kimberyly

Hi everyone! I just got back from Jamaica last week and had an incredible time and the wedding was wonderful. I had lots of people ask if I was going to create a website when I get home where everyone can upload their Jamaica/wedding pics to one location. Any suggestions?

Hutchets,

I've been dying to know more information about this beach party! My wedding at at 5 pm on a Saturday. I was considering paying for the private beach party just to be sure I get to do my first dance with my fiance and father/daughter dance. It's $300/hr for a DJ and $10 pp for the bartender though.

How was the beach party? I wonder if I could have them play 2 songs for me.
 

Originally Posted by hutchets 

Ericka,

They have the beach party/bonfire on Sat. nights.  My wedding was on Saturday at 4pm so after our semi-private reception at Mammee, everyone just hung around that area as that is where the beach party is located.  It turned out to be a fun night for everyone and it was free! 

 

Thanks Ericka! You just asked for an upgrade? Which wedding package did you have? I was planning on the "free" wedding package, but some of the other packages say they come with an upgrade.

Thanks for the pics and link!

TO ALL ROR BRIDES OF THE PAST:  What kind of room did you get? Does anyone have any pictures?

I'm having so much trouble finding pics of the rooms that really show them. I booked an oceanfront junior suite, but I just saw a pic today from someone that went there in 2007 and it looks exactly like the normal room at the Riu I stayed at in Mexico! Also, ALL of my guests are booking the same room type as us and my sister of course has to book the best room possible, the Oceanfront Jacuzzi Suite. Dare I spend extra to get the Jacuzzi Suite instead?

Hi Naomi Louise! You're getting married one week before me! 6 months out....

I just got white bedazzled flip flops from Payless. I have a long dress so you won't be able to see them really. Very comfortable. I might go shoeless for the walk down the aisle!

Picture:

 Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomi Louise 

Hi Girlies!

 

I have just read all your posts, they are all helpful with planning my wedding. we are getting married 15th march 2012.

 

I'm currently trying to decide on shoes!! What shoes are you all going for??

 

 

 

Originally Posted by ericka417 

 

Hey ladies.  For those who have gotten married at ROR.  Which photographers did you use?  Where they great?  Would you recommend someone else?

Hi Ericka! I haven't gotten married there yet, but I got a great suggestion for a photographer that my friend who got married in Jamaica last year gave me. His name is Brian Nejedly. He's on facebook and posts all kinds of new awesome pictures all the time. He lives in Jamaica, but came from Georgia I think. Here's his website:  www.briandesign.com

I already have him booked for next March!

I found a great website for my bridesmaid presents! My bridesmaid dresses are coral, so I am getting each person an orange sapphire ring. That sounds expensive, but I found some great deals!

Maid of honor ring:

http://ww.liquidationchannel.com/product/Orange_Sapphire_(Pear)_Ring_in_Platinum_Overlay_Sterling_Silver_(Size_8)_TGW_2.51_cts./817855

Rest of the bridesmaids:

http://ww.liquidationchannel.com/product/Orange_Sapphire_(Ovl)_Solitaire_Ring_in_Platinum_Overlay_Sterling_Silver_(Size_6)_TGW_0.57_cts./861186

I'll of course have them sized, but I think they'll love them!

I agree jaykay! I gave it some thought and I'm going to do it. Both my dad and I like that song and since we saw Chicago in concert together it has meaning. Screw it!

That sounds great! I always thought it would be fun taking dance lessons. I'm going to check that out!

I really like this one too. I found a great Save the Date magnet that I ordered. Check this out!

http://www.magnetstreet.com/florida-save-the-date-magnets

It says it's for Florida, but I just wrote Jamaica on it. I haven't gotten them yet but the proof looked great!

Originally Posted by heidilynn28 

It's ok Erica!!! I didn't think your comment above was rude.. I just wanted to explain myself and our 'situation'. I wish I could pay for everyone's dinner (if they choose to eat there) but yeah, we've just bought a house and everything but still wanted to have a little something for FI's side of the family + a few close friends who have kids (our hotel is adults-only) or couldn't afford coming. Our condo doesn't have a yard so a BBQ thing (although a great idea) won't work :/

 

Everyone talks about etiquette and all, I'm trying to stick to it, but I figure.. it's our decision so we might as well go with our budget allows and that's it. We are planning to offer everyone a cocktail and appetizers and we are allowed to bring in a wedding cake so if they don't want a huge dinner, they don't have to take it! Either way, when we officially invite everyone, it will be clear that they will pay for their own, just like at any other restaurant.

 

We started dancing lessons tonight to Edward Maya's Stereo Love song..... and we'll most likely perform it a second time for the AHR! I'm all excited and ready to learn and practice! Anyone else dancing?

 

 

I was considering taking dance lessons too! I cannot dance at all and don't have much rhythm. My first dance with my FI and Dad will be on the beach and I'd like to avoid the dance by ourselves at the AHR! There's only going to be twenty some people in Jamaica, but up to 150 at the AHR! Maybe if I get good at it I'll do it. Where do you even find a place that does private dance lessons?

Originally Posted by melissa7821 

check out blissweddingsmarket.com they have these really cute palm leaf bags.. I really liked a clutch bag they have for about $4.29 large size. Don't know how they look in person but I think they are very unique.
You can also check out Parrot Canvas Company. I ordered canvas bags for $16.50 they are really cute. I've been buying my welcome bag items for about a year and my wedding is in October. So far I have flip flops, sunscreen, toothpaste, toothbrush (I always forget mine and have to buy one when I get to my destination) dental floss, post cards, welcome letter and I would love to include monogram towels but I'm not sure yet.

I love this bag suggested by melissa 7821! Check it out:

That's perfect. I wanted a bag that would close, but not too expensive. The small ones are only $2.49!

Maybe I don't have to do favors at the AHR! I would love to find ways to cut costs. I'm already spending so much on the venue, catering, and bar, it would be nice to not have to add anything additional.

As far as etiquette goes, I say screw etiquette! I personally wanted a destination wedding so I wouldn't have to follow all kinds of rules. I'm going to wear my dress to McDonald's if I want. After the AHR, I might wear it when I clean the house too

Sweet! That's probably the way I'll go. Is there anywhere that you list where you are registered? People ask, but is there an official way to do that? On the invitation to the AHR or just wait for people to ask? I don't want to look greedy or demanding.

No problem! They seem to combine different websites. They even personalize the sunscreen and playing cards for OOT bags.

They have all kinds of travel items and things that can be personalized. Beach themes, color themes...

http://www.favorideas.com/shopping/travel-destination-wedding-favors.html&page=1&SortBy=3

I like that idea, but my wedding ceremony is going to be so short it seems like a good thing to add the sand ceremony. I love suggestion #2:

As you stand beside the ocean, may your love always be as constant as the tide; waves flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as water is the eternal force of life, so is love. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.
You have just sealed your relationship by giving and receiving of rings. But although you will be sharing one life, never forget that you are two separate people. Cherish and affirm your differences. Love each other. Keep your commitment primary. Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and well, be happy and angry, share and grow. Grow sometimes together, sometimes separately.
To symbolize this union and the importance of the individuals within the marriage, two separate colours of sand will be combined. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create and entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate entity.
Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. Please pour the sand into this common container to symbolize the union of your two lives.
(Begin pouring sand)
Sarah and Michael, just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual container, so will your marriage be a molding of two individual personalities, bonded together forming one heart, one life, and one family.

It is going to be a hassle bringing it home, but I think it will be worth it. If it gets screwed up, I'll do it on the one year anniversary too

I like this one:

http://www.makingmemoriesandmore.net/heartshapedunitysandceremonyset

I've been giving this a lot of thought and I think I want to dance with my dad to "Colour My World" by Chicago. My sister took the perfect song, Your Song by Elton John. My dad loves that song! But he also loves Colour My World and I like it too. We also saw Chicago in concert one time in the front row so it has special meaning. I'm concerned that it's not appropriate for father/daughter since it's kind of lovey dovey. Here's the lyrics:

As time goes on
I realize
Just what you mean
To me
And now
Now that you're near
Promise your love
That I've waited to share
And dreams
Of our moments together
Color my world with hope of loving you

Do people even pay attention to the lyrics?

After my reception dinner, I'm thinking Beach Party! I have to pay $15/pp at the Riu for a personal bartender on the beach, but I'm thinking about the ipod idea too. A DJ is $300/hr and I would probably just give him the music to play anyway. I wonder if they'll let us play the music ourselves on the beach? I think the resort provides tiki lights and I might spring the $150 for a bonfire too. I'm planning on having my first dance with my FI and Dad on the beach!

Thanks BryanandChar! I took notes Is there anything you would suggest or wish you would have done differently for your wedding and reception? What did you and your guests do after the dinner?

That's what I was thinking! I don't need anything specific, so it seems the way to go. I was so surprised when people started asking me about the registry and my wedding is still so far away! Thanks for the response muzikgrrl.

Thanks JayKay! I think I phrased this wrong by saying cash registry which sounds horrible, but that site might work.
 

Originally Posted by JayKay 

That's a great site!
 

 

I've already had some of my friends ask what I'm planning on doing for a registry! Also, I'm probably only going to have 20 people at the wedding and the AHR is going to have probably 150. I certainly hope that the people that are going to the wedding don't put any more money out!

 

Originally Posted by DramaticAnnie 

I would say nobody knows your guests better then you do... when you get invited to a wedding, is a registry expected? I know where I'm from people do like to give and often do give money, but I also know people who have never heard of a registry and wouldn't know how to go about it. Are your guets the type that would expect to see a registry? If not I would say just hope for the best I guess, I think the idea that some of my guests/friends/family would have is "if you have enough money to have a DW and youre expecting everyone to pay for their trip to attend your DW... why would you ask for money?" something like that :/

That's exactly what I was afraid of! I wasn't sure if we should expect anything at all since it's a DW. I just want to have a big party and get everyone together I did find a website that you can set up as any type of registry you want: http://www.ourwishingwell.com/

I could make it a home improvement registry and list items we want and people just donate money towards items if they want on the site. Check it out and let me know people! I don't want to look like a jerk.

Originally Posted by Kristy28 

JJS Could you send me the packages that you have with the $75 vendor fee?

 

Thank you

The photographer that I want is an outside vendor and I was told there was a $350 fee for not using their one photographer they have listed. He's giving me a $200 discount to offset that fee.