Overwhelmed, help!

[shenanigans]

Hello!

 

I'm planning a Carribbean wedding for Feb 2011. I have spent over 20 hours on this site and resort sites and I feel like I'm getting absolutely nowhere. I'm having under 10 people come so I didn't think I should get a travel agent but I can't even limit the options because I keep forgetting which ones I liked or looked at already!!! Any advice on a way to start? I feel like I'm just going in circles. I do know I want all inclusive and that's about the only limiting factor I have. I've read so many posts that say this site was a life saver. I am planning this solo (the fiance said what ever I want) and I thought that was a good thing but it's turning out to be a little difficult! Ideas?? I'm also a very unorganized person, lol

[TATrisha]

Alright, I know you only have the limiting factor of all-inclusive, but let's try and think of some other ones. And not necessarily LIMITING factors, but let's think about your DREAM wedding.

Do you picture yourself on the beach? In a garden? In a gazebo overlooking the water?

How much do you want your guests to pay? $1000 a couple for 4 nights? $1500 a couple for 4 nights

Do you want a private reception for your wedding? Do you want a reception out underneath the stars or inside a restaurant or a disco?

Will there be children attending? If not, are you okay with a kid friendly resort, or would you like something more adult like?

do you want a huge resort with a ton of stuff for your guests to do, or would you like a more chic hotel where you guys can hang out by the pool drinking margaritas all day?

 

I think putting together your dream wedding wishlist will definitely help you narrow down your search.

 

I also think that having a travel agent, even if it were just the two of you, is a really good idea. They are worth their weight in gold... trust me!

 

And I just realized your from Green Bay! As in Green Bay Wisconsin?? If so, hello my fellow wisconsinite!

[shenanigans]

Yes. Green Bay, WI! We need some tropical enjoyment with the weather we've been having the past couple seasons! I'm sort of stuck right now because I have people with kids who want to come but I told them if I find a resort that I'm in love with and it's adults only that I will go with the one I want. If they choose not to go because of that it's mutually understood and accepted. I am open to the beach or a gazebo Maybe I'm too easy going and I need to decide what I want indefinitely.

 

They all look gorgeous though, that's the problem! My confirmed guests are our parents and possibly the maid of honor and best man. As long as it's not outrageous I think they will all be willing to pay what it takes to come. I have always been afraid of being a bridezilla and to be honest as long as things run fairly smoothly I'm going to be happy. I think a dream wedding checklist would be helpful and I guess I've been too worried about accommodating everyone else. I just don't know how you girls do this, I thought I had it narrowed down to a region (Bahamas) but then I started looking around and I'm back to the drawing board. Maybe it's time to start a spreadsheet!

[negrildreamer]

I would start with a spreadsheet with maybe your top 5 places that fall within your budget. In each column insert a picture or a text link to a picture. Then start filling them in with prices or keyword/facts that you read taht you like. It will be easier to remember them by key features and pictures that caught your interest I think.

[Girasole]

Meeting with a travel agent with my FI was the best thing we did I think. I was like you, so overwhelmed with all the places, resorts, packages, etc. After meeting with my TA we were able to narrow it down to a few locations & then look at particulars of each. After that...the swim up bars were my FI's winning resort, ha!

[debbmach]

The first thing I did was narrow down which island I wanted to get married in, then I started looking into prices (that was one of my biggestfactors). Meeting with a TA definitely helped. They have a lot of info from previous wedding and just trips that others have gone on. Make a list of what's important and stick to that.

Good luck!

[loua4]

Hi I agree with most of what everyone else is saying. Get a travel agent no matter what. I was confused like you when I started and then after meeting with our travel agent it got better, but they have books for places that specialize in weddings and alot of them come with a free wedding if you have less than or around 10 guests.

then you need to figure out your dream country to be married in, have your list of what you really want for your day, and go from there. Once you figure that out and then get it booked you will feel so much better.

[shenanigans]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I decided not to do a destination wedding because a lot less people can afford it than I originally thought.. I wanted to have a no stress wedding and that's why I wanted a destination wedding but I realized no matter what option you choose it's going to be stressful! In a good way though! Good luck to everyone and happy holidays.

[nikkimadril]

Tripadvisor really helped me. But take everything you read there with a grain of salt, because of course there is always going to be that really difficult, impossible-to-please guest at a hotel. I really liked Dreams because they are known for destination weddings (the one I chose does 3 weddings a day). Once I picked a chain, tripadvisor helped me narrow down the specific hotel based on guest photos and reviews. Hope that helps!