SPRINGBRIDE

Sorry I didn't post those links correctly. Our setup is the one with the green chair tie backs and no arch.

We cruised with carnival. We had our reception in the piano lounge/bar (we had 30 guests). The service was awesome! The waiters were going around with drinks and taking drink orders so the guests didn't even have to go to a bar. We also paid for a piano player, and he would sing as well and take requests from the guests, he was a HUGE hit. We had him for an hour and used our Ipod for the other hour.

For our lunch that day, I don't remember the name of the restaurant we used. It was up on a hill over looking the ocean, with steps down the side of the cliff to a beach. I'll see if anyone can remember the name. We just asked the driver to recommend a place.

For the set-up I didn't use an arch, just chairs and pedestals (I guess that's what you'd call them). Here is the pic from our ceremony on Almarie's website.

Tropical Weddings Jamaica Gallery

Tropical Weddings Jamaica Gallery

I don't have any pictures here with me at work, but will post later. Fell free to PM me with specific questions.

I haven't been on here in a while, but I logged in today and noticed your post. I was married in May in Ocho Rios by way of cruise ship. I too didn't want to use the cruise ship wedding planners because they were expensive and inflexible. I used Almarie from Tropical Weddings Jamaica and we started with a base package and added from there to customize a package for me. If you go to her site she lists the standard package and she is very quick in responding. However, she will work to customize a package and work within your budget.

We got married in the morning. She arranged transportation for the guests, which was about 15 mins before they picked up me and the bridesmaids. I chose the beachfront location, about 10 minutes away. I think she can arrange a lunch/dinner. After the ceremony we let everyone choose what they wanted to do for a couple of hours. My husband and I went to lunch, joined by some others, while some went shopping or to Dunn's River Falls. We had a 2 hour private cocktail reception on the ship (which was fantastic!).

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Makes me want to go to Cabo just to get Juan to do a TTD session!

Juan - amazing job

Sarah & Jeff - Are you sure you're not professional models? You look so natural in some of those poses, looks like you've been doing it all your lives!!!

Amazing Pictures!

Not sure where you can get one, but I'm pretty sure they're around in Mexico.

I had a steel drum band for my Jamaican wedding and they were AWESOME!!!! Everyone loved the tropical music and are still telling people about the music.

My husband was planning on wearing a tan suit, with no tie and shirt out. It was soooooo hot that day that he ended up taking the jacket off and he was still sweating. I didn't mind, it's a destination wedding and anything goes, even very last minute wardrobe changes.

I brought both a glass vase and votives through Miami with no problem. The only thing they questioned was the colored sand I had for the sand ceremony, and after I explained they were fine with it.

Congrats!!!! Very nice pics and you looked beautiful!

Thanks everyone!!! I was very happy that day, everything went well and to have my family and closest friends with me, on a beach in Jamaica was awesome. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole day!!! Everyone who looks at the pictures comments on the colors of the girls dresses. Not bad for $39.99 on J.Crew clearance!!!!

As for the flowers, the light aqua color ones were actually sprayed. I couldn't find flowers the color I wanted so I had the florist spray white dendrobium orchids that color, it worked out really well.

AMAZING!!!!!! Every picture is breathtaking, your FI is going to LOVE those pics!!! I can't wait to hear his reaction.

Happy B-day!!! Hope you're having a great day

Wow!!!!!! What a beautiful couple!!!!! You're day looked so perfect and what great pics. Congrats!

This is it....I'll put the rest in a gallery to view when I get them all uploaded. The review will come tomorrow....

I have more downloaded than I thought....

And some more....

Here are some of the pics from my wedding. Sorry they're out of order. More pics and review to come....

Another option for those considering getting married in Jamaica is Tropical Weddings Jamaica. I'm getting married in Ocho Rios, via cruise ship, and they are planning everything. The prices are reasonable and they offer private locations, including beach, waterfalls, tropical gardens. Through speaking with my planner, I know there are people staying a resorts all over that use her because they want a more private location and flexibility.

The website is Tropical Weddings Jamaica -Ocho Rios ~Montego Bay~ Cruiseship Weddings in Private Locations. There are packages listed but I customized my own. Almarie (my planner), was wonderful in getting me the flowers I wanted and arranging the beach setup just as I wanted. The pictures she has on her site are only samples, as I went very different that what was there.

I think someone else here was also going to use their services.

- Jennifer

Thanks Guys!!! I had a great day!!! I was saying in the days leading up to it that with my wedding in less than 2 weeks (OMG!!! AAAHHHH!!!!!!!) that it doesn't feel like I have a birthday coming up. But my wonderful Fiance was worried that would happen, so he brought me breakfast in bed and had me meet him at a restaurant after work. I thought it was just going to be the two of us but he had it arranged so all my family and friends were there. It was a really nice surprise and a welcomed break from wedding mode............

Next year...30!!!!!!! I think that one may be a litte difficult

- Jennifer

I ordered my bridesmaid's dresses on J.Crew sale as well. I had to guess at two of the girls sizes because the prices were so good I didn't want to miss out. I went a size bigger than what I thought they were and when the dresses came they were too big but they paid $15-20 or so to have them altered slightly. So, if these are the dresses you really want then that's always an option.

Several of my friends husbands/fiances purchased their rings on mondera. They were very pleased with both service and quality. My future brother in law has purchased from union diamond. He picked what he wanted online and called and dealt with someone over the phone. Apparently they have a physical store too. He was very please with service and quality and has recommended them to everyone he knows.

I was at a wedding last year where all the married couples were asked to the dance floor. They started to dance and then couples were eliminated based on time together. The couple married the longest received the bouquet and garter as a celebration of marriage and good luck to the bride and groom.

May not work for a smaller wedding but it's an idea.

I'm having 3 and my FI is having 1. It is his closest friend and he didn't want to chose between the others. Since, for the most part, tradition is out the window I'm fine with it. The girls are standing by me and his best man by him. It doesn't "match", but to me the important thing is to have who you want up there with you and the rest is immaterial.

I'm getting married May 3 in Ocho Rios (by way of cruise ship). I'm also using Tropical Weddings Jamaica. Almarie has been awesome!!!! She offers "packages" but I went with the very basic and added on items individually depending on what I wanted. She has been extremely helpful and a pleasure to deal with. I'm getting married on the private beach, but she can arrange several beautiful locations for both the ceremony and reception (I sound like her personal PR assistant!).

Let me know if I can help and I'll post a review of the wedding, so you'll have lots of time to decide if it's the route for you

I had a talk with her several time about the expense of coming to my wedding and that I understood if she couldn't make it and that , but she could still be a special part of the shower, AHR, bachelorette party etc. She kept saying it wasn't a problem and she'd be there. Until it came time to pay!!!! WTF? Anyway, she's booked. My other two bridesmaids (who are God sent!!) are dealing with her on all outstanding details, they don't want me under any more stress than I have to. It's too bad that in those very special, important times in your life some friends true colors shine through.

Hopefully she won't bring it up anymore, if she does I think I'll take all the advice and point out it's her fault it's costing so much. The more people I talk to the more I realize I'm not alone on this one and there are many selfish people out there!!!!!!!

What kind of wedding are you going for? We are having a small wedding (25 - 30 guests). When we asked my mother and MIL for their guest lists we explained that we wanted a smaller, more personal wedding. They understood and gave a list of family and very close friends. So that helped big time with the lists.

It is your wedding and if they are not contributing, just remember it's your day!!! When you mention list maybe you can set your expectations on numbers and people so they know up front.