ErinB

The hardest part about event planning is accounting for all of the details. Sure you need food, but you also need plates and napkins. Beer is awesome but you need some way to chill it. You have a space but there aren't tables and chairs or they have tables but no cloths. Then there is tax and delivery fees, gratuities, etc. that have to be added. Parties can get pretty expensive pretty quickly.

My AHR had a retail value of $30K for 150 people. I was very fortuante that I know so many people in the business and lots of my friends and vendors gave me products and services as gifts or at discounted rates. Even with all of that I still spent almost $10,000. I did have a full formal reception, with dancing, open bar, etc. I keep meaning to get pictures up. I'll work on that...LOL

I am a caterer and professional chef. It will be extremely difficult for you to stay within budget. There is no way you can hire a professional to do the work for you. If you break down the numbers, $800 divided by 200 is $4 per person. Think about if you went to McDonald's and got everyone a hamburger, fries and a coke from the value meal, you'd be spending $3.00 plus tax and you would be eating out of paper wrappers. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I always tell my clients who are developing a budget to pretend they are going to pack all of their guests up in a van and take them somewhere for dinner. If you went to Chili's for a Rib combo dinner, a diet coke, tax and tip, you'd spend $15 per person. You can do hot dogs and burgers, but chicken and ribs will probably be too expensive. Sam's and Costso have the side salads, etc. You might be able to get the food only, for $800 but don't forget about the necessary supplies (plates, napkins, eating and serving utensils, cups, condiments, ice, grills/chafing dishes to keep food hot, table covers, trash bags, etc.) Alcohol is another big chunk of your budget. Figure a case (24) sodas is $10 and each keg is $100, boxed wine at $15. You are looking at $200 right there and that is without hard liquor or mixers for margaritas, ice, or cups. Even doing everything yourself, I would say you need to at least double your budget.

I wuld try Things Remembered in the mall. The last thing I had done was $5 for the item and then $3 per word

Yay Katrina! Lots of positives - new job and a new baby! I'd say you're having a pretty good week! I have to say, I'm not really used to my new last name. I mean I say it but signing it is a whole nother story. I don't know if it is because I had to wait for my real marriage license to change my name legally and on business things or what. Also, the letters are shaped different than my old name and it doesn't flow like it used to! LOL I had lots of loopys and now, not so much. My hand gets confused. DH laughs at me because I'll be signing something and have to stop and figure it out!

My resort (Couples) offered an expedited processing of documents but it was an additional $150 plus any charges for shipping. You could always have a legal ceremony at home before you leave or after you return and just have a symbolic wedding in JA.

THose recipes sound great Tammy! You know, you could order a dozen and walk the 2 blocks there and back and be perfectly justified!

To my knowledge, there aren't any AI resorts in the US (Florida, Hawaii, etc) Your best bet if you want an AI is to look in Mexico or somewhere in the Caribbean.

I think someone gave the guys messenger bags or those drawstring bags. I'd probably go with a basic color, black or navy and print your monogram on a tag. adidas Santiago IV Reversible Sackpack || SOCCER.COM Something like this...Brands that are not Adidas are less than $10 each. As far as contents, it's easy for single guys. They always forget stuff. Do some sunscreen, golf balls, bottle opener, gum/candy, flip flops, etc.

We're pretty cutesy too! I think it throws people off because we're kind of an odd looking couple with DH being so much bigger than me. I think people expect him to be mean or stupid (because he was a jock) and he's really just a big teddy bear!

Quote: But the really funny thing is that, with this return trip to ROR, I feel like I should do so much. I feel like I need OOT bags, travel mugs, all the things I planned for my guests for the wedding. I had to LOL at this one! I am in the process of planning a vaction with my BFF/MOH and her husband. Well now we have invited 2 other couples. I feel like we need 1 couple to get a group! I want to do OOT Bags and travel letters, but I think they would all make WAAAAYYYYY too much fun of me! I sometimes want a "do-over" with the wedding, knowing what I know now. I think I would have stolen a lot more ideas, been craftier with my DIY projects (or at least hired a crafty person), and not gotten so stressed about our guest list. I will say that I was, and still am, disappointed from the lack of support we had from DH's family. Only his parents and brothers came to our actual wedding and AHR, out of 40 people who were invited. Only 2 people sent cards or in any way acknowledged our wedding. I just found out that all of his aunts and uncles are planning a big family vacation to Hawaii this September, about 12 people are going. Every time I think I'm over it, something like that happens and it pisses me off all over again! No one had any money to come to our wedding and went as far as to call me selfish for even wanting a DW, but since then there have been new cars, new boats, group vacations, home remodels, home theather systems, etc.

Yay! I love the updates! I feel like so many of us were so close during the palnning process. I became completely co-dependent on the forum. I couldn't buy a stamp without BDW approval. LOL Then after the wedding there is this big let down. My time was so consumed with all things wedding, I just didn't know what to do with myself. It was very 'Now what?' I love my DH but I do have to say that marriage was an adjustment for me even though we have been together forever (7 years next week!) I'm really independent and having to think twice before I buy something or having to check in before going out to dinner with a friend is just wierd! Before I would always talk about this kind of thing with DH, but now it's like I have to! LOL Like I can't have any secrets or me time - it's us time now. I'm also really tired of people asking us when we are going to have kids! I think the next time someone asks that, my response will be "Are you offering to pay off my mortgage? That would be great! We could get started makin' babies right away!"

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a fantastic day! Wear something sparkly!

I don't hide shows, but we each have our own DVR. His shows and the together shows are on the big TV in the living room, and my shows are on the little TV in the bedroom. He doesn't like my "teeny-bopper" shows, GG, 90210, Grey's & Private Practice. He also hates reality shows so i watch those by myself too, well Amazing race is the only one I watch. What cracks me up is that he watches Cheaters in the morning when he is getting ready for work! I HATE that show! It is pure trash! I refuse to watch!

That one sounds like a wedding straight off of CMT's My Big Fat Redneck Wedding! Has anyone seen that show! OMG! it's funny and sad all at the same time. It's also hard to tell who is really that into camo and who just wants to be on reality tv.

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan I only stick around here to see what my BDW friends are up to Yep, my forum friends are what keep me here!

Welcome! I was a Jamaica bride so I'm a little partial. For a wedding to be catholic, it must take place in a catholic church. There are several in Jamaica to choose from. When you select a resort, the wedding coordinator can refer you to the one that work with regularly. You can also look into hiring a local wedding planner. I know that Evita's in Ochos Rios has very nice reception dinners as does the Negril Escape in Negril.

Congrats and welcome! Be sure to browse the Jamaica sub-forum. I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful info there. The resort should be able to make arrangements for all of those things through their wedding coordinator since it is all-inclusive. We have many talented photographers on the forum, so be sure to check out their work. Be sure that GLN will allow outside photographers before you book. Some resorts do not allow outside vendors. Good Luck!

Have you done a search on the forum for any of those properties? What about Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor ? I would write out a wish list first of the things you are looking for, to help narrow down your choices. All Inclusive, Adult Only, etc Here is my template for a comparison chart http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t34495 You will probably need to contact a travel agent or do some research on the current rates to get an idea about pricing. I know there are lots of deals out there! Good Luck!

It's been nearly a year and I think I am finally getting over my wedding obsession. I do still gaze wistfully at the bridal magazines in the grocery store checkout lines,though. I also love seeing all of the planning threads and reading reviews, and looking at PICTURES of course! However, I can make it thought the day without day dreaming about bouquets and favors. My DH and I bought a house in September and are finally getting around to unpacking and remodeling and all of that fun stuff. We also bought a new dog to grow our family. We aren't quite ready for real babies yet! LOL What about the other married ladies? What is new with you post wedding?

Was she like this with Sarah? I don't think posted a review one way or the other here.

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