Any 2011 brides?!!

Wow sunstarsmoon, you have done so much. I need to get going... I have only booked the hotel. I will be booking a photographer once I narrow it down, hopefully by next month. I feel so far behind.

I'm Here!!!! I feel like I have done nada so far compared to everyone on here. I finally contacted a resort and TA after finding a general area. Looked for a dress (think I found it), brainstormed colors, and theme. I did all this litterally this week lol. You ladies motivate me! I'm a horrible planner! My wedding is going to be Jan. 2011. Am I really that far behind? My MOH's ( I have 2) are calling me asking "Did you do this? Did you do that?" I've never done this before, holy crap there is so much to do! Help Ladies! Questions ( If you have time to help:) Answer one or all with your opinions):

(12 Guests Total)

Barcelo Maya Palace? What do you think?

Do I have to send out save the dates? (I'm paying for everyone's trip because I feel bad to make people spend money that financilly can't afford it, all wedding party and parents) Except one couple.

Is it tacky to just have a cocktail hour and desert at my house for my AHR?

Is it a good idea to get "legally" married at home?

Do I need to send out invitations? ( I know all the people are going because I'm paying)

Should I register for gifts if I'm just having a cocktail hour?

Neither my MOH's or my FI's BM live near us, is it tacky for us to do the shower, bach. parties all wrapped up in one party to make it easier for them?

Is it wrong to want someone there to watch our daughter (3yr) the day of wedding and during prep?

Should I book the wedding party at the same resort? Or one of the cheaper sister resorts to help us with budget? I don't want everyone to be too spreadout, anyone done this at the Barcelo?

Shuzzy - welcome to our group!

Here are some answers to your ?

As far as STD and invitations you don't have to send them out at all! Totally up to you and since you are paying for the guests anyways you already have you rsvp/

Not tacky at all to have a cocktail AHR, I am having a very informal BBQ when we get home.

Some resorts require a certain number of the guests to be staying at the resort so check with the resort.

No it is not wrong to have someone watch your daughter the day of the wedding you need some alone time

Not necessary to get legally married at home.

Register for gifts only if you want to.

Basically anything goes you can be as traditional or nontraditional as you want with a destination wedding!

Hello fellow-brides!

We have booked Beaches in Turks & Caicos for our wedding in May 2011. Very excited!

So far we have booked our resort, blocked out a section of rooms, sent out our invitations and I have gotten oot bags and everything to go inside except for the hangover kit items (since some of the otc meds will expire before then!).

I haven't found a dress yet and my FI hasn't decided what he's wearing either. He'd REALLY like to wear shorts and a linen short, so I'm thinking of getting a short or tea length dress.... this is a 2nd wedding for both of us, so we aren't concerned about the formality so much.

I look forward to reading all the posts from fellow 2011 brides!

Thanks For The Advice Sunstarsmoon!

I can't believe there's only 10 months left! Time sure is flying with all the stuff that needs to be done!

Save the Dates Mailed!

Dress bought! ETA July (Mori Lee 2189)

Ceremony Date & Location Confirmed! February 26, 2011 ~ 4pm @ Riu Palace Punta Cana

Flights and Hotel Booked! Group rate for Bride/Groom + 8 guests and counting

OOT bags ordered! I love Vistaprint

I am starting to work on the goodies for the OOT bags. So far, I have 2011 calendar magnets, oversized postcard welcome letters, mailing postcards (only 1 design so far), & pens.. I'm still looking for first aid kits & larger items (beach towel/travel mugs/etc). I think I should wait to see the actual size of the bags first!

I feel like i'm far behind too. I need to get my STDs out. I at least put a deposit on our rooms. I'm going to try on dresses in a couple of hours. Mostly everything else is in my bookmarks ready to be purchased.

He guys! I am a 2011 bride!!! We are not getting married until the end of 2011 though, the first weekend in November! And I am also waiting this long because I graduate with my Masters in October!

My friends think I am nuts to start planning so far ahead but I am a planner! So where are you all getting married at?

I am looking at Riviera Maya but need a kid friendly resort as I have a 7 year old sister and cousins. Any suggestions? I love the Grand Palladium but I think it might not be very cost effective for our guests!

Also what else should I be doing this far ahead?

I have no idea how some have you have booked your flights already for january/feb. I've been given the run around for months now from several TA's saying the info isn't out yet you can't book. The one place we wanted came back with a quote of over $2000pp which is totally out of our range so I've literally done nothing and seeing everything you girls have done (booked rooms, bought dresses etc) is really starting to freak me out thinking I'm never going to get anything done. I just ordered our STD's with a vauge jan 2011 more info to follow but really am wondering how you girls got your quotes already? Are you booking at these high prices and hoping they will drop and you'll get a price adjustment? I'm dying to get this part of the wedding planning over with cuz it's like a huge weight, everyones constantly asking us if we know where and when and why not and its really starting to stress me out so if you guys could let me know how your going about booking your flights/packages already that would be so helpful!!