Silly Question...

[GregsBride]

Hi Ladies...

 

I have been doing a little research on weddings at all-inclusive resorts but most packages I've seen list prices for between 8-12 guests. I am planning on having about 40-60 guests, but I have noticed that most resorts charge about $50 per person for the reception. Now this may sound a little dumb, but I am wondering why I have to pay an additional fee per guest to have dinner at the reception when they are already paying to stay at an AI resort? I'm still very new to this so any help will be greatly appreciated

 

Christina

[Kelly C]

welcome!!!

[Davematthews16]

The "maximum" package our hotel offers is for 20 people. We are having 22, so it's not a big deal to pay the extra $ for them. I wonder the same thing for those of you who are having 60, 70, 80,+ people. Do you really have to pay a fee for each one, or can they up your package somehow? You would think they would give you some sort of large group deal and charge like maybe $10.00 per person, NOT $50.00. I'm sure someone will have a good answer for you!

[shellb]

Welcome!

 

You're question is not silly. I wondered the same thing at first and all of your guests wonder as well thinking they are paying for their own meal. From my understanding this fee they charge for extra guests above and beyond the wedding package covers things like:

• Accomodating a large group of people in a centralized area like a banquet hall or restaurant (e.g. they may be closing a restaurant or a section of it for you if your group is large enough)
• Preparation and execution of a set special menu for your guests that may be outside of the regular menu.
• if they are feeding 60 people at one seating that takes quite a bit of work as opposed to the normal flow of restaurant.
• Set-up of things like tables and chairs for the extra guests at the wedding
• Dedicated wait staff and setup people for your event
• etc...

Hope this helps answer your question. Happy Planning!

[mpajkos]

I'm not doing an AI but I was wondering the same things. From what I have read on the posts seems like $50 extra is the norm. Not sure why. I would email the coordinator from the hotel and ask them if they are offering something special for the extra money. Than maybe you could work something out with the resort

[mpajkos]

That makes sense Shelb.

[O'Driscoll Photography]

Welcome, Christina!

 

Tod

[Ryan's girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellb Welcome! You're question is not silly. I wondered the same thing at first and all of your guests wonder as well thinking they are paying for their own meal. From my understanding this fee they charge for extra guests above and beyond the wedding package covers things like: Accomodating a large group of people in a centralized area like a banquet hall or restaurant (e.g. they may be closing a restaurant or a section of it for you if your group is large enough) Preparation and execution of a set special menu for your guests that may be outside of the regular menu. if they are feeding 60 people at one seating that takes quite a bit of work as opposed to the normal flow of restaurant. Set-up of things like tables and chairs for the extra guests at the wedding Dedicated wait staff and setup people for your event etc... Hope this helps answer your question. Happy Planning!

We currently have 55 people booked and our package is only for 2 to 10 guests. I talked to my WC and she told me exactly what Shellb posted! I think in some ways that it is crazy but in another sense it kind of makes sense. $50 is a bit steep though (considering the guests are already paying for AI). We are getting charged $18 per additional guest.

[Carolyn]

welcome but thanks for posting that info regrding the fee. I will have to show the FI.

[ginalynn]

Hey, I am still in the early stages of my planning, but we have tenatively chosen Riu Ocho Rios as our location (waiting for confirmation and a chance to talk to the travel agent). One of the reasons we have picked that location is because we are trying to make it as econimical for us as possible since we will be paying for the wedding AND we want to be able to buy a house soon. At the ROR you can choose the free wedding package if you book at least 5 rooms and included in that is a semi-private reception at one of the resort restaurants. From what I have read in reviews from other brides who have been there, they have loved it and felt as though they didn't even notice other people that were in other parts of the restaurant. So basically...I am not sure what your goal is, but ours was to make it beatiful and as inexpensive as possible, so that is what we are planning on doing.