Wedding Blog
That’s right, our wedding is one month away. I don’t even know where the time has gone! Luckily, things in the Quiche wedding planning household have been smooth sailing!
I have one of those daily desktop calendars at work, and it contains a French phrase for the day. Looking ahead and hoping to find one about love on or around our wedding day, I came across this phrase for May 1st: “J’ai perdu mon passeport”, which translates to, “I lost my passport”. And for the day we’re flying out, the phrase is: “Je n’ai qu’un sac de cabine”, or, “I only have carry-on luggage”.
These are two things that BETTER not happen to us (or our guests!). Mr. Quiche and I were actually talking about passports this morning. It was something to the effect of hoping that certain guests actually have them. Yes, it’s a foreign country (and it’s on our wedding website… which no one looks at, BTW), but we are still worried that some people either don’t have them, or won’t think to bring them. We are planning on sending out an informational email a week or so before the wedding, kind of like a newsletter of times, activities, etc. But, then it will be too late to remind people to make sure they have a passport.
Should I send a reminder email to everyone, or do you think that seems too… I don’t know… belittling?
As for the other phrase of the day: luggage. Originally, we were flying Air Jamaica, who isn’t on the pay-to-check-a-bag bandwagon. In fact, they are a throwback to the days of checking 2 bags for free! Mr. Quiche and I were excited to load up our largest suitcases with all of our goods. Then, our coordinator told us not to be “obvious” that we’re having a wedding, because customs in Jamaica has been known to try to weasel money out of people by claiming they are trying to sell items (especially bulk ones - like OOT bags, favors, etc.) for a profit. So they “tax” the crap out of you. Then, Air Jamaica decided to cancel all Wednesday flights. We found this out while I was in Paris last week. Mr. Quiche came to the rescue, however, and we are now booked on (cheaper!) flights on American, who unfortunately has the pay-for-luggage rule.
What to do, what to do! We are planning on spreading out the wedding goods amongst a group of people in order to not get harassed in customs. The white garment bag that contains my dress will “surely set them off”, according to our coordinator. Do I stuff it in a potato sack?
So everyone, I guess this turned into a trials and tribulations of a Destination Wedding post. We are not discouraged, though! And I consider myself to be very lucky to have such a smooth wedding planning process, even with one month to go and things to do. I’m lucky.
If you had a destination wedding, how did you handle going through customs?
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So we are flying American for our honeymoon and we were told that luggage is free on international flights- did you ask? OR did they change their policy since I booked our flights last fall?
I would remind people about the passports and the paying for luggage. As someone who doesn’t travel much the whole paying for checking in your luggage isn’t something I have had to deal with yet.
As far as your wedding dress can you put the white bag into one of those hanging luggage things (I know descriptive) would that even help I have never gone through customs.
1. I would send an email out! I personally have had my passport for years, but one time just weeks prior to going international I “checked” for my passport and discovered it went MIA!!! ACK! I had to apply for a replacement and pay all the RUSH fees!
2. Are they going to steam the dress when you arrive? I packed mine into a carry on bag, maybe you can or cannot do this, and had it steamed when I arrived. You could use a different garment bag too…
Good Luck on the last minute planning!
Glad you’re taking things in stride. May is coming up sooo fast.
and hey, how was paris?! hope we get to see some pics 
I’d remind your guests - I don’t think it’s belittling. I think I’d be happy you reminded me
Oh, I would definitely remind people about the luggage and especially the passports. Another one? Most definitely remind people that the 3-1-1 policy is still in place for carry ons! That is, you can have 3oz liquids/gels/goops in one 1-qt. sized ziploc. I think this only applies to flying in/out of the States (I could be wrong, as I think I ran into this in Europe too) BUT totally remind people. My parents don’t fly very often and they had no idea….!
Can you take your dress yourself, but have a friend or two carry over your oot bags and other wedding stuff so it’s not quite so obvious? (pay for the luggage though, bc otherwise it’s kinda mean!).
You should definitely remind them! At least with a month to go they still have a little time to rush items and get things settled so they can make sure they are there for your big day! How exciting - 1 month!!
Seriously, remind them! It’s not belittling–they’ll be grateful even! Regarding the dress, maybe put it in a dark bag instead? Say it’s a party dress?
I’m sooooo excited for you! Just one month! Woooohooo!!!
One month left, its amazing how time goes by. If you get a chance though, I’d try emailing your guest as a friendly reminder about passports.
I think you could play it off as a joke with the guests regarding the passports. Perhaps you could make up a little story and say something like “Guess what we forgot to update … our passports! Just wanted to remind you guys in case yours needs an update!” You could also let them know about your Wednesday flight cancellation situation and hopefully help a few of them out if they were planning to fly on Wednesday.
Can’t you still check 2 bags for free if you’re traveling internationally? I thought it was just domestic you had to pay.
@Miss Peep Toe: @Miss Rye Bread: yeeeeah…so didn’t even think about that!!
So I’m guessing that your wedding date is the same as mine!! Yay date twins!!
i say remind yr guests - they’ll appreciate it.
our guests are flying too and luckily with reminders, some have realized their passports are expired, or some need to apply for one.
definitely remind your guests, even if it makes them upset, think of how upset they would be if they got to the airport and it was expired or mia!
i think a reminder email would be good for all. there is still enough time for those who aren’t used to traveling to get a passport if they dont already have one. some people might think you don’t need a passport for Jamaica (i don’t think you did in the past). i little reminder email can’t hurt!
ps. im exactly a month away from my wedding too! although our wedding isn’t overseas, it’s still somewhat destination - it’s in philly (my home town) my fiance is from minnesota, we live in atlanta, and we have friends in DC too! most people are traveling, and we’re headed straight to Jamaica for our honeymoon. i’m having my dress shipped to philly, but i’m so afraid of packing for such a long and demanding trip! maybe i should start today…LOL.
We stuffed (sadly, that is the right verb) my beautiful gown into a carry-on suitcase. Actually the owner of the atelier where I purchased my gown did the stuffing for me (I couldn’t bare to do it) hours before I went to the airport. I took it out the second I got to the hotel and then had someone come to professionally press it. The atelier owner has a lot of DW brides and she said she “stuffs” them into carry-ons for everyone as she’s known some brides that have been turned away with their big garment bag or forced to put a garment bag under the plane (cringe again!!). It worked out fine and I loved my dress.
@Erin: Oh no! Although, I have thought of doing the same thing. The resort has a steamer, and frankly, the material is such that hanging it in the bathroom and putting the shower on HOT should steam out the wrinkles. It’s nice to hear that you had an okay experience with it!
Yay for one month countdown… I just hit the 2 month but I’m glad you are still calm about the planning process. I’ll take that as a good sign and hopefully it will turn out nice for me too!
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Mrs. Quiche, Chicago/Montego Bay
Age and Occupation: 28, Interior Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 42, Telecom Guru
Engagement Date: July 2, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: Coyaba Resort, Montego Bay
About Me: I love Chicago and can’t imagine living anywhere else (Well, except Paris. Or anywhere in France, for that matter!). I’m a full-time worker, part-time student, soon-to-be-step-mom, indie music lovin’, architecture and design fanatic, macaroni and cheese addict, vegetarian, Francophile, Ohio State football obsessed, wedding planning girl. Mr. Quiche and I are “Partners-in-Crime” and cannot wait to celebrate our marriage surrounded by our family and closest friends. I plan on DIYing my little heart out (or as much as a suitcase to Jamaica will hold).
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