weddingaway

Yep. They are available. Would you like all 5 of them? $20 plus shipping or if you live near Greensboro or Raleigh, we could arrange a meet.

I have a few post wedding items for sale. I am local to Greensboro and Raleigh, NC if you want to save on shipping.

Bamboo Table Runners - 12" x 48" - $20 for all 5 runners, plus shipping.

Starfish Glass Candle Holders/Dishes - 6.25" x 6.25" x 1" - $20 for all 6 dishes, plus shipping.

Turquoise Linen Napkins - 17" x 17" - $20 for all 36 napkins, plus shipping.

Pashminas - 3 ivory and 1 white - has subtle floral or geometric print - $20 for all 4 pashminas, plus shipping.

OOT Bags - 10.5" x 16" - 2 blue/green and 1 pink/green - $5 for all 3 bags, plus shipping.

Inkpads - $5 for all 12 colors, plus shipping.

Book - "Destination Wedding for Dummies" - $5, plus shipping.

FREE - 1 year's worth of Bride Magazines for first buyer to ask for them. *Please note that it will increase shipping costs.

OR $85 plus shipping for everything.

I have a beautiful, vintage style wedding dress that is perfect for a beach wedding.  It has a mild hi-low hem with a small train that can be taken up into a bustle when you are ready to start dancing.  Made from luxurious silk tricotine and chiffon, it has a lovely flow and has fun movement.  It is shown with a removable flower pinned on the sash.  The sizing has never been altered, so it can adjust to meet your needs with no problems. 

This dress is listed for over $500 but I am willing to sell for $200 plus shipping.  Will ship anywhere.  Again, it is an unaltered size 12.

Please contact me at [email protected]

I am pretty sure that I am going to book a "spa day" for my FI right before we leave for JA.  I love him and would never tell him this, but he could use a good facial and some trimming of the nose hairs.  And there are many guys out there that need to get rid of their unibrow, too.

Akamikey, you look so beautiful!  Congrats!  How did your makeup and hair hold up through the heat and humidity? 

PS - Thanks for including the prices.

I am in flux right now because I thought I was settled on my centerpieces but we need to trim the budget and I fell in love with these candle holders.  I am just not sure what else to add that would complement everything. 

FYI: My colors are Aqua with lime green and cream as accents, and I have bamboo table runners with aqua trim, and we are having one long table  Here are the pics:

  My original inspiration pic, but now we are trying to cut the flowers out to save money.  This is the same length table that we will be using.

Instead of flowers, I was thinking of lining up a bunch of these on the table, but I didn't know if I should add something else that is taller to "break up" the flow.

I also considered alternating with this color, but I didn't know it would look too messy or weird.

OR I could alternate with these and the small green candle holders.

Should I throw in vases or pillar candles to break up the flow?  HELP!  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Hi, Ladies!  I just wanted to share my findings for great OOT bag stuff.

  Cute, right?  Only $0.50 each and they come in yellow, blue, green, pink, purple and orange. But they are pretty thin and I had to rummage through all of them just to find 15 bags without tears, stitching mistakes, and bamboo sticks poking out or mangled.  Still it was worth it and only took me 7-10 minutes.

For $1, with lots of color options.

These bags are on the thin side but certainly strong enough to withstand a week-long vacation, and I would just buy a few extra in case of any accidents

We also got spf 30 chapstick at $0.50, wet wipes at $0.33, shower poof at $.50, small pack of tissues at $0.13, hand sanitizer at $0.33, and a flashlight at $0.64.  We also got pool toys, leis, glow toys, bubble wands, sunglasses, water floats and more for the kids, all at $1 each.

Just a ton of great stuff for cheap, but most are not name brand so if you care about that stuff then you should look elsewhere.  Also, look at different Dollar Tree's because they all stock different items.

I want a pretty simple wedding so I am starting with the Free Package and then just upgrading a few things (like flowers, of course!).  And I understand that even though it is "free" we still have to pay $350 for the officiant, marriage certificate, etc. 

However, I recently got an email from Dionne saying that we have to pay $10.50 per person for every person over the free package guest maximum which is only 10 people.  So we are being penalized for bringing the RIU Negril more business?!  All of my guests are staying at the RIU Negril, so how are they losing out?  They say the charge is for cake, champagne and ceremony set-up...this is where it gets a little shady.

Within the same document (which is riddled with misspellings and grammar errors BTW), they state prices for larger cakes ($80, $130 and $250) so if we don't want to upgrade we still get charged to have more cake?  Seems like they are trying to slip in these extra charges.

As for the champagne, most people in my group won't be having Champagne as some are children, some don't drink at all, and some just don't like it, and, again, within the same document they specify that additional champagne is $25 per bottle so even if I don't request additional Champagne, that they will charge me for it through the $10.50 fee.

Finally with the ceremony set-up, the free package clearly states that "Decoration Setup for Ceremony Location" is included, so why are they now trying to charge me for the set-up?  If it is for the chairs (which the very idea is laughable) then they need to factor out the number of people that will be standing as the wedding party.  But still, how does a free wedding package not include chairs for the ceremony?  It seems hard to believe but I can't think of any charge pertaining to guest count for the ceremony set-up.

This whole thing has me seriously considering breaking our group contract to take our wedding vacation somewhere else that isn't trying to sneak more money from us.

The poor quality of the document makes me wonder if this isn't sanctioned by the RIU home office in Mexico and if the RIU Negril is just trying to sneak extra money.

Sorry. With regards to the TA paragraph, I meant to say you can't get a low price guarantee if you book online

Great Thread! I wanted to contribute some things that I have learned so far. Even if your resort uses an exclusive vendor (like a florist) you can get quotes from other local vendors to try to negotiate them to a lower price just be prepared to show them the competitor's quote for the same/similar items. Buying linens vs renting is cheaper. We are buying our table runners and sashes, and packing them in checked baggage. Cvlinens.com has organza sashes for 60 cents USD. Use a travel agent that has a low price guarantee, and check prices every couple weeks. We have already saved our guests over 20% from the original resort prices. You can do that if everyone books online, but I told my guests the only way to access the group rate was through my TA so that's what everyone did. Find out where your cheapest grocery store is. In mexico, there are wal-marts and sam's clubs. Jamaica is a little harder but I have still found a couple good stores to visit. Get to know the wedding classifieds. There is the one here on BDW, the knot, wedding bee, once wed and recycled bride. But realize that they aren't always selling for cheaper than you can buy online so do your research. I have come across several listings that looked good until I googled the item and maybe the bride over payed and is selling at a discount but if it can't beat brand new online than I won't buy it. Heartsy.com it is a discount site for etsy and who doesn't love etsy! If you have a small group of 40 or less than consider having one long table for the reception. It will save on centerpieces and no need for table numbers or the display seating chart. If you are having a big group than I would consider the Palace Resorts in Mexico because they give you several free cocktail parties and other perks and upgrades. Finally, figure out where to cut and what you really want. I really wanted a private reception but it was going to cost $ 2000 at the resort and for only 30 guests, that is way too high, so we are found the free semi private reception and renting the disco for 2 hours afterwards for only $ 500. And I am adding a little more to the OOT bags with just a fraction of the savings, and having nicer centerpieces. A word of caution about shipping - it is not as cheap as you think it is. I got a quote for a box of linens and it would be over $ 400 from the southern region of the US. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE FRUGAL BRIDES. LET US KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT.

I know this may be uncomfortable at first, but you should have a sit-down with each of these people.  You have quite a while until your wedding, and I don't think that you should have to censor your comments (on FB or in-person) because the wedding is a major event in your life and you are allowed to talk about it!  I would tell these people that they may not realize it but their comments are hurtful, and if they don't have anything nice to say then they shouldn't say anything at all.  It may result in some of them backing out of the wedding (or at least threatening to) but they are adults and that is their choice, just like it is your choice to have a DW.  I am sure they have made decisions that you didn't agree with but you had the manners and good taste to hold your tongue.  I just feel like restricting your comments only rewards their bad behavior.

To be honest, I could talk about wedding stuff forever so I can't imagine trying not to simply because it bothers some people.

Good luck and Congrats!  Don't let them ruin your special day!

Great thread!  I did want to let everyone know that traditionally, it is the job of the best man and maid of honor to distribute the tips, so that the bride and groom don't get distracted from the day's events.  So we are planning to compile the envelopes a day or two beforehand, and then just give them to the best man and maid of honor to pass out.

I never really gave my FI the option.  I would just show him pics of whatever I was trying to decide on at the time and made him pick his favorite or tell me why he doesn't like any of them.  I would bring my laptop into the living room during his tv time, and go over 2 or 3 things but tried not to overwhelm him.  I always had the pictures ready to go when I asked him his opinions so it was easy for him to just look over and say, "That one!"

He hasn't seen me in it, and doesn't want to, but the dress has been hanging around the house for several months.  i am still waiting to get it altered and add a few things so it is the exact dress yet.

We are just under $10,000 including the honeymoon.  We are trying to keep things simple, but I wanted the private reception which is over 20% of the budget and he wanted an Oceanfront Junior Suite at the RIU.  Savings: bought wedding dress at tent sale, most OOT bags fillers come from Dollar Tree, girls' OOT bags were 2 for $1, buying decor from other brides and Photographer is a friend so we are paying her room and materials.  It is really scary to see the big number but half the budget is resorts and airfare.

Airfare 1100

RIU Negril 1200

Couples San Souci 2430

Transfer 180

Reception 2000

Flowers 500

Photographer 550

Linens, Décor 60

Dress 50

Alterations 150

Shoes 100

Jewelry 100

Hair/Makeup 200

Suit 250

Shoes 50

Fees 250

Tips 125

OOT Bags 350 

TOTAL $9645

We are not paying for dresses, BUT we are loaning/giving money to help pay for several friends and family to attend our DW, and I am not putting many restrictions on the BM dresses - they don't have to match, must be a shade of blue between baby blue and aqua, and must be mid-calf or shorter.  I knew that we weren't going to pay and I wanted them to pay for a dress that they really like and will wear again, and were comfortable in.  And they live hundreds of miles away so it is easier this way.

I am in a similar situation although we do need to upgrade some household items.  I looked into the honeyfund - it is a cash registry disguised as a honeymoon registry.  Just pick out excursions, massages and such so people think they are contributing to that but really you get a check in the mail or by Paypal, then make up a story of how much fun you had doing whatever.  I know that it is not honest but whats the difference between them paying for a scuba session vs a tv?  Sometimes what people don't know won't hurt them.

I paid for my dress, but that was bc me and FI had been talking about really getting married and there was a tent sale with super cheap wedding dresses that I stumbled upon.  Neither of our parents have a lot of money, though, so it is all on us but that was the plan from the start. 

I also wanted to note that with money comes a trade-off of decision-making power so then your mom or FMIL has a legitimate say in what you should wear.  By paying it yourself, you can make all of the decisions.

Hey, ladies!  I finally got a reply to my initial inquiry to Tai Flora - it took over 2 weeks!  The good news is that they supplied me with their bouquet catalog which I am passing on to you.  The pdf is too large to attach so it is available through this link.   I have included my quote to give a good idea of their prices.

I found the best TA online, Mitch from TripGuy.com, and he guarantees the lowest price which I have already tested once for the honeymoon and he came through!  And we have a group contract with all of the perks offered by the hotel, too.

Something that I have noticed, airfare is cheapest when prices are first released and you may luck out booking the week before the trip but you will probably lose that cushy non-stop flight as they book up early, so our 3 hour flight could take 8 hours including layovers.  No thank you!

We are actually right past the 6 month mark, and I have noticed a significant drop in hotel prices so I have contacted the TA again, and am waiting for his response.  It is around a 20% price drop.  I am so excited because it will help ease everyones' minds about money.

Bondgirl, your table is now my inspiration pic!  Thanks so much for the input.  I am getting so excited but I have to wait another 6 months!!

Initially, I was planning to do a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding which falls on the 2nd day of most guests' trip, but after some thinking, I realized that the day my guests are arriving they will probably not be able to score any reservations for dinner and will be "stuck" at the buffett.  So I am thinking we will do a rehearsal/welcome dinner the first night which introduces everyone (most of our families have never met) and that allows everyone to make their own plans for the next night.  Plus we only have 30 guests and as part of our group rate we are allowed one group dinner reservation (not counting reception) at one of the regular restaurants.

Hey, ladies!  I have been exchanging e-mails with the wedding coordinator at the RIU Negril, and it turns out that for smaller groups like ours (30 ppl) they usually do one long table or a u-shape or a t-shape.  FI and I have discussed it and it seems that it is harder to be social for the u- and t-shaped tables, so we want to go with one big table. 

My question is how should we present the seating chart since people won't have table numbers?  I was thinking of just placing their names at their seats or will that just end up in people wondering around or switching their seats?

We have a 3 hour gap so we are having a cocktail hour with appetizers and a band immediately following the ceremony since there is a natural tendency for guests to linger, then just letting everyone do as they please until dinner.   Plus, our group has kids and older folks that might appreciate the break especially into some cool A/C. 

If there was more time, I looked into doing a tour - it was priced at $12/person for Negril, Jamaica.  But you could always schedule optional activities (ping pong tournament, poker, crafts)- and people might like to see your photo session as long as it isn't too racy.

We are in the same boat - didn't want to have a registry since everyone is shelling out so much to be there, but we have had had a lot of gift inquiries so we decided to do 2 versions - 1 is a traditional registry and the other is something I thought of...a DIY registry where I give guests some wedding projects and the responsibility of transporting them to JA. 

I am asking them to keep it under wraps so the other guests are still surprised, but we'll see how it ends up.  Also, we are planning to have frames that say  "Many Thanks to  ______ for This Amazing Contribution" or "Lovingly Created by ______".  It will take a huge load off my shoulders plus I love the idea of family and friends putting their energy into creating our wedding.