Anyone having a large destination wedding?

[MissSimone]

I know many people opt for a DW bc it's a chance for a stress free, small intimate group of close friends and family. But is anyone having a wedding comparable to a wedding back home, a wedding w/ 100+ people? I'm interested in having a DW with at least 110 people. What are some the stresses you've dealt with? How are you coordinating this wedding group, etc? Share you large scale DW stories.

[JesseLyn10]

Whoever said that a DW is stress free lied! lol!

 

We sent out 130 invitations, approx. 175 people were invited, and have a total of 51 booked so far. Here are the biggest stresses that we (really me, my FI is so laid back) incurred.

 

1. Slow to book. We couldn't book until the flight schedule came out in February which left us only days in turn around time for invitations. I know that some agents can book way in advance but a good friend of mine is an agent and this is the way they do it. So be it. We sent out the invitations (cards & pockets website - amazing job!). 2 weeks later, the flight sold out and no one had booked. My agent scrambled to find us an alternative and we ended up pushing the wedding back 14 days. We called every one of our guests and told them that they had to book ASAP or risk missing out again. Bottom line, with a large group, you can't control when they will book. This was (and is) the most stressful thing.

 

2. Price. We have a package that with every 16 people there is a group discount. For some, this isn't good enough and they wanted a cheaper price and different flight dates (we offered 3 different departure dates) etc. As a result, there are guests that booked through other agencies, I have no idea what they paid, but I also don't know if they get the transportation from the airport to the resort (an hour away) etc. and it's stressful because we feel (again, me not my FI) partly responsible for everyone getting to the resort safely. We leave in 13 days and 4 more people booked last week, makes for a good party but my agent has no idea of the actual numbers because they aren't all booking through her.

 

3. RSVPS - we've gotten less than 50 rsvp cars back. Some think that because it's a DW they don't have to reply.

 

4. Whishy-washy folk. Right now I have 3 guests that still want to book but want to book last-minute...or maybe they won't. Our group is at the maximum count for the restaurant we really want to eat at for our reception and if these last-minute bookers show up, I think we'll have to upgrade to the private venue, which is fine but I want to have all my ducks in a row before we get there and not be scrambling for a venue at the last minute.

 

I won't really know the total number of guests until we get to Jamaica which makes it hard to plan a wedding that includes everyone in seating etc. We are paying for extra ceremony chairs just in case but I don't know what to do about dinner.

 

Good luck planning!

[MissSimone]

oh wow I didn't even think of all these things. I would be STRESSSSING out! Your wedding is so close. How exciting! I hope everything works out well for. At the end of the day, you'll be having a beautiful DW in a beautiful island. God Bless!

[dmob]

@ MissSimone, I can't remember what site, but for DW weddings (and I would think esp. those where the guests will be going out of the country), expect that between only 30 to 50% of invited guests will attend. Also, be surprise on who will and will not RSVP!!!

 

From watching the different forums, let me make this suggestion. If you would like a large group to attend a DW out of the country, make sure that you have a large bridal party, ie, bridemaids, groommen, flower girls, etc.

 

For my daughter's wedding to Negril, we invited 100, and have 42 confirmed with about 10(!) still thinking about coming, though the RSVP deadline date has past. We are only have one MOH and BM and the bride wanted something intimate, so we're good.

 

Good planning, and don't allow others to stress you regarding your wedding - complaints about price, location, comes with being a destination bride.

[QueenDiva]

I can honestly say that it hasn't been so bad so far. We have between 60-80 people coming (more are trying to come, but I'm capping it off). In order to control the number of guests and stay in the know about who is coming, I've set it up with the resorts where no one can book a room except for me. So, guests email from my website with a quote request that includes how many to a room, what type of room and whether they're only doing the 3 nights at the first resort, or if they'll be joining us for another 4 nights at the second resort. From there, I return a quote that includes everything but airfare, and they know that they have to send a deposit just to RSVP! I've also set a date for the balance to be due. So far it has worked out lovely, and I am able to be in control of it all.

[MissSimone]

@QueenDiva How did you set it up so that they couldn't even RSVP with sending in a deposit? Is that a feature of your website. It sounds like such a great idea. You seem to have it all figured out! Go ahead girl!!

[jennster_04]

Well we sent out over 100 invites and there are 5 that are coming to our DW. So its really up to the guests on whether youll have a large DW wedding.

[Erika J]

We had 50 % attendance and 60 people. It was easy, not tooo stressful and everyone had a great time.

[MsSmithtobe]

Im making sure my guest book early, my rsvp date is listed on my invite as Oct. 15, which gives me 5 months knowing my exact numbers. They are cut off after Jan 15, so the agent will not be accepting anymore bookings. So those that don't even put down a deposit will not be counted and they will have to feed themselves lol.

[MissSimone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsSmithtobe Im making sure my guest book early, my rsvp date is listed on my invite as Oct. 15, which gives me 5 months knowing my exact numbers. They are cut off after Jan 15, so the agent will not be accepting anymore bookings. So those that don't even put down a deposit will not be counted and they will have to feed themselves lol.

How did you decide on Iberostar Rose Hall? What made you go with them? I'm leaning towards Half Moon Rose Hall which is close by. It doesn't seem like anyone on this forum is having their wedding at my resort lol. I just wanted to know from another Montego Bay bride what made you choose your resort?