So bummed - our date already booked!

So after months of research, we finally submitted our request for our wedding July 17, 2010 at the Grand Palladium: and they're already booked for that date! It's totally a let down, we're set on that date since it's the anniversary of the day we met (yep, we're sappy like that), and I felt like the Grand Palladium was a nice compromise between price for our guests (and they can stay elsewhere if they want to, the only reason we're not going with a Riu) and a beautiful resort.

I emailed the WC about other dates, but we reallly wanted July 17. So we need a backup plan, any help? We want to do our whole (small-10-20 people) wedding/stay/air for around $5000. And I know our guests don't want to pay more than $500/per person for their whole trip (flying from the west coast). I think we can do it with cheapcarribean.com, but I don't want to compromise and get married at a not-so-nice hotel.

So what was your backup location? I woudl go there or reconsider the date. Matt and I met on 12/17, but we knew we didn't want to get married in December. During the first year that we dated, he left flowers on the windshield of my car on teh 17th of every month, so we decided it had to be the 17th. So perhaps you can focus on the 17th and not the month?

We had to change our date and location so many times that I was a total wreck and was to the point of eloping. Seriously we went from Texas to Arizona to the Caribbean to finally Puerto Vallarta and from October to March to November to finally December. When we actually booked, everything just seemed to fall into place. So there is hope! Remember that marriage is about compromising and this is probably one of the first times you will really have to be patient and open minded when finding a date and location. Maybe you could use July 17 for your legal day or AHR... Good luck planning )

Aww bummer - but i think in the end the location is more important that the date and if Grand Palladium is perfect for you guys I think you should stick with it. Now you can have a new date that will be memorable

If you love the resort and it seems like the right place for you and the guests, I would compromise on the date. Why don't you try for the date after and July 17 could be your welcome party? Or, you could have July 17 as your legal date and then head to your DW after. Just a thought...

I would stick with the 17th and not worry so much about the month or maybe you could move it to July 18th. My fi and I actually debate over whether our offical dating day began on July 17th or 18th so I guess in my case either one goes. Or like everyone else says maybe you can do that as your legal day so it keeps its meaning.

You could get married off site and Stay at the Grand Palladium. That way you get to keep your wedding date. I am getting married on July 17 at the GPLH. I reserved way back in April. The date is a combo of our birthdays, 4/7 for me & 6/17 for him, 7/17. I am very sorry the date is full. I think they do several a day. Wow, I guess it is going to be busy.

I also wanted July 17, 2010 so I know of 3 places that have that day available as of 2 days ago. Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, Riu Montego Bay, and Beaches Negril. Good luck!!

Thanks for everyone's support! We decided that we had done a lot of work to find the perfect location (I think I know the rates of every. resort. ever.) and so we moved our date to July 16th. This morning Julian emailed me & we're confirmed for July 16th at the Grand Palladium! BIG sigh of relief!