Help!

[amberlynne87]

I am so frustrated and don't know what to do right now. I have my wedding date booked for March 30, 2010 at Riu Palace Tropical Bay. We are going to start booking rooms in may when the rates are available for March 2010. The only problem is, I am having a lot of people say they won't make it because they can't afford it. This would leave me with only my wedding party, my fiance and I, and our parents attending my wedding. I really want a beach wedding but at the same time I want everyone to be able to come. I already ordered my wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. They are everything I wanted, but I kinda picked them out to match the beach theme. I don't know what to do. Is anyone else in this same situation? Any advice?

[sunshinegirl]

My family has also already indicated that the RIU prices may be too expensive, but my fiance and I want to have the wedding at a RIU, given their experience, and the large number of satisfied couples over the years. I don't want to try Holiday Inn Sunspree, or Royal Decameron which are much lower end resorts in Jamaica, however these prices are more within their budget. Once we decide on which RIU in Jamaica, we're going ahead. I want my family there too, but I also want the type of wedding that a RIU would provide. I'll stay tuned to find out what other BDW brides have to say...

[amberlynne87]

Thank you! I was thinking before that this is what I want so I am having the wedding at Riu. I was just going to throw a post-wedding party for those who didn't make it. But then more and more people are saying they won't be able to make it. It's upsetting and it's a hard decision to make. Do I sacrifice my beach wedding for family or do I leave my family behind to have the wedding of my dreams? I guess the answers are simple but I don't want to make a decision that I will regret later.

[islandbride317]

My only must-attend guests are my parents and my FI's parents...everyone else would be a blessing, but having a DW has always been my plan.

 

For us, it will be far LESS expensive to get married in Jamaica that it would be to do it at home, so since we're paying for it, that was the key deciding factor for us. I say do the DW if it's your dream, but then have an AHR to share with those that could not attend due to time/budget constraints!

[islandbride317]

Also, maybe your guests could stay at a less-expensive resort, and just pay the fee to come onto the resort for the day of your wedding?

[meliss238]

I still haven't decided on resort but am having the same issues with a lot of sighs from people when I say "Jamaica!" But...I am trying to take my own advice that I give everyone else- it truly is YOUR wedding and if a DW is your dream and would make you the most happy- go for it!

[baj]

Hi, the Riu Tropical bay was also my 1st choice for our DW and we had the same reaction from friends and family due to the cost. Then we compared it to the cost of a wedding at the Riu Clubhotel and although not all the guests are saying that they will be able to attend there either, some family members have now booked.

[ErinB]

#1 Take a deep breath

 

#2 No matter what, there will be people who can't attend and people who complain. I do not know of a single bride on the forum that hasn't had some kind of guest issue. You will be surprised who doesn't show up and at the ones who do make it.

 

#3 This is YOUR WEDDING! It needs to be what you want.

 

#4 You can offer your guests cheaper hotels, but you need to decide who will end up paying for the day passes and how those guests will get to the resort. Also, the Riu has a policy that 80% of your guests need to be staying at the Riu to host your wedding there. So if you have 20 people total, 16 must stay at the resort.

 

#5 You should try to explain to your guests the value of an AI package. Once I sat down and went through everything that was included people were much more ok with the cost. The package price is the bottom line is a good way to budget instead of a hotel that costs $300 less but then you have to spend and extra $100 per person per day for food and beverages, KWIM?

 

I was married at Couples and they have a little comparison list:

Couples Resorts Amazing Inclusions: What is included in your all-inclusive vacation

You might be able to use this as a template or guide when explaining.

 

Good luck!

[amberlynne87]

Thank all of you! I feel much better about everything. My gut instinct is telling me to stick with Jamaica and the Riu Palace Tropical Bay. I just hope the rates my travel agent gives me aren't any more expensive than what she quoted for "future space".

[srobins15]

I agree with most of the other posts...it's your wedding and you should have what you want. My fiancee and I are getting married at Riu MB in June of this year and we had some people that complained however, those that were able to attend, are attending. We tried to give a year's notice so all of those people that were truly considering coming, could save accordingly. Yeah, if you really want to have something for all of those that could not attend, have an AHR. Good Luck! I'm sure it will work out, just follow your heart!

 

Peace and Blessings.