7 months to go MELTDOWN

sandyhorne

So we've had the ceremony booked and reception location booked for 5 months now.  Hilton Hawaiian Village beach for the ceremony (the back drop of diamond head is very important to us), Bali by the Sea for the reception.  I think I told you all that FI is in a National trade group and we were trying to see what we could get on trade.  So last night we get the list and it has a company that does sea weddings, beach weddings, beach receptions, etc.  So I talked to the owner today and it really sounded good.  FI looked at the website and hated the boat idea for the reception after he saw it (can't blame him!), looked at the beach reception and said the "furniture wasn't nice".  It was just white lawn chairs.  I think I may lose it over this one lol.  I showed him pics of the chairs covered and he was happier.  But the bottom line is through this company, on trade, I could do the whole wedding (flowers, cake, photographer, food - everything) for what we originally just budgeted for dinner.  I am concerned about the food maybe not being what I want, but they have different menu's from Luau to sit down.  FI is saying he thinks we need to stick with original plan but I'm thinking we may need to consider a change just on a cost basis.  But then i don't want to cut cost and it nobe what we want.  UGH.  I may truly melt down tonight lol  So....any advice?  Have any of you had a beach reception or planning one? Which beach?

ETweet

Oh, that's a tough one. Money does funny things to us. I know nothing about trade so I don't really know how this all works. What is your gut telling you? Is the discounted price worth what you may have to give up? Maybe you could make a list of pros, cons, needs, wants, etc to help you decide. Remember, this is supposed to be the most important day of your life!

kaesha

I think beach weddings can be beautiful! I think it sounds like the trade off might be quality/cost. I'd go for quality myself.

BoBride28

I agree with making a pros and cons list. For me personally, I think there are definitely ways to cut costs but you don't want to do it in a way where you are going to be unhappy with the overall look of your wedding or the food. I am not familiar with the "on trade" but maybe there are some vendors you can get for this cheaper cost and other things you can just get at normal price?

jujubee96

can you ask the trade company for referrals to customers who have used them? maybe you can talk to or see pics from previous brides who used them (hopefully they have done some wedding events, right?) also ask them how you could possibly taste the food or talk to someone who used their food - the kind you want. good luck sweetie!! don't meltdown, everything is going to be okay!!

M&M's_Maui

If your FI wants to stick to the original plan, I would probably stick to that.  I agree with Kaesha in that I would choose quality over cost, especially if everything still falls into your current budget.  It sounds like you'd be able to still save $$$ if you do the reception with them.  But I would sit down and list out your top priorities for the wedding.  If food is not a priority to you guys, then maybe you're both willing to bend on that.  If it is a priority, then maybe you should look at what your other options are (or do like Jen suggested and ask if you could do some sort of food tasting).  Good luck!  And don't stress!  Just breathe!!!

sandyhorne

Thanks ladies!  I woke up this morning with this huge fever blister stressor on my lip ...ugh lol.  I did see that there were photographers, hair and makeup artists on trade as well so maybe that would just cut costs.  I'm typically 100% quality over cost but I've been trying to figure out  a way to trim the budget since the economy has been so bad.  Food.....we're big "foodies", so to me one of the most important things is food.  I would definitely make sure that is to my liking.  Yes Juju they do tons of weddings and have a coordinator on staff.  FI called and left the owner a message last night.  He's saying we need to stick to the original plan but he wants to talk to him himself and see what options we do have available.  I think the biggest problem for me is - if I have a specific idea in my head, I don't adapt to changing that idea very well (even though in some cases the change may be better).  I've been thinking about this in my head for 5 months and now we're talking about changing the whole thing?!  Just doesn't sit well with me.Thanks for all the words!