Need help!

Hello Everyone, I am attempting to plan my wedding at the Riu Ocho Rios in Jamaica. I am having difficulty with keeping the cost down for guests since we have to go over the christmas holidays. We are looking at well over $2000, is this too much to ask guests to pay? I love the resort and have tried to down grade but I really don't want to. Any suggestions?

I think if your guest are in need of a vacation it isnt too much. You may not get a lot of guest if its over their usual vacation budget so you need to make sure that you will be okay with fewer guest. I think that if you love a particular resort then you should go for it. Dont accept less than what you really want.

I would say it depends. There are a number of different factors I would take into consideration.

Does that include airfare and the resort? And it depends on how long you guys are staying. And is that price per person or based on double occupancy?

We're going to SGOR, but the trip is costing each of our families $3k - $4k. BC of the cost, it's just our immediate families going. Definitely stay at the resort you want to - it's your wedding, after all. Just be sure to give people plenty of notice, and those who are in need of a vacation, and were just waiting for the perfect excuse, will go. I know that for our families the big selling point of our wedding in Jamaica was that they've never been there before. In fact, FI's parents haven't been off the east coast before! It'll be an adventure!

I was told if people want to come they will!! If they can't afford it they won't come. My guests are using it as a vacation. So each couple is ok with paying the money.

I think at 2000$ those who really want to go will...it's not 200$ that would make a difference

My fiancee and I decided that doing a destination wedding was what we wanted. If family/friends could come, that would be an added bonus. . but if not. . it was still the wedding we wanted. We picked a travel agent and then our guests went through her, picking packages in their price range. Some are flying in on the day before the wedding and leaving the day after.. others are staying longer. Have the wedding YOU want, you only have one shot to get it right! lol

I think people are going to view it as a vacation regardless! Who wouldn't want go to Paradise in the middle of the winter?!?! I would rather go over the winter than the middle of the summer! You are giving people a lot of time to plan and save so I wouldn't worry!!

I think the only way you could save money is by changing the date. That is the peak travel season, so everything is more expensive!

If that is the date you want and the resort you want, be prepared to have a smaller guest list.