pouchie

Quote: Originally Posted by md_ocr hmmm........none of my images seem to be showing up. To see the pictures, you guys can go to stuz_wedding - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Wow I love your centerpiece idea with the Calla Lilly's. Will you just bring the glass bowls down with you?

Quote: Originally Posted by amym567 I love those! We actually used a vase bought at Wal-Mart in Playa the day before, and 2 nautilus shells bought at a store across the street from the resort hours before the ceremony (I knew I wanted those shells, but couldn't find them, and did have a back-up plan!). I just picked up a cheap vase there because I knew I wouldn't keep the sand in an open vase because a. I have 2 kittens that prevent me from keeping almost anything out! and b. I didn't want dust to get in it. So, when I got home, I made this shadow-box to display the sand, a pic of the sand ceremony, and the words my MOH read for it. Amy That shadow box is such a great idea!!

Great, Thanks for your help. I will email Chandlyn and ask. We are there a week early so I am sure I will find something. I hope the plane has a closet to hang my dress so I don't have to stuff in my suitcase. hehehe

Does any one know whether we can get our dresses steamed at Riu Ocho Rios or do we need to find someone off grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen I think what Annie said is perfect. You can stuff it with something, then cork it or tape it, whatever. I hadn't considered this problem, we are doing the sand ceremony also. If you haven't bought your vase yet. I was looking into the sand ceremony as well. They have ones with a cork or a lid so it will make transporting it home alot easier if you go with one of those. I just googled Sand Ceremony and tons of different options came up.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jerzzygirl So, I ordered the vase and its 10 inch's with a 3 in dia opening. and now my problem.... HOW am I going to get this home with out spilling the sand or mixing the sand all up? We will have 5 colors of sand. The 1 base color then our 4 ind. colors. Any ideas ladies Can you take the sand out and put in bags until you get back home and then refill with your hunny when you get home? Or you could make it special and refill it on a special occasion (like an anniversary). If you want to keep it the way it is you would have to do what Annie suggested above, stuff something in there and carry it on the plane.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jerzzygirl Hi Heidi posted those fees under a thread I started I think its called fees...lol Its on this main page I think. I also booked the Royal package but we have decided if for some reason we dont get the upgrade to the full suite we wil just go with the basic/free package and add on from there. I will let you know what happens since I leave in 28 days. Oh my its coming fast!!! Thats what we decided to do. The only reason we went with the Royal package was for the room upgrade. If we don't get it we will just go with the Free wedding package and add on. Let me know whether you end up getting your room upgrade.... 28 days that is coming up fast. You must be so excited. I can't wait to hear all about it and see the pictures!!

Quote: Originally Posted by jmhein Perfect, thanks Pouchie, that answers it for me! And thanks Heidi, I will have to have a look and see if I can find those Minister's fees. I just want to make sure my budget is showing most of the costs! No Problem. It is much easier getting answers from here than waiting for Chandlyn to email back!!

Quote: Originally Posted by beachbride her are more that I have saved: I love picture number 2. I have really long hair so I don't do up do's well (too much hair) Great pictures!! Thanks for the ideas.

Quote: Originally Posted by jmhein Hi ladies! I know many of you have booked the Royal Wedding Package at the RIUOR and many of us (myself included) are going with the Free/Basic package and adding on from there. I copied the below from the weddingsbyriu website: RIU FREE WEDDING PACKAGE INCLUDES ($150 USD for Religious Wedding and $200 USD for Civil Wedding) : • On-site wedding coordinator to help plan the special day • Bouquet of flowers for the bride and a matching boutonniere for the groom • Decoration for and set up of the ceremony location • Two bottles of sparkling wine • Wedding cake for up to ten people • Wedding group dinner at one of our specialty restaurants • CD or recorded music during the ceremony • Ten percent discount on all spa services (restrictions apply)• Surprise gift and fruit basket RIU CLASSIC WEDDING PACKAGE INCLUDES: ($475 USD for Civil and Religious Wedding) • On-site wedding coordinator to help plan the special day • Decoration for and set up of the ceremony location • Reception dinner at one of our specialty restaurants • CD or recorded music during the wedding ceremony • Local judge to officiate the wedding ceremony • Certified copies of the wedding certificate • Legal or religious documentation and fees• Witnesses if required RIU ROYAL WEDDING PACKAGE INCLUDES ($775 USD for Religious and Civil Ceremonies): • Complimentary room upgrade to the next category (subject to availability upon arrival) • On-site wedding coordinator to help plan the special day • Bouquet of flowers for the bride and a matching boutonniere for the groom • Decoration for and set up of the ceremony location • Two bottles of sparkling wine • Wedding cake for up to ten people • Candlelight dinner at one of our specialty restaurants • CD or recorded music during the ceremony • Natural body exfoliation for the bride and groom (sauna/Jacuzzi) • Ten percent discount on all spa services (restrictions apply) • Eight 6x8†color photographs and their negatives along with a special photo album (with the purchase of 24 photos) • Breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding • Surprise gift and fruit basket • Local judge to officiate the wedding ceremony • Certified copies of the wedding certificate • Legal or religious documentation and fees• Witnesses if required My questions are - the Free/Basic package does not mention it includes the services of a local judge... umm we NEED the judge! Does anyone know if this is actually included and just not listed, or is this an additional cost to get the judge? Also - we will have 40 guests and I assumed that with the Basic/Free package the ceremony would be set up with chairs for all those guests, but does anyone know if that is the case or is that an extra charge as well? Thanks for your help ladies! I had asked Chandlyn about that in an email. I have about 65 guests and wanted to know whether they would accommodate all my guests with chairs or just the amount specified in the packages. This is Chandlyn's Reply below: Hi Natasha We will be more than happy to put more chairs at the wedding location to accommodate your guests at no additional cost. You can also make other changes once you get here in terms of adding to the package , choosing the location that best suits your group and the type of ceremony needed

JESIQUE Your picutres are great. I love your flowers! Where did you order them? How did you bring them over on to the plane they look so real and didn't loose shape at all. I can't believe they are silk.

Quote: Originally Posted by jesique Just in case anyone is looking for a fun resort at a good price... We just got back from Breezes Montego Bay. The reviews on tripadvisor weren't all that great....and Hurricane Dean worried us to no end....but when we finally got there....all our cares just slipped away!! Our wedding was just fantastic....right on the beach...under the palm trees for some shade. Here's some pics from our magical day! So if you're thinking about Breezes MoBay and you have any questions...please let me know and I'll do my best to answer them for you!!! Nadine. Congrats. I am so happy to hear your wedding went just as planned. Your pictures are great. I would love to see more!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Heidi Email from Riu about fee for Photographer: Dear Heidi, Thank you for contacting RIU Sales Wedding Department What Michael stated in his e-mail is true, Should the photograher be a family member or friend travelling with them they are allowed to take pictures. A local photograher is allowed at fee of uS200 plus the cost for the day pass. This fee is payed to the Photoshop for the breach in contract. If you shall require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards, Carolina Miranda Sales Wedding Coordinator Ocho Rios & Negril, Jamaica Weddings By Riu America's Division Phone: + (52) 984 877 23 20 Email: weddings05@riu.com Wedding Packages by Destination. Honeymoon Holidays. Weddings by Riu so from this email I assume I dont have to pay the $200 (since I am not hiring a local photographer)...am I right or wrong?!?! I'm not sure what she meant by that. Are you hiring him for the videography? I don't think you should have to pay him!! My photgrapher is just saying she is a friend travelling with us. Would that work in your situation?

Quote: Originally Posted by kathryn99 We would like to know if there are any others out there considering a honeymoon registry and how they are planning to spread the word. In addition to our REI registry, we are likely going to use Traveler's Joy - The World's Premier Honeymoon Registry Service or TheBigDay Honeymoon Registry and Romantic Travel Experts - The #1 honeymoon travel experts presenting the perfect wedding and bridal registry but are unsure how some of our guests will feel. I guess the big difference between these two is that you have to book travel with thebigday.com. travelersjoy.com essentially cuts you a check after you customize your expected honeymoon activities. Any guidance would be great! Thanks! Kat and Rob We were thinking about doing that as well. Our travel agent had cards that you could slip in the invitations. Just like as if you were to register at the bay or anywhere else.

Quote: Originally Posted by MomentUs Ohh my...so many questions- So glad Im here to help you guys I actually went with the free wedding package offered by the hotel. I also did not receive a room upgrade as I had already booked the best honeymoon suite at the resort. June is a very busy season so if I had not booked the best room I would have been out of luck and stuck in a regular room. The hotel was completely booked to capacity in June. There were a lot of weddings and also a lot of vacationers. I also met a fellow bride to be (via Forum) prior to my wedding and she was scheduled to marry the week after I. I also helped her plan as she had 70 guests and believed that she would have been able to get all her planning in upon arrival. After returning from her wedding she was extremely happy that she listened and actually planned ahead, as she also said Chandlyn was not much help. I did visit the resort prior to making my final decision on the resort and knew exactly what I wanted and what to expect from the trip. So when I planned I knew where I wanted everything location wise, hence all the detailing. I met with Chandlyn when I visited the resort the first time and basically got all the information from her at that point and also took lots of pictures of the location. I actually did not use much of the resorts services- I used an off site photographer, DJ, MC and had the resort bake a sponge cake which no one even touched (gave away to the waiters and waitresses) and also had another 3 cakes brought in which everyone loved. Views from Honeymoon Suite- Cake Cutting Cakes It is so great to have you here. I would love to see some additional photos of your reception in the plantation. I am having my reception in the plantation with 67 guests so far and have no idea what the set up looks like or how to arrange it. My email is natashaharrison80@hotmail.com. Thanks so much!!

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 Just to add a different perspective to this... I was out last night with my sisters and their friends and I was asking them about what I should do. They told me that we are in Jamaica at an AI and no matter what people are going to have a good time, whether it's an hour or 5 hours between the ceremony and reception. They told me to stop worrying so much, that everyone can go back to doing their own thing or go to the bar with us and meet up for dinner. So, I'll keep trying to think of ideas; but I think that they're right and I should just relax and let it be if I don't come up with some brilliant plan. I totally agreee with your sister. My wedding is at 1:00 and at first I was thinking the same thing as you guys. My FI and I have talked to a bunch of guests that are coming and they are completely happy just hanging out around the resort until the reception.

Quote: Originally Posted by MoBride I just read the latest Trip Advisor review and again it tells of incidents of theft. I wonder why that is such a big problem there. It makes me a little nervous. I think I will buy locks for my luggage and lock some stuff in there and put other stuff in the safe and try to keep my jewelry on me. Mo, I read the same kind of reviews when I went to DR and stayed at a Riu resort. I did bring locks but never used them. I put my jewlery in the safe along with other really important stuff and we never had any problems. I think there is theft anywhere you go.

Quote: Originally Posted by mexicomelissa We did coolers for our wedding party as thank you gifts...we stuffed them with bathing suits, flip flops and all kinds of beachy stuff. Where did you purchase your coolers? I have 65 guests so I wouldn't want to spend a fortune on them but I really like this idea. Any suggustions to where I could get some cheap ones?

Quote: Originally Posted by jak27 Ok ladies, Has anyone gotten married and used the collapsible coolers as your OOT bag? My FI loves the idea of the cooler, and I think it's adorable, but I'm having issues putting our name on it, if we're really spending the $$ for our guests, I want them to use it in the future. We already have koozies w/ our names, so I think this is overkill. Any thoughts? Did you do coolers, and did your guests use them, or do they use them now? HELP! That is such a good idea! I love the cooler idea. I think just the place and the date would be nice on the bag.

Quote: Originally Posted by Heidi Ah, five minutes later, I got another email with this: For the use of your own photographer, there is a charge of US$ 200 for the breach of the contract which we have with the hotel. Did you send him the email from the hotel saying you got permission? I would send that to him. You shouldn't have to pay $200.00. You could just tell him it is a friend of yours offering to do it for free. They can't take away pictures and cameras or they would be taking everyones cameras. Think of how many guests will be snapping pictures. He doesn't need to know you are paying for it.

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 I'm not sure what I'm doing yet for the actual placecards, but for the tables I took pictures of numbers written in the sand. I am putting the pictures in frames that I'm painting in our "wedding colors" (pink and lime green) and then hot gluing on little wooden beach thingies. I got candles in our colors and starfish/sand dollars to scatter around the frames. Once I get it all done, I'll post a picture of what the table number frames look like. I can't wait to see a picture!! Thats another good idea. You guys are so creative. Is there a website anyone knows about with more ideas for the beach theme??

Quote: Originally Posted by Heidi does anybody know if we can change the package we reserved? Yes you can change the package. That was one of my first questions to Chandlyn. I will try and find that email from Chandlyn and post it. Are you going to go with a different one? I was curious of that as well if we weren't going to get the room upgrade I was going to change to the free package and just get the additions we wanted. I have a photographer so I really don't need the pictures or anything else just wanted the fancy room!! hehehehe

That is such a good idea!! Wow you are organized. How do you get the time to do all this?? I can't even find the time to look for BM dresses!! I have about 65 pepole so far and people still booking. We are having ours in the plantation so I guess your right it would be better to make seating arrangements so it is easier for the guests. Anymore great ideas for placecards?? Will you be bringing the mini rum bottles down or buying them there? I am so worried about the customs thing flying in from Canada I don't know what they will allow me to bring.

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 We were hoping to get the huge suite with the jacuzzi too. I told my FI that he needs to find a place to sleep the night before b/c my BMs and I are having a sleepover and getting ready in the morning. His GMs are already warning me about what they have planned for the night before...uh oh! I guess all we can do is hope they will be good boys and not be too hung over for the ceremony!! hehehehe.

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 Chandlyn told me that the Plantation tables seat 8 and they are rectangle (they push together 2 4-person tables). I like that idea better then one big long table. Is any one doing seating arrangements or just winging it??