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GinaK119

Hey girls! I was supposed to get married July 7, 2012 but with all the stress with his parents and my dad telling us we should just go elope and he would give us 10,000 to do it we have decided to elope to Jamaica! So I guess this isn't really a destination wedding since it will just be us but not really eloping since everyone will know about it. I can't wait to just get married, weather it's a traditonal wedding or eloping we all end up in the same place = married! We will probably have some kind of party when we get back, not a reception or anything but just dinner and drinks with close friends and family. We are hoping to elope in May, I have been searching the internet and there is so many place to go! Anyone have any sugesstion where to go? It doesn't have to be Jamaica we are open to other places. We want to go between 11-14 days.  Thanks girls!

BMcLeodTeam

We have other girls on here doing just that, eloping at a Destination! You're definitely still a destination wedding
Congrats and welcome, can't wait to hear more about your planning!

jtoly

Congrats! I'm eloping to Hawaii in May! It's definately in your $10k budget!! I'm sure anywhere you decide will be awesome and stress-free! Can't wait to hear what you decide. And eloping still counts as a DW!!

venus909

Congrats and welcome!  And as Jenn and Brit already said you are most definitely a DW bride! And it's always nice to have more Chicago people on board!  The few others that were on here have gotten married already....

I'm getting married in Puntaa Cana, DR.  I've never been there, but I can help answer any questions you have if you are interested in DR.

There are a few Jamaica brides on here so I'm sure they will be able to help give you some info on Jamaica.

GinaK119

Thanks for the warm welcoming everyone!! I would love love to go to Hawaii but I really didn't even consider it because everyone says how expensive it is. Can you tell me where your staying and getting married? YAY, I love finding other Chicago brides on here. I haven't really thought about the DR before, I will def look into it. I've never been out of the US (lame I know) before so this is a lot of information.

GinaK119

Can you tell me where your staying in Puntaa Cana? Im already looking up places there and find some nice ones, just was wondering where you are staying and how it compares. Thanks!!

minionlover

Welcome!  You are definJamaica is a great place to get married!!  FI & I stayed at Sandals Whitehouse in September for about $4k including tours and such.  I would think about what type of resort you want to go to.  For example, do you want a place to party at or do you want intimate?  Another thing is do you want an adults only resort? 

GinaK119

Hey Cathy, I actually looked up Sandals Whitehouse and it looked really nice. Would you recommend it? How long did you guys for?  I def want an adults only resort! Hmmm I think alittle bit a both, we def want time to ourselfs to lay on the beach, have a quite dinner and stuff but it would also be nice to have the option to go party, have some drinks and talk with some people. We are going to be there for a while so a variety would be nice.

breaness

We got married in Hawaii and had our honeymoon there for under your $10k budget. It's definitely expensive but I swear to you it's paradise. There's nothing like it. It's really not THAT bad there in terms of pricing, our hotel stays were about $250 a night, and meals were between $50 and $150 for dinner depending on how much we wanted to splurge. 

I would HIGHLY recommend Hawaii. It's magical. I'm almost in love with the place as much as the man.

ETA: also since you're going to be going for a while I'd recommend going somewhere where you aren't tied to a resort. We explored the entire island of Maui in our 1 week and it was amazing. We did 3 different hotels and lots of activities. It was so much fun! Check out my married bio for some ideas of what we did.

rmontpas

Welcome.  My FI and I are eloping to Maui and our friends and family know about it.  We are staying in Hawaii for 3 weeks.  2 weeks on Maui at 2 different condos and 1 week on the Big Island.  With travel and everything our costs will be easily under $10,000.  I leave for Maui on Friday so I can give you more info in a few weeks if you are interested.
Good luck with whatever you decide.  I agree the most important part is marrying my best friend!

GinaK119

Sounds like Hawaii may be the way too go, I do love the all inclusive resorts though but as long as we can keep it under 10k it shouldn't be a problem. I guess I have a lot of researching to do!

jtoly

I'm staying on Oahu because FI is in the military and they have a military hotel that we are staying at on Waikiki beach. We are lucky cause our ocean front room is $125 a night at this place because of his rank in the military,but I'm sure you can find another hotel a where in Hawaii and still stay under that budget! Good luck with your search!

GinaK119

Did you guys use travel agents or just book everything yourselfs?

kimmykupcakes

Welcome and congratulations! My vote is also for Hawaii. I just got back and it's amazing! I seriously can't wait to go back for our wedding.  We are already talking about planning a third trip there. I have lots of information in my bio. Good Luck figuring out where.

ehlerss

Hi and welcome to the board! I am a Jamaica bride and am getting married at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites which is just outside of Montego bay. It is absolutely beautiful and is all inclusive which was huge for my FI and I. There is lots of pics and information on the resort in my Bio ( link in siggy). Let me know if you have any questions about my resort or Jamaica and I will try to help with what I can!

loramarie03

Welcome and congrats!! We are getting married in Jamaica – Coyaba Beach Resort in Montego Bay. We looked at some places on the cliffs in Negril that were GORGEOUS, which I recommend checking out (just wasn’t feasible with having a wedding with guests for us). I recommend contacting Beach Bum Vacation. I am working with Melissa and have had an awesome experience. We went to her without having any idea of what we wanted to do, and she helped us narrow it down to what we were looking for based on must-haves, budget, etc. They are free to work with too – so even better!! 

jtoly

I booked everything on my own as far as hotel and air. I did use a Wedding Coordinator who is also our Reverend for everything else. My package includes ceremony on the beach, photographer who will give me my pics before I leave Hawaii, an extra sunset photo shoot-we r getting married at 10 am, leis for both of us, hair lei for me, toast, 2 hr limo ride aft to see the island, and beach permit for $900. I think a this is in my bio but I have to update a little.

angybanez

welcome! I got married in Pun!a Cana at the Melia Caribe Tropical. Loved it! Pics in my own bio link. My sister has been to Sandals in Jamaica and the resort is gorgeous. Their wedding themes are based on Martha Stewart (I only know 'cause I've been to Sandals in St. Lucia and their wedding and packaging were gorgeous). Hope you find the resort of your dreams and congratulations!

Erinkathleen84

Congrats on deciding on a destination ! I am getting married in Costa Rica and there is not a lot of options as far as all inclusive. I have travelled to Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean and if you are looking for an all inclusive for a good deal I would recommend the Caribbean (specifically Jamaica & DR). I looked into Barbados and Aruba as well and I think I remember them having some good resorts. (We wanted a boutique hotel or housing property..so I only have info on this).

Hawaii is breathtaking but I am not very familiar with the resorts. We hotel/condo/island hopped while we were there.

Good luck !

GinaK119

In Response to <a href="http://destination.weddings.com/Sites/weddings/Pages/main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_destination-weddings_new-here-9?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:54Discussion:757e1816-a937-4ee7-83d6-cf2798b0f115Post:075255d9-a9a5-42d0-9743-6adb3ab4abb7">Re: New here</a>:
[QUOTE]Welcome and congrats!! We are getting married in Jamaica – Coyaba Beach Resort in Montego Bay. We looked at some places on the cliffs in Negril that were GORGEOUS, which I recommend checking out (just wasn’t feasible with having a wedding with guests for us). I recommend contacting Beach Bum Vacation. I am working with Melissa and have had an awesome experience. We went to her without having any idea of what we wanted to do, and she helped us narrow it down to what we were looking for based on must-haves, budget, etc. They are free to work with too – so even better!! 
Posted by loramarie03[/QUOTE]
Thanks everyone for your help! I looked at some of the cliff resorts and they are so nice! I emailed Melissa too from beach bum vacation. Thanks for the rec!

loramarie03

Awesome! Keep us posted and don't be a stranger.