The Wedding Ring .ca :: Brides unite! Join The Ring.

Hi Everyone!
I'm newly engaged, planning a DW in February 2011 and am desperately seeking advice!

We're inviting family and close friends to the actual wedding but are also planning a reception at home for those that can't attend the wedding, and for our extended family and friends.

My first question is, what is the acceptable timeline between a destination wedding and an at-home reception? Are there etiquette rules for this sort of thing?

My second question...when we send out invites for the DW, do we also include all of the reception details? And do we send out these invites now to those that will only be invited to the reception?

Any help or advice would be fantastic!

Thanks in advance

Hi,

First of all CONGRATS!!!!

In regards to your question. I have never heard of any ettiqute in regards to timeline - though me personally I would say sooner than later.

For invites, I would recommeded a few months in advice as ppl need to make arrangements. Even sending out DIY save-the-dates, then they can really plan.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

I got married in Mexico in 06 and we had our reception 4 weeks after our return. This was ideal because it gave us time to prepare our wedding video, photos to display at the reception and iron out any last minute details. I would not wanted to have the reception much sooner than at least 2-3 weeks from our return. We were married at the end of May so our reception at the end of June was beautiful weather, this is also why we chose to wait 4 weeks from our return.

We included our reception info all in the one and only invitation. This saved money over sending things twice and let people know that if they couldn't make it to Mexico they'd get a second chance to celebrate with us.

If you have any more questions PM me!

Denise

Thanks Ladies, that helps a lot!

Hey Jenn

It's me Dawn, we have a meeting tomorrow so looking forward to that!!!

I agree with your brides here ... my daughter got married in destination and then a reception back home, we waited only about 2 weeks, which was mildly hectic getting everything together once we returned, but mostly it was weather and time related, June was the month of both!

Give yourselves time in between but again not too much time that people forget you! lol

Invitations ... most brides are sending out combined invites
with wording along the lines of
"we'd love to have you join us on the beach in Jamaica for the week of January ... but if you cannot come we understand and hope you'll be able to attend the reception when we return!"

send 2 dif. RSVPs might help
one for wedding, one for reception
most of the will call me, the agent etc., and get onboard for the wedding trip so sometimes not necessary to RSVP toyou with return cards etc.

I always suggest an RSVP on anything you send out, even if there really isn't one, as people tend to set aside something with no clear deadline. Typically they call me either right away to get their deposits it or wait until that LAST day, haha, either way you make sure you have the space available for them to book so leaving it too long can create a problem if the flights or hotel get sold out ...

Hope that all helps, this is such a fun thing to do getting excited a whole year in advance for a beach wedding! Yeah!!!!!

I have some good pricing for 2011 coming in and good deals that could also happen soon for us!

see you soon
thanks DAWN
www.destinationweddingsbydawn.com
dawn@uniglobediscover.com

Hi,

I just thought I add my thoughts, I shot a wedding in Ocho Rios Jamaica at the end of November beginning of December. There was about 35 people that made the trip down. Then the 2nd week of January they held their reception. This gave them enough time to get back and settled, plus they wanted everyone to be done with Christmas parties and such. Since you'll be heading out in Feb, you could wait till March or even April.
One other thought, if you're having a pro head down with you to photograph the wedding. You might want to have those pictures to play during a slideshow at your reception, so give your photographer enough time to get those edited for you. Plus if you're wearing the same wedding dress or your bridesmaids are, give yourself enough time to get them dry cleaned or even repaired
One invite works fine, save money, I agree on that. But definitely give guests a save the date well ahead of time. Enjoy it and have fun. I hope you have beautiful weather and congratulations .