danielleandryan2015

This is exactly what I don't want to happen! Its just frustrating to me because personally I would never commit to travel this far and be in someone's wedding if I was not sure I would be able to do it. We would rather him have just told us no up front, so we can ask someone else and plan. Our deadline for down payment is Sept 1st. All other wedding party has made their deposit so its just hanging on him. I haven't brought it up in awhile and will just wait until the deadline to make any decisions. But I do feel its rude to make us wait until the last minute when he knows we are counting on him. Ugh. turned into a vent! Thanks ladies!

So my fiancé asked his best friend to be our best man months ago and he and his wife were totally on board.. They had been talking about how excited they are, etc. We asked everyone close to 2 years prior to our wedding date and we made it perfectly clear, multiple times, that we know this is a lot to ask and if they did not want to commit or spend the money then we have no hard feelings at all. Well, the best man has still not put his deposit down and keeps saying vague comments like "as long as "this" happens we will be there" but has not said they will not attend. Each time we ask they say they are coming but then say stuff like this. What would you think? How long do you wait before you assume they wo n't come? We really do understand, but we need to know so my fiancé can ask someone else to stand up with him. How would you handle this?

We ended up doing a kid friendly resort, and even negotiated 5 free kids in our package! So it will at least be our two kids, and our niece. Most of our friends have decided to not bring their kids, but they know they would be welcome!

I think it would be great to have both of them walk with you! How sweet, I sure hope your grandpa can make it because I'm sure it would mean so much to both of you!

@kmk2016 I have the same reservations about having the older people do email rsvps. But yes, I guess younger family could help them out. We actually don't have too many older guests so I thought of maybe just mailing those few rsvp cards to return and have everyone else to an email rsvp. It would really save a ton of money though and I think for most people it would be quick and easy.

@becassidy Our wedding will be in May 2015. I agree with you about not being able to justify the cost of a cocktail hour at an all inclusive. Seems a bit much to me. We also will be having a reception when we get home so we are going to save all our dances, etc. for that. I'm curious about the bonfire party you mentioned. I wanted to have a kind of welcome party, I wonder if I could do something like that. What all does the bonfire party include??

I have heard of a lot of people doing RSVP's via email lately. I'm wondering if that's a good idea. Of course I am all for saving some money on return cards, but do you think people are more likely to respond via email or mailing the cards back? I'm thinking of asking for email rsvps, and maybe just sending out a couple cards to some of the older guests who are not as likely to use email. What do you think? Has anyone had experience with this?

@Rainmaker We will also be doing a buffet style. I spoke with a couple caterers and also the owner of the reception hall and they both agreed that a good rule of thumb is to plan for 2.5 people per invitation. So if you send out 100 invites, plan for 250 people since some people will not come and some people will have more than 2 guests per family, etc. In my opinion this seems a little high, considering some will not come? And especially with kids included. I'm not sure but Imay just double the number of invites and plan that way?

I am planning to just pack ours and take them with us. Then we will have a "welcome" party, meeting up at one of the bars and hand them out on the first day, which will be the day before our wedding.

Wondering how you count for kids for food, etc. Do you count them as a half person, so 2 kids equals one adult serving? Or just count them as a whole person to be safe? Not sure how to plan for food when looking at caterers and things. Obviously I would rather have too much than not enough, but don't want to go way overboard! What do you do?

@@stefadile Thank you, and I'm sorry to hear of your dad passing as well. Its so hard to lose loved ones and especially when we think of them missing these important events in our lives. But yes, I know they will be with us on our special day!

@@Mzlisa27 I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My dad passed last year and I saw a neat idea on Pinterest. If you have a piece of your son's clothing or blankie or something, cut a heart shape of it and sew it to the back of your wedding dress. Put it wherever you like, I am going to do this with a tie of my dads, and I think I will put it up near my shoulder blade, but you could also sew it someplace less obvious if you wanted. Oh, I have also seen the locket idea on the bouqet and I may do that as well.

@SamanthaC I don't think AHR favors are a must. Its just what you prefer. Where I live its the norm to have favors at the reception so I wanted to do that. Also I thought it would be fun to share a little something Jamaican with the people who aren't traveling with us. I think the people who go will still feel special! We are doing a lot more for OOT bags than for favors back home.

@ BMiners I got my order in yesterday! The quality is what I expected for the price. The fabric on the bags is thicker than I thought it would be and I think it will hold up well. However on the very first bag I pulled out the screen printing was stuck to the p lastic the bag was wrapped in and peeled off. It was close to 90 degrees here though and the box sat outside all day while I was at work. All of the other bags seem fine and did not have that problem so hoping it was just a fluke! The keychains are light weight, but look nice and the lanyards look great! I am still happy with my purchases!

@pddcmc I suppose if you go them at the Dollar Tree or somewhere similar then you could buy personalized stickers instead of getting them screen printed? I know I had read somewhere where one bride found waterproof, good quality stickers one etsy.

I would love suggestions on this! I would love to find some that are decent quality but not too expensive. If anyone has found some good ones, please share! Thank you!

We are doing OOT bags and not doing a favor for our reception following ceremony. But we will be having an AHR when we ge back, so I am planning to do favors for that.

Very nice of you! It is always great to hear from brides who have already done the destination wedding thing to help with ideas and planning! We are getting married in Negril next year. So excited!

Hi everyone! Just thought I would share a few things I found for my OOT bags today! I went to www.rockeytrading.com and they have a whole section with Jamaican stuff. Its a wholesaler so you have to buy in bulk, but I found some good deals I thought! I found back sacks that say Jamaica with the flag on them that I am going to use for my OOT bags, they are only $14.95 a dozen. I also got keychain bottle openers to put in them and they were $4.95/ dozen. And lanyards that say Jamaica and have the colors that I will use for room key holders to put in OOT bags also only $6.95/dozen. I'm excited to have a few things crossed off the list! Now just hoping the quality is Ok when I get them. I will try to post pics of them if anyone is interested after my order comes in! If anyone has any other good ideas of what to put in the bags or places to buy from, let me know. I also want to get tumblers somewhere, some disposable shot glasses (there are liquor dispensers in the rooms), and hangover/first aid stuff.

@pamelas21 I totally agree with you! Even if we were not taking our kids, I would feel bad not including the option for others to take theirs. So far we only have 5 kids going, but at least they are welcome to the option!

Yes we are getting married at the Riu Tropical Palace, wedding will be on the beach. Hoping for no rain haha!

Sounds good! I think its a fun place to go and it will get you out on the cliffs a little too, since you're staying on the beach. Such a pretty view there!

Hi, I don't know how nice or formal you want to be but I think Xtabi is a neat place. Its built on the caves and you can have dinner and drinks, walk the caves, and even swim if you want to. I don't believe it is very formal though, if that's what you are looking for. Maybe google Xtabi and see what you think! I know I am going to take our guests there at some point during the week! Where are you getting married at, if I may ask?

I have not heard of him but will certainly check it out thanks!

@@Marti I'm in the U.S. Not sure we have that store here but maybe I can look online. That is definitely a lot cheaper than what I was looking at so far! And we are also not contributing to our girls for dresses but they are fairly inexpensive as well, about $130 each. I wanted to keep the guys stuff at that or under. I will keep looking! Thanks so much for the info and have a wonderful trip and beautiful wedding! Its just next week. Ahhhh!!!!