Jamaica0619

The guys did one the week of our wedding. Unfortunatley my DH just left for work, but what I do remember...

 

It was about $600 for a half-day for up to a set number of people. I want to say 6, becuse at one point I think that is how many were going to go.

 

We booked through the tour companies on the resort. We talked to four different representatives and they all recommended the same boat.

 

The boat was nice and they had a good time - relatively - they did not catch anything and only had two nibbles. They did an afternoon tour becuase that was all that was available. Not surprising since all the tour companies use the same boat. They were told mornings are better. So, if you can you might want to try to book it in advance through you TA.

I did customized towels via towels 4 less. The quality was good. I went with the cheapest towels they offer. So, they were basic, but nice. I had them embroider them with one of thier basic, standard designs with just "Jamaica" underneath. I figured they would make good souvenirs for my guests. A couple of them used them for off-resort tours.

I did one per couple. I had a few singles, and in those cases I gave them thier own bag. We only had two kids, so I gave them thier own bags - modified slightly to suit them (e.g., I included some sand toys).

My DH and I ride. Well, same as you, I ride on the back. We haven't done as much riding the past couple of years becuase of our work schedules. But, we both enjoy it.

 

I'm with you. I can't tell you how many times I hear about how dangerous they are.

I actually ordered these to use as accent lights for my AHR. They were placed on the name card table and in the bathrooms. I am now using them around my house as decorations. They were nice. I also used battery-operated candles, and it looked good.

While I suspected sparklers would not be permitted by the airlines, I did a quick check. From reading the US Airways (as an example) site, I would assume that the airlines are not going to allow sparklers.

I used my iPod at RMB for our beach reception. They provide a speaker with an iPod hook-up, and it was plenty loud enough. I believe they use the same set-up if you want to use an iPod for the ceremony.

Thanks for posting this and keep us posted. It has been 2 1/2 months since we got married. I figured I would give it another month to see if it shows up. We got married at RMB once the new coordinators started, but I still don't have a lot of faith.

 

While I'm in no rush - I don't plan to change my name until next year. We have a few international trips planned in the coming months and do not want to have to rush my passport, it would be nice to have the marriage certificate

I could be wrong, but the way I understand it is that the restrictions that have been relaxed by the US government only applies to Americans who came over here from Cuba. They are allowed to apply for a visa and visit family/friends on a more frequent basis - every year instead of every three years. I have a friend whose family is Cuban, and I think that is what she explained to me. She was actually able to visit her family via an eductional visa - she went to Cuba to present a paper on on a Cuba author at an international conference.

 

There is a careful distinction between able and allowed - I agree. But I am with Yari I would rather wait until I can legally visit the country. My friend has told me that it is absolutely beautiful there.

I had a different ring design. But my wedding band is custom done to fit my e-ring. I love the fact that they fit together perfectly. I considered (to save money) not having the custom ring done. I'm glad we decided to do the custom band. The gaps between the e-ring and band would have driven me crazy.

I purchased it and thankfully didn't need it. But, my FIL had scheduled hip replacement surgery for a few months before our wedding, and both of my parents are older. So, just in case they were suddenly not able to travel, I wanted to be financially covered. I felt better having it.

I can tell you what we did:

 

Cake? We did not do a cake. In part becuase we are not big cake eaters and I did not want to have to cut it. We figured if it was there - people would want us to cut it. We did a selecton of desserts (gelato, cookies, chocolate fountain, and parfaits), which people seemed to really enjoy.

 

Photographer? Pictures are extremely important to me. Yet, I opted not to hire a photographer. I put disposible cameras on the tables and figured I could get copies of people's digital prints. A month later and I haven't been able to get digital copies from anyone. And, for the cost of purchasing and printing a lot of okay pictures from the disposible cameras, I wish I had looked into how much a photographer would have cost.

I agree if you do a search you find a good amount of information.

 

I know at least of few of us had a custom cake topper made via sellers on etsy.com. It added a personal touch and mine is now happily displayed in a cabinet. Here is the link to mine:

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t41435

We actually skipped the engraving. Given the nature of our rings we have to send them back to the company we got them from each year for a resurfacing. So, we figured we would get them engraved around our 1 year anniversary. We were both stuck for what to engrave.

 

I like the do not remove - but he has to for safety reasons for work. Maybe I'll get some ideas.

Good luck - it was completely worth the money. I still (two months later) have guests (and I only had 21 guests) talking about it.

Congrats! And, good luck!

I will throw out an alternative idea for the TTD. I wanted to do a TTD in the water but my now DH wasn't sure. My photographer actually loved the idea of doing it in downtown MoBay. We went to the craft market. I was a little disappointed about not getting wet...but I think we will end up with some incredible pictures. Unfortunately I'm still waiting to receive them. But you could do a different kind of TTD that does not require you to get wet...? Once I receive my pictures I'll post a few.

MY DH and his BM wore white linen shirts. And, while I know he was sweating it did not show. Our fathers wore tan linen shirts and the sweat stains are obvious in some of the later pictures of his father.

I am so glad it is working out for you. You sound really happy with your decision and that is all that matters. The place looks amazing, and I'm sure the wedding will be fabulous. And, in terms of the alternations - I can't think of a better reason for a dress to need that much altering - congratulations!

 

I used a local photographer for my DW and I checked out another photographer from the area for my DW, so...if you are still looking for one and need any recommendations let me know...

Thank you!!! I appreciate your asking...

I did a search to see if anyone had ever done this before...but I could only find dicussions of it as an option.

 

I was curious if anyone has ever had thier dress made into a quilt. I don't want to sell my dress, but I really don't want to store it in my closet forever. I thought this might be a nice alternative. I was also thinking it might be nice to incorporate my veil, a bridesmaid dress (my cousin will never wear her's again), and possibly my DH shirt. And, make it more of a wedding quilt.

 

I found two sites that look the most promising, particularly the first one...

 

Custom Wedding Dress Quilts, Wedding Dress Quilt

 

wedding dress quilt/bear - Personalized Gift Sets, Baby Clothes Quilts, Wedding Dress Quilts handmade with love : The Patchwork Bear

 

 

But, I was curious if anyong had first hand experience having this done. Or if anyone knows someone who quilts that might want to take a project like this on.

Wow! I'll give you ladies credit. We moved into our new home in March '08 and sold our old home in April '08. Everyone kept joking that it would be the ideal time to get engaged. I actually threatened my DH that if he did that (after waiting 12 years) I would kill him.

 

What I didn't know was he was working on purchasing my engagement ring around the time of the settlements - it was a custom ring that took several months. We got engaged in Sept '08. I was so glad we did not do everything at once.

 

But, as indicated, it is a very personal decision - you have to decide what you and your FI can handle - emotionally, mentally, physically and financially.

My DH niece is 8 (soon to be 9) and we called her a jr bridesmaid - she felt very grown up.

I agree 100%. My now husband and I dated for 13 years and have been saying for at least the past 8 that if we get married it will be a destination wedding. Yet some of our family and friends were still surprised and I think (thank goodness they never said it) some what annoyed that we choose to do that. Go figure

Do your best to pick a date to make as many of the most important people happy as you can and go for it...or worse case scenrio - pick a date and if it is important enough to them, they will find a way to be there. If you try to make too many people happy, you will only make yourself and your FI miserable.

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