DCL - Help with Save the Dates!!

[bncdream7814]

Hi everyone! I'm 100% new to the DIS board. I'm impressed with how much useful information can be found on here! My fiance and I just decided on a DCL wedding. We put a deposit down and set a date - 7/8/14!! We are so excited! However, I'm struggling with the best way to handle save the dates. I want to give my guests (we're thinking 40-50) plenty of time to book the cruise and make their travel arrangements. I was thinking of sending save the dates and then a link to our website (which we still have to make) with all the details. Is that the best approach? Would an e-mail be better? What about my single friends? I want to give them a plus one, but how do I say that in a save the date? I would appreciate any suggestions! Even things not to do are welcome. Thanks!!

 

[andeesings]

Congratulations!!! I think you could probably do both-- but send the paper one first maybe, ASAP??? Also-- address them to your single pals-- Miss Trixie Lafoss & Guest. They'll get the hint!! That's the way I've gotten my +1!!

 

[sambycat]

Congrats! I'm assuming that if you put down a deposit, your sail date is open for booking to the general public? Cruise prices traditionally increase quite steadily and rarely are there last minute deals or discounts that surpass booking early. I would imagine that as a dcl bride, the best thing for your guests is to book as early as possible so I personally would not do a save the date per se - just send the invites? I would probably do an invite/informational email explaining the cruise, how/where to book it and outling prices and that type information, then follow up with my traditional invite?

 

[1EvilQueenfan]

What we did was verbally tell the important people and gave them a heads up at about a year out. This was before we even booked our cruise. Then for the actual Save The Dates I sent out an email that had a newsletter attached. The newsletter had all info for the cruise itself along with our website info. I then sent out the formal invite maybe a month or two later. Some people did RSVP from the STD email.

I hope this helped.
Jodi

 

[sambycat]

Also, just thinking here, people do have to get travel documents etc together so you would want to send things out ASAP? I'm not familiar with the pricing options on dcl weddings for the actual wedding (given that most meals are included in the vacation not sure how a guest count affects your wedding/cost) Are you paying for the cruise? Who is making the plans - you? A travel agent? Individual invitees? A cabin is cheaper based on double occupancy. Maybe people on your guest list want to bunk together or travel with other friends (even though their cabin mates aren't wedding guests per se)?

There are several threads about cruise brides - I'm sure you can find some examples there!

 

[bncdream7814]

Thanks everyone for the input! One of my family members is an expert in graphic design. He said he can have the save the dates out by early next week. That should give me some time to get the website up and running as well as let the important people know the details. I don't think I need to official head count until May. So that gives people some time. But I agree, the more time I give people the better.

Does any one have any samples of their STDs or creative ideas?

 

[bncdream7814]

Right now we are working with a DCL cast member. Do you think it'd be better to go through a travel agent?