HI wedding in 6 months. Realistic? Need advice!

Iruska

Hi everyone,glad I've come across this board as I am in desperate need of opinion and advice from others (my fiance I think is not very realistic in how much work and planning actually goes into a wedding:). We live in Western US but thinking about doing destination wedding in HI, most likely in Maui or Oahu. For certain external reasons (not pregnancy though!:) we dont want to wait past April-ish of 2010. Considering now is beginning of October, what do you think about:- is it realistic to plan a small nice and budget friendly wedding in about 6 months? We do not have anything planned as of this point. Our guest list will be all out of towners, and about 12-15 people at most- we will not be able to do a trip to HI beforehand. Is it too risky to plan everything long distance? Which aspects you think would carry the most risk? So, are we being totally crazy in trying to pull it off within such short period of time? If we are going to go for it, what would your suggestions be? thanks!

tifani27

Hey and welcome!!! I did the exact same thing you are doing, in April we decided to have our wedding in Nov on Maui, and here we are one month away. I think it is very very very do-able! I did it all by myself and pretty much had everything booked in 2 months. I mean the people in Hawaii usually will tell you that 6 months out booking stuff is ahead of time. It's not like the mainland how you have to book stuff a year out! I don't think you should be worried at all. Are you doing a beach wedding or what type of event are you looking for. We have about 30 people inculding us coming to our wedding and it was super easy, I got a travel agent and a WC first and then the rest I just researched tons and tons and tons on the internet and the board here of course, and it was easy peesy lemon squezy! These boards are super helpful and I think you will find that the Hawaii KNotties are super friendly and helpful! Our budget was about 7K and that includes our travel and we are doing a LU'au for the reception which is about 90 bucks a person so thats why it is a lot but I think you could do a budget friendly wedding for 12-15 people easy! hope this helps! you can check out my bio by my picture if you want more info!

tifani27

Oh I would reccomend picking a date ASAP and getting it out to your guests so they can start looking for flights and such!

Iruska

Tifani, thank you so much for you response! I feel much better now knowing that it is totally impossible and crazy to plan it all in 6 months. We havent decided on beach vs. non-beach, but view of the ocean would be an important thing (one of the reasons we would want to do it out of our landlocked hometown). You are right on setting the date ASAP. Guests I am sure would appreciate having enough time to scout for cheap tickets and such.I think this board will be my best friend for the next few months:)

tifani27

It will be trust me!!! We are doing ours on the beach which saves some $$$, no renting a venue or tables or anything like that which is another reason we are doing a Lu'au for the reception, no centerpieces, or tables or decorations, that stuff can add up fast even when you DIY it. I have DIY'ed a ton of my stuff and things still just add up!!! Good luck with everything!

jujubee96

Welcome!! It's totally possible, and this board is a great resource.  Shortcuts because advice on the best caterers or restaurants, officiants, locations, etc. But yeah, I would decide beach vs. non beach... outside vs. inside, hotel vs. somewhere else... soon, and then post again asking for recommendations of whichever kind of site you pick.  Then book the site (if it is a beach, you "book" by getting a permit from Hawaii State).... if you are willing to compromise about photog, etc., everything else - i.e., have a date set and find someone free on that date (vs. wanting someone in particular and doing a date that suits them) - then you should send out save the dates as soon as possible... but 5 months before is okay.... 6 months better.Then book everything else after that.  Does that make sense?  There are plenty of vendors in Oahu (Oahu is generally cheaper, cost of wedding and travel-wise), so you don't need to worry that you won't find anyone at all.  At least that's been my experience.Food will be easy to find.  Many might consider photography just as important as ceremony and reception venue to have solidly booked before you send out the STD.Think about what you absolutely must have on that day, get those things set, and then let your guests know about the date!

amyj513

Totally possible! I was engaged for 12 months and didn't do anything till the 6 month mark anways!  Set a date and send out save the date cards ASAP so your guests can start asking for time off and looking at flights.  I am planning my wedding totally from afar as well.  This board has been my saving grace.  Really none of it would have been possible without these guys!

kaesha

Welcome!Of COURSE you can do it! I didn't do any trips either, and it turned out pretty well I think (in my humble opinion). You just need to be quick with a few decisions: location & date. As soon as you've booked that, you're golden!

Iruska

Thank you to all of you ladies for advice and encouraging words! We'll get on deciding date and place first thing, and then I'll be back scouting for help on more specifics:)Funny thing is that I always rolled my eyes when heard friends stressing out about planning their weddings, and now that I am in that boat, I can see that it can be! Though its still lots of fun, and I am looking forward to go through the whole planning and deciding process! Thanks again to all of you!

destiny1108

Congratulations and welcome to the board.  Yes, it can be done!   When we met our WC during our planning we were concerned with time (we had 8 months to plan) but she told us the hardest part was making decisions and that shes done weddings for a few hundred people in less than 2 months time and even had a couple from Italy once that wanted to get married the next day!

carrieoz_76

Actually, in calling around to wedding coordinators and restaurants for reception dinners, most tell me that people book about 6 months out, so you're fine.  Once you have an idea of what you want and a budget, I recommend deciding on whether you want a WC - if you do, they'll help you pick flowers, make vendor selections, etc.  If you don't, you'll do that yourself (and pick your officiant, get your license, and get your beach permit - if you do a beach wedding).  I've found it actually helps to call around and talk to them to get an idea of what types of weddings they generally do, then once I know generally what I want make the call on who to go with.

enteringparadise

I think if you can find a reception location for the date you want, go for it! Im from Hawaii but currently living out of state and have been planning from afar as well. My family lives on Oahu and I have cousins in Kuai in Princeville. Having family on the islands helps but you can do it just by using recommendations. We Went out once to meet with a few places but the rest we just have to deal with. We are bringing out our photographer from Illinois where we are currently living and she was able to help us because she was also familiar with the islands. I have found Yelp in addition to the knot to be a godsend.