Any other 2013 Brides??

[soonCB]

Hey Everyone!

 

We are planning our wedding for February 2013 in Jamaica. We are doing an off resort wedding, so we are hoping to narrow down a venue soon. Is anyone else using a wedding planner for their wedding? We decided to go this route because of the off resort ceremony. I am like many of you and although we have a wedding planner, I want to start doing some of the fun smaller detail stuff.

I have found this website very helpful and definately keeps the excitement up.

 

 

Are you guys doing oot bags and reception favors?

 

 

[CourtandMatt]

Shay4966 - I just sent out most of my Save the Dates for my May 2013 wedding!   I am so happy that now people can feel more secure with the date. 
 

Originally Posted by Shay4966 

I'm actually sending my "Save the Dates" out at the end of this month. I started a wedding blog for my family and friends to keep them motivated throughout the year. Aldo since it is soo far away I wanted people to get a chance to have a lot time to pay whatever they need to pay off.. I'm not sure if I'm obsessing but I'm definitly in wedding mode. My fiance is like "slow down" but I have planned weddings before and I have sooo many ideas that I just gotta get out.. 
 

 

 

Elissae - Good idea to skip the cost of Save the Dates!  My FI and I didn't want to do Save the Dates, we found it to be a cost that was not necessary especially since we are sending invites so far in advance, but his mom wanted them and so she paid for them, which was very welcome. 

Originally Posted by elissae 

You are so smart to do that!!!

 

I am so close to confirming the Easter 2013 (school scheduled) break...I should know wiithin 2 weeks.  I've got my website & invitations ready to go.  Once booked I am pulling the trigger.  I decided to skip the Save The Dates since everyone knows about the proposed wedding date and they want to book as soon as I have details....so I figured skip the STD and go right to the invites.

 

So you were able to reserve your date at RPRM without booking yet?  I may do that since we are down to the wire now to confirming the date....you said they just take your credit card info?  Any insight you could give would help.

 

My FI just laughs at me...I already found our favors, mugs for OOT bags, luggage tag holders, key tag & room key holders with lanyards, and started designing koozies and playing in VISTAPRINT.  I am a planning machine.  I figure get it done and paid for when I can afford to do so.  It's all being stored in the basement!  LOL! 

 

 

 

soonCB - CONGRATS and welcome to the site!!  I am also getting married in Jamaica so yay to Jamaica!   With regard to wedding planners - my TA acts as a wedding planner.  Have you found a TA yet because you should make sure your TA does destination weddings 
 

Originally Posted by soonCB 

Hello Everyone!

 

I am new to this website, but have found it very very helpful already! We are planning on getting married in February 2013 in Jamaica. We are still deciding on the resort as I am doing an off resort wedding. This also why I did not post where in Jamaica. We will likely be at the Riu Ocho Rios in Jamaica. We are using a wedding planner to arrange our big day, but I am getting anxious to do some of the "fun stuff". The save the dates just went out this past weekend!

 

Is anyone else planning on doing an off resort wedding or using a wedding planner (I admit, I did not go through all the previous posts)

 

Happy planning!

mrsrepp - Thank goodness you found that out now.  It is a national holiday with two days off so many people head to the beach and prices will go up!  May is a great time!! 

Originally Posted by mrsrepp 

Looks like I'll be changing my date too.  I'm bummed because I have gotten rather attached to the date I originally picked, but after talking to multiple people, they said that Easter Weekend wasn't a good time to get married in Mexico, as it is a National Holiday there ... so looks like we'll be doing mid-May as well.  I just hope this saves all of us (me, parents who are helping out & guests) save some money!!  Trying to look at the bright side of things ... 
 

 

 

 

[Shay4966]

I figured I'd send the STD's out the day after the engagement party which is March 31st. My general idea is to send the STD's out with the brochure I made which explains everything about the resort such as what's included in the price, travel dates (because everyone may not want to travel sames dates), travel agent information, our website to pre-RSVP, and our blog site. This will allow them to think what they need to think and still have sufficient amount of time to put a deposit or pay the entire trip off.

 

Also there is a general rule that if you have a wedding at a resort 80% of the people attending must stay at the resort the wedding is being held (at least at my resort). Since I have 87 invitations (not people) I felt it could get tedious keeping track of that many, I needed them to know this in case they try for the surrounding sister resorts.

 

 To save on postage I have everyone RSVP on the website (which is a cool tool and saves money), then after I get a more realistic number of people coming I will know a realistic amount of invitations to send out, with luggage tags.

 

I know a lot of people are trying to save but I think it depends on how many people you plan on attending, I have more then 100 prospects people going so I needed to narrow that down. I ended up making my STD's and I love them, not just the look but I cut cost by half.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CourtandMatt 

Shay4966 - I just sent out most of my Save the Dates for my May 2013 wedding!   I am so happy that now people can feel more secure with the date. 
 

 

Elissae - Good idea to skip the cost of Save the Dates!  My FI and I didn't want to do Save the Dates, we found it to be a cost that was not necessary especially since we are sending invites so far in advance, but his mom wanted them and so she paid for them, which was very welcome. 

 

soonCB - CONGRATS and welcome to the site!!  I am also getting married in Jamaica so yay to Jamaica!   With regard to wedding planners - my TA acts as a wedding planner.  Have you found a TA yet because you should make sure your TA does destination weddings 
 

mrsrepp - Thank goodness you found that out now.  It is a national holiday with two days off so many people head to the beach and prices will go up!  May is a great time!! 

 

 

 

[elissae]

Hi Meagan816!

 

I bought those acrylic tumblers with the straws in them at The Christmas Tree Shop.  They were $2.99 a piece.  (I had a $10 off coupon for signing up for their mailing list online).  They had 2 styles that were nautical in theme so I bought 60 & then went back a few days later and bought 20 more.  Better to be safe than sorry.  They said I could always return them all (if I find something else) or what I do not use as long as I kept the receipt.  My colors are navy & emerald green.  The tumblers were both blue - one had red/green/white/yellow nautical anchors and ropes and boat steering wheels on it & the other had the same colors with palm trees & surf boards.  I got 40 of each style - assuming a total of 40 OOT bags - 2 per bag/couple....Since I am starting early I needed to come up with a bag # so I first thought 30 bags but then went through my invite list thought I should start with 40 bags.  I will post pics soon.  I am shopping koozies at www.totallykoozies.com 

 

Still have not found bags - I am pretty picky....have you????  

 

Originally Posted by Meagan816 

We are planning a June 2013 wedding! Elissae, where did you find your mugs and koozies? Have your purchased the OOT bags yet? You sound like me...my fiance thinks I've abandoned him for this website :-)

 

[elissae]

Angela - YOU ARE NOT NUTS!  YOU ARE SMART!  This is the best website on the planet!  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  I would be lost without it.  All my friends are so amazed of all my ideas - I tell them it's all because of this wonderful forum!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANGELA2013 

I am getting married in May 2013, and I already have lots planned and have picked up lots of great items and ideas form other brides here. My fiance thinks I am nuts for buying stuff now and planning so much. I am so glade I found this website!!!

 

THANKS SHAY4966 - it does help!!  I have been in continuous communications with Wendy Hicks as well.  I just sent her an email to see if I can do what you did (without penalty - if for some reason my date has to change).  I am getting so antsy!  My FI said I was talking in my sleep the other night about invitations, favors and OOT bags and other mumblings....lol  I sure hope he was kidding.

 

 

Originally Posted by Shay4966 

Thank you!

 

I contacted Wendy Hicks from Wright Travel and she gave me Nancy from RPRM, who in return booked me. She gave me a link to the online booking with a code to enter in. When I booked it the site states that they will not charge the card but holds your spot. When you do go to reserve your spot it ask your booking date, Nancy told me to put TBD because my travel agent will be doing all that. 

 

I hopes this helps
 

 

Hey CourtandMatt - that's what I thought - save on cost of eliminating the STD since I am mailing invites and having return RSVP's...I was going to do the RSVP on the website, but I am doing the boarding pass invite (BDW bride, Torilynn's template) and I love the RSVP card it has....so I figure I would pay the postage since it was unique & fun & no one will have ever seen anything like it!  :-) 

 

That is awesome that your FI's Mom paid - if it was offered to me - I would have taken it!  Good for you!

 

Originally Posted by CourtandMatt 

Shay4966 - I just sent out most of my Save the Dates for my May 2013 wedding!   I am so happy that now people can feel more secure with the date. 
 

 

Elissae - Good idea to skip the cost of Save the Dates!  My FI and I didn't want to do Save the Dates, we found it to be a cost that was not necessary especially since we are sending invites so far in advance, but his mom wanted them and so she paid for them, which was very welcome. 

 

soonCB - CONGRATS and welcome to the site!!  I am also getting married in Jamaica so yay to Jamaica!   With regard to wedding planners - my TA acts as a wedding planner.  Have you found a TA yet because you should make sure your TA does destination weddings 
 

mrsrepp - Thank goodness you found that out now.  It is a national holiday with two days off so many people head to the beach and prices will go up!  May is a great time!! 

 

 

 

[chrisdior]

MRSREPP what was your originally date? I'm also looking at May, seems to be a popular wedding month
 

Originally Posted by mrsrepp 

Looks like I'll be changing my date too.  I'm bummed because I have gotten rather attached to the date I originally picked, but after talking to multiple people, they said that Easter Weekend wasn't a good time to get married in Mexico, as it is a National Holiday there ... so looks like we'll be doing mid-May as well.  I just hope this saves all of us (me, parents who are helping out & guests) save some money!!  Trying to look at the bright side of things ... 
 

 

 

[Peach]

Okay, so we still cannot book for July....

Whoever was wondering about dates, summer in the Caribbean is the cheapest time to go, but weather is not as great. So research a bit...

 

And whoever was wondering about OOTs and favours...

I am doing OOT bags I suppose.

I was intending on just doing bubbas with a few items in them, but now, with vistaprint, I figure why not just get the free bags from there to put the items it? Plus we are getting really nice favours we are putting in the bags.... digital video cameras I found on clearance.

 

We do not have very many people coming out I think... so I would rather splurge on gifts for them than on other things.

I do not think I will do first aid or hangover kits in the bags though.... welcome information (passport style), bubbas, the cameras, lip balm, aloe, and a deck of cards.

Most people who are going in our small group travel frequently.

 

I am SO organized and ahead of the game... though I feel better now seeing how much all of you have done already! Don't feel so crazy!

[soonCB]

I am undecided about whether we should do OOT bags or reception gifts. I am a little worried about having to pack everything to go with us. How did you guys' decide on whether or not to do OOT bags? ( I know there is probably a thread about it already). That's really awesome that you all have started things so early.I am undecided about whether we should do OOT bags or reception gifts. I am a little worried about having to pack everything to go with us. How did you guys' decide on whether or not to do OOT bags? ( I know there is probably a thread about it already). That's really awesome that you all have started things so early.

 

CourtandMatt- Are you doing a resort wedding? Is you TA able to work with you in regards to vendors as well? We are using a wedding planner/TA and she has been super great so far. The reason we went with her is because we are doing an off resort wedding. I am kinda wondering now if a good TA would have been able to do everything else we needed.

 

Originally Posted by CourtandMatt 

 

Shay4966 - I just sent out most of my Save the Dates for my May 2013 wedding!   I am so happy that now people can feel more secure with the date. 
 

 

Elissae - Good idea to skip the cost of Save the Dates!  My FI and I didn't want to do Save the Dates, we found it to be a cost that was not necessary especially since we are sending invites so far in advance, but his mom wanted them and so she paid for them, which was very welcome. 

 

soonCB - CONGRATS and welcome to the site!!  I am also getting married in Jamaica so yay to Jamaica!   With regard to wedding planners - my TA acts as a wedding planner.  Have you found a TA yet because you should make sure your TA does destination weddings 
 

mrsrepp - Thank goodness you found that out now.  It is a national holiday with two days off so many people head to the beach and prices will go up!  May is a great time!! 

 

 

 

[ANGELA2013]

Thanks ladies,

 

I am having fun with all of the DIY stuff and planning I have even used an on-line website that I shared here to play with flower designs.  We have told people about the date change and are now wondering when we should send the save the dates.  We have to wait until some resort stuff is finalized but after that we think maybe we should send them by May. 

 

We had originally picked the Barcelo Palace for our wedding but the response time and help I am getting is lackluster to put it nicely. I love the resort and people rave about it but the packages are super expensive especially compared to other resorts.  The other one we are looking at is the Dreams Riviera Cancun, it looks beautiful and correspondence to my questions is fantastic. The weeding packages are great too, my only problem is that I don't know anyone who has stayed there like I do with Barcelo.

 

We have never traveled before and are super excited, but it's hard because we want to wedding to be beautiful and memorable for the right reasons. It's also hard that we are getting lots of options form family about everything, a lot of them prefer the pacific side cause they have been there and say it's cheaper, they also say the Caribbean side is "overrated".  We love the idea of the Caribbean ocean but it's hard when we are getting flack.

 

Sorry for the long rant but I really need some advice.

 

 

Thanks for your help I have been super stressed about it lately. 

[AmberW]

I'm getting married in May 2013, it's just over a year away but I'm still being told by everyone that it's too early to plan a lot of things. Just have to remind myself to be patient! We're going to be married in Punta Cana - working on the final resort decision now.