Angel-in-Law

Quote: Originally Posted by Diva I think it is perfectly fine not to send out anything until you have a final date set. We JUST sent our STDs this week and now we are less than one year away! Everyone already knows about it and most have sent in deposits. Email would be the best way to communicate in the meantime. I say set up a wedding website (ours has been up and running since Dec) with all of the general information on it and update it frequently. I took a similiar strategy. The month I got engaged I sent an email saying that I was engaged and was planning a DW in March 2011 and to check our wedding website for more info. In the meantime, I dealt directly with the hotel (have a WC, no TA) and secured a date and room block for guests at discounted rate. Once the contract was signed I sent out the STDs with the exact date. The STDs went out this month- so guests have ample notice.

Wow. My sympathies on your loss and with the hassles you've had with the wedding planning. I hope your big day turns out spectacular despite the hiccups you've encountered. Your TA sounds amazing! I'm not using a TA, but I am booking with a WC and dealing directly with some select vendors. I've also purchased wedding insurance to help insulate from any problems!

Welcome to the forums! The ladies (and gents here are very helpful and there is ton of great information here.

Welcome Tammy! So kind of you to help your sister-in-law. Good luck with the planning!

Congrats on the engagement! Good luck planning!

Good luck with your planning! With a 2012 wedding date, you are well ahead on planning. You should have more than enough time to decide on a destination and even do a scounting trip. This forum will definitely have lots of the info that you need. Good luck!

JenArge. WOW. Thanks so much for the thorough review. You rock! I'm happy that you found your perfect destination wedding spot AND took the time to report on the other sites you visited. Our Lucaya was in the running for me, your wonderful review may have put it over the top had I read it before booking. hehe. Glad to hear you liked the new Canal House at Pelican Bay. Although I've booked at Pelican Bay I haven't picked the reception spot. It sounds like Canal House is the spot to pick. I'm excited! Thanks again. Your post is invaluable for GBI brides planning from afar!

I'm keeping my last name both professionally and socially and I won't be using any hypenation. While I wouldn't label myself a feminist I identify with my last name and do not see any need to alter it because I am getting married. I told my FI this even before we got engaged and he said he was fine with it. He has since admitted that he is a bit sad by it. I offered that he could take my last name as a solution. That ended the issue. LOL. But seriously, I have a career in the legal profession and have no desire to go through all the hoops to change my name in the cases I am involved in, clients I deal with, documents, etc.

Nice job! I was going to say to consider adding information on how guests can book their travel & accomodations, but you already listed guests that booked, so you must have furnished that information some other way. Lovely site. Congrats.

Quote: Originally Posted by jjflipt I'm working on this now. Any more ideas. Here is what I have John & Jana are getting married in Mexico on July 3, 2010. We hope you can come celebrate with us at our Texas Reception on September 25, 2010 in the evening. Suggestions? The only suggestion would be that it's a bit unclear as to whether guests are invited to both the DW and the AHR? As worded now, it appears maybe they are only invited to the AHR and you are just announcing the Mexico wedding? Some ideas would be to add language "We hope you can celebrate with us in Mexico and in Texas" etc. (if that is your intent). I'd also provide a link to your wedding website (if you have one) so guests can get more info.

I agree. 10 days for your guests to commit seems off. Also, I doubt that many will be able to make a commitment so soon and so far in advance of your date. Like Sheree10 I went with the room block option. The hotel I am using permitted me to reserve a block of 20 rooms at a discount price by putting down a deposit towards the total wedding cost. My wedding is March 2011. Guests have until Feb. 2011 to take advantage of the room block. I can release rooms if needed or pick up rooms if available. I thought this was the best option since I don't yet know how many guests we will have. Hope that helps! I'm not using a Travel Agent, but definitely query yours about alternatives!

I was debating the steel drum, but after reading positive reviews and hearing the beautiful sounds, I think I'm going the steel pan route for the ceremony. I definitely think it will give the wedding the island feel. rdsjrc: I'm planning to go with the live music.

I think its wonderful that you have so many cultures to celebrate. Definitely incorporate them all!

Wonderful job! If you don't mind me asking, how many bags did you end up making? And what would you estimate was the cost? With vistaprint, I imagine you got a good bargain!

I think your budget will dictate what you can do. When first researching destination weddings I read about OOT bags and thought it was a must do for me. I don't think mine will get quite as elaborate as some of the other wonderful OOT bags I've seen on this site, but I plan to do what I can. I'm thinking of spending around $10 per person for the OOT goodies. The brides-to-be on this site have given great tips on all sort of items to place in the bags for reasonable prices. I had been debating whether or not to also do wedding favors and I think I will do that too. Something small (undecided as to what) and candy. Will probably be another $2 per guest. I feel that since any guests will have traveled and expended a good amount of money and time to be there, it's the least that I can do. It also helps that I don't anticipate having more than 50 guests How I plan to carry all the loot? Now that is the question! lol.

Sorry about your father! Wonderful idea about your son. I'm sure it will be cute!

Sounds like a wonderful plan! I visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia with Gecko's Adventure Travel over Christmas '08 / New Years '09. I did it in about 2 weeks so it can be done I was not too keen on Bangkok but I loved the shopping. My fave spot in Indochina was Cambodia. LOVE it! Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the other temples were spectacular! The only cautionary note I'd say is that you should be aware of the poverty in Cambodia. Some of my fellow travelers were put off by the amount of poverty and people and children begging for assistance. Personally, I thought it was moving and I tried to be as charitable as possible. It also reaffirmed my desire to adopt someday. But just an fyi as for some intense poverty might be a put off and not their ideal honeymoon spot. In any event, I have tons of pics and I'd be happy to share.

Getting married on Grand Bahama Island and will stay a few days after the wedding to wind down. Then we will switch to New Providence Island (Nassau) for the honeymoon. Figure this would be a good compromise to avoid getting roped into group activities during the honeymoon.

Welcome Naomi! Good luck on your scouting trip!

Welcome Christy! Congrats on the engagement, what a great way to start the New Year!

Welcome Ana!

I'm headed there for a girls trip next month. Looking at some of the pictures makes me wish I saved it for the honeymoon spot!

Thank you for the info! I have several guests who will be applying for passports for the first time. I will definitely urge them to renew early to avoid any potential cost hikes!

The dress looks beautiful Jo! Did they make the shoes too?!

Great thread. My FI and I are paying $1500 for digital only photography for 5 hours. Includes photographer's travel fee to Grand Bahama Island.