Peach

Okay, so I was working on mine today, and this is what I have now come up with. I am going to include a week-long scavenger hunt in my activity cards, with a request to share them on facebook or some other photoshare thing. On the tables at the wedding itself, with those old-school disposable cameras, I will have these. Depending on how many people come, I may do more, but I figure this is a good start. I will also do something similar at the AHR, but this time focusing more on dancing and games and stuff like that. I found most of this online; what do you think? Photo scavenger hunt cards.docx

Oh, definitely something else good to think about!

I REALLY like the idea of having two different lists. I am doing a welcome book too, but was going to include the scavenger hunt separately. Now you definitely have me rethinking that! I actually like that idea better maybe. I was going to go old-school with the disposable cameras on the tables and the scavenger hunt attached, but I think now I should save that for AHR; some definitely technologically-challenged people there. What a great idea! And I love the list you have; especially the funny stuff one! Thanks so much!

I am doing this too! But I am torn between having one for the whole week or just the wedding itself... What are you doing? Anyway, this is what I have so far if I decide to go with just the wedding itself: - the youngest person dancing - the oldest couple dancing - someone who has had too many drinks - someone who will have a painful sunburn tomorrow - cutting the cake - the silliest dance move of the night - a super sweet moment between the bride and groom - a super sweet moment between the parents of either the bride or groom - your table - the table nearest you - the photographer taking someone's picture - laughter - groom playing with ring - best pair of shoes - best outfit (this one better be me!) - any intergenerational dance - someone getting emotional - someone whispering to someone else - your favourite piece of decor - a member of the bridal party I don't know. I do not love my list, and I am not even sure if there will be a dance beyond those "firsts" ones, until the AHR, but I am also looking for ideas. Just thought I would get the list started, anyway... Cannot wait to see what everyone else has!

The dinner is a great idea!

Interview with a Vampire - Kirsten Dunst

I think it usually takes a day or two for it to recognize that you have enough posts; then you should be able to open it no problem.

Never been, but would love to try it, though I am kind of nervous. Snorkeling?

Love those necklaces! Fabulous!

Dislike. Camping?

Oh, I almost forgot; we will also be purchasing the outfits for them, but we are doing Old Navy linen for the GM and basic sundresses from the clearance rack for the girls. We are not purchasing the outfits for my brothers or our parents; the moms are also not getting the flasks or after-sun lotion, and I will be writing thank-you letters to each of my girls. My wedding is not until 2013, but I am picking up stuff from the end-of season sales and saving a ton of money that way. This is really the ONLY place we are splurging for the whole wedding; we are not having a lot of people there, and we chose people extremely important to us for the wedding party, all of whom are going crazy already about it! Do you think we should get something extra for my brothers too? Besides the larger bubba keg? I cannot budget much more money for it, so it would have to be something small... we are debating having them hand out programs or something too, depending on how many people book. Men are the hardest to shop for, I think! Actually, I am pretty sure the dads are the hardest! Keep the ideas coming, ladies!

Okay these are all awesome ideas! Thanks for sharing! Nothing is written in stone yet, but this is what I am thinking so far.... My MoH is my sister, who will be not quite 18 and just graduating from high school then, and my BM is a very good friend who is going way above and beyond. We only are having one GM. My two brothers are going to be helping with music and MCing and stuff too. For the girls: MoH - got her coconut bath stuff with the "Will you be my MoH" card Going to get her and BM: a straw-style beach bag (they are 75% off at walmart now - the moms get that too) a starfish necklace (inexpensive) after-sun lotion a satiny robe DIY barefoot sandals a frame a pashmina tank tops (that say Maid of Honour, etc.) Pink engraved flasks Passport covers (if I can find them) The moms are probably going to get most of the same. I am also taking the girls for a spa weekend in place of a stagette; I will be paying for the spa package on the trip. For the dads: bucket hats I want to do something else too for them.... Not sure what yet though For the GM: Right now we like the flip camera, but our wedding is far away. It will probably be something like that though. Other VIP: all of our guests are getting smallish bubba kegs. My brothers and my dad and the GM are getting the big ones instead too. What do you think? I am happy with the decisions for the girls; I am picking up bits and pieces as I go.

No problem! I am probably going the instrumental route for the walk down with that Kiss the Girl version on youtube. Plus, as a Disney nerd, you might appreciate this... our cake toppers are representing us... him as Han Solo from Star Wars, and me as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. At least that is the plan. I also thought of So This is Love for the first dance. Another thought!

By the way, thank you SO much for the help with this!

Here is a question for all you 2013 brides: What are the first things that you did? I want to do what I can in advance; I already made Will You Be My BM cards and sent/gave them out. I set up a starting budget, and organized lists of DIY projects (I am a crazy list person). I have researched ideas, and even been in contact with travel agents and photographers (and am close to deciding on both). Is there really anything else that I CAN be doing this early? We already have our hearts set on a resort too, and emailed them, though I have not yet heard back. Should I just be starting DIY stuff? Or should I be doing something else with the travel agent? Any ideas?

Last year I went to the Mayan (Grand Sirenis) in mid to late August. There are tiny little mosquitoes, but not that many... We found that there was usually a breeze, which kept them away. I may have gotten bit once or twice the whole week. Just bring some mosquito repellent; you should be fine. Have a great trip!

Love! (Hence the destination wedding... ) To keep on the same theme.... The prairies?

Oh, I hope we get some pictures... I have pretty short hair, and it has to stay short (I have thin and fine hair, which means long hair is bad). I have been able to put clips in before, but it is really not easy. I am looking for pretty ideas for short hair.... so far, all i can think to do is curl it!

PS - Also, I love seeing the other teachers on here getting a head start... I am very DIY, as well as a teacher, so I had the same logic; if I do not do everything I can during summers, I will get no marking or planning done for the next 10 months! Hahaha! (Plus, it is such a great way to save money!)

Yay! A 2013 thread! I am definitely researching and planning! We are looking at July 2013, and have kind of fallen in love with Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado (if you have not heard of it, look it up - it is incredible!). Of course, very few brides here have gotten married there, which makes the research more difficult, but I do like that it is not something everyone has done... plus, it is on its own private island.... how can you beat that?!?! Okay, so right off the bat, I have a question. I am trying to research travel agents, and I have no idea where to start. We do want to get one, though we usually book vacations online, just to deal with the hotel and bookings of family and such. Does anyone have ANY idea where to begin researching, and how to go about it? I do not even know what types of questions to ask when I am emailing these potential travel agents (except to make sure they have plenty of experience with destination weddings). I am comfortable with only conversing with her online, or maybe by phone, so location is not a problem. Any ideas on how to go about this? Any help would be so greatly appreciated!

Absolutely! I totally agree, and I am in basically the same decision as you; my parents and siblings will probably be there, but are really unenthusiastic about it (with the exception of my sister). No one else on my side is coming; and it is not because they cannot afford it. My big, close family just feels that it is too different and inappropriate for them to go. We are having a large reception in my parents' hometown when we get home, and I am letting them have fairly free reign to plan it, because I care about it a whole lot less. FI and I want a DW. That is what we decided on; so, if that means I have 5 people there and he has 25, so be it. I get a long with his family, and I would rather be around people excited to be there anyway. They are the ones missing out! I am just trying to shut out the negativity! The way I look at it, years from now, I will not be worried about the drama. I will probably barely remember it. They might regret not being there, but I will not regret their decisions, because I will be marrying my best friend in a place that we both love. That is the way I am looking at it; I do not know if it helps you or not, but hearing from other brides here really helped, so hopefully it does the same with you! I do not know your situation, but I think you may regret it if you change your plans and do something you do not want just to make other people happy.

Probably the Elton John version; I know it differs from the movie, but it is still from it, so I am okay with it

Can I get that name too, if you do not mind? I am looking for someone who can handle things by email... but I really want her to be Canadian!

forest whitaker - phone booth

lol - true... My parents used to take sharpies to change things to fit my name's spelling more.