Is there a Wedding 101 class I can take??

[pearlygirl]

This forum is great and filled with so much information, but I keep finding things that I never thought of doing for our Negril DW! I'm freaking out!

 

I think I need Wedding 101 or something.

 

Here are just a few things I didn't think of, some that perhaps should have been obvious to me....

 

Cake topper, extra decorations, programs for the ceremony, gifts for guests that have traveled all that way for the wedding, and many others that I've blocked out of my mind for now, but have read about in the forum.

 

Do I need to have the entire ceremony planned out with programs and readings and songs etc I figured the WC at the Riu would have a standardized/simple little ceremony planned out and we could just add a few things to make it more personalized like music and the Sand Ceremony.

 

If I need to plan the ceremony and make programs, I better get moving!!!! Unless it is the preference of the couple to go the extra mile (or miles in some cases) to incorporate special things into the ceremony and/or entire trip?

 

Am I being too lax in my planning or should I be doing more?!?!?

 

Any opinions are appreciated!

[CanadianBride84]

I guess it dpeneds on what you would like to do.

 

Personally, I am bringing a cake topper with me, not worrying about extra decorations, have bought the fan programs from Michaels to use, and am considering doing small bags with different items my guests need as a thank you for coming (sun screen, lip balm, pills).

 

I think that the WC plans the ceremony, but if you want to add extra items into it, it may be best to contact her.

[sunsetbride1]

I agree with CanadianBride.. It completely depends upon what you want to do.

 

If you want to have a more elaborate ceremony with personalized music, readings, wording, programs, favors, extra decor etc.. then contact your WC to coordinate it. If not, then if it were me (I am a control freak) - I would contact my WC anyway to ask what their standard ceremony entails.

 

OOT Bags are a nice touch.. but I can't imagine a guest expecting to get one. So, if you don't want to or don't have the time or the money; then it's not a necessity.

 

Cake Toppers? Once again.. you don't have to have one. It's completely up to you.

 

There is a theme in my response, do whatever works for you! There is no set standard. Just check to make sure your WC has the basics covered.

[DanielleNDerek]

Dont worry. I never heard of an oot bag before i found this forum. And there's a lot more i didnt know too. But it's all entirely up to you what you want to do. OOT bags are not necessary, guests wont expect them but if they are something you would like to do than go for it. Same thing with programs, if you dont want them dont make them. My programs were really simple. here's a pic

 

I used the centerpieces that came with the wedding package i picked, i used the flowers that came with my package. I did bring menus, favors, cake topper, and cds for the dj. But most of it is unneccessary. I do think it's a nice gesture to at least give your guest something to show you appreciate them going all the way to your wedding, even if it's something small.

[pearlygirl]

Thanks for all of the opinions.....I wanted to do this DW pretty low-key. I didn't want all the planning of a traditional wedding.

 

I figured I'd book a trip, tell family/friends, let them decide if they want to come, then go w/ the flow and have it be pretty simple.....Do whatever the WC tells me to do when I get there. I know I want the Sand Ceremony and I thought I'd get a few small gifts for guests that can be used on vacation....ie travel mugs (possibly personalized w/ our wedding date), sunscreen, towel, etc. But that was the extent of my planning.

 

It was just that after reading about how much effort a lot of you ladies put into it, I felt pretty lax in my own planning process. I commend all of you who do special things for your guests and have extra things planned step-by-step....it is a lot of effort.

 

I just don't have the time, creativeness, effort or desire to do all of the extras.

 

I certainly appreciate all of your opinions....it helps me feel better that I can plan as much or as little as I want and it'll be a great day no matter what!

 

Thanks again, Ladies!!

[~*Kathy*~]

pearlygirl, I, like you, am keeping it very simple for my DW too. But I totally know what you mean! When I first found this site I was shocked (in a good way) at home much time and effort all of these lovely ladies invest in to their weddings. I'm have a DW because I wanted it to be low-key but there are definitely some great ideas around here that I would use if I was planning my wedding in more than six months hehe.

[pearlygirl]

paraisobeachbride....

 

I know what you mean! We just decided to move our date up one year to this winter, 2009, instead of next winter, 2010. So I've only been planning for about a month.

 

Anyway, I noticed you are going to be at the IB Paraiso Beach this February for your wedding--Congrats! We were there last February, on the 19th, which is my mom's b-day. And, my step-sister was married there about 5 years ago (I didn't attend the wedding).

 

My mom has been to the IB Paraiso Beach about 4 times, she absolutely loves it. Also, I know my step-sister's wedding went well and she was very pleased with the resort.

 

We enjoyed the resort very much while we were there last year. I hope everything goes well for you!

 

-pearlygirl

[~*Kathy*~]

pearlygirl,

 

That's awesome! Thanks so much for sharing that with me, I've heard many great things about the resort so that is really exciting. We did the same as you, we were planning on 2010 but bumped it up to 2009 (which I wanted anyway...hehe). It has been very interesting trying to get everything done in a compact amount of time.

 

I hope all goes well for you on your big day too!!

[Rob&Sue]

pearlygirl and paraisobeachbride,

 

i am on the same page as you. i had no idea what oot bags were before i logged onto this site... never thought of doing up a program, welcome letter, itiniary/program, etc. there are so many wonderfully creative ideas on this forum. everyone on here has put so much care and time into their weddings.

 

i haven't been on this site very long... but since joining i've got oot bags underway, i've done up a pre-departure brochure, and am setting up a couple of group activities for the week too. it's been so much fun doing the extra preparations - and I've started to look forward to the trip and wedding a lot more since i started. i'm sure i'm driving my FI a little nuts with all the stuff i'm doing. lol

 

i know that none of my guests are expecting an OOT bag or favors, or any activities aside from the ones that they plan... so i know the little touches will be very much appreciated.

 

Hope you both have a great time planning!!!