TAkathy

Without specific information on the dates involved, what part of the island or how many days you and guests will be there, it's a little tough to give you specific suggestions. What have you arranged thus far? I do feel it is rude to ask guests to chip in for activities that you have arranged as part of your wedding festivities. it's much better to scale back what you plan. It's not a problem though to provide a list of activities in which they may want to participate so that you get to hang out together - apart from the wedding events. These would be "no host" - you can provide the pricing in advance so they are fore-warned it is not included in the wedding festivities. Everyone may not want to do everything so this way they have a choice and you still get to interact with as many folks as possible. With more details about your event it will be easier to offer specific suggestions.

Congratulations on your engagement! There are many nice areas on Oahu and lots of choices for fabulous wedding venues but it's really dependent on: 1) the type of event you want to have, 2) the number of guests and 3) your budget. All beaches in Hawaii are public and events utilizing them require permits and are very tightly controlled with regard to chair placement and beach access. It is possible to have a beach ceremony but it just has to be arranged within the allowances.

Depending on the set-up, you may want some overlap of the cocktail hour with photos if possible so the guests can have something to enjoy while they are waiting for the photo sessions to be done.

The location of the wedding reception is important to know - if it is in Wailea or Kihei, a store in Lahaina is not going to work. I would look beyond Safeway personally.

Believe me - this is a situation that is as frustrating for the TA as it is for the B&G. Many people do not understand the difference booking through the established group can make either in benefit to the B&G or to themselves once they arrive for the function. It depends on your TA whether or not they will book the flights as well - you should check to be sure. But in the US (and I think the airlines are handling their rates the same everywhere, it may not be possible to "lock in" a great package that includes air - fare pricing is dynamic (meaning constantly shifting with demand and availability). And a "deal" may not be a bargain at all. That being said, the group rate is often an enticement to have guests book within the established block. The B&G get credits and extras based on the number of guest reservations - that's a big benefit to them. Often, the guests will get better pricing and more amenities this way that would not be available to them when booked another way - even at the same property. The wedding coordinator is working with the reservations staff to coordinate the numbers and it may confuse the issue to have guests booking outside the group. It is definitely harder to track the numbers that way. The property is using those numbers to establish how many rooms can be held for that event and for how long. So when people book outside, it artificially inflates the demand and could serve to influence the numbers. In addition, rooms made through 3rd party on-line sources may or may not result in the reservation the person expects . If the hotel is oversold for that time period the guest could find themselves in a very different room category than expected (an Oceanview may become a really nice look at the parking lot) and paid for or, worse they could be "walked" to a different property nearby. It is human nature to want to get the "best deal" but the best way to ensure your guests have a seamless experience without unexpected surprises when they are coming to attend an event, is to have them book within the established group block. But they need to understand "what's in it for them" so…. You may want to speak to your TA and ask about the group rate and amenities you have and what you could tell guests to help entice them to book in the block you have established. Hopefully, it will be a win-win for everyone.

Do you know if your guests have passports? If they don't, will they be willing to get them? That will be required for Mexico. Hawaii is magical and many people have had it on their "to go" lists but have not made it yet, so you could be helping them have that "dreamed about" vacation at the same time as celebrating your wedding. Nothing beats the spirit of Aloha. An All Inclusive experience can be fine if it's the right All Inclusive but they are not all the same and the Mexican experience will be very different from that in Hawaii. A wedding in Mexico comes with other decisions and possibly some requirements (for ex: if you are having a legally binding ceremony, some states in Mexico require the bride and groom and sometimes the attendants, to be there several days in advance of the event.) There also could be additional costs for translation of documents, etc so there are many things to consider in your decision. It may be easiest to decide by determining what kind of event and experience you really want to have because any destination wedding will require things that wouldn't need to be done at if it were happening at home. Make it what you want it to be and enjoy the journey.

Recommendations really depend on several things: Budget What you would like to do/see while in Las Vegas What is your idea of romantic - in Las Vegas it can be ridiculously over-indulgent or tasteful 5* pampering. There is something for everyone there as long as you know where you fit on the spectrum, you'll be fine. But it's not cheap so be prepared to spend some money. Here are some ideas of things to do: Dinner at the top of the Stratosphere (revolving restaurant) Helicopter ride to Grand Canyon Gondola ride on the Venetian canals Cirque du Soleil shows - ZUMANITY is the sexiest but all are awesome. Ride the High Roller - the world's highest ferris wheel Lots of great food to enjoy Have Fun!

Absolutely a written invitation is the best way to go - it's not only the polite thing to do to follow up an important verbal request with a written notification of same, it also enables (and requires) the invited guests to send a written RSVP so that you have a confirmed acceptance in writing.

Congratulations! As mentioned above, the date and area from which you will be traveling are important . A travel agent can provide guidance once you know your general budget and the type of area and ceremony you would like. There are many decisions only you can make but we can definitely assist in the process. Good Luck!

The first dance is for you and your husband - Go for it! Do you want music when you enter? Do you have a favorite song? You don't have to be constrained - make this everything you want it to be. Don't worry - Be Happy! Enjoy!

Sara - A travel agent can help you secure a group booking that is tailored to the needs of your guests. Even then, adjustments are often required as people get familiar with what each type of accommodation offers. These often have a price discount over a standard booking but require a minimum number of rooms (8) to be booked in order to receive the extra amenities a group block affords - they are different depending on the sailing date and itinerary. When you speak to a Princess Rep, you are speaking with a salesperson - not a travel agent (no matter how they describe themselves). They are order takers and their job is to get you to make a reservation before you hang up the phone. There is much more to booking a successful cruise than placing a deposit - especially with a group traveling for a special event. It is important to work with someone who can coordinate the specific details for all the travelers (air, hotels, cruise staterooms, travel insurance) and be able to help people sift through the maze of information they will encounter along the way. No matter how much a Princess rep can tell you about the ship, they won't be able to help you with the other details that will make or break this event. Once you have secured the cruise reservation you will be able to book a wedding date. They want to be sure you are actually committed to taking the cruise before they will secure special ship services as it involves multiple departments to coordinate. When and where are you wanting to travel from and to what destination? This will be much easier and less stressful if you work with a trained travel professional who knows how to book and coordinate group cruises.

First of all, Congratulations! Cruise weddings can be a great alternative to an at-home site. But there are some things that can make them trickier than other types of destination weddings. Princess is a good choice as they have been doing weddings the longest and were the first line to do ceremonies on the ship - the "Love Boat" You will need to decide if you are going to have the ceremony onboard or at a port. Either can be arranged and there are chapels on the ship for onsite events. Having something at a port stop is risky if the ship needs to change itineraries at the last minute so you are better of having a ship wedding. If that is the case you should know: 1) how many weddings are scheduled for the same cruise / same day? 2) Do you need to use the ship florist/photographer or can you supply your own (if you want to do that) 3) How many guests can be accommodated at a ship ceremony? 4) What services does the ship wedding planner provide? 5) who serves as your contact person/event coordinator on the ship? 6) what choices do you have for your reception (a meal or just cake and champagne?) 7) where will the reception be held and what is the timing of the event 8) what number of guests is included in their package pricing and what is the cost for more than the number stated? Regarding the staterooms reserved for guests, it is usually required that you book the cruise reservation before you can secure the wedding date. That is something you may want professional help with so that you don't have to manage the financial end of that process. People are going to want different types of accommodations and explaining cruise pricing, room categories and availability can get quite involved and sometimes confusing. Other fees and policies need to be explained so that guests understand what their costs will be and when the payments will be due. Good Luck with the planning. Princess is a great choice - one of my favorite cruise lines!

FYI - Travel "deals" are not necessarily deals - and they come with a lot of caveats so it's important to be very attentive to the fine print on any "deal" you think you may have found.

I need to be brutally honest with you - this was a QUOTE - not a contract. Quotes are subject to change at any time. The prices reflects in them are only locked in when a contract is signed and deposit is made. This is very common within the industry. You can ask whatever you wish and maybe they will work with you. But the fact is, it was several weeks ago that you received the first numbers and they are always subject to change. Most likely this information was relayed in within the text of the quote.

Congratulations on your Engagement! Kapalua is on the leeward side of the island (drier and warmer) than the windward side. It can be windier in that area and rain a bit more than other coastal areas further south. That being said, generally the weather in May is glorious. If you are planning an outdoor ceremony, it is always wise to have a Plan B just in case. I am heading to Maui next week and would be happy to take photos or gather any information that may help you. Happy Planning!

It makes a lot of sense (and sometimes lots of CENTS) to due a legally binding ceremony in the US before heading to a Destination wedding outside the US. The requirements for legal ceremonies vary by country but there are almost always extra fees to pay (translation of the documents into English for ex) and often requirements for the bride and groom to stay extra days in the country in advance of the wedding - as in some states within Mexico. In Aruba, a beach wedding is not considered legal, it is simply symbolic. Couples who choose to have a legal wedding there need to first visit the governmental office that will provide the legally binding ceremony and then go to the beach if that is where they want to have the larger ceremony. These are just a couple of the things that one may encounter if they choose to have a legal ceremony in a foreign country. If you get married first in the US then you would have a "token" or "symbolic" ceremony rather than a legal one. Less paperwork and hassle!

Beautiful dresses! I agree with orchids. And you are better off with white table covers.

I know an excellent wedding coordinator in Aruba who can plan and manage any event you want done to your specifications. Beach wedding, some resorts, restaurants, etc. She is well connected and has fantastic resources so you can plan the wedding you want. Many places havewedding "menus" to select from - with her you are creating the menu to have your dream event.

Hi Leslie. Congratulations! Los Cabos is a great location for a destination wedding! Do you have any particular vision for the wedding and reception to start with? (on the beach, at a resort, etc) How large an event are you anticipating? A few basic details will help to start narrowing the focus on the type of places you should consider. There is a wealth of information on this site that will help as you make your way through the process. Happy Planning!

There are some great venues that provide off site ceremonies and receptions and I know a fantastic wedding coordinator who arranges details with many of them. It is a really good idea to have one person oversee the many moving parts - she has great connections and resources. Doing it this way also gives you more leeway to have the event that you want - not the one that fits into the menu offered by a particular resort. Let me know if you want the coordinator's name

Congratulations on your engagement! St. Lucia is a beautiful and romantic place to plan a wedding and honeymoon but it is a challenging island to navigate because it is very mountainous. It is best to work with someone who can make arrangements for you and your guests taking into consideration the location and transfer/transportation issues. A TA can help you with securing group space (if that is appropriate as there are minimums numbers to meet) or arranging each individual reservation and managing them so you don't have to. You should only have to pay for your flights - not those of your guests. Everyone attending a DW is aware that they have to get there in order to participate. What is your budget for the whole thing? Not that you know right now what all the costs are going to be, but you should have an idea of what you are able to spend. Then you can find something that matches that price range. Happy Planning!

Here is another gorgeous venue on Oahu - it doesn't have ruins but it's in a beautiful valley near Kaneohe. www.haikugardens.com

Each island is unique with its own pros and cons. Budget could be a large factor in helping narrow down your realistic options. This would include: cost of travel from wherever you live, number of guests that will attend (it is usually going to be 30-50% of the number that say they will come when you first mention you are going to have a DW in Hawaii). The more who travel, the larger the fees for the ceremony and reception. Also, are there islands that are more expensive to get to from where you live? It's great if you can keep the travel part simple and cost effective for you and your guests. Connections eat up time and add complications to any travel these days so if you can get somewhere non-stop it's always a plus. Do you envision having a small ceremony on the beach and go to a bar with your friends to party afterward or a blow-out formal event at an established wedding venue with a sit-down dinner at an oceanfront restaurant? There are HUGE differences in cost and planning for these. All the additional ceremony costs need to be factored in as well (minister, flowers, music, local licensing fees, photography and transportation. And lastly, what are you going to do for your honeymoon - and how much of your budget will be left over to do it with? So it's best to start with how much you realistically can and want to spend for the whole thing. Then start breaking that down into categories. Each island offers incredible beauty and many wonderful adventures for visitors. If you have something particular in mind (like visiting the USS Arizona Memorial on Oahu or Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii) your choice will be made for you. So how you want you and your guests to spend the time while in the islands could impact where you decide to go. There are many other things to consider but this should help you begin to narrow things down. Happy Planning!

It is not uncommon for resorts to charge a fee for guests who attend a wedding at their property and are not staying there during their stay. This occurs in other places, not just Mexico. It seems a bit odd for vendors to be required to pay to enter the premises however but the policies are independently established and important to know so that your guests are properly informed and prepared.

There are many great places to choose from. What is your budget and # of nights?