Bahama Beach Wedding Diary

[dcarter4]

Well Tropic Queen....

 

As much as you believe in the superior planning powers of the female species….:rolleyes:

 

Yes…planning this a year ago would have been nice….but..if you have been following from the beginning….

 

You would have read, that we only became engaged a few months ago….and because this is our second wedding…Kelly didn’t want to wait a year to marry me (yes..I’m that wonderful).

 

Also,…we picked a shorter cruise, because her family would not have gone on a 7+ day cruise….AND…

 

Celebrity cruiseline only offers shorter cruises to the Bahamas….WHICH…requires a 24hr “in territory” requirement before you can get a license.

 

So you see….sometimes..you need to roll with what you’ve got….

…which is the point of the whole “Diary”.

 

As a matter of fact, I have stated several times..that I do not recommend doing this in less than 6 months…

 

So…doing it in 5 months is the challenge!

 

So..kick back and see how a MAN does it!!!

[JAC1213]

Dwayne, your doing a great job. I give it to you, you have gotten more accomplished in this short time than many have in years worth of planing. I must say everything looks and sounds great so far. I'm team D&K all the way. Keep the plans coming you will be giving much help to a Bahamian bride/Groom somewhere out there.

[tropicqueen]

Dear Dcarter,

You are both right and wrong. I have been reading your sad story from the start.

However, some how I missed the part about 6 months. That would make it hard to have started planning a year ago.

You could have checked around for some other shorter cruises to other Islands though.We took a 4 day on RCL out of San Juan a few years ago that went to some other places.

I know, I know, you are trying to make this nice and as special as you can for your Bride.

I think you are doing an excellent job under the time limits you have to work with!

Why don't you write your own vows for on the beach and just repeat those to each other

and save on a minister. After all you will already be married.

As far as the guest list, invite who you want but don't try and please everyone. This is

for you two and after all, it will be a nice vacation for those who do come along!

My husband and I will be renewing our vows in 2015 and will have some of the same

issues with guest.

If they join us great! If not, too bad for them. They miss a fun week, but we will understand.

I 'am keeping my fingers crossed for you'all, but I don't think you will need it.

Tropicqueen

[JAC1213]

Oh yes good ol' guests, you eventually (after changing plans numerous times to meet the demands of them) figure out that they don't matter it's your special day. Enjoy it the way you want it don't sacrifice to much for everyone else. The guests that drive you the craziest are the ones that don't show up. Of course this is all true except for parents. Now for them just roll over and play dead because it's there way or the highway

[dcarter4]

Oh yes good ol' guests....Of course this is all true except for parents. Now for them just roll over and play dead because it's there way or the highway

 

hahaha...you guys are great!!

 

TropicQueen..I don't remember writing a SAD story? Does anyone?:confused:

 

Anywho...

 

So far...only the M.I.A. is going to be MIA. She has decided that she "just can't go" and "It's too far out of her comfort zone"...so...

 

She's off my budget list!!! Minus $ 1,500.00!!!:):rolleyes::mad:

 

The only problem is....she was supposed to share a room with our 16yr old daughter?!!

 

So....Now what the #@$$# do we do with her? Give her, her own $ 1,500 Aqua Class room??

 

Nope....she hasn't been THAT good!!

 

If we give her a cheaper inside room...then she won't be able to eat at Blu...which she probably won't like anyway!!:mad::mad:

 

I guess that $ 1,500 goes right back on the budget list!! (Enter swear words, here)!

 

Celebrity had a little sale that knocked off about $ 100 per room. I will keep checking back...

 

Hint: The price you book for your room...is probably going to go down, between the time you book...and when you sail!!

 

On our last cruise, we had about $ 300 of onboard credit, by the time we sailed!

 

Update: Staterooms

 

My Mother in Law and my brother aren't coming. Since we were paying for both of them, we are saving between $ 1,500 and $ 2,200.

 

Of course...we would rather have them with us...but oh well....

 

At this point..it's a potential game changer....

 

Update: Ceremony

 

We have finalized our wedding plans. The final cost of the beach wedding will be around $ 5k.

 

Of that, $ about $ 600 are for flowers...$ 1,275 for decorations and chairs. The basic package will give you none of these. While spending $ 675 for the 30min rental of an Archway would normally make me pass out.....

 

...Kelly likes it...so it's in! Gotta keep her happy.

 

Besides...i will remind her of it, the next time I buy some boy toys!

 

More later!

 

D

Edited November 6, 2013 by dcarter4

[dcarter4]

Oh...I forgot!

 

The wedding rings and things are NOT included in our budget, as I wanted

this to be about the ups and downs about Destination Weddings....

 

But....needless to say...her "rock" can really throw a budget out of wack!

 

Before you ladies freak out...you must know, that Dwayne is not a cheapskate!!

 

While I won't mention what I spent...I saved a whole YEAR before asking her. So budget-wise...the rings are (or will be) paid for,shortly!

 

I find having the money taken from each check, really helps to save!

 

I let her pick her own ring out (yes...she had an unknown budget). I only asked that she visit 3 places. In the end, she picked a custom ring:

 

 

and

 

 

The ring is being made right now. Should be ready by Thanksgiving...I think i will hold off giving it to her....until Christmas?!!

 

Whatdaya think about THAT, ladies!!?? (Hehehhehe....):D:D

 

Cheers!

Edited November 6, 2013 by dcarter4

[tropicqueen]

WOWIE!! She must really be special! Lucky her and lucky you!

 

Tropicqueen

[JAC1213]

Oh my goodness you keep me laughing. That ring is beautiful and most important original. Hummm I'm not sure what your going to do with your daughter. I'm banking on my mom to come and share a room with my 10 Y/O son. I have plenty of time to convince her though (3/2016).

[tropicqueen]

Well, on the cabin for the daughter, why not let her bring a good friend. Maybe the parents would poney up for at least half the cost of the cabin. You will have to pay

for two whether you have two or not.

On a serious topic, Cruise ships are not free from creeps and situations that could be

dangerous for a 16 year old girl.

Just go to the home page (NEWS) Rapes happen, assults happen people even dissapear.

You should have her near you not decks away!

Despite the fact I have 1 cruise listed, too lazy to post all the other ones, we have been on close to 15 on 8 different lines. So have learned a lot.

You don't know what her cabin steward, who will have a key is like. Maybe he or she

is a really nice person, maybe not! But they will know she is alone!

I would be worried about that kind of arrangement for sure.

Just something to consider.

Tropicqueen

[tropicqueen]

D.carter,

Just checked some of these for you to check out. http://www.cruisecritic.com/search/results.cfm?q=assults%20on%20ships

 

On a nother note, really glad about you cat!

My husband an I are real animal lovers and activist. Especially wilh our dogs.

Our last cruise was on New Year's 2013. We can't go anywhere and haven't been any where all year. We have a very old dog who can't be left with anyone.

So, we just go where we can take him. We have a rental house by Disney, so we can go

to that for a break.

When you have time, try and watch "Black Fish". It's about the treatment of Killer Whales

in places like Sea World. Horrible!

.TropicQ

[dcarter4]

Hey All,

 

TQ- Yes...we would have "The Child" close to us...but not too close!!

 

We are also concerned about predators. Being a 16 yr old, she is convinced that she is invincible...which is why she has parents!!

 

We are hoping a friend of kel's ( a guidance counsuler no less) will dedcide to come. She is looking into it.

 

Having them room together would be great on so many levels. We have even offered to cover your "part" of the cost...considering we would have to pay full price for the room, anyway.

 

Keep your fingers crossed!!

 

In other news...

 

More of my friends (including my best man) have booked their rooms...so we are over the magic 8 now!! We are offically a GROUP!!

 

Still waiting for my Group Rep to email me the updated pricing (showing the new discounted price). he can't seem to get that to me?! :rolleyes:

 

More soon!!

 

D

[dcarter4]

OH yes...

 

We thought about her bringing along a friend...but being responsible for TWO teens...in and out of another country is WAAAAYYY too much stress on a Wedding Cruise.

 

We'd be worried sick....

 

D

[JAC1213]

So far things are looking good. I can't imagine that feeling of relief you felt after having an official group booked. Hoping for the best with your daughter. I am sure it will all work out.

[dcarter4]

Hey All!

 

Out of town this past weekend…

 

Just a few quick updates…...

 

Wedding Drama:

 

We are still attempting to keep any and all wedding drama to a minimum. Emotionally, we are adjusting to the fact that Kel’s mom is still claiming she will not go…but what we didn’t expect…is the problem it’s causing with our 16yr old daughter.

 

She was supposed to share a room with Kel’s mom (her Grandmother), but since she isn’t going…we are now tasked with what to do. Not only is it probably going to cost us $ 1,300+…but the logistics of the situation is adding a bit of…Mama Drama!

 

I’ve posted our situation on this forum, under the Celebrity page. So far we have two pages of advice (and growing)!! We are getting comments ranging from helpful and practical, to judgmental and useless (“Well I would NEVER allow my child to be alone in a room, but that’s just the type of parent I am!”)…

 

People are funny….

 

We are still hoping one of Kelly’s female friends will come, solo….that would solve the problem right there. Stay tuned!!

 

Budget:

 

No big payments towards the “Bill”. I was able put down $ 750 deposit with the wedding planers, so the beach is being held. We are toying with the idea of pushing the time of the wedding back. This would allow people to do some morning excursions….more on that, later.

 

We did finally get the updated invoices from Celebrity, reflecting the $ 100+ off on the rooms.

 

Every little bit helps!!

 

I’d really like to take some bigger chunks out of this bill…but can’t get any movement on the “hustle” side..

 

Oh well….maybe tomorrow….:(

 

D & K

Edited November 12, 2013 by dcarter4

[Amerie]

I've been following along with great interest, both here and on the Celebrity thread, and enjoying it immensely. I think you are doing a great job planning this destination wedding. Very romantic!

 

And the wedding and engagement rings are just beautiful!!

 

Has your Celebrity Group rep said anything to you about the Tour Conductor credit? I don't know how many berths you would have to sell, but it's often 16....or 8 cabins with 2 people in each, which you should have no problem reaching. There should be some savings for you there.

[dcarter4]

Hey Amerie,

 

Yes...with 8 cabins you get the TCC. It will really help us, as it will reduce the cost of our Cabin by $ 467!!

 

I wish it applied to all the rooms!

 

It is reflected in my budget...but since i haven't paid the balance yet...i haven't mentioned it...

 

Dwayne

[Amerie]

Hey Amerie,

 

Yes...with 8 cabins you get the TCC. It will really help us, as it will reduce the cost of our Cabin by $ 467!!

 

I wish it applied to all the rooms!

 

It is reflected in my budget...but since i haven't paid the balance yet...i haven't mentioned it...

 

Dwayne

 

Glad to hear that you are getting the TCC. Every little bit helps.

 

Are you signed up to one to the websites that will send you an email update for every price drop? I know that you are watching closely, but sometimes these price drops are only available for a couple of hours, as they are generated by a computer system.

 

Sometime before final payment, people may cancel their bookings, and it can be possible to save some $$$ if you can call in right away.

 

Also, are you maximizing the Giving Thanks loyalty rate? For instance, if you and your fiancée have both cruised with Celebrity before, book Kelly into the cabin with your daughter, and both cabins will get the 15% loyalty reduction. It doesn't matter who actually stays in which cabin. This type of thing is done all the time, and is okay with Celebrity. The Celebrity reps will sometimes suggest it themselves.

[dcarter4]

Amerie,

 

Please tell me more about the Loyalty reduction? When the price dropped last week, we received a price reduction. Everyone got 10%...but we got 15%.

 

is this what you are talking about...or should we have received 15% off the cost of our stateroom...no matter what?

 

Thanks!

 

Dwayne

[dcarter4]

Hey All!

 

Just a few quick updates…...

 

Wedding Planner Offer:

 

As you may know, we have selected WITB (Weddings in the Bahamas) as our local wedding planners. They have been nothing but professional and courteous (see earlier posts).

 

At this point, we are about 95% locked in on price and features. All that really remains is the final color of the flowers and tiny details like that. Our wedding time is set for 1pm..but we are considering moving the time back to 2:15pm.

 

Why?

 

Shore Excursions.

 

With the wedding at 1pm, it is doubtful that anyone will be able to do any of the cruise line shore excursions. I have to discuss this with Kel (in detail) and look over the posted shore excursions….but we’d like for people to enjoy the Bahamas as much as possible.

 

Sure…our invitations say 1pm…but everyone going on the cruise (20 at this posting) are easily reachable…and will know the correct time of the wedding.

Stay tuned.

 

As you know…I am (unfortunately) consumed with the budget. Coming up with about 85% of the total budget by Jan 12, 2014…is becoming a bit of a downer.

 

To that end….WITB requires a $ 750.00 NON-refundable deposit. That is NON-refundable…as in…throw the check in the garbage..and light it on fire (should anything happen)!!! My first thought is…HELL NO!!

My second thought is…HELL, HELL NO!!!:mad:

 

I work WAY too hard for my money for this kind of offer!!

 

Kel is worried about losing the beach. I am too…just not $ 750 worried!

 

With the average ceremony lasting 30min…and setup running, say…and hour…they could do 6 weddings on that beach while we are in port.

 

Nope…the deposit will have to wait until AFTER Jan 12, 2014. Once we know we are a “Go”, then I will gladly send the deposit.

 

Let me be fair, by saying that ALL the Destination Wedding Planners require some sort of large, non-refundable deposit…not just WITB.

 

So that $ 750 deposit I reported on a few days ago….was never dropped in the mail.

 

Instead…..I will put that $ 750 towards the balance of our stateroom.

There….at least THAT’s paid for!!:D

 

D & K

[dcarter4]

Hey All!

 

Took a moment away from the wedding stress...and brought back the meaning of all this craziness...getting married.

 

Got a call yesterday from the jeweler. Kel's ring was finished! I checked the account...and ran over during lunchtime. I was just about ready to purchase one of (two) bands for her...(see below)...

...when i got the call.....guess fate stepped in. Engagement ring is ready!

 

I was going to make her wait til Christmas..or at least Thanksgiving...but she's waited long enough.

 

Admit it ladies....Part of the fun (for women) of being engaged...is shoving your wedding ring in other women's faces!!!

 

Don't deny it?!!:D

 

So...I bought a nice bottle of champagne...and gave it to her as a dessert....right after dinner!

 

She's at work right now...shoving it into her co-workers faces.....

 

Later...

Edited November 16, 2013 by dcarter4

[JAC1213]

I'm glad to see everything is working well. I'm sure Kel loved her ring it's truly gorgeous and yes half the fun is showing it off ;) I agree with your decision to wait to make the ceremony deposit that is a lot of money to play with. Waiting for updates.

 

Crystal

[dcarter4]

Hey All!

 

Keep it covered!

 

Well…now the ring is on the finger, our thoughts turn to damage and theft! I’m talking about insurance (although I may be reduced to thievery, in order to pay for all this)!

 

I find the subject about as exciting as watching some dumb “reality” TV show…but it is a necessity.

 

In Kel’s line of work, she must remove her ring daily, or it may be damaged. This makes me very nervous, as she mentions a lot of theft at her job.

Since leaving the ring at home is not an option….insurance is the only way to allow me some sleep.

 

Our jeweler provided us with an appraisal with 48 hours of picking up the ring.

A quick email to our long-time ‘Fear Broker” (i.e. insurance salesmen), and my mailbox was filled with quotes, just an hour later.

 

I scanned then emailed him a copy of appraisal (along with a picture of the ring) and we were set.

 

He will come by to actually view the ring tomorrow…then grab a check…and we are covered!

 

Gents…if you are reading this….DON’T FORGET TO BUY INSURANCE!!

 

Don’t assume your HO insurance will cover it! If you want “Full Replacement Value” coverage….spend the $ 100!!

 

Stateroom Upgrades:

 

Spent the better part of Sunday… researching and fantasizing about upgrading our Celebrity Aqua Class room to a Suite (yes…there was a football game on…no…I didn’t care…).

 

To your obvious query….no….we did not fall into a fist full of cash! We are still where we left off on Friday….Only deposits on the rooms…and about $ 7k needed before Jan12…or the whole deals off (or delayed until fall). No change….no sales…no deals…nada….

 

..Which is why I’m looking at Suites!

 

Folks, I’m the type of guy who needs motivation. I need something (a goal) to look forward to! Sure…just by paying all this off before the deadlines would be enough of a motivating factor…but for me…the looming deadlines…are becoming a bit of a bummer.

 

Depression is setting in.:(

 

To beat the funk…I need to add some WOW!!!

 

Which lead me to a Sunday discovery……Cruiseline websites SUCK!!

 

I used to think that Celebrity had a nice site..and on the surface, it does….but the Devil’s in the details.

 

I wanted a picture or (video) of the recently updated (“Solsticized”) suites on the M-class ships. What I soon discovered is that Celebrity’s website if filled with old info and pictures??!!!

 

You would think, that a website, dedicated to selling you on the luxury that they can offer you (for a price)..would take an hour or two, and update their pictures and text?!!

 

Long story short….I spent a few good hours pounding the internet, looking for the best pictures of the Celebrity Constellations suites.

 

So where did I find them? Right here!!! (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1887789)

 

I have no idea why I looked anywhere else?!!!

 

If you think a picture doesn’t matter….

 

Here’s what Celebrity’s website shows you as a representation of their $ 3,500 Celebrity Suite:

 

[/img]

 

and

 

 

Celebrity...why did you make that so hard?!

 

Seriously, Celebrity….if you need some Website help..in exchange for some a Suite upgrade….give me a call?!!

 

Now…where do I come up with a spare, extra $ 2k to pay for it????!!!

 

Later…

 

D & K

[dcarter4]

Hey All!

 

A little news...

 

Budget:

 

112 days to go…and it doesn’t look good at the moment…...Let’s hope December will be little better?

 

No changes to the budget, since locking in the wedding ceremony. We are holding steady at around $ 12.5k total cost (excluding the Bling…more on that, below).

I will admit to having several cases of depression and panic attacks, lately…but (thanks to Xanax!)..I will survive.

 

I am still unable to generate any real revenue outside of my job. On the bright side…I will get 5 paychecks next month (i’m paid weekly), so theoretically….I should be able to put a chunk towards the “Bill”.

 

January 12, 2014 is the deadline to pay for the cruise. Once we pass that hurdle…it’s all fluff and décor.

 

If we have to cut something out…it will be the wedding décor. The basic wedding on the beach package is just $ 1,595.00…but that’s totally barebones.

 

On the other hand…a plastic archway (that will be used for just 30min) will add $ 700 on to that price!!

[/img]

 

We are FAR from wealthy. The ring alone, took me a year so save for…..!!

 

I think Ms. Kelly will have to live with ONE band for a while....

 

If she’s VERY good (and after I get my new TV)…she might get the second one.(Ladies…if you think this is unfair….then you are just being (I’m sorry)..dumb….and you should prepare for yourself for the second marriage.... right now).

 

Never wag your finger, “No”..in the face of the man…who just put a $ 10k ring on it….Just. Don’t. Do It.

 

Trust me….it won’t end well for you.

 

 

Other stuff:

 

We are still waiting to hear from one of Kelly’s friends. If she can make it…then our issue with what to do with “The Child” will be solved…if not…

 

…things will get complicated.

 

Later…

 

D & K

[dcarter4]

Well....Good News (Finally)!!!

 

Kelly's bestie was able to rearrange her work schedule...she's coming!!!

 

That means Brie (our 16yr old) now has an adult roommate!!!

 

That solves two problems!!

 

We still need to come up with the $$$....but at least we are set for Staterooms!

 

That was just the boost we needed!!

 

I will reserve the room, tomorrow!!

 

More later.....

 

D & K

[JAC1213]

Yeayyyy!!!!! I'm so excited for you... Things are looking up I hope the good news keeps flowing.