Need Serious Advice!! :(

[lgarner83]

Ok, so we've been dealing with RIU Montego Bay and have confirmed our date and everythign and it turns out that the cost at which our travel agent thought it would be was wwaaaaayyyyy off. Anyways, we DO NOT feel right about asking our guests to pay $1800 per person just to come to our wedding. We loved the look of Jamaica but we are very very flexible. Where oh where is a beautiful spot to get married and yet won't cost all of our guests an arm and a leg? we were thinking september

[Sandra E.]

That's weird. How did the price get so way off? Have you looked at Mexico?

[amesharpe]

Oh I know what you mean darling. My TA was way off on pricing until we got with in 9 months of the wedding. I think they have a hard time confirming prices that far out. Seriously, try Mexico. We started out interested in Turks & Caicos and it was sooooo unbelievably expensive so we switched to Mexico because we knew we could get reasonable prices there.

 

Good luck and Congrats!!!

[ErinB]

The recent changes in airfare and oil pricing have royally screwed ticket prices!

 

The airlines don't announce a schedule more than 330 days out (10 months). We told our guests to plan $2000 per person for the week when we got engaged in March. In September we got our pricing. It was about $2000 for the week and $1500 for the weekend, Thursday to Monday.

 

Mexico might be cheaper, but I would recommend getting a place that you and your FI like. No matter what you do, someone in your group will be unhappy or not able to afford the trip. Be careful not to get caught up in making everyone else happy.

[Jacilynda]

I would say try mexico... again like said before make sure you find a place you love, or you could try the Bahamas.

[JenniferSS]

$1800 is not all that bad for a week, all inclusive with airfare.

 

Keep in mind that approximately $650 of that will be airfare alone so that leaves $164 per day for hotel and food, activities, entertainment and unlimited beverages plus taxes. Also out of that may come round trip transfers to/from the resort- those prices hae gone up also because of the cost of fuel.

 

The basic 3 star hotels easily go on average for $125-200 per night with taxes. basic amenities and not beachfront.

 

So to break it down- this is all guestimates (especially airfare & transfers) as it's after midnight here and I'm tired but ...

 

$1800 per person

(-650) airfare

(-30 round trip transfers)

1120 divided by 7 nights=

$160 per night

(-75 ) low average 3 star hotel rate divide by 2 people sharing a room.

$85 for 3 meals, snacks, beverages, non motorized watersports and entertainment

[quiche]

I care about my guests and the expense that they will incur to attend the wedding. I've accepted the fact that they may be turned off by the price OR may plain out be unable to afford the trip. At this point, if they come...they come. If they don't.......they don't. Those that don't come can congratulate us when we get back home. I know that our immediate family members will be there with us so that is more than enough to make me happy.

[leahmariess]

Try Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay Jamaica, I've seen it for some really good prices. Also if you wanted to go away from the AI you could check out the rockhouse or tensing pen, they might have availability for weddings right now. good luck!

[Mrs D To Be!]

I agree with other comments made, you and your hubbie-to-be need to decide what YOU want - its YOUR wedding day - soo many people look back on their wedding days saying "it was lovely but i wish i had done this.." because they were trying soo hard to please other people.

 

We are coming from the UK so it is going to be pretty expensive for people to attend our wedding, thats one of the reasons we are inviting family only. We know our immediate family are defo coming, anyone else is a bonus. But we knew not everyone would be able to afford it when we decided on a destination wedding. Thats why we will have a party when we come back, unless everyone does come!lol

 

The way our guests are looking at it, it will be their summer holiday for that year!

[~*petals*~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leahmariess Try Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay Jamaica, I've seen it for some really good prices. Also if you wanted to go away from the AI you could check out the rockhouse or tensing pen, they might have availability for weddings right now. good luck!

I would echo this too. Or you might be able to find a wedding venue separate from the hotel so your guests can stay somewhere that fits in their budget.