*JillD*

if you have your wedding during the day there could totally be people in the pool during your wedding and reception. we had our wedding at 4 and I don't think anyone was out there by that time, at least I don't remember noticing anyone.

I would wear it, its a beautiful necklace and I like how a simple necklace looks with a strapless dress. I would wear it all the time!

I missed the forum yesterday! But thank you Tammy for everything you do to keep things running smoothly!

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Gorgeous beach...and deserted you say? Very cool! All of your input is great....and did someone say Magnum PI? Too funny, DH tivos that show, I know about the helicopter dock. (btw magnum's nut-hugger shorts are hilarious but that was the style then!) my dad was a big magnum fan when I was growing up, so I'm all too familiar with the "nut huggers" ROFL...

Quote: Originally Posted by kristi Thanks Jilly! Did you guys get the pictures that came with the wedding package along with the pics you had done or did you get a credit for them? Do you recommend getting a different photographer or just using the resorts? Thanks! no we didn't use the resort photographer, we used someone from claudia rodriguez's team. we did get a credit towards other items that we wanted, but she wouldn't just take the cost off of our total, so I chose other things that weren't included. Quote: Originally Posted by dmarie17 Hey ladies! I need some photography help. I love the photos posted here done by Claudia Rodriguez and I went on her site and am convinced that I want to use her. I filled out that form on her web-site for 'Contact Us' on Monday and haven't received a reply... not even a confirmation that they received my request. Is it normal for her to take awhile to get back to people or did my computer glitch out and not send my email? Does anyone have a direct email address for her that I can try? Thanks so much! Dawn claudia is usually really good with emails, usually within a day or two I would hear back from her, but this may be a busy time of year for her as well. I can't remember if I just emailed her directly or filled out the form on her site. I might give it a few more days and if you don't hear anything I would try emailing her again.

Quote: Originally Posted by kristi Paula..does Claudia's husband do the video that's included in the package at the resort? Or was that through your photographer? Thanks! he is the videographer that does the video in the package. He does a great job.

oh, another thing about that beach, it was considered some type of national park or something, can't remember exactly, but further out, there were huge starfish down at the bottom. we were snorkeling out there one day and saw them, I mean GIANT starfish, it was cool.

the place we stayed in turks & caicos had beautiful beaches! It used to be the allegro resort but I think they tore it down and built a new resort there. And alas, I have no pictures, because we went there before digital cameras got big, so I just have actual pictures, none on the computer and no scanner.

Oh that sucks! I'm sure you don't want to worry about this right now. I would wait to see what they say, they should know next week right? If they don't have an answer next week I'd tell them you want your money back and then you could see if you could find some trunk shows, bridal shops that sell off the rack, or try Davids bridal. My dress came in 4 weeks before my wedding and I was stressing! But it all worked out, good luck!

Those are so pretty Leia! I wish I had one when I got married!

Tami you look beautful!! I love your dress!

I haven't made them, but I made muffins the other day and just sprayed the muffin pan, I would think you could do the same. I really need to try some new recipes and post them for you ladies, I always try everyone else's but never contribute to the recipe pool

Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn Are they working now? I was playing with the pics, and editing, so that may be why... is my signature pic working? I'm using kodak to host the pics - I usually use photobucket, so I wonder if that's why... Quote: Originally Posted by Jenn Okay - changed most of the pics to photobucket - was just trying to make it a little easier rather than uploading everything again. Hopefully you can all see the pics now! thats why I did it too because it was easier, but it didn't work so I still had to upload to photobucket! everything looked beautiful! I love that your resort was small, it must have been so much more private and intimate with your group taking over the resort.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jennifer Let's see if I can help- I've noticed and have spoke with other travel agents (to confirm that I wasn't losing it LOL!) about how the group rates seem to be creeping steadily higher and many times are higher than individual rates.Individual booking rates may be best ( depends on resort, time of year and how many traveling, plus if there are specials) and the amenities for the groups seem to be dwindling. Quite often the group rates may be higher, but the advantage is that as long as everyone pays their deposit within the timeframe- they are all paying the same rate. The bride & groom can also place deposits for stragglers- thus guaranteeing them the same rate as everyone else. Individual bookings may be less , but as travel pricing is fluid (sometimes changing right in the middle of a booking) some of the guests may pay less, some more. And of course as availability lessens the price goes up- I don't think you can hold your TA responsible for your guests procrastinating. The suppliers (whether they are through a TA or an online agency such as Expedia ect) base the price on how many rooms are in their inventory and are constantly adjusting to get the best ROI. The airlines also operate this way and typically group air is more expensive ( although again not always). Many of the suppliers will only allow 1 date deviation from a group- it all depends on what the hotel policies are, whether you have charter, bulk or published air and again time of year! What I do is look at all of the factors present and then make the recommendation to the bride & groom. I've had times where group rates are amazing with great charter air and then times where I've recommended individual rates- it really is a case by case basis. When I do individual rates- it may take me a bit to get back to the guests ( normally it may be a day or two at most) as I check with several suppliers to be sure I am offering the best value- ie flights, hotel & transfers. There are also suppliers who are typically less $$ than the ones I use. However I know that they have zero customer service and the rooms they contract with the resort are lousy- thus the cheap price. As an example- I may have a price of $XXX.XX with flights that have a do-able layover, two hours on the way out - 3 hours on the way back. This is along the east coast in the spring, I know that the guests more than likely will encounter delays during travel due to bad thunderstorms so I want to be sure they have enough time to make the connections. I also check to see that the flights on the way home leave at a reasonable hour as there is an hour and a half drive back to the airport from the resort- they need to check in at least 3 hours early as security can be really slow at this destination so an 8am flight home means that they are leaving the resort at the latest at 3am- yuk! My flights leave at 1pm. Guests goes to the internet and finds a price on orbitz that is $100.00 less. The kicker is the layover on the way out is 49 minutes- a perfectly legal connection, however the chances of making it are very slim and none if there is a delay! The way back the flights leave at 8am ( I know -you saw that coming!) Oh yeah- they didn't notice that transfers were included in my price but not in the online package. So the typical story goes- there was a delay due to weather, they missed the connection, next flight out is full and they will need to wait till the next day. The airline won't put them up at a hotel as it was a weather delay that caused the missed connection. After a 20 minute hold with online agency they are disconnected .....call back another 20 minutes to be told they need to deal directly with airline. Stay at airport hotel for $100.00 - food at hotel cost another $35.00 for dinner ( and if it was me another $50.00 in martini's , ) get on am flight the next day, arrive at airport to spend another $50.00 on transfers. Find out their ocean view room was given away and they are now downgraded to look over the dumpster ( I may be laying it on a bit thick but troll the internet you'll find dozens of stories like this!) but they can't check in until 4pm. That may not happen all of the time but it happens often enough! The point of my story is travel should not be all about price- a good travel agent brings experience, expertise and knowledge to the equation. Yes, sometimes we are a bit more than online- but it's not because we are trying to gouge our clients- it's because in the big picture we are recommending the best value! Most often though I find I bring a great value and a lower price! TA Jennifer That's a great example for people wondering about booking online or using a TA, I think you said it perfectly!

you can't use kodak to host your pics, I had the same problem.

that dress is gorgeous, I added the pic in for you

we had our honeymoon at EDR and the beach didn't really bother us. The sandbags aren't the most beautiful things, but they don't get in your way if you want to swim or lay in the sun, etc... and it is nice that they are there because its like a barrier so you can snorkel in those areas. I love the beach and I didn't see it as a big deal at all, maybe if you were getting married ON the beach, then I might go elsewhere, but otherwise tell FMIL to suck it up, it's your wedding! the only other adults only I looked into was Royal Hideway and the price was up there, but EDR was expensive too, you might want to check that one out.

in regards to the lobby during your wedding, I honestly didn't even notice anyone going through, there may have been a few people, most people are respectful of your wedding, but that bar in the lobby is not really somewhere that people hang out, so you will find that its pretty quiet.

Its gorgeous! I got my wedding band from bluenile and love it! I never take my rings off unless I am washing dishes or putting lotion on.

I suck at sewing. But I wanted to just offer the suggestion that if you MOH can't make them, maybe you could go somewhere and buy dresses off the rack? that would be a lot cheaper than ordering "real" bm dresses.

Quote: Originally Posted by kristi Hi Jilly I was wondering if you had any pictures of the terrece? From what I've read that seems to be a nice place to have it. Also what is the location by the lagoon? Thanks so much! Oh and Congrats! Your wedding looked amazing! I think the only pictures I have of the gazebo are the few I took at night, I don't think I took any others, sorry!

I'm so glad you had a good time! Isn't everyone there wonderful! It's brings back so many memories seeing your pictures! What was the red carpet near the gazebo? Is that something permanently there now, or was that for a wedding?

I have no pics, but maybe I can give you a mental picture. Picture this: a plump little peanut butter cookie with a hershey kiss plopped on top, SO GOOD!

Congratulations! Can't wait to see more pictures!

thats awful! what a horrible story.