IslandBride201x

That is awesome!!! We hit double digits April 14th... I can't wait!!! How are things going? I'm still feeling pretty calm so far. Not sure how long that will last though.

Just to add to the already many reasons listed, I am so glad that I went through a TA... I got an email late last Friday night that Caribbean Air changed their whole flight schedule from Philly to Jamaica. All of my guests and myself were left with invalid flights. Needless to say it was a bit stressful. My agent spent all day Monday calling and touching base with all of my guests and got all of them re-booked. I did reach out to one couple that I knew did not book through my TA and she had no idea about the flight changes. She got herself all straightened out, but I was so glad that I did not have to reach out to everyone and make sure they were all taken care of. My TA did it all for me!!!

Congrats and welcome! It is going to be here before we know it.

Good luck on your invites! Post some pictures when you are finished. I sent mine out early (in the middle of Jan.), so it has been nice just collecting RSVPs as they roll in. My dress just came in, so I am going to try it on Sunday. Then I need to start getting shoes, etc. so that I can start alterations too. They told me they start doing them about a month before, but I figure by June 1st I want to start that. How long before did they tell you they needed to start? I have been collecting some things along the way for projects I want to do and welcome bags. My latest thought is I got wooden numbers that I am going to paint metallic black as my table numbers. Got the paint for the sandboxes I am using for my placecards as well. I need the weather to get and stay warmer so that I can start working on some of these painting projects. I also ordered 31 bags that I had embroidered for my bridesmaids and flower girls. Next I need to get on the jewelry. My FI's sister makes jewelry and I have some styles picked out, so I need to get quotes from her and finalize that. I did order a little blue pearl to hang from my bracelet (for my something blue) with our initials and wedding date. I can't wait to get that from the etsy seller. I am almost as addicted to etsy as I am to BDW.com... LOL!

My understanding is that it is per person, at least at the Suites. I have a photographer and his assistant coming, and I was told that I have to pay the vendor fee for both of them. That is part of the reason I am trying to limit how many outside vendors I use. Maybe try to see if the resort can book the band for you. If you book a steel drum band through the resort, then you don't pay that fee. Not sure they would be able to book them for you, but it might be worth it to ask to try to save a fee for all of the members.

I have to agree, time is really flying! I am hoping to can stay on top of things and not have the stressful push at the end. What is everyone working on? Any new great ideas or finds anyone has seen?

I'm with you Tiff... 2012 is finally here! Seems like it took forever, but time is going to fly. WE ARE ALL GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR!!! Congratulations Alicia and welcome!!! @atalanta - How is dress shopping going? I hope you have found something you love. Invites were a huge success! They are going out next week. I can't wait until our guests start getting them.

Congrats on your 7 months! I have to wait another couple of weeks to hit my 7. I did put up my 2012 calendar at work and marked my 100 day mark to the wedding.. woohoo!!! Time is really starting to fly. I wouldn't be upset though if it went even faster. I'm ready to be laying on the beach relaxing. Planning is going well here. My dress is ordered, as well as my bridesmaids and both moms. Dress shopping for everyone ended up being a lot more fun than I thought it would. I am not a shopper, so I had visions of a disaster. It worked out and everyone is happy with their dresses. Now, I'm working on my invites to get them out after the new year. I'm giving people plenty of time and encouraging people to book who haven't. My RSVP date is May 1st, so I figure this is plenty of time to figure out my numbers and do the final pieces. How is your planning going?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I hope you had a fabulous day. Can't wait to see pictures and hear your review of everything.

Thanks Kimberli! Yes, I had heard it was just a kids water park, so that makes complete since it is with the kids club. That will be fabulous. Hopefully it is finished by July when we get there. The kids will love it.

I have a question for Kimberli or any other recent brides. I have read that they are building a water park at the resort and it is under construction now. Just wondering where it is going and when it is expected to be finished. Any insight would be fabulous! I know I can ask Nicole, but figured I would start here and see if anyone knew. Thanks!

Congratulations and good luck!!! Enjoy the time with your friends, family and new husband. Look forward to your review when you get back.

Congratulations!!! So glad to hear that everything comes together. Can't wait to read your review.

Gorgeous pictures!!! It looks like you had an incredible day. Congratulations!

Beautiful job!!! Everything will come together perfectly. Enjoy every minute and congratulations!!!

They are beautiful!!!

Can you believe that we are all around the 9 month mark... where is the time going? I knew that time would start to fly, but I didn't think I would get that feeling until next year, closer to July. I got to make a big check mark on my list last weekend... I ordered my dress. So excited to have that done and I love it! How are everyone's plans going?

Congratulations!!!! Enjoy your honeymoon and can't wait to see pictures.

Congratulations and welcome!!! There is so much great information on these boards. Here are some more answers to your questions from a future bride on how we are handling timing. I got engaged Jan. 21, 2011 and we are getting marries July 22, 2012. We had always promised people at least a years notice so they could save for a destination wedding, so we have spaced everything out pretty far. 1. I sent out save the dates around May 10, 2011. Word had pretty much already gotten around to everyone, so we figured we'd get these out as soon as we could. 2. We are planning on sending out our invites Jan. 3, 2012, and our RSVP will be due May 1, 2012. That is the final payment date, so I figure people will know by that time if they need to make final payment. Some could book last minute and some could cancel, but we'll have a close number by that point. 3. I am using a travel agent through AAA. They actually put the deposit down on my block for us, so that was nice. I blocked 12 rooms to start and they added 5 more when we filled it. I have had some troubles with my agent though, so the TA has been one of the most stressful parts for me. I just didn't get a good one, but am dealing with it and making sure we are all taken care of. 4. Yes, I included TA information in our STDs, and to date 30 people have booked. No business card. I just included her info on one of the pages on our boarding passes. 5. My goal is the May 1st date to know how many people are coming, obviously with the exception of last minute additions and cancellations. Hopefully those will be minimal. I have had 80 people express interest in coming, but I am not counting on that many. I built my budget looking at expenses if 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 people come to the wedding so that I can tell where I need to cut if the highest number come, thank goodness for excel. I am figuring we'll be around 60, but I really won't know until they all book. Hope this helps.

Congratulations!!! Have a fabulous time and enjoy every minute! Can't wait to see your pictures/review and all of your details.

Congratulations!!! You both look wonderful and so happy!!!

I am having issues with my TA. Would you mind passing on the name and info for yours? I am outside of Philly, so would consider checking them out if things go south with my TA. Thanks!

Congratulations and Welcome! I'm a July Suites bride. Picking the resort and destination was absolutely the hardest part of this whole process for us. Once that was done, the stress for the wedding is as much or as little as we want to make it. I need to keep my DIY projects in check... You are definitely not behind. Yes, some of us have sent our save the dates for our wedding next summer, but no reason to worry. You have plenty of time. Oh, there is a dedicated Iberostar thread so definitely check that out. A vast amount of information for all 3 properties in Jamaica.

Do we know if the Beach resort has their own 'beach party', or is it just one big 'beach party' for all 3 properties? Maybe that is where the confusion is. The Suites 'beach party' is currently happening Thursday nights. Maybe the Beach resort's 'beach party' is another night. Just a thought as to why you where told something different. Not surprised there are inconsistent answers, but not sure what the right answer is...

Congratulations!!! Enjoy every minute.