April 2010 Brides

[ebredhawk]

suzy, we're doing the same thing.. one bag per couple and then some things each person gets, and some things are one per bag (one towel and bubba keg per person, but one first aid kit and deck of cards per bag). keep your eye on the OOT section of the forum.. people post ideas all the time for easy, $1 or $2 ideas!

 

did anyone else notice that there is a 2011 brides thread?!?! holy moly!! now that i think about it though, that is almost how far out i joined BDW.. just seems WAY longer!

 

and suzy, i just realized.. you're super late in the month with me! i thought i was going to be the last one!! glad to know i have good company! also just realized i'm 1/2 way through the time between my engagement and the wedding!! this last part better go quick!!

[echo2_62]

Suzy! YAY another Calgary bride!!! There are a couple of us that are trying to order some things for our OOT bags etc in bulk so that we can try to get better rates or cut down on shipping. We've got some ideas running for bags, mugs and items for the bags so far... if you want I can sum it all up in a private message (PM) with the links for you to take a look.

 

And don't worry about having 50 people at your wedding - WE ARE TOO! LOL! I think in total we'll have invited close to 60 so we might not actually get 50 but it'll be close. We did a poll of our friends ahead of time so we have a sorta good idea of who's planning to come. We also have about 14 booked/confirmed too which is exciting! And our wedding is maybe two weeks before yours.

 

Ooh, dinner time - let me know if you need someone close by for help with anything!

meghan

[doblauvelt]

I put a link of my dress in my siggy for those who can't find the thread. Thanks for all the compliments guys! And yes, I do love my dress. It fits me well and makes me look good haha!

 

50 guests? You guys are lucky to have that many people attend. I only have 13 booked so far, hoping for more but you know how that is.

[SuzyQ76]

Meghan, fellow Calgarian Bride!! Woo Hoo!

That sounds great, I would love to take a look at the links. I know I want to do something resembling OOT bags but they probably won't be extremely elaborate - But if it's a smokin' deal you never know!! lol Definitely send any info you have and I'll take a look, let me know what you're looking to order in bulk! I am soooo excited!

50 peeps is exciting and terrifying!! lol I just want everyone to have a wonderful time, but I also don't want to feel like I have to entertain everyone the whole time! lol

We have a big group excursion booked, but other than that I left most of the time freed up so people can enjoy themselves and do whatever they want...We have 26 booked so far from Canada, but have tons more coming from all over the world - it's going to be a pretty cool reunion too!

 

ebredhawk - thanks for the tips as well, I love a good bargain so I'll definitely be checking out the $1 & $2 ideas...I know I cruised that thread for a little while and copied the master list they have posted, then got pretty overwhelmed when I started crunching numbers on 50 guests...I just can't think about it!! There is so much I want to do!! Not to mention like I mentioned above, we have guests flying in from all over the world so I could make our Calgary peeps travel with some things but that's only a total of 10 people...I may have to ship the lightest stuff )

[KimmyG]

Hi everyone! I haven't been able to get on the forum much lately but i'm baack!

I'm struggling... I've heard every excuse under the sun of why people cannot come. We sent out over 100 STD's in August and the only people that have booked so far are FI and I, and one couple that's a family friend. That's it. It crushes me that I have to explain to my friends one by one that it would mean a lot to me for them to attend.... all they hear is $$$$$$ and say they can't afford it. We picked Mexico to make it affordable for guests!!! Did I do something to piss everybody off!!!

It's bad timing b/c a lot of friends in our circle are planning their weddings or buying houses, so they have excuses out the wazoo. I shouldn't have to beg people to come....

Not even my former college roommates are making arrangements. I hope my bridesmaids actually make it... they've been iffy too. Super bummed right now

With that said, 100 invites, no clue about who will actually attend... how do you purchase things for OOT bags? I don't want to buy for 20 people if 40 come, or buy for 40 if only 10 come.... ahhhh!

 

My favorite OOT ideas so far:

Keycard/tip holder that can be worn as bracelet or necklace, mugs, welcome letter, photoshare info, pain meds, heartburn meds, list to keep track of room numbers. I'll skip towels since they're bulky, pricey, and the hotel provides them anyway. I like the idea of marraccas for the tables, as favors.

[ebredhawk]

kim, i'm so sorry that you haven't had much luck with people booking yet! i will keep my fingers crossed as time gets closer than everyone gets their butts in gear and realize how important it is to you and your FI! also.. i just ordered my stuff to make my keycard/tip holders so if you need any decent priced ideas for that, let me know!!

[Taylorbride]

ebredhawk:

where did you get the supplies for your room key/tip money holders? I have already bought the wrist coils but I don't know where to get the pouches and I only need 15 or so.

[caribbeanLover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimmyG Hi everyone! I haven't been able to get on the forum much lately but i'm baack! I'm struggling... I've heard every excuse under the sun of why people cannot come. We sent out over 100 STD's in August and the only people that have booked so far are FI and I, and one couple that's a family friend. That's it. It crushes me that I have to explain to my friends one by one that it would mean a lot to me for them to attend.... all they hear is $$$$$$ and say they can't afford it. We picked Mexico to make it affordable for guests!!! Did I do something to piss everybody off!!! It's bad timing b/c a lot of friends in our circle are planning their weddings or buying houses, so they have excuses out the wazoo. I shouldn't have to beg people to come.... Not even my former college roommates are making arrangements. I hope my bridesmaids actually make it... they've been iffy too. Super bummed right now With that said, 100 invites, no clue about who will actually attend... how do you purchase things for OOT bags? I don't want to buy for 20 people if 40 come, or buy for 40 if only 10 come.... ahhhh! My favorite OOT ideas so far: Keycard/tip holder that can be worn as bracelet or necklace, mugs, welcome letter, photoshare info, pain meds, heartburn meds, list to keep track of room numbers. I'll skip towels since they're bulky, pricey, and the hotel provides them anyway. I like the idea of marraccas for the tables, as favors.

I am in the same boat as you, especialy when it comes down to know how many things to buy for the oot bags.
My friends are younger early to mid 20's so they are not stable with cash, my FI friends are all married and in debt. I have BM but it is very ify if they will come, tho they say they will. My MOH said she is only booking in March!! and her bf is a GM (the only one we have so far!!!) everyone else is 'I don't know, we'll get back to you in the new year' even tho the rsvp date is Oct 1st 2009
Very disapointed and fustrated.
But what I recently said to myself, the most important ppl to come for me is my parents and they booked today!! If no one else comes, yes it'll be a disapointment, but atleast my parents are there and the FI (we need him there lol)
I'm sure it'll work out in the end of the both of us!

[echo2_62]

Tracy! I'm excited for you that your parents booked their trip today! I didn't think mine would be able to come either and they were close to the first ones that booked so I totally know how awesome it is We have a handful of our other friends that are booked for sure so we see it close to you - it's the two of us, enough people to make a group and anything/anyone else will just be a bonus.

 

I think for all of us, it may just take some patient and persistent reminders to get people on the move. Still takes a bit of the fun out of buying goodies for the OOT bags, making us wait and everything

[SuzyQ76]

Tracy & echo (Meghan I think) :

 

You both are my OOT inspiration, I didn't even know what the abbreviation was!!

I have consumed myself and began my purchasing...probably too much as everyone else - but I'm a planner...like I said they won't be extravagant, but they'll hopefully hit it off with the guests...

Is it tacky to only do Bubba kegs for our Bridal party and ourselves of course?

There is just sooooo much I want to put in and the cost is creeping up very quickly for 50 guests.

The other travel mugs I purchased are from Dollarama, $1.25 each and they can be personalized by unscrewing the outside and printing whatever you want...so I think I'll put guests names on all the mugs so no one gets mixed up! They won't keep the beverages cold like the Bubba's but hopefully drinks won't be in them long enough!! lol

I also got the first aid kits and hand sanitizer, I'm going to do the cheapy print outs of puzzle books and Spanish phrases....a few other toiletries, drink umbrellas of course )....

 

I can't find bags I like or want to afford so I think I'm going to make them, I'll hit the fabric stores this week...end of summer sales should be on now!

I really hope no more than 50 decide to come!! lol

The good thing about finding out about the world of OOT now is the fact that I can spread the cost out gradually!! But I HAVE to stop surfing this forum and wanting everything!!

 

Thanks Gals and chat to you soon!