Any other 2014 brides here getting an early start?

[RaynDrop]

OMG... My phone is being ridiculous.... Sorry for the hundred replies of the same message

[Jenny2014]

Originally Posted by RaynDrop 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny2014 

 

Sounds like you are doing the exact same thing as me. We only invited maybe 35 people to our DW, and are expecting about 25 to come. at the DW we are

 

 

 

doing the ceremony, and then just a private dinner on the beach- no full reception.

 

 

Then, about a month after, we are having an AHR where everyone and their mother's will be invited. We did this to placate our parents, who wanted to invite everyone to our DW. And I was having major anxiety none of our friends would come, and we would be stuck with our parents friends for a week. So we cut them all out, and said they can all come to the AHR.

 

I will wear my dress again, but like you, I don't want a cake. One of my best friend's has her own cupcake business, so I already told her I am probably going to get her to make the cupcakes for the AHR.

 

I want something informal as well, with food stations or a buffet. and a fantastic DJ!

 

All of our dances and speeches will be at the AHR, and we will show our wedding video as well.

Oh good... Sounds like we do have a similar plan... I didn't know if it was wierd that I wanted to wait for the first dances.... Probably speeches too... Although I know atleast my dad will probably say one at the DW..... weird or not I don't want to do it differently.. so I'm glad to know I'm not the only one

 

Oh I am sure a few things will be said at the DW- can't be helped. But it can be more intimate and funny, whereas the speech at the AHR will be more broad to capture everyone.

 

I've come around to being excited about having a bigger AHR than I originally wanted. I think a part of me was a bit said that I wouldn't be able to celebrate with everyone in Mexico, but it just wasn't possible to invite everyone, especially since our whole reason for having a DW is because we want it, and because we are paying for it ourselves. Having told a few friends about the AHR, they are excited to be able to still celebrate with us, even though they know the DW is private and intimate. So it's good to hear positive feedback about it- when my mom was so deadset that people would be insulted and no one would come to it because people go to weddings ONLY for the ceremony, not for the party......

 

funny, I always thought it was the other way around...... LOL My Mom is a master manipulator- so glad we saw RIGHT through that one haha.

[RaynDrop]

Oh I am sure a few things will be said at the DW- can't be helped. But it can be more intimate and funny, whereas the speech at the AHR will be more broad to capture everyone. I've come around to being excited about having a bigger AHR than I originally wanted. I think a part of me was a bit said that I wouldn't be able to celebrate with everyone in Mexico, but it just wasn't possible to invite everyone, especially since our whole reason for having a DW is because we want it, and because we are paying for it ourselves. Having told a few friends about the AHR, they are excited to be able to still celebrate with us, even though they know the DW is private and intimate. So it's good to hear positive feedback about it- when my mom was so deadset that people would be insulted and no one would come to it because people go to weddings ONLY for the ceremony, not for the party...... funny, I always thought it was the other way around...... LOL :stupid: My Mom is a master manipulator- so glad we saw RIGHT through that one haha.

Hahah... Yeah.. my dad just likes to talk. A lot.. all th etime... To everyone hehehhe I wasn't totally sure about doing an AHR at first... But I think it will makes it easier to tell people.. we are getting married and your not invited lol

[RaynDrop]

I thought people went for the party... No? Hahaha

[Jenny2014]

Originally Posted by RaynDrop 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny2014 

 

 

Oh I am sure a few things will be said at the DW- can't be helped. But it can be more intimate and funny, whereas the speech at the AHR will be more broad to capture everyone.

 

I've come around to being excited about having a bigger AHR than I originally wanted. I think a part of me was a bit said that I wouldn't be able to celebrate with everyone in Mexico, but it just wasn't possible to invite everyone, especially since our whole reason for having a DW is because we want it, and because we are paying for it ourselves. Having told a few friends about the AHR, they are excited to be able to still celebrate with us, even though they know the DW is private and intimate. So it's good to hear positive feedback about it- when my mom was so deadset that people would be insulted and no one would come to it because people go to weddings ONLY for the ceremony, not for the party......

 

funny, I always thought it was the other way around...... LOL My Mom is a master manipulator- so glad we saw RIGHT through that one haha.

 

Hahah... Yeah.. my dad just likes to talk. A lot.. all th etime... To everyone hehehhe

 

I wasn't totally sure about doing an AHR at first... But I think it will makes it easier to tell people.. we are getting married and your not invited lol

 

Originally Posted by RaynDrop 

 

I thought people went for the party... No? Hahaha

 

Awwww your dad sounds cute!

 

It is true, it does make it easier haha. I'm sure people will be insulted/ what not but I cannot control that. We have to do the wedding our way, or we won't enjoy it!

 

I totally agree- people go for the party! Not the ceremony! And since we are showing the video anyways, what difference does it make? What, because they didn't see it in person.... so? "The people that matter won't mind, and the people that mind won't matter!"

[RaynDrop]

Awwww your dad sounds cute! It is true, it does make it easier haha. I'm sure people will be insulted/ what not but I cannot control that. We have to do the wedding our way, or we won't enjoy it! I totally agree- people go for the party! Not the ceremony! And since we are showing the video anyways, what difference does it make? What, because they didn't see it in person.... so? "The people that matter won't mind, and the people that mind won't matter!"

Cute.... Hmmm well he thinks so anyways heheheh

[tyrebride2b2013]

I don't know if there is any law to how to have/what to do for an AHR.   I have seen brides on here talk about doing very casual things like backyard bbq to full out fancy receptions.   I'd like mine to be right in the middle.... I'm  not 100% how I want it but I know some basics..... We are only inviting Parents, Siblings and 1 friend each (and all of there partners) to the wedding and I'm not having a bridal party. There are a lot of other people that I would be inviting if I'd had a "normal" wedding but the a big part of my wanting a DW was because I wanted small! So I will invited all those other people to the AHR (and of course those coming to the DW) I don't plan on doing our first dances at the DW - I have a very elaborate plan on how I want these to go... this plan will be way more special with a lot of people to witness it. So we will being doing  all these at the AHR. I plan on wearing my dress - probably just until after the dances.  Then I think I will change into a cocktail dress.. keep it kind of bridal. I don't plan on having a wedding cake at the AHR because we will already have had one at the DW - I will do a special Groom's Cake - that I will keep a secret until he sees it. Plus,  we talked about a candy bar at the DW.. my FI really liked it... but $300 for 20 people seems a bit extreme.  Not sure about food - I'm thinking either buffet dinner or a big array of hor dourves (passed and on tables) or some  hor dourves and a couple food stations (like a build your own Mac 'n Cheese bar and carving stations or something like that) I will defiantly do table decoration - I have already purchased some stuff... the colors will be Peacock inspired (this is what I would have done if I had a "normal" wedding)  ---- I have noticed a lot of brides are doing beachy themes.. reusing some decorations and such from there DW.. having island food and stuff so that those that couldn't make it can feel like they got to be there. --- I have lots of other little things in mind . . . Overall I guess I don't want it to feel like "why are they having a second wedding" but I do want it to be a celebration of our wedding not just any old party... make sense?

I wanna wear my dress again too! And my dad is still deadset against the DW anothet reason I wanted to do a symbolic ceremony so he can "give me away" he says im being selfish taking it away from him. Hopefully he comes but if not I've accepted it. Gonna enjoy our wedding. . I do want a cake because the choices at my resort aren't really what I want. Love passed hor dourves(sp) and carving stations. FI loves candy wanted to try to find all our childhood candy. I also wss thinking beachy theme to keep things going. Love peacock theme colors are beautiful. Hoping video comes out great so can be played at AHR. Ofcourse dancing and how can I forget.. OPEN BAR A MUST! !!!! Hahaha Love grooms cake idea if we were having at home wedding was gonna do a 49rs cake for him. Also want to get garter made on etsy after 49rs.

[tyrebride2b2013]

Yeah 50 people at a DW seems like a good size to me!  over 200 and counting ... that is a GOOD reason to do a DW! A BBQ is always a good time 

If we had a big enough space a BBQ we would do could rent a tent snd some tables.

Hahah... Yeah.. my dad just likes to talk. A lot.. all th etime... To everyone hehehhe I wasn't totally sure about doing an AHR at first... But I think it will makes it easier to tell people.. we are getting married and your not invited lol

Aww leave dad alone! My Dad is the same Talking is his specialty. .lol

I thought people went for the party... No? Hahaha

Meeee tooo!!!!

[pzl101]

Originally Posted by brownsugarbride 

 

 

Definitely get a good travel agent that specializes in destination weddings. Tell them about your preferences and your budget, and they'll be able to recommend some good choices.  With less than 25 people, you'll easily be able to do a nice DW package without add ons for $3000-$4000, no problem. (This doesn't include add ons,etc.)

 

Originally Posted by RaynDrop 

 

 

I am having 20 guest and I'm going to a Sandals Resort.  They have lots of excellent options to choose from. It is easy cause they are all on their website to view ahead of time.  Plus, with the amount of people you have coming you get lots of things added for FREE : )

 

Which Islands do you have it narrowed down to?

We actually made a decision last night! haha We decided on JAMAICA!!!

 

We were between Jamaica, Aruba and Turks and Caicos but he preferred an AI just to keep it easier for people (most of his friends and family have not done a lot of traveling) so that pretty much ruled out T&C (we didn't want Beaches) And we weren't crazy about Aruba's law about legal marriages being in their Town Hall bc we want the legal ceremony on the beach.

 

Phew!! Now, our next step is to research/contact/compare resorts - we're looking at Secrets, Jewel, Iberostar and maybe another one or two. I noticed there hasn't been a lot of info on Jewel but I stayed at Jewel Runaway Bay in May when my cousin got married at FDR. FDR is a basic AI with a very family-oriented atmosphere (their suites comes with nannies!!) so my sisters and I wanted a regular AI and Jewel was next door and it was great! Not as big as RIU but really nice and we had a great time there.

 

Does anyone know of other AI in Negril besides RIU and Sandals?

[RaynDrop]

Ok... TOTALLY of topic but I had to share....I already bought some crystal light packs for my pre departure gives... But I just HAD to buy more.... At target I just found Mojito, Appletini, and Margarita flavored ones... Even better they are on sale for $1.99 for a 10 pack. This seriously just got me really excited!!!! Hahaha