nikki444

Has anyone out there done a cocktail hour on the beach with open bar and then a private reception at Calabash with an open bar? Trying to decide if I want to go this route and pay the extra money for the bars and private or if I just want to have people go to the lobby after the ceremony and have dinner with a beach party after. Thank you!

Vendor Update: DJ Kevan: Booked with uplighting and party lighting. Rashel Edwards: Booked for makeup. Misha Earle: Booked for photography. Floral Fantasies: In the middle of deciding on floral arrangements- Chantal is very responsive!

I just ordered my invitations from Beacon Lane on etsy and they came out great! I am planning to send them out after NYE and hoping people will RSVP by mid February. Even though I know how many people have booked rooms, I would still like to be certain about those people who may be "on the fence" well enough in advance.

Just ordered our Save the Dates from Minted.com and they are perfect. The website is really easy, affordable and a designer works on proof changes with you directly. We are hoping to get them out by the end of May to give our guests 1 year advance notice.

Thank you, that is going to be really helpful! Can't wait for your full review

I think you would only need to bring the music you MUST have for your wedding. Just in case the DJ does not have it... otherwise, I have read that the DJ can easily go online and find most songs you need or would request during the wedding.

Save the Dates/ Invitations: I am working on having a combination save the date/invitation designed through someone on Etsy. I would like to get these out a year in advance to give people enough time to get it on their calendars and save the $$$. I am planning to include something along the lines of "once a room deposit is placed a formal invitation packet will be sent". I hope this will encourage people to at least reserve their rooms after they get the first mailing. This way I can have some kind of idea of who will really be attending before I go ahead with anything more formal.

This is so strange, Nicole just e-mailed me back last week saying in e-mail that there is NO fee at the suites for Rashel Edwards. The answers never same to be the same.

Hi Brook53- Here is the website for the suites it includes the e-mail address and phone # along with the pricing information for this year. I hope it helps! http://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/montego-bay/iberostar-rose-hall-suites/extras

I would try and get a date set if you can. It seems that they are already booking pretty far in advance. I had asked a month ago about a few Sundays in May 2014 that were already taken! It made me a little nervous so I decided to book our date.

I agree that a Jamaica specific one would be great! I booked in 2013 and was told that the 2014 prices will not be available for me until next year but that I could use the 2013 for ideas since not much will change from year to year.

I have not done much else yet. Have you started any parts of your planning yet?

I just booked Rashel Edwards for makeup. She was booking up fast!!

Questions: 1) Can you have a private reception setup on the beach? If so, what would the average cost be for 60 people? 2) Does the hotel book the DJ for you from the quoted prices if you ask or is it your responsibility to contact the quoted DJ prior to the WC reaching out for details? 3) Does the WC keep the decorations that other brides have mentioned leaving behind? If so, are they willing to work with you on using these if the color schemes match yours? 4) Can the wedding flowers that are included in your package be a specific color scheme if you prefer? THANK YOU!!

Congrats! That is really the only thing I have done besides book the place. I am looking into makeup now since I have read that they can get booked pretty far in advance. Hopefully we can help each other with the planning