Overwhelmed

Hi,

So ive been looking and looking for a resort that has everything i want but which wont cost my guests too much but so far I havent had any real luck. For me and my fiance, the wedding cost isnt an issue; my biggest problem are my guests who are used to travelling to resorts which would cost them $1400 (tax included) for 2 weeks. So i thought i'd be fair and look for a resort which would cost them around $1000-$1100 (tax included) since many are still finishing their studies and thus have no real income. I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions? What Im looking for is:

1. All inclusive (a must)

2. Costs the guests between $1000-$1100 (tax included) for a week

3. Can be either in Mexico (i.e. Riviera Maya, Cancun --but not a spring break type of a place) or Dominican (i.e. Punta Cana)

4. Must have an option for a private reception

Any suggestions would be muuuuccch appreciated. I feel like im going nuts here.

Thanks so much guys

p.s. I know Ive already posted this msg in other forums, but given that I have no idea where to have my destination wedding yet, I wanted as many suggestions as possible for various locations.

I'm getting married at Playa Fiesta, and it's not the cheapest place per person, but I think it will be more than worth it. I thinks about $900 per person and it's nearly all-inclusive (breakfast, a few dinners, and all-inclusive for drink). My question for you: Where do your guests stay for $1,400 for two weeks

Hey Mel,

Thanks for the reply. I was looking for a resort which is 100% all inclusive.

All the resorts my friends have gone to cost $1400 for two weeks such as Barcelo Premium Plus in Punta Cana, Viva Wyndham Tangerine in Cabarete, etc but thats cus they were last minute tickets off itravel2000.

I know someone who has done their wedding with last minute tickets so it was extremely cheap (in Cuba) but in my case i do not want to do last minute b/c I want to be able to plan ahead my whole wedding such as decorations for the reception.

So you think 1000 per person/tax included/ for a week is totally impossible? im so

Hey there!

Does that $1,400 include airfare? What time of year are hoping to have your wedding? Prices for resorts vary often by high and low seasons. If you can find one for $1,400 for two weeks, I'd be impressed. Everyone who's staying at the Iberostar for my wedding for two weeks is paying $3,300 dollars or so after taxes (this price includes airfare mind you).

When it comes to weddings, I wouldn't put all my stock in a seat sale, you may end up with all sorts of mishaps etc. When I was looking in to booking my wedding in the DR for Feb 09, the prices seemed just as expensive as Mexico if not MORE expensive.

Sorry to be such a downer but with such specific criteria, you will definitely have a difficult time finding some place that meets it, but I'll poke around and see if I can find anything. Good luck!

P.S. What part of our fair country are you in?

The first thing to lower your prices is to chose well your time of the year... if you chose to go during peak season, your prices will be sky rocketing ! They generally drop starting May and get back up starting December.

There are a lot of affordable resorts on the Riviera Maya. Some of them have actually different resorts in the same big complex, with different pricing / standards but your guests can stay at different ones depending on their budget (I think Iberostar, Gran Porto, and Barcelo but I could be wrong).

Also, the more in advance you look, the lower your flight costs.

Another thing you can do is chose to organize a non-AI wedding (or in a hotel or resort that will accept external guests) and let your guests pick their own resort...

Some further help : Caribbean Vacation Information by Travel Impressions

Hotels are classified by category (so you can give a guess at the price) and it indicates if they are AI or not.

I know you are overwhelmed and you are trying to find the best deal for your guests. I don't mean to sound harsh...but you will most likely find more information by searching the forum for what you are looking for then posting the same exact thread in 5 or 6 different areas. Alot of people search the forum for new posts and will definately see your post no matter what area you post it in.

There is so much information on this forum from all of us who have been married and those still planning and usually it's not hard to find at least some info that will help you out.