Getting the Timing Right!! (HELP!!!!)

em105

Hi Everybody!!!

For one, after totally swearing off these pages until I was done with my semester (in case anybody thinks it would be a blast to take a full graduate courseload 'just for fun', it's not-) I'm thrilled to see the same awesome, supportive vibe here.

So, fellow Goddesses-

I still haven't ordered my invitations and am kinda starting to mildly freak out about this...

See, my fiance is a ship's engineer- he's been out to sea since early February and gets back in Mid to Late June.  We held off on our tastings until he was around but it keeps getting pushed out and now our last tasting opportunity he might not be here for.

I want to order the invites ASAP (was going to go with a local artist but I'll be honest- I don't think we have the time so I think we'll just go with Wedding Paper Divas).  Should I just put 'Beef, Chicken, Veg or Fish as the option then send the info on what it is exactly later?

My other option is to just hold off and have everything hopefully able to be finalized by June 25th.  Now, is that too late to order my invitations?

Help!  There must be somebody else in this pickle.

Also, as I read this over-  If my fiance can't be there he's suggested I take a very good male friend of mine who happens to have the same taste in food as my fiance.  I kinda feel weird being there with a dude who's not my finace- should I take my MOH/Sister or best friend instead??  Thoughts? Comments?  Quizzical Looks?

smartlypretty

Hmmmm. My first inclination would just be to put chicken, beef, fish etc. And get the invitations over with. However. How long does wedding paper divas take? Look on the site because maybe you can wait for almost hubby to get back. I'm sending mine out July 1st and they should arrive by mid June. It took me about 4 hours to neatly hand address 65 save the dates. I plan to adress my invites and thank you's at the same time so I'll allot about 8 hours to get it done neatly. I can def do that within a week. How many invites do you have and when do you need to send them? Invitations can go out around 810 weeks in advance.

smartlypretty

That should be 8 TO 10 weeks in advance. I'm on the crappy mobile version

em105

THANK YOU!!!

I'm appreciating the previously mentioned "wedding ettiquette snobbiness" today!!

Sometiems, it's not beinga wedding ettiquette snob, it's just knowing what the socially acceptable guidelines are.

HollyRae28

You really don't HAVE to put beef, chicken, etc. At least I'm not. So you could just order the invitations and hold off on the food tasting until your fiance gets back.

smartlypretty

In Response to Re:Getting the Timing Right!! HELP!!!!:[QUOTE]You really don't HAVE to put beef, chicken, etc. At least I'm not. So you could just order the invitations and hold off on the food tasting until your fiance gets back. Posted by HollyRae28[/QUOTE]

My place wants an approximate count. They will still come around and take orders but they want an idea of what our party will want.

SCogs18

I would go to the tasting with your FI's friend and/or MOH/Mom and make your picks.  Then when FI comes home, you can go again and have him try what you picked!  I'm sure he will be happy with whatever you choose.

We aren't giving our guests an option for dinner.  They will get a duet of filet mignon and crab stuffed shrimp.  We are requesting dietary restrictions be e-mailed to us on our website.

I think you should order your invites ASAP.  I have to address 115 inner and outer envelopes and I anticiapte it taking AT LEAST 10-12 hours.

BMcLeodTeam

This is one of the reasons we decided on a buffet dinner. Getting married in a DW, we won't be able to get up for a tasting until way to close to have known what we would have to offer. This way they can decide when they fill their plate lol

rbwashington2012

If you really want to do the option for what dish, if you have a wedding website, just set up a poll on the different selections beef, chicken, veggie or fish and go from there. And I am so with BMcLeodTeam she is right, buffet style is always the way to go. We are doing that at our wedding as well. The main meat is chicken since hardly no one eats pork, beef is on a limited or can't eat bases and fish is tricky selection on both sides of the family. Mostly veggies and fruit are on the menu due to several diet restrictions, each guest has at least one or two diet restrictions that we know of.

And go ahead and order your invites! Like PP stated find out how long its going to take to get them back so that you have the time to address them and get them out.

volleygurl0306

I'd do some backwards math of the latest you can send out....For example (just throwing out random numbers other than the 8 weeks),  you should send out 8 weeks before your date, take 2 weeks to address, 4 weeks to receive...give yourself 14 weeks before your date.  If that falls before FI gets home, I'd take someone else.  If FI is okay with the male friend and you are comfortable around his, I don't think that is inappropriate.

Two alternative suggestions:
1.  Skip the meal choice.  Our "choice" will be chicken or vegetarian actually.  Chicken was easiest for us because a lot of people don't eat pork (including FI and his fam), beef is difficult because everyone wants it cooked differently, and I know a lot of people that don't like fish.  If you just put chicken and vegetarian on there and then choose what kind of chicken you should be good.

2.  Can you print your own invites?  I'm doing my own over a long period of time because I'm dealing with school right now but don't want to get behind.  If I dedicated 1 full weekend to them though with no distractions they would have long been done.  If you can do them yourself you can probably wait until the last minute to print.  I'd look for a kit you like and keep an eye out for it going on sale (and for ink sales!).

lauraps

I would either order simple food like everyone is saying or what for your fiance to come back. My fiance is out of town and I try to save all the "bigger" details to share with him. You do not want to go with some friend! Either wait or go and pick the basic. If you have time with your wedding date then wait