New to forum, plannign DW and on a budget, need suggestions

[NyBeachBride]

hi everyone!!!

 

im so excited...i got engaged in april in cabo!! right on lovers beach/divorce beacj!!

now im starting to plan my wedding and i dont know what to do...i would like to do cabo since thats where we got eng. but im also keepign my options open to any other place like aruba, DR, or turks. i would like an all inclusive and i dont know how many guests yet. anywhere from 15-30. thats the thing. 1st question...

 

how do u go about knowing who will attend so u can plan ahead without verballign calling everyone. because a std doesnt ask for rsvps...

 

also i want the ceremony on the sand....i saw pics of you ladies in dreams cabo and i luved it!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

i want a reception, small, sit down dinner by the pool and if enough money i ould get a DJ, if not an ipod would do if its loud enough, unless the resort has a great club...when i went to the bahamas, aura was soooooooo fun and there was a weddign party there but atlantis is soo expenisve they start at 10k.

 

i want to spend the money i pics and a video of the ceremony only for the most part.

 

help...i need suugestions and reviews from recent brides and costs if you can provide that....thanks so much and congrats to all the brides!!!!!!!!!!

 

btw from the ceremony to the reception is 5k...im not including the flight and accomadations and rings....nor the honeymoon, i relaly want to go on a honeymoon after that lol

[Mishi]

Welcome to the forum and congrats! First thing you need to decide is what you will be covering for your guests. This can take up hardly any or most of your budget. Are you going to pay for their rooms, all inclusive fees, airfare or anything at all. Some of us pay for all of the guests (and keep it small) for everything but airfare and some don't pay for anything except the wedding day festivities... while other pay for their wedding parties bill and leave the rest of their guests on their own. The less you pay for the more open you are with your guest list. If it is low cost per person than the more the merrier. If you are covering expenses for guests you need to decide your budget, per person cost and then you can send your STD's.

If you are thinking you can keep it small like 15, there are a ton of beautiful villas and villa resorts (multiple villas on one property) that have all inclusive options that you can stay in as well, for a more intimate feeling. And as I am sure you have seen there are a ton of incredible all inclusive resorts that give your guests a little more freedom.

I would decide what you are going to cover and what that part of the budget is and go from there. Some resorts/villas only charge 500 for your ceremony and since the food is included the dinner doesn't cost anything extra and then of course like you saw at 10,000 it can get up there.

In any case, congrats and we are sooo excited to be here every step of the way.

[Mishi]

Sorry double post... I hate when that happens... oh and about the STD thing... I sent mine out at first and people will automatically call to say they got it and what they think. Trust me, unfortunately you won't know exactly who is coming until about a month before the wedding, lol. Read other venting posts for that, hhahaha.

[BC Bride2be]

Welcome to the forum & happy planning!!

[dinogomez.com]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations!!

[MomentsThatMatter]

Sounds like so much going on! Best of luck with all your plans.

[Danniellou]

Happy planning!!!

[Mrs D To Be!]

welcome to the forum! sounds like you have alot of ideas racing around your head! I'm sure we can all help you iron out everything!

[*Casey*]

to the forum and CONGRATS!!!

[NyBeachBride]

thank u so much...i do not plan to pay for their accomidations nor the flight. i will only have a thank you dinner and goodie bags for them....hopefully the dinner can be part of the all inclusive. i also heard form others of dinner cruises