Trying to decide on a Destination

[GracieBebe]

Hi Everyone,

 

I mentioned this in my intro in the Newbie forum, but my FI and I have definitely decided to do a DW. However, we can't decide on where we want to have it. Here are our choices for a 2 wk period for approx 20 guests/8 rooms(HM will include any of our family and/or guests who wishes to stay on vacation with us but they will be responsible for rest of their own trip):

 

1. Wedding in Maui with Luau for reception - renting villa and/or condo for close family; other guests stay in hotels(their responsibility); HM in Maui

 

2. Wedding in Paris with Dinner Boat Tour on the Seine for reception - renting a villa/chateau/castle/condo for close family; other guests stay in hotels(their responsibility); HM in Paris-remainder of wk and Amsterdam-1wk

 

3. Wedding in Italy at Castle or Villa with reception at same location - renting a small Castle/Chateau/Villa for all guests to stay for the week; HM in Italy touring, Venice, Florence, Rome, etc.

 

We understand the legalities of getting married in France and Italy and that is not a problem. Because the ideas are so different, we are having a hard time trying to decide what we would prefer and what our guests would enjoy the most. Any and all opinions welcome!!! Thx!

 

[foxytv]

You certainly have a variety of choices! All I can tell you is our wedding in the DR was phenomenal. I loved having a DW at the beach. But Italy and Paris weren't options for us. :-) Have you thought about which guests you really want to attend and which destination they will be most likely to be able to go to? That was a big consideration for us when deciding on locale and even the price of the resort.

[Kat81]

I guess it depends on what you want. Can your guests afford any of these locations? Does it matter to you how many people can make it? If you don't care who makes it or everyone can afford it then go with what you want. BUT if it is super important to you to have people there and one is way cheaper than the others I would go with it. REMEMBER it is your day and in the end you have to do what makes you happy. We were going to get married in the Bahamas but it was just too expensive for our guests and it was important for us to have people there with us. So, we opted for Cancun.

[bumbles]

All three locations sound absolutely amazing!! I see that you are in CT. Are most of your guests on the east coast? If so, then maybe Europe b/c it would be a shorter flight. Which one are you leaning toward?

[TATrisha]

Just me... if I were given these options for a destination wedding and I could choose which one I wanted... I'd choose number three.

 

Hawaii I could technically go to any time. It's an AMAZING destination... don't get me wrong, but your other options seem more "once in a lifetime"

The reasons I like number three better are

A. - everyone gets to stay together at one place. that really made the difference for our wedding. Being able to hang out with our family and friends ALL week made our week amazing.

B. - I love your honeymoon ideas better for number three

[GracieBebe]

Thank you for your replies!!! :-) I really appreciate it!

 

FoxyTV, KatB1, and Fanny - although most of our friends and family are in the East Coast, the only people who are must haves at our wedding are his parents (in FL) and my parents (in CA) and we will be paying for their accomodations to stay with us (which we plan to surprise them with - will let them know as a Xmas present). As for the rest of our guests, it would be wonderful to have them, but if they cannot come, we understand.

 

Tlseege - I do agree with you that #2 and #3 do sound like once in a lifetime opportunities (definite pro), but I'm concerned that people/guests might get bored during the week if there is not much to do around there (con) especially if there is a language barrier. At least with #1, there's always the beach and pools to hang out at and no language barrier. One of the many reasons why I am torn between the 3 choices.

 

Also as an FYI - we are planning an August 2009 wedding so I know weather will be nice to hot in all of those locations.

[TATrisha]

OOO, that is a good CON that you bring up. However, that could be part of your "welcome brochures" All of the stuff that there is to do. Since you are paying for their trip, perhaps they'd all be willing to take a guided tour of the area on a coach bus or something? Or wine tours? There has to be a TON to do... right?

[Mystic]

Is there really a 40 day residency requirement to get married in France?

[Kat81]

Hawaii would probably be the best bet for people to keep busy. But go with whatever your heart is telling you. Is there one place that you come back to every time?? Have you looked at venues? Is there one you like better than the others?

[Morton-Woods]

ohhh i dont know how you are going to choose, but the only one ive been to is maui and that was for my sisters wedding... it was so intimate there were about 20 of us and we stayed at a condo resort but were able to do a luau together but had days to go island hopping or other activities as we wished together as a group or seperate... whatever decision you make on your destination, you will love it and make sure you enjoy every minute of your day.