Completely Overwhelmed!

[Sandra&Mario]

So my fiance and I chose Barcelo Maya Palace on Jan 8, 2010. We were told that their new rates wouldn't be posted until March/April. We are in the midst of house hunting...but would love to squeeze in some time for early wedding planning. Does anyone have a list they worked off of? An order in which you planned? We don't know what to do first!! Create our list? Send out STD? How early on? We are anticipating about 40 guests and don't have a wedding party except a flower girl and ring bearer. Should I start looking for my dress? I plan on losing weight though! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

[MaryS]

I started with the date. Which you have done. Then a place, which you have done. Then the guest list. I would wait for the dress part usually 7-6 months before the wedding depending where you are buying and if you are planning to lose weight.

I would make a list of what you want your wedding to look like thats what help me start planning and I was on here a lot. You can send out STD once you secure the location.

I also bought a book Everything you need to know about destination weddings and that helped me a lot.

Happy planning

marys

[Sandra&Mario]

thanks! how many months before did you send out your save the dates?

[abandcraig]

Since you have the date and the place it sounds like you are in good shape. I would send out STD as soon as you can but I don't think it is a rush (I think we sent our our at 10 months out) just so people can start thinking about going and saving-up. I would agree wait until about 6 months out to look for the dress. I am cutting it close but I just ordered mine a couple of weeks ago. Try not to stree too much...somehow it all gets done.

[HotTamale]

First, BREATHE!!!!! I remember feeling just like you, and I think we've all been there. Just start by prioritizing. I found that the on-line sites that have a wedding planner i.e., marthastewart.com; brides.com; and theknot.com were only making me more overwhelmed, as they have lists that really don't pertain to a destination wedding. So make your own list...in excel, or a simple piece of paper. Another great resource: Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Planning

So first your date; set your budget; notify friends and family; and so forth. Also this forum is a load of help.

 

I sent my save the dates via on-line through my wedding website; I then sent out an email outlinging all information with the travel agent infor; I am sending my formal invitations out this weekend (wedding is 6.13.09), I purchased my dress this past Saturday, and just paid my photographer deposit.

 

Congratulations and remember this is the time to cherish!

[aimee!]

that's our date too!!

we're having our ceremony at an iberostar in riviera maya.

 

we sent out our save-the-dates in june, and now i've been working on pretty much everything else. i'm ordering my dress this saturday, and hopefully picking out bridesmaid dresses.

 

i think as long as you get working on your guest list asap, and get STD's out w/i a few months you'll be in good shape.

[Sandra&Mario]

Aw!! I'm so excited to have someone that's sharing our date also!!! Especially in Riviera Maya also! YAHHHH!! So you sent your save the dates last June (a year and a half away?) Oh jeez! I was going to send them out in March/April! We figured 9 months would be enough...oh dear, is it!? And my dress...well, I have a pretty good idea what I want, it's just a matter of trying it on, haha. Happy Planning Aimee!

[sdnative222]

I thought the check off list on martha stewart's wedding worked out well for me. We were able to click off a lot of things right away because we were having a destination wedding. I just moved everything up 6 weeks. We were engaged for 13 months and I still think it wasn't enough time, but I still had an amazing wedding.

 

My Save the Dates went out 8 mos before...and we purchased our air tickets.

My invites went out 12 weeks before...but I already knew everyone that was and was not attending.

My RSVP was 6 weeks before.

My last minute details letter went out 3 weeks before.

 

Have fun planning!

[big3n09]

I have been planing because our date was 8/29/09, but we have now pushed our date back to 5/1/10, but I'm still planning. I think you should figure out all the things you want to do first, I purchased the DW Guide by the Knot from Amazon for $15 or less, it's very helpful because it has all the info you may need and a list of "to do's" for DW planning. I have been looking at dresses because the one I want has to be ordered 6 months in advance so it depends on what you want. I am sending out my website info to the people who I really think may come 1yr in advance it will have most of the information. We are going to pass out our STD at our engagement party in August this year, and invitations are only going to those who have booked by this time next year.