Quote: Originally Posted by taratoons Hi everyone!
Although I am looking at April 2010, I was just reading some of the posts here, and since I'm recently engaged and newly planning a destination wedding, I am quite confused! When I started planning, I thought the sequence of events would be this: Find out package prices for resorts, narrow down list of resorts, visit resorts, choose resort, book your group, THEN book your wedding date with the resort. I'm just confused because I see that many of you have booked your wedding date with the resort, and I don't think the package prices for spring 2010 have been released yet? Because the price that my guests have to pay will play a MAJOR part in what resort I eventually book, I'm just wondering what everyone else is doing? Are you booking the wedding, then just crossing your fingers and hoping rates don't sky-rocket by the time the package prices are released? As I've said, I'm new to this, quite confused, and hope that you guys can give me some insight!
Thanks and happy planning! :0)
PS - Why am I listed as "Lurker" when I post on here? I did sign up to the site!!!! Hi Taratoons
I completely understand your confusion. From other information I've received your best bet is to either book your vacation with a travel agent as a package deal or to book a night at your hotel of choice. The RIU chain seems to bee quite desirable given that you can purchase any number of nights (although flight schedules will play a part in that of course). Personally, I'm going for the RIU palace in Punta Cana but the RIU chain globally is quite good. With RIU you can look on their site to see what average nightly rates are and then look at various airlines to see average flight costs so you can come up with an approximate costs for stays at different hotels. You should also be able to go to a travel agent and tell them a budget per person and they should be able to suggest hotels for you. Depending on where you go you should be able to get a good enough price. Also, I just noticed you're in Ottawa - as am I. A good place to go may be Handa Travel in Billings Bridge Plaza - or sometimes even Sears travel can be pretty good oddly enough.
Anyhow, I'm also an Ottawa Event Planner/Designer so if you want any good resources just let me know! I'm designing my own invitations (but very different from your average invitation) but if you want any ideas for something that is destination I'm here to help!
Best of luck and let me know how your progress goes.
Marcie.