Samantha

That's very sound advise! Thank you for the thoughts.... I feel better knowing that others have experienced the same thing!

We're going to talk to a travel agent this weekend! (So excited!) but I'm still getting the whole "Whatever makes you happy speech" but not exactly the warm and fuzzies to go along with it! Now the only time that all our siblings (one on my side and three on FI's) can make it is July. I'm getting concerned that they'll bail out at the last minute and we're going to plan the whole thing around them! We're really trying to find something reasonable... but at the same time it's a wedding and we would like the experience to be beautiful. I guess there must be a compromise somewhere!!!

I love Halifax! What a wonderful place to get engaged! Welcome!

Thanks for the great review! This will definitely help us with our decisions!!!!! Congratulations!

Sounds fabulous! Congratulations! My FI and I just read you're review and as long as we can get reasonable rates... I think this will be our resort in July 2010!!!! I am SO excited! I'm giving myself 2 weeks to book!

Hi, I have heard that Cartegena is absolutely gorgeous! I'm in the early planning stages of our DW and was wondering if anyone has been married (or planning to get married) at one of the AIs here. There is very limited information and reviews on DW at this location! Thanks!

Hi everyone.... I was born in South Africa and have been living in Canada for 12 years now! My FI and I just bought a house in Oakville (He's from Moncton, NB originally!). Can anyone recommend a good TA in the area that's experienced with DW? Or maybe an existing thread (I couldn't find one using search). Happy Planning!

WoW! I love what you did with the gazebo! Everything looks beautiful. Congratulations!

Thanks for the tip! I've been looking at the prices and they are fairly close for the one week versus four days. I guess it ends up being how much vacation everyone can afford to take and hopefully we get a good group rate!!! How far in advance did you book to get a good rate? I'm looking at a resort that is 5 star and a great price for March... but almost doubles in July!

I wish I had the same problem! I have family and friends saying the probably can't make it and we haven't even decided on a 2010 date yet! We're getting so much push back to have a local wedding it's ridiculous... and most of the push back is from our friends! Even though people are inviting themselves, they might back out when it comes to actually booking! Worst case.... be honest when they ask for the resort information. If I were in their shoes, I would appreciate the honesty and understand how you feel. An alternative would be to get your AHR invites ready and give them to your FI to carry around. When people ask if they're invited... he can give them the AHR invite! Message received loud and clear! Good luck (and I LOVE the T-Shirts)

I'm in the same boat too! Looks like all us new 2010 brides will be learning together! Sam

Hi all, We just got engaged and are starting to plan our wedding for July 2010! Most of our guests will be traveling from Canada and we're hoping to have a 4 night stay at an AI in the Caribbean (Bahamas, St. Lucia or maybe Jamaica). The problem is that I'm obviously wiling to shell out more dough for a great 4 days, but I'm worried I will "out price" some of our guests and end up with a lower turn out. We would like to be considerate to our guests but I have no idea what a appropriate price range would be! Any advice out there? Sam

I'm a Toronto bride too and can't wait to find somewhere warm to get married in 2010! It's FREEZING here! I'm also trying to find a good AI, but it has to be affordable for my guests... there's slim pickings right now! I'm looking at the Sandals resorts.

I've spent MANY special events at Niagara Falls (my grand parents like to gamble... so the family accomodates!). The Embassy is great. You'll love it and the falls are beautiful... especially at night. I highly reccomend planning to visit some wineries while you're in the area. The hotel usually provides complimentary wine tastings, which are a lot of fun. You'd need some transportation though... they best wineries are about a 15min car drive away, but well worth it! Don't stress about the location! You're going to LOVE it!

You are all scaring me! I've just gotten engaged and I think July is the only month that we can get married in 2010 (siblings in school etc). I thought a destination wedding would cut down on some (ok, most!) of the planning BUT this list of To Do's tells me otherwise! It will certainly come in handy once we find a location!

Hi Everyone, I'm Samantha, from Toronto, Canada and I'm newly engaged! We are planning to get married this July somewhere in the Carribean (hopefully the Bahamas!). We've only been engaged 2 weeks and already I'm overwhelmed at the thought of a destination wedding!!! So that's why I'm here... to get some advice and tips and at the end of it all, hopefully have some advice of my own to pass on! Can't wait to chat! Sam