drbrainfreeze

I agree with the whole point of the RIU - make sure that your date is available. You can also check out RIU Ocho Rios, Negril and Tropical Bay, so you do have 4 RIU resorts to choose from. In terms of flights, you should be ok. I know in Canada its a little harder (certain flight, certain day, limited seats on plane...), but for us US brides, its way easier. Plus, there might be some great deals at the resorts out there. I know when we booked it was WAY more expensive than 3-4 months out at the RIU Ocho Rios.

Quote: Originally Posted by bsullivan2 Thank you ladies for your responses. I have talked to my TA about it too. She is doing some research, but I think that I will just go through Lee's Tours. I talked to FI and I think we will do the catamaran to the Falls and then on a different day we will take Lee's Tours to Margaritaville. I have heard that Margaritaville is expensive. How expensive? What should I expect? I am trying to get the money in order that we are taking with us for excursions. Thanks for the information ladies! You guys are great! Typical drinks are $7.00...food is maybe $10 for a burger. Food is not fantastic...I have actually had better experiences overall with the Margaritaville in Vegas. It might have been an off day, but the restaurant was not busy. We had maybe 10 people with us and it took 35 mins to get drinks, and nearly an hour to get food. Food was so-so, we were not offered refills on drinks (we were drinking alcohol - you would think they would have wanted us to have refills!!) I cant remember, but our total bills was about $300 for 10 of us. I wish we had stayed behind and just ate/drank at the resort!! We actually missed the resort while we were at M-ville! BUT the waterslide was fun for a bit. I would say, in terms of excursions, if there is something else you had your eye on, spend the $30 per person there!

Congrats!! I am so glad that everything worked out for you in the end!!

You can change your package when you get to the RIU and meet with Chandlyn.

Just a plain fridge magnet should be fine. We forgot this, but you might not need it, unless you want to leave the door open while you sleep and leave the ac on? In terms of small extras - immodium, pepcid, pepto, and other meds. Band Aids. Blister Guard. Small ziplock bags to keep things in your beach bag dry. Lots and Lots of sunblock!!! I found all of these helpful!

I thought the same thing as you, but really, the linens are quite nice. And it might not be worth the added weight and cost of you bringing your own linens! I honestly think that its not worth it.

KitchenAid 4.5-Quart Cook for the Cure Ultra Power Stand Mixer KitchenAid at Lowe's: 4.5-Quart Cook for the Cure Ultra Power Stand Mixer On sale for $150.00 It states 250-watt but that is a typo, as it was confirmed at 300. Great deal!!

So funny! I almost bought the first dress, but it did not have a train, so I really didn't feel 100% bride....then I almost bought the 3rd dress, but ended up not feeling it...I didn't buy my dress from DB in the end, but #2 looks gorgeous on you! I would say go with your heart. But once you do...stop looking!!!

Those are so beautiful! Roberta really does a great job!!

Quote: Originally Posted by bsullivan2 I have searched through other posts and I am not finding the information that I need. I am looking for a tour group that offers catamaran cruises, but one that will take our group to the Falls and then to Margaritaville. Many of the tour groups offer the snorkeling with the trip to the Falls but no one in our group really want to snorkel. Can and past or future brides help me with this info? Thanks! Brandie You might be able to rent out the Catamaran that the RIU provides through Scuba Caribe. Not sure what the cost would be for this though. We went to Margaritaville via cab. It was fun, but really expensive...

Quote: Originally Posted by tmemise I was going to buy the docking station as well but changed my mind. Word to the wise..spend the money on a good system, there is a big diffrence in quality of sound. I have to agree. I bought DH an Insignia for xmas last year and its fine for the house, but we did a blind test between that and the Bose that we bought for the wedding, and at first I could not tell the difference so I was all ready to return the Bose and just take the Insignia - but then we upped the volume a lot, and the Bose completely amazed me. So quality does matter and I am glad we tested it out with different volumes

Quote: Originally Posted by JD61109 The pictures are great! Did you have a professional photographer from jamaica or did you bring one with you? How was the poolside receptio? I'm having the semi-private dinner and than the poolside reception for desert and dancing. I would love to hear how everything went but I will check if you have your review up before I keep asking you a million questions Yep, review is up and should answer any questions that you have. Let me know if you have any more though!

Just an FYI, I bought my cake server set from OTC for under $20. It is BEAUTIFUL!! But really, everything will work out. And dont stress too much on every detail. Just relax and enjoy it all!

And you did have amazing photos by the way!!! We really wanted to do the TTD, but I was not feeling well the day after and then I was afraid my dress would not dry in time to go home... Did you guys take the booze cruise catamaran thru Scuba Caribe? They were fantastic!

Quote: Originally Posted by RORJamaica Bride 050809 Its made by Umbra. I bought it at Khol's others have bought it from World Market and Target have/had it as well. Aww your poor photog :-( He looked SO sad. I thought he might have passed out or something, he looked all red and sickly!! We did not fill the frame up like you did. We just poured maybe 1/2 and it all shifted and poured out into the suitcase!! We expected that though. We too grabbed more sand from Jamaica since that is what we used along with some white sand. We re-created the sand ceremony together when we got home. Quote: Originally Posted by krista Is it called the ether frame from Umbra? Did you have to use glue or anything or alter it to make it work that well? Can you change the picture or add a picture later? Thanks. I am not sure what the frame was called, other than the brand being umbra. We did have to alter it. What DH did was pulled all the glass out. Then he used clear silicone on the back to seal off the back panel. Next he used silicone to seal the next to last pane. We poured the sand in between the back panel and the next to last pane. We put our picture in the second pane from the front....Yes, you can change the pic, you just pull the frame out and tape a new pic in. Now, did that make any sense??

I used the same frame and bought it from World Market. Its made by Umbra. Khol's and Target have/had it as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott-Pierre Was she not able to do the additional decorations for you? How did you transport them to Jamaica. They look wonderful in the pics! I'm not sure if she would have been able to do the decorations. For some reason, I remember my TA saying I would have to provide them myself...The seashells came wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap, so I just left them wrapped, in the box they came in, in some checked luggage. I am sure it would cost way more for her to do the gumpaste seashells though...I can only assume though. Those only cost me $20 so totally worth it to stick them on the cake myself

I just had to pay the $75 day pass, not any sort of room rate.

They will be!! All of her bouquets are beautiful so you really can't go wrong!

I didnt get pics from her. I just found a pic of what I liked and asked her to replicate. I did all the additional decorations (seashells and brown sugar)

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott-Pierre Thanks for the heads up! We are doing the poolside, so I guess we will go and buy a Bose Ipod player just to be on the safe side. I would!! Great sound and you can use it when you get back!

Yeah we were downstairs from you during your reception (we had our rehearsal dinner at the Plantation). What happend with your photog? I saw him sitting on the steps.... I also remembering hearing your groups cheers and boos as the poolside column lights would go on and off ;-) You looked beautiful!! Can't wait to read your review

Awww. That was your wedding?? I watched it for a bit! Very beautiful :-) Was your reception at the Plantation that night?

Here's a couple shots of ours. The resort provided the sand, linens and tiebacks - we provided the center lanterns, the hanging lanterns, the seashells, and tealights. They were perfect for us.

Her customer service line is 951-789-4177 That is very weird that you did not get a response, as she is very prompt!