hollisandsteph

I was pretty disappointed with my New year. We had plans with friends but they ended up inviting another couple. We don't particularly care for this couple because there is a history of this girl being jealous of our friendship. She flipped a lid when we all went to Jamaica together. Well, we backed out and went out with another couple who had asked us out but we declined a few days earlier. We called them on the off chance they were not busy and they were not later in the evening. It's my husbands childhood best friends. I really like them as people but find his wife very dull. We were playing a game when she decided we would stop to watch the ball drop. She then proceeded to put the half played game away so we watched the ball drop and went home. It was a very boring night. The plus side was my husband and I went out for dinner just the two of us. We rarely do that so it was sweet.

long: the amount of time I did not sleep!

Welcome and congrats. Which resort in Oho Rios?

I think we are talking about the same pool. It is the one that has all the tall green tree's and bushes. The pool is deeper that too, like 8 feet. It is VERY private. I know most don't know about it unless they study the map..lol We did not find it until the day before we left. It's not the one that is out in the open that has the volleyball net set up at it.

We are pretty much home bound right now. I live in NW Ohio and we have about 1/4 inch of ice covering everything. I really don't mind except our groceries are low but I will throw something together. We are really lucky right now cause half our town is without power! I am have been making sure i am getting everything done this morning that I need the electric for just incase!!! We'll prolly spend the rest of the day sitting around watching movies or playing Electronic Monopoly.

I am just flat out jealous..lol I would love to be doing it all over again! I love being married and where I am right now but to do it all over again would be awesome! There really is only one restaurant that you will have trouble getting into and I honestly cannot remember the name of it right now. It is in the Rivera building and you will have to pass it to get to the beach. We went as soon as it opened and got right in the one night. It was really good but I like the Italian place a lot to. I know if you plan on going to Dunn's River there is a place there that is hard to get into but I herd it is amazing! We tried and couldn't get in. We didn't call until our 5th or 6th day there I really wish we would have gone though. I would have liked to have seen how the two resorts differ. The private pool is really close to the basketball court. Kinda close to the pool with the water that fall off the side wall. It looks like you are going back to some cottages or onto staff area but you are not. That is just in case I don't talk to you before you go.

New York: Christmas!

We were in the actually Rivera building. It had an amazing view which I know you saw from our youtube videos. lol. We have already decided when we go back we are staying in the same room. We didn't have any of the upgrades. It was a basic room but we loved it. All the rooms seem like they are great though. I loved all the dark wood and huge beds! I think all rooms have that. We originally were going with cheapest room possible on the Manor side. Then we decided this might be only time we were going so we upgrades to the ocean front. My husband had never even seen the ocean til then! Honestly we paid only alittle more for that. The first thing I did every morning was look out the double doors to see how the sun reflected off the water for an amazing blue color. I hope you are looking for too much parting! The resort really dies early. There is alot of drinking through the day though. BTW try an Jamaica Smile. You will be hooked after that..lol I guess there is sooo much to do through out the day people just crash at night. Plus the sun sets really early. The night we got married we ended up at the night club and by 11:30 or 12 we were the only ones in the club. It honestly was a lot of fun though! Then we went swimming (in our clothes except Hollis who stripped down to his skibbies..lol) When it is closer to time for you to go, ask me about the private pool. I will tell you how to get to it. Hardly anyone knows it's there and you will be the only ones in it! Plus it is alittle deeper than the others. Downfall is no bartender there..lol oh I just want to go back!!! Wanna hide me in your suitcase?

We were looking at our youtube videos this morning and I noticed Hollis looks over toward the area Iriebride was talking about. You can see it is not very busy over there. Also if you look at the pier alone while we are walking on it, it is pretty quiet. When the Katamarans are leaving or coming it, it gets alittle noisy but other than that is quiet. Here is the youtube link to that video if you want to check it out YouTube - Sandal Ocho Rios I love all this Sandals talk! It makes me want to go back really really bad!!!

OMG too funny! I love youtube but that was my husbands doing. He is such a dork (I say that with a smile). Before we left, I was on there all time looking for new videos of the weddings, the resort and even the room. I had sooo much trouble finding pictures of the room we were in. Now there are several. I just wanted to know what to expect. I am telling it is amazing any way you look at it! What side of the resort are you staying in?

I was also married at SGOR (a day or so after Iriebride! We actually ran into each other). My reasons for not choosing the beach is the lack of privacy. The Gazebo is not only pretty but private. I would have felt out of place getting married feet away from swimmers and sun bathers. Also you will have some water markers in the back ground. I think if I were to do the beach I would look into the scuba area like Iriebride said. I did actually see a wedding on the beach as we were swimming I felt awkward just being close by. It was beautiful there though. I ocean is a beautiful and the sand is soft and not at all hot no matter what time of day. Just to let you know too, at 4pm it is still going to be hot and humid but by the time we finished up with what the little reception and our pictures the sun at started to set. The sunset is not great (not horrible either though) from the Ocho Rios side. I was told if you want the beautiful sunset you have to go to Negril but SGOR has the better resort. We loved it and I would do everything all over again. If you have any questions or want some pictures. Here is pic from the general area of the beach weddings. Here is the sunset from our room on the Rivera side. I have another picture of the beach from the side I will post when I find it! I have way tooo many pictures..lol Anything else I can help with let me know!

I think it might be the only one that is really private! I have pictures of all but one of the wedding sites if you would like to see them. I took them for all you yet to go! I will tell you the beach is the least private. People are married right along people laying out in their swimming suits..too. I felt weird just being there when other weddings were going on! It would have been beautiful though!

Beautiful!

The wedding coordinator in Miami contacted me the day after I book the room. Then I paid the $200 to lock in my wedding date and time. If you booked already, you should get the call soon. I was at SGOR but I am sure it is all the same right?

I know what you are saying. I felt the same way and to be honest with you, the resort kinda dies early. There is sooo much to do in the sun and and the sun sets so early that by 10pm you will be ready for bed....lol. Since my wedding consisted of myself, my husband and another couple I did not want to make elaborate plans. I decided to just wing it checked on the evening entertainment. We ended up going to listen to others karaoke. I know totally redneck but we had a blast! Then we headed over to the night club which we were the only ones there by the end of the night. It was great. We had the bartender to our selves which provided for enough entertainment itself :-) Before heading back to the Rivera side we ended up in one of the pools siding down the slide in our clothes. It honestly was some of the most fun I have ever had and we all just kinda went with the flow of things. I think I was just sooo relaxed cause the wedding was over! There is my story but I am sure you want something alittle....well more. How many do you have in your group and what are their interests? What time are you getting married?

I think I am going to have a custome party next year just so I can be Beth!!! I loved it! I'm gonna be on a trashy closth hunt this year!

If you have not gotten your jewelry yet try Goodwill or another thrift store. We always hit them up when we need costume stuff. My step daughter got some really great boots to go with her witch costume this year and I found tiny little gloves for my 2 year old.

Everything looks great! I think we have the same taste! The groom is wearing something very simular to what my husband wore. It worked out great due to the heat! We also debated between that same bridesmaids dress and the longer version of it. We went with the longer version but it is the same fabric and fit. I honestly liked the one you went with a little better but my friend liked the other. I let her choose. Oh yea one more thing- we both choose Jamaica! You will have a wonderful. Relax and take tons of pictures. The time goes sooo fast!

How beautiful! Makes me want to get married all over again! Congrats!

Welcome and Congrats!

Humor: need more in my life right now!

I think they look like they were made to wear with each other! Great choice on both!

It is small little Cd player. Very basic and not gaudy at all. It is really detail you won't even notice. I promise!

I am sure you could. I felt a litlte cheesy doing it at first but at the same time it really was the first chance my husband and I had to talk so i really forgot what was going on around us.

I totally could not hear the music but I think I used the traditional wedding march. We did our first dance to Me and You by Kenny Chesney. They selection of music is very limited so if you had something in mind you might want to bring your own music. I meant to and totally forgot it at home. It worked out ok though!