Let's start a list of important info for people just getting started!

[rodent]

I thought it would be great to start a list of things for people who are just getting started to do. We can all give suggestions & then compile a master list.

 

Here is what I have thought of

 

1. Pick a location & hotel. Use websites like funjet.com and applevacations.com as a tool to estimate prices.

 

Search the forum for reviews & information about hotels you are interested in. If there is no information about your hotel, try tripadvisor.com. Search for the hotel & “wedding†to find reviews about weddings there.

 

2. Find a travel agent. Decide if you want to do a room block or have guests book their rooms through your TA.

 

3. Look into the laws for making your wedding legal.

 

4. Make a website to announce all your travel plans. There are many posts about making a website in this forum.

[MsShelley]

decide a budget and stick to that budget!!

 

Decide your guest list!

 

Go dress shopping (this one is hard for me!!) lol

[JENESIS]

Decide on the location with your fiance. Bringing others into it will cause drama.

 

Once location is picked start talking, get those Save the Dates out!

 

Use the wedding reviews on this site to help you pick vendors. Remember you can always ask more questions, if the information you need is not in the reviews.

 

Do your best to enjoy the process, most of us have practically lost our minds at times.

 

If you do it your way, it will turn out perfect. Remember this is for two people not for everyone else that thinks they have a say. Tell them to go plan their own weddings.

[rodent]

We can make a few lists. 1. things to do right away 2. things to do eventually 3. tips on staying sane

 

I'm going to search through the forum & add links to the useful posts about each topic. Sort of a onestop shop for getting started. Just trying to help with that anxiety when you first get going.

[foxytv]

It's so hard to narrow it down ... because reading this forum makes you thik of so much. But I would say the most important thing that I have gained from this forum ... aside from the online friendships ... is the notion of DIY. There are so many things I can now DIY that I never even thought of before or would never have attempted on my own The help with templates, wording, etc that is offered and given on this forum is indescribable ... so I say think about things you'd like to do and think you might not be able to afford ... and try DIY ... and read trough the DIY and get sssooo many new ideas that you hadn't even thought of yet!!!

[twinkletoes]

Don't forget to start gathering those important documents(passports, birth certificates, etc) and let your guests know what documents are required to travel to your destination.

[BridetobeABCD]

Wow thanks so much for all the useful tips - I myself am just getting started. I am finding it VERY HARD to choose a resort. There are so many to choose from. I went to the Cancun area last winter and stayed at the Omni Cancun. We enjoyed it very much. I think I might just pick that as I am familiar with the resort ....

[leenawhite]

Awesome idea! I just got engaged so while we have a while to go , we appear to be going in this order for the first steps of planning:

 

1) Create a guest list as this could sway what venue. 

 

2) Figure out a budget! I started browsing around for locations , decorations , food.. which has been fun! But realized we needed a budget so I don't start counting or hoping for things way out of my budget. 

 

3) Pick a wedding date. 

 

4) Pick location and wedding coordinator( if getting one) . 

[Cherina]

Awesome idea! I just got engaged so while we have a while to go , we appear to be going in this order for the first steps of planning:

 

1) Create a guest list as this could sway what venue. 

 

2) Figure out a budget! I started browsing around for locations , decorations , food.. which has been fun! But realized we needed a budget so I don't start counting or hoping for things way out of my budget. 

 

3) Pick a wedding date. 

 

4) Pick location and wedding coordinator( if getting one) . 

I would make #1 or 2 theme/color scheme. So guest list then color scheme or vise versa. You want a venue that will fit you vision and theme

[bre04unc]

Here you go http://www.destination-wedding-guide.com/support-files/destination-wedding-packing-list.pdf