Opinions on the "Wedding Lottery".. Is there any kind of moral etiquette?

[fearthisinc]

So we got engaged this past June and were now looking into weddings.. It is my understanding that with the Wishes package you can put your name in 16 months in advance but will not be finalized until 12 months.. When they explained the "lottery" system we started thinking.. The coordinator said we had to pick 4 dates that included time and location preference.. We did not have that figured out yet but we were figuring October 2014 would have been a good time as it gives us enough time to thoroughly plan and prepare.. When we said October and how we were set on a certain day of the week/time of the week they informed us that one of those days already had someone put down as interested in that date.. So is there any kind of moral etiquette with this? I feel horrible with the idea of knowing that someone picked that date/time and then putting our names down as well.. However at the same time I know that most people wouldnt think twice if I had my name in for a date and they also wanted it.. Just wondering what others thought about it.. Is it "wrong" to put your name in knowing that someone else already had interest in that date/time/location? I mean technically that person was first to choose that date? In most places its first come first serve.. Also I was curious if its possible that you could not get any of your choices? I mean they ask you to put in for 4 different dates, times, or locations but what if each time there is a lottery? Is it possible that you could lose each? We are set on a Saturday event with 5pm ceremony.. Open to the earlier ceremony at 230 but again preference is 5pm..

 

[sambycat]

it would be wrong if you knew this person and they were planning a wedding and you decided to get married the same day or something like that, otherwise, someone everywhere probably wants to do something at the same time you do, that’s why there is a lottery.

that said, there would be much communication between you and a planner in the event that your time and date and location are spoken for my multiple people so that if, when the time comes, you have flexibility, then be all means, choose something else?

we got married on a tuesday morning, that worked for all our plans and budget. i think i would have kept a bit of flexibility in my planning had i been concerned ours was a popular date/location. i would be wiling to adjust my own plans earlier on for a had date confirmation earlier (or at least the confirmation that there was no lottery), DFTW does so many things well, but the whole booking process is already adding to this weird air of unconfirmed-ness (TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY!!!!) that i would cling to anything that gave me solidity in planning.

so, have dates and back ups in mind. we actually weren’t asked for x number of choices as far as i can recall. when we finally could talk with someone, it was pretty easily confirmed that our general plans were available.

 

[purplegirl1818]

Also, just because another bride has interest in it doesn't mean it's her number 1 choice. It could be one of the four she chose. Plus there's the chance that they don't go through with the DFTW too. I think giving them your name for that day is fine.

Good luck!