Danie

Iam wondering if someone can help me with the marriage requirements. I was told w need a certified copy of the birth certificates and passports. I was also told the copies must be notarized. Is this just a photocopy of each and then notarized. Because when I called googled certified copy passport, I contacted the department and was informed it would not be notarized only sealed by the state an it cost more than a passport. Has anyone gotten married and can tell me what and how they supplied the documents.

 

Thanks a million.

Hey Girls:

 

 I am getting very excited its only 3 months away before our big day. I can't wait to go to the island. I love this site and love hearing everyone's ideas. Congrats to those that just got married and had a fab wedding. That's so cool.

Jen How long did you book the dj for and the steel drum player. I am curious because I was having a dj for five hours and am figuring out how many hours I would really need him to play at the reception and how many hours I could book the musician for

Thanks for the info! I've been looking at Ocean Club West and The Sands. I don't want some fancy shmancy hotel and would love to keep costs down as much as possible so I appreciate your review on the Sands. Did you by any chance see Ocean Club West? Any thoughts? Also good to know about bringing your own stuff. Hadn't thought about that before but LOVE the idea!  

I have stayed at ocean club west and loved it. Ia getting married there in 5 months. Back in April of last year we went on site visit there. Its beautiful. During my site visit i stayed in a junior suite which is perfect for two people. This time i will stay in an oceanfront 2 bedroom. I must say all of the views from the balcony are outstanding except for studio suites. They are the only room where the view is of the island. We have 25 people going for at least a week and all are staying at ocean club west with us. They have a wedding coordinator for the room and do offer discounted group rates which we were able to get and even received a free room for 5 nights for a guest to stay in a studio. We are also having our reherssal dinner at opus which is located at ocean club the sister property. The atmosphere and food there was great. The wedding will be on the beach of ocw and we are having a catered bbq on the beach the day of. I do have pictures of the junior suite and resort if you want to see them. I personally loved the resort it is not fancy schmancy lol but it is not crappy either. The condos are great. I cant wait to go back. If you have other questions about the resort email me

Hey Lauren,     How great to have gotten engaged and married at the same place! Thats really special! My husband and I are having a vow renewal ceremony on April 20, 2013 at The Alexandra. We are having a dj-DJ William John. Has anyone else heard anything about him? I have heard there are a few options for make up and hair on the island-Shenique Perfection salon, and Geraldine with Maxime Salong. I think Geraldine is a little more expensive but I have heard both are good. I just have ordered table runners for our reception tables at weddinglinensdirect.com. They have a bunch of different colors at a reasonable price. Are you doing favors? If so what are they?

Corey I have booked shenique. Her quote is 150 for hair and 150 for makeup for bride. Bridesmaids hair and makeup is 250 or just 150 for hair or makeup. She will come to your room the day of. I am using her and their are 8 of us. It may be pricey but it is so worth it. She's great

Hi Girls,  I am getting married August 10, 2013 at Seven Stars Resort. We chose this resort since my that is were I got engaged for my birthday and I am familiar with the grounds.  We are planning a beach ceremony and then cocktail hour and reception on the West Deck.  We chose Brillant for our photographer.  I also am confused as to who to use for hair and make-up? I have not chosen anyone.  I also am deciding between a band or Dj. The on site coordinator recommended Tropical Allstars but I have not heard them play? Seven Stars offers house white linens for the reception does anyone know about how much it would cost to have a table runner or chargers? <3 Lauren

Hey Lauren. I have been told by my coordinator it is cheaper to buy table runners or linens here and to bring them with you bc they can get expensive to rent there. I know I bought my linens table runners and linen napkins and my coordinator is going to buy them off me after the wedding. It's so cheap here. Look on line at wholesale linen stores you can get it way cheaper and just pack them with you

Hi dani I am new to site and blog but was reading your posts and you seem very organized! . I am looking to get married in oct 2013 at Grace Bay club most Likely although they are little pricey for rooms so prob do min room block and rest guests stay at ocean club west which is great too! I have stayed at OCW and grace bay club and my fiancé and I had our very first vacation and then again last year at T and C so want to get married there bc a special place to us. How are you handling transportation to rehearsal dinner? Paying for cabs/shuttle? What's proper etiquette for that for DW? Did you consider Coco bistro? Love that place for dinner. We are leaning towards beach BBQ for rehearsal dinner bc resort made reasonable for us but may consider coco bistro or coyoba. Thoughts? And who are you using for ceremony/cocktail hour for music? And DJ for reception?

Hey Tonkin In regards to shuttles the guests don't have to pay bc we are all staying bat cow and the rehearsal dinner is at oc so shuttles are complimentary. On the day of the wedding the reception will be on the beach. The etiquette is controversial on that bc I've read some places that the bride and groom should pay for transportation if its for the reception. If its for a rehearsal dinner you can invite them and let guest know that transportation will not be provided but that they are welcomed to attend. I know when I was on the island cabs run about 15.00-30.00 per person one way so that can get pricey. If you have a coordinator I would discuss that with them. Coco bistro is great. They are catering my reception on the beach which is known as kissing fish caters. In regards to music I am renting a dj for the full 5-6 hours so that way I can use his microphone during the ceremony so guests can hear and he can play the weddings songs I want during the ceremony. Then he can play for cocktail hour and reception. Let me know if you need any other suggestion bc they helped me in my planning

Kim. They will send you pics also of the bouquets your looking at buying id they have them. For me they did. I hear they do great work so sont worry

W. Corey: I love John. Wait until you meet him hes such a nice and funny guy. You both will enjoy working with him. I have actually went with Shenique for my hair and placed the deposit. She prices around 150 for hair and 150 for makeup for the bride but seeing pictures i believe its worth it. The bridesmaids are a littlecheaper but not much. We are using EA flowers which is who my coordinator picked. The bouganville is cheap and again it dependa on what flowers you want imported aome are much more expensive than others. I really think it depends on where their being imported from. Like i said mine are being imported from miami and honestly i would be paying the same here for flowers if not more as my selection would be way bigger. I too will have a different bouquet from the girls. However i wont be using flowers as my centerpieces because i hear that geta very pricey. I have looked at the beaches blog and you would be shocked to see the fake flowers becaise they do look so real. I spoke with aome brides that ordered fake ones from etsy and loved them. You have to do whats in your budget and what works for you. Im excited and i agree it is alot planning something far away because it is so different than planning a wedding from home. But it is exciting. Are you making welcome bags. If so what are you putting in them. I love hearing everyones ideas.

Hi W Corey: congrats on your upcoming wedding. I love meeting new brides. As far as the aleaxandria goes i never stayed there but friend owns one of the condos and from what i have heard its beautiful. I also know its so close to the coral reef where you can actually go snorkiling right off the beach and have lunch at this cute bar restaurant called somewhere. We are actually planning to snorkel there instead of renting a boat. I am not sure if you can walk to the supermarket from there thats something i dont know. But i personally think it is in a beautiful location. I see alot of girls get flowers from etsy.com. I have been lucky though i am having real flowers but im using the island flower and the only flower being imported are the blue and purple dendronim orchids and since they were coming from miami it really wasnt expensive. Im so excited for you and me. I can tell you about jon nickson bc he is my photographer for our wedding. Honestly i was stuck between brilliant and eyespicem i met with both on the island and they both do wonderful work yet different. While i was on the island jon was the photographer for a wedding at my resort and once i was home he sent pictures of that wedding and i was sold. Personally for me it was more within my budget for the number of hours i wanted. I would say look at both sites and contact both business. See what work you like best and what works for your budget. I found both vendors to be more than helpful. Hope that helps. Keep me posted i love talking about planning our big days

Shae:

 

  I will say in regards to transportation cabs are expensive on the island. I took at cab to and from the airport and each time was 30.00 per person. So it does cost about 60.00 per person round trip. This time for the wedding I am renting a car. If a large group goes it may also be worth checking out a limo service or car rental service on the island which does airport transfer or if you stay at an all inclusive like Beaches-airport transfer is included.

 

 For me, I really did not think the island was so expensive but it all depends whats in your budgt and where you are from. I will say shopping at the Groumet Food (market) was expensive. Some items are pricey some are the same as in the US. I will say that if you do not stay somehwere that is all inclusive most of the resorts down there are somewhat like condos even if it is a luxury resort. Some are located within walking distance to many places and you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at a reasonable priced spot. But if you looking for a luxury dinner than your going to pay a luxury price lol

 

I thought the island was beautiful and worth every penny. I personally loved the fact that it isn't party central and it is a place where you can enjoy the time with your guest and there really isn't much happening or going on. So it makes it very initimate unlike many islands in the caribean.

Congrats Kim:

 

I am so happy for you. I told you, you would know it was the one. You look beautiful in your dress. It's exciting isn't it. Where did you finally find the one?

I thought this post was a great post. I think all of us go through this. I am going through this now. It's funny when its 1 year or more before the wedding everyone is going. As its not only 8 months away, I still have a large number of definites but there are quite who few who I feel like aren't able to go and just won't say it. the part I can't get the most is, if you can't afford it or don't want to attend I completely understand. BUT JUST SAY IT PEOPLE. The reaslity is as one drops another comes and to be honest I could care less if you come or you don't. Either way my day is going to go and its going to be a wonderful vacation for all who do come.

Oh and P.S. the Sottero site after you look at a dress you specifically like has a link on the right that says "Find A Store" click that link and put in PA and NJ and you should find PA retailers and South Jersey retailers since only certain stores are permitted to carry the line.

Also, DO NOT SHOW HIM THE DRESS YOU PICK lol. It's a killer. I have been dying to just show him. But you know what it will be worth it when he sees you and sees how beautiful and stunning you look because if you don't show him hes excited himself to see you. If he sees it, well you'll still look great and he'll love it but he has an idea of what to accept.

Kim:

 

Thank you so much and beleive me you will find a dress that you feel a bride in. At first I didn't either and I just felt like "oh this dress is nice" or oh "wow I love this dress but Im not sure if I can move in it". One thing I definitely agree in is so many of those dresses are so darn heavy. It was ridiculous. I kept thinking how the hell am I going to be walking around in this dress and not be sweating terribly. So finally when I did put that dress it on, it was made of Chiffon and was so light compared to the others it was great. It's hard to see on me which is why I sent the Sottero link it has beautiful swarvorski crystals just in the right places and it wasn't too much but wasn't too plain. It was perfect and when you put the dress on and look in the mirror you're first though will be when you look at yourself "wow this is beautiful" then you might not be sure. A good place will put the dresses you like aside and make you try them back on again. Finally, at the end when I put that dress back on I felt excited. I wanted her to put the veil on again and it was it. Kim you will know believe me and if you don't feel like you love the dress and that you feel confident about how YOU look in it. Don't get it.

 

There are no carriers of Sottero & Midgley in Pennsyvlania. Well I think theres one L & H Bridal somewhere in the northeast. But what I did was I looked at Sottero's site first and I found all the dresses I loved (My favorite at the time was Landis by Sottero & Midgley) but after trying it on I didn't like the piece inside the dress I could see it bulked up in the chest area and I didn't like that, even though the dress is stunning. After you find the dresses you like you can call L & H Bridal or Kay's Bridal in Maple Shade, NJ. I went there to Maple Shade. I read reviews on them and some people were saying the lady was mean, and she wouldn't let you take photos in the dress, they didn't show the prices, the dress had no labels. I must say this was so not my experience. Every dress I tried on was Sottero & Midgley except one and I seen all the labels on the dress, she read the price from the label and as you can see she let me take a picture in the sample. But I think there also a shop in Cherry Hill. I will tell you this Kay's Bridal had a huge huge selection of dresses and you should definitely find something there. I do know this that I was told I came at the perfect time and that "we" (those getting married in May) really need to start picking out yoru dress because it takes quite a few months for the dress to even come in after ordered and thats before alterations.

 

Don't settle for something that you don't "feel like a bride in" When you look in the mirror you should feel like "This is it" I can see myself wearing this all night. Honestly, when I put that dress on I knew that I am not buying a second dress. I want to stay in that dress all night and just bustle the back lol

Tyre:

 

So Sorry about your losses. That really stinks. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

 

Yes, it is true. I went looking with a specific dress in mind (not the one I got) and when I tried it on and tried on other dresses it just felt like I was trying on dresses even with the veils. Let alone I never knew how heavy those dresses really are. Then I tried on this dress which was much lighter and not so heavy and when I looked in the mirror, even though it wasn't a dress I was originally interested in, it look beautiful. Then she put the veil on and I looked in the mirror and I thought OMG I look like a bride, I am getting married" and I felt like I could see myself wearing that dress all night. It was me. I didn't decide to get it at that moment I tried on others that were runners up and then tried that dress on again and when I put it again I knew this is the dress. So that saying is true. You do know I always wondered if you did and I even though while trying on others that this wasn't working for me. But in that dress when I looked in the mirror I looked like a bride and so it became the one.

 

Now I love it and I feel like the pictures even on the site don't do that poor dress justice. As far as a dork, lol I wanted to show him so bad but I want him to see me and I want him to think how beautiful I look. I will say Sottero & Midgley carry alot of beautiful dresses. I am even not going to get another dress. I just want to stay in the dress all night and its so comfortable and light weight. I am very happy with it.

P.S.

 

I love all the dresses. I think dress #2 & #3 on your list are more plain than dress #1. but they all are beautiful dresses lol

 

When you try it on you will know. That dress wasn't even one of the ones I wanted but when I put it on and looked in the mirror it was me and i knew this was the dress. For the first time trying on the dresses I actually felt like a bride. I can't wait until it comes. I am dying to show him the dress but I want him to be suprised when he sees me so I haven't lol I'm a big dork

Hey Kim:

 

 Originally, the dress I got was the Amber dress here is a pic of when I tried it on

 

Here is a link for the actual dress:

 

http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.aspx?style=JSM1500&page=0&pageSize=16&keywordText=&keywordType=All

 

 

I love it and cannot wait until it comes in

So excited. Went dress shopping today and I found the dress. It's a sottero & midgley dress and is absolutely perfect. I felt like a bride. I can't wait till he sees me in it

P.S. Kim i love the dress. Beautiful. that looks perfect and definitely looks like you will be able to dance the night away in it.

Kim:

 

 The dress I seen by Oleg Cassani was at David's Bridal. I am going there but to the one in NJ I think Cherry Hill in September. It is more of a formal dress but I think I want the formal dress for the picturs and then I am going to change after the first dance and dances with the parents. I am so excited too. Everytime I talk to the wedding planner or I plan an excusion i get more and more excited. I am thining of getting certified so that I can go diving while there as it is a dive island. I think I am going to change into a less formal dress after and party the night away in that but durng that time I want something cute and sexy for the reception dress.

I've actually been looking at a dress sold by BHLDN but it's a reception dress. I have been pondering the thought of possibly getting changed after the wedding into a cute little white dress because I really want to spend most of my night dancing lol. I know it sounds crazy and I am not sure if I am going to do it yet but I am not sure if I really want to stay in my gown all night. I don't know I think it will come down to once I try on my actual dress if I feel like its comfortable enough for me to dance the night away in. If not this one dress is really cute that I like from them for the reception.

 

I also have seen this really beautiful lace dress that I liked by Oleg Cassani but I am not sure what's it is going to look like once I try it on. So when September comes we'll see. I can't believe we are getting married in 9 months it will be here before I know it.

Tyre My weeding planner created a web page and I used my own from The Knot.com which is free. Check out that site its great. I have an idea about my dress but need to see it on first. How about you guys.

OMG Kim. That is so funny. You are so close to me. I was telling my FI about it because it's so weird. I have not got my dress yet and am going in September. That's great I am so happy you guys are doing the beach ceremony I know it will be so nice because I witnessed it when I went. The more you plan the more exciting it is. We picked out our wedding bands which was really exciting. I am not sure who your jeweler is but just an fyi there's a great jeweler who won't rip you off located at 9 th and Christian streets near the Italian market. His name is Armando Rey jeweler in case your interested. I love him and he works with you. I have never been to the west coast but want to go one day. Wait till you see you save the dates it's so surreal.