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One last piece: My wedding video for anyone interested! Good luck planning girls! https://vimeo.com/56453545

Thanks girls! I'm here and happy to answer any questions you have (like I said.....I really needed the help myself)! Royal Palms: I worked with Karl Ashmore. We did an open bar for 2 hours, at $15 US per person/hour. Then added in a few appetizers (around $30/dozen). Not too pricey for what we got actually! After the two hours, we just stayed at the bar and drank and danced. Then walked home to the Marriott and South Bay Condos. Such an amazing night! Let me know if I can help anymore! Kristin

I don't even know where to start.....but here goes: WELCOME PARTY!!! A+++++++ Royal Palms/Royal Reef -They were BEYOND amazing to me, even from the beginning (and I was ALL over the place in my mind). We had this AFTER our rehearsal dinner and had all our 42 guests attend this party. The roped off the pool area for my guests, lit the pool up and cabanas up in beautiful blue light, and passed hors' deurves and beer/wine for 2 hours. Then after our 2 hours, they had a live Reggae band play who dedicated a song to us and it was our first "official" dance......and it was SO special! It's RIGHT on the beach.....the lighting and atmosphere are AMAZING.....food was delicious.....and they were SO nice!!! REHEARSAL DINNER! A - LUCA -Food was really good and staff was very kind again. Ambience was great......nothing too special but I really enjoyed it and so did my guests. LODGING - SOUTH BAY BEACH CONDOS - A>>>>>>>+++++++++++++++ -I CAN NOT imagine staying anywhere else! These are located right next door to the marriott. My bridal party and my husband and I stayed here (rented 3 condos, 2 - 2 bedrooms, 1 - 4 bedroom) and the rest of our guests stayed at the Marriott. These units are from a magazine cover....I swear! I have NEVER felt more luxurious and pampered in my life! The manager, Ernie, was so accomodating for us and gave us a HUGE discount because it was my wedding, and the maid was SO kind and sweet and made me feel so beautiful on my wedding day when I ran into here. The beach is soft (not rocky) and is walking distance to many good places to eat. Also, since it is next door to the Marriott, we ate over there a couple days and even utilized Red Sail Sports since it sets up shop there. Seriously should check these condos out for a wedding.......probably my best idea of Cayman overall! WEDDING VENUE - Grand Old House - B This place is SO gorgeous, and the staff is so kind and accomodating. I am only giving it a B because you get UPCHARGED so much for everything for your wedding, and there was construction going on at the time of my wedding. However, Celebrations came in and Jazzed the place up with the decor and it really made a HUGE difference. The food here......oh.....my.......gosh!!!! Most weddings you just expect the food to be horrible or mediocre to be kind. NOT HERE.....the food was amazing!!!!! Really went above my expectations! Alcohol gets pricy so watch this closely. The wine guy, from Austria (forgot his name).....probably my favorite character! SO KIND.....smart, and even attended my wedding to make sure the bride was smiling! Desiree was really a good resource to have. I did use an outside coordinator.....but Desiree was great. NOTE: In the states, it is customary to call around and get quotes on prices and whoever treats you kindly and fairly....typically gets your business. Well.....it doesn't work that way in Cayman. I learned the HARD way. The island is VERY small, and they all find out if you call around for bids.....and then they get mad! My ignorance on this matter put more stress on me than what it needed to be. Just understand that things are pricy.....and all about the same cost in the end no matter who you go with. WEDDING PLANNER: Creativent - A I worked with Cindy and Carol for my planning (day of mostly). They were great to me. After dealing with some.....not so kind people.....I needed to find someone on MY team. Hence, my involvement with Creativent. They listened.....and made everything ok. Worth every penny for the peace of mind. Decor: Celebrations - A+ They exceeded my expectations. I told Keisha (love her) what I wanted.... showed her ALL my crazy pinterest ideas.....and she put them to life. Chandeliers, draping, furniture, flowers, you name it....she made it happen. I was never told no for anything. Celebrations was one of my shining stars in this wedding process. Never were they rude or unkind.....and always made me feel like I was the ONLY bride that mattered! Keisha and I met up 2 days before my wedding to do a walk through and make sure everything was in place.....and she took over from there. NO QUESTION......I would Definitely recommend Celebrations! FLowers were gorgeous too! Make Up: Ainslee Bodden - A++++++++++ Again......another person to make me feel beautiful. Not only is she gorgeous....she is SO talented. There was a mix up with my original make up artist (my fault actually), and I needed a make up artist last minute. Ainslee was referred to me by my wonderful Spray tanner (up next), and after contacting her, she was SO kind to work me into her busy schedule. She was actually hired to be a wedding planner for a wedding the same day as my wedding.....but STILL came to my condo to do my make up before her events had to start! She was unbelievable! I am a dermatologist, so impressing me in this area is tough.....but she really did! LOVE HER!!!! Spray Tan: Nadine Dumas/What it Takes - A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One of my BEST vendors! She was SO accomodating (she came over a 9pm) and ended up spraying several of us girls because my tan looked SO good!!!! She found me a make up artist last minute when I was desperate! Her tans are Aviva brand (which are organic and the most natural you can get)! I felt SO blessed that I found someone like her because again, as a dermatologist, I wanted something natural.....and Nadine was AMAZING!!!! NAILS: Tips and Toes - A So nice and probably the BEST french manicure Gel and pedicure I have ever gotten! HONEYMOON: Ocean's Paradise - A We went to the other side of the island for our honeymoon (near Rum Point). I hightly recommend Ocean's Paradise. It is quiet and the homes are so cute. The beach isn't fantastic....but it was nice to lay by the pool, in the hammocks, and relax with my honey in these cute isolated homes. No regrets.....I'm glad we stayed here. I would recommend, for sure. Rum Point is so cute.....and very laid back. Very different from seven mile beach. More locals I feel. I flew in my own photographer/videographer (got a permit with the help of Creativent)....and I do not have my pics back just yet. If anyone has questions, feel free to message me! Good luck future brides.......it was an UNFORGETTABLE experience!!!!! I"M MARRIED!!!! EEEEEEEE!!! Kristin

Hi ladies! I'm home from my wedding in Grand Cayman! It was November 10, 2012......and AMAZING!!!!! Like others here.....I will try to go over the good, bad and ugly. It was SO helpful for me! Here comes the pics first:

YAY!!! Congratulations Diane! I've been thinking about you actually! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me pics and any info that would be helpful. How was Desiree? I am SO glad you liked ROCK Gorgeous!!! I know that is where I will be going now! My email is [email protected]. Thank you SO much dear!!!!!! Kristin

My date is November 10, 2012!! So far away yet so close!!!! EVERY BRIDE ON HERE.....DO US ALL A FAVOR AND POST PICS AND GOOD AND BAD AFTER YOUR WEDDING!!! I promise to do the same!!!! It is SO helpful to talk to other Cayman brides!!!!!

Starfish!!! Oh my gosh!!! So....we must have the EXACT same taste because I was just doing a google search engine for the Pronovias dress Paola and saw that you have a post of you IN THE DRESS!!! So random!!! Well.....it is beautiful! I have not tried on any dresses yet but thought that one was beautiful by the pics!! Congrats!!! What are the price points for these dresses??

Oh....and for welcome bags. From orientaltrading.com........50 bags - $30.......bright tote bags 1. personalized m & m's with our photos 2. rum cakes (everyone says it is important) 3. a map (still working on it) 4. Personalized coozies 5. Sunscreen Any other ideas?

Diane, Im SO glad you like Rock Gorgeous Hair too! You HAVE to post pics after!!!! I'm working with Desiree from GOH.....but I also thought things were SUPER expensive! We are having approx. 50-75 guests. It is important for us to do something with the ceiling.....so I will probably do draping (so.....$1500 or so). As for centerpieces.....I was quoted like $140 per centerpiece. That cant be right......can it? I was hoping to do a lot of it myself with sola flowers from www.saveoncrafts.com. However, there is something to be said about not having to worry about doing anything else for my wedding. I just don't know if I can afford creativent. How much are their services.....anyone know? Desiree is willing to get my anything I want....but I'm sure there is an upcharge for what she does. Who knows.....maybe it is just super expensive anyhow. As for my photographer, I am flying down a video/photo husband/wife team from Kansas City. They are fairly new to the business, cheap, and dont quite realize how good they are yet! Ha! More bang for my buck....they are also filming my rehearsal dinner......all for $2600 plus cost of flights and 3 nights hotel. Pretty good I think! I have a pinterest account if you want to look me up. My email is [email protected] if you want to ask me anything personal. So glad to have some brides to share ideas with! Oh.....and we are looking at group rates for sunshine suites, westin, and possibly booking some condos at coral stone condos (RIGHT next door to the ritz....$600 for a 3 bedroom....awesome!!!) Super nice people there too! Kristin

Hi cheepet! It would be awesome if you could post pics of your wedding and share your experiences after your wedding in 3 MONTHS!!!! I am a planner.....and since I am not getting married until November, I don't have direct experience with this salon. However, they were the ones who did the fashion show Solstice (i think) recently and seem really cool and what I am looking for. (a messy up do beachy look). Rock Gorgeous Hair is the salon. They also have a facebook page. Let me know what you think! They also did make up and hair for Miss Grand Cayman recently. Kristin

Hi cheepet! It would be awesome if you could post pics of your wedding and share your experiences after your wedding in 3 MONTHS!!!! I am a planner.....and since I am not getting married until November, I don't have direct experience with this salon. However, they were the ones who did the fashion show Solstice (i think) recently and seem really cool and what I am looking for. (a messy up do beachy look). Rock Gorgeous Hair is the salon. They also have a facebook page. Let me know what you think! They also did make up and hair for Miss Grand Cayman recently. Kristin

Oh.....and I found this gals name off this forum. If u email her she will send you her resume and portfolio for make-up. [email protected] No idea about hair yet!

Hi Girls! I'm not sure where we are staying, but possibly the ritz for groom and I, and coral stone condos next door for guests? What group rates were offered at the Westin? I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on the Westin because I've read mixed reviews! Desiree at GOH quoted me $140 approx PER flower centerpiece. Isn't that high? I also really want to drape the ceiling but it so expensive! What are you doing with that? Starfish......who are you using for decor? Thanks again girls....I appreciate being able to talk to other grand cayman brides!

Hi GOH bride!!! Are you going with GOH for decorations or are you going with Celebrations, etc? Also, where are you and your guests staying? Im a GOH bride, November 2012!!!

Hi girls!! Thanks for all your input on weddings in Cayman. I am just starting to plan for a November 10, 2012 wedding. I have looked at the Caribbean Club.....but it seems expensive for just the two of us to stay somewhere. If you get married there and use Luca for the reception...do they give you a discount on the room? Anyone know of a good videographer? What is everyone's budgets for their wedding? I am from Kansas City.....so EVERYTHING seems SOOOO expensive to me!!! Anyone look at Grand Old House for a wedding? Thanks girls.....this help is tremendous!!!