I have heard that lots of bridal wear comes from China - don’t know a % but lots. I should ask my DIL - she is a bridal consultant!
A wedding party of 30! Wow! The wedding planning seems to be off with a bang!
Hang in there, @runnersmom. We are here to worry with you. Hugs.
@gasenioryear - that is a BIG wedding!
And @tx5athome - it will be great! Enjoy!
Not sure about the wedding dresses coming from China, but it is certainly possible. (My D’s dress was made by an independent designer based in Chicago. Dress itself was made in U.S.A., but I don’t know where the silk was made.)
Kelsmom, that dress looks classic and lovely
@fretfulmother - where will your wedding be held? Are any attendees traveling internationally?
@jym626 - in the NY/NJ area (on the border of the two, I think technically NY). I don’t think any international. Tons are travelling domestically, including some who have been travelling internationally. I bought two big bottles of Purell…
@fretfulmother, sounds like our weddings are in the same general vicinity (ours is in Westchester, NY). I’m thinking Purell should go in all my welcome bags!
Purell! Great idea for the hospitality bags! But probably not a facemask… 
@runnersmom - that is a good idea! (Purell in welcome bags)
I decided to get the two big bottles and have them out at the aufruf, which I’m running as MOG, and the MOB wants the leftovers b/c she’s putting them out at the wedding on Sunday.
Anecdotally I’ve noticed that the sheer presence of a bottle of sanitizer makes people more aware of things like not sneezing on one another, not grabbing/kissing indiscriminately, washing hands better…
Our aufruf was last Saturday - bride’s SIL is due sometime in the next three weeks so they wanted to have it early. I think I’ll put them in the welcome bags, and maybe find someplace to have them around the rehearsal dinner and reception, as well. Good point about awareness…hadn’t thought about that but I can see where it would happen.
Are they going on a honeymoon? So far there are few travel alerts/flight restrictions for Thailand so their trip is still on. My S1 plans to raise the idea of a back-up plan with S2 during the weekend which has already been impacted by one of his groomsmen having the old-fashioned flu.
No honeymoon that I know of…sheva brachot the next week in various locales, though (all domestic).
Purell is great idea!
Just FYI my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer 3/21/2019 and it is a rare cancer and a cancer that has very low statistics for chemo radiation and the major surgery where the esophagus is removed in the entire digestive system rebuilt.
Please this is not looking for pity in fact it is a congratulations story. 12 weeks chemo and radiation and major surgery this fall and 11 months later he survived everything with no complications and is better than before!
BUT my point is we became obsessive with purell … Had it in every spot in our offices and Home had it at the front and back door had it in every spot in our offices and Home had it at the front and back door, kept one in every purse I owned, he kept one in his pocket every day, we had a huge bottle in the front and back seats in our car.
We used it obsessively and with no fear of hitting anyone’s feelings. Literally if someone walked up to him at church or at a restaurant and shook his hand or my hand while we were still talking to the people we would pull out the purell and put it on our hands
WE NEVER GOT SICK EVEN ONE TIME THIS ENTIRE 11 months!
So starting now have the bride and the groom and parents keep purell everywhere and use it every time anything or any one is touched.
Have it out at the wedding events but have your own personal stock.
It works!!!
Next question for you seasoned vets… i’m about to sign a contract for 15 rooms at the Marriott which is exactly 1.1 mile from where the Greek cathedral and ballroom is located in Atlanta, and 5.1 miles from rehearsal dinner location. I basically am only getting rooms for grooms side that are invited to rehearsal dinner and wedding, which is A need for 15 rooms in addition to the PS and two adjoining bedrooms I am getting for my immediate family.
The price is $129 per night.
Question if everybody is agree to do this and wants to be together… should I be looking for a second cheaper option hotel or just get this option and have everybody book.
Second-for my out-of-town guest that will be coming just on Saturday night I am putting those rooms in the block because what’s the contract is signed we are responsible for 60% of the rooms but even if less than that actually decide to stay at the hotel. So is it rude not to have a special rate blocked for them but instead just have the website list the two closest hotels with two different price options… A Marriott and a courtyard Marriott… and let everyone take care of themselves?
Sorry … used Siri… NOT putting those saturday night rooms in block
Not rude at all – seems like enough hospitality to provide info for “best choices” and leave it at that.
My youngest has a similarly damaged immune system – I carried bleach wipes for hard objects, still open doors with my elbow if I can, etc… It really does help. But put out tissues and garbage cans as well! and stay away from water fountains!
I think $129 is a very reasonable hotel rate, @gasenioryear !
I think with so many options (AirBNB, etc…) just suggesting a hotel is sufficient.
@gasenioryear - I think offering blocks at one hotel is fine. If it doesn’t work for someone, they will be able to find their own lodgings and perhaps utilize other discounts. You folks are on it and it sounds like a great time.
When weddings are in areas with lots of lodging options, there are usually some folks who book elsewhere than the blocked hotels. Daughter booked blocks at two hotels, with the understanding that she was not responsible for all rooms booked, but that the rooms would be released from her booking contract and price point a few weeks before the wedding. We had guests book airBNBs, stay with friends, choose a bed and breakfast, or opt for one of the other 100 hotels in the area. Some made a 3 day weekend out of it and others stayed one night. While a room block helps in some cases, in others an AAA or senior rate comes in at the same cost. In addition to the two blocked hotels, in keeping with the groom’s family tradition, they booked rooms at another hotel (next to one of the others blocked) for all of their guests and treated them. It all works out in the end; worthwhile to eliminate the possibility of not using booked rooms requiring guaranteed payment, especially with an early start on sorting it out with your guests.
On the Purell front, good luck finding it! I’ve been to multiple CVS stores and the shelves are bare…onine isn’t much better.
As for room blocks - our venue is also a conference center so there are on-site rooms available. We negotiated a breakfast included rate (eliminated the need for a separate brunch the morning after the wedding) and I made sure the calculation of guaranteed revenue included revenue generated by reservations not made through the block. When we booked we had to guarantee 80% of the revenue attributed to the rooms we blocked. Now, past the block date, we have easily met that number. I think if you offer blocks at more than one place (and have any kind of guarantee) you may have to meet a minimum at more than one place.