Rob&Sue

Yes - my FI and I met online. I was 'playing the field', and really not interested in a serious relationship at the time. LOL! But, we hit it off immediately online.... and, I really didn't want our first date to end. I'd committed to him within a month or so (although it took me a lot longer to admit it)! I consider myself so lucky to have met him, and am really looking forward to our future together!

I am going to rant a little here.... and I apologize in advance....

I completely understand how you feel. We are in the same situation here... except with my parents, not his. My parents are NOT going to my wedding in January.

Here's the story:

When we announced our engagement last October, they expressed keen interest in coming. They had a ton of suggestions in terms of the destinations... all of which seemed really pricey or inappropriate (Libya was one of the choices - LOL). We really wanted to go to Mexico (I want to see all the Maya ruins), but they both told us that they would not go if we chose Mexico, period. No discussion, no compromise (my mom was worried about her safety there... and decided she would die if she went there). So, we looked around for other destinations (we wanted something affordable and with a wide range of things to do on and off the resort). So, after a lot of research, we chose Panama - and they seemed really happy about that. We chose a date that they weren't as happy with (they both teach, and it conflicted with their schedules a little). The alternative was picking a week that would cost everyone else an extra $400 though.... and they both have vacation that they can take!

So, with our date and destination chosen, we went ahead with the planning. We sent out our invitations REALLY early (it was around April 200 'cause a bunch of friends were hounding us to get an agent, and get things in order so they could book, and my FI didn't want to do STD cards. We booked out trip through the TA, and a few of our close friends did the same thing.

Then, we got into a huge blow up with my parents over wedding stuff. Basically they were complaining about the cost, the vacation time, and pretty much whatever else they could think of. Just for background - they are pretty well off, have paid for their home in full, and take several trips each year on their own (one of which is usually to China to see my brother). When I would call to talk to them about the wedding, they would change the topic to something else.... and they never expressed any excitement about the fact that I am getting married. I found out that this is in part because this will be my 2nd wedding. Anyway, in the end, they told us that they weren't going to come to our wedding at all. They told us to change our destination to Mexico, and have a great time without them.

I was really upset about it... as was my FI. His fam doesnt really understand their decision, and neither do many of our friends. I still don't understand their decision either, and have told them that it will likely affect our relationship in the future. How could it not? I have tried to talk to them a number of times - to get them to change their minds and come. I've explained how important it is that they are there, I've apologized for everything I can think of.... but they get mad and say that I'm trying to upset them again, and say that I don't respect their decision. My sister has tried to get them to change their minds, but they just get upset at her as well.

The deadline for booking with the group has passed. There is only one plane that goes to Panama every week from TO... and it's fully booked the week we're gone. So, they won't be there for sure. In the end, I have come to terms with the fact that they aren't coming, and have come to realize where I stand with them. I have apologized to my FI and his family, and our friends for their behaviour.... We are going to have a wonderful wedding in Panama without them, and it's something that will be their loss.

So, I feel for you.

We just send out a group email with a checklist of things that they need to take care of before they come.... Things like passports, immunizations, and stuff! We're going to be sending out a pre-departure brochure in about 3 wks to give everyone a heads up on what to pack, and info on the resort. OOOOhh... I am getting excited!

I didn't know we were supposed to get gifts for each other until about 2 months ago.... LOL

At that time, I asked my FI about it, and fortunately (or unfortunately for me), he is on-the-ball and knew about the gift exchange thing. I think he got the idea from the move 'Serendipity', which I got him to watch (so... I guess this is on me).

Anyway.... he loves cooking, and has been drooling over a set of new knives... So, I think I'm going to get him the knives as his wedding gift. They're about $300, and hopefully they will last a lifetime.... just like our marriage will! We actually registered for them....

Maybe there's something on your registry list that he really wants and you're not so big on, that you could get for him?

My other ideas include an air hockey table for the basement (just add a dedication plaque), golf membership, or golf clubs.

Good luck!

You did a great job! Everything looks amazing!!! Hope you have a wonderful wedding day!

OMG - Everything looks so good! You did a wonderful job -your guests are going to be blown away!! Wishing you a safe and fun trip, and a unforgettable and wonderful wedding day!

I didn't think that planning a wedding could be this much fun!! Your meet-the-guest doc looks amazing!! Great job, and thank you very much for sharing. I am working on something similar for our guests.

Did you ask your guests for photos , or did you just use your photos from your own collection?

We also included guests when we sent out our invites. However, like jkcz0702, our resort is an AI, and everyone is paying for their own vacation there. While there are additional costs for us for each guest, they aren't anything near to $200-300 per guest. That's a lot of money!! Our costs are probably $20-30 per guest when we add everything up.

One of my old friends from university is coming with a close friend of hers who I know of, but don't really know and have never really hung out with.... I'm wondering now if that will be strange, and/or if everyone will integrate well. When it comes down to it, I'm just really happy this friend is coming to the wedding, and if it means there's going to be this person I barely know there as well, I'll deal with that!

I think a lot of people don't realize that there are costs to you with DWs, per guest. Your friend probably didn't realize the expense, and was just getting excited about the trip and your wedding.

Hi all! We have four kids (3 boys and 1 girl) under 15 coming to our wedding, with family. We are planning on doing up separate OOT bags for each of them, but aren't too sure what to put into their bags.

So far we've got stuff for colouring on the plane (activity books, crayons, coloured pencils), and a deck of cards.

Any other suggestions are welcome!

Thanks!

They are having a sale on their website right now! It goes to the end of November. Happy shopping!

To clarify... the sale is at orientaltrading.com

They are having a sale now too.... sweet! Sale seems to be on until the end of November.

These are great!! Thanks for sharing.

I love your menu, sig drink card and brochure! They look wonderful! I am horribly uncreative... any chance anyone can share the templates? Are they all powerpoint projects, word projects, or something else?

They look wonderful! Great job!

I am in awe! You did such a wonderful job!! Thank you so much for sharing. Your guests must have felt so special.

We are on a pretty tight budget as well....

We got our OOT bags at Dollarama... they were $1 each and can hold a ton.

To fill them up, we're getting/ have gotten most of our items from the dollar store and Costco. We're including a welcome letter, itinerary, list of activities at the resort, and spanish-phrase cheat-sheet that we're doing up ourselves. We're also including little packs of tissue, mini hand sanitizers, travel wipes, mini sewing kits, gum, mini chocolate bars, condoms (for the single boys), colouring books and crayons for the kids, and maybe a few other items..... We are putting one 'more expensive' item in each bag - probably a travel mug - that I'm still looking for, and hoping to pay between $5 & $10 for (that will get used at the resort by most, hopefully). We're putting luggage tags on the outside as gift tags.

To save on costs, we're doing one bag per couple... when it's an individual item we'll put 2 in each bag. We're only doing individual bags for the kids, and single guys.

Some great websites out there are:

1) Cheap Wedding Favors - Cheap Personalized Wedding Favors - Bridesmaid Gifts

2) My Store Supplier - Wholesale General Merchandise & Novelty Items!!!

Hope that helps, and enjoy planning!

That's a great idea! I am having difficulty figuring out a favor for the AHR. I don't want to give something out that won't get used or eaten, or that people will leave behind. Hmmm... this could be the answer! Thanks for sharing.

Great suggestions. I think that we'll hand most of them the night before we leave (the bags will have items that will be useful during the flight), and the rest to those who get there after us (who are coming from other cities on later flights. We'll bring the contents of those with us, prepare the bags when we get there, and have the resort place the bags in their rooms as a welcome surprise.

As a side note - I am doing up OOT bags for all my bridesmaids as their bridesmaid gifts. The bags are a lot bigger, sturdier, and will be embroidered with their names. Plus, they'll have a few nicer items in them.

Great suggestion. I think that we'll hand most of them the night before we leave (the bags will have items that will be useful during the flight), and the rest to those who get there after us (who are coming from other cities on later flights. We'll bring the contents of those with us, prepare the bags when we get there, and have the resort place the bags in their rooms as a welcome surprise.

As a side note - I am doing up OOT bags for all my bridesmaids as their bridesmaid gifts. The bags are a lot bigger, sturdier, and will be embroidered with their names. Plus, they'll have a few nicer items in them.

Thanks for the input! I just wasn't sure if there was a standard we should be aiming for. I want the bags to be mostly-full, and I don't want anyone thinking I was a cheapskate either! I was originally thinking of spending about $15 per bag, but I think when I'm done, I'll have spent more like $25 per bag. And, we're doing about 20 bags... mostly for couples, but we have some single guys, some single women, and a few children to buy for as well. So, I guess that's $500 budget... that will have to be appropriate!

Just wondering what everyone's budget is for the OOT bags?

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess another option is to ship them directly to the resort a few weeks ahead of time, and hand them out when I get there. Do you think the resort will hold them there for me?? Has anyone else done something like that?

I talked to Air transat, and they won't allow us any additional weight or luggage, even though we're getting married south.

I think it's definitely ok to have an uneven wedding party. You want your best friends and family members there... and definitely don't want to just pick random people to even things up! Our wedding will be uneven - 3 groomsmen and 4 bridesmaids. And, I think MissyR's idea of having two guys escort every girl in your case, is fantastic!

I think these are great! I have been looking for flip flops to give away as favors at our wedding. I hadn't even though of having them ship everything to the resort - what a great idea!