How much is too much to ask your guests to pay?

[townie princess]

I agree with everyone here, you have to figure out how much your guests can afford to pay and who you really want there.

 

We had decided no more than $1500 pp for an AI 7-night trip in Punta Cana, but we can't find anything that low. We would love to have the wedding in PC, but we may have to move it to Puerto Plata so that more people will show up.

 

My parents have dropped out of the celebrations, my sister is my MOH and I don't think she'll be able to go now (she's put herself into a very tight financial situation over the past few days), and I don't think any of FI's family can make it.

 

Maybe you could have the wedding in one place and have your honeymoon in the luxury resort

 

Good luck with your decision,

[yamille]

I agree with everything you are all saying. Thank you! I just needed validation I guess. You guys basically told me what my therapist told me today. (think of the people that you REALLY want there and what you REALLY want.) This was helpful. Now I just need to decide!!!

[jajajaja]

haha BDW is like therapy. I love it here. We save so much money.

[Dez921714]

For a double, our guests are paying $452 per night (all taxes and gratuities included)...It's an AI and I believe it's 4 or 5 star. Right now, they can get airfair for about $450 each (roundtrip, also including all taxes and fees).

 

We've had people complain it's expensive, we just smile and say that we understand if people can't afford to come and that we would love for everyone to be there, but we really do understand.

 

There are a couple of reason we choose this resort, one being that we've stayed in the chain before and had an AMAZING time and since having a DW is basically planning a vacation for everyone who comes, we didn't want to risk it with a resort we've never been to.

 

Usually, when people complain about the price we tell them everyting that is in cluded and they are usually impressed...ALL food, Drinks (including liquor), taxes, gratuities and even some excursions if you stay 3 or more nights.

 

Anyway, choose a place you love, people will complain no matter what!

[tnt506]

I think everyone has given you good advise so far. The one thing I would suggest to you is to maybe consider changing your date and go during the off season. There is a big difference in the price most of the time. In Mexico the off season begins in May.

 

Unfortunately, we did not have that option because I had the STD completed before we had booked any resorts.

-- Just a little FYI --

[yamille]

LC Rachel- you had your wedding at Las Caletas and I saw some pics. (gorgeous!!) The accomodations where somehwere else though right? Curious. That place looks great.

 

CoquetayLoca- Yes Dreams tulum was looking good until FI decided that he didn't want people to travel 1 1/2 hr from CUN. (annoying) I love the quaint look of it and I am still interested but.... We had a big discussion about that last night. That rate though!!! Where the heck did you find that? Are you with a TA? You really can't beat that.

 

As far as mem day weekend timeframe I think that is considered "off season" and will be an amazing celebration becuase I will be done with Graduate school!! I am forecasting some sort of breakdown as I try to finish my thesis before my wedding.

 

So basically, I still have my appointment with the paradisus and am now even thinking about doing the wedding off site after seeing someone post about Ajua weddings. (aye, aye, aye!) This is insane!

[foxytv]

It all depends on what people can afford. It ended up costing our guests about $1000 for 3-nights (that price included their airfare) and we had 40 people come. Some extended their trip up to a week, others could only do the 3-nights. You can also offer nearby options that are not as expensive. Our photographers stayed at a neighboring resort and were able to extend their trip for 5-nights for the same amount of money.

 

We narrowed our initial list to 5m then picked our top two. We married at the lesser-expensive one and honeymooned at the higher-end resort. It ended up being the right move for us b/c the luxury resort would have been a bit "boring" for our liviely group of friends and family, but it was perfect for us for our honeymoon.

 

So, do keep in mind that more "luxury" resorts will likely mean less nightlife and bustle ... and I would take into account the type of family and friends you will have coming -- those who want luxury or those who want nightlife, etc.

[jajajaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe75 LC Rachel- you had your wedding at Las Caletas and I saw some pics. (gorgeous!!) The accomodations where somehwere else though right? Curious. That place looks great.

Thanks- it truly is a gorgeous place. Lots of Las Caletas brides on here so there are a TON of other pics as well.

Yes, it's not a resort so you don't stay there. You just get to be there for the whole day and then your guests join you in the evening. It's an awesome experience and I'm so happy we chose LC. It has so much bang for the buck.

[starchild]

I may be one of the few who didn't do a room block or give them limited suggestions. We said we're staying at Dreams, here's the info if you want to stay there. Then we listed about 6 other places ranging from $400 per night and said to stay where they wanted, just make sure to be at the marina to board the boat to the wedding! LOL We also gave them our TA's site where they could price more options.

 

We knew we had guests ranging from broke to not broke so we just wanted them to be in PV anywhere they could work in. In the end people stayed at several places, some used their own TA's, some booked direct. I think everyone got great rates. The ones who stayed at Dreams paid about $900pp including air, and the cheapeast I heard of was $550 for 4 nights including air at an AI hotel near the boardwalk. Also some stayed "free" with Marriott points and timeshares.

 

I think we may have paid the most because we stayed the longest, but still it only came to like $2600 for a suite for 2 including air/transfers/insurance. We went in "off" season which helped a lot. Good luck!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC_Rachel It's an awesome experience and I'm so happy we chose LC. It has so much bang for the buck.

Just had to chime in, it really does have the bang for the buck factor. I fear they'll realize what they have one day and start charging like everyone else!

[Saraha]

Ya things do get a little crazy and insane when it comes to planning. I think everything boils down to the type of wedding YOU want and who you invite....

I am having my wedding in Mexico where it is relatively cheap b/c I know that people couldnt afford a luxury place and the type of people that are going could care less. This is NOT to say that luxurious hotels are not amazing because lord knows they are. But it depends alot on the guests.