Opinions anyone?

[kitkat]

My bf and I really want to get married in Niagara Falls. There's a package there that is about 3,000. We think it's a great idea. Lessens the stress, we have kids so we just want to be able to enjoy and relax. Not getting all stressed and everything else.

So here's the deal. We wanted to just elope. But at the same time we want the closest family members and our friends are dear to us there as well as our beautiful children.

What do we do? They have to travel so that means we need to provide food? Kind of like a reception but not. Plus at the same time, both of us have kids. My mother was telling me today, well you'll have to pay for a hotel for the kids. (between the both of us, I have two girls and he has one boy). Plus we have to pay for their way down and all of this..

Like I said there's about twenty people are so coming. Maybe five more. But it's not going to be a big thing.

So if people are travelling and sharing this day, we need to book a restaurant whether it's in the hotel or some other place and pay for their food right?

As far as our kids, we want them there but not in our room. LOL. So we would have to make sure they have a room paid for...

If anyone else wants to stay, they'll pay for their own rooms.
Let me know your opinions.

Thanks.

[EarlyBird]

I gave this advice to someone a couple weeks ago but ill repeat it for you- Alot of places will make up a menu for just you based on what you want to pay- like say you want to pay 15pp tell them and they will pick 3 or 4 things off the menu for you to let your guests order from- then you could make the menus on pretty paper at home. And tell them you would like a drink fixed price too- for example 2$ per person for all soft drink, teas etc. Then as far as liquor- just bring in champange for the champange toast-They dont even have to have anything to do with it :)
Also, i would handle it like a regular wedding- tell everyone that you have blocked out hotel rooms (alot of places wil let you do it even if your not getting married at their hotel) and airfar (not sure how far you are from the falls and if you/your guests will need to fly, but American airlines gives 5% discount for wedding guest flights if you call and get a code from them) and let everyone know you have done all you can to accomodate them and not put yourself out- Maybe if someone is going to watch the kids you could offer to pay for their room- like one of your parents or something- i dont know? But it would seem that the 25 people that you are that close to will have no problem spending that money for a couple nights.
Really it sounds nice and should be just fine- but does that 3k pa for a photog too?

[kitkat]

I gave this advice to someone a couple weeks ago but ill repeat it for you- Alot of places will make up a menu for just you based on what you want to pay- like say you want to pay 15pp tell them and they will pick 3 or 4 things off the menu for you to let your guests order from- then you could make the menus on pretty paper at home. And tell them you would like a drink fixed price too- for example 2$ per person for all soft drink, teas etc. Then as far as liquor- just bring in champange for the champange toast-They dont even have to have anything to do with it :)
Also, i would handle it like a regular wedding- tell everyone that you have blocked out hotel rooms (alot of places wil let you do it even if your not getting married at their hotel) and airfar (not sure how far you are from the falls and if you/your guests will need to fly, but American airlines gives 5% discount for wedding guest flights if you call and get a code from them) and let everyone know you have done all you can to accomodate them and not put yourself out- Maybe if someone is going to watch the kids you could offer to pay for their room- like one of your parents or something- i dont know? But it would seem that the 25 people that you are that close to will have no problem spending that money for a couple nights.
Really it sounds nice and should be just fine- but does that 3k pa for a photog too?

Yes it includes the photos too.
so if we blocked hotel rooms that mean we have to pay for that or?

[bichonlvr]

ELOPE :)

HA HA!

No in all seriousness, you only have to do what YOU GUYS want to do!!!!

You do not have to pay for the hotel rooms, people will make a vacation out of it!

[SouthernQueenBride]

You do not have to pay for their rooms, but you should provide the food (1 dinner after the wedding) if people travel to come. And to me, you would call this a destination wedding not eloping b/c people would be coming along and are "in the know" about it. Right? I could be wrong? I don't know ... it has been a long day!

Either way - it sounds like a good deal to me and a fun time for all involved.
Keep us posted! (And welcome to Onewed!)

[kitkat]

LOL ok well I guess it's a small wedding then.
Just we really want our kids there.

Uhm the other thing we were thinking is having a babysitter attending the wedding as well.

So we would book and pay for a hotel room for them, bring lots of toys, games, DVDs, snacks, whatever. After dinner (short time thereafter) babysitter would take all 3 of our kids up to the room so the adults can enjoy some time visiting.

Ages will be 4, 6 and 8.
There are other people possibly bringing their kids. Over 10 and 6.
I basically said that they can go up to the room to relax or whatever but
really if they are being watched the parents should give alittle money for the service the babysitter is providing.

What do you think of that? Opinions?
I just don't want it to get sticky.