cinnagirl

We had 2 options depending on what airline company we wanted to fly through. Option 1 was for us to put down a deposit of $6,000 ($200 per person for 30 people) to reserve the group rate. Option 2 was for us to put down our own deposit of $300 and then everyone that wants to come has 90 days to pay their own $250 deposit. It just wasn't feasible for us to pay that huge deposit up front. Plus, we had so many people saying that they were excited to go but I wasn't really sure of their commitment level, so I didn't feel comfortable paying for them and not knowing if they'd back out. It's a good thing we've gone with option 2 because people are dropping like flies now.

I'll be going barefoot for the ceremony and then wearing some cute flat jeweled sandals for the reception. I am just a couple inches shorter than FI, so I don't really want to tower over him in wedges (though they would probably be lovely!). It'll be so windy at our ceremony site that we're not going to both with fans at all.

We have a joint account that we contribute to for joint expenses (rent, internet, etc) and our own separate accounts for paying our separate bills from. Once we get married the plan is to combine all income into one account to pay bills from, save from, etc and then use our separate accounts as "allowances." So we'll put our allotted spending money in our separate accounts and we're free to do what we like with it. I like the idea of both incomes becoming OUR money, because we are working towards goals together and growing as a family. I'm a bit sad to leave my financial independence though. I have a nifty little emergency fund that I'm proud of that would no longer be solely mine.

We're having a friend officiate as well. I think if you're not trying to fill any legal requirements, you should be able to have who ever you want officiate.

I love the idea of a cooking class. That sounds like so much fun!

We are not telling anyone that our ceremony in Punta Cana is not legal. Some people will figure it out, I'm sure, because we have a friend officiating and we're not getting him ordained (lots of hoops and stuff). But we're not telling people because our travel agent suggested that if people know it's not real, then they won't want to attend and with our group I could see that happening. It's not really something we're lying about per se, just not information we're offering up freely. If someone asks, we'll tell them our reasoning for doing a symbolic ceremony. On the other hand, FI's brother had a destination wedding and they did their legal ceremony 6 months before the destination wedding. They posted pictures of it online. They did it because they were concerned something would go wrong with the legalities in Mexico and that they wouldn't end up married after all. It didn't really deter people from going. They had about 50 people that were supposed to attend, but plans got changed a week before the wedding due to swine flu and they had to reschedule for a month later in Aruba. I think it really depends on the people you have coming. If you have a bunch of people that are looking for an excuse to go away, I don't think they'll mind if it's not the legal ceremony. If you have people that are more traditional, then it might be an issue? Regardless, if people say my wedding is not "real" I will tell them that the date of our symbolic ceremony is our wedding date as far as we're concerned. The day I sign the papers in Canada is just another day.

Our guests are paying $1530 for a week's stay at a 5 star resort, flight, taxes and transfers included.

True, I shouldn't have made it seem like it was so cut and dry because it's not. For us it's the opposite, all the older folk are stoked to come. They can't wait to spend a week away and keep telling us again and again how excited they are. It's the young folk, the people we have invited around my age group that are giving us a hassle. They're so used to last minute cheap deals on 3 star hotels and groupons that they argue with us over our quotes. They are the ones that feel put out and feel like we must be charging them our wedding costs on top of their resort prices (no lie, someone said this). Anyways, you're right, it's not always that simple. Everyone's family dynamics are so different.

Wow, your shower looked like it was too much fun! I love the beachy decor! You have some people that really love you a lot. Man, I'm so jealous.

AquaCait, Thank you so much for posting a review!! I love hearing about all the fine details, like meeting with Mayte and combining decor ideas. The photos you posted look amazing, it looks like you have a great time! And I love your dress, it's so simple and elegant.

This is exactly what we are doing too. We chose a resort with a kids club because I have relatives that want to bring their kids (all of our friends are looking forward to their child-free vacation). We are putting a note on our website stating that kids are welcome to the resort but that there is babysitting services through the resort or our venue. We are having a flower girl for our ceremony, but then she is being taken care of by a babysitter at the restaurant for the rest of the night. Best of both worlds!

Hahaha, I love that! That's a cute way of putting it.

This is our wording on our website: Although it would be fantastic to have all of our loved ones there as witnesses, we understand that limitations exist. For those that are unable to join us, it is our hope that you look south on our special day and think a happy thought for us, wishing us well as we begin our new lives together. We have not decided 100% if we're having an AHR or not, so I don't bother mentioning it. We're also been given some flack for having a DW too. People need to realize it's an invitation, not an obligation. We aren't twisting anyone's arm!

We sent ours out 14 months in advance for the same reasons you listed. Bet early than late!! We had people tell me they weren't coming the day after we sent out the STDs. Can you tell they really don't want to go?

We sent out our STDs 14 months in advance just to give everyone a heads up. We'll be sending out the invites 11 months in advance (early!) and giving everyone 3 months to RSVP and put down a deposit in order to secure our group rate. Final payment is due 5 months in advance, so we're doing most things early.

I didn't have a moment either. I think that's fine too! The dress looks stunning on you though and once it's fitted, you could have that moment. I LOVE the open back. Part of me is wishing I had gotten a dress with some lovely back details, but oh well.

Sunshine, your wedding looked amazing! I'm so glad you had such a great time! You look stunning and so happy in that photo. Did you end up renting out the restaurant exclusively? We also asked Mayte about doing an a la carte menu but she said that it really slows down if you have more than 20 people. Did you find the food slow to come out, or was it not bad because you had the set items under $30 on the menu?

We were considering this actually, doing a legal ceremony here with immediate family and the fiance's grandmother that will not be attending and then going out to dinner afterwards. We still might do it, just as something nice to do. My future brother-in-law also got married in a DW and the had a legal ceremony in Banff (they lived in Edmonton at the time) with both sets of parents and then were married in Aruba six months later. Do what you think is best. I think it might be a nice way to appease your grandmother if you're close with her. It is your wedding and you can do as you like. You also have two options if you do decide to do a small legal ceremony at home: you can either keep it between you and the small amount of people attending or have everyone know. We would not tell anyone if we do it just because we feel people wouldn't attend the DW if they don't feel like it's the "real" wedding (which it is in my mind, the legal ceremony would not be my wedding date). FBIL had pictures from their legal ceremony posted on facebook. Good luck with whatever you decide!! Families can make destination weddings really difficult at times.

I love the little silver ones! So classy. I'm trying to decide between those and leather luggage tags.

Yes, exactly. And while I don't think it'll be an issue at my wedding as my parents and his aren't really big on lengthy speeches, I have been to weddings where the parents speeches were the longest and held up the rest of the night. I guess I'll ask the parents and see if they want to makes speeches. Maybe no one does and it'll make it easy on me.

Love the little shot glasses with limes! I also really like the table set up - it's so simple and elegant.

My dress is ivory because I'm super pale. I'm not too concerned about clashing. I have a friend that edits photos for a wedding photographer in town and she says that white wedding dresses often have a blue tinge to them in photos so they always have to be edited.

What store did you try it on at? I tried on some dresses at Nicholas and Elizabeth and Sophies and I was able to sneak some photos when I was in the change room by myself between dress changes. Obviously not the best photos but it helped with my decision. I just kept my little camera in my purse and brought my purse into the change room.

Me too!! Honestly, I love dress #1 on you! I like how the bottom part starts on an angle, it's very flattering.

My save-the-date. The wording is being put on the invitations right now so that they can go out in three weeks!