Striving for 150!!!

Moments That Matter · October 16, 2012

Congrats EVKnowsitall! + welcome to the forum I like your signature statement......cute Enjoy your planning process and have an amazing wedding! Cheers

pokeyholly · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall

Yea the guest list dwindles and dwindles and you know what- I'm ok with that. Because the people who want to be there will and the complainers won't come and ruin my day! My mom called me to tell me both of my sisters told her they aren't coming- and that's me putting it nicely. If it's just my parents, my fiances parents, and our bridal party (8 of our friends) I'm ok with that. Breathe in, breathe out, and reconcile lol At the very least- I will fall within the 24 guests included in our package and not pay for extras! Win win.

We are trying to swing a small return reception here. I had a cute idea of having our invitations say "In Case You Missed it...Elvin and Evelyn got married...please join us for a welcome back party as they introduce themselves as husband and wife for the first time"

My MOH and mother were going to squander money on a bridal shower (I HATE bridal showers btw... and I live with my fiance- so we don't need duplicate toasters and blenders). I convinced them instead of putting the money toward that- they can help me host the return reception. We already have a DJ because we could not get our DJ contract cancelled and our money refunded (to the tune of $1500 down the drain.) So it's time to make that DJ work for his money.

We will send separate invites because my fear is if I note this on our destination invites- people will just attend the reception here and we consider our actual wedding to be the exchange of vows that will take place in DR. I'm busy scouring the internet for inexpensive locations. The restaurant where we got engaged will do a buffet dinner and open bar for $45 per person. They also include the centerpieces (not floral- candelabras or birch trees) and the uplighting. They have a catering facility next door to the restaurant. It's nice and modern- not where I would host my wedding but a return reception- sure, why not ; ) Here's the pic- Can't really tell but all I could scoop from FB. I had pics in my phone but I deleted them.

I organize my High School's prom, graduation and I booked a spot and am hoping that they cut me some slack for a return reception. Funny how they will book a prom and charge a really low rate but inflate it and the minimum guest count for a wedding! ABSURD. But here it is:

It's an air conditioned tent on a Golf Course in a park close to where I live.

Time for wheelin and dealin LOL

I know what you mean about the bridal shower. My MOH was talking about that the other day. I'm so uncomfortable with it and I hate having attention on me!! And you're right, the $$ can be used elsewhere. Our family is all over Canada so I haven't even considered an AHR yet. The first location is nice but I have to say, I LOVE the second venue. It looks like you could throw a great party there lol. That's sort of what I had in mind for our wedding reception (when we were considering having our wedding here). You can do so much with those tents...well from what I see on Pinterest hahah. And great idea about the separate invites for the AHR. I am thinking we'll be around 25 or so but it's hard to say. I don't get so wrapped up about that anymore and less people means it'll be cheaper, more manageable and it'll still be amazing because it's people that want to be there with us Did you just start planning? Have you gone dress shopping yet? I am going this weekend and I'm so excited !!!

EVKnowsitall · October 16, 2012

Hey Pokeyholly

I have indeed gone dress shopping. It was by far my most favorite activity to date. I took my MOH, my mother, and my mother in law. We went dress shopping and then to a Sangria brunch to celebrate that I said yes to the dress. You are going to have so much fun. I hope you find a dress. If not- you'll get to go twice haha.

I can't wait to wear mine.

We will probably have around 24 guests which is what our hotel gives us in the package price. The package I selected is $5,000 and $100 for each additional guest, so we were willing to pay the extra $2,600 for 50 guest total. If we end up with 24- we save that money so thats all the more reason for an AHR lol. At first I was upset with the idea of a low guest count but you are right. A few people confirmed and the ones who are attending are so excited. They are always talking about how this is such a great idea and they wish they had thought of a destination wedding and a few of my friends said they always pegged be to be a DW bride. I'm just going to stay calm and collected and role with the punches. It's going to be great.

Happy Dress shopping! Don't forget to take pics and post in the Show Us Your Dress Thread. My dress is there somewhere in the 600's section haha.

EVKnowsitall · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall

Hey Pokeyholly

I have indeed gone dress shopping. It was by far my most favorite activity to date. I took my MOH, my mother, and my mother in law. We went dress shopping and then to a Sangria brunch to celebrate that I said yes to the dress. You are going to have so much fun. I hope you find a dress. If not- you'll get to go twice haha.

I can't wait to wear mine.

We will probably have around 24 guests which is what our hotel gives us in the package price. The package I selected is $5,000 and $100 for each additional guest, so we were willing to pay the extra $2,600 for 50 guest total. If we end up with 24- we save that money so thats all the more reason for an AHR lol. At first I was upset with the idea of a low guest count but you are right. A few people confirmed and the ones who are attending are so excited. They are always talking about how this is such a great idea and they wish they had thought of a destination wedding and a few of my friends said they always pegged be to be a DW bride. I'm just going to stay calm and collected and role with the punches. It's going to be great.

Happy Dress shopping! Don't forget to take pics and post in the Show Us Your Dress Thread. My dress is there somewhere in the 600's section haha.

Roll with the punches* Not role haha.

jolene028 · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall

LOL Just the way my crazy mind works haha. But the truth is, if you had asked me a few years ago what was important- I was more obsessed with the wedding itself than the marriage. I reached a place where now the marriage is my concern. I am eager to start a family and get on with the rest of life. Sure I want our wedding to be perfect- but other people need to understand it is a sacred event that is about two people who truly love each other and are ready to vow to be together through it all. I actually love my pre-marital precana classes that I take with my fiance because I took them so I could get married in a Catholic church and didn't think a couple who has been together for 6 years, and living together for three, would have anything to gain from the classes but I was wrong. The priest said "We spend all this time finding the right dress, the right cake, making invitations- but no one takes time to work on what's important- the marriage." I think about that quote whenever I feel myself getting upset over trivial things.

You're right- it's not a horrible thing to ask people to vacation with you. People act like its a burden. But if you can't go say no- I'm not offended. I get more upset when people feel the need to give me their laundry list of reasons why they can't attend because I feel like it turns into them trying to make me feel guilty for my decision. "I can't go because I'm trying to visit my dying grandmother and my dog needs to be boarded and my son is turning 21 and I have another wedding. I wish you were getting married here." Someone actually told me "you have to understand the burden you are placing on people." I'm like I didn't force anyone I invited you! Can't come- I'm fine with that. Want to join in? WOOHOO! lol My friends responded a lot more positively than our families. My friends were like "You are smart. I wish I had a destination wedding. Still paying for my wedding and it was over before I even realized."

Oh two of my best friends and one friend who is just a good friend have already gotten married and I told all of them that they should have had a destination wedding, during their planning and all three said no way no way... now all three of them have come back and said man I should have listened to you! LOL

Honestly I havent had a lot of my family or friends get judgemental yet, I am just doing my best to make sure that I can answer all of their questions when the time comes... my biggest problem has been my TA (I explained all the issues in earlier pages of this post) But fingers crossed I phoned their head office yesterday and made a big stink about all the mess ups and basically told them they better do something or I am going to use another travel agent, and preliminary numbers put our trip at 40 (who knows when it comes down to put your money where your mouth is) but for now they are going to lose out huge! Anyway she is supposed to get back to me this afternoon!

But you are right at the end of the day I dont care who is there or if we wind up being the only ones I am finally going to get to marry the man of my dreams and my best friend and I think that is really all I care about!!!!!

jolene028 · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by Dvhtu

Hi everyone!!! I am new to this forum. I am planning a 2014 Disney cruise wedding. I know it is still very far away and they dont even have 2014 itineraries out yet so I am just trying to do as much research as I can before it is time to book it. I see so many cute DIY things on this forum. Cannot wait to finally set a date and start actual planning.

Congrats... welcome! I dont think there is anything wrong with loads of planning time, and I think that time will fly by, think it is almost Christmas again time seems to scream by!!!

Bride2B0713 · October 16, 2012

Hi Ladies! I'm new on here as well. My wedding is going to be at Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana on 7/27/13. Sooo much to do, but sooo excited!! Just this month I have finally begun my planning.

Bride2B0713 · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by Cherina

Ladies what are your color schemes?

Irie

~Cherina

Hello I'm new on here as well and didn't realize I needed to post 150 times! lol. I don't really have a color scheme, my main color is like a baby blue/teal. That will be the color of my bridesmaid dresses, and table lines and sashes. Happy planning!

Bride2B0713 · October 16, 2012

Originally Posted by missde09

I am sure that I will be a mess when I try on my first wedding gown. I made it my goal to never wear a white gown for a pageant so that when I try one on for my wedding, it will really mean something. I am going to try and have all four bridesmaids and my mom come with me at least for the first trip. I don't know if it is better to have more people there or less. I am also nervous because my wedding is so far away. I do not want to pick a gown and then find out that I like another one more.

Our flights to Punta Cana were more than we expected they would be. Most of our guests will be paying $100 over what we figured it would be based on this year's rates. One thing that I wish is that Southwest would start flying to Punta Cana. Nothing like telling your guests to pay more for the flight, then have them paying at least $100 in baggage fees.

I haven't looked at wedding dresses either but its on top of my to do list. I cannot wait for the day to come!! I still have to find time to do that. Right now I was just focusing on planning the main even things, dinner/reception, photographer,DJ, save the dates, ahhh i feel like i'm so behind on everything! At least I ordered my save the dates yesterday...lol

Moments That Matter · October 16, 2012

Congrats Bride2Be0713! and welcome to the forum your colors sound great - just like the amazing azure blue of our Mayan Riviera ocean enjoy making your plans, and have the wonderful wedding you've always dreamed of !