Rising travel costs - any hassle from guests?

This is definitely a concern. I feel so guilty! I am just hoping that everyone can get their tickets in advance to get the best fare possible. Another concern is the horror stories I have heard about people booking a year in advance and then their flight getting canceled last minute and having to pay full price! Many of my guests would not be able to afford it if that happened.

oh yeah i lost almost half of our invited guest but now its down to really close friends and family so im ok with it!

We sent our STDs out a year in advance, but since the flight schedules were not available yet people couldn't start booking until the beginning of this year. A little more than half of the immediate family we expected to attend booked pretty early, as well as, some close friends and they got good deals (actually a lot cheaper than the price my TA quoted me based on '07 rates). The rest of our immediate family and some friends said they would be coming, but none of them have requested quotes or booked their trips yet. We sent out invites out in June and gave until August 15 for a reply by date, so I don't know if the rest of the people are just waiting until August to see if they will have time off and/or money left to go or what. I just hope we get the rest of the responses soon so we know what size group we will definitely have. I fully anticipate having a much smaller group than we initially thought we would have due to the cost.

I have been beyond stressed about the rising costs. Last week I broke down and thought about just having the wedding at home. My FI calmed me down and made me realize that we gave people plenty of notice and if they can come great and if not then oh well!

I was feeling the same way but we already sent STD's and our's is not till Nov 09 so that is tons of notice and I figure even if the prices go up if someone wants to be there they will find a way and if not than that is okay with us too.

 

 

Yep, I guess we'll just have to figure out who are absolute musts to be there and focus on them. Maybe people will surprise me. And I guess the upside would be a cheaper wedding for us! Glad to know I'm not the only one concerned though...

I do feel bad asking our guests to pay so much to attend our wedding especially since the best man just got laid off his job last week. The higher costs of everything is definitely affecting everyone ...definitely a different mood than when we first started planning our DW. It is too late for us to cancel however as we paid in full but have learned to accept that the most important people in our lives (family and best friends) will be there and to us that is more than enough.

Yes..I think its harder to "ask". But in essence, we're ALL asking with the understanding (I think) that if its too much, its too much. We're not holding it against anyone if they can't make it, and at the same time you should have no guilt because its your wedding and you have a right to do it the way you have envisioned! Don't forget, an invitation isn't a favor...its an inclusion. You're saying "We love you and would be happy for you to share this day with us." If someone can't come for whatever reason, be it travel costs, work or whatever...its understandable.

We said from the onset that we would understand if people couldn't come and we are repeating that sentiment throughout this process. This is also what AHR's are for, to alleviate the guilt of perhaps going into it knowing some folks who are important to you can't be there. I have kept that front and center in my head and its really helping me not feel bad or feel as if we shouldn't be doing it this way when I hear someone say they don't think they can make it. We will be happy with those who travel to be with us!

It's starting to become a bigger problem for us. I started a whining thread about our and many of our guests flights getting canceled and we just found out it happened to one of the groomsmen and now he and his wife can't go because the alternate flights cost too much. Huge bummer! I feel really guilty some times but we have the same attitude as Savanah-- we hope people can come but understand if they can't. It just never has and never will fit in to our schema to have a wedding at home.

 

Do you all have thoughts about whether the costs might go down in a month or two? They have had a huge spike over the last two or three months so I'm hoping they'll go down for those who haven't booked yet...

Just a quick thought, and I will caveat it by pointing out that this is all wall street rumor, and it may come to nothing at all.

 

There is some real belief in the investment community that following the Beijing olympics in August, the price of oil will drop. The theory is that China's efforts to prepare for the inflow of people, and the use of oil, gasoline and deisel fuels to accomodate both the infrastructure build up and the tourists themselves will drop to significantly reduced levels after the end of August when the olympic visitors have returned home.

 

If, in fact, China's oil and gas consumption goes back down (or close) to where it was pre-build up, there is an expectation that the price of crude could drop as much as 10-15%. If that happens, jet fuel prices will decline and, presumably, airline ticket prices will to.

 

I"m keeping my fingers crossed for you all!