We have a big guest list for a DW!!

[NABUMBAH]

I think that we invited over 300 people (sent out around 140 invites) and we're expecting less than 100. Keep in mind that your wedding is well over a year away and things change - We lost about 8 guests due to two pregnancies - two guests are due right near our W/D. Ironically these guests were on our "absolutely will be coming to our wedding" list - one was my cousin who I am close to and the other is the best man and his fiance. What do you know? life throws people curveballs in the form of new life sometimes

 

anyhow...

 

I would try to make a realistic estimate on your guest list. As in, We're inviting all of these people, but we know that these people would not miss it. And then add about 30% to make your final list. It's possible that all of those guest will come, but realistically they won't. So try to make a reasonable assessment and then work from there. And don't stress. you have loads of time. Promise!

[salsa_bride]

Thanks Christine - I was just looking at your website and noticed you changed your plans from Jamaica to Napa. We were engaged in Negril in November and I still miss it everyday. That would have made for a beautiful wedding - although I have a cousin that just came back from Napa and she LOVED it. We really would love to have a beautiful, warm place to have our loved ones celebrate our special day so it is as memorable for them as it is for us. I guess we're lucky that we still have a bit of time to research and really look at our best options.

BTW - I'm going to Canada's Bridal Show tomorrow!! It feels a bit weird cuz i'm not really going to actively recruit local vendors... maybe look for local photog for our engagement pics and for invitations, oh, and for dress ideas too.

[salsa_bride]

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Originally Posted by NABUMBAH I think that we invited over 300 people (sent out around 140 invites) and we're expecting less than 100. Keep in mind that your wedding is well over a year away and things change - We lost about 8 guests due to two pregnancies - two guests are due right near our W/D. Ironically these guests were on our "absolutely will be coming to our wedding" list - one was my cousin who I am close to and the other is the best man and his fiance. What do you know? life throws people curveballs in the form of new life sometimes I'm of the same mindset that I think realistically... our guest list will be more like 100. I totally expect things to change in 16 months, but I'm also nervous if we underestimate who will attend. anyhow... I would try to make a realistic estimate on your guest list. As in, We're inviting all of these people, but we know that these people would not miss it. And then add about 30% to make your final list. It's possible that all of those guest will come, but realistically they won't. So try to make a reasonable assessment and then work from there. And don't stress. you have loads of time. Promise!

Thanks for the reassurance!! It really is a great comfort!!

[TammyWright]

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Hm, well, I guess we have to open up our options to other locations to better accomodate our situation (maybe we'll save Cabo for our honeymoon!!!). So in summary of our wedding needs: Budget - 20-25k (CDN)

to stay in that budget with THAT many people you will probably need to go AI

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Guests - approximately 150 (needs to be affordable, easy to book for that many people)

what about puerto vallarta? dreams PV is alot less expensive than Dreams Cabo. it is an AI and has a private beach

Ceremony - would like traditional Catholic ceremony well this may pose some problems unless you do it in a church

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Reception - this is where we thought DW could save us some money, but we want it to be a private event (no wandering sunbathers or other toursists in t background)

see above. dream puerto vallarta?
I am open to looking at other locations in Mexico (maybe Dominican)?

How did you gals plan your DW when it came to confirming numbers? Did you send out invites first to get confirmed number of guests? How do you do that without booking the location first? And how do you book unless you know how many guests are attending? I feel like it's a catch 22??

[JulieG]

I live in Toronto as well. My travel agent is awesome. Her name is Penelope and she is at flight centre. [email protected] is her email address. Drop her a line and tell her I sent you, Julie Roberts.

 

She can get you a group rate. She will call around for you and tell you the prices. Cabo is expensive though, you are looking at at least $1500 a person for sure. That is why I am not getting married anywhere in Mexico. I don't want my guests to spend that much money, its crazy to me. I did it for a wedding in DR and I don't want my guests to do it.

 

Email penelope and ask her what she thinks and what she can find for you. She is great to work with.

 

Hope that helps.

Julie

[salsa_bride]

Awesome Julie - thanks for the referral. We will give her a call!! Out of curiosity, I see you're having in Costa Rica or Panama - have you decided yet? How many guests are you expecting?

 

Thanks!

Darlene

[JulieG]

We have not decided yet. Costa Rica is our number 1 choice, but we want to make sure is affordale enough, we are aiming for beautiful but for under $1200 for our guests. There are places there that are that cheap, but we want to make sure they are really nice. Panama is very nice and very affordable, so it will be there for sure, if we can't find what we want in Costa Rica.

[TammyWright]

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Originally Posted by Julesr We have not decided yet. Costa Rica is our number 1 choice, but we want to make sure is affordale enough, we are aiming for beautiful but for under $1200 for our guests. There are places there that are that cheap, but we want to make sure they are really nice. Panama is very nice and very affordable, so it will be there for sure, if we can't find what we want in Costa Rica.

the guanacaste area is really nice.

[salsa_bride]

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Originally Posted by host selloffvacations does not do group rates if i remember correctly. i remember someone trying to get them to. also, 150 guests is ALOT (75 rooms), you will really need to get that room block in place pretty quickly ESPECIALLY if you plan it at dreams since they only have about 330 rooms total and book to capcity about 98% of the year... just saw you are not getting married until april 2008...i thought 2007 and alsmost had a heart attack. ps. it will be very difficult to get 1 week package under $1500 for an AI in cabo. even if you use sell off. they have a very limited amount of rooms at the sale price. but you can try. I just returned from the Bridal Show here in Toronto and selloffvacations was there. Normally, AI pkgs are around $1500-1600 for Riu Palace in CSL. They said I can call their "groups" agent and they will arrange directly with the resort to book off a block of rooms for a discounted price, even for groups as big as 150... Woohoo!!! I feel so much better now!! I'm going to call them tomorrow ... Fingers crossed!! i did find group rates out of toronto for about $1700CAD including air, room, transfers and taxes.

I think that my ideal plan would be to have all my guests stay at the Riu, and do the church ceremony at the Sheraton Hacienda - does anyone know what the distance is between these two resorts? How hard would it be to transport guests over?

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsa_bride I think that my ideal plan would be to have all my guests stay at the Riu, and do the church ceremony at the Sheraton Hacienda - does anyone know what the distance is between these two resorts? How hard would it be to transport guests over?

it is about 15 mins apart.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t726

BUT dreams is a little closer to sheraton. what about villa del arco? it is pretty inexespensive to stay