JanetandDan2014

Sllllooooooowllly!!!!

I have so long to go! I'm just scanning the chit chat and giving my thoughts! LOL

Development/Fundraising for a Children's Hospital

Oh my I realized I never responded to all of you! Thank you so much for your input. I actually did end up working with Wendy from Wright Travel. She has been wonderful! I started with a budget although have definitely blown the budget. I think things will all work out in the end though. I was so confused when I first started the process. I guess I didn't realize that you worked with the resort separately for the wedding planning. That completely makes sense but it threw me off.

Thanks so much all of you for your input on this. Things ended up working out. I did STD for the AHR in June. For the DW in April I did word of mouth to close family and friends. I have some who really couldn't afford it who have gone out of their way to make sure they are there which has meant a lot to me. I have some others who want to be there who just can't with finances, families, work etc. I think that things have worked out well and that we will have a great group. So far we have 29 booked. I am doing a formal reception in June and inviting 305. That completely took on a life of its own. It was originally going to be "casual" but has turned into a full blown formal reception. Oh my!

OMG that is crazy!

This is though but one thing I have learned in the process is "yes, people get over it".

I went through something similar. As soon as we got engaged in December 2012 my parents got a little excited and started telling a ton of people to pack their bags. We are doing a large AHR in June and getting married in Mexico in April. One thing I have found is that while people may be "all about it" and say they are definitely going early on....when it comes down to it when the deposit on the room is due you will lose quite a few.

I too have been lurking forever and didn't realize there was this posting limit. Is this new? I've been actually lurking a year or so! Wow I have a long way to go! JenniferM you only need 8 more. You could get this right now!

I have soooooo far to go!!!! I'm going to check out the "chit chat forum". Feel free to strike up a conversation with me at any time. LOL

I posted on here last year but its been a while since I have checked in. My wedding is April 24, 2014. I haven't done anything as far as coordinating with the resort, just a couple emails back and forth with Connie. I have had the photography packages emailed to me but I haven't booked them yet because I haven't decided which one I want. Basically, I am waiting until all of my guests book to see exactly how many I have. That has been the worst part. SO many people are waiting until the last minute. Right now we have 29. I chose the Gold Star package with some add ons. I want to have colored chair bows, some boutineers, bouquets for myself and bridesmaids, etc for the ceremony. However, I do not need a full reception in a private restaurant because we are having an AHR. Did anyone else do this? I also read somewhere that it said you must book a private restaurant for an extra $900 if you have more than 30 people. Is there a way around this. We may have 36 at the most and 3 of them are under 10. Do I arrange seating, centerpieces, table runners, etc for this? Or is it decorated for us with the Gold Star package. I also am confused about coordinating music for the ceremony, the vows (do the ministers just do the same for everyone? is it in English?) Do I meet with Alejandra and get all of that figured out once we get there? Any answers to these questions would greatly be appreciated. I'm starting to get nervous.

So am I right that in summary: My OOT gifts are the only things I am giving to my guests and not bringing back with me are under $900 ($300 per person for , me, my fiancé, my stepdaughter)... then I am good?

Thanks for sharing! I'm ordering these right now!

The wedding party app sounds great! I am definitely downloading that.

Glad to see someone found one so recently. I'm going to need to look at Michael's tonight! Thanks!

So many cute ideas. Thanks!

Congrats on your engagement. I also got engaged on a bench at the zoo Ours was during a Christmas Light display. I think both dresses are stunning. It would really depend on which looks better on you. I just realized you posted in May though. By now I am sure you already made up your mind.

LOVE THIS!

Thanks for this! Keeps me on track!

Can't go wrong with sparkle!

Thanks for sharing!

Love this thread. I am a future Smom of a "bonus child" 9 year old girl. No kiddos of my own.

My future stepdaughter is 9 and she will be a junior bridesmaid. We are doing the sand ceremony, and will include her in the vows somehow. We haven't written them or figured that part out yet. We may do a dance with dad/daughter and then have me join in or something cheezy. My cousin did something similar and it was cute. Great thread. I like everyones ideas.

Oh definitely 7 day all inclusive resort. I hate when things aren't planned and getaways are better long. LOL What is the oldest item you own?

Great thread... I haven't given this much thought yet. I am sort of collecting things and then will put it all together and see how much space things are going to take. Our wedding is on a Thursday and we are arriving the Sat before and have guests arriving each day leading up to the wedding. I think I will have my mom bring some things in her bag Sunday and take as much as I can Saturday. Then I think we are going to just pay to have the hotel leave them in the rooms. The problem is that not everyone's bag will be the same because some are kids, etc... I have to figure that out.