newbiebridetobe

What about searching for some "lots" of chapsticks on ebay.  I had a quick glance and it looks like there may be some options.  

Thanks for sharing!!! Where did you get your camera bags from?

Originally Posted by NSinyerd 

 

We got our key card holders yesterday in the mail and are so happy about them!!

 

Where did you get your aloe from? We are having a really hard time finding travel size ones.. maybe we have to wait a bit longer till more summer stuff comes out.

We got our Aloe from Dollar Tree during one of our runs across the boarder to get stuff for the wedding.  They were large bottles and were $1.00!!!!!!

Originally Posted by KDoyle 

 

HI all...this question is more for Past Brides ......I have been stressing over whether to have a videographer or not and I desperately need some help! .....I am really worried that a videographer may be too intrusive and take away from the romance and ambiance of the ceremony etc... 

 

Can any past brides let me know their thoughts?? Was the video worth it, did you feel the videographer was in your face or was in the way of guests or your photographer? I would really appreciate your feedback! Many thanks!

Hey there!  I just had my wedding at the Iberostar in Montego Bay last week.  We hired Sungold photography for photos (two photographers, Paula and Damien) and Elite Media for video and DJ service (two video guys, Edward and his assistant).  I thought that with four people I would feel like the paparazti was following us around.....I was totally wrong.

While I can't comment on the end product yet I can say that both the photographers and video guys added to my happiness on that day.  They made my day extremely special and ended up not just being people taking pictures and video.  They were so fun, energetic, outgoing, friendly and amazing....and can't help but smile when I think about them!  They added to the special memories I have of that day and I never once felt like people were in my face, in the way or ruining the ambiance....they actually added to it! .  I think anyone with experience in the field know how to add to you day....not take away from it.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Originally Posted by Laura2013 

 

I looked into booking Elite Media's DJ service as well but I just couldnt justify the cost because it really adds up with the vendor fees and I already am splurging with their videography services. All the reviews I read on them were excellent though, so I really wanted to book them. I feel like I dont know what I am going get with booking the resort DJ.... 

Hey there!  I was going to wait to include this in my review but needed to chime in...

I just had my wedding at the Suites and we used Edward with Elite Media for our video service.  With all the confusion re: resort DJ and who books it, etc. we decided last minute to book Edward for the DJ service as well. 

LET ME TELL YOU....IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS WE MADE!  Not only does he have an automated play list that you create BEFORE you leave (he sends you a link and you add songs that are "must haves", "play if time permits" and "don't plays") but he literally got the party pumping and got people hyped and dancing...he kept the party going.  He was amazing!!!

Bonus.....we had already paid the vendor fee for him and his assistant (for video services)....so there was no additional vendor fee!  His video assistant kept video-ing while Edward was DJ-ing.  He was so fun to work with and seriously takes pride in delivering quality.

Those little watches are a GREAT idea for the OOT bags.  If I could go back in time that is the one thing I would have added!

Other BIG "hits" for my group were:

-sudoku/wordfind books (for the older crowd)

-snacks (little bags of cheesies/chips/crackers)...SlimJims were a big hit as well

-tip and key card holders (zip-loc/waterproof on a coil wrist band)....everyone used theirs

-waterproof camera bags

-TUMS

-Pepto tabs

-Aloe gel

Just on the topic of make-up artists ....

My communication with Rashel up until now has been FLAWLESS.  She had been great.  I'll let you know how the make-up turns out NEXT WEEK!

I initally wanted to book with Loni Jones and it was a terrible experience it took 4 e-mails back and forth and she couldn't/wouldn't tell me how to book my date with her (i.e., send her a down payment) and then she confused me by confusing me with another bride.  That just screamed "won't show up on the day of the wedding" to me.....her make-up and work is stunning so it's a shame the communication is so terrible.

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/38128/canadian-oot-bag-info-where-to-shop

Hey ladies,

If anyone is looking for a little extra "boost" in their strapless dresses...

La Vie En Rose (outlet) has all of their "inserts" marked down to $0.99  PLUS 30% off.  They had silicone ones, bead ones and fabric ones!  Some of them are $20, regular price. 

Oh I'm so happy I fell on this thread!  I wish you guys weren't going through this....but you guys are hilarious and it's nice to know that I'm not the only going through similar situations!!

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

Ohhhh I'm so happy to hear this from someone else!! I was beginning to think I was the only weird bride who doesn't want a bachelorette party or shower! Lol! If I had to have a bachelorette I'd rather do a joint one with the FI or a cool spa day but honestly I'd be happy to forgo all of it...just wish he would too!! Lol

I think we highjacked this thread 

I didn't want a shower either.  It's difficult for people to understand.  I'm going to have a hard time being in the spotlight on the wedding day....so the idea of other events like that do not appeal to me at all!

How many years are you guys apart?

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

I feel the same way! I don't really have a desire for one (but maybe because that's I'm older than him) so I'm trying not to think about him having one! Lol! Honestly I don't worry about him when he's at work...it's when he's out at "normal" bars that my mind trips me up! Lol! And I trust him 1,000 % until his friends get him stupid messy and then he doesn't know his a** from his face!! Lolol!! Ughhhhh praying to the wedding Gods he doesn't go to Vegas as he's hoping to for his bachelor party! Lol

Hahahahaha!!!  Are we marrying the same person? 

I'm older as well and I'm not having a bachelorette party either.....no desire.

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

Well I would love to allow him messy nights but honestly he has it better than anyone he knows (guy-wise)...he manages a strip club!! So in my eyes he has an average guy's "bachelor party" every night of the week...needless to say I'm dreading his actual bachelor party which he seems to think will be in Vegas!!! Ummmm we don't have any groomsmen so that should mean no bachelor party riiiight?? Someone back me up here! Lol

Wow!  That's tough!  That would be a bachelor party every night!  You are obviously a strong woman!  That would be tough for me to handle.

We have two weekends before we leave and there has been no bachelor party yet...so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I know they are harmless....in general....most of the time.....but I just don't like the theme of "celebrating one last night of freedom".

Originally Posted by Billandstina 

 

I feel your pain y'all! We made sure the singles knew they could invite their significant others and we're only inviting family so I didn't think we'd have to deal with any of this when I started getting RSVP's through our website of people we'd never heard of (its password protected so it was only family viewing it). It turns out the FI's single cousin had decided this was spring break and instead of inviting his girlfriend had invited a bunch of guys!!! Ummmmm this is NOT ok!! I told the FI he better nip it in the bud (especially when family members hasn't even booked yet) because if he thinks for two seconds this is spring break he has another thing coming! Lucky me, I robbed the cradle and sometimes he's still a 12 year old, but I've told him that if he's drunk the entire week I'll turn and walk the other way when I get to the top of the aisle!!! Lololololol! Is that bad? I just don't get the nerve of some people! I would NEVER invite myself or book a trip to someone's Family-only wedding, especially not knowing either the bride or groom! Insane!! Lol

Hahahahahaha......Billandstina.....loved your post!  So much of that is familiar to me!  My fiance is "allowed" two "messy" nights....no questions asked!

Sounds like this is common practice!

It makes sense for singles to bring a guest to room with.....whoever that extra person may be.  We would encourage and support that.  What's frustrating to us are all of the extra people booking who were not invited and who are not coming as a +1......they are a just coming.

I really think it's difficult for people to understand that the whole week required an invitation.....not just the ceremony and reception.

My quote/what I'm paying with TWP is the same as what you just mentioned.  There are also additional pp fees for drinks/snacks, etc.

My recommendation would be to price out what you want if you had the resort on-resort (all the extras really add up!) and then compare that to the price with TWJ.  It ended up being about $3000 more for us based on our situation but it was worth it to us to have it at the Aqueducts.

Originally Posted by mg99 

 

Hi Ladies--

 

I'm also planning a set-up similar to both of yours. I'd like to have the ceremony at the Aqueducts but when I requested a quote I was told I would have to book the Rose Hall Dreams package for $5900 plus additional charges for my guests that are not staying at the property. Because my guests would be staying at IRHS (and our plan is to have the reception at Aunt Ruby's) it seemed pointless to pay for a package that included so many things we would have no use for.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what were you quoted for the rental of the Aqueduct and what did that include? Is there a charge per person or is the rate a flat fee?

 

Also, how do you plan to coordinate travel from IRHS to the Aqueduct and back? My group is likely going to be 100ppl so I may need to look into renting a coach bus.

mg99....who did you receive the quote from?  Tropical Weddings Jamaica?

Originally Posted by kmmathes 

 

What's the best place to get aloe? I'd really like to add it to my OOT bags but don't want to spend too much. I'm heading across the border to do some US shopping this weekend so any advice would be much appreciated!

I found large bottles of aloe gel for my OOT bags in a Dollar Tree in the States ($1.00).

Well....I'm three weeks away from the big day today.....and I have had no response from the wedding coordinators.  I have no idea what restaurant we'll be having our dinner at or whether or not we will have music, etc.   I'm realizing that you really have to be laid back to have a destination wedding!

I have to weigh in on this one...because I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! 

During our invitation time my future mother in-law pulled something similar.  It was decided that my FI would deal with it.  Unfortunately he caved and we were left inviting people I had never met before (friends of his parents) and people that WE just didn't want to be there.  If I had to go back and do it again I think I would have planned a firm sit-down with both of our parents and laid down the ground rules re: invites.  That potentially could have saved some stress and grief.  I have since let that one go....only because I had to....it's not worth it to let it ruin your day.

We are now three weeks away and we have had one couple (who were not invited) book, apparently because they think it's a fun crowd coming (which it is!).  My FI friends are also dating some young girls and apparently they think that it's ok for them to invite their friends as well.  We now have a few girls jump on the trip who were not invited as well. 

I still can't wrap my head around what some people are thinking inviting themselves to someone elses wedding.  My FI and I have chatted about it and we think people a) probably thing the wedding is not costing us anything therefore they could just come (boy, are they incorrect!) and people probably don't consider the trip to be an extension of the wedding day (i.e., they think that they can just come on the trip uninvited but not come to wedding).

We have decided to bite our tougues and include everyone in the wedding.  Yes, this has involved more money and some last minute planning but it is worth it to us to keep people happy.

The exception to this is if any of these people make me feel uncomfortable leading up to or on my wedding day.  If that's the case then the "keeping people happy" plan goes out the window and I will have no problem telling people that they are no longere welcome to attend!

Bottomline......you are not alone.  In the end you need to do what is best for you and your FI.

I think coral and a pop of fuchsia could work.  What if the guys wore grey?

Originally Posted by cinnagirl 

 

Those look great!! I'm sure your guests will love them. Do you mind me asking where you got the bags? They are exactly the kind of bags I'm looking for!

Thanks!  I got the bags from Dollarama.  They were $2.00 each.

Originally Posted by soonCB 

 

NewbieBride, Your bags look great!!! I think will end up posting mine in a planning thread after the wedding. Where did you get the Gatoraide pakcets in Canada? I couldnt find those anywhere!

Thanks!  I ended up buying the Gatoraide packages on a girls shopping weekend to the states.  Prices varied depending on how close we were to the boarder.  I ended up snagging them for $1.88 for a package of 8.

I JUST finished my OOT bags ladies and wanted to thank everyone for the thoughts and ideas!  Here are some photos of the end product!  The bags vary slightly depending on who is receiving them.  The wedding party and parents have Bubba mugs in theirs.  I ended up doing one per couple or single and am very pleased with how they turned out....and that they are done!

Welcome letter and room list card

Patois phrases handout

Hangover snacks, lip chap and waterproof camera case

Wedding week survival kits, side one:  eye drops, moisturizer, condoms, Emergen-C, Imodium, sun screen, Gatoraide, Pepto tablets

Wedding week survival kits, side two:  Body wash, Tums, energy shot, floss

More snacks, Kleenex, "Queasy Pops", Advil, gum, Aloe gel

Room key/tip holders with wrist bands (sorry about the glare)

The outside of the bags!

Thought I would share my Etsy finds so far!!!

designbykara

maddiesattic for bridesmaid gift

3littlepixiesshoppe for father of the bride gift

ericamaymade

thingscustomized for grooms gifts (not travelling to jamaica with us!)

DawnaS