Post # 1
Member
493 posts
Helper bee
Hello my fellow bees…..
I’ve read a few posts similar to my question but wanted to explain my situation since it’s a little different.
Okay so here’s my dilemma. I’m not exactly engaged (yet). My FH and I have been together 3 years. We’ve found the ring so I’m just waiting for him purchase and propose. But beccause I want a DW in Summer 2011 I have begun some preliminary planning because by the time I get the ring I will have between 6-8 months to plan. Because of this I’m stuck on what to do about STD’s and invites.
I was thinking send a STD/Invite. The reason I call it a combinations is because:
- It will be sent early like a save the date but have some “invitation” lingo on it
- Because this is a Destination Wedding I did not want to send both to save money because we will probably invite 120-150 people but only about 30-40 will show I’m sure
- Also because this is a Destination Wedding there is so much necessary information to get to the invitees which I think will be too much for an invite
So my idea was. Send a STD about 6-7 months before the wedding date. On it just include our names, wedding date, city/state of the wedding, and then the link to our website with a message something like “for more information or to RSVP please visit our website at http://www.blahblahblah.com“
This way I could include all of the information for the Destination Wedding on the website. I will also ask everyone to submit their email addresses (as a private message to bride/groom only) via the website. So about 2-3 months I will send an e-invite to everyone’s email that will sound like an “invitation”. Reminding people about the wedding, website, allow them to RSVP/regretfully decline (if they hadn’t already).
Also we are entertaining the idea of doing an at home reception so by then (2-3 months b4 the wedding) we will have a more clear understanding of the costs, our budget, and make the final decision on whether we will (can afford to) do the at home reception. If we do then that information will be included on the e-invite sent via email. Then we will add a place to RSVP for the reception on our website.
Destination Wedding are tricky. Hope I explained this thoroughly for everyone. What do you think? Is this a good idea? Has anyone done anything similar to this? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Post # 3
Member
2388 posts
Buzzing bee
As long as all your guests are tech savvy, I think this is fine. I say do whatever works for you.
We did Save-The-Date Cards a year out just so everyone knew ahead of time. We will do invitations as well, but I don’t plan on spending a boatload of money on them.
Additionally, my parent will host a party (FI and I are paying for the weddin) after our wedding so they’ll do invites for that.
Post # 4
Member
371 posts
Helper bee
I’m in the same boat, unofficially planning our destination wedding. We are planning a small destination wedding so once we announce it, we’ll be sending out an STD with our website on it. Our family and friends are all computer literate and know that is our primary mode of communication so it won’t be an inconvenience to our guest. If we didn’t feel like our guests would prefer, or be able, to check our website we certainly would have to go a different route.
Post # 5
Bee
916 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: December 2010 - Al Cielo / La Laguna
We bailed on the STD’s all together and sent invites out WAYYY early. We wanted to include all the information for our travel agent and how to book their trip and it was just too much for a STD. It worked out very well. Hope that helps. =)
Post # 6
Member
1166 posts
Bumble bee
I skipped the mailed Save-The-Date Cards and sent an email with a link to our website instead. I did this about 6-7 months in advance. Since then, I have sent two more email updates (about 6 weeks apart), again with links to the website. In the second email, I specifically encouraged people to book rooms with plenty of notice. In the third email, I pointed out some optional activities they should think about. As a result of these emails, I already have a good sense of who will be coming (I would say about 80%). Next week the formal invitations go out (7 weeks in advance), and that should wrap up the rest of the RSVPs.
Post # 7
Member
290 posts
Helper bee
i did my Save-The-Date Cards by email, i attached a real nice document that was a picture of would have been printed. then it opened up confirming everyone’s email addresses and asking for their mailing addresses, then as soon as i ordered invites and sent them, it was about 1 – 2 months after the initial STD email, but still 6 months before the wedding. i thought that was a good plan and not too expensive.
Post # 8
Member
1269 posts
Bumble bee
showed where, and when, details will follow
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Post # 9
Member
9 posts
Newbee
I would say the most important thing for a Destination Wedding is a wedding website. Information about travel agents, flight info, hotel bookings, daily activities, etc. is generally too much even for an invitation.
I’m currently in the pre-planning stage myself! We’ve already announced it to my parents but will not formally announce the engagement until we can fly abroad to meet his parents and tell them in person as well. But, by the time we return from that trip, I’ll have 12-13 months to plan from when we want to set the date, so I’m doing preliminary venue-scouting and planner talking already.
I’m thinking I’ll do predominantly email Save-The-Date Cards and invites, but with a few hardcopy for the older folks in the family. Save-The-Date Cards absolutely as soon as I can get them out the door, and invites 4-5 months in advance. Apparently, the best/cheapest time to book flights is 3.5 months in advance of your travel dates, so the Save-The-Date Cards will hopefully give folks time to start saving, and the invites will give them time to find a flight and book it.
