Sheree10

Congratulations and Welcome! Some budget friendly islands are Jamaica, DR, and Mexico. You'll find tons of info here to help you plan. Good Luck!

Congrats and Welcome!

Congrats and Welcome! No matter your final choice those are all beautiful islands for a wedding. Good luck!

Congrats and Welcome! It may be best if you work with a TA to find the best group rates. Best of luck!

Congrats and Welcome. You'll find tons of information on the site that will help with your planning.

Congrats and Welcome!

Welcome and Congrats! Jamaica is a beautiful island for a destination wedding.

I didn't want to give the guests too much information at once. So I decided to send out STD's a year before the wedding. Then about 8-10 months before I'm going to send out a brochure that I'm making through Vista print that includes info. about travel, location and prices. By then I will have also decided on a TA and we can try to make arrangements for group travel and give everyone time to save $$$. Regular updates on a wedding website definately helps too!

Initially, I was going to have my guests book on their own and get group rates from the airlines and resort. Well, since then we've decided to use a TA. At least the guests have someone to contact besides me about their travel arrangements. I've been in contact with one TA and she seems really nice. She was able to get some quotes for our resort next year.

Taxchick: Aruba is definately not cheap! Group travel and booking far in advance may help to bring down the costs. It all adds up especially since I've heard about the wonderful restaurants on the island. Plus, all inclusive is probably not the thing to do. It looks like I'm going with a travel agent but American Airlines offers wedding group contracts and you can get a discount that way. I just sent you a PM.

Welcome and Congrats! Initially you may feel overwhelmed, especially when those around you have a million questions... did you set a date?, where are you getting married? etc. Just take it easy and use this time to enjoy the engagement. This site will give you so much information about planning your DW. Good Luck!

Welcome! I work in the school system and that's why I chose Aruba for my destination wedding in the summer of 2010. It's definately a summer friendly island. Plus, I think that's the low season and I notice that there are tons of sales for resorts at that time.

I agree with drbrainfreeze. If you have family members coming along why not ask them to bring some things down for you.

Taxchick it's good that you have it narrowed down to two choices. Now that you took the trip hopefully it will make your decision an easier one. I wanted to take a mini vacation to Aruba but it probably won't happen. We're taking a chance but I've heard such wonderful things about the island. I mean, how bad can it be... having a beautiful wedding on a tropical island?? I've heard such great things about Juney. He's always responded to my questions and I hope it continues that way! I know you are not sure about the Renaissance but if that's where you want the wedding, you and your guests don't have to stay on the resort. Some brides stay elsewhere and just get married there. I'll definately let you know if I have any questions.

Taxchick: Thank you for your review. I found it really helpful! My FI and I have never been to Aruba but we are planning a wedding for summer 2010. The Riu was actually the first resort to respond to my inquiry but I wasn't too thrilled. It didn't seem like it would be the right fit for my guests. I also looked at a few other places but the idea of having my wedding on a private island kept bringing me back to my first choice, the Renaissance. We just paid our deposit for the the resort. I actually had a hard time making the decision since we've never been to Aruba. Through online research and the advice of past and present Aruban brides I was able to make my final decision. I'm so excited about the wedding but there is so much planning to do!

Welcome! I didn't get married in Aruba... at least not yet. I'm planning a wedding for summer of 2010. Good luck with the planning. You'll get tons of information from this site.

Welcome and congrats! you'll find a wealth of info here. I've heard good and bad reviews about destinationweddings.com. You may be better off just working with a TA. Best wishes with the planning!

Thanks for you input! I decided to just work with the resort's WC.

Welcome and congrats! I am also planning a DW in Aruba for summer 2010!!

Try to stay positive. If people are given enough notice and they can save up for the event they may come. You'll be suprised. I agree with others, invite those you would like to attend. Then you can celebrate with everyone at your AHR.

Yes, invites are expensive. FI looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I'm looking for invites( we are getting married summer 2010)... he think's it's too soon. I just want to find the perfect invites and not feel rushed.

I don't think this time of the year is the rainy season. It usually doesn't rain too long, only a few minutes.

for us it was four years. We knew each other for a year before we started dating.

So sorry to hear the news. I hope you are able to find another location or at least get your money back.

Having only two people would be so romantic. The way I'm feeling right now that would probably be a good idea. I'm tired of having to listen to everyone's opinion about how "my" wedding should be. I want to enjoy the day and not have to worry about pleasing everyone else. Kudos to those planning a 2 person wedding... you get to be alone and enjoy your special day!