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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
   
Location: Kansas | My fiance and I are planning to get married sometime around Memorial Day weekend and we've just about given up on a traditional wedding near our hometowns so are looking at doing a destination wedding/honeymoon combination trip instead.
As I look for places to stay online, I'm trying to be financially responsible and find the best deal. Therefore I have a few questions.
1. He's been hearing about "all-inclusive" resorts but I honestly don't know what all is included at one of those. Any information is appreciated. Matt thought that some of them included meals, and I just want to know what we will have to budget for.
2. Any suggestions on possible places to go for this shindig would be great. Requirements: Beach, inexpensive elopment package (probably $600 or less), not super busy so something off the beaten path would be great. We've looked into Puerto Rico, some places in Mexico (but decided a domestic trip would be less hassle), and I've started researching places in North Carolina. We really want to find a state that doesn't have a 3 day waiting period for a marriage license, so Texas doesn't seem to be a good option. I haven't had a lot of luck finding anything reasonably priced in Florida and haven't had a chance to look much in California. We're not set on a popular place.....really a quiet, low-key location would be great.
3. How in the world do you travel by air with a wedding dress and a cowboy hat? LOL | |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:06 AM My fiance and I are planning to get married sometime around Memorial Day weekend and we've just about given up on a traditional wedding near our hometowns so are looking at doing a destination wedding/honeymoon combination trip instead.
As I look for places to stay online, I'm trying to be financially responsible and find the best deal. Therefore I have a few questions.
1. He's been hearing about "all-inclusive" resorts but I honestly don't know what all is included at one of those. Any information is appreciated. Matt thought that some of them included meals, and I just want to know what we will have to budget for.
2. Any suggestions on possible places to go for this shindig would be great. Requirements: Beach, inexpensive elopment package (probably $600 or less), not super busy so something off the beaten path would be great. We've looked into Puerto Rico, some places in Mexico (but decided a domestic trip would be less hassle), and I've started researching places in North Carolina. We really want to find a state that doesn't have a 3 day waiting period for a marriage license, so Texas doesn't seem to be a good option. I haven't had a lot of luck finding anything reasonably priced in Florida and haven't had a chance to look much in California. We're not set on a popular place.....really a quiet, low-key location would be great.
3. How in the world do you travel by air with a wedding dress and a cowboy hat? LOL All Inclusive is just that,,,,,,,,,all,,,,,,,,inclusive.
You pay one price and room, food, drinks are covered.
Pay extra for concierge services, massage, excursions, prostitutes, etc.
One rule of thumb with all inclusives.
on some level, they all suck
Edited by 1DSoon 2018-03-05 9:35 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Will you have be having friends and family coming to your wedding? If so you need to talk to a few and maybe they can help you decide where to go and since they will be paying for their own way you need to consider what it will cost for them too to travel also.
I would just start calling places and see what the cost are.. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| I would highly recommend looking into all-inclusives in Mexico. I really think you get more for your money. Everything really is included. All meals, drinks, any room service you order, anything in your mini bar as well as lots of free entertainment... The only things they may charge extra for are spa services, up-scaled food and drinks like lobster or fancy wine... or excursions off the resort, which you can also choose to pay for when you book the trip, so no surprises. And many of them will throw these things in for free with a wedding or honeymoon package :)
No resorts in the US are all-inclusive, so while you may be able to travel there very affordably, I feel like once you include all of your meals, drinks, and entertainment, you will easily spend more than at an all-inclusive resort. We have been to the resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, south of Cancun) several times and they are all VERY laid back, quiet, and so relaxing. Usual crowd is 30+ and most people kind of keep to themselves.
My suggestion to clear up your issue with the hassle of getting married out of state/country, would to just go to the courthouse and get all legally married here before you go. You can then have a "Ceremony" wherever you choose, take all the pictures, etc, but not have to deal with all the legality of it. Just what I would do :) I have seen a few brides carry-on their wedding dresses on the plane haha. | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | 1DSoon - 2018-03-05 9:34 AM rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:06 AM My fiance and I are planning to get married sometime around Memorial Day weekend and we've just about given up on a traditional wedding near our hometowns so are looking at doing a destination wedding/honeymoon combination trip instead.
As I look for places to stay online, I'm trying to be financially responsible and find the best deal. Therefore I have a few questions.
1. He's been hearing about "all-inclusive" resorts but I honestly don't know what all is included at one of those. Any information is appreciated. Matt thought that some of them included meals, and I just want to know what we will have to budget for.
2. Any suggestions on possible places to go for this shindig would be great. Requirements: Beach, inexpensive elopment package (probably $600 or less), not super busy so something off the beaten path would be great. We've looked into Puerto Rico, some places in Mexico (but decided a domestic trip would be less hassle), and I've started researching places in North Carolina. We really want to find a state that doesn't have a 3 day waiting period for a marriage license, so Texas doesn't seem to be a good option. I haven't had a lot of luck finding anything reasonably priced in Florida and haven't had a chance to look much in California. We're not set on a popular place.....really a quiet, low-key location would be great.
3. How in the world do you travel by air with a wedding dress and a cowboy hat? LOL All Inclusive is just that,,,,,,,,,all,,,,,,,,inclusive.
You pay one price and room, food, drinks are covered.
Pay extra for concierge services, massage, excursions, prostitutes, etc.
One rule of thumb with all inclusives.
on some level, they all suck
OK, explain "they all suck." I don't know if we would do a lot of the stuff to make the all-inclusive worth it but I need more information if I'm going to start this debate with Matt. LOL. | |
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | It really depends on what you want. My husband and I got married in Key West, FL and had about 40 guests travel to the event. We bought a wedding package from a hotel for approximately $8,000 that included pretty much everything for the event; photography, venue, floral, decor, officiant, DJ, food, liquor package, etc etc. With other expenses (invites, wedding dress, his clothes, etc), it was a total of $10k and an additional $3000 for the rehearsal dinner that his mother covered. Most of our friends and family stayed at least the weekend (it was also Memorial Day weekend for our wedding), but some stayed longer and made it a vacation. The room rates for our guests were $308/night due to the holiday and prime season. We live 9 hours from Key West, but we chose to fly to our wedding. I carried my dress on the flight. The flight attendants have a closet they can place it in for you if there is room.
We ATTENDED a wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya Mexico also. They definitely did not plan or execute the wedding part as seamlessly as ours had been, but there is something to be said about having all food and drinks and whatnot included for your guests at all times. The all-inclusive rate was about $500/person per night.
So, it just depends on what you want and where your guests are willing to travel. Some people you assume will come, will not, so keep that in mind. Destination weddings offend some people.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-05 10:30 AM
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | SpaceCowboy - 2018-03-05 10:07 AM I would highly recommend looking into all-inclusives in Mexico. I really think you get more for your money. Everything really is included. All meals, drinks, any room service you order, anything in your mini bar as well as lots of free entertainment... The only things they may charge extra for are spa services, up-scaled food and drinks like lobster or fancy wine... or excursions off the resort, which you can also choose to pay for when you book the trip, so no surprises. And many of them will throw these things in for free with a wedding or honeymoon package :) No resorts in the US are all-inclusive, so while you may be able to travel there very affordably, I feel like once you include all of your meals, drinks, and entertainment, you will easily spend more than at an all-inclusive resort. We have been to the resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, south of Cancun) several times and they are all VERY laid back, quiet, and so relaxing. Usual crowd is 30+ and most people kind of keep to themselves. My suggestion to clear up your issue with the hassle of getting married out of state/country, would to just go to the courthouse and get all legally married here before you go. You can then have a "Ceremony" wherever you choose, take all the pictures, etc, but not have to deal with all the legality of it. Just what I would do :) I have seen a few brides carry-on their wedding dresses on the plane haha.
What bothers me about a courthouse wedding here is that our whole families (including one set of divorced parents with a mom who hates dad's girlfriend) will want to show up and then it will just turn into a big circus, which is what I want to avoid. It's stressing me out trying to find a venue around here that's affordable and not booked already for Saturday of Memorial Day, so it would be much simpler to just decide we're eloping.
Neither of us have passports and we are highly unlikely to use them again so I would prefer not to go somewhere that requires them unless it's going to be enough cheaper to offset the cost of 2 passports. | |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | A passport is under $150 per person. | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:26 AM
SpaceCowboy - 2018-03-05 10:07 AM I would highly recommend looking into all-inclusives in Mexico. I really think you get more for your money. Everything really is included. All meals, drinks, any room service you order, anything in your mini bar as well as lots of free entertainment... The only things they may charge extra for are spa services, up-scaled food and drinks like lobster or fancy wine... or excursions off the resort, which you can also choose to pay for when you book the trip, so no surprises. And many of them will throw these things in for free with a wedding or honeymoon package :) No resorts in the US are all-inclusive, so while you may be able to travel there very affordably, I feel like once you include all of your meals, drinks, and entertainment, you will easily spend more than at an all-inclusive resort. We have been to the resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, south of Cancun) several times and they are all VERY laid back, quiet, and so relaxing. Usual crowd is 30+ and most people kind of keep to themselves. My suggestion to clear up your issue with the hassle of getting married out of state/country, would to just go to the courthouse and get all legally married here before you go. You can then have a "Ceremony" wherever you choose, take all the pictures, etc, but not have to deal with all the legality of it. Just what I would do :) I have seen a few brides carry-on their wedding dresses on the plane haha.
What bothers me about a courthouse wedding here is that our whole families (including one set of divorced parents with a mom who hates dad's girlfriend) will want to show up and then it will just turn into a big circus, which is what I want to avoid. It's stressing me out trying to find a venue around here that's affordable and not booked already for Saturday of Memorial Day, so it would be much simpler to just decide we're eloping.
Neither of us have passports and we are highly unlikely to use them again so I would prefer not to go somewhere that requires them unless it's going to be enough cheaper to offset the cost of 2 passports.
Don't tell them you're doing it! LOL  | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Griz - 2018-03-05 11:19 AM rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:26 AM SpaceCowboy - 2018-03-05 10:07 AM I would highly recommend looking into all-inclusives in Mexico. I really think you get more for your money. Everything really is included. All meals, drinks, any room service you order, anything in your mini bar as well as lots of free entertainment... The only things they may charge extra for are spa services, up-scaled food and drinks like lobster or fancy wine... or excursions off the resort, which you can also choose to pay for when you book the trip, so no surprises. And many of them will throw these things in for free with a wedding or honeymoon package :) No resorts in the US are all-inclusive, so while you may be able to travel there very affordably, I feel like once you include all of your meals, drinks, and entertainment, you will easily spend more than at an all-inclusive resort. We have been to the resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, south of Cancun) several times and they are all VERY laid back, quiet, and so relaxing. Usual crowd is 30+ and most people kind of keep to themselves. My suggestion to clear up your issue with the hassle of getting married out of state/country, would to just go to the courthouse and get all legally married here before you go. You can then have a "Ceremony" wherever you choose, take all the pictures, etc, but not have to deal with all the legality of it. Just what I would do :) I have seen a few brides carry-on their wedding dresses on the plane haha. What bothers me about a courthouse wedding here is that our whole families (including one set of divorced parents with a mom who hates dad's girlfriend) will want to show up and then it will just turn into a big circus, which is what I want to avoid. It's stressing me out trying to find a venue around here that's affordable and not booked already for Saturday of Memorial Day, so it would be much simpler to just decide we're eloping.
Neither of us have passports and we are highly unlikely to use them again so I would prefer not to go somewhere that requires them unless it's going to be enough cheaper to offset the cost of 2 passports. Don't tell them you're doing it! LOL
Nobody's going to be that upset if we do elope, but I'm not expecting anyone to follow us to whatever place we choose. Both our mothers may be relieved if we just take off and come back married. My mom wants to work a rodeo Memorial Day weekend, and his mom was pushing the chapel in Miami, OK, where she married his dad (who she now hates and badmouths all the time....LOL). We are both so tired of searching for a venue that is available, affordable, and isn't a church so neither of our mothers get upset that it's the wrong church in their opinion, and if I didn't think it was weird to wear the wedding dress I LOVE to the courthouse, we'd just do that. I guess I still want kind of a wedding but really only for the pictures. Neither of us want a big crowd but I also don't want to just drive 3 hours to Miami, OK, and hit the wedding chapel there. We do enough one day 5-6 hour drives already and I can't talk myself into taking horses to the wedding and stopping at Carthage for the Barrel Bash on our way back. LOL. Vegas weddings were looking OK with me but he wants to go somewhere with a beach and the ocean. Does this explain my ongoing nightmare? LOL | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 393
Location: East Texas | I have seen people get married on Carnival Cruise not sure if there is an extra costs but we love cruising. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I just watched a segment on the news where 2 reporters went to a resort, one was all inclusive and the other paid as he went. They ate, drank, and did identical activities. And they didn’t skimp. The guy who paid as he went saved about $400.
They said unless you plan to consume a LOT of alcohol (think crazy spring breakers) or spend all your time running around doing every possible activity...you’d be better off paying as you go. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| 1DSoon - 2018-03-05 8:34 AM
rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:06 AM My fiance and I are planning to get married sometime around Memorial Day weekend and we've just about given up on a traditional wedding near our hometowns so are looking at doing a destination wedding/honeymoon combination trip instead.
As I look for places to stay online, I'm trying to be financially responsible and find the best deal. Therefore I have a few questions.
1. He's been hearing about "all-inclusive" resorts but I honestly don't know what all is included at one of those. Any information is appreciated. Matt thought that some of them included meals, and I just want to know what we will have to budget for.
2. Any suggestions on possible places to go for this shindig would be great. Requirements: Beach, inexpensive elopment package (probably $600 or less), not super busy so something off the beaten path would be great. We've looked into Puerto Rico, some places in Mexico (but decided a domestic trip would be less hassle), and I've started researching places in North Carolina. We really want to find a state that doesn't have a 3 day waiting period for a marriage license, so Texas doesn't seem to be a good option. I haven't had a lot of luck finding anything reasonably priced in Florida and haven't had a chance to look much in California. We're not set on a popular place.....really a quiet, low-key location would be great.
3. How in the world do you travel by air with a wedding dress and a cowboy hat? LOL All Inclusive is just that,,,,,,,,,all,,,,,,,,inclusive.
You pay one price and room, food, drinks are covered.
Pay extra for concierge services, massage, excursions, prostitutes, etc.
One rule of thumb with all inclusives.
on some level, they all suck
One would think. But not necessarily so. We stayed at an 'all-inclusive' resort in Puerto Vallarta for a wedding, but some of their restaurants were not included in the all inclusive package. So double & triple check that what you will want is not excluded from their list of 'all inclusive features'. | |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Most of the beach hotels in the USA offer some type of wedding package. Pick a few hotels in the places you are interested in going, call and ask to speak to the person who arranges onsite beach weddings. You should find various options available -- different price levels, service, etc. Good luck on finding your perfect location -- and remember - the wedding ceremony is about you two -- do what is best for you as a couple. | |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5408
| You could do what my son and daughter in law did, they got married but put off the honeymoon a few months until she was out of college and they had more time. That way you could maybe get a cheaper rate for a not so busy time. As far as his mother is concerned if she can't put her hate aside for a special occasion for the two of you then she isn't much of a mother. My folks are divorced and that handled themselves very well at our wedding. I even got a picture of just our family with no other current spouses in it. They did it for me, that is what parents do. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| We honeymooned in Jamaica at the Sunset at the Palms after my boss highly recommended it. It was all inclusive and absolutely fantastic. Our all inclusive included the plane tickets, bars, all restaurants on site, some shuttles and activities, private beach, and of course the room. The rooms are not like hotels. Think a duplex on stilts in the trees. The food was absolutely amazing no matter if you were eating at their beach cafe, buffet, or 5 star restaurant. My husband has chef experience and even he was impressed that all the dining options were so good and high quality food. We had a great experience and would absolutely go back if we ever have the time. I would say after looking at quite a few options is to book as early as possible as there are a lot of package deals offered before the busy season really starts. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1268
Location: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma | I'm in the midst of planning my wedding. It's not a first marriage for either of us, so we are doing a "weddingmoon" at one of the Sandals resorts in St. Lucia in late July. We will be there 7 days. With a stay of 3 days, the simple ceremony is free with exception of legal fees. Each day over 3 includes upgrades to our ceremony if we wish. We are not taking any guests, just taking a great vacation with bonus wedding all for around $4000 airfare included and all inclusive. | |
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| rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 11:26 AM
Griz - 2018-03-05 11:19 AM rodeowithjoker - 2018-03-05 10:26 AM SpaceCowboy - 2018-03-05 10:07 AM I would highly recommend looking into all-inclusives in Mexico. I really think you get more for your money. Everything really is included. All meals, drinks, any room service you order, anything in your mini bar as well as lots of free entertainment... The only things they may charge extra for are spa services, up-scaled food and drinks like lobster or fancy wine... or excursions off the resort, which you can also choose to pay for when you book the trip, so no surprises. And many of them will throw these things in for free with a wedding or honeymoon package :) No resorts in the US are all-inclusive, so while you may be able to travel there very affordably, I feel like once you include all of your meals, drinks, and entertainment, you will easily spend more than at an all-inclusive resort. We have been to the resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, south of Cancun) several times and they are all VERY laid back, quiet, and so relaxing. Usual crowd is 30+ and most people kind of keep to themselves. My suggestion to clear up your issue with the hassle of getting married out of state/country, would to just go to the courthouse and get all legally married here before you go. You can then have a "Ceremony" wherever you choose, take all the pictures, etc, but not have to deal with all the legality of it. Just what I would do :) I have seen a few brides carry-on their wedding dresses on the plane haha. What bothers me about a courthouse wedding here is that our whole families (including one set of divorced parents with a mom who hates dad's girlfriend) will want to show up and then it will just turn into a big circus, which is what I want to avoid. It's stressing me out trying to find a venue around here that's affordable and not booked already for Saturday of Memorial Day, so it would be much simpler to just decide we're eloping.
Neither of us have passports and we are highly unlikely to use them again so I would prefer not to go somewhere that requires them unless it's going to be enough cheaper to offset the cost of 2 passports. Don't tell them you're doing it! LOL
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ELOPE ...
and NOT ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND !!
EVERYTHING IS ALREADY RESERVED AND OVER CROWDED !!
Get married by a JP at the court house and let the bail bondsman
be your witness and go get in your truck and head for ..
The reservations you have made at a Hotel somewhere in Florida
or a mountain // lake cabin on one of the many lakes in Oklahoma,
Missouri or Arkansas.
In Florida you may want to do a rental car since there are so many
state parks that contain so many natural wonders and the beaches
are free.
The lakes are more inexpensive and are very scenic and relaxing!!
You will have to make your reservations immediately
on what is available ...
WHEN YOU RETURN HOME ...
PLAN YOUR WEDDING RECEPTION IN A
PARK OR NICE BACKYARD ...
OR HAVE EVERYONE ON HORSE BACK AND DO IT IN AN ARENA
(lots of horses spook with the bride wearing her dress .. lol)
wear your wedding dress and hire a photographer
and a $200 Cowboy Church preacher and have your happy wedding ceremony.
Have a cowboy wedding and just buy colored matching shirts for bride entourage
and white shirts for the guys and let them wear their own jeans and boots .. lol
Fire up the big smoker and do ribs and BBQ items ...
with a volunteer to tend the smoker ... ..
Five gallon buckets of potato salad and cole slaw ... no fancy dishes needed ..
paper plates and plastic hardware is the order of the day ...
Be careful on the cake .. summer heat will melt the icing so homemade is
your best bet!!
Send out your announcements and who ever shows up should have nothing
to say about their preferences since it is your day as a BRIDE and the start
of your new life together with the man you love !!
BEST OF LUCK AND JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE ..
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| OH YES ...
HONEYMOONING ON A BEACH ...
LOTS OF SUNSCREEN ...
SALT WATER AND THE SUN REFLECTION OFF THE SAND WILL MAKE
YOU TURN INTO A RED LOBSTER ... if you see pink.. you are already fried!!
I would laugh out loud if I heard a couple of honeymooners in the next
room say to each other ...
DON'T YOU DARE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING ME !!
laughing ..
I almost forgot on the beach honeymoon ... be sure and buy several loaves
of bread to have some fun with ...
I can't recall if this was my 3rd or 4th wife .. but she was a lot of fun
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2018-03-05 9:27 PM
 (MY 3RD OR 4TH WIFE.jpg)
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 MY 3RD OR 4TH WIFE.jpg (99KB - 182 downloads)
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | RoanyGoodPoni - 2018-03-05 9:30 PM I'm in the midst of planning my wedding. It's not a first marriage for either of us, so we are doing a "weddingmoon" at one of the Sandals resorts in St. Lucia in late July. We will be there 7 days. With a stay of 3 days, the simple ceremony is free with exception of legal fees. Each day over 3 includes upgrades to our ceremony if we wish. We are not taking any guests, just taking a great vacation with bonus wedding all for around $4000 airfare included and all inclusive.
For my first marriage, we did this same thing at Sandal's Grande St. Lucian. Loved the facility and had so much fun. Called off the wedding before the ceremony! LOL The place is great though, but ours was more expensive. My parents are the only ones who could afford to attend, so that sucked. Maybe it was another red flag. | |
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