pintsize1

i totally agree. it was a tough decision.  the bulk of our budget went to photography. but i figured we'll be looking at those pictures for a long time. plus a lot of my friends who got married in the new york area paid twice as much.  that's my reasoning. =) 

i didn't negotiate either. 
 

Originally Posted by RyGuysBride 

Pintsize1,

 

It's so much money but I'm really thinking 3 hours isn't enough with the basic package... Decisions Decisions!

Bride0807,

Thanks for sharing your experience with Misha!!! I will be using her in Aug.  That is great to hear that she came well prepared!!! I'm so excited!!!!!

Originally Posted by beachbum21 

Photographers booked already? Oh man... I need to get on with the rest of the planning! Do you book the photographer yourself or did Nicole/Tiffany?

 

Thanks!

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

i've heard good things about Misha Earle...but, i've been SHOCKED at some of these photographer's pricing..especially in Jamaica...i know its all about what you want..but good grief...sometimes, it just feels like a rip off...who knows!  maybe i'm being too frugal... 

Originally Posted by bride0807 

I used Misha for my wedding and also for my "trash the dress" pics the next day.  Misha was awesome to work with.  Not sure what the other photographers include in their quote but Misha brought side shooter and a "flash" guy for the wedding ceremony.  The "flash" guy followed us around to make sure that she had enough light for the pics.   The side shooter took pics of the groom and his groomsmen while she did me and my bridesmaids.  The side shooter also took pics of the cocktail party while Misha spent two hours taking pics of me and my husband.  For the trash the dress, she brought her side shooter with her again, but did not bring the "flash" guy.   Misha also covered the cost of the vendor fee and the day passes for each member of her group (this is included in her package).

 

 

RyGuysBride,

I went with the Gold Package which is $3,500. It includes up to 10 hrs which will be split into two days. I will be using her services on the day of the ceremony at an offsite venue and than reception at the Iberostar Suites and the second day will be during our honeymoon for casual pictures in Negril (Misha is from there).  

Hi!

I went with the Gold Package which is $3,500. It includes up to 10 hrs which will be split into two days. I will be using her services on the day of the ceremony at an offsite venue and than reception at the Iberostar Suites and the second day will be during our honeymoon for casual pictures in Negril (Misha is from there).  

Originally Posted by RyGuysBride 

Hi pintsize,

 

I'm looking at booking Misha Earle for my January wedding. What package did you choose? I"m on a budget and considering the first one but worried that 3 hours of coverage won't be enough!
 

 

Seems like you can't go onto the Suites if you stay at the Beach from what everyone says. Unless you pay for a day pass. Not sure how strict they are with guests just walking through or hanging in the rooms or using the pool area. Do they really look at your wristbands that closely? CAN any past brides CHIME in on this? 

Just in case you were wondering to get an idea...my travel agent was able to get room rates for about $155/person/night for Aug 2011. Getting 2 or 3 or 4 people in one room doesn't make a difference in pricing.  
 

Originally Posted by beachbum21 

Hi ladies! If you and your party stay at the beach property, can you go to the suites and use their facilities (restaurants, pools, beach, etc...)?? I'm starting to get some quotes back for the suites and the prices seem really high so we may need to move it to the beach. 

Thank you for posting

thank you for posting. 

Thought I share....

Since I read from some reviews that the Suites Spa didn't do such a fabulous job with their mani/pedi (plus it was kinda pricey) I thought I would just do it at home since they have this new gel coating to make nails last at least two weeks.  Never tried it but thought I would give it a try since all these sites like Lifebooker and Dealist are offering deals.  

http://www.minxnails.com/

Has anyone tried it???

 Thank you! I will be using Tropical Weddings Jamaica for an offsite ceremony.  Just wondering the packaging costs.  

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

pintsize, i do believe there are some brides who chose to hold their ceremony at the aquaduct and the reception at IBRHS...keep checking the forums but i do remember seeing pics and reviews from other brides...good luck and happy planning!  R~

I reserved with the Suites and I did NOT receive a formal contract like the Beach. Hmmm....good ques.? Should I be concerned? If you sign that Starry are you really locked into Tai?  
 

Originally Posted by starrysim 

LOL I didn't even notice when I reached 150, and at first I thought I'd never get there!  Time flies when you're planning a wedding.

 

Did anyone else sign an actual contract when reserving the date?  I didn't sign one when I booked the Suites in December, but when I re-booked for the Beach this week, they sent me a 6-page contract to sign.  Among other things, here are a few tidbits I found interesting. I'm not really worried, but I thought I'd share anyway.

 

____________________

 

Flowers: The hotel will provide a small bouquet for the bride, with the choice of tropical (local) flowers or roses (white or red). A boutonnière (buttonhole) for the groom and a matching centerpiece for the table where they will sign the license or certificate. Any extra type of flower or size bouquet will have an extra cost. The hotel reserves the right to choose the flower shop for the wedding package and extra flowers and change it without previous notice. ______________________

FLOWER SHOP: the hotel works with an outside flower shop called “Tai Floraâ€. All flowers services should be hired thru this flower shop. The hotel will not allow any other flower vendor to be use on property. ______________________

The hotel will determine the restaurant for the private reception according to the capacity & availability of each. ______________________

 

 

 

Congrats Jules!!!!! Love, love your pictures!!!! Love that your groom and all the men were wearing barongs!!!! So cute!!!!

Silly ques. but was wondering how you got the fire going on the beach.  I would love to have a bonfire one night.  I read somewhere that it costs $$$$. 

Thank you for sharing your pictures. 
 

Originally Posted by Jules23 

Hey guys, just letting you know our pictures are up on Marcia Roberts website. www.jamaicanphotography.com under "Destination wedding" and then "iberostar - rob & julie" incase you are interested in viewing!!! 

 

Let me know if any questions.  She was amazing to work with!

i'm going with Misha Earle for my August wedding.  Communication thus far has been wonderful.  I am attaching the prices for the packages. If it doesn't show up please message me directly. =)
 

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

can anyone provide details on misha earle's pricing?  i'm a Fall 2011 iberostar bride and i see that she's done a number of weddings there.  details are most appreciated!  thx!!!

Can someone confirm that if we use an outside florist (e.g. Jan's Flowers) we have to pay $100 for the vendor fee.  Nicole replied to my email saying it's a $100 but I'm not sure if that's for people dropping stuff off too.  I believe I read somewhere that as long as it's a drop off they don't have to pay but for those staying like DJ's or make-up artists they do. Is that the vendor fee and the day pass dispute? That sucks if that's the case.  Thank you!!!!! 

Originally Posted by ellenj01 

 

Does anyone know anywhere to buy fake starfish?

http://www.shorechic.com/starfish.html

I haven't purchased anything from here yet but I think I will. 

This is a great idea.  Thanks for taking the initiative Shana!!! I don't know if you guys have done this already but I've gotten a pretty good idea of the layout of the Iberostar from local photographer's sites like Sungold...Misha Earle.. Saab....the only thing is you need to search through each couples slideshow but well worth it!!!!

Here's some beautiful weddings I found on the web:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv3Xd87htDk

http://www.mishaearlephotography.com/blog2/

http://www.saabweddingphotographers.com/index2.php

Additional Stuff:

2nd attempt to paste picture. it worked! 

badgley mischka forrester white from www.6pm.com for $99.00

Originally Posted by Tropical Love 

 

My travel agent told me she couldn't find a deal! Dang it

Hi Tropical Love!

Are you referring to the travel accommodations? If so, I can have you talk to the person I am using and maybe she can get you something better.  No harm in comparing. A lot of my guests will be flying out of NY/NJ this Aug. for 3-4 nights and paying around $1050. 

Room Rates dropped from $200 to $150/person/night at the Iberostar Suites this summer from my travel agent.  Message me if you want her contact info. She has been fabulous with getting us the best rates. 

Jonesr1979,

 

Congrats on your wedding and thanks for posting your review. Can you please let me know if you had to pay to put a dance floor in Calabash? I saw Nicole's response to PintSize that it was an additional $400 and up!

 

Can anyone else comment on this as well?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

1. We would like a Welcome dinner on Sat. Aug. 20th. Can this be at any a la carte restaurant?  From my understanding we can book this upon my arrival Wed., Aug. 17th. Is that right? Will this be free of cost?  We can reserved the restaurant for groups of 25 or more we offer 6:30 or 8:30pm seating the only way we will charge is unless you want the restaurant in private.

2 . For other nights for dinner, how do we book a la carte restaurants as a large group? Does each guest have to do it or can bride do it? Please send the request and we will see how best we can accommodate them at the restaurants

3. We are interested in a cocktail party after the wedding ceremony on Sun., Aug. 21st with only food. If we went with Menu A is it $8.00/person/hr What are the locations? Will all locations be near an open bar? Please view the wedding details with the cocktails locations.

4. What are the shape of the tables at the Gourmet Restaurant and Mediterranean Restaurant? How many does each fit? They are square tables we can joined them together and it can seat up 10 people, if its private we can use round tables that seats up to 10 people.

5. We would like a DJ and dance floor in The Gourmet or Mediterranean restaurant.  Is that possible for either? Please find extra service charge for the DJ, Dance floor ranges from $400 up.

6. For flower decorations for the restaurant, can I contact the Tai Flora directly to get prices? Yes you can contact Jodi for that.

7. If we just want a cake and champagne for 40 people what is the cost? I will find the cost and let you know

8. Will it be possible to have guest rooms in same area of hotel?   Once you send the guest list early we will try our best to accommodate the requests.

Originally Posted by Tina5978 

Thanks ladies, I feel a huge sense of obligation to make the experience a grand one for all of the people that are spending all this money to be a part of my beautiful day.  I'm not complaining just wondering if others felt the same.  

Day 1- I'm having the welcome dinner by the pool w/appetizers, open bar and steel drum band.

Day 2- We are paying for all of our guest to do a catamaran cruise which includes drinks and snorkeling

Day 3- Rehearsal dinner

Wedding Day- DJ, dove release, cocktail hour w/appetizers and open bar, dinner, beach party with fire dancers, dance floor on the beach and lounge furniture (my grandma's need to sit lol)

 

Plus I'm doing the OOT bags, passport welcome books and program books by Rebecca.  Parasols, sashes, fans, runners and flowers.

 

To me all of this is the norm I suppose I just didn't expect the price to continue to add up lol....so naive!   Just so happy I had all of the BDW ladies to help me with this experience.  I would be so lost without all of you and your amazing ideas!

Hi Tina!!!

You really make a very good point about guests spending so much to go.  I have also been struggling with this.  But I was wondering who Rebecca is when you were referring to the the OOT bags. Also, are you having a sit down welcome dinner by the pool or do you mean appetizers by the pool and dinner in an a la carte? I emailed Nicole but haven't heard from her yet.  It's been only a week. =)      

Originally Posted by Prettysparklie 

 

Everyone's pictures look great. I got an email back from Nicole last night and thoght I would share in the hope that it could help someone.

 

GROUP DINNER

I would like to have a group dinner for everyone on Wednesday night at 7pm. Can we make a group reservation at the Hibachi restaurant? Do you recommend any other restaurant for that dinner? I will send the request to the Iberostar Beach since it’s on their property but you can choose the Mediterranean, Mexican and Gourmet Restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. Please let us know the amount of guests. Please find enclosed group menu.

 

WELCOME BAGS

We have welcome bags for the group

Can they be distributed at check-in? It can but sometimes the front desk get busy so might not remember to give to some guests upon arrival.

Or can they be delivered to each room (one of my bridesmaids will walk with the bellhop to distribute them).

Can you provide a list of each person's room number? Yes we can provide you with a rooming list

 

WEDDING ON THE BEACH

Will microphones be provided so our guests can hear us? Yes microphones and speakers will be provided

If no, what is the price for that?

We have chosen the music we want to be played at the wedding.

Do we need to have a DJ play the pre-selected music for us? If you have music for the ceremony, with the wedding package a DJ comes with the ceremony. For the reception the cost is $150 per hour.

Can we have someone from the hotel play the music for us? Yes

Should we bring a CD of the music or can it be played from an IPOD? CDs or ipod which ever works

 

Cocktail Hour

Can you please confirm that we receive a FREE cocktail/welcome reception? We do not offer free cocktail. Please find enclosed extra services charged.

If YES, I would like to have the cocktail reception in the Lobby Bar following the wedding (location to be confirmed upon our meeting prior to the wedding)

How would music work in this location? We have pre-selected our music for this well and will need it to be played from an IPOD (prefer the IPOD) or CD.

Reception

As stated above, we would like to hold the private reception at Aunt Ruby's and will gladly rent it out. We are bringing lots of decorations with us including paper lanterns.

Is wine/beer the only option for alcoholic drinks without paying for open bar?

Can your team hang the lanterns (power not required) for us or will TaiFlora have to do that? We could hang the lanterns

I will need all of my decorations back after the wedding (we are using them again for our reception at home), how can I make sure this happens? Can someone pick everything up the next morning from you? Yes we will collect the decorations and send them to your room.

Do you have a shallow box I can place sand in for my starfish table cards? No I don’t have a shallow box.

We have pre-selected music for the reception as well. I am fine with renting a sound system for this.

Same question as before, can we use an IPOD? OK

Is someone there to MC or will someone from my group have to do it The DJ can introduce the bridal party, announce the dances and cutting of the cake. But for an MC its best if someone from the group can do it, like a good friend that can crack a few jokes now n then to entertain the group.

 

VENDORS

As previously discussed, I will have a make-up artist come to the resort and leave after she finishes (she will not stay for the wedding).You stated that I will not have to pay a vendor fee as she is not staying for the wedding. Yes, once she leaves after, no fee.

What is the charge for my outside photographer to attend? $100 per person, photographer decides to bring assistant I think you should discuss prices together but its $100 pp

If she brings 2 other people with her, how is that price determined?

What if only one person stays overnight as a guest instead, will I be charged for her? If the photographer stays on property we will not charge a fee because she is already stating on property.

What will I be charged for the other 2 people?

 

Happy Planning!

Thank you so much for posting this!!! Super helpful!!! I emailed Nicole a list of questions as well yesterday.  I will post as soon as she responds! I'm going to print your post out and put in my binder!!!!!

Originally Posted by Islandgirl910 

Did any of you past/recent brides plan any excursions for your bridal party and/or guests that was inexpensive? If so what did you do? My FI & are considering something, if it fits into our budget.

OMG. I just figured out what QUOTE means!!!  Islandgirl910-I just started looking into this too.  If you search "Jamaica Excursion" there's a thread that comes up (I subscribed to it) and it's super helpful!!!! 
 

I thought I would share this PM I had with PrincessJ with everyone in case you might have the same ques.  Since I am doing my ceremony off-site but will be having the cocktail and dinner 

reception at Iberostar Suites I was wondering about the flower decorations:

PrincessJ:

"For my reception I brought my own centrepieces and had the hotel set them up (bowls with artificial flowers and candles and sand). We brought our flowers back from the reception and set those up too"

Ques-I was wondering if you planned any excursions/day trips for your guests.  That's my next project.

PrincessJ:

"We planned a 1/2 day Catamaran with Dream Catamarans and it was perfect. We just booked our group when we got them and got 10% group dicsount, so I think it was $60 pp all in. It was 4 hours long and took us out on the beautiful boat with open bar and stopped once for snorkelling and then stopped at Jimmy Buffets to play on the water trampolines. I would recommend them for sure."