KMidura

Hi Loreal30, That's awesome that you were able to lock in the Trip with the TA for $1299/person. Now does that include airfare?... because I was told that the flight schedule does not come out until 330 days prior to departure therefore they cannot guarantee the prices. So right now, we have a locked in rate for resort only, 1 week stay at $875/person. The TA is bouncing the airfare rates between a few airlines before we lock in. We have 50+ attending the wedding and therefore may need to divide our group between a few flights. Airfare also looks to be higher this year because of the fee increases. Right now we are around $550/person from Connecticut to Jamaica. I'm hoping she can push them down to $400.

So our Wedding date isn't until October 15th 2013, we have a large family. My wedding party has 12 people and that doesnt include parents and aunts/uncles. I figure we can easily fill up 30 rooms. So I requested a block of 30 rooms. My TA (friend of the family) said that shouldn't be an issue but my TA is getting a lot of pressure from the Travel Operator. The Travel Operator wants us to reserve all 30 rooms with deposit in a week. Below is a time table of whats been happening. Is this normal? Friday Sept. 21st: TA and us chose which Travel Operator to move forward with based on perks and group rate. Monday Sept. 24th: The TA sends me the rough draft of the wedding flyer that will go out with the STDs. She said she is go over the contract from the Travel Operator and appealing a few lines. Tuesday Sept 25th: I pick up the flyers. Wednesday Sept 26th: Mail out first batch of STD with flyers. Friday Sept 28th: Send out 2nd batch of STDs. Monday Oct 1st: TA calls me telling me that the Travel Operator wants 10 rooms booked with Deposit ($100/room) by Friday October 5th. Stress! I tell here it shouldn't be an issue because I have a large wedding party. Wednesday October 3rd: TA calls me saying that the Travel Operator is demanding all 30 rooms with deposit by Friday October 5th. She said she is appealing it. I also send out last batch of STDs. Friday October 5th: She said we got 11rooms booked and not to worry about the 30 rooms. She's hoping that they'll see we are acquiring rooms at a steady rate and they'll neglect to mention the "30 rooms in a week" thing. I told her that in the meantime, I've told non-wedding party guests to book by October 31st because I thought that was acceptable. She thinks that's fine. She said typically resorts do not start hounding you for room reservation until a few months before the wedding. We're over a year away, so she doesn't understand the Travel Operator at all. Also, we still have not signed any contract. What do you all think? My mom doesn't like that there is no official signed contract in use at the moment. There is also no reference in the current draft saying how long the "Group rate" applies or how soon we have to book all 30 rooms. I don't want to place blame on the TA, she is a friend of the family and I really think she is trying her best. It just sucks that we already mailed out the flyers and have people booking when there is no signed contract. It just all seems so sketchy but maybe this is normal?

I love the Kimono Bridesmaid Robes! What a great idea! Also, I love your Wedding Prep timetable. Are you making Welcome Bags? -Kristina

Hi Everyone, Just saying "hello" to the future Iberostar Rose Hall Beach brides. We just solidified our date; 10/15/2013. We just received our Save-the-dates. Do you think mailing out the Save-the-dates 12Months in advance is enough notice for the guests? FYI, I got save the date magnets from http://www.agiftfulheart.com/ They came out awesome. Definitely check out their website. Many beach templates available. It was great for me because I'm not "girly" enough to make my own specific design. Although that is an option. I can't wait to send them out. -Kristina

Hi Everyone, The date is finally confirmed: October 15th 2013 at the Beach Looking at 60 or so people. I've been following the threads since June but now I can officially say I'm a Iberostar Rose Hall Bride. We love Iberostar Rose Hall. We got our Scuba Licenses there. Fantastic Instructors! 2012 Brides: 08-12-2012 - dthomasg - Beach 08-18-2012 - MrsG 81812- Suites (Will and Ana) 08-24-2012 – Kadijah – Suites 10-06-2012- Jen723 -Grand 10-07-2012 - mcolon722 - Suites 10-13-2012-Mecampb - Suites (Jim & Morgan) 11-11-2012- meeshamillz - Beach 11-11-2012 – futuremrsclark (Megan & Nick) – Suites 12-03-2012 - Sjay (Sarah & Nelson) - Suites 12-12-2012 Bridemichyboo-Suites 2013 Brides: 01-04-2013- Justine416(Justine & Ryan)- Beach 01-07-2013 - Shauna253 - Suites 01-20-2013- Jreist - Beach 01-26-2013 - Grand 01-27-2013 - mthackeray (Adam and Marci) - Beach 01-28-2013 - erin2100 - Beach 02-20-2013 - newbiebridetobe - Suites 02-21-2013 - Cateyedcutie (Monique & Robert) – Grand 02-24-2013 - HollyandJohn - Suites 03-07-2013- mcc842002 (Meagan & Tom) - Beach 03-13-2013 - kristencanada (Kristen & Kyle) - Grand 03-23-2013 - Laura2013 (Laura & Jonathan) - Beach 03-28-2013-Kassi22 (Karen & Wayne) - Suites 04-17-2013 Vanessa and Robert - Suites 04-27-2013 - albellis (Andrea & David) - Beach 05-04-2013 - CourtandMatt (Courtney & Matt) - Suites 05-04-2013 - DaniScales2B (Danielle and Robert) - Grand 05-05-2013 - LauraKr - Suites 05-12-2013 - fut MrsAntenor (Tanae and Vladimir) - Suites 05-16-2013 - WendyJune (Wendy & Gordon) - Beach 05-18-2013 kinsellak1 (Roland and Kate)- Suites 05-23-2013 - heather1214 (Jack & Heather) - Suites 05-26-2013 - allieplask (Allie and Nick) Suites 05- -2013- amybutz89- Suites 06-01-2013 - madison87 - Grand 06-02-2013 - Lillove81 - Suites 06-04-2013 beachbaby1192 (Andy & Debbie) - Beach 06-17-2013 - Bruuning17 (Laura & Jaden) -Suites 06-21-2013- kfarkas26 (Kristi and Jack)- Grand 06-22-2013 abbeynmike (Abbey and Mike) - Grand 07-01-2013 HeyMonBride - Suites 07-06-2013 - DanaB16 (Dana & Russell) - Suites 07-20-2013 - CokonLove (Naima & Satu) - Suites 08-13-2013- cander916 -(CharnayandCarl) - Suites 08-31-2013 - jleg04 (Jen & Tim) - Suites 09-02-2013- krystal084 (Krystal & Kurt)- Suites 10-15-2013- KMidura (Kristina & Rich) - Beach 11-13-2013-Papoue (Pascale & Eric)- Beach 12-07-2013- MrsDSO (Brandy and Joe) - Suites 12-08-2013- ShayF (Shay and Dwayne)- Suites 12-09-2013- TrishKurtis- (Trish and Kurtis)- Suites