Guests Costs....How much is too much???

[Jen]

So, I'm not sure if this title makes sense for the question I have but, here it goes:

As I'm on a mad hunt to figure out a location, I'm struggling with a few thoughts/options. First of all.....I looked at Grand Palladium (as most of you know!), love the resort, but not so thrilled with their wedding options (locations, reception choices, etc) BUT, it is very affordable for guests. Next is Moon Palace, LOVE LOVE LOVE the resort and wedding options, but, not so affordable for guests. My question is, the cost for guest per night is about a $100 difference between the two, is this REALLY going to make a difference in the guest list? I'm not sure that is clear, I guess it comes down too....we have a few people who have said "we will definitely be there" (I know this changes!!!), do you think the difference in the cost will really be the deciding factor for people. Like, if someone is willing to pay $1100 for the trip, will they back out at $1400 ?? I don't know, just a thought!

[TammyB]

Hmm, I guess it depends on how long they are staying for and if it's an AI resort. $1400.00 for maybe a 3-4 night stay per person & airfare, it could make a difference. If everyone is only staying 3 nights then that's only an extra $300.00 so that's not "that" bad, but for a couple it's $600.00. Most of my family doesn't have alot of money $600.00 would be a big factor on it. Can you try to find a less expensive option for the guests in case they can't afford the higher price resort?

[LEIGH]

Well, I have to say that I think that you are worrying a lot about all of your guests! I know that you want everyone to be there, but you can't make EVERYONE happy! We made this mistake in the beginning and ended up choosing a resort that "WE" fell in love with. If people can make it, then great. If not, no hard feelings. I still have to remind myself that this is "our" day!

Good Luck!

[saraece]

As a person that has paid to go to a friends DW we appreciated the cost being only around $1200. Guests are mostly coming in twos and $1400 puts a couple at almost $3000 where $1200 is closer to $2000 (2400). Is that wierd logic?? Anyways I agree that it is your day and do what you want, I am definetly keeping guests costs a major factor because what is important to me is certain people being able to go. Not an easy decision.

[itsme7396]

i'm with Leigh...

 

there's no way you're going to make everyone happy... pick the place you're happy with... the place that you love... its your wedding...

 

and if its still too much for some of your guests, there are a ton of other options down there for them... one of the reasons i picked the Grand Palladium, besides it being close to where i was having my wedding, was because it was more affordable for my guests... so about 45 stayed with us... but still some thought it was too much... so i had 15 or so guests stay at other resorts / hotels / time-shares in and around PDC...

 

i know that two couples that came to my wedding spent around $700/person for 5 days/4 nites by staying at hotels (non-AI) right in the heart of PDC... thats including airfare from NYC... yes we didn't get to hang out with them as much as we wanted too, but we did see them at the wedding... and we bought all our outside guests, day passes the day before the wedding... so we did get to hangout with them 2 of the days they were down there...

 

i hope this helps... julie...

[JaimeLynne]

I'm also trying to keep guest costs down as much as possible while still having a decent wedding. Do you have a TA? Ours seems to be getting us pretty good deals and it looks like our guests will be spending under $1k ea. for 4 nights +air + A.I. (probably more like $800-$900) and if we get enough people flying out of DFW she may be able to get us a group rate as well as all or part of our trip free! Right now we are looking at the Iberostar Tucan which may or may not be our first choice (we are planning a site visit in June) but it will be affordable for the guests, and then our TA suggested that towards the end of our stay we go to one of the nicer resorts for a few days on our Honeymoon. Sounds good to me!

[TammyWright]

when we were booking at dreams, we were shooting for $1250 for 7 nights including airfare per person at an AI...so we thought that was pretty reasonable because out guests staying for 4 nights were more in the $800-900 range...but prices have gone up since i was married last year.

[Jen]

Thanks Ladies!!! I appreciate all of your feedback This is where I run into problems....trying to please everyone else I think that I sort of feel guilty about doing a DW because not everyone will be able to come (for financial reasons) and I'm trying to make it reasonable for everyone.....but again, I don't want to stay at a sub-par resort or have a crappy wedding....AHHHH!!! I guess people will complain no matter what, so I just have to do the best I can and make sure its something that I am satisfied with

Jaime--My sister's mother-in-law is a TA and she highly recommends Iberostar resorts.....we hadn't even really looked into Iberostar b/c alot of people we know have been to them....BUT/....we might have to rethink that!

[AmyInMI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen This is where I run into problems....trying to please everyone else I think that I sort of feel guilty about doing a DW because not everyone will be able to come (for financial reasons) and I'm trying to make it reasonable for everyone.....but again, I don't want to stay at a sub-par resort or have a crappy wedding....AHHHH!!! I guess people will complain no matter what, so I just have to do the best I can and make sure its something that I am satisfied with

Jen,
I was in the same situation as you!! We REALLY loved the Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun and have heard lots of great things about it. The only down fall is that is will cost our guest from Michigan approx $1700 per person (air, transfers, room, ect). After talking to my FMIL, she pointed out that it is our wedding and we should go where we want to go. She also pointed out that we have given our guest approx a year and a half to save up. If they are going to decide not to go because of $300 or $400 difference, then they always have the option to stay at a different resort. We decided to go with the Secrets property.

Just remember that it is your day and go where you want to go!! You shouldn't need to settle in hopes of making everyone happy. You can talk to your guests like I did and explain that they can stay at a lower end place for so much or you can all stay at a really nice (all-adult in our case) place for a bit more.

[JaimeLynne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen Jaime--My sister's mother-in-law is a TA and she highly recommends Iberostar resorts.....we hadn't even really looked into Iberostar b/c alot of people we know have been to them....BUT/....we might have to rethink that!

That is reassuring, thanks!!