*The official Aruba Brides CHAT thread*

[Kathie]

Thanks TraceySteve. Any help would be great. I want to talk to my WC and ask her about it. I mean, a service charge is like tipping right? I don't mind paying if the vendors are going to get it but I don't want to have to tip on top of that. I'm very confused about all this.

 

 

[traceysteve]

that's actually a really good point, it's like the charge on a bill at a restaurant when there's a group I guess, they include the tip?? I'm still allocating a tip fund, just to be safe.

[risa1818]

My resort is also adding pretty much the same fee on to everything. I also have a wedding planner and she adds 18% to everything as well. I think it is pretty standard with all the resorts and planners down there.

 

I was also wondering about tipping...I feel like my planner who is organizing and booking everything too ( photog, music, flowers, etc) probably has something worked out with those vendors about tipping since we have to pay the service charge on EVERYTHING but I don't really know. I'm not sure if we should tip all these people, even though we already are paying a good amount and what if we are paying more for them since they are being booked by her? Not sure how to handle this either.....

 

AnnCam, any advice on tipping?
 

Originally Posted by Kathie 

Hi. I am getting married at the Westin in October. The Westin adds approximately 17% service charge to everything. My question is are you all paying a service charge at your hotel? I understand on the food, drinks, etc. but they have also booked my photographer, florist, d.j. and steel pan player. They are adding that service charge to everything. I was going to hire a woman myself for some other decor and they kind of just took over. I don't mind having them do it (less work for me) but now I will have to pay a service charge for that too. I plan on tipping all my vendors very well but I'm wondering who is getting the money that Westin is collecting on the service charge? Do the vendors get that and if not why is the Westin collecting it?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Kathie

 

[AnnCam2011]

The tip for WC was included with our package, but this reminds me I was going to mail him something as a thank you anyway. We did open bar and our friends did a great job tipping the bartender/servers all night. My hubby also left a good chunk of cash in the jar at the end of the night as well. We had 30 people and the waitstaff did an amazing job making sure everyone had what they needed all night and their work was appreciated and rewarded.

 

I wouldn't get too worried about tipping/ etc. I noticed the service charges were really high at the hotel we were at also, which I am sure goes to pay their staff members. Leave what you think is fair for the job they did, and it will all work out.

[kfady529]

I am just starting the  wedding planning and I have to say I am very overwhelmed. I am working with an agent through destinationweddings.com and so far so good although I looked up some reviews 50/50 from great to horrific!! I was looking to work with weddings by Bonny and have the wedding and also stay my first week @ the Divi Phoenix! and then my last week  I would like to stay at an all inclusive for the "honeymoon" ! I am looking for reviews of ppl who may have also done there wedding or are doing there wedding in Aruba. I live in MA and cant afforded to go and do a trial run so I have to base all my info on ppl's reviews and the Internet. 

 

I thank you for your comments in advance!!

[AnnCam2011]

Welcome and remember to ENJOY your planning process! It goes by fast - in my opinion planning a DW was so I wouldn't stress out over details and it worked out great! We had never been to Aruba before either and also couldn't afford to do a test-run (really, people do this?). You can't go wrong - Aruba is lovely and I can't wait to go back. Friendly people, everyone speaks English, they use US $.

 

When are you getting married?? SO EXCITING!
 

Originally Posted by kfady529 

I am just starting the  wedding planning and I have to say I am very overwhelmed. I am working with an agent through destinationweddings.com and so far so good although I looked up some reviews 50/50 from great to horrific!! I was looking to work with weddings by Bonny and have the wedding and also stay my first week @ the Divi Phoenix! and then my last week  I would like to stay at an all inclusive for the "honeymoon" ! I am looking for reviews of ppl who may have also done there wedding or are doing there wedding in Aruba. I live in MA and cant afforded to go and do a trial run so I have to base all my info on ppl's reviews and the Internet. 

 

I thank you for your comments in advance!!

 

[traceysteve]

this thread will restore your sanity! Guaranteed!! You are in good hands now!

Originally Posted by kfady529 

I am just starting the  wedding planning and I have to say I am very overwhelmed. I am working with an agent through destinationweddings.com and so far so good although I looked up some reviews 50/50 from great to horrific!! I was looking to work with weddings by Bonny and have the wedding and also stay my first week @ the Divi Phoenix! and then my last week  I would like to stay at an all inclusive for the "honeymoon" ! I am looking for reviews of ppl who may have also done there wedding or are doing there wedding in Aruba. I live in MA and cant afforded to go and do a trial run so I have to base all my info on ppl's reviews and the Internet. 

 

I thank you for your comments in advance!!

 

[kfady529]

@ Ann it is really very exciting and we can't wait, looking @ pictures and everyone's comments is deff making us feel like we made the right decision. Did you just have your wedding? Congrats if so We are getting married April 2012. What hotel did you go with?

[kfady529]

@ Traceystave thanks so much it really is making me feel better so happy I found it!!

[risa1818]

Hi!

I am also from MA ...we are getting married at The Manchebo on June 11th. You will love Aruba...it is beautiful and everyone is so nice!

 

Just to let you know, most of the all inclusives are very expensive and depending on if you rent a time share for your honeymoon, they are not worth it in my opinion. There are so many amazing restaurants on the island, and you can easily go to the grocery store and buy snacks, or mixers. I personally would not pay the money for an all inclusive there.

 

Let me know if your TA doesn't work out, because I used a great one who was very helpful with our planning process. Any additional info. on Aruba you need just let me know! Happy planning

 

Originally Posted by kfady529 

I am just starting the  wedding planning and I have to say I am very overwhelmed. I am working with an agent through destinationweddings.com and so far so good although I looked up some reviews 50/50 from great to horrific!! I was looking to work with weddings by Bonny and have the wedding and also stay my first week @ the Divi Phoenix! and then my last week  I would like to stay at an all inclusive for the "honeymoon" ! I am looking for reviews of ppl who may have also done there wedding or are doing there wedding in Aruba. I live in MA and cant afforded to go and do a trial run so I have to base all my info on ppl's reviews and the Internet. 

 

I thank you for your comments in advance!!