futuremrsJ

Thanks for the info!! We are keeping the invites very informal... They look super cute and formal, but the wording is casual. We aren't giving specific times and such, just hotel and date. The key to it all is that our response cards will say something to the effect of: Yes, we are interested in attending! Please send us more information! and No, can't make it! So that way people aren't obligated to give for sure YES, but we won't waste our time and postage resending things to people who can't come. Plus I think bombarding people who I know won't come in the first place, kinda makes them feel awkward. Good luck to all the ladies planning! Sounds like you really have it under control!

Thanks ladies! You are making me feel a lot less stressed. Friends and family all voted YES to the early invites..... but all the boards I read give a big NO. haha! But we chose not to do save the dates mainly because of costs. Our invite list is nearly 250!!! Of course, most are formalities and do not expect that many to attend (more like 40 maybe!!!!) But we didn't feel right not including people to our destination and only the AHR. So that would become engagement announcements, STD, Invites +response cards, AHR + response cards, then wedding announcements all X 250!! My goodness, the postage alone!!!!!! But I believe the earlier the better on the invites. This way people can get a jump start on planning their holidays for the upcoming year/vacation time/$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !! However, people are welcome to book ASAP, or weeks before the wedding! I just want a BIG window. And STD didn't seem to cut it with the info I needed to provide (unless I wanted to pay the same cost as a full invitation!) Thanks ladies!! @lesley ~~~ Don't worry, I don't think you are late!! Personally, that we be enough time for us to plan!! I just know my crazy family! Plus, I'm in grad school right now and don't finish till 2 wks before the wedding, so I'm utilizing all school breaks this year to plan the wedding so I can focus on my 6 month rotation next year and NOT be wedding planning! haha! Happy planning to you! Keep the input coming!

Before you gasp, here is our dilema: We both live away from our families. Me-10 hours, FH-2 hours. So we do not have any local family, just a few friends. Of our out of town guests.... pretty much no one is tech savy so I can't rely on a website to provide the information (half my family doesn't even have the internet!) We have a website created, but realize that's mostly for friends and family won't utilize it. We are getting married January 7, 2012 in Costa Rica. Our friends and families are not big travelers so making a trip like this will require a lot of planning and money planning. However, we have heard through the grapevine that a lot of people are really interested in attending!! Additionally, our TA has said that the early booking discount would end around April/May. I want our guests to get the best deal possible! Esp as this may make or break their attendance. Our postcard engagement announcements are going out in a few weeks. On those we will have the date and website. So here is my timeline/plan 1st week of December (1yr +1 month out) : Engagement Announcements Middle of February (11months out) : Formal wedding invitations - These will say: Join us for the wedding of Lauren and Hunter on January 7, 2010 at the RIU Guanacasta, Costa Rica. Reception in St. Louis to follow in February (however more formal - Also I will have a response card that says "Yes! We are interested in attending! Please send us more information so we can start the planning! ( This is so I can start to get a head count on who really is interested in coming. I will not require a "NO" response.) Maybe a response by May? - Additionally an accomodation card with Hotel information and contact info for our travel agent. Also have our website listed. From there send those who responded with additional resort information and travel plans. December 2011 (3 months out) : Send at home reception invitations with response cards Immediately after wedding: Send out formal wedding announcements to all those invited So............. The question is: Am I totally crazy for sending my invites like 10 months out??? Or am I just being a helpful bride trying to help everyone get the best deal on their travel and resort stay?!!?!? HELP!

Congrats to you too! Were you able to get group rates for the rooms on anything? You don't have to give prices if you don't want to, I was just wondering if that was even a plausible thought on saving money! haha I've also heard mixed reviews of RUI. We have a friend that stayed there and loved it. However, I've seen some questionable reviews of wedding there and heard issues. But I think the RUI is our top pick so far because of the resort itself... Decisions, decisions....

We also are deciding between RUI and Grand for January 2012!! Let me know what you decide or find out any reasns to choose one in particular. Our travel agent is looking into group rate bookings. How many people will be going to CR for your wedding? We are think 20-25.