No clue what im doing!! plz help!

[amybutz89]

Hi, my name is Amy and I just got engaged a couple of weeks ago. We quickly decided that we wanted a destination wedding, with about 20 people. The only problem is, Ive never even been to a wedding and I have no clue how to even begin planning one. We both think St. Thomas looks like a beautiful place, but we are open to pretty much any beachy place that we can afford. If anyone has any tips at all as to how to even begin, I would greatly appreciate it. Any cost estimates, lodging suggestions and location ideas are welcome! Thanks!

[jenniferkuhr]

 

I am so in love with The Royal Playa Del Carmen in Mexico.  It is absolutely breathtaking and so far they have been so responsive to everything I’ve asked for.  We did a site visit back in Sep. 2010 and it felt like there was no way to take a bad picture…it is SO, SO gorgeous!!!

 

Get some books too!!!  They'll have everything you need.  And spend a good day or so on this site, it gets overwhelming, but you catch on fast!

 

 

Here’s a few things I’ve learned from wedding planning so far:

 

1. Wedding colors are tricky.  I picked hard-to-find colors (coral and teal) and it seems everything comes in more basic colors like light blue, royal blue, navy, purple, pink, orange, green.  Just a thought to consider when choosing colors.
2. Dance lessons!!!  This has been the MOST fun of preparing to get married.  Expensive…but SO worth it! 
3. It IS possible to get an amazing but less expensive dress.  Keep searching.
4. There is a reason people go with traditional bridesmaid dresses…they are easy to match with the rest of the bridal party.  I went with just regular gowns from Nordstrom’s and had to find out the hard way NOTHING comes in that color (coral!!!)
5. DO NOT write anything about your registry on Save the Dates or Invitations….TACKY!  I thought this was a given (this advice is in every wedding book ever written…), but I’m finding tons of people are making this mistake and it just rubs guests the wrong way.

[janette34]

Hi Amy,

 

One thing I found helpful was to first consider who I absolutely needed to have attend our wedding.  For DH and I that includes my brothers and their children so I knew from the beginning that adults only resorts were out of the question.

 

My second factor in picking a resort was everyone's budget.  I knew it had to a 4 to 5 star resort, preferably one I had already been too and then I had my TA start getting prices.  We had her start looking in mid-April and by the end of April she came up with a fantastic deal for us, $1359 per person, taxes in to the 5 star Grand Sirenis in Riviera Maya, Mexico.  Been there before and loved it so I jumped at the change to book it for that rate. 

 

We are getting married April, 24, 2012 so now any questions that come I just search this forum.

 

Happy Planning!

 

Originally Posted by amybutz89 

Hi, my name is Amy and I just got engaged a couple of weeks ago. We quickly decided that we wanted a destination wedding, with about 20 people. The only problem is, Ive never even been to a wedding and I have no clue how to even begin planning one. We both think St. Thomas looks like a beautiful place, but we are open to pretty much any beachy place that we can afford. If anyone has any tips at all as to how to even begin, I would greatly appreciate it. Any cost estimates, lodging suggestions and location ideas are welcome! Thanks!

 

[merrylee]

Hi Amy,

 

Planning a wedding period is daunting, but a DW can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it.  My FSIL picked a resort and was okay without making any additional plan regarding her wedding until she arrived, and it was beautiful and totally stress free for her.  Then there is me, I love the little details; but even though I do having a DW makes the details less annoying and more fun and I don't have to worry about decorating a whole location because it is already done for me by God and nature.

 

So have fun with it, think about the kind of resort you and FI want, and go from there.  I would check out working with a travel agent because they will be an invaluable resource, I know there are a LOT recommended here.

[jenniferkuhr]

Love this quote, it is SO true!  I find myself saying this a lot every time someone tried to convince me to do more decorations...more flowers....its NOT necessary...Playa Del Carmen is SO gorgeous!
 

Originally Posted by merrylee 
 having a DW makes the details less annoying and more fun and I don't have to worry about decorating a whole location because it is already done for me by God and nature.

 

 

 

[merrylee]

I am having to remind myself of that too, I am having a DW because it is so amazing already.  Why am I really worrying about center pieces and what not, the only thing I really would love is chair bows and that is only because that is the one small thing that I feel adds to the gazebo look and I think it'd be beautiful for our cocktail hour.  Plus I wouldn't have to set it up

[Starfish0512]

Hi Amy!  Welcome!!  You'll find tons of helpful info on these boards...  St Thomas is beautiful and best part, no passports required!  I would second another BDW bride above by finding a destination that will work for you and all your guests.  If there are kids, rule out adult only resorts, think about all inclusive if you want it, may make it more affordable for your guests.  I took a different route of course, we are doing Grand Cayman, May 2012.  FI and I wanted an island we had never traveled to apart or together, we wanted beautiful beaches, activity for others (my parents love snorkeling his dad wantes to play golf and his mom wants a beach, my nephews will love teh turtle farm).  Our families have never met before as they are from two different parts of the country so we are keeping our DW guest list to family only, ending up with 18.  Because the number is so manageable we have decided to go the route of condos.  They are 3 bedroom condos, full kitchen for family style dinners, 2700 sq ft, beachfront, simply breathtaking.  I guess what I am saying is that alot of brides on here are doing mexico and jamaica, these resorts play to large # of guests and I am positive they will have amazing weddings but with a smaller number of guests you have many many options, so really think about who you want to attend and go from there.  Good Luck!!!