FutureMrsGlover

@@atennille.....go to the gallery and you can view the pictures I have there for Royalton White Sands.  

@@pamelas21....I am so happy to have my confirmation from the resort!  It was a big load off.  Now I have been working on these boarding pass invites.  Man, they really are a labor of love!!!!   I think my FI thinks I am crazy and have lost it with our dining room table completely covered in paper and cutting tools!

@@helenk.....I looked at your gallery.....first your ring is gorgeous!!!  And that dress is beautiful!!  I love the detail!  If you try it on, make sure you post pics!!!  

Hi ladies....after all of my indecision and worried about room availability, we are now booked at the Royalton for October 10, 2015 @ 5 pm.  That is such a big relief!!!!   Now I can work on getting these invitations printed and out to everyone this month.  475 days to go!!!!

@@helenk....it is so light and I love it also.  The first one I liked if I was getting married here in the states in a church....but the lace is just so beautiful!!!  I knew it was for me and I love the sweetheart neckline, it gave me a chest that I don't have!!! 

Well, it is official....we are getting married at the Royalton.  I spoke with the wedding planner there and my date is available and they have all of our contract info and the deposit.   I am just waiting for their confirmation email but she told me everything was a go!!!  I am now really excited.  475 days to go!!!

@@helenk......don't go by the pictures on David's Bridal....the dresses don't look the same.  If you look in my gallery you will see the first and second dress I picked out and the model photos.  Neither dress was appealing to me by the pictures online!

@@helenk.....well my FI was the deciding factor on the resort.   He saw how I was struggling with the decision and he stepped in.  He decided he likes the Royalton better, so I am fine with that.  I was just too stressed out by the whole process because I loved both resorts and they both have so much to offer.    And he needed to make some decisions...he has been leaving a lot up to me and it was working my nerves!!!

So we decided to go with the Love package and add the Jamaican experience which gives us a steel pan band for cocktail hour and a Reggae band for two hours of the reception, open bar and rum tasting for the guests.  I really liked the idea of having the band.  The total for 20 people is $2598 plus the DJ and pictures. 

I am so glad this decision is now done! 

@@helenk.....I ended up with one dress, took it back and exchanged for another....luckily I purchased from David's Bridal because most dress shops won't let you do that.  My wedding gown was $899.  Both my reception dresses I purchased from Cache' one was $200 and the other was only $9.00 - my friend works there and I got a 50% discount and then I had a $100 gift card.

It will be great to do a little shopping with your girlfriend....get the reception dress with her and your wedding gown with your mother.  My mother was not able to be there when I picked out my dress. 

That was great for Cheapcaribbean.....I will look on there to see the rates for my dates. 

@@helenk.....the rates are there for rooms only......originally I thought the rooms weren't available at the Royalton but it was just they hadn't released them for purchase.  However, they did a special some weeks back and my TA was able to get the Presidential Suite with Oceanview for $2800  (but that doesn't include our flight).

 You are correct in the flights are not available.   My TA stated that the flights should be available November 15 of this year...they are usually available 11 months before.  So on my website it states that the deposits are due beginning November 15th so they can do a complete package with the rooms and flights. 

I thought planning a destination wedding would be easier but it is so hard and I actually did sight visits.....but I am indecisive.  I actually bought one wedding dress and returned it for another and I have two reception dresses. 

@@helenk.....I just spoke with my travel agent and I am now really confused as to what to do......I haven't given a deposit to either Iberostar or Royalton but my travel agent was able to get me a Presidential Oceanview Suite at Royalton for $2800 which I had put a deposit on......of course I can't get it back.  Also, the rates for my guests are really good at Royalton....approximately $1033 for 4 nights/5 days.   The Iberostar rates are approximately $1530 for the guests.   I really don't want my guests to spend more than they have to.  It would also cost approximately $3500 for our stay at the Iberostar.  With me trying to save on the cost all around, the Royalton is starting to look better again. 

I am so confused so I am just going to sleep on it.....hopefully, I will make a decision soon. 

As far as the date, we have chosen October 10, 2015 which the Royalton has available....no word from Iberostar on their availability. 

Congratulations and happy planning!!! 

You will find so much helpful information and support from all the ladies on this site.  

@@helenk.....I want to do the lazy river and cocktail hour on the terrace.   And if we have enough people, then the private reception. 

I only have the pics of the bouquet that Loreto sent me but I have decided to do my own bouquet and bridesmaids if needed (not really sure if we are doing the wedding party). As well as my centerpieces.  I saw this cute idea on Pinterest with lighted chinese lanterns with flowers coming out of top, with votives around the lanterns.  It will be easy to pack the lanterns as they come flat. 

I have designed our invitations, website etc....I am just waiting the confirmation from Iberostar so I can get them printed and sent out.   I am excited to finally get them out.  It will feel real once all the friends and family have their invites. 

@@helenk......I did like the rooms.  They are a very nice size a small sofa that pulls out to a bed, and a balcony with chair swing to relax in.   The only thing I didn't like about the rooms is there is a slight musty smell but that is due to being on the island and all of the dampness. I am going to put air fresheners in my guest bags to solve that issue. 

When I did my site visit, I spoke with Simone who was very pleasant and knowledgeable.  I explained to her my desire to keep the cost down as well.  So the package is $2799 + 800 (private reception) + 570 (DJ) + 750 (30 extra guests) = $4919.   I thought this was not too bad.  However, if we don't end up with the 40 - 50 people for the private reception, then we will have dinner and then rent out the club as well to do the cake and dancing. 

Simone also showed me pictures of the restaurants when they set them up for the private receptions - very elegant. 

I also asked about private dinners such as welcome dinner or bon voyage breakfast - I was told that they can make seating arrangements in the restaurants for your group at no extra charge or you can meet up in the Blue Moon Music bar to have drinks for a meet & greet. 

I had originally wanted to be married at the Royalton White Sands....but they charge for the chair covers, bows, aisle runner, etc.  Also, in order to do a private event there is the event fee of $300 + you pick a buffet and pay per person (this was $36 to $60 per person).  Or you can do a semi- private but they don't have a place to do dancing afterwards.  Or I was going to do the Jamaican experience added to the Love package but it then cost $70 ($20 for love package and $50 for Jamaican experience)  per person over 20 guests.  It was just easier to go with Iberostar because each additional person is only $25 and my FI keeps adding people to the list. 

All of this can get quite complicated when you are trying to stay in a budget and not go over.  

Have you decided where you will have your ceremony?

@@helenk.....I recently did a site visit to Iberostar Rose Hall Suites....yes, you can do just what you said.  I spoke with Simone while I was there.  You can have the cake and champagne toast in the disco.  I actually thought about doing the same thing.  I originally chose Royalton White Sands for my wedding but I am not sure now based on room availability and the size of the regular rooms.  They are really small and I want my guests to feel comfortable.  In addition, based on the packages chosen (Love and Jamaican Experience) it would cost me additional $70 per person over the 20.  At Iberostar it is 25.  I am still trying to decide which resort but I think I am going to change to Iberostar. 

Also as far as décor, Iberostar includes the table cloths, overlay and chair covers and chair bows.  So you would only need your centerpieces and table numbers if you do the private reception.  I would talk with Loreto or Simone and they can help you plan to meet your budget. 

@@acw271011....thanks for the info.....I did talk with my travel agent who was with me on my site visit.  She actually called the resort and it seems like everything will be fine.  I just panicked when I was comparing prices and didn't see any availability. 

This whole process has me stressed, on top of work, home etc!!! 

@@kcole123......that is what I was thinking also. My travel agent is even surprised. 

I am thinking of changing resorts - to either Iberostar or Secrets....I did like all three resorts equally well.  And the wedding packages aren't too much different. 

I was actually looking on some websites - Apple vacations, Expedia, and Royalton's actual booking website and all have no availability or maybe one room left for that weekend at the Royalton.   

@@acw271011......I thought about doing a block of rooms but my FI doesn't want to.  The travel agent said that she feels we will have enough rooms in the Luxury Oceanview category for the number of people I am inviting.  The other room categories are sold out or at least it seems as though they are sold out.   

The rooms at the Royalton are a bit small - I call them European room size.  I have had my room booked since April....we booked the presidential suite but that room category seems to be sold out or either they haven't released any more of those room options. 

The only reason I am questioning it is because a friend stated she wanted to book a larger room but I am not sure it will be available. 

I am planning on hand delivering some of my invitations and other's will be mailed.  I don't find it tacky especially if they are close friends and family. 

Hi Ladies,

I am stressing out.....I have been looking at resort booking websites and many of them don't have rooms at the Royalton for the dates of my wedding.  My travel agent checked on her vendor/tour operator site  and the only rooms available are the Luxury and Luxury oceanview.  I have not sent in my documents to the wedding manager yet and I am second guessing having the wedding there because I fear there won't be any rooms for my guests.  I know everyone that I invite will not be attending but I have one friend whom stated that she would like to book an upgraded room, but most sites don't have any rooms available.

The Royalton is becoming so popular it concerns me.  Should I go ahead and reserve my date at Royalton and hope for the best or look at other resorts?

Any advice would be appreciated.   

Thanks,

Tish

I love your website.....you did a great job!!!

@@kail28....it is really a beautiful place and not too big and not too small.  It makes it easier to meet up with your guests and family.   Only drawback is the regular luxury rooms are on the small side but I call them European rooms as in Europe most rooms aren't that large.   And do you have to have a large room if you are only there for a few days?!  The resort is so beautiful I didn't want to be in my room. 

The other was the rooftop deck is absolutely beautiful and I would love to have the reception there, however, there is no elevator and it has 42 steps with multiple landings.  If your guests have too many drinks it is a bit dangerous to come down the steps not to mention getting there in a wedding gown.  

@@kcole123......I am setting our deposit deadline for October 1, 2014, knowing that there will always be folks who are last minute.  The actual deadline is Nov. 15th.  My travel agent actually recommended this to me from her experience in the past.

Also, I wouldn't let it stress you out about who books and who doesn't.  I made up my mind months ago that I am only concerned about me and the FI being there.   Whoever else comes is just icing on the cake.  Don't get me wrong family and friends are important but the marriage is between the two people taking the vows.

Thanks for the info!

@@marinah84.....very beautiful and no I wouldn't have thought you just had a baby!!!  Way to get back in shape so quickly!!!

@@Tanya81....thank you!

So here is my new dress.....

@TinkerSofi....that is a good price.  I will definitely go to Staples.