JamaicaSukie

I would love that info.

I am curious about this too so I hope someone can fill us in.

Hi ladies! So far I have my STDs sent, hotel rooms blocked (but no one but me and FI have reserved), photographer Marcia E. Roberts booked, dress ordered, and floral arrangements basically figured out with Tai Flora. I've heard that the hotel's DJ sucks so I am now searching for an outside DJ or other options. Also looking for a make-up artist and hairstylist.

Wow! You look stunning! Congratulations! I booked Marcia E. Roberts too and have been a little nervous having never met her, etc. but seeing your pics definitely reassures me. Thanks for sharing them!

Oops! I meant to say 7/7/12.

Hey there! Congratulations to you! I'm getting married at the Suites on 7/7/12. I sent out my save the dates at the end of August. We wanted to give our guests about a year's notice so they can try work out a way to attend. I don't plan on sending invitations until March or April with an rsvp date of 6/7/12. We are giving our guests OOT bags so we want to have as close to an accurate number at least one month before the wedding. We are using a travel agent (beach bum vacations) because he was able to get us some incentives with the hotel for booking a certain number of guests/rooms like free and upgraded nights, free cocktail hour, etc. He did require a deposit of $100 per room, but as the guests book their rooms we get each $100 back towards our own trip. We included our website on the STDs so that's how we are leading our guests to the travel agent information. We are also using word of mouth to get it across that guest must book their room through our agent (or we lose our money). As of now, my FI and I pretty much know who is coming and who's just blowing smoke but we are going to set the rsvp date for one month before the wedding. Obviously, we may have last minute additions or cancellations but the nice thing about a DW is that you really do have to plan for it so most people should know what they are doing by the rsvp date.

Hey there. Thanks for your response. I know upgrades are not guaranteed, however, like I said, I noticed on quite a few reviews here and elsewhere that many couples that book at the Suites get upgraded to the Grand, especially if they are already booked to stay there after the wedding. Regardless, the fact that we would have to pay day passes to just to get ready is ridiculous especially since the wedding is at the Suites. I may just stay in a relative's room the night before at the Suites to avoid extra costs.

I have a question for past brides (or anyone who knows). I've read a lot on here that most times the bride and groom get upgraded to either a better room in the hotel they booked or sometimes they get bumped to the Gran (especially if they plan on moving there for the honeymoom anyway). That being said, if we were to get upgraded to the Grand before the wedding, will they let my bridal party (who are staying at the Suites) come to the Grand to help me get dressed? Do I have to pay for a day pass for them to come help me get ready?

That's a relief. Did you do anything specific to make sure you got your license in a timely fashion?

Is that typically how long it takes? For this reason, FI and I are considering getting married stateside first, but it kills me to do that. If people are paying all that money to come to a destination wedding, I want them to witness a wedding, not a vow renewal.

Hey there. I'm getting married 7/7/12 at the Suites. I plan on having my guests come in that Thursday to Sunday. To save money, I am using as much of the resorts included resources as possible so on Thursday we will host a welcome happy hour at one of the bars (not sure which one yet) and then have everyone head over to the beach party. On Friday we will host a rehearsal dinner (at Ruby's if possible) and then have a bachelor/bachelorette party afterwards (maybe Margaritaville or something). The day of the wedding, we would like to have dinner at Calabash and then a 2 hour DJ/bonfire dance reception on the beach. Basically, we are saving all of the "extras" for the actual wedding day and saving money on events beforehand by using what the hotel offers (and what you and your guests already paid for).

Wow! I have her booked on 7/7/11 for my wedding at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites. Her pics look great so I'm sure I made the right choice.

Hey Tropical Love, I'm one of th brides that posted about the incentives/upgrades/comp nights that my TA was able to negotiate for me. My TA had actually quoted me a rate before I asked him about getting anything from the hotel. The quote for Suites he gave me, double $718 per person for 4 nights (lowest grade room). The dates are 7/4/12 - 7/8/12. Perhaps my TA was able to negotiate something for me because I committed to booking a certain number of rooms (i.e. - I had to put down a deposit for a block of 20 rooms) so I'm basically promising the hotel a certain amount of money/number of guests. I believe you mentioned having 48 guests at the Grand. Surely that should qualify you for a free cocktail hour or a few comped nights at the very least. I would have your TA contact the hotel once more expressing your displeasure at their lack of appreciation. You brought them a lot of business! Surely they can spare giving your guests some cocktails and apps by the pool (that they could get anyway on their own if they go to any separate food/beverage outlet) in appreciation for hosting such a special event at their property. They CAN do something for you. PM me if you want my TA's info.

This is absolutely a possibility I had not considered. I got a deal through a travel agent with some free incentives/upgrades if we book a certain number of rooms. My contract states that if I book a certain number of rooms and/or guests (i.e. - 10 rooms, 21 guests) I will get certain free upgrades, cocktail hour on the day of the wedding and free room nights. My travel agent had already given me a rate before I asked him to inquire about these incentives and the rate remained the same after he negotiated them into my room block agreement. I like to think this is indicatitive of a good deal on my behalf, however, perhaps the travel agent already gets certain perks from the hotels to give to their couples for booking a certain number of rooms.

Hi there! I'm getting married at the Suites on 7/7/12 and am using a travel agent to reserve a room block and assist guests with airfare if they so choose. I chose to go with a travel agent because I did not want the headache of having guests treat ME like a travel agent. In addition, the TA was able to get us incentives for number of guests/rooms booked (i.e. - 15 rooms booked = free cocktail hour, 25 rooms booked = 4 free nights for the bride/groom, etc.). Finally, even though guests may be paying a little more than they would on Expedia, they DO have the option of a payment plan when they book through the TA. This way, their rate is locked in and there is no pressure to have the entire amount up front just to reserve a rate. And with the ability to pay in increments I think a lot more people will make the effort to come.

2011 Brides 6.30.2011 – mrsdeloatch2be – Suites 7.13.2011 – daisymable – Suites 9.8.2011 - QTPie11 - Suites 9.9.2011 – Islandgirl910 – Suites 9.10.2011 – toiinlove – Grand 10.8.2011 – futuremrstgun – Beach 10.30.2012 – nolabride78 (Stacy & Raymond) 11.6.2011 – pmwoodard1978 (Paula & xx) – Beach 11.6.2011 - ErinDoc (Erin & Bryan) - Suites 11.11.2011 – mrsgreene2011 (Jeanine & Reuben) – Suites 11.12.11- meeshamillz - Beach 11.14.2011 - Sn2bMrsMarshall (Eric & Sheena) - Beach 11.16.2011 – starrysim – Beach 12.3.2011- DeAngelis2be (Christine & Joseph)- Grand 12.5.2011 - Marlena (Marlena & Brian) Beach 12.6.2011 – Kimberli1211 (Kim & Coleman) – Suites 2012 Brides 1.9.2012 – daizyduke – Suites 1.18.2012 - RyGuysBride - Suites 1.18.2012 - nikadawn - Beach 2.2.2012 – shanas (Shana & Brian) – Beach 2.11.2012 - bmaxam12 - Suites 2.22.2012 - X-Tina - Suites 2.24.2012 – hayjk – Suites 2.26.2012 – bjcs21 – Suites 3.19.2012-Saskbride2012 (Kari&Sean) = Suites 4.18.2012 – cGd41812 – Suites 4.27.2012 - Jamaica2012 - Beach 5.30.2012 – MoBayBride2B – Suites 6.8.2012 - sunshine2413(Shannon & Maurell) - Grand 6.9.2012 - Sj4680 (Susan & Kyle) - Grand 6.22.2012 – dcrow55 – Suites 7.1.2012 – JADE28 (Charene & Kevin) – Suites 7.22.2012 – IslandBride201x (Kim & Eric) – Suites 7.22.2012-MrsDesz-Beach 7.7.2012 - JamaicaSukie I just moved our wedding from the Beach to the Suites (our first choice..yay!). Just wanted to let you guys know that 7/7/12 at the Beach will be opening up very soon (as soon as they confirm my cancellation).

Thanks so much for the heads up! I just emailed Tiffany. Hopefully there is no one on the wait list. Happy planning to you too!

So excited to be getting married in Jamaica! User Name: JamaicaSukie Name: Zuleika & Jeff Location: Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Wedding: July 7, 2012 in JA: 07/04/12 - 7/15/12

Hi there! Unfortunately I have no advice for you as I just started the planning process myself, however, I DID want to congratulate you on your engagement. This site appears to have a lot of reviews peppered among regular threads so I might try a search of those hotels in forums as a start. Also, check out the resort reviews page. There may be some good insight there on the 3 properties.

Hi ladies! I have a question about incentives. What incentives does the Iberostar offer to the bride and groom and how many rooms do you have to book in order to get those incentives? I've read some couples have gotten free cocktail hours, extended reception time, upgraded/free rooms.

Thanks for your response. I did contact the WC at the Suites and she placed me on the wait list for the date we want. Our wedding is already booked at the Beach so at least we got something. I was very surprised to find every weekend in July AND August already booked at the Suites, however, it's still a long way away and I'm still holding out hope that our date will open up. the one thing FI and I really want is a Saturday wedding since most of our guests have to leave Sunday and can't guarantee coming in earlier than Friday. NOTE - Sorry for the double post but I wasn't sure how to include quotes until now.

Thanks for your response. I did contact the WC at the Suites and she placed me on the wait list for the date we want. Our wedding is already booked at the Beach so at least we got something. I was very surprised to find every weekend in July AND August already booked at the Suites, however, it's still a long way away and I'm still holding out hope that our date will open up. the one thing FI and I really want is a Saturday wedding since most of our guests have to leave Sunday and can't guarantee coming in earlier than Friday.

It's good to know we can stay at the Suites and still have the wedding at the Beach. I will email the WC about that. Thanks. I see your date is right around the corner! :-) You must be very excited!

Hi everyone! I am newly engaged and just booked for July 2012 at the Beach. Very excited about it all and look forward to trying to read through all of the tips, reviews, etc. One question, what are the chances I will be able to switch over to the Suites for my wedding? In other words, do couples often cancel/switch resorts? Suites was our first choice, but sadly booked for the date we wanted and EVERY weekend next summer. Also, is it possible to stay at the Suites but have the wedding at the Beach?