Where do I begin?!

[amalthea]

This is my first time here, so hello to everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience planning a wedding that was to take place overseas? Myself and my fiance got engaged last November and since then we have decided that the best idea for our wedding would be to get married in my home state (vermont). My fiance is Irish and we both live in Ireland. Because we want to keep it a smallish affair (about 55-60 people) we decided to go the U.S. (primarily because he has a HUGE extended family and we want to keep numbers down), but also because it is home for me. Anyway, I don't even know where to begin with planning and how to go about doing it from such a distance. We have set the date for sometime in October, 2007, which may seem far away at the moment, but I'm sure will creep up very quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions on where and when to start with the planning?

[sstark1218]

I don't have much experience other than the fact I am planning my wedding myself. I have found an excellent website to look at: www.ezweddingplanner.com It has almost everything you will need to plan your wedding. Other than that, I just bought a couple bridal magazines and sent away for all the free catalogs in it. From there, you just pick what you like and order it when you can. Hope this helps!

[rainbowtreat]

I am gettign married 7 hours away in a different state then where I live now. I am gettign married in my ome town as well. Even though i have jsut started plannign I am countign on my sister and my mom to help me out alot. If ther eis some one there that can do things for you like looking at reception places and so forth and give you feed back then you could go through them. If you have some oen who woulnd't mind helping you that is. My sister is all for helping me. I know where the reception will be held, ( it is really the ONLY place in my home town) and i have been there more then a few times for different things. I know exactly how the room is set up so i can plan out the setting of the tables and so forth before i even get in there. I will just send money to my sister and have her get it for me for the date i need it . She loves the idea that we are using her back yard to get married in. Hope I helped you little. Good luck

[neeni13]

Yes, the best thing is to have someone to do that leg work for you when it comes to looking at locations that you may have never been to and have them take pictures w/digital cam to email you if they don't have any on their website if they have one. hotels you will be able to book from where you are. Have the friend or relatve drive the distance between the two venues if not al in one location so you will be accurate about timing.

[As You Wish]

This is the perfect example of someone who needs a wedding planner. They can save you money as well as help with the on site details. A good planner will plan the wedding you want, not the one they think you should have. Save your self time, money and hassle and find a pro to help out.