Sheree10

I understand about keeping it simple. That's one of the main reasons why we are going the DW route. I visted a few catering halls in my area and kept thinking about all of the $ that adds up and with a DW you don't really have to do it all. For example centerpieces for an at home wedding would be around $100 each but with a beach wedding you can do several options. In the beginning I decided I don't want to do too much. I don't think we're having floral centerpieces, and we can't do candles since aAruba is very windy. So I may just stick with a lantern at each table and sprinkle some "diamond confetti" for a little sparkle. Another thing to worry about relating to decor is having to bring all of these items with you. With the new airline regulations it may make it a little more difficult since you might have to pay for a second piece of luggage. There's a lot to think about!

Quote: Originally Posted by lrdavis23 I totally understand right now I have 72 guest confirmed and booked to travel with us and there are still atleast 10 more that plan on booking with in the next month... and who know how many extras pop up last minute lol..... I stressed about it soo much that I can't even stress anymore I'm just going with the flow. Mind you my budget was based on 40 - 50 people Wow lrdavis23: 72 plus people! It sounds like a lot of people but it's also exciting to hear that so many guests are going to see you get married. Keep it simple and don't go too crazy on the small stuff. If people have food and drinks they will be merry!! I'm getting a little nervous. My "deadline" for guests to pay their deposit is December 1 and no one has booked yet( besides FI and I). I know people wait until the last minute but this makes me so anxious. I'll just have to wait and see. I sent them the travel info in October and don't want to keep bugging people. We'll see what happens.

Try not to stress yourself out too much. I'm sure the resort will have suggestions for a wedding of your size- I'm sure you're not the first one to do so. I have heard about a lot of small weddings in a section of a restaurant or private room or a nice reception on the beach. You can still have a cake cutting and dances- express your concerns to the wedding coordinator and they can help out. As far as getting suggestions from FI, I only get him involved when it comes to decisions involving spending $, since we are both putting towards it. Or if I'm trying to decide between two things and i need an honest opinion. I'm more stressed about it than he is- I guess that's how men are. He probably won't get serious until the end

Such amazing pictures... it's definately worth waiting 5 months... you'll have a lifetime of beautiful memories!!

Congrats Mrs! You and your pics are beautiful and it looked like everyone had a blast.

Quote: Originally Posted by aprilmay Anyone know the best way to do the same but with tequilla? I thought mini bottles would be cute for OOT bags with our mono on it..... Great idea for a wedding in Mexico. You can most likely get it at the airport or a wholesale liquor store. Maybe your WC can point you to a place in the area of the resort. I'm thinking of having rum for our favor also.

Lovely invites! Great job with the calligraphy, you saved yourself tons- some people charge $1 or more per envelope.

Can't help you but maybe you can google a program template. Then you can make it beach themed by your choice of color or ribbon attached.

Great invites for your Jamaica wedding!

Very nice! Sarah did an amazing job.

Congrats and thanks for sharing your BEAUTIFUL pictures!!

Quote: Originally Posted by finleys7 I have booked with Jen Rozenbaum Beautiful and Affordable Photography She is great, so sweet, reasonable prices and in Queens. We are booked for Feb. 1, a friend and I are doing them the same say and getting our makeup done by her referral who did my SIL's makeup for her wedding and is also AMAZING! Thanks, I contacted her- she's very reasonable. Not to mention a 20 minute car ride away.

Love the dress on you. I agree with the previous poster- you don't look stupid, you look really excited- nothing wrong with that. Great choice!!

FYI:the metallic is now sold out, ivory still available.

Quote: Originally Posted by creoletexan Yes I am! HEY SOROR!!!! It is definitely a small world...lol! I may see you since we are coming in on July 1 but we aren't leaving until July 9. I spent 1-2 months just on organizing a multi-sheet spreadsheet of every aspect of this wedding, so after I finished that... I just started going down the list when I have downtime..lol Well... Hello Sorors!! How exciting to find you both here...I'm planning an Aruban wedding. It would be funny if I too decided on the Bahamas. lol

This is such a tough decision to make and you will be getting married very soon! Since you have so many guets already booked, I don't think it would be fair to them to cancel. Definately talk to your family and go over the prices. It wouldn't be right for you to have to pay. I hope it all works out for you.

Quote: Originally Posted by flbluiiis I don't know if there is any proper etiquette or not... but I would probably just put the prices on the website and include the website on the STD. That way you don't have to clutter the STD with the extra info because the guests can get it all from the website. Maybe you would put something like "For early booking specials and other wedding/travel information please check on our website." Or something like that...that way they know to look at it early but don't have the prices right there in their face? Great idea, I agree with placing some not all of the info on the STD's. We sent out ours in August and I didn't want to send out too much info in the beginning. I wanted to send it to let people know that we had a date and they should look forward to getting more information. Then we sent out a letter with all of the travel details. You don't want to overwhelm them too early, especially since you have one year- but it flies by so fast!

Quote: Originally Posted by hat0112 I actually already checked out the Renaissance and my date is booked (not willing to change it unless I absolutely HAVE to)! I also looked into the Occidental and my date was booked there too. The Divi/Tam isn't booked and so far it is high on my list. I am still waiting to here back from a few other resorts. I am finding out that it takes them a while to respond just like everyone has been saying so I guess I need to get used to it! So are any of you having your reception at another location? I heard that some brides are having the ceremony at one place and the reception at another. I am thinking about doing that, but I guess it will depend on what resort I go with. I hope it all works out for you and you can secure a location soon. That must be a busy time of the year!

very nice... a great reminder for your guests!

Well, I guess if you don't have the travel info yet you can send it alone.

Our STD was attached to an enclosure card with our website info and letting them know they should stay tuned for more info. I think you should include something else- maybe a short letter or postcard attached.

Quote: Originally Posted by Marcia313 Hi -- I am another (soon-to-be) Aruba bride that's new and just saw this treat. We're getting married in March 2010 on Renaissance Island. Neither of us has been to Aruba, but my mother and aunt go there all the time and love it -- they said we should get married there, so I'm really taking their word for it. How exciting, another Renaissance bride!! Welcome to you. I'm also getting there next July.

Quote: Originally Posted by hat0112 Hi everyone! It looks like there hasn’t been any posts here in a while! I am just got engaged and I want to have the wedding in Aruba! It would be great to talk to other brides that are planning or already gotten married or already visited Aruba. My fiancé and I never been to Aruba so I am relying on what I read and hear. I want to get married October 2010. I am trying to pick a resort and I only eliminated a few (Occidental- my date was booked; Riu- I loved it but it’s too expensive; all the resorts that aren’t all inclusive or don’t have an all inclusive option). I like the Divi/Tamarijn a lot and they responded very fast. I like the Westin, but I haven’t heard anything from the yet and I don’t know anything about there wedding packages. Also one post about the poor service at the Westin concerns me. Aruba brides come back!!!!! Heather Welcome! It's so funny, my FI and I have never been to Aruba, neither have most of our guests. It should be an adventure for us all .lol. The island is beautiful and there are many options for a resort based on what you would like. Some places that I've heard good things about are Manchebo, Bucuti, Raddison, Occidental, Marriot Stellaris, Divi/Tam and the Renaissance. But there are more places on the island. We chose the Renaissance because we wanted a private wedding ceremony and that's not possible at other resorts but they are beautiful. Do research before making your decision. Check out the weddings section of the website www.aruba.com I found tons of helpful info there. Let me know if you have any questions. Good Luck!

Everything looks great. I needed this... I chose the same colors and couldn't see it all coming together but i love the pashimas, your invites and the bags. Rest up and feel better for your big trip. Thanks for sharing!

Its okay not to plan for your guests. I think the welcome dinner and the wedding itself is enough. People will probably gather in small groups to go out together anyway. You may want to have a list of things for them to do in the area. Remember, they are on vacation and may not want to do group activities every day.