Weddings OS any one?

[tannedangel]

Hey
DP and I were just talking about having our wedding in Thailand
BUT my only draw back is guests...

Would WE have to pay for them, or would we have to expect them to pay?
I just know that my parents wouldnt be able to afford it all (Flights, Accomodations, Food) there is 4 of them, if they pay for my brother too.

But then again there is a slight chance we would be able to help them out a bit...

My question is, how did those of you who had a OS wedding go about this? Or how would you?

Thanks

[Nai]

I went to a wedding in Thailand recently and we paid our own way, however the bride asked for no gifts as we had already spent enough.

I think it depends on what people can afford so if you can help them out then you can offer to put in for some of the cost.

I found that booking via Thai Airways directly through the online system saved us money on the airfares. We also used the HotelTravel dot com website to get really cheap accommodation which saved us a lot of money.

[Isadora]

I think its fine to expect people to pay their own way, those that cant afford it wont come. As for your parents, of course you would want them there so if they need help you probably would have to contribute a bit towards their fares/accomodation. I wouldnt be expecting gifts though, in fact you could even look into providing a welcoming gift in guests hotel rooms as a thankyou for coming sort of thing.

I also agree that booking your flights & accomodation via the net is much cheaper than going through an agent. However as for the wedding, many of the hotels have wedding planners so that could be handy for you.

How exciting, hope it all comes together for you & you have a Thailand wedding.

[Aimz]

*puts hand up* Me! Me! I did it!

DH and I decided that we wanted to get married overseas. We chose Santorini in the Greek Islands. It took two years to plan and originally we only had 12 guests which was parents, siblings and best friends. Everyone was told that they had two years to save for their airfare and accommodation and they had to organise their own travel plans around our wedding date. My parents contibuted $1000 to each of my bridesmaids.

It turns out SO many people thought it was a great excuse for a holiday! We ended up with 31 guests! They all flew in at different times while we were in the islands, some stayed with us and some on their own and everyone just did their own thing. It was the best holiday because there were so many of us there!! Everyone was happy to pay for themselves because it was their holiday too - the wedding was just the excuse! My parents went all out on the wedding day though and paid for a delicious meal and grog on the night. It was pure magic.

We organised the whole thing with a Santorini-based wedding planner who was an absolute angel. She organised absolutely everything so my wedding day was mostly stress free. You will find most of the bigger resorts in Thailand will have a wedding/events planner on staff.

Here is a little album to get you in the wedding mood!!

Our Wedding

[tannedangel]

Thanks so much! Some really good ideas there.
I was just thinking, things are relatively cheap in Thailand, right? Kind of like Bali? Or have I got that wrong? And airfares are also relatively cheap too, no?
Im guessing, if I have my facts right, then it wont be all that bad.

ETA: WOW Amy, that really does sound magical. Greek Islands would be my absolute dream..its gorgeous there! But I think its pushing too far, especially because we want to get married pretty soon, not supre soon, but relatively soon. But maybe if we just elope then my dream could come true!

[Aimz]

Thailand is cheap!! Flights are only a few hundred dollars are there are SOOO many places to stay! I am sure you will find something perfect! Try and find a location that isn't in any of the more "popular" places. They are always the best because they are quiet and tourist free!

Our wedding in the Greek Islands ended up costing LESS than what a wedding would have cost here for 100 people. That is if you take out the airfares and accomm etc. The actual day was very reasonably priced.

[queenbee]

BabyDesigner, we too want to go overseas to get married down the track. Will keep an eye on this thread!!! We are not into the big wedding thing

[luna moth]

Thailand is cheap!! Flights are only a few hundred dollars are there are SOOO many places to stay! I am sure you will find something perfect! Try and find a location that isn't in any of the more "popular" places. They are always the best because they are quiet and tourist free!

Koh Lanta Koh Lanta Koh Lanta!
I don't want to be a broken record, but it's the BEST spot! It's really cheap, and quiet and there is so much to do there. DH proposed to me there, we got back to our resort, and one of the staff took him aside and said "So, do you want us to set something up here for you? We could do it tomorrow, or later in the week, if you like?"
(we didn't, and got married here about a year later.)

Go for it. No matter where it is. The shared holiday thing, there's nothing like it.