futuremrswalls

Bring receipts for anything that you are bringing their with you.  If customs stops you they can put any price on the items and tax you based on that.  We had no problems, but have heard others in the past have.

The answer is no.  They have to stay at the resort and they can escort them off the premesis.  As our payment to our photographers we paid for a few nights at the resort (and their airfare).  Would it be plausible for you guys to do this for them?

I think that they are both beautiful, but ultimately it depends on what lood you are going for.  The first is so classic with just a touch of modern day.  This is personally what I tend to like more since I didn't want to look back at my pictures 30 years later and think, wow I can't believe I wore that.  The second is very hip and what is currently in style.  If this tends to be your personality and you change your wardrobe with what's "in" I say go for it!

Lua:  That sucks!  Canadian officials need to get on the ball!  That's just unfair.

acireta: You should only have to pay a renewal fee then.  Still will save you a couple bucks off the brand new fee, just do it before yours expires or you have to pay the whole fee. 

Yup.  I wrote that at least for the most part in there. 

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to give you a headsup on the passports.  Once you  get your legal documents from your DW and change your name, make sure you immediately go through the process of getting your new passports!  It is free (minus the new picture you need to take).  If you wait, you must purchase a whole new passport at full price.  FYI- This must be done within a year of the issue of your passport.  Here is the link to get the forms you need.  http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html 

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to give you a headsup on the passports.  Once you change you get your legal documents from your DW and change your name, make sure you immediately go through the process of getting your new passports!  It is free (minus the new picture you need to take).  If you wait, you must purchase a whole new passport at full price.  FYI- This must be done within a year of the issue of your passport.  Here is the link to get the forms you need.  http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html 

Do not fear!!!  SGOR is incredible!  Right now they are going through a lot of renovations so some restaurants etc are shut down but there is still plenty to do.  We were married there December 1st 2010 and don't regret if for a second.  Yes the beach is small, but the grounds more than make up for it.  They also just finished their beach club which is awesome.  Unfortunately it opened the day before we left so we didn't really get to use it a lot but some of our guests did and they loved it.  The people there are also amazing.  We also really liked how close it was to all of the touristy stuff. 

I agree, you absolutely have to go to Dunn's River.  It was an absolute blast.  We however had our butler call a taxi (it was one of his friends) and he stayed with us all day.  He gave us really good tips and even bought some local snacks to share with us to show us what Jamaica really is.  This was probably one of our favorite parts about the trip!

The only thing we didn't really care for was the food.  It was definitely far from fine dining but after talking to other couples staying at different resorts during one of the tours, it sounds like theirs may have been even worse. 

Long story short, a vacation is what you make of it.  Have a great time!

You absolutely must go to Scotchies.  There is one in M.B, O.R, and Kingston.  I've heard that they were going to put one in Negril but not sure if they have yet.  Their jerk was incredible!!!!!  Be careful with the sauce they put on the side though.  It will light you up!!!!  Several of the locals told us that it is the best jerk they've ever had and that other restaurants have been trying to copy it and just can't.  It is also pretty inexpensive.  We only spent 14 dollars for the two of us.  I also heard that it gets very busy on cruise ship days, so find out when those are and try to avoid it.  I think if you go to Dunn's River website it will also show you those days. 

Some of the larger resorts offer this as an option.  I don't know if you're staying at a large resort, but I'd check with them first.  Renting things on your own outside of the resort can be scary (including taxis) as anyone can claim to rent these things and not do maintenance or carry insurance.   If something were to happen, everything falls on you.  We were warned not to do anything without the resort setting it up and it worked out well for us.  This doesn't mean you have to do the resort offered excursions, but if you want to take a cab out to explore etc, have the resort call the cab.  We had ours do this, and he stayed with us all afternoon.  It was an absolute blast!!!!

We also had a butler but at another resort.  We loved it and decided to splurge since it was our honeymoon.  Our butlers were incredible and came to the wedding and are now even our friends on facebook!  The thing they helped us with the most was dinner reservations.  Don't forget that this is the one area where tipping is allowed (and even expected).  The average is 20 dollars per butler per day.  You will have 2 butlers, so plan on an extra 40 dollars per day.  You can add this to your card at the end of your stay or leave them cash. 

The Reef Terrace site is the most popular site (this is where we were married) and you will see why when you get there.  Surrounded by the beautiful gardens and the ocean as a backdrop, you can't ask for much more!

We pretty much did the same thing except the 30 minute reception afterwards.  The timing worked out fine.  We got married on a Wednesday and after dinner, had drinks and went to the chocolate buffet.  The hors d'ourves I can tell you pretty much were not touched (we only had the cold ones which are the same ones you get with the one hour plus some hot ones) because they were so bad.  I've heard these can vary though at different resorts and during different seasons.  I'll be honest with you though, in all, we didn't care for most of the food in the resort.  We come from a city that has a lot of really good restaurants and is featured on food shows all the time so we are a little spoiled.  The weather more than made up for it though

Congrats ladies!  You will all love your destination wedding in Jamaica!  It is a gorgeous country with an amazing people! 

We actually met most of our guests at check-in since they almost all came in on the same flights.  They really appreciated that and it was a way to really let them know the plans and things we had found around the resort etc.  The desk can tell you about what time the guest will arrive as they are updated when the flights land. 

I know a lot of bride/grooms that make their own list now, even for traditional weddings.  I have been to some weddings with just awful music and I prefer it when the brides/grooms make it what they like.  I know it takes some time but it is well worth actually likeing what you are listening to on that day.  There are some really great sites on the internet you can find by googling to help you too.  We made our own list and cd's for the occasion and everyone loved it.  We also made copies and put it in the welcome kits for everyone.  They are still telling me that they listen to them all of the time!

Hi!  I know I was talking to you on another link about this, but I just wanted to interject and let you know that my photographer also travels with her husband who is a photographer also.  They have done movies and everything and really are not badly priced (depending on the season of course and other weddings booked).  She's at least worth contacting.  I really only paid a couple more hundred for them to fly in and stay and we got over 600 pics plus the video for that price!  FYI, the pricings at the resort are more expensive if you only book two nights, so price it for three and see if it is cheaper.  It was close to 500 dollars cheaper when I did it.  And now that they have been to the resort the pics will be even better!  Just let her know Kim sent you.

www.jojophotoandfilm.com

Yes.  And of course they do!  They don't make as much money!  But it was my big day, and I wanted decent pictures.  I really don't care for the photographers at the resort.  They had these super nice cameras and didn't even know what to do with them. 

I had the resort send us the photographers portfolio, something I'm now finding out they really don't like to do.  The pictures all looked the same and were of the quality of a non-professional.  They also charged an outrageous fee for just a few pictures.  I couldn't make sense of that.  We only payed a couple hundred more for 600 photos and a video as opposed to 36 photos and a badly made video.  Personal preference.  She is phenomenal.  You can contact her if interested.  Just tell her Kim Walls sent you.  

Oops, forgot the link

http://www.jojophotographyandfilm.smugmug.com/ 

We were married there December 1st.  It was an incredible resort and will be even better when you get there since a lot of the construction will be done.  Here's the links to our pics.  Click on Nick and Kim, Password is Bonn

We brought our own sand and containers.  I had seen the pictures of the ones they provide and didn't care for them.  The only downside is weight.  They were very heavy so had to reorganize or suitcases at airport or pay an extra charge.  It was fine in the end though and I like it much better than what the resort offered. 

We did but we brought it ourselves.  They still charged us fifty dollars to set that up. 

Also, I forgot to mention, if you go to a Sandals that has a Beaches close by, most of them will let the family with the children in free for the wedding.  You may want to look into that too.