marleydog

well said Viki.

Hi All, Sarah - I'm just worrying way too much. I so want them to feel appreciated & show that we're grateful that they've spent so much money to be with us. FI says I'm being silly. .Yes, you're right. Hen night is like a batchelorette party. I got confused. I'm really looking forward to it. It should be a crazy night. Not looking forward too much to the ineveitable hangover the next day though. Your OOT bags sound great. Here's a list of what I've put in mine. First aid kits painkillers immodium scented candle tin tinned sweets US plug adapters keycard holders / lanyards hand sanitizer bath scrunchie Pashmina's I also got a small photo album & filled it with info for the week. ie excursions, maps, return flight details, pick up points etc. We're only having four guests coming. They're staying for 7 days we're staying for 10 so we've arranged that when they return home there will be parcel wrapped champagne for them. Viki, - I’m not sure about the cell phone service but I do believe they have wireless capabilities. There are also PC’s which can be used at the resort. I think they tend to be quite busy though. I plan on updating FB too while there so hoping I can get access via iphone. Good idea about the photos, definitely don’t feel pushed into anything. Take your time & make sure you get the right deal for you. We’ve gone with only 18 photos but we’ve asked for them to be on a CD so we can print as many copies as we want once we get home. 70 days....not long now....I’m wishing time away too. I just want to be there NOW!! We had the same debate about what colour. FI was worried he’d be too hot in black & we struggled to get anything in beige here in the uk. This is what he opted to go For in the end. The trousers are a little long at the moment so will be taken up prior to leaving. Our arrangements were fairly quick too. We got engaged on New Years Day & then booked everything on 2nd January. We were lucky with our guests, we’ve only got 4 & they were great about travelling out there. We had no complaints at all....Thankfully. Has everyone been ok with you? Sweetness – Loving your OOT bags. They look great. OMG not long now. As a bit of an afterthought, if anyone on here wants to add me to their FB, please feel free. Alex Nichol. (Same pic as on here) Hope you all have a great day. Talk soon. xxx

Hey Sarah, Not long to go now....WOOP WOOP!!! Like you, I dont have much to do now other than wait. I've just arranged my hen night. (Shower to you guys) for 24th June. I have 16 coming at the moment but that may go up a little as I'm starting a new job in 2 weeks & there may be people from there that I'll want to invite. What have you put in your OOT bags? I'm worrying that mine are rubbish. Talk soon. xx

Kimberly, Congratulations & welcome to the forum. If we can be of any help, give us a shout. Hopefully one of us will be able to help with any questions. Alex

Hey Sarah, Your post made me smile. I can relate exactly to what you're saying. Oh & no need for apologies. I know what it's like. I feel like I haven't stopped in days. I've emailed you copies of the brochures that Dania sent me. Hopefully they'll be useful to you. Do you have much left to do? You must be getting excited....not long now. Talk soon. xx

CONGRATULATIONS.....!!! So glad to hear that you had a fantastic day. Your picture looks amazing. I'll PM you with some questions, but looking forward to seeing your full review & pics. Thanks also for coming back & answering any questions we may have. I cant speak for the other ladies, but like you, I've been a bit crazy with all the planning etc. Your photos sound like a nightmare. You must be gutted to have to discard 240 pictures. Like you, I plan to do my own make up out there but thanks for the heads up about Ayanna. It's definitely worth knowing. Once again, Congratulations. xx

Hi Viki, Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Spent yesterday doing DIY stuff. No idea what made me decide to have a rehaul of the lounge. It's not that I dont have a million other things to think about. haha. Can you PM me & send me your email address. I have the brochures but they're too large to put on the forum. Ah thanks for the comments about the dress. Glad you liked it. I keep changing my mind about the trash the dress....and the veil!!! Like you, I think I'm there but then decide there's something else I want to add / change. Maybe I just dont like the easy life. Hope you're having a good weekend. xx

No worries Viki, Did you get sent a Sandals wedding brochure with all the prices in? If not, let me know & I'll email you a copy over. It's quite helpful as has one off prices for things like hair, make up, photography, flowers etc. Hhmmm not sure about the price for the negatives on a cd, I think that relates to a package rather than a one off. (Does that make any sense?)

Hi Caroline CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Thrilled to hear you had a great time & it all went to plan. Like Sarah, I was also concerned about the beach & you've made me think that our decision to go with a gazebo is the right one. Did you have a ceremony rehearsal? You had the Beautiful Beginnings package didn't you, what was it like? I'm a bit worried about flowers. Would love to see you pics if you want to share. Thanks for coming back & letting us know how it all went.

Hi Viki, We've booked our photogtrapher in advance, but like you, I'm really worried about it. Dania, (Wedding coordinator) is so vague regarding it all & just says we arrange it all once we get to the resort. We've gone with the 18 images on CD for $375.00. We have the photographer for 2 hours & I believe he / she just snaps away for that period of time & you can buy any additions you want. My friend just got married there & she was saying that they give everyone an evening beach photography pass. It's free in as much as you'll have photos taken (Not in wedding clothes) & you buy any you like. Her's looked really good. Hope this helps.

Hey Sarah, Ah thanks for the comment about the dress. Good idea about the veil. I'll look forward to hearing what you think about it & whether you think it's a good call or not. We're going for a gazebo. I had the exact same concerns as you about the beach not being private. Like you, we also plan to take pics on the beach afterwards. This is my second marraige but FI's first & neither one of us are big on being the centre of attention. The idea of a traditional church wedding & everthing that came with it really wasn't for us. We went for Antigua because it looks so fantastic & also its not one of the rowdier islands. From what I've heard its' quite quiet. Don't get me wrong, we not boring but we didn't want anywhere where you felt you had to out clubbing most nights. (I hope that makes sense). How about you, what were your reasons? It's only us guys, Mike's parents, his sister & husband. I'm not in contact with my family. Another good reason for a destination wedding. How cool that your wedding is your MOH's honeymoon. I love that. Also good idea that you have time alone too. We're looking forward to that part...!!! Your plans sound ideal. We haven't arranged a rehearsal dinner but it's something I think might be a good idea. Are you have a ceremony rehearsal? Your journey to Antigua sounds like a nightmare but I'm sure it'll be worth it once you get there. I'm dreading the flight. (Terrified) but plan on getting lots of drugs from the doctor beforehand. haha I love the idea of talking to other Antiguan brides so you ramble away. Hope you have a good weekend. Talk to you soon. Alex.

Hi Sarah, Ah thanks for saying that. I was a little worried at first that it may be a bit much for a destination wedding, but I love it so much, I'm not sure that I care. Haha, I'm definitely going to go for the underwear. I love the idea & like you say, it'll be a nice suprise at the end of the day. You have exactly double people.... we have 6 including us. We may book one of the cruises but not sure at the moment. Will probably wait til we get there & play it be ear. Are you planning on doing anything? How long is your flight to Antigua? Quote: Originally Posted by SarahTD That is a gorgeous dress!!! How exciting! I think the personalized underwear is really cute. Mine are pink and say "Mrs. Derousseau" across the back. They'll be good for a laugh after a stressful day anyway. How many people do you have going with you? We have 12 including us so it should be a small but fun group. Are you planning any group activities besides the wedding?

Hey Sarah, No worries about the champagne info. We only found out about it as someone we know got married at another Sandals resort. Dania wasn't forthcoming with the info..! Fair comment about the veil. I hadnt thought about that before buying it but having seen a few Antiguan weddings on You Tube, I'm starting to think I may have a fight on my hands. I had a look at what we can get personalised in the UK & found the below website. Think I might go for some underwear as a suprise under my dress. I quite like the bath robes too but think they may take up too much weight in the luggage http://www.pure-treats.com/index.php I've attached a pic of my dress. (not the veil). Would love to see how your getting on with yours. Talk soon, Alex.

Hi Sarah, Your dress sounds stunning. Mine is also strapless, quite simple with diamante on the front. I can send you a pic if you want. I’m not so good with trying to describe it. Lol. You’re so lucky having a friend who can be so creative. I struggle trying to sew on a button!! I can understand why she’d kill you for trashing it. Are you wearing a veil? I am but not sure whether to wear it on the top of my head or at the back. Does that make sense? I like the sound of a welcome party in the room. We’ve booked one of the villas which also comes with the butler service but our guests are staying in the hotel on the Mediterranean Village side. If you have the butler service I believe you get one bottle of champagne a day. Maybe you could keep them til your last night & have a leaving / thank you party instead of the welcome party ..,. I'm going to have a look at some UK sites tonight & see if they do anything similar to your tops. Maybe just get one for me & FI. They are such a good idea. Talk to you soon.

Hi Sarah, Had a look at your Maid of Honour T shirt......LOVE IT!!! Dania, she's certainly a strange one & I know exactly what you mean about her trying to constantly upsell. She has never told me what's available to us. Everything I've asked for has come off the Sandals website. So what's your dress like & are you having a Trash the Dress session? I would really like one, but not sure about finding an off site photographer. Hope you had a good day.

I've heard really good things about Ebony. Unfortunately Dania isn't quite so good. I'll have to ask her about the rehearsal dinner. Does your rehearsal dinner also include a rehearsal of the ceremony too? They calypso band sounds fantastic. I kinda wish we had more people going so we could go with the whole dance floor thing. I'm worried about creating the right atmosphere. It's really hard with only 6 of us. Sorry for the confusion about you not being in the UK.

Couldnt agree more. We went with the Beautiful Beginnings package as there are only 6 of us in total going. We went for the 2 hour reception. I haven't heard or booked anything to do with a rehearsal dinner though. Did you do this through your wedding coordinator. Who is yours, I'm using Dania. You say your reception is on the beach, have you picked your ceremony location yet? What are your plans for music? I'm in two minds between having the saxophonist for the 2 hour reception or whether to just go with the Ipod option. Not sure. Looking forward to seeing all your pics. Have you sorted your hen night out yet? (where abouts in the UK are you?)

Sounds great Sarah. I love the sound of the 'Bad Ass Maid of Honour'. Have you got any pics?

Michelle, Sounds & looks like you had a great time. The memory book & necklace sound lovely, not surprised you got emotional. Fair play to your mum & as for MIL - Well there's not much to say to that. Glad you had a good time despite her.

Hi Sweetness, Not long left for you now. I'm sure the time will fly by. It's such a shame that there aren't many people on this thread. Do you still hear from Vickytoria? She got married at Sandals Antigua about a month ago. Out of curiosity what did you put in your OOT bags? I'd never heard of them til this site & decided to do them. I went with: Baby wipes Hand santizer min pack baby wipes smelly candle tin large tin sweets pashminas for ladies bath / shower scruffer for ladies mini first aid kit panadol immodium tissues welcome note / brochure

Hi Sarah, Not long for you now!. OOT bags are out of town bags. I'd never heard of them 'til this site. It's not something we do in the UK, but I think it's quite popular in US. They're normally filled with things like hand sanitizer, baby wipes, sun screen, chapstick & any other little thank you gifts you may want to add.

Wow, you all look amazing. Thanks for posting. It's given me a vision of what they would look like. I think it could be a goer based on your pic. xx

Hi Sam, I hope you manage to sort things out. It's never easy when families cause problems. Try to keep your chin up. This day is for you & Calv.

Hello Ladies, Has anyone decided to go for a parasol for their wedding day? FIL mentioned it to me & the more I think of it, the more I quite like the idea. I guess I would walk from the villa to the weddding location & then pass it to the Wedding Coordinator. What does everyone else think?

Kerry, good choice. You'll look amazing in it. xx