SheriB

Hey trobin01 - thanks for the info. I hadn't thought about the US and Can being different but you are right, everything around here is focused on the package deal. My TA insists that they don't put those packages out until summer for the Nov packages so I figured we must have to book hotel/air seperately. But you say that you have booked your Nov 2010 wedding already - meaning the whole package or just the hotel? I am starting to worry that I should have gone with a TA experienced with DWs but she is a friend so I am not sure how to change!

Hello Red Deer area brides! I just found this thread. How were the weddings?? It looks like there are a couple that happened this fall since this thread started. Did you end up getting together? I would definitely be interested if it hasn't happened yet. Question for all you Red Deer brides - did you do dress shopping in Red Deer or go to the cities instead? I have heard good things about Elite Bridal in Lacombe - any experience?

Thanks for the great thread ladies and all the links for different things! I love the look of the JCrew dresses - is there a JCrew store in Calgary somewhere? I live in Red Deer but expect that I will be doing my dress shopping in Calgary or Edmonton mostly. Great advice about bridal stores - I am taking notes for when the time comes!

We dated for 1.5 years before moving in together. Then another year before he proposed. Another year before our wedding so 3.5 years total I guess!

What a beautiful wedding! You both look so very happy. Gorgeous!

Okay, I am confused before I have begun - not a good start! So I have been looking at different resorts and have started to narrow down the location I want. I then went last night to talk with a TA who unfortunately has not done many (or any) DWs. So she tells me that there is no way of booking packages with charters for next Nov until maybe this July. So I was trying to figure out how so many of you on here have your wedding dates for next fall posted already. Then it occurs to me that you are booking the date with the resort you like and then working on the actual flight/trip etc. Is that right? So is this the timeline for booking a DW: Pick your resort (narrow down for what you want and also based on this year's prices) Call resort to book a date Then start working on flights, booking rooms etc - this way your date is booked and you can watch for deals on flights and rooms. Send out STDs once you have the date booked with the hotel but before you have actual packages worked out Do I have this right now? lol!! So what if once you have booked your wedding date and sent out your STDs you come to realize that the date is not quite going to work with the packages/trips you are looking at? So you make a small adjustment to the date before people book and then send out the booking info? Any help please??!!

Has most everyone gone with booking seperate flights and hotels instead of the packages? From what I understand this allows you to book earlier? In talking with my TA she says the vacation packages are not coming out until maybe July/August for a November package. I don't think I can wait that long to book things! Which way is the better way to go?

Hello fellow Red Deerian?? Red Deerite?? fellow bride from Red Deer! Hope you have a great time at your wedding and can't wait to hear the review!

I am struggling with this question right now. I think we do have to some kind of AHR but I can't seem to keep it from feeling too formal. I would really like to have a very small, intimate wedding and then the big party at home with the 200 plus guests that my family and FI's family think need to be invited. But then my FI thinks that anyone who wants to come to our DW should be able to. I've tried to explain that at least to me that defeats the purpose of us going away and if we do that then why are we also spending tons of money to have the party at home!

Quote: Originally Posted by Bunny121009 Congrats and Welcome to the forum. Some things that helped me and my fiance... Narrowing down a few countries Checking out resorts on TripAdvisor.com (Most reviews are honest to the point while a few reviews can be personal issues pretty easy to weed them out but one thing is for sure a real photo --unlike a marketing photo-- that hasn't been retouched or photshopped is worth a thousand words). Viewing destination wedding videos on youtube that people had in countries we were considering (seeing how some countries' officiant's oversaw the wedding/ conducted the ceremony was a major factor as well as a deal breaker for some locations). Price figuring out which resort had the best bang for the buck Talking to a travel agent (was the last thing we did once we narrowed down a country/island really helped get the ball rolling and put our plans into motion). Last but certainly not least joining this site was big help in tying together my lose ends and getting ideas and advise from other brides who have been thru the same process (even at your same location). Priceless. Remember location is more than half the battle, once you figure that out everything else seems to fall in place. ~Happy Planning Thanks for the great ideas! I never thought to look on youtube for some videos - that would be great to see. thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by HereFishie Welcome to a fellow canuck! Paradisus is a beautiful hotel! It is great to see all the Canadians on here! There seems to be a lot of Albertans.... something to do with our lovely winters I am thinking! Were you at Paradisus? Which one? Would you rate it pretty high for food, service etc?

Your website is amazing! And the engagement photos are so gorgeous. Congratulations!!

Those are amazing!!!! If I received one in the mail I would definitely be excited to see what other great ideas you have planned for the wedding! I may have to find my inner DIY and see if I can put something similar together ... my FI is going to be horrified when he sees what I am thinking... may have to employ my MOH to help!

Quote: Originally Posted by cilly_girl We did our invitations as boarding passes as well, We had the front page as our main ticket with details of the destination wedding week and then put info about the AHR underneath, there was a tear away strip for people to send back to us that said passengers names and whether they will be accompanying us to mexico or whether they will be attending our AHR or both. The next page was our AHR info and the third was our mexico info, they turned out great. I havent noticed any fewer people coming to mexico because we are doing an AHR, I think alot of people want a reason to go on vacation and a wedding is perfect. And to do it all together saves on alot of work Your invitations sound amazing! Did you create them yourself or buy the template somewhere? It sounds exactly like what I have been envisioning!

Quote: Originally Posted by amyrot I am having this VERY discussion over email with my father tonight. ugh. I was planning to have one. while its casual, I really had in mind that it is more of a reception because we are having music, photographer, almost 200 people...he says to keep it more informal and a party feel..but its just a table and we are all wearing our outfits/dress again!!! I don't know what to do now. Whats it to my parents if I have a head table! ? Aren't parents funny about weddings... I am thinking the other way - that I don't want a head table as neither my fiance or I are very comfortable in the spotlight but I have a feeling I might have trouble with convincing my parents. I am sure they have never heard of a "sweetheart table"!

We are planning the wedding for November 2010 with the AHR about 2 weeks later. I really like the idea of cocktails & hors d'oeurves to start the evening off, dancing and then a late lunch. Anyone out there done this kind of AHR already? How did the timing work? Was it well received? All the weddings around here are pretty much the same: buffet dinner, reception program (with too many speeches), dance, midnight lunch. We want to be unique!

Can anyone tell me about their experience with corkage fees at the AHR venues? I am just starting my search for a venue and keep running into this and am not sure I understand what corkage fees mean. It seems to be different according to type of venue - local hall vs. hotel. There is huge difference in what they are too - from 0$ to $13 from what I have seen so far. Any advice?

Beaches Turks & Caicos was one of my top picks but then I got looking at travelling from Western Canada - long and expensive!! Had to rule it out I think. future mrs2010 - I can't wait to hear your review and see your pictures!

What a great thread! Beaches Negril is now one of finalists thanks to all the great reviews and posts on this thread!

Welcome to the forum! Have fun planning... there are so many great ideas on this site!

Thank you everyone for the welcome messages and advice! I am completely addicted to this site... We are still working on the destination and I now have a friend who is a TA helping me out. We are also starting the search for the AHR venue - so many are already getting booked up for next November!

Hello everyone. My fiance and I are planning on getting married Oct or Nov 2010. I am working on the destination right now but there are so many great choices!! I am so glad I found this site - the reviews and ideas are great. Right now I am leaning towards Paradisus Punta Cana but that could change still! Let the planning begin!

Hello, I have been engaged for three weeks now and am just starting work on our destination wedding for November or October 2010. I am looking forward to learning how other brides are handling issues and what ideas they have. Let the fun begin!