ashhtayy

We did a paper STD which cost us about $200 (print + postage).

I'm in the same boat as some of the other brides. We may send information packages via mail to those that have put their deposits down, but not to everyone we invited. A couple will go to those older guests that can't make it...mostly because Nonna told us we had too lol

HAPPY WEDDING DAY!

Congrats! It sure takes a load off actually selecting a resort Good luck with the bookings!

@@calgarybride2015 @@LeighC let me add to my last post...I think think will make most brides feel better about their situation, so here goes...

The kicker is, it wasn't a friend that tried to arrange their own group rate, it was my FIs father and step-mother. I want everyone to know that my FIL is amazing. He's always been there for his kids and even after this I will always say he is a great father. He loves a deal as does his wife and she pushed for them to find a better rate for our resort. I have NO problem with people price checking - in fact, I encourage it. If our guests find something cheaper we will get our TA to price match it and then everyone can take advantage.

When we heard through the grapevine the reason why so few BC guests had booked (waiting on FILs pricing) I naturally snapped. Like someone else said, I felt like we had been slapped in the face. All this went on while my TA was out of the country and we had two completely incompotent TAs looking after our group (they literally screwed every booking up). I had my FI call and make his father send the quote over. They finally sent the quote last Friday, which we sent to my TA who immediately fired back "this quote is void - the taxes were not calculated properly and with the right taxes it's more then our quote". We've since been fighting with Transat - 9 days and counting and no resolution.

The good news in this is 8 people that were waiting on my FILs quote booked with us after getting an ear full from my FIs nonna. Thank goodness someone had our back

Another observation I've had through this whole booking process is, if they want to be there, they will. Oddly enough it's the people that are faced with more of a financial burden that booked immediately and those that appear to be financially comfortable that have posed the biggest headache. I realize how it appears may not be how it is, but, it's just been a very long, tortoreous process.

Many people don't read, have no email etiquette, or genuine concern for how much times goes into a wedding, let alone a DW. I personally CANNOT wait until final payments are due so that part of the worry is over and done with.

Luckily my FI has stepped up throughout this process and dealt with the difficult guests, the lazy and incompotent back up TAs and his father. He saw the stress I was under with work, my two best friends weddings, moving and then this booking bs and helped make this process SO much easier. Wasn't sure he'd take part in most of this but just when I needed him he started to shine

@@LeighC yes, of coarse we did. I feel that is pretty standard and with a lot of people, understandable. Two weeks ago two of my male good friends got engaged and they ended up not booking because they didn't know when their weddings would be and how much spare cash they would have. On my FIs side, a lot of people are trying to have children. For that reason, a few said they would have to wait until closer to to book. Those are reasons I can totally understand. I think the most frustrating part are those people that don't have enough respect to respond back that they aren't coming. We sent a reminder email one month out, two weeks out and the day before our "fake" deadline. We are missing responses from A LOT of people.

Those closest to us understood that our resort is small and there is a reason we booked so far out. Those that haven't taken the time to read our website or ask, don't get it and that is likely why they haven't booked.

I sound so angry lol and that's because I kind of am. Very stressful time trying to get everyone booked.

One of our guests actually went out and got their own group rate and had people hold off booking with us. Didn't even tell us! That didn't go over well.

We are getting married June 7th, 2016 at Azul Fives. All we've done is book our resort (AF Sky Deck), sent STDs (44 booked - deadline is less than one week) and completed website.

We're going to start all our planning in July after my two best friends weddings are done

Can't wait to hear about how everything goes. Best of luck! Sending positive thoughts ❤️

Dated for just under two years before getting engaged

Looks amazing so far!

I love your love for Winners and HomeSense (I work at their Head Office). Shop, Shop, Shop! The more $ you spend there, the more $ I'll have for my wedding I tease...but seriously, please shop there as much as possible lol And don't forget Marshalls...they have a small home section as well and if you need more of an item, you may find it there. I saw some starfish items when I was shopping there Friday (unfortunately I am in the Toronto area so telling you the store won't help). Alberta has SO many stores so you will have no problem finding everything you need.

Great job with your Michaels coupons - you found some amazing deals! I have used the chalkboard markers...a lot. My favourite is the Bistro Calk Marker (white cap & black body). I have both the small and large marker and I prefer to use the large marker, even on small items. It totally depends on what surface you are writing on how well it sticks or smudges. I chalk board painted wine glass bottoms and wrote the girls names on them for a bachelorette and it stuck and did not smudge...until of coarse we washed them. I wrote on a plastic cup that we made into an award for a work event and it never dryed (smudged every time we touched it). I think you will be fine to pre-write on your chalk board sign but make sure you pack the marker for touch ups (justtttt in case).

Oh! And make sure you use a Michaels coupon to purchase the chalk marker because they aren't cheap!

@@veryvalentine you're guest books are beautiful and will be loved by everyone!

good luck with these next few days. can't wait to hear how everything goes. BEST OF LUCK and ENJOY!

Love your thread so far. I look forward to following it and seeing all the great things you do.

We have similar stories in that I randomly sent him a picture of the ring I wanted, randomly went shopping one time to see if that was in fact the style of ring I wanted, proposal was such a surprise (to only me - the entire world seemed to know) and finally, our first few travel agents ended up being a bust.

Good luck and happy planning

I think it is rude to ask you to work the stag but not invite you to the wedding.

But...who asked you to work the stag? Did he say they wanted you to or did they ask you specifically? I could see my FI trying to be nice and say something like "they want you to help" to try and make me feel more included. I think who asked would impact how rude this ask really was.

DW or not, if our best man or maid of honour didn't have a significant other at the time I would have had that chat with them about whether they even wanted one. Generally this person is the closest one to you and having that conversation should not/would not be the slightest bit awkward.

We gave everyone plus ones because it is a DW. But if we were at home and my MOH wasn't in a relationship, I can't see her wanting to bring someone that isn't ger partner as there isn't a ton of time to spend with them because there is a lot of running around to do. The second she got a significant other I definitly would have asked her if I should invite them.

Talk to your man.

We are also staying for two weeks. Irresponsible because we haven't added up what everything would cost...but...like other brides have said, IT'S OUR WEDDING! We arrive two days before all our guests and stay 5 days after they leave. My bridesmaid and her husband can only do a 4 day trip so they'll come in one day before everyone to help with bridal trials etc. We opted to stay at the same resort against what my SIL suggested. We figured the packing and unpacking was a hassle. We aren't too concerned that the evening entertainment will be on repeat because we are so close to Playa.

Is it wedding time yet? I know all the brides say time flies but our wedding seems forever away.

@@TinkerSofi ps. SO embarrassed I spelt stalker stocker. edited immediately. 2:15AM = bedtime!

I started with mywedding.com and ended up using weddingwire.com.

I still have no colour scheme and am not sure I want anything other than neutral colours with maybe a pop of sparkle. Finding a specific colour scheme to match was not necessary (obviously) but I was able to find one with a calligraphy font I loved that matched our save the dates.

I caution you to make your site name as short as possible. We had a longer one that didn't fit well in most STDs. Of coarse you could pay for your domain too if that's important to you. We decided to keep the $50-$60 and spend it on other (likely unnecessary) things lol

@@TinkerSofi suspenders for sure!! some girls have their MOHs wear something slightly different - as your man of honour I think it would look great if he was the only one with them. can't make a bad choice either way!

thx for the sample text. fingers crossed this email works. maybe the next message will be a text and email (stalker!!!)

@@TinkerSofi I just did a search of your forum in case I missed it but couldn't find anything...

Last night I sent our '2.5 weeks prior to fake deadline' email to all our guests. We only have 12 booked and we are two of the 12 lol I assume you sent reminder emails out too? I searched for ideas on here, found a few, stole bits and pieces and wrote my own. Since the email 5 (of the 12 total) people have booked and 7 others emailed letting me know when they would be booking. Any tips or tricks for me? If you have your email and are comfortable sharing I'd love to see them.

Plan is to send one email out a week prior to fake deadline and a final email two days before.

@@TinkerSofi there is NO way I could have moulded the wire. Not a chance - wouldn't have even tried. So happy my mum surprised me with my hanger because I wouldn't have spent the $ on it. Love the idea of doing them for my girls though. Idea might be stolen

Good luck with the man of honour outfit

@@TinkerSofi I envisioned you moulding the wire to write everyone's name and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. THEY LOOK GREAT! Well done

@@TinkerSofi can't wait to see your hangers!

@@snswedding2016 we've found some great vintage books at value village. you've checked there? my gf also said she found a place in Hamilton where you can get them for $1. I did a quick google search and couldn't find the name of the place. If you'd go to Hamilton, reply back and I'll get the name for you. I'm 99% sure she said that was to buy, not rent.

It's all coming together beautifully

Are you doing a card holder? HomeSense has some great vintage items that could work well!

@@snswedding2016 your centrepieces look great. I love those paper flowers so much. They look amazing.

@@racht33 I'm still concerned over what you TA said about AF. My TA wrote me three separate emails about how nothing changed. I'm worried that you might be giving up on something that is still in fact possible.

I also had to keep pushing my wedding back. March Break broke the bank, found the perfect date and price in May and then AF looked as if it was almost at capacity (likely large group holds) and for that reason I ended up with the second week in June. There's been a ton of give and take. Keep your top three lost close to your heart and make sure you get those things.

Good luck!

I'm taking my FIs last name.

Growing up I always said I would keep my last name or hyphenate BUT it means so much to my FI that I cant imagine disappointing him in that way. My SIL kept her last name (all the power and respect to her) and his family did not like that. Personally, I wouldn't mind upsetting them but the fact that my FI cares, I'm doing it to make him happy.

My last name is now a very popular first name so I will definitely give all my children my maiden name as their middle name.

@@racht33 what about Azul sensatori? Or are you over Karisma properties now?