breeze616

wow wow wow wow WOW!!

This planning thread is ridic. Totes amazeballs. You blew it outta the water girlie - IRHB will not know what hit them!!! hahahaha

Amazing job!

Originally Posted by Tropical Love 

 

Hey  Breezie! where did you order the bottle openers?

Hi!  I got the bottle openers at 4imprint.ca (Im in Canada) but I also got them through work with our corporate discount as we buy a lot of promo items from them, so that helped A LOT with my OOT bags

Originally Posted by jonesr1979 

 

Hi ladies!

 

My pics are up on marcia roberts site http://www.jamaicanphotography.com/  rosemarie and keshawn - Iberostar just in case anyone wanted to see more of what calabash setup was like!

Rosemarie you looked gorgeous. Congratulations!!

Originally Posted by Misee17 

 

Does anyone know if they have a bank or a place on site at IRHS that you can cash in your travelers checks? I know some places provide that service. Any past IRHS brides know??? Thanks!

They didnt. You have to take a cab to the rose hall shopping centre (5 mins away) and cash them at the bank. Thats what we did. Just bring enough cash to last for a few days so you dont have to rush there. I only brought Travelers Cheques for the big payments to my florist, DJ etc.

Originally Posted by Prettysparklie 

For those planning on doing a TTD, have you decided where you are taking your pictures? I want to go off the resort and preferably to a waterfall, but I don't even know if there are any nearby that are not located in Ocho Rios.

 

All help/suggestions are appreciated!

 

Thanks!

There is a nice area beside the Grand on the beach that has those rock piers out into the ocean that would work well for a TTD. The best place I could find that was local was where I went - the green grotto caves - its was about 45mins away. A nice jungle setting with cool cliff-face and caves... unfortunetly it rained all over us so we didnt get as much time there as I would have liked, there were a lot of cool places to shoot! See my slideshow (TTD shots are at the end)

http://vimeo.com/breesvids/stephenandsabrinaweddingslideshow

password - oneloveoneheart

Originally Posted by Marlena 

Is anyone here thinking of bringing realtouch flowers ? or any type of silk flowers ? I was thinking for the huppa only...$450 seems like alot of money on flowers for a 20 minute scene on the beach! I'm guessing they would move those flowers inside the restaurant for decoration later too

I used silk flowers on my huppa. All my other flowers were real but I figured they are up high - who cares if they are fake. Here are my huppa photos:

Originally Posted by Tropical Love 

Need some assistance fellow Iberostar Brides. Im trying to set my wedding colors. I'm thinking about either different shades of pink with ivory (fuschia is my favorite color) but then, I fell in love with a Dessy color called Oasis that Im thinking about pairing up with ivory...can you think of what other colors would go with Oasis?  Can I include fuschia in there somewhere?

I think fushia would look great with that colour

Originally Posted by chan_porty 

Hi ladies,

I'm using my bridesmaid flowers for my centre pieces. We're only 35 people so I want to rent out 5 vases and put the 5 bridesmaid bouquets in the vases so that they double as centre pieces. I called Tai Flora 2 weeks ago to see if I could rent the vases from them but have not heard back from them. Any other suggestions as to where I can get 5 vases? I really don't want to bring them from Canada.

 

 

Who is your florist? You should be able to get vases from them. If not, I know you can rent them from pussbackfoot:

http://pussbackfoot.com/htmlver/galleries.php?sec=2&galnum=1

Originally Posted by ashaun 

 

Ok ladies I need help .  I found an invite on Etsy that I love.  It has 4 layers top, invite, directions, reply - it's a swivel invite so all these are attached.  Well we decided not to do the reply card since we are sending invites to booked guests only (around 50 ppl so far).  I have no idea what to put on the 3rd layer since directions are not needed but I need 3 layers to complete the look.  HELP. 

There's tons you could put - welcome dinner/rehersal dinner info, menu choices, travel information, resort information. My invite had 4 inserts; ceremony, reception, travel and resort.

Originally Posted by chan_porty 

Thanks Breeze!

I see that you really enjoyed the Mango Walk Disco. Do you think that it would be too big to rent out for my first dance and to have some private time with our 34 guests for a few hours before it opens up to the public? 

I think its a great idea to have your dinner a bit earlier - like 5ish and do the mango walk (or other location) until 10:30. Its not too big, but not very classy decor. Its a typical club - but you'll have an awesome stereo and lighting system.

Originally Posted by starrysim 

Hi girls!  I'm just wondering what everyone is doing for dinner & reception.  From the info I have, private restaurant rental is from about 6:30 -10.  The disco can only be rented out privately until 10:30, so it doesn't make sense to do private dinner and then private disco.  But I feel like 10 pm is pretty early to call it a night, and I would like a PRIVATE reception to go a bit later into the night, like midnight at least.  I'm not sure if it makes sense to have a DJ and dancing if we have to clear out by 10 pm.  Am I missing something?  How is everyone else planning the reception?  Is there any way to have the reception last until midnight?

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

Okay I'm a bit confused and I know one of you ladies can help me out. After the ceremony ends, you have a choice of dinner at one of the restaurants. Now how long can we use the restaurant for if we rent it our privately?? I figure within the private rental that's where speeches, dances and toasts take place. Or am I mistaken?

 

I notice a few of you have the dinner, then go to a bar for dances and speeches and then head off to the disco. Is this a must?

I dont know what your parents/older relatives are like, but mine all stuck around and stuck together on the dance floor after the club opened to the public. It actually felt more fun because there was a larger crowd and everyone was congratulating us. With only 25 people and some who dont dance, the floor was a bit empty until the public came.

I also know that the noise by-law in Jamaica doesnt allow music on the beach after 10:30pm.
 

Originally Posted by daisymable 

It doesn't make sense at all! If only we could have some answers from Nicole...

 

 

While the by-law may not allow late music outside - I dont know why if you rent your own dj and system, that you couldnt rent out an inside restaurant until later than 10:30pm. Might be worth discussing with management...

Originally Posted by chan_porty 

 

Can anyone comment on the makeup done by the resort salon? I am definitely getting my hair done at the resort salon but I'm on the fence about the makeup...help

Me and all my girls had our make up done. my comments are in my review.

Originally Posted by MsSmithtobe 

 

Hey guys, Marcia Roberts posted some of my pics on her website!

www.jamaicanphotography.com

 

Weddings

Shari and Ryan Smith

You look beautiful Shari!!

CONGRATS MRS SMITH!!! You looked sooo gorgeous!!

That totally sucks that you couldnt have a private reception. Sounds like everything worked out ok though. So stupid and annoying that rule. And you had 2 extra guests (from Jamaica) show up? I know another bride who got married at the beach resort and had OVER 20 people show up (from jamaica) She was FREAKING OUT. She already had over 100 ppl so it was crazy. Seems to be a cultural thing. LOL

Originally Posted by eholt 

I'm thinking that the decision may be based on the number of guests @ the resort.  I know May is almost completely sold out for rooms so it wouldn't likely be an option for me, even though I wasn't looking to do this.  This is the only reason I can figure that this would be an issue.

 

 

Yes, May is definetly busier than December (my wedding month) - but its still a day-to-day thing. Like my resort was completely booked for the dates of my wedding trip - some friends who wanted to take the same plane as us couldnt cause they were totally booked - up to the day of my wedding. Then it slowed down a bit on my wedding day (it was a friday)

Originally Posted by beetee33 

 

Hey ladies! I'm about to email Tameica but I thought I'd try here too. We want to do a cocktail party on the terrace. Does anyone know if there is anything to hang paper lanterns on at the terrace? The other questions I have are how many people can fit at a table (I think the dimensions are 8' x 2'6" x 2'5") and how long is the aisle runner? Any help you have is greatly appreciated!!

Hey Betee,

On the terrace there are really neat awning type things and patio furniture. You could totally hang lanterns on those... lemme see if I can dig up a pic.

Originally Posted by Lizk23 

 

 

I talked with Iberostar quite a bit about the private reception topic a few weeks back and I was told (as well as several other brides on here) that no matter what, if you pay for the vacant people or pay even more than they ask they will not let you rent out a restaurant private if you don't meet the minimum amount of people. Breeze - a girl that just had her wedding a little while ago - told the WC that she had more guests than she really did and they still let her rent it out private once she got there and they realized she didn't have that many people. But if you ask them ahead of time to rent out a restaurant private with not enough people they will say no - - - my suggestion, do what Breeze did and tell a little white lie

 

 

 

Yep, that is totally what I recommend. Although, that still may not mean you get the private reception. MY big plans were:

a) Invite random strangers (aka new friends!) to the wedding reception to make up the difference to get 40 ppl. The way I saw it is - if I had the wedding at home, all the 'plus ones' wouldve been strangers anyways. A few people that werent close friends wouldnt have mattered!

OR

If she said 'hell no'. I would have a Cocktail reception on the terrace (photo above) with hors doevres and drinks. That way it would be private to do our first dance and music and stuff after the dinner in the restaurant with all the other diners.

You just have to be flexible and ready for another option. I got lucky and she let me have mine private due to low occupancy that day.

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

 

 

 

Sure that works more pics of your chuppah please lol! Thanks!

 

Sorry for the delay - here are a few pics!

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

 

Breeze I like the way you decorated your chuppah. Would happen to have more pics of it at different angles? If so would you mind sharing them? We have 3 wedding colors and I want to incorporate them into the chuppah. (Oh and the diagram if you don't mind.) Thanks!

 

Tiffany

Did you like the way the chuppah was decorated at my actual wedding or the photo from my planning thread? Because the planning thread pic was one I found online, I dont have more pics of that. As for my actual wedding day - it was too windy to have the fabric as I planned, so they improvised. I didnt make any diagrams or anything but I have more photos of the chuppah from my day if you want.

Test

Oh, and I totally agree they should let smaller groups rent the restaurants. Especially if its not super packed at the resort, if were willing to pay - why not?!

Originally Posted by Jules23 

 

Is the food they serve during the wedding dinners at the restaurants the same as what they serve on a regular night? If so, then I think its ridiculous we have to pay $18 per extra person for a plate of food when its all inclusive and we can get it FREE any other night! 

I think this is how they get away with the $800 rental of the restaurant. I think most AI's charge atleast $2k for that.

Originally Posted by beetee33 

 

I was just looking at Digipix website. They've updated it since the last time I checked and the pictures look pretty good. AND they're pictures of Maura's wedding on there!!! Maura, what did you think about the pictures they took? I'm seriously considering using them.

I didnt think their photos were too bad, some of the lighting didnt look perfect in some. But when I was there I remember Tameica telling me that their rates went up and their starting package was like $3k?? So double check with your WC what their costs are.

Originally Posted by MsSmithtobe 

 

Bree, I saw you changed into a reception dress, at what point did you make the switch?

I changed into my dance dress after the ceremony and photos were taken. Then I changed back into my gown after my dance with my Dad. Earlier I brought my dance dress to one of my BM's rooms that was close to Uncle Tony's and changed in there.

Originally Posted by BridetwoBe 

 

Bree, who put on your eyelashes? They look so good!

Thanks! Between my sister and I we got them on - I wear them on pretty much every Halloween so it wasnt a big deal really.

Originally Posted by Princess J 

 

 

Gorgeous pics!!! I'm back now girls and my wedding at the Beach was amazing!!! I will post a review in the next week or so.

ps Sabrina I gave Tameica your gift, she seemed really happy

 

 

CONGRATS JENN!! Thanks so much for delivering the gifts for me.

Originally Posted by delgadot 

 

 

Yes I am still trying to figure out why you have to buy a day pass too....I am not sure if you have to buy a day pass if you want to be able to offer them food and drinks...? I just know that I hired the DJ Kevan Stewart and girls who have gotten married at Iberostar have said that they had to pay both fees for him...To me it's a bit ridiculous and unfortunately I already booked Kevan (before I knew this) and he is going to be with us for 6 hours so I think its only right to offer him a plate of food so I have no choice! I am doing a terrible job at staying within our budget 

 

 

I know, the vendor fee was a complete surprise for me - I was not impressed!!

Thanks so much everyone on the Photo love!

Originally Posted by beetee33 

Sabrina-  Your pictures are great!! I can tell you put a lot of work into the details and had a great time!! I love how it was raining during your TTD! Congrats again!

Thank you! LOL, It was pretty hot making out in the rain!! Luckily the 'jungle' setting really worked with the downpour.
 

Originally Posted by daisymable 

Wow! The pics are amazing! It looks like you had a wonderful wedding.  I do have a couple of questions for you.  It looks like you brought your own fabric for the huppah.  I also want to do this, how much did you bring? It also looks like they moved them inside afterwards for you?  How many people did you have at your wedding? It looks like you had a private reception.   Where did you go to take your trash the dress? Where did you get the robes for your bridesmaids? I loved them! Did you have your make up done by the hotel as well? It looks like your hair turned out great.

Congratulations, you have made me so excited!!!
 

 

Ok, tried to answer everything below:

It looks like you brought your own fabric for the huppah.  I also want to do this, how much did you bring?

Someone posted the huppa measurements in this thread, so I used those measurements to figure out how much to bring. Just do an advanced search in this thread for huppa measurement and you'll find them.

It also looks like they moved them inside afterwards for you? 

I think the fabric for the reception backdrop was a separate piece (My mom and sisters made them after I gave the measurements). But yes, they set it all up for me.

How many people did you have at your wedding? It looks like you had a private reception.  

I did have a private reception, and I only had 23 people. I kinda lied to the WC and told her we had 40 ppl coming. My plan was to just invite some 'new friends' aka others from the resort to make up the difference (we had five days there before our wedding day). Or if that didn't work, I was going to do just a cocktail reception on the balcony with appetizers. Luckily, the resort management allowed me to have it with just my guests because the resort wasn't super busy on that particular day. I did have to pay for 40 people though and I used a lot of persuasion to make it happen.

Where did you go to take your trash the dress?

We went to the green grotto caves in Runaway Bay. They're about 45 mins to an hour away. We didnt even get to shoot in half the really cool places there cuz the rain and mosquitoes kinda killed the mood. But I REALLY recommend it. Google it for images. Also, call them ahead of time and book a time slot and make a deal - there is an entrance fee but you can work something out with them.

Where did you get the robes for your bridesmaids? I loved them!

Thank you! I actually sewed them myself then took them to an embroidery place. You could easily buy robes and bring them to an embroiderer to have their names embroidered on them.

Did you have your make up done by the hotel as well? It looks like your hair turned out great.

Yep, hair and make up done at the spa - all my girls had both hair and make up done there.

Congratulations, you have made me so excited!!!

Thanks! Youre gonna have a blast!

 

Originally Posted by Lizk23 

 Hmm...I think we might actually do it at Unclue Tony's, I like that it's open air. But My FI and i talked and now we might do it on wednesay so it's easier for people to get off work for just that one week. A lot of our guest want to stay a week and if we did it thursday they'd probalbly end up staying the weekend and into next week.

Ya, for the small difference in price it makes sense to stay the full week. I hope you get the date you want!!

 

Originally Posted by Jules23 

hey breeze, what time did you and your bridal party start getting ready at the spa? Just wondering how much time we'll need! thanx. 

We actually started REALLY early because there was another wedding at the suites that day and they booked all the 11am-ish spots, I think we started at around 8 or 9am (whenever the spa opened). But I really liked going early, I didnt worry when I had them re-do my 'poof' 3 times and my appointment ran late cause I knew it was no rush. Plus I had time to make a few changes to my hair and make up in my room afterwards. We weren't sitting around waiting by any means... The walk down the aisle came fast enough!

Alright ladies! The Professional Photos are in and I made a lil slideshow with some of them for you

http://vimeo.com/breesvids/stephenandsabrinaweddingslideshow

password: oneloveoneheart

Pro Photos taken by Tara McMullen Photography.

http://vimeo.com/breesvids/stephenandsabrinaweddingslideshow

password - oneloveoneheart

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

 

Bree can you tell me where you got the sheer fabrics for the chuppah? Did the resort provide it or did you order it online? Please advise! Thanks! ~Tiff

Hi Tiff, The coloured fabric I brought with me. I bought it at a fabric store in Toronto. The white sheer fabric is the resorts.

Originally Posted by Marlena 

 

Breeze616,

 

Do you know what day  the Jamaican night was at the buffet ? I've had a few people ask me about that! They are really looking forward to the food.

 

There is a jamaican table at the buffet, its an option every night! Yum-o!

Originally Posted by Lizk23 

 

Thank you that all sounds great i'm glad they have so many options. Thank you for posting that info for me!

 

Also regarding doing it on a thrusday...I don't think we're going to have the reception on the beach but i want the ceremony on the beach so maybe we should do Friday instead...Does anyone happen to know when the sun sets/when a good time would be to have the ceremony on the beach in January?

 

 

 

If you dont do your reception at Uncle Tony's, I dont see why you cant have your ceremony on the beach on Thursday. The beach party doesnt start until later in the evening - I wanna say around 6 or 7pm.

Hey Liz! Just FYI- Thursday night is the weekly beach party at the Beach resort, if u have your reception beachside the music may interfere with your dj... Not positive on that but thought I'd let ya know. We did ours on a Friday and it was great, Saturday morn we did notice more people at the resort but Friday it was fine. Plus the club is way better on the weekends if you plan to go there after your reception. And you should totally book your date asap!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizk23 

 

I've officially decided Iberostar Rose Hall Beach it is! Now time to send in a request for the date we want! We're planning to get married January 2012. Airline tickets for that month don't come out until March so should I wait for the tickets to come out to pick a date or send in a request to the resort right away. The only reason i'm semi nervous about getting my request in right away is that it needs to be in the middle of the month. My sister is an accountant and can't get off work the 1-8 of any month and my soon to be father in law will be out of the county the last week of the month. And we were hoping to have the wedding on a thursday. I don't want to have a weekend wedding because i fear the resort will be so much busier, but i wanted to have it near the weekend so my guests can stay and party all weekend!

 

Hmm.. thats interesting... There is no 'bar' near Uncle Tony's for the waiters or guests to walk to get mixed drinks, so I don't know if this would work for any of the 'Beach' brides... in fact... You can only get mixed drinks at the actual bars, not in the restaurants at the Beach hotel. You can order beer or wine from the waiters, and you can bring your mixed drink with you from the bars into the restaurant, but you can't order like a rum and coke at the buffet.

I do remember one past 'Beach' bride who said they handed one of the waiters a large tip and asked if he could do 'drink runs' for everyone all night, and he did go 'somewhere' and get drinks for her guests all night.

Future Beach brides, I would head to Uncle Tony's before your wedding day, talk to the staff there and see if anyone is going to be working your wedding and ask them if they would do that for you. The staff (and everyone) in Jamaica are looking for ways to make some extra money so I bet they would totally be up for it. If not, you can always tell the WC later that you decided you 'will have the open bar afterall'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamLovesJA 

Hey T,

 

At the reception, wine and soft drinks are served. But to be honest I think they will serve any drink you order as we were having kir Royale, Shirley Temples, Rum and coke etc. My guest were just ordering what they usually drink and it was no problem at all. But I think the official status is wine and soft drinks

 

Cam x

 

Originally Posted by lmuze 

Hi Starrysim,

 

Do you know if you are having your wedding at Aunt Ruby Steakhouse, you can have your guests go inside and order whatever they want? We didn't pay extra but most waiters will bring anything your guests want or they just have to walk inside to where there is a bar and they can get anything they want from the bar. That's what we did.

 

Lulu
 

 

For future brides you can find averages here:

http://jamaica-guide.info/weather/temperature/

http://uk.weather.com/climate/sunRiseSunSet-Montego-Bay-JMXX0003?month=8

Happy Planning