June 2013 brides- what are you doing?

[agm04]

Originally Posted by natalieblev 

 

I totally understand! Sometimes it is just easier to not deal with it. I really dont want to be bringing a bunch of stuff either, but my mom has all these awesome ideas and I hate turning her down constantly. I have a vision for my centerpieces but my planner has not gotten back to me about those in over three months and im just starting to get annoyed with EVERYTHING. Planning a DW seems harder to me because you cant get answers, you cant ever really do what you want and always have to find another way, and usually another way just means bringing more stuff! Im a little biased i guess as this was FI's idea, not mine. But I know it will be fun, it is just stressful dealing with guests booking, complaining about the costs, and planning pretty much alone. 

 

And Im glad im not alone in the resort charging out of control for the smallest things!! 

It really is frustrating!  I eventually had to accept that one downside of destination is having to rely on other people/vendors for certain things.  Sad.  I could do my own centerpieces for SOOO much less than I'm getting charged, but by the time I get them to GC and buy all the stuff the savings are pretty much gone.  I looked at renting the vases but bringing my own (real touch) flowers, but that was only going to save me like $10 per centerpiece - hardly worth the hassle!

 

I have to say one of the few times I'm glad we didn't go all inclusive is with my planner.  She is SO responsive and from what I've read on this forum it seems like most AI planners don't get back to you in a timely manner...which I get but would make me CRAZY.

 

I know you're probably tired of hearing this but I've been trying really hard to just remember that we're going to end up married no matter who shows up, who complains about what, who doesn't like what we pick.  Whatever!  We just can't worry about it all.

[Jessicalynne]

My mom's the same way, but more about wanting to pay for everything than insisting on certain designs/aspects. At first I didn't want to have her pay for everything and it made me feel bad, but it was something that she felt strongly about wanting to do. I'm sure I'll be the same way if I have a daughter...it's just something a parent takes pride in. However, I did tell her we're doing the photographer and airfare, so that made me feel a little better. I have had friends who's parents didn't give a penny, so I guess we're definitely in the better position

[Jessicalynne]

I love the fact that we're doing a destination wedding!!! It forces me to not analyze over all fo the small, unimportant details that guests don't even notice anyways. That and the people you love and your fiance love will be together for days at a time and really get to know one another. So when the wedding day arrives, it's like one big family celebrating rather than people who only met an hour prior. I'd take that experience over having control over the details anyday. It's all about perspective

[shannonmarie]

I love the fact that we're doing a destination wedding!!! It forces me to not analyze over all fo the small, unimportant details that guests don't even notice anyways. That and the people you love and your fiance love will be together for days at a time and really get to know one another. So when the wedding day arrives, it's like one big family celebrating rather than people who only met an hour prior. I'd take that experience over having control over the details anyday. It's all about perspective

I love this point of view!

It really is frustrating!  I eventually had to accept that one downside of destination is having to rely on other people/vendors for certain things.  Sad.  I could do my own centerpieces for SOOO much less than I'm getting charged, but by the time I get them to GC and buy all the stuff the savings are pretty much gone.  I looked at renting the vases but bringing my own (real touch) flowers, but that was only going to save me like $10 per centerpiece - hardly worth the hassle! I have to say one of the few times I'm glad we didn't go all inclusive is with my planner.  She is SO responsive and from what I've read on this forum it seems like most AI planners don't get back to you in a timely manner...which I get but would make me CRAZY. I know you're probably tired of hearing this but I've been trying really hard to just remember that we're going to end up married no matter who shows up, who complains about what, who doesn't like what we pick.  Whatever!  We just can't worry about it all.

I completely agree with dragging things with you. When I first started planning I was set on bringing my own centerpieces. But now as I am really thinking about it, I'm bringing enough with us as it is! I absolutely don't want to lug a whole suite cases full of vases. It's just too much of a hassle. Centerpieces are expensive at the resort but for me, the convenience of it is worth the price.

[marina1]

Great Thanks for sharing with us about plans of your wedding.

[natalieblev]

Originally Posted by agm04 

 

It really is frustrating!  I eventually had to accept that one downside of destination is having to rely on other people/vendors for certain things.  Sad.  I could do my own centerpieces for SOOO much less than I'm getting charged, but by the time I get them to GC and buy all the stuff the savings are pretty much gone.  I looked at renting the vases but bringing my own (real touch) flowers, but that was only going to save me like $10 per centerpiece - hardly worth the hassle!

 

I have to say one of the few times I'm glad we didn't go all inclusive is with my planner.  She is SO responsive and from what I've read on this forum it seems like most AI planners don't get back to you in a timely manner...which I get but would make me CRAZY.

 

I know you're probably tired of hearing this but I've been trying really hard to just remember that we're going to end up married no matter who shows up, who complains about what, who doesn't like what we pick.  Whatever!  We just can't worry about it all.

Thanks for the encouraging words!! I know it will be great and alot of fun, but sometimes it gets stressful! Yes AI's are really difficult because you basically just do everything for the day of once you get there. And my personality is just that I like to be organized and planned so it is a struggle sometimes! But it will all be worth it! 

[natalieblev]

Originally Posted by Jessicalynne 

 

I love the fact that we're doing a destination wedding!!! It forces me to not analyze over all fo the small, unimportant details that guests don't even notice anyways. That and the people you love and your fiance love will be together for days at a time and really get to know one another. So when the wedding day arrives, it's like one big family celebrating rather than people who only met an hour prior. I'd take that experience over having control over the details anyday. It's all about perspective

Great perspective! I know it is going to be a wonderful time and it will probably be the one time both my fam and Fi's fam are all together. (My sisters have never even met his).  We are paying for our entire wedding ourselves so it does get frustrating when you try to make a budget but arent able to really get any answers, so then no planning gets done. But I know itll all be fine in the end. I just saw pictures from another bride who got married at the resort I will be...and they looked like they had a blast! It really got me excited and relaxed! 

[NRI-Jamaica]

Originally Posted by agm04 

 

Woohoo good thread!  We're sending invitations at the end of January, probably with a March 1st RSVP date (our room block is only held until 3/22).  I'm estimating 100 guests, and I could be surprised either way - but I made enough OOT bags for that count (my friend and I sewed them - glad that's done!), and I'm buying the contents to fit that # too.  I figure even if I end up with some extra, it's better than having to cram it in at the last minute.  I also have a huge professional exam that will keep me from doing any planning from Feb - the first week in June, so I have to get things done.

 

Vendors are all set except for cake (can't decide what I want to do).  I already made my bride/flower girl hangers, OOT bags, and bought over half the stuff for the OOT bags.  Got my dress, we bought wedding bands (my bank account hurts).  We're looking for my sister's dress (my only BM) and my niece's (flower girl).  I'm making tulle pomanders to go on the aisle chairs at the ceremony (and then moved to reception for decor somehow, not sure yet).  I've made 4.5 out of 18 so far.  That's my current project.  

 

Next up (things I can do before I have a head count):  place card holders, getting invitations printed (another DIY that I really need to start this weekend) and put together, addressing said invitations (mom and I are doing that), design pre-travel brochure and maybe sew luggage tags to send with it, design menu, find or make flower girl basket and ring pillow, table #s, gifts for parents, barefoot jewelry for my sister and niece.  I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, but I'll stop here because I think I just broke out in hives thinking about all this.

 

Would LOVE to see what other people are doing!

Wow, you have accomplished a lot.  I am also having a big wedding.  We are expecting 100 at RIU Ocho Rios. I will be sending my invites out this week.  Next will be the wedding bands.

[agm04]

Originally Posted by NRI-Jamaica 

 

Wow, you have accomplished a lot.  I am also having a big wedding.  We are expecting 100 at RIU Ocho Rios. I will be sending my invites out this week.  Next will be the wedding bands.

How's your planning going?  Have you started to get RSVPs yet?  Ours are just barely starting to come in and I can't wait to find out how many we'll have.

[NRI-Jamaica]

I am elated to have found this thread!  I am currently struggling with my centerpieces.  I haven't find anything that I really like and the florists that I spoke to are all so expensive.  Any suggestions?