Thank You OzBargain For Getting Me This Far! +* OzBargain My Wedding, Engagement + HoneyMoon! *

The Wololo Wombat on 10/07/2017 - 14:03
Last edited 10/07/2017 - 14:14

Ever since a friend introduced me to this community in 2015 when he got free tickets to the BNE food and wine show with free parking via this deal: www.ozbargain.com.au/node/213097, I've been hooked!

I wanted to take the time to say thank you to this amazing community! I wouldn't be where I am today without Ozbargin. Here is a just a small sample:

You've been there for me when I needed it most:
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/250244 (hair loss)
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/269174 (ice addicted tenant)

You've been a vital part of many important decisions!
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/296790 (European holiday)
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/309358 (buying a house)
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/273513 (engagement ring)

More importantly, you've helped me get the girl!
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/255347 (free Gold Class)
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/317090 (restaurant deals)
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/303613 (VERYYYY stylish suit ;) )

Which is why as of last Thursday, I am currently engaged! Normally, I wouldn't share photos with strangers, but I'm very excited, so here's a sample http://imgur.com/a/kYc0m. I even used some Ozbargain deals to get ideas and discounts for some aspects of the proposal!

My fiancee and I have just bought a house which settles next month (one which will be decked out with OzBargain inspired appliances! https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/311389, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/311389, www.ozbargain.com.au/node/277338)

As you can imagine, things are SUPER tight (financially) for us; we're getting married in December (we're both school teachers and this is school holidays)! Parents have generously said that will be assisting with $10k of expenses, but the rest is on us!

So we'd love your ideas and suggestions for the engagement party, wedding and honeymoon! What I've discovered from Ozbargain is that you CAN have a five star experience on a 3* budget, it's just a matter of knowing where to look…..

P.S. we both live in Brisbane and our dream honeymoon would be an overwater bungalow in a place like the Maldives… I've managed figure out how to get flights for ~$750 each using frequent flyer points, (www.ozbargain.com.au/node/279129 ; thanks again Ozbargain!) and scoot from the GC! It's just a matter of getting a resort now…

Home & Garden

Comments

  • v2 on 10/07/2017 - 14:14
    +2

    congratulations!! try luxury escapes for deals on Maldives over water bungalow deals

    • The Wololo Wombat on 10/07/2017 - 14:23
      +1

      Thanks mate! I've looked into this. Gave them a call and the deal finishes on Wednesday, so I've gotta get in quick! https://luxuryescapes.com/centara-ras-fushi-resort-spa-maldi…

      Problem is, for our dates (12 Dec-18th) it will cost $6600, which is over $900pn. All inclusive (inc alcohol) is good though! Does anyone have experience with the Maldives? Resorts to stay or avoid?

      Maybe I am being a little too ambitious… maybe I should opt for a garden view room (not overwater)?

  • beerpara on 10/07/2017 - 14:14
    +3

    Ozbargain themed engagement party. BYO Eneloops.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 15:57
      +1

      He's saving the eneloops for the honey moon

    • lippy on 11/07/2017 - 21:05

      and Dysons!

  • Lando on 10/07/2017 - 14:18
    +4

    "There's nothing more sickening than a man in love"

    Congratulations.

    • John Kimble on 10/07/2017 - 14:24
      +4

      *Unless it's with ozbargain.com.au

  • altomic on 10/07/2017 - 14:25
    +5

    Top Wedding Tip : Bikies are excellent caterers.

  • djkelly69 on 10/07/2017 - 14:27
    +2

    Great post and congrats!!

    our dream honeymoon would be an overwater bungalow in a place like the Maldives…

    I read somewhere Cook Islands has some overwater bungalows and is supposed to be the cheaper/closer than the Maldives. But have not actually looked into this.

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 10/07/2017 - 14:37
    +1

    Congratulations and welldone for the post. So happy for you.
    Love to share, share to love!!
    Enjoy your new life.

  • dasher86 on 10/07/2017 - 14:38

    Congratulations.
    as for a Honey Moon I would suggest going to some of the islands off Cambodia.

    • The Wololo Wombat on 10/07/2017 - 14:43
      +1

      Thanks! Why do you suggest this?

      • dasher86 on 10/07/2017 - 14:53
        +1

        value for money would be up there.
        but the islands are quite untouched compared to Thailand etc.
        Koh Rong Samloem
        Koh Rong
        Quite tranquil at night it will feel like your own private beach.

        It also gives you a chance to do some travelling in Cambodia if you were so inclined.
        Something a bit different to Maldives, Hawaii etc

        • Blahness on 10/07/2017 - 15:08

          "Quite tranquil at night it will feel like your own private beach." - completely agreed especially on koh rong samloem. Sunsets are also amazing

          koh rong itself, a 30 min speed boat ride away has a party/club area if you feel like it.

  • momov3 on 10/07/2017 - 14:48
    +1

    Congratulations - and later if you need advice about having children, I will gladly chip in!!

    • The Wololo Wombat on 10/07/2017 - 14:49
      +1

      Mum, is that you?!?

      Haha. Jks Jks, 27 now. Kids are a while away, but look for a post in 5-7 years time ;)

      • Adz81 on 10/07/2017 - 20:30
        -1

        Instead of kids, there are dozens of dogs looking for a forever home… Cheaper, better behaved, way easier to get dog sat and way less likely to disappoint… Just a suggestion :D

  • donbot on 10/07/2017 - 14:48

    If you really want to OzB your honeymoon, probably try and avoid getting married in December as Christmas & New Years will heavily inflate your costs. Is December a good time to visit Maldives weather wise? What about other locations that might be as picturesque and over beautiful water, but without the cost?

    How are you taking early December off school holidays? Is it unpaid leave? You could possibly save more by taking a spell of unpaid leave at another time of year with cheaper flight/accommodation costs - school holidays are notoriously more expensive.

    Wedding costs will depend on how much you want to do yourself, size, plans, location, etc.

    I've OzB'd my wedding next year as much as possible whilst keeping the other half happy, but I've screwed every last dollar out of the honeymoon costs having had the opportunity to plan around accumulation and use of FF Points well in advance of bookings opening up so that I was ready to pounce the second they opened up. Had about 10 months to plan this project prior to availability opening up and its come off almost perfectly (some flights didnt open up as hoped, but alternates were found). To do this on late notice will be difficult, but could provide another option. Eg. Buying SPG Points and redeeming for high-cost rooms might be a cheaper alternative to paying the rate quoted if you just pay for the hotel.

    • The Wololo Wombat on 10/07/2017 - 15:00
      +1

      These are very good points, thank you!

      I could consider getting married later, but we are really keen to make it a short engagement. Our school holidays start early Dec in QLD.

      What is SPG points? I've never heard of them and are intrigued!

  • Blahness on 10/07/2017 - 14:51
    +2

    The photos are very nice!

    • John Kimble on 10/07/2017 - 15:02
      +4

      Disappointed you didn't propose in the floral suit though… :p

  • bigeater on 10/07/2017 - 15:52
    +1

    Congrats OP! I think there is a deal on going on Luxury Escapes for Maldives. $3k for 5 nights stay with ALL meals included. Check it out.

  • donga100 on 10/07/2017 - 17:12

    Use Uber Select instead of a hire car for your wedding. Sure, it won't have any ribbons or tin cans hanging off it but will be a lot cheaper.

  • PJC on 10/07/2017 - 17:18
    +1

    More importantly, you've helped me get the girl!

    Impressive!

    • Savas on 10/07/2017 - 20:18
      +5

      yep been wondering whether OzBargain good for getting girls, usually saying I post woolworths catalogues on the internet isn't much of a turn on… maybe OP can share some tips?

  • sam-1966 on 11/07/2017 - 13:10
    +1

    Congratulations - very stylish proposal!

    A friend of mine booked a restaurant for the reception and said they were bringing their own cake for dessert - never mentioned the W word and it worked out much cheaper.

  • frazel on 11/07/2017 - 18:39

    Hi OP

    Sounds like we are in similiar circumstances. I moved to Brisbane 3 years ago, purchased a house 18 months ago, and go engaged 8 months ago, to be married in 3 months.

    So im about 6 months or so ahead of you.

    I have looked at many options and ended up going to Maldives with the $4000 Centara deal they had on. This was (is?) an incredible deal. I also got cash rewards $230 back.

    The cheapest way (im a bit of a flight guru) was to BNE to SIN to BKK to Male. However, I decided not to be so tight and wanted to spend time in Phuket, so I went BNE to BKK to Male. I went with Thai airways (BNE to BKK return) then Air Asia to Male.

    My total flights are this, Brisbane > Bangkok > Male > Bangkok > Phuket > Bangkok > Brisbane. Including baggage was $2700 for two people.

    The other destinations I looked at are Thailand (Phuket is super cheap!), Phillipines (Oslob) and Vietnam.

    Have a look at Club Med. They have some pretty good deals which are all inclusive

    • The Wololo Wombat on 11/07/2017 - 21:20

      Wow! Congratulations mate! Super happy for you :)

      Sounds like we would get along, we seem very similar! Thanks for the flight tips mate, very helpful :) Did you do an overwater bungalow? Or did you opt for the staying on the island?

      • frazel on 11/07/2017 - 21:36

        Thanks, likewise.

        We got the overwater bungalow, thought stuff it. The trip will be a oncer, so why not.

  • Chik5555 on 16/07/2017 - 22:02

    Congratulations, beautiful photos!

  • anastasiastarz on 23/07/2017 - 03:40

    What type of wedding are you after? If you go DIY or ask friends you can save quite a bit, though there are things that you should spend more on like a real photographer as oppose to a student. Is it a weekday affair? Since it's December I'd say the training schools are closed, but if your wedding was during semester you could get a student to do hair and makeup significantly cheaper.

    Happy to answer any wedding questions, I'm an events planner. ;)

    • The Wololo Wombat on 09/08/2017 - 17:21

      Hey, sorry for the late reply! I did see this straight away :)

      We are locked into the 9th of December now. We're doing it on a weekend - I appreciate your offer! If I do hit any road block, I'll pm you :)

  • sam-1966 on 09/08/2017 - 15:50

    Hey, The Wololo Wombat,

    Just found this on Cudo - hope it helps with the honeymoon.

    http://getaways.cudo.com.au/finolhu-resort-maldives-2

    • The Wololo Wombat on 09/08/2017 - 17:19

      Hey thanks so much mate! That is certainly something to consider - bigtime!

      • sam-1966 on 09/08/2017 - 17:23

        Have all meals and drinks (incl alcohol!) makes it look like a pretty good deal.

  • sam-1966 on 10/08/2017 - 18:37

    Just found this on 'Simple Savers' facebook page. Don't know if you are planning on having a limo (we didn't - just a couple of borrowed cars).

    "I got a quote for a limo for my wedding for $900. I booked it for a "family tour" same company, same day, same time - $300! Driver looked really surprised to see us dressed in wedding gear but we tipped him well and he didn't say a thing"

    Wonder if it works for school formals?

    • The Wololo Wombat on 10/08/2017 - 21:30

      Haha that's great! I'll do this for sure :)

  • breannareilly on 03/06/2019 - 08:37

    Hey, keen to know what you ended up doing for your honeymoon!

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