CourtandMatt

LOVE YOUR RING!  It looks great on you!  

Originally Posted by DiamondGirl 

 

I had posted my e-ring a couple of posts ago. Here it is again with my wedding band after becoming a Mrs.

 

 

 

 

 Hi, All!

Not sure if this is still active, but I am a bride living in DC!  I will be getting married in Jamaica in May 2013!  Super excited!

Courtney

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

Hi, All!  I changed my date to May 4, 2013 due to the cost of hotel rooms (May is much more affordable than early April).  Because I am not able to change the title of this thread, I just started a new one.  Check it out at: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/77917/courtney-matthews-iberostar-rose-hall-suites-may-4-2013-planning-thread#post_1727571.  

Matthew & I got engaged on August 25, 2011 in Tahiti.  He proposed during our EngagementMoon to Tahiti and New Zealand. 

He proposed with a "stand-in" ring until I picked out and received my dream yellow diamond ring.  The ring arrived on December 29, 2011.  

Engagement Party:  My girlfriends threw Matthew and I an engagement party at the White House bowling alley on November 12, 2011.  

Wedding Planning:  In late 2011, we finally decided that we wanted to get married abroad.  After much thought on the location, it finally came down to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.  In order to have the "best of both worlds," I booked Matthew's birthday in the DR (for April 2012) and we booked a wedding in Jamaica (for May 2013).  

The resort: After reading through a lot of threads, putting in a deposit and shortly thereafter getting back a deposit for Grand Palladium, and finally discussing with our family friend who is now our travel coordinator, we decided on Iberostar Rose Hall Suites.  I have heard only great things about the resort.  Here are some reasons we chose this resort: great reviews, one wedding a day, good communication with the resort, reasonably priced weddings, lazy river, my colleague who just stayed there said the food was great, and our TA highly recommends this resort.  

The date:  Saturday, May 4, 2013

Wedding photographer:  I contacted a few photographers who do weddings in Jamaica and finally decided on Sandy May.  She has great prices, I love the photos and reviews, she communicates well, and she seems to dedicate time to the couple and their photos (she only takes 3-4 weddings a month).  I also love the fact that she is a Minnesotan (which I am).  She lives in Jamaica during winter time.  She confirmed for our original date - April 6, 2013 - we are waiting to hear back if she will do our May wedding instead...

Wedding officiant:  We are Jewish so I really wanted a Jewish ceremony.  Thank goodness for Stephen Henriques.  He is a leader of the Jewish community in Jamaica and does weddings.  He is even mentioned in the book "A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and Latin America."  He said he would do our wedding.

Save The Dates:  We ordered our Save the Dates through SaveTheDateMagnet.com (New and Blue Enterprises, Inc.).  I will post pictures when I have the actual Save the Dates in a couple weeks.  

Travel Coordinator:  Our friend Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. is coordinating everyone's travel.  She is great to work with.  I highly recommend her.  

I will post more when I have more information.  In the meantime, you can stay up to date on my planning by checking out http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding!  

Happy planning!

Courtney

Hi, All!

Just wanted to say that I have officially changed my date to May 4, 2013.  This is final since we signed a contract with our travel agent and the hotel.  We changed the date because hotel room rates were much cheaper.  Thus, if anyone is looking for April 6, 2013 at the Suites, it should be open (unless someone all the sudden took it in the last few hours)!  

Happy planning!

Courtney

Hi, All!  Just wanted to send an update: I officially changed my date to May 4, 2013 (hotel rates are much better for my guests that date).  This is my FINAL date change since I signed all the forms with the hotel and travel agent.  Here is my updated information: 

Date: May 4, 2013

Time: 5pm

Hotel: Iberostar Rose Hall Suites

Colors: unknown

Bridal Party:  3 bridesmaids. 3 groomsmen.

Hair & Makeup:  Probably done at hotel salon.

Ceremony Location: Beach

Cocktail Hour: We are thinking of using the lazy river island, having 6 appetizers, and an international open bar.  6-7pm.  We are also thinking we will get one of the bands to play during this. 

Reception Type: Private.

Reception Location: We are thinking Aunt Ruby, but not sure if it will be too hot.  I am not fond of the menus at the other restaurants. 

Reception Time: 7-10:30pm

Music: DJ

Photographer: Sandy May

Videographer: ??

Officiant:  Stephen Henriques

Travel Coordinator: Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. 

Guest Amount: Estimate of 60.

We def. should!  Keep me updated on your progress.  I put together a planning thread with some of the vendors I have found thus far (it should be shown below).  Have you done a planning thread yet?

Originally Posted by kinsellak1 

congrats to you too! have you done much planning yet? we should share vendor ideas!!

Thank you both!   

Yay!  Congrats!!

Originally Posted by kinsellak1 

I am a 2013 bride! May 18, 2013

Thank you!  I am just super excited so I want to do everything now. 
 

Originally Posted by noreenp79 

Congrats!  I'm a 2012 bride, but I'm impressed with your planning!!   Have fun!

 

BEAUTIFUL RING!
 

Originally Posted by joda 

I took this photo the other day with my both my engagement and wedding ring. Don't tell my FI!

 

BEAUTIFUL VIDEO!  They really did such an amazing job!

Do you or does anyone else know of an Jamaican video company that does videos like this one?   Now I really want one but our budget is limited...

Originally Posted by daizyduke 

Hi everyone,

I am still waiting on some of my professional pictures before I do my review, but I did just receive my wedding trailer from Lovestruck films.  http://vimeo.com/35780298

I hope to have a full review soon. 

Matthew & I got engaged on August 25, 2011 in Tahiti.  He proposed during our EngagementMoon to Tahiti and New Zealand. 

He proposed with a "stand-in" ring until I picked out and received my dream yellow diamond ring.  The ring arrived on December 29, 2011.  

Engagement Party:  My girlfriends through Matthew and I an engagement party at the White House bowling alley on November 12, 2011.  

Wedding Planning:  In late 2011, we finally decided that we wanted to get married abroad.  After much thought on the location, it finally came down to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.  In order to have the "best of both worlds," I booked Matthew's birthday in the DR (for April 2012) and we booked a wedding in Jamaica (for April 2013).  

The resort: After reading through a lot of threads, putting in a deposit and shortly thereafter getting back a deposit for Grand Palladium, and finally discussing with our family friend who is now our travel coordinator, we decided on Iberostar Rose Hall Suites.  I have heard only great things about the resort.  Here are some reasons we chose this resort: great reviews, one wedding a day, good communication with the resort, reasonably priced weddings, lazy river, my colleague who just stayed there said the food was great, and our TA highly recommends this resort.  

The date: We wanted April 2013 because it is shoulder season and before rainy/hurricane season.  My fiance wanted a Saturday.  The only Saturday in April 2013 that was available was April 6, 2013.  I checked religious holidays, guests birthdays, and I even wikipedia-ed the day.  Everything is a go about this day.

Wedding photographer:  I contacted a few photographers who do weddings in Jamaica and finally decided on Sandy May.  She has great prices, I love the photos and reviews, she communicates well, and she seems to dedicate time to the couple and their photos (she only takes 3-4 weddings a month).  I also love the fact that she is a Minnesotan (which I am).  She lives in Jamaica during winter time.  

Wedding officiant:  We are Jewish so I really wanted a Jewish ceremony.  Thank goodness for Stephen Henriques.  He is a leader of the Jewish community in Jamaica and does weddings.  He is even mentioned in the book "A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and Latin America."  He said he would do our wedding.

Save The Dates:  We ordered our Save the Dates through SaveTheDateMagnet.com (New and Blue Enterprises, Inc.).  I will post pictures when I have the actual Save the Dates in a couple weeks.  

Travel Coordinator:  Our friend Ellen Paderson from Smiles and Miles Travel, Inc. is coordinating everyone's travel.  She is great to work with.  I highly recommend her.  

I will post more when I have more information.  In the meantime, you can stay up to date on my planning by checking out http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding!  

Happy planning!

Courtney

With regard to the question about arrival.  It was my understanding that you had to be there 2 business days before the wedding to legally get married in Jamaica.  In other words, for a Saturday wedding, such as mine, the bride and groom would need to be in Jamaica on Wednesday at the latest.  I would then think that a Monday wedding you would need to be there Thursday (maybe even Wednesday).  Is that not right?  

Happy planning!

Courtney

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

p.s. if anyone is needing a Jewish officiant, I have been in contact with Stephen Henriques: [email protected] or [email protected]

I will let everyone know what I think.  I am sure we will love it!  It looks amazing and there are great reviews!  I also want to mention that my TA, who is a family friend, HIGHLY recommends weddings in PC.  She was really trying to get us to marry in PC, but I said that if I go to PC I have to go to Hard Rock.  She said that Hard Rock would be best for us to then do just for my FI bday and instead marry in Jamaica (even though she reallyyy recommends PC).  Not to make myself more complicated but I have a rule that I don't go to the same city/country twice (life is too short and there are so many places to explore) unless I have a family member or close friend living there so that is why one is in PC and the other is in Jamaica.  I know - complicated - but its my life/travel rule.  

About spring break - Easter in 2013 is end of March so I assume most college spring breaks will be in March or at the very most the first week of April.  However, please note that it is my understanding that high school spring breaks are through April (but of course that is a different type of group).  My FI's mom who is a former teacher said that in 2013 her school's spring break is around April 20.  

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

I am meeting with my TA today, I am nervous and excited. I plan on chosing my hotel this weekend so I can get everything going ASAP since it is next January.

You are going to the Hard Rock in April??? You will have to let me know what you think of it!! I am excited to hear your opinion...good or bad!

My fiance is really leaning towards that hotel because we are a younger group, that likes to party...pretty late. LOL. I also was reading that you may be able to get your service in English but it is hard to. I did not think about that. But we are pretty much set on PC...just not the hotel.

 

 

Hi, All

I am super worried about my April 6, 2013 Suites wedding because of the price my TA gave me for hotel rooms.  We are now looking at dates in later April, but I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their hotel room group price estimates (on the forum or in PM)?  I want to make sure that we are getting over charged and to see what I should be expecting.  When I do a Kayak.com search I get much better prices (granted I am looking at April 2012 prices since 2013 prices aren't out).  

Thank you all, 

Courtney, a.k.a. worried bride...

Beautiful wedding!!  Love the dress.  Where did you find your dress? 

Originally Posted by Nikadawn 

I'm baaaaaaaaack! Wow did the week blow by soooo fast. I will get started on my review tomorrow so I'll just sum it up for now by saying that I have ZERO regrets in my choice of resorts. I never met Silvia, the WC at the Beach with whom I did most of my emailing pre-wedding, however I spent alot of time with Kymora and Vanessa and they were both fantastic. They went above and beyond and those girls work their butts off! Here's my 12 freebies from the resort photographer, hopefully I'll have the rest of my pics in a day or two....

 

I changed when I read some pretty bad reviews. But, then again, there are some amazing reviews.  I think the thing that finally made us switch was the beach.  I believe GP has a man-made beach (a lot of people say this is the biggest negative there) whereas Iberostar looks to have a beautiful beach.  My fiance is huge about beaches.  I also had a colleague who stayed at Iberostar and absolutely loved it!  O and our TA, who is a family friend (in other words, she knows us well), said she would never book us at GP. 

One thing to consider though is the price of rooms.  I believe GP is much cheaper.  I got quoted for 4/20/2013 $671/pp/do for five nights whereas at Iberostar I got a quote for 4/6/2013 of $943/pp/do for four nights (just hotel room).  Please keep in mind that the first weekend of April is more expensive, but still.  My FI and I are trying to find another weekend where it will be cheaper.

Finally, I didn't look at RIU because one of my colleague's friends got married there and according to her, the group did not have a good time.  However, everyone's experience is different! 

Hi!

So, I forgot to mention in my last post to you the pricing stuff.  You can work with a TA to start getting group rates at the hotels.  We got an estimate last week and this week we are supposed to be getting our group rates.  It has been indicated to me that if the prices drop later on when the official prices are announced that the hotels will usually reduce the group rates (although it is never guaranteed).  Flight schedules I don't think come out until much later though. 

I thought they were supposed to be easier too!  TAs help a lot!  Have you picked out one?  And, just remember: in the end, we get the dream wedding to the dream guy in the dream location. 

Courtney

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Hi Courtney!

 

I too, think I will be an April 2013 bride! I'm curious to know, were you able to get pricing for your guests this far in advance? I'm so excited to start planning, but I'm afraid to pick a date for April 2013 until I know pricing/flight schedules for the hotels I'm looking at....oh the joy of planning a DW! Wasn't this supposed to be easier? lol

 

Thanks so much!   I am really trying to work on it as a hobby!  And, I am lucky that he got me yellow 'cause I love yellow.  I have already been asked if I can live with looking at yellow for the rest of my life and I was like "heck yes!"  lol.

Courtney

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding
 

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

Forgot to add, your website is adorable. And your yellow ring is amazing. :-)

 

 

I am sure  your TA will let you know what is best for your wedding.  Who knows?  Maybe Hard Rock is perfect for your group!  Their weddings look beautiful.   I really wanted Hard Rock, but it also came down to my fiance not wanting our service in Spanish and our TA saying no for us.  So, we switched to Jamaica.  However, to make us both feel better, we are going to the Hard Rock Punta Cana this April for his birthday (best of both worlds!). 

Courtney

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

Thank you for the info. I was wondering if the Hard Rock would be too big, I mean they have 15 freaking pools...LOL. I am meeting with my TA next week to discuss the different places and choose one. Then I will go from there. I want to get it booked ASAP! :-)

I am so ready to start everything.
 

 

Congrats and yay to another Jamaica April bride!!

 

Originally Posted by Sunshinybride 

Planning on getting married April 2013, Riu Ocho Rios.  Glad to see there are others out there planning, makes me feel a little less crazy!!

Hi!  And, congrats as well!

I chose April initially because of it being cheaper since I heard peak season is Dec-March.  Plus, March is huge for college spring breaks and Jamaica is a spring break place so I really wanted April.  I actually wanted later April, but they only had April 6 available so that is why I chose it.   
 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Congrats! I am thinking of pushing my wedding from March to April - we haven't planned anything yet, but TA's I've initially talked to have suggested that by bumping it a few weeks into April, we would save a significant amount per person.

 

Have you gotten full pricing and booked your trips yet?

Hi!

Is this sale for weddings on Feb. 17 or 18th or is it for booking on those dates?   I love their work and having a discount of $500 will totally encourage me to "bite the bullet" and book them for my April 2013 wedding!

Thanks!

Courtney Mara

http://CourtneyMara.com/Wedding

Originally Posted by meeshamillz 

Hey Ladies,

I just wanted to spread the word that my photographer, Sun Gold Photography, are having a 2 day special on Feb. 17th or 18th 2012. Sun Gold Photography is offering a discount of $500 off the Gold package and $600 of the Diamond package for these 2 days only. To bad I am getting married in November

Check out their work at:
http://www.sungoldphoto.com/

 

and their facebook page at:

 

http://www.facebook.com/sungoldphoto

 

This is a great deal and you will not be disappointed!

 

Here is Paula's contact info!

 

Paula Williams Sun Gold Photography W.P.A. Jamaica US: (830) 609-9018 JA: (876) 438-6225 www.sungoldphoto.com www.wpajamaica.com