mrsrrobinson

KRRR - here is my honest opinion...I visited Endless Summer Villa in Montego Bay when I was there on my scouting trip this past March. I immediately ruled it out for a couple reasons: 1 - the photos look nice, but the upkeep wasn't up to my standards. the rooms looked a bit shabby as did the grounds 2 - because it's in a private neighborhood, it lends an exclusive vibe which is nice. however, you have no control over what the neighbors are doing. so for example when we were visiting, the villa across the street was having a party with loud music, lots of scandalously-dressed people, and tons and tons of vehicles parked on the narrow street (including a bus) -- which i'm sure you can imagine made it difficult to find parking but it was also sooooo loud and distracting. you can't control things like that, and i'm a very controlling person :x 3 - since i'm hoping for 75 people, it didn't look like the ceremony space had enough room. it was on the 2nd floor terrace overlooking the pool with a beautiful ocean backdrop. but it just was not enough space.

I booked my wedding about 6 months ago, and I think things have changed since then because they're now "A Rock Resort" and under new management. So I'm getting a few perks for booking 25 rooms -- 4 complimentary nights, roundtrip airport transfer, and champagne and rose petals for our wedding night. I think that's it. I'm hoping for 75 people as that's what I've been budgeting for, and I've been told by friends who have also done a destination wedding to expect a 50% drop off rate. We invited 140 guests. Do you really think you'll only get 30? I'm not sure what we will be getting actually.

Hey! Now that it's almost October, have you decided on a place?

Hi Leah! St. Lucia looks gorgeous - I've never been but I've been looking into it. Obv I love Jamaica too though. I have not worked with Danielle, but my wedding planner (Shanoya) has actually improved the timeliness of her responses over the past couple weeks which has been really good How many guests are you expecting/hoping for? The Royal Villas are great for all of the reasons you've listed. Yes, all the meals are included if you purchase your groceries. But I hear that the grocery store at Half Moon is not the cheapest place and you have to buy everything including spices - but I think it's worth it. The chefs are wonderful. I'm not sure if the Villa chef can prepare the food for your "welcome party" though....because the food will be for more than just the guests staying in that specific Villa. I think you would have to have the food catered through Half Moon...selecting various menu options from their Romance package. But I'm not positive, so I'm curious to know what Danielle responds with. Let us know! Good luck!

I finally bought my dress! It will come in during January, which still leaves a good amount of time for fittings, so I'm relieved. I absolutely love my dress, and had a really positive experience at Kleinfelds. Now I'm even more excited! Under the 6 month mark! Where is everyone with invitations? I sent out STDs in March 2011. My room block closes in January, so we decided to give a December RSVP deadline. So, we are sending invites out in November, which means we need to pick out the ones we want now! We have an appointment with Bloomingdales next week. They have a HUGE selection. at least the one in NYC does. I was going with weddingpaperdivas, but I like the experience of picking out and customizing my invitation in person vs online.

Ah just saw this! My wedding date is March 10. I'm not sure if my farewell brunch will work out too well, because all of the flights back to NYC are at like 10am and most of my guests are from NY. I just sent Shanoya an updated wish-list/photos of flowers that I want to use, and she came back with an updated estimate. It looks like my flower budget might go up by $5,000 because I want to use cymbidium orchids, denrobium orchids, and roses. We shall see if the fiance approves that one! Have you decided on flowers?

Gorgeous photos! I nearly went with Sungold, but they are in Texas during the month of March every year! I also nearly booked Rock House, so we must have some similar tastes

I'm using the Royal Pavillion for my reception and the gazebo for the ceremony. Have you visited? We went on a scouting trip this past March. Oleander is beautiful for a beach wedding! I loved both locations. With regards to the communication....Very frustrating for the type-A person I am. But I also recognize the 'no-problem' mentality (i have family in JA) but at the end of the day, this place is not cheap....so we need some top notch service lol. I'm sure things will be more timely as our month approaches. Have you decided on welcome receptions, etc? We are using Sugar Mill Restaurant for a Thursday welcome reception and then using the Friday Beach Barbeque as our 'rehearsal' dinner. I hope you don't mind these questions! I am just excited to finally meet another Half Moon bride Let me know if you'd rather exchange emails and I will PM you!

Thanks, but I'm not looking for someone with a record deal lol! Just a 5-piece band w/ female vocalist preferably. I'm also in touch with my wedding planner who's given me some suggestions, but thought I'd hear from some brides with 1st hand experience. Also, aware of the cost associated already....Anyone else? Thanks in advance!

Hi Ladies- We decided to have a live reggae band play at our reception. Please share your experiences! We're also considering a steel band for the ceremony. But since we might use them for the welcome dinner, we're open to other options like a guitarist or something...

I've fallen off a bit. Haven't been to the gym in a week, and just had a slice of pizza and 2 glasses of wine for dinner!! Need to get back on track - almost 6 months away and half-way there! (Lost 35lbs, and want to lose a total of 70!)

how has your experience been? sometimes i find it difficult to get a timely response via email... im expecting 75 people.... which venue are you using?

Ooh finally!! Another Half Moon Bride!!! I'm getting married in March 2012 also. Who is your planner? Mine is Shanoya...

I'm buying my dress next week. I'm SO excited to go back and try on dresses. Especially since I've lost 35lbs. And because I just love trying on wedding gowns!

wow! you will be twiddling your thumbs in a few months while the rest of us will be pulling out our hair, losing sleep/weight etc! LOL

Has anyone used wedding paper divas for invitations? I used them for my STD magnet (link below, mine were in a custom lavender color) and had plans to get the matching suite of invitations, thank yous, menu cards, etc. http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/product/6987/save_the_date_magnets_beach_flowers.html I got lots of compliments on them, but now I'm wondering if I should go somewhere else for invites. I don't know why I'm 2nd guessing myself! Has anyone used them? It's such an affordable line, I went to Paper Source and found that they were much more expensive...

I haven't met anyone else getting married at Half Moon! We set our date for March 2012, and I'm soo excited. I just wish it were here already! Except for I haven't bought my dress haha.

I need to pick my dress...I'm getting it on labor day weekend. I'm nervous that I'll have to get it rushed...don't want the extra shipping costs. Has everyone else already ordered theirs?

How is everyone doing this week? I gained a full pound this week I think I ate out one too many times.... Anyone have any words of encouragement??

I stayed at Riu Tropical Bay (Negril) last year and wasn't thrilled. If you want a Negril wedding, Rock House is worth checking out. We were deciding between Rock House and Half Moon (2 verrry different resorts lol) and ended up picking Half Moon. Couples Swept Away is also in Negril and is amazing.

Well this thread is quiet! We have 8 months to go, ladies! What are you all working on now? I'm focusing on the below: - going to WW meetings and the gym LOL ) Down 30lbs so far ) - deciding where to buy my dress (Kleinfelds in NYC where I live or a boutique in my hometown) - flower arrangements based on what flowers are local...I am going with dendrobium orchids Next I need to figure out invitations!

I had my weekly weigh-in and I'm down 3.4lbs! This is the most I've lost in 1 week since getting serious about WW in March. My total is now 30.2. I feel like I'm on a roll, and I just pray and hope that I keep trying this hard for the long haul! I have until March 2012, and I feel like every week counts!

Down 27lbs total after a 1.8lb loss this week. Feeling motivated and added a lot more weight training to my work outs, which I hear helps burn fat even when resting! Hoping to be down another 10lbs before my sis-in-law's bday in a month. Fingers crossed

When are you ladies sending out invitations? We sent our save-the-dates in April for our March 2012 wedding.

Wow - not only are we both getting married in March 2012, but we are also both future Mrs Robinsons My date is March 10, 2012 in Montego Bay, Jamaica