6055 replies to this topic

[RyGuysBride]

Hey! I like the idea of the flowers hanging over the back of the chairs! I might look into something like this... Have you decided on where you're doing the dinner? Are you doing a cocktail hour for speeches or anything? How is the rest of your planning coming along?

I haven't had much time to plan lately and now that I'm getting back into it, I feel like there's so much to do! We're less than 5 months away! Can you believe it?
 

Originally Posted by Nikadawn 

Hi Lindsay!

 

Our dinner is going to be very casual so this might be overly simple for what you have planned... I'm trying to do everything with paper to keep it light for transportation. I'm making luminaries with various sizes of white paper bags and lining them up all the way down the center of the table (we're having one long table) Some of them will have our initials cut into them with a palm leaf pattern which will glow when we put the candles in them, and some will have lyrics from romantic songs that we like written all over them.  Instead of chair covers I'm stringing paper flowers together and hanging them from the back of the chairs. That's all I've got so far, I'll keep ya posted if I have any other genius ideas though
 

 

 

[Islandgirl910]

Did any of you past brides have your dresses steamed a few days before your wedding at Iberostar? If so, how much was the cost? And do you think it was worth it?

[Nikadawn]

We decided a cocktail hour would be over-doing it with the small group we're expecting. The ceremony is going to be early evening anyway so we'll probably head straight to the steak house for dinner and then back to the beach for our bonfire with an open bar for an hour, then we'll just party at the disco. We're undecided on speeches too, maybe we'll just say a few words at dinner and leave it at that. Other than that I'm taking a very laid back approach to my planning, we are fully embracing the idea of "island time", lol.
 

Originally Posted by RyGuysBride 

Hey! I like the idea of the flowers hanging over the back of the chairs! I might look into something like this... Have you decided on where you're doing the dinner? Are you doing a cocktail hour for speeches or anything? How is the rest of your planning coming along?

I haven't had much time to plan lately and now that I'm getting back into it, I feel like there's so much to do! We're less than 5 months away! Can you believe it?
 

 

 

[Tropical Love]

Beach Bum
We were supposed to have an automatic upgrade because we booked so many rooms, but as of last week, we lost 4 rooms. So, now we're in the same room catergory as our guests and if we want to upgrade it's going to cost us an additional $859

Hi ladies, question for all the past/current Beach brides - were you or are you getting a free upgrade to a room at the Suites or Grand? I ask because I've read several posts by other brides about free upgrades (negotiated BEFORE departure, not at the time of check-in) as well as other "incentives" or perks such as a free cocktail hour, etc.  Upon asking the resort, they have responded that they DO NOT offer such incentives. So... before I follow up again, just wanted to check with fellow brides, I would love a free upgrade if it's typically offered

 

Thank you!

 

[Tropical Love]

What's everyone doing about a DJ? HELP

[beachbum21]

Hi Topical Love!

Well, that makes sense!! I did read about at least one girl with a free cocktail hour, free upgrade to the grand AND free nights! It was a tiered incentive plan. My TA had never heard of it, she followed up with the resort as did I and neither had any idea about any upgrades to the other resorts OR free cocktail hours, etc... SO, working it into the rate makes total sense!! And I wonder if the TA would have done that without her knowing? Either way, you make a good point... if I had known, a few extra dollars per person would have gone a long way! lol
 

Originally Posted by Tropical Love 

Beach Bum
We were supposed to have an automatic upgrade because we booked so many rooms, but as of last week, we lost 4 rooms. So, now we're in the same room catergory as our guests and if we want to upgrade it's going to cost us an additional $859!!! We're on the fence, on whether or not to pay that additional expense. The free upgrade to an ocean front room is only available upon request....which blows!

 

I too inquired how other brides are getting free cocktails and such. My WC at the Grand had no clue what I was talking about. When I mentioned it to my travel agent, she said that certain travel agents will figure out how much it would cost for a cocktail hour and add that to the rate. So, people don't even realize they're paying it. I mean if I knew I could have done that, I would have added another $30 per person to the room rate. *smiles* Who would have known besides, me and the travel agent.  A lesson learned! Good luck
 

 

 

[AngelaGrace]

Originally Posted by leslioni 

Congrats!!! Everything looked amazing!! Did you have a private reception? Which restaurant did you choose? Did you use Tai Flora for flowers? Did you and all your bridesmaids get your hair done at the Spa...were you happy with them? Sorry for all the ???'s lol
 

 

 

Thank you!! TO answer your questions:

 

Yes, we had a private reception at Jambalaya Cajun Resaurant. We had 51 guests including us and the place was perfect!! Seriously they decorated it beautifully it looked even better than a traditional wedding reception. Very beachy-feel great colors!

 

I made ALL of our flowers at home by getting silk flowers from Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Joanne Fabrics. It was hard but in the end I lovvvvved our flowers more than anything a pro would have done. I liked doing it my way because 1. it was cheap (about 120 dollars for my bouquet, 7 bridesmaids, 6 groomsman, groom, and 2 readers, and moms and dads coursage/boutoneeire) We would have spent well over 700 dollars for all of that with Tia Floral, 2. i got to put them together myself and make it just the way i imagined, 3. it was less coordinating with the resort.

 

I got my hair done at the spa and I loved my hair. 2 of my bridesmaids got their hair done and both of them LOVED it. it was relatively quick because the spa girls are soo good with beachy flowey hair and just throwing something together that looks good on each girl individually.

 

HOWEVER: i got my hair, makeup, and mani pedi....i would only recommend hair and maybe makeup.

 

I got my nails shalacked at home before the wedding to grow my nails out. at the spa, they had to take the shalack off and did my nails the day of the wedding. my nails smudged and i had to frantically get white-out from the front desk to fix my nails!!!! i would recommend getting ur nails done the day before the wedding, or get them shallacked at home just before you leave for jamaica-im sure you will get MUCH better results!

 

makeup was good-but it was soooo hot i had to touch up my sweaty-ness with my own powder throughout the day and the lipstick she put on my wore off by the time for ceremony/reception so i was a little worried about that but i just threw on some gloss cause i dont normally wear lipstick but for my wedding day i thoguht it would nicer. bring extra lipstick from home to reapply if you get your makeup done at the spa. prepare for humidity!!!!! it was hot on my wedding day and i was a sweaty mess!! i ended up putting my hair back in a pony tail when we went to the disco after the private reception and changing into a short wedding dress and im gladdddd i did that. i felt so much better!! my hair was half up half down for ceremony cause hubby likes it down.

 

umm any more questions just email me AngelaGPowers@gmail.com. I dont check this too often and I want to help all of you future brides!

 

 

 

[beachbum21]

Angela:

Thank you SOO much for your info! How was the food there? If we don't go off the resort, we'll probably go to the steak house because it's open air and next to the beach so I thought it would be nice to have it there.

When was your wedding? Ie. what month? I've never been to Jamaica so am not sure about the weather all year round, we'll be there in April - is it super humid in April (does anyone know?)? I'll check the weather sites as well

I hadn't considered changing into something for the disco, but if it's that hot I might have to! Plus it might be neat to get another dress! lol

I'll probably be emailing you as well with more questions!

 

thanks again!

Originally Posted by AngelaGrace 

Thank you!! TO answer your questions:

 

Yes, we had a private reception at Jambalaya Cajun Resaurant. We had 51 guests including us and the place was perfect!! Seriously they decorated it beautifully it looked even better than a traditional wedding reception. Very beachy-feel great colors!

 

I made ALL of our flowers at home by getting silk flowers from Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Joanne Fabrics. It was hard but in the end I lovvvvved our flowers more than anything a pro would have done. I liked doing it my way because 1. it was cheap (about 120 dollars for my bouquet, 7 bridesmaids, 6 groomsman, groom, and 2 readers, and moms and dads coursage/boutoneeire) We would have spent well over 700 dollars for all of that with Tia Floral, 2. i got to put them together myself and make it just the way i imagined, 3. it was less coordinating with the resort.

 

I got my hair done at the spa and I loved my hair. 2 of my bridesmaids got their hair done and both of them LOVED it. it was relatively quick because the spa girls are soo good with beachy flowey hair and just throwing something together that looks good on each girl individually.

 

HOWEVER: i got my hair, makeup, and mani pedi....i would only recommend hair and maybe makeup.

 

I got my nails shalacked at home before the wedding to grow my nails out. at the spa, they had to take the shalack off and did my nails the day of the wedding. my nails smudged and i had to frantically get white-out from the front desk to fix my nails!!!! i would recommend getting ur nails done the day before the wedding, or get them shallacked at home just before you leave for jamaica-im sure you will get MUCH better results!

 

makeup was good-but it was soooo hot i had to touch up my sweaty-ness with my own powder throughout the day and the lipstick she put on my wore off by the time for ceremony/reception so i was a little worried about that but i just threw on some gloss cause i dont normally wear lipstick but for my wedding day i thoguht it would nicer. bring extra lipstick from home to reapply if you get your makeup done at the spa. prepare for humidity!!!!! it was hot on my wedding day and i was a sweaty mess!! i ended up putting my hair back in a pony tail when we went to the disco after the private reception and changing into a short wedding dress and im gladdddd i did that. i felt so much better!! my hair was half up half down for ceremony cause hubby likes it down.

 

umm any more questions just email me AngelaGPowers@gmail.com. I dont check this too often and I want to help all of you future brides!

 

 

 

 

[futuremrstgun]

hey tropical love...

 

if i were you..i'd head to the disco and enjoy the free DJ...

 

as for the upgrades...ask when you get there..oftentimes, they'll upgrad you with no problem...depending on availability...

 

i visited the suites last year and was upgraded upon check in...all of the rooms are beautiful...so i imagine the rooms at the grand will be just as if not more luxurious...

 

you can't go wrong with any room...afterall, you're at iberostar in jamaica, mon!

 

enjoy!!!

 

until next time, HAPPY PLANNING!!

 

r~

Originally Posted by Tropical Love 

What's everyone doing about a DJ? HELP

 

[Tropical Love]

Hey R - yeah but what about music for the reception? What are you planning to do?

 

Originally Posted by futuremrstgun 

hey tropical love...

 

if i were you..i'd head to the disco and enjoy the free DJ...

 

as for the upgrades...ask when you get there..oftentimes, they'll upgrad you with no problem...depending on availability...

 

i visited the suites last year and was upgraded upon check in...all of the rooms are beautiful...so i imagine the rooms at the grand will be just as if not more luxurious...

 

you can't go wrong with any room...afterall, you're at iberostar in jamaica, mon!

 

enjoy!!!

 

until next time, HAPPY PLANNING!!

 

r~