April 2010 Brides

Ahh, just saw my ticker... 5 months to go!!

Tonya - did you send out STD's originally? I was just thinking that if you did then giving your guests one month to RSVP isn't asking a lot at all because everyone will already have had time to think about it.

We didn't do STD's at all, just sent out the invitations REALLY early (think September early!!) but a bunch of our friends are somewhat spontaneous so they were booking right away as is. We'd requested an RSVP date for Jan.31 and I'm going to send out some reminders probably right at the end of the holidays for those guests who we haven't heard from yet. Afterall, it's not like we're asking them to book on the spot (in case they're waiting for last-minute sales).

For the OOT bags, I think if you can at least decide on the things you want to include then once you have your final numbers it will be super easy to get out and buy it all. Do your scouting early too so that you know which stores have the best prices and availability etc. Plus then if there is anything that you need to order, such as mugs or pashminas etc then you can get those placed right away.

The AHR details might need a little more coordination but I'm sure you'll be able to pull it off just fine! Just keep a running tally of your numbers as you go and make the adjustments on paper in the meantime. Since I'm not doing an AHR I really have no idea but in my head I guess if you need to order dessert platters, and each platter should feed 8 people, then keep your running tally for how many platters you need as people continue to RSVP. That's just my OCD way of keeping my brain organized!! LOL! That's what helps me budget too.

FI keeps getting me in trouble for continuously planning things, buying things etc since we still have a HUGE five months left... yes that is WAY too much time in his opinion for me to be doing ANY of these things... but I'm like you in that I'd rather not be rushing through things and going right to the last minute. I'll be in enough of a panic getting myself coordinated nevermind anyone or anything else!

I have a list of things I want in the OOT bags, it's just a matter of shopping around for prices. I've just been really busy with bringing my invitation ideas onto paper..it's changed dramatically since I've last posted about them lol. FI is like, "just hurry up and choose one!"

As for my AHR, I'm just going to assume 100 people for now. A LOT of FI's family is not coming with us to Mexico and they're making up about 50 people already...combined with coworkers, extended family and friends not invited to the ceremony should be around 100.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll keep them in mind!

So random thoughts here this morning. I know that a lot of you have been struggling because guests are taking their sweet ass time to book, and I'm really lucky because my friends (locally anyways) have been awesome and booked super fast... but we have not been so lucky with some of FI's friends that he grew up with. A bunch of our mutual friends have booked (and by mutual, he still thinks of them as MY friends even though they all call him to do stuff even without me there.. goofball) but really none of HIS friends that were pre-us.

It really frustrates me that he's known some of these guys since they were kids and yet almost none of them have even gotten around to RSVP'ing or even given us any hint about which way they're leaning.. I don't deal well with a lack of any response. Tell me no, tell me maybe - whatever!

Anyways, the reason that I'm happy this morning is because thankfully at least one of his friends FINALLY came through and it was the most random thing ever! I've met this guy and his girlfriend only a handful of times and we hardly ever get to see them nevermind even talk to them much because they live about a days drive from us and a lot of time their work takes them out of phone range. So I had managed to get a hold of Mark about three or four weeks ago, just enough to get his email so that I could send him some of the info that way, along with the RSVP link for our website. I still didn't have a house address so I couldn't even send the invite but at least he had the critical info. Again, that was near the end of October and I hadn't heard from him since! But last night, I noticed that they had RSVP'd on our website so I emailed and just said that whenever they got to booking to send me a copy of their itinerary so we can keep track of everyone... and I had it in my email this morning when I got to work!!!!

So it just goes to show you that people can totally surprise you and that totally random acts like that can make your day start off so well. I'm glad that he'll at least have a few people there who've known him a long time to support him and be part of our wedding. And at the same time it makes me more frustrated almost with his other friends that it doesn't even seem to matter to them. Bah, happy thoughts, happy thoughts!!!

That is a great way to start your day, I'm happy for you!

I am going through the same situation. We have 6 on each side of our bridal party, all 6 are his close friends. All but 2 have booked their rooms, one being his bestfriend and his bestman. They've known each other since grade school! But I know both have intentions of booking, but when?! In any case, a lot of FI's friends also haven't booked nor have we heard from them. That doesn't bother me as much as his family not coming at all. Only his parents, two sisters, and a cousin are coming. It's funny because his uncle was the one who mentioned a destination wedding to begin with... and now he's telling us 1) he hates mexico and 2) he can't afford it.. it's so frustrating. At least my family (aunts, uncles, and cousins) are looking into booking their rooms.

Sometimes I wish I had eloped lol! It would've been so much easier!! But congrats on the new booking

congrats meghan!! it's those little victories that get us through!

tonya, i'm so sorry that you're having trouble with some of the GM. you would think they would have some semblance of a sense of urgency considering they're in the wedding party!! i will have my fingers crossed for you that all of it gets worked out and they book soon. when in doubt, get your FI on the case!

also, tonya.. did you ever go with your brother to NY to do more pictures??