Royalton White Sands

[Bridetobe771]

Oh my goodness I LOVE them!

 

They're beautiful Bridetobe771! <3

 

Thanks pamelas21! They were labour extensive but worth it in the end

[atennille]

@Bridetobe771 , hmm that kind of put a damper on my ideas, but never the less things will go as plan. I wish I could see your boarding passes, I know they are really nice. Thanks for your reply. I think I wil do the exact same. I may just check an extra bag at the airport. Are you giving out your OOT bags at the hotel, or before ?

@@atennille, you can always bring your own decorations if you want to cut down on cost. I plan to bring fake flowers so we don't have to pay so much for bouquets and decorations. Also, if you want to go past 11pm, you can either have your reception in the ballroom or I believe there is a disco/nightclub on the property you could all go to after.

 

Actually, speaking of, did anyone visit the nightclub while they were at the resort who can tell us what it is like?

 

Lastly, I thought the same thing about ending at 11pm (seemed early). However, I just recently went to a friend's wedding and the reception was 5 hours (7pm-12am) which was actually a bit long for the majority of the guests (the older crowd had left and most of the younger people were pretty drunk by the end of the reception and not really on the dance floor anymore). Afterwards, we all just went to one of the hotel suites and hung out there, but people were pretty done for the night after an hour or 2 of chatting. Plus people will likely start drinking way earlier in the day than they do at most weddings given the easy access to alcohol, so I personally don't think ending at 11pm will be too big a deal if you start your reception around 6pm or 7pm. Of course this will depend on your group and how big of partiers they are...our group was 5 years out of college so a bit rusty on the day-long drinking marathons

@@CherJK , yes I think I am going to bring my own decorations now. It is a bit disappointing , beacuse I didn't want to have to take on the task of decorating my own wedding.

[Bridetobe771]

Atennille I'm planning to give my oot bags (actually personalized acrylic mason jar mugs I purchased at costco) at the resort. That's the plan anyway, I might change my mind once I see how much stuff I have to pack lol!

 

Also I purchased my decorations from Luna bazaar, efavormart.com, ebay and my real touch flowers are from bloombridal.com.

[pamelas21]

Ohhh Bridetobe771 I love the mason jar idea! Did you personalize them yourself? Are you putting them in a bag? I would love to know!

 

I was thinking about tumblers....I might do personalized towels...haven't fully decided yet!

 

I'm doing custom shot glasses as our favor <3 Who doesn't love a shot glass LOL

 

I was wondering how the paper lanterns work? Did you ask the wedding planner about this? Are they charging you anything?

 

She's quoted me $530 for lighting.....so I would love to know how you're going about this!

 

Thanks so much for sharing! <3

 

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Hey ladies!

 

Just wanted to add!

 

We're flying with Sunwing and for every 10 people we get an additional 20Kg luggage!

 

This is great news for me because in total my Fi and I get 6-20Kg luggage!

 

You should check what your travel provider offers for piece of mind when thinking about what you're going to take!

 

This is a huge weight off my shoulders since we too are bringing alot of our decor!

 

I am bringing ALL linens too! The cost of a pin tuck napkin with Tai Flora is $3.50 each.

 

I can BUY them here in Canada for $0.80 each! Total for 60 napkins is $48!

 

Or rent them and pay $178.

 

Cost of a tablecloth is $35 - or I can buy it here for $15.

 

Tai Flora quoted me $35 for hurricane shades with pillar candles - I mean does anyone else think this is insane!?

 

I'm sorry I'm the first to get married in my family and friends so I guess I didn't realize how they exploit you when you say "wedding".

 

NOTE here ladies - they don't allow silk rose petals on the sand for your ceremony! I asked because she quoted me $300 for light rose petal coverage and $600 for medium rose petal coverage.

 

Also, I got a quote on a 200ml bottle of appleton rum for the welcome bags! For anyone that wants to know - she quoted me $11 USD - I can get them here for $8 LOL

 

See what I mean?

 

I have so much more pricing! Starting to feel like I should post everything I have!

Edited July 9, 2014 by pamelas21

[FutureMrsGlover]

Hi ladies.....I am bringing a lot with me but then I am going very simple.....I chose to do the Jamaican experience with the poolside reception.  So I am going with regular white linens and my centerpieces, place cards and chair sashes will be in my wedding colors of fuschia and orange. 

I am purchasing an isle runner from Oriental trading as Royalton has it priced at $150 which is highway robbery when they only cost $30.  

I am also doing my bouquet.  We haven't decided on a bridal party as of yet, so it just may be a MOH and BM.  So I will do two bouquets and I will use the fresh one in my package to throw. 

 

I will be posting my invites very soon...hopefully by the end of the week. 

[CherJK]

@@Bridetobe771, is there a way to post the picture actually in the message and not as a link? I've seen other people do it but have no idea how it is done. I would love to be able to see your invites (as I'm sure other brides would as well)!

 

@@pamelas21, have you tried reaching out to the Appleton Estates down in Jamaica? Apparently, in 2009 they were willing to deliver to the resorts if given enough time (see http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/38101-appleton-rum-favors/, although I'm guessing the contact in the article is no longer accurate). Might be work looking into so you don't have to bring the rum with you, plus it will likely be cheaper!

 

@@pamelas21, I think you can also buy or make your own aisle runner with fake petals as long as all the petals are glued down (not loose).

 

One example to buy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/193036427/custom-rose-petal-aisle-runner-border?ref=related-2

How to make (time-consuming!): http://theroyaldiybride.blogspot.com/2012/08/creating-rose-petal-aisle-runner.html

 

What type of events are people having before the wedding? I want to have a "rehearsal dinner" where everyone is invited the night before, but that can't be guaranteed until closer to our date so I was thinking about a bonfire as a backup plan. Also thinking about doing a bridesmaid brunch (and maybe a groomsmen brunch in the fiance wants) the day before as well, since I figure day of will be pretty hectic. But just curious what everyone else is doing

Edited July 9, 2014 by CherJK

[Bridetobe771]

CherJK I was going to ask the same question. Does anyone know how to post a picture not as an attachment?

 

Pamelas21 I totally agree! I can't get over the crazy prices the resort charges just to rent decor. I am trying to avoid renting anything from them. When I can purchase something for 1/4 of the price why would I rent it from them!? The craziest part is I can only imagine all the decor brides leave after the wedding. They must have a crazy stock room!

 

For my mason jar cups I'm having vinyl decals made and will put the names on myself. I'm lucky enough to have a family friend doing them for free. Yes FREE wow that's the first time I've said that since I've started wedding planning lol! I'm planning on putting a few things inside the cup ( SPF lip balm, travel candle, body wash etc) if not I might buy some inexpensive bags for the cups.

 

Here is a picture of the cups. If anyone knows how to attach a picture not as an attachment I'd love to know

 

Has anyone chosen their photographer yet? I'm still struggling with this decision. My fiancé doesn't want to spend a ton of money on one But they are so important to me. I might have to cut in other areas to put money towards pictures.

[acw271011]

Hey FutureMrsGlover!

 

LOL I know EXACTLY what you mean! I've been doing alot of DIY too - my fiance keeps saying to me "are you sure you can do all this yourself?" LOL

 

Of course I can!

 

I still have so much to do and I'm 133 days away!

 

This summer is going to be crazy busy!

 

There's alot but I'm so happy!

 

We're going shopping soon for our bands, I'm going to start ordering the welcome bag stuff and the favors, etc....

 

It's alot of work! Need a vacation after this hahaha

 

Good luck with your boarding pass invites! SHARE when they're complete!

 

Hey atennille!

 

Ok so as of right now the wedding policies and procedures document states NO outside vendors other than photographers and videographers.

 

I have confirmed this with the wedding planner.

 

I am personally heartbroken at this and will be completely honest - I might of NOT chosen this resort if I'd known this to be the case.

 

You HAVE to use Tai Flora for floral and decor. This is a HUGE deal to me.

 

First, because reviews for Tai Flora on this forum are SCARY.

 

Second, because Jan's Flowers in Jamaica prices are WAY lower!

 

I'm on a tight budget (fiance likes to save, I like to spend LOL) so I'm truly heartbroken that if I want something I have to pay $10 with Tai Flora when I can pay $7 with Jan's Flowers.

 

I know $3 doesn't seem like a big deal BUT it's for everything! And I have 51 people!

 

Everything is more with Tai Flora.

 

Chuppah/canopy with Tai Flora - $466

Chuppah/canopy with Jan's Flowers - $250

 

Chiavari chairs with Tai Flora - $10

Chiavari chairs with Jan's Flowers - $7

 

It's either Tai Flora's prices are high OR the hotel is making a big cut - whichever it is, it sucks to pay more when you know you can get it cheaper somewhere else!

 

The above being said, I'm happy and excited for the wedding!

 

Please don't get me wrong!

 

I just don't like the inflated prices. And I'm definitely going to voice it on this forum so all brides can know....

 

Because the resort just opened I DIDN'T know.....and I was already too deep in to back out!

 

If you choose this resort, and you want extras like me like floral, chiavari chairs, different color linens, chargers - things like that - then you WILL pay alot more.

 

Again, sorry if this is a rant! I can't stress enough how upset I was when I learned I was FORCED to use Tai Flora.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Pam

 

 

Hi. Don't know if it's any reassurance or not, but I had my little bit of flowers done by Tai for my wedding 3 years ago and I had no problems with them. The pricing was excellent and they turned out gorgeous. I would talk to Tai and just tell them that the quotes from Jan's are lower and see what they say. It depends on what you're having done because I know for a fact, the forum that was happening when I got married, some ladies found Jan's was actually more expensive than Tai. Just be sure you're comparing apples to apples and that you are actually getting the exact same thing.

 

Good luck!

[pamelas21]

@@FutureMrsGlover – lol this resort is all about highway robbery lol

 

I’m bringing an aisle runner too – haven’t checked out oriental trading yet – will do…..

 

Looking forward to seeing your invites! <3

 

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@@CherJK – I saw that post a little while ago and I’ve been meaning to reach out to them! I just asked the wedding planner just to find out how much it would be in comparison….

 

Thanks for the examples! You ladies rock with suggestions and feedback! <3

 

I was planning a rehearsal dinner….I have the Free Package so that includes 10 people at an ala carte for dinner 6 pm seating non-negotiable – after that it’s $20 per adult and $13 per child so that equals $799 for me.

 

Problem is – my Fi thinks that’s ridiculous! Especially since you HAVE to have a set menu. I think he would feel differently if we had all 51 guests go to the Italian (it’s the only ala carte that can fit or group size) and they can order whatever they want BUT they can’t. For $20 a person we choose what they eat which he feels really sucks.

 

And I agree – we’re already choosing their meal for the wedding you know?

 

So I told the wedding planner we wanted to skip the $799 and guess what she comes back with LOL sorry made me laugh cause they take money out of you no matter what!

 

She says ok you can take this out BUT your wedding cake is $5 per person and champagne toast is $5 per person.

 

Basically that $20 above gives me a set menu ala carte dining for my entire group, wedding cake, and champagne toast.

 

But if I don’t want to pay $20 per head and I still want cake I have to pay $5 per head and if I want champagne that’s another $5 per head….

 

It’s a tough choice honestly. Go in a group to Italian and have a 6pm set menu OR everyone goes on their own when they want and eat whatever they want.

 

If we could get our whole group in the Italian and they could order what they want we would feel differently.

 

The brunch with your bridesmaids and groomsmen sounds so nice! I think that’s a great idea!

 

Most of our group is staying 7 nights but 20 of us are staying for 10 nights so I was thinking of having a farewell breakfast the day before we leave….I’m going to be so sad to leave Jamaica LOL

 

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@@Bridetobe771

 

Omg I love your mason jars! They’re so cute! <3

 

And free! That’s awesome of your family friend to do that

 

I struggled and struggled with a photographer but I finally decided on Merrick Cousely.

 

I’ve gotta say I struggled mainly because of cost – I mean if I was a Kardashian it would’ve been easy LOL ahahahaha

 

I finally said that’s it! Chose him and sent the 50% deposit! So it’s done and I feel relieved! His work is great, the reviews rock and I know he’ll do a great job J

 

I was also looking at Marcia Roberts…her work is really nice and her cost is unbelievable! Did you look into her?

 

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@@acw271011 Thanks for the reassurance! Jan’s Flowers actually sent me a catalog with pricing…..Tai Flora’s did not have pricing but when I asked what certain things cost there was a significant difference.

 

I voiced it to the wedding planner but nothing – I think pricing depends on resort honestly……

 

Happy to know you were happy though!

 

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I’m 132 days away ladies! <3

[FutureMrsGlover]

@@pamelas21....I would try negotiate with Jan's and Tai and tell them the competitor is cheaper.  It doesn't hurt to ask. 

 

@@CherJK.....I am thinking of doing a day trip to Margaritaville (they have a new one in Falmouth) with the guests.  Not sure yet.  And I am also considering a breakfast the day before everyone leaves but I don't want to pay...so I will just tell everyone to meet us at the restaurant.