agm04

This is the one time I'm annoyed that we're not at an all-inclusive. Sounds like they aren't going to invite everyone. As a semi-solution, I think we may do the rehearsal and dinner on Thursday instead of Friday, which will leave Friday open for us to do something all together. Issue now is just paying for it...the brunch we're doing on Sunday is already $80 pp so FI and I are feeling sort of spent, between that and my part of the wedding. But we could at least do cocktails by the pool or something without having to do catering. As long as we can buy our own booze it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe just do local rum or something. It's hard with 100 guests!

Sounds like you're on the ball! Hey I'm in NYC too - maybe we should try to meet up for coffee at some point and brainstorm! (That is definitely something I'm not looking forward to.)

Omgggg so excited for you!!!

Guys I am about to freak out. I was planning to have my invites formatted/printed at the art store, but the crane that is slumped over from hurricane sandy has my art store closed indefinitely, and I'm geared up to get this done now. I know there are other print shops in the city, but they are either INSANELY expensive or won't print on the embossed paper I bought. So I decided to try to do it myself. Came to the office, formatted everything, and my printer DOESN'T GET that I'm using smaller paper. I've tried setting my margins to adjust for my paper size AND putting in the custom paper size when I go to print. I've googled around a bit, and it sounds like it's something about the printer driver, but I KNOW it can be done because one time, I got it to print in about the right area, but the next time it went right back to pretending I'm printing on 8.5x11 paper. I know I probably sound like a crazy person and am not explaining it well, but has anyone had this issue? What do I do??? I can't install any printer drivers on my work printer/computer.

I think her original question was whether or not she *had* to go record it in her local courthouse, which is what I was responding to. Definitely understand that our marriage is legal regardless of local records.

Yep! I just meant it will be easier in terms of name change (if we get married legally here first, it's REALLY easy), and anything else that requires documentation of marriage. And that it will be easier to get copies in the future, etc. I'm not strongly attached to it either way, just seems like it will make life a little easier for us. I used the term "legally married here first" as a distinction from like a ceremony. Here we can opt to do it by contract, so all we do is sign and that's it. It won't feel like a "wedding" to me, and I'd still use the Cayman wedding as anniversary date, etc. We'll just have to decide!

Very nice!!

@chantal09, I love the dress with the belt! You look beautiful.

Awww sweet. This may not be creative enough for you, but I think sending flowers would be really sweet. That, or a really nice, heartfelt card?

I don't think I would demote her if I were you. I totally understand where you're coming from, but I think it would probably hurt her feelings. Instead, could you have 2 MOHs?

I think it depends on where you live. Here in NY, I know they won't record it, but it may vary by state. Just for example, this is from cityclerk.nyc.gov: Q. Can I register my Marriage Record from another jurisdiction with your offices? A. No. We do not register marriages performed in jurisdictions outside of New York City in our offices. We only maintain marriage records where the Marriage License was obtained in one of our offices. While some other countries require their residents to register any marriage performed elsewhere in their local registry, New York City does not. We're thinking more and more that we may just get legally married before we leave. At first I thought that took some of the romance away, but I think it would make things so much easier when we get back.

I personally wouldn't send them in November - I could be wrong, but I'd be so worried about it getting lost in the holiday cards and mail. I think just after the new year would be better if you want a February or March RSVP date. Good luck!

Have a wonderful time! Can't WAIT to hear how it goes and see pictures!!!

Don't forget that it's possible to try pre-owned dresses on! I found a place in Dallas that sold pre-owned and sample gowns that other salons had sold them - TONS of options. Make sure if you go that route you factor in cleaning. Up here in NYC the stores that are recommended for cleaning the gown want $500-$600 (um, NO!), but there are definitely places that will do it for less if you shop around. Good luck! You will find something beautiful.

I'm not sure exactly where they are, but if you search for kids' activity books (or probably just activity books), there are some good ones on this site! I think the ones I've seen have been in the wedding planning journal forum.

Thanks for the input!

No yall are doing totally fine. I just have to be done by February (at least 75%) so I sort of had to get a head start.

Maybe you could make a list of what you want to put in OOT bags and at least get the items that aren't too expensive. For example, I bought my pepto chewables already. If I end up having less people RSVP, I'll just give some people an extra packet. That kind of thing. Anyway good luck!

Woohoo good thread! We're sending invitations at the end of January, probably with a March 1st RSVP date (our room block is only held until 3/22). I'm estimating 100 guests, and I could be surprised either way - but I made enough OOT bags for that count (my friend and I sewed them - glad that's done!), and I'm buying the contents to fit that # too. I figure even if I end up with some extra, it's better than having to cram it in at the last minute. I also have a huge professional exam that will keep me from doing any planning from Feb - the first week in June, so I have to get things done. Vendors are all set except for cake (can't decide what I want to do). I already made my bride/flower girl hangers, OOT bags, and bought over half the stuff for the OOT bags. Got my dress, we bought wedding bands (my bank account hurts). We're looking for my sister's dress (my only BM) and my niece's (flower girl). I'm making tulle pomanders to go on the aisle chairs at the ceremony (and then moved to reception for decor somehow, not sure yet). I've made 4.5 out of 18 so far. That's my current project. Next up (things I can do before I have a head count): place card holders, getting invitations printed (another DIY that I really need to start this weekend) and put together, addressing said invitations (mom and I are doing that), design pre-travel brochure and maybe sew luggage tags to send with it, design menu, find or make flower girl basket and ring pillow, table #s, gifts for parents, barefoot jewelry for my sister and niece. I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, but I'll stop here because I think I just broke out in hives thinking about all this. Would LOVE to see what other people are doing!

I will definitely be bringing some things with me. Mostly OOT bags and some decorations (place cards, tulle pomanders I'm making to line the aisle chairs, etc). I'm have a huge roller board that I think will hold all the OOT stuff (hopefully its' not over the 50 lb max), and I'll make FI check a bag of stuff too. My parents are taking a few things, which is tricky since I'm in NY and they're in TX, but I'm just taking them things in batches as I visit home. I'm wondering if anyone has put together or seen a pre-travel brochure to send to guests and/or include in the OOT bag. I keep thinking about putting one together and getting overwhelmed. I just want to include a wedding weekend timeline, a map of the various resorts, some info on excursions, restaurants, etc., and don't even know where to begin.

So glad I'm not the only one! I have been a bridesmaid 7 times. All of my friends whose weddings I was in are invited (so far 2 can't come due to 2nd pregnancies - I guess that's what happens when you're the old maid of the group! Haha I'm kidding, I'm only 30, but everyone got married really young), but only my sister will be standing with me. In addition to the 7 weddings I've been in, I've lived in 3 different places - most recently NYC, where I have several really close friends (who are single). Plus my fiance has 2 sisters. My point is that I'd end up with 12 bridesmaids if I went that route, and I just can't deal with the chaos, and people would be trying to help me from all over the US. Plus, this way, my friends don't have to worry about the added expense of being a bridesmaid and can just focus on enjoying their vacation. I'll still get lots of time with them. I get the vibe that a couple of people are hurt about it, but no one has said anything, and I really think people understand when they stop to think about it. If you have events you can still involve them in, awesome! For me, that would be too many people to take dress shopping. But if you're less of a people pleaser, and will still be able to focus on what YOU like, then go for it!

Haha yeah - I probably wouldn't have signed up for it if I had known how our guest list would grow. But the bags are pretty cute and I think the personal touch will be nice. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably just buy them!

I'll have 56 bags. I sewed them myself (with the help of an incredibly good friend). I'm splitting up the bags and contents between me, my FI, my parents, and my sister's family. Shouldn't be too bad split up that way. Just checking the bags. Just make sure you weigh them and don't go over the weight limit - gets expensive fast! I just had to let my dream of some of the larger/heavier items go (like mugs - FI was NOT having it). I'll be buying water and snacks once we get there. Rum cakes too.

On this forum that you are currently posting on. The whole section is for OOT bags (it is called Wedding Registry, Wedding Gift Bags, and OOT Bags). If you browse through the threads, the vast majority of them are people posting their finished OOT bags (or in progress) with a breakdown of all the items, and sometimes even the cost and where the items came from.

There are lots of threads on here - some are lists and some have lots of pictures of the finished bags and their contents. Some great ideas. Good luck!