Pandabride6

Quote: I did use the resorts salon for my hair but had a friend do my makeup. I had a great experience with the resorts salon & b/c of the weather decided to wear my hair in a bun. Take a look at these threads. They both discuss hair & have inspiration pics & past brides experiences: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...r-plans-17345/ Chocolate Brides: Hair Question I wrote on the Chocolate Brides thread earlier tonight... thanks for the referral! I think I'm leaning toward a side ponytail style and I'm figuring I will need extensions. Quote: Hello ladies! Well, I have locks (dread locks) and I am definitely putting them up! But, I have been thinking about my make up. And I have been wondering if the make up people at Riu were any good. I am more than likely going to bring my make up with me, but I'd like for someone to make me up. In terms of make-up, I think I'll be doing a make-up trial here at home and taking notes just in case I don't find a makeup artist. I'm more than likely going through MAC.

I'm so glad I found this thread. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my hair and I need help! Here's the background: I usually relax my hair, never weaved it (the last I did this was for prom, and that came out immediately). And I haven't worn extensions like that. The last time it was in cornrows about five years ago. Needless to say, I'm fairly new to all the different ways to style hair I've read here (like lace front weaves, etc.). In addition to all that, I don't really trust hairdressers like that. I've had bad experiences with them over the years. So I'm the one who regularly washes and flat irons my hair. For the wedding, I fell in love with the side ponytail style. My hair falls a couple inches below my shoulders but I know I will still need extensions for that full look. I heard a lot about clip-on extensions and thought that would be good to use since I wouldn't have to sew or glue it in. What do you think about this? What products do you think will be helpful? I'm planning going to the hairdresser who normally relaxes my hair (that's all I make her do). Should I show her pictures and ask her what she thinks?

So I found this post and thought I should bump it up because I'm wondering about various hairstyles I could do. Now, I've been to Jamaica many times and it can get extremely humid year round. I'm thinking of having a half-up half-down style if I wear a longer veil. If I decide on the birdcage veil, I'm thinking of a side ponytail style. I need some inspirations... How are you doing your hair? Also, are you using the resort's hair/makeup staff?

OMG! I'm so glad I stumbled on this thread! Thanks for being so thoughtful and posting your do's and don'ts. I'm a few months out from my day but I can say something. Another bride actually brought this up in her review. She mentioned to be more specific about wanting to do a RSVP for the STD's. This could help weed out some guests before you end up making or buying a ton of invites that can get pricey. I had that feature on my website and a few people took advantage. At least I knew early on who is a definite but I wish I was a bit more assertive about getting a response. But I guess it depends since it's so early out and guests don't know if they're going yet.

From what I'm reading here... it's like for every one guest who is for a DW there are two who are against it. It's so unfortunate because it should just be about the bride and groom's happiness. You know what I think the problem is? We're too accommodating. People tend to take advantage of that and complain no matter how courteous you are. They want to see how much you value their opinion if they threaten to not come. I learned the hard way it's about standing your ground and having no regrets!

Quote: I know you have decided, but I thought I would go ahead and throw in my 2cents. I did boarding pass invites for all my guests that will be traveling, then printed some regular do-it-yourself invites from Hobby Lobby for my family and guests in JA. You know Karla, that's actually not a bad idea! I will definitely keep that in mind because we do have a number of guests who live in JA and this could help cut costs for the invites. So, I'll consider doing this as well... it's not too late. You guys are all great! Thanks!

Thanks ladies for your responses! We decided to go ahead with the Passport invites. We just won't include info that you would give for guests who aren't famaliar with the country (since a majority visit it frequently).

Hey ladies... I posted this on the Jamaica brides board and mentioned this in a past post but I thought I would ask again and get some more opinions. I'm dabbling between the idea of having passport invites versus pocketfold ones. The problem... we have family already in Jamaica that are planning to attend. I thought it would seem weird to send them passport invites to a wedding in the same country. What do you think? I was thinking I could get away with it if I make it generic (like have "Passport to Paradise") on the cover. I also wouldn't get carried away with putting more logistics on the inside other than the invite (like info on the country, etc). Anyway, with that said what do you think?

Hey ladies... Quick question about invitations... I'm dabbling between the idea of having passport invites versus pocketfold ones. The reason I'm asking this question here instead of the Invites section is because we have family already in Jamaica who would be attending. I thought it would seem weird to send them passport invites to a wedding in the same country. What do you think? I was thinking I could get away with it if I make it generic (like have "Passport to Paradise") on the cover. I also wouldn't get carried away with putting more logistics on the inside other than the invite (like info on the country, etc). Anyway, with that said what do you think?

Quote: I will be going to Rose Hall Resort for a site visit on December 17. Let me know if there is something you would like for me to ask or take a picture of. You can PM me or email me at tgraydon@hotmail.com. Hope everyone's planning is going well!! @cutedimplestee- YGM!

jstar, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I went through a similar situation with my former MOH. Known her since kindergarten and she decided to plan her wedding a month before me. Not a big deal but she agreed to being MOH before she even got engaged and called me to tell me it wasn't in her budget to go to my wedding. What shocks me is one of my other BM's is planning on making a trip after she moves to GERMANY from the US, to be in my wedding. She said that's a priority of hers and I couldn't be more appreciative. The point is, no matter how long you've known a person, you may not be a priority to them even though you wouldn't do that to them. You gotta wish them luck and move on. I know, I have!

Why don't you get a Steel Pan player (which would be one person playing) and a DJ? It could come out cheaper than getting an entire band and really good single players sound like a full band. That is what we're planning on doing.

It's funny that I found this post... because it's funny how weddings can bring out the best and worst in ppl. I had my former MOH try to convince me to have a wedding at home so she could come (needless to say, she's not MOH now). I was extremely hurt and quite frankly pissed off. I thought she would be more supportive, even if she couldn't make it. But, mind you, one of my BM's is planning to travel from overseas (Germany) to be there for me. I mean, where a bride and groom choose to marry is up to them, especially if they're fronting the bill or most of it. I noticed that some ppl get offended when a couple decides to marry out of their hometown and then get mad at the couple if they (the guest) chooses to go. I'm sorry, but no one pulled your hair and dragged you out there (sorry about the analogy but it makes my point). To me, every wedding could be considered a DW for someone who doesn't live there. I feel like a good guest is someone who will support the couple even if they can or cannot attend. Also, hypothetically speaking... let's say you changed your plans to accommodate others at home and for whatever reason those ppl still couldn't or wouldn't come to the wedding. How would that make you feel? For that reason, We're doing it our way!

spellbound1995- It's very possible to have a classy meal with that number of ppl at the resort. I noticed that if your guest count gets larger, that's when you'll see the costs grow. We don't know how many ppl we're planning on having but we're choosing a different reception venue anyway (keeping the ceremony at Rose Hall). I noticed you can get more bang for your buck that way (for both food and entertainment). Not only that... but the resort's charging about $45/person even if they're AI. That's nuts!!! We're still working on OOT bag items so I'll let you know.

budgetjamaicabride- I'll try to contact Stylish Scribe. I appreciate you're willing to help if I go the DIY route. I'll keep you posted if I do. frazali- I am planning on sending out about 100 invites. My budget is about $200. I don't really want to go over that.

Tilly, thanks for the response! I also considered doing them DIY (actually I considered that when I began planning). But I got so overwhelmed with the terms (cardstock, reams) and the machinery needed to cut the paper. I figured by the time I get all of that done, I couldv'e just paid someone for the service. But maybe I'm overthinking the DIY concept so I'm def not ruling it out.

Hey ladies, I am in the process of looking for invitations but instead I'm becoming frustrated instead. I was orginally interested in passport invites but I felt that it would be too weird considering a number of our guests actually live at our destination (Jamaica). I guess that's my first question... do you think that would be weird? I'm actually looking into invites with a vellum overlay and raffia knot look. But all the invites I've seen with that option don't cost any less than $4/ invite. We're running on a tight budget but I don't want to send out tacky invites either. If you guys have any reasonable recommendations, it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

My FMIL is making rum/black cake for favours. She can throw down with food and cake especially. We're looking into a reception venue that's allowing us to bring our own cake. FMIL says she could make it (possibly a regular pound cake since the favors would be rum). I hope that helps. But I have a general question about travel... seeing as how both of our families and majority of guests are from Jamaica/ travel there often, I was wondering if I should even get a TA. My resort allows ppl to stay off property (which is a main reason why I chose it). Should I just let guests book accomodations on their own? Some guests have never been there but I'm still wondering if it's even worth it. What are you ladies planning on doing?

...not your BMs but the other men in the wedding party (Dad, FIL). I'm thinking of having the BMs wear linen suits with a shirt/no tie but have my Dad and FIL wear pants and possibly a guayabera shirt. Does that sound off? Should I just make them all wear the same kind of outfit? If you have any pics to show that would be great! Thanks!

I'm glad I found this thread also! I've been looking for affordable suits for the guys. I am interested in receiving the swatches too... let me know how this process goes. For the ladies who have seen the swatches/purchased a suit, I am looking for a suit that is close to Ivory. I believe Foxy mentioned her hubby wore Natural Linen to go with her dress. My dress is ivory too but I was wondering if there was another color that could go as well. Also, are you guys going to make all your GM's and FI match? Are you just getting a suit for FI and pants for the GMs? I'm just curious to see if it really matters. My colors are Lilac/Turquiose Blue/Ivory if you have any advice for me.

Loved your review! It's very detailed and I'm sure it's also putting many brides at ease. I would like to learn more about the reception venue (Day O Plantation). I'm not held to having my reception at my resort so I'm looking around. Can you provide me with more information about pricing, your reception package, etc.? You can e-mail me at PandaB616 at aol dot com. Thanks in advance!

Hey ladies, I know we're in a recession and everything so I think it's valid to ask. If you don't mind sharing, how did you negotiate with your resort/vendors on certain things? What did they do to help you stay within budget and was there something they didn't budge on? I'm not really the negotiating type so I'm trying to figure out what's the best route for these kinds of things?

I wrote something earlier today but I don't think it posted... so here it is again. tauristar- Where are you planning on having the ceremony? At the gazebo by the beach? In the pictures, the gazebo didn't look all that great and it seemed to be so close to where hotel guests would be hanging out. Also, did you see the Sugar Mill Falls reception site? If so, how did it look? Also a question for all the ladies, are you guys using a planner? I was told we set up our own decor on our own for the reception and that kind of bugged me so I'm leaning toward getting one in addition to using Tai Flora for decor.

tauristar- Where are you planning on having the ceremony? At the gazebo by the beach or elsewhere? Did you see the Sugar Mill Falls reception site? If so, how did it look? Also a question for all the ladies, are you guys using a planner? I was told we set up our own decor on our own for the reception and that kind of bugged me so I'm leaning toward getting one in addition to using Tai Flora for decor.

Hey ladies, Quick question... I'm just wondering how you will set up for your reception. I spoke with Yolandi and she mentioned that we're responsible for setting up our own decor if we bring it (which I'm planning on). Unless I heard this wrong, I know I don't really want my family or friends having to work on the day of. Are you guys planning on getting a DOC or will you be setting things up yourself? Also, how elaborate are you planning on getting with flowers?