April 2010 Brides

[NegrilLB]

uh oh...I thought I was ahead of the game by just having my venue booked, but I had no idea that people start booking their guests 9 months from the wedding. My wedding is April 17 in Montego Bay, Jamaica and I was thinking I would send my STDs sometime in mid-September, and my invites in January. When I travel I usually book it last minute (like a month ahead at the most) so I guess it didn't occur to me that most people plan their trips ahead of time. Trying not to freak out as I read about so many people booking already, lol. Are you all finding that the prices tend to go up on hotel rates even 6 months out?

 

I probably will have my guests book their hotels first and then their flights (not as a package). Flight prices fluctuate so much and in general don't seem to be cheaper 6 months out than 3-4 months out. Also, in many cases booking airline tickets as a group doesn't get you a cheaper rate, it just ensures that all the guests pay the same (something I learned from a TA).

 

ndinn, I'm sorry to hear your in-laws are giving you so much trouble. When I first started planning I was so worried about what our family would think of our plans. I am trying to take the attitude that if they don't like it, they don't have to come and it's their loss. But that's way easier said than done! A lot of my extended family members don't know our exact plans yet so I suppose the drama is still yet to begin on that front, lol.

[bholthof]

Hi all,

 

I would like to be an April 2010 bride... but we haven't set a date as we can't decide on a resort!! (I would like the 17th)

I don't think I can do this!

If any of you have suggestions for places, PLEASE let me know... we want an AI, we want a small, intimate feel to the place, no beach gawkers or uninvited guests, good price, good food, excursion options, and no giant hotels!! I would love to have villa or bungalow style places, but I don't think that is going to be affordable.. Argh!!! This is so frustrating and absolutely driving me to distraction!!!

I just want to have a place picked!!!!

[jk1101]

Hi NegrilLB and bholthof - Welcome!

 

bholthof - you might want to talk to a TA about smaller places that are affordable - there are so many different hotels out there. Do you have an island in mind?

 

NegrilLB - not everyone plans in advance - there just happen to be some hyper-planners on here (I'm sure none of you ladies will take offense to that). I started about a year in advance, which seems about average, but it swings in both directions.

In defense of planning -

Prices fluctuate on both airfare and hotel rates - for me personally, it was too much to deal with on my own - that's why most of us are using TAs.

I think - the ones that specialize in Destination Weddings are definitely the best bet.

Having rooms held at a specific rate can be helpful for guests - and the rooms will be close together, which can also be nice. The rate a TA guarantees them the rate she got, so it can not go up, and if she can get a lower one, your guests will benefit.

The airfare is another story, but in my hyper planning mind, I want to make sure everyone can book and get a flight.

 

Feel free to ask anyone on BDW anything - these ladies are THE BEST for information!

[taraappl]

so sorry jereseykitten, i did a search for april 2010 brides and for whatever reason it came up empty.... anywho...

 

My date is April 22, 2010. I've sent the STD's and so far we have 6 people booked. We honestly are only planning on having around 15 total. I dont have my dress, shoes or accessories like most of you do. I did find a great deal from someone on this forum for oot bags and so I jumped on ebay and bought them. They are great. They were $20 for like 20 or 25, I cant remember how many came. You can pick your color and they are PVC and waterproof.

 

Happy planning!

[taraappl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bholthof Hi all, I would like to be an April 2010 bride... but we haven't set a date as we can't decide on a resort!! (I would like the 17th) I don't think I can do this! If any of you have suggestions for places, PLEASE let me know... we want an AI, we want a small, intimate feel to the place, no beach gawkers or uninvited guests, good price, good food, excursion options, and no giant hotels!! I would love to have villa or bungalow style places, but I don't think that is going to be affordable.. Argh!!! This is so frustrating and absolutely driving me to distraction!!! I just want to have a place picked!!!!

We are getting married in Isla Mujeres, MX. If you go to Welcome to Isla Mujeres Net. The official web site for Isla Mujeres, Mexico you can see their site. It is a small island right off of Cancun. Very private, intimate and you can choose to have a smaller hotel like we are doing. We are getting married on North Beach (many magazines rate it one of the best beaches in the world). Our hotel is a smaller family owned hotel right on that beach. I'm using Weddings Isla Mujeres Mexico, Your seaside wedding is customized, wedding parties, or intimate private ceremonies, creativity and ambience for the perfect wedding experience. for our wedding coordinator/planner. Honestly, everything you described above is what we are getting for our wedding.

Good luck!

[jk1101]

No need to apologize - Welcome welcome welcome!

Sounds like you got a great deal on the OOT bags!

[ebredhawk]

woahhhh, lots of new april 2010 brides.. i LOVE IT!

 

jojo.. welcome!!! glad to have another cruise bride on here.. i love hearing about what you guys are doing.. don't know why but it just seems like such a fun concept. you've got plenty of time and i'm sure you'll get all the details figured out. when you first start planning it all seems like a jumbled up mess, but once you can start to wrap your mind around everything it really starts falling into place!

 

negrillb, do NOT get discouraged! like michele said.. some of us ARE a little hyper about it (i won't have time jan-march next year.. that's my excuse!) but there's really no need to be. you can make it as detailed or casual as you want! also, keep in mind that when and how everyone books their trips can depend on where you're travelling from, where you're going and who your travel company is. the only reason i have people booked so far is because i'm going through apple vacations with my TA and we have trip insurance through them that guarantees us the lowest rate. plus, from cincinnati there are charter flights to punta cana that really don't fluctuate in price.

 

bholthof.. i'm going to echo what michele said and encourage you to talk to a TA.. esp one of the BDW ones that know some much about the resorts and their wedding packages. i honestly think it's way too much for one person to process! i would have never been able to decide without a TA!! make sure you keep us posted on the decision process!

 

tara, sounds like you've got some great stuff already!! is your wedding going to be at the beach at your hotel or another location? so nice that you've already got a WC down there helping you with everything! i swear i don't know how brides plan without them!!

 

my photographer posted a few pictures from our engagement shoot so i made a thread for them this morning! just can't wait to see the rest of them!!

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t46045

[chevy14]

Thanks Erin - and trust me, we are shocked that so many have booked so soon! Big families! I am still trying to negotiate with our tour operator (Air Transat) to allow more guests at our group rate price, so I'll let you know if I get anywhere.

 

Can you tell where got your monograms done, or did you do it yourself?

 

Siobhan

[ebredhawk]

Rebecca ("becks" on here) did mine for me... she has her own company and was offering free monograms to BDW members for a while. not sure if she's still doing it, but it's so inexpensive anyway and SO worth it if you don't want to mess around with monograms yourself!

 

here's her website:

Custom Wedding Monograms - Allurements by Rebecca

[doblauvelt]

Whoa, I don't check this for a few days and this is what happened! I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't had the time to sit and read.

 

Anyway, welcome chevy, jojo, negrillb, bholthof, and tara. I'm so glad you guys joined this thread! It's incredible some of you already have guests booked, what a feat!

 

Erin I saw both your bd pics and engagement pics, they're so nice. And you and your FI compliment each other so well! I can't wait to have my engagement pics done, lol if I ever get to them.