More later but happy planning and let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you!!

[muneera0302]

Originally Posted by alexisinjamaica 

 

 

Yes, will do! Sorry that I have been slacking on updating this thread but I haven't forgotten! As for the bag delivery, I was going to have them do it, but in the end I just delivered bags to guests myself. I had an idea of when people were arriving thanks to a list from our travel agent, so I just made it a point to call rooms shortly after arrival to confirm they were there, then I walked over to present it to them. In the end I liked this because I got to welcome guests soon after they arrived.

 

The bonfire is from 7-9pm. It was a lot of fun! I mentioned on another thread, but just be aware that in addition to the open bar and DJ they also set up a table with ingredients for s'mores. I loved this and had planned to bring them for guests anyway, but that made it much easier. Had I known they included that, I wouldn't have schlepped all that extra stuff with me on the plane! Oh well.

 

Overall everything was perfect! There are very few things I would change-- one is I would have eaten more wedding cupcakes! I was surprised by how good the wedding cake was, and with the craziness of the wedding we hardly ate anything. Wish I had one of those right now. Haha.

 

More later but happy planning and let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you!!

who did you end up using to make your cupcakes? did you just go thru the hotel? I have a few things left to find, florist, cake and lighting (i think thats all) lol

[alexisinjamaica]

who did you end up using to make your cupcakes? did you just go thru the hotel? I have a few things left to find, florist, cake and lighting (i think thats all) lol

Yep, cupcakes were from the hotel! And those last few to-dos will come together!

[SWOK]

hahah aww! i can't wait to see more of your pics! few other questions

1. you mentioned you had the DJ - did he play the song list you sent him? i am debating on DJ vs iPod bc im particular about what i want played!

2. did you have the jamaican trio or steel drums during your cocktail hr?

3. did you end up getting the $1000 dance floor or did you just dance on the sand? was it worth it if you did??

4. should i add an 1hr to the reception or just have everyone go to the disco after??

5. did they use the same chairs for the ceremony and reception or did u decorate both? how much did it cost to bring your own napkins and stuff??

 

okkkk thats all I'll bug you with right now! thank you thank you - maybe you should be a wedding planner now!! lol

[alexisinjamaica]

Originally Posted by SWOK 

 

hahah aww! i can't wait to see more of your pics! few other questions

1. you mentioned you had the DJ - did he play the song list you sent him? i am debating on DJ vs iPod bc im particular about what i want played!

2. did you have the jamaican trio or steel drums during your cocktail hr?

3. did you end up getting the $1000 dance floor or did you just dance on the sand? was it worth it if you did??

4. should i add an 1hr to the reception or just have everyone go to the disco after??

5. did they use the same chairs for the ceremony and reception or did u decorate both? how much did it cost to bring your own napkins and stuff??

 

okkkk thats all I'll bug you with right now! thank you thank you - maybe you should be a wedding planner now!! lol

 

1. Yes, for the most part. The hubby was in charge of music so he put together a spreadsheet. Music is a big deal to him, so when the DJ commented that we made great picks he was all proud of himself. Haha.

2. At cocktail hour we had the steel drum band. We basically missed this part since we were taking pics, but everyone said they were awesome.

3. We did spring for the dance floor. As for if it's worth it or not, totally your preference-- if you're going to do first dances and want to wear cute heels or shoes, you might want to spring for it. If you're going barefoot, dancing in the sand is fine I'm sure. But I will say that I really liked the setup with the dance floor-- they had it in the center and then all the tables around it on the beach.

4. I say just go to the disco after. That's what we did and we gave everyone glow stick bracelets and necklaces.

5. They use the same chairs for the ceremony and reception. We upgraded to the chivari chairs in silver, and I thought they were pretty on their own so I didn't bring sashes or any chair decorations (other than the fans with programs, which were only out during the ceremony). I bought the napkins online (forget where) but for 40 purple napkins it was pretty affordable, and then I packed them, along with all my other crap, in the plastic storage bins that I taped up really well and checked as luggage. I ended up leaving all 3 bins behind-- didn't want to deal with getting them back to the states, and they were only like $9 each so I didn't feel too guilty.