Help!!!

[Sara.Imrie]

The brochure I got from the travel agent said that the cost of a Riu Palace vacation was about $1900-$3000 per couple (flying from Toronto)

But I just tried to look up prices on itravel2000.com and the cost was twice that! What am I supposed to do now!? My brides maids can't afford $2000 for one week, plus their dress, hair, makeup and all the other costs that go with being a bridesmaid. Does any one know where I can find prices closer to what the brochure said, or is it better to just go to the travel agent?

[~Keira~]

I would for sure get in contact with a TA. Ours was great and they're based out of Oakville. They will source out prices for you a different resorts and show you resorts that you might not have even thought of but could potentially really love.

 

The business is called The Wedding Holiday. For us they were fantastic!

 

Good luck price hunting. It just might be easier to leave the dirty work to someone else. :-)

[amberlynne87]

Try a different travel agent. Price around. Anything you find online like at expedia.com or even on Riu's site will be cost a lot more than what the travel agent will quote you. Travel agents get contracted rates. It also depends on what time of year you are going there. But those prices are extremely higher than what I was quoted. You should definitely call around or go to other travel agents. Maybe even get quotes for 5 nights or less. I have a lot of guests staying 5 nights.

[meghan]

I would also suggest The Wedding Holiday. I am going through them and they have been amazing so far. You can get their contact info at www.theweddingholiday.com

[destination]

Depending on your number of guests, consider cutting out all the "bridesmaids duties" We had only 22 people at our wedding and decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen. My girls wore coordinated dresses, that they all loved but didn't go all matchy matchy. It worked perfectly for us especially with a small group. I actually witnessed a wedding at our resort while we were there with more people standing in the gazebo than sitting outside watching; seems silly to me. Good luck with this one. Also, I say shop around for a travel agent that will work in the budget you are comfortable with.

[kdnicholer]

Of course I dont recall the website but I went to ROR in may 2009 and it was not half of that. You have to call every one out there to get the best rates. I think I may have called 20-25 TA and as a result we got the room booked for $85 a night. NO JOKE. And another thing rates normally come out around november, not sure when the wedding is but wait until then because the rates will be alot cheaper! sometimes continental airlines have great package deals

[Meeka708]

Alot of my guess went to applevactions.com They have deals like 5 Apple Square deal.Apple pick the resort that rates 5 apples.The only catch you don't know what hotel its gonna be.Me and my Fiancee' is staying at the Grand Lido and the other guests are staying at Club RIU which is 5 min away.They have to purchase guest passes from the Grand Lido.It was a little cheaper for my guest.2 couples are staying at the same resort.Try another travel agent also that can give you a group discount.Liberty Travel is also good.The prices of trips change so frequntly you have to keep checking like every Monday.I know its crazy trying to figure out guest accomadation.I hope this help a little bit.

Good Luck

[jenninjamaica]

I agree with the others, speak to may travel agents and make sure you get a group discount if you have more than 10 people!!!!!

[KristieF]

I think you've received some great advice already, I just wanted to confirm that checking many travel agents and finding one that not only gives you great pricing but also great service is key. I probably sound like a broken record as I have bitched about this before, but I booked with a travel agent I didn't like because she gave us a bit better price, and cost was a major factor for my guests. But I'm paying for this now as I'm really unhappy with the service I've received, but once the deposits are placed I really didn't have any recourse. I hope you can learn from my mistake! Find a travel agent that specializes in destination weddings and save your sanity - for me doing the research, getting the pricing and making the booking were the hardest part of the whole process. Good luck!!!

[Mello78]

I couldn't agree more with KristieF...I had chosen a TA because the price was cheap but her services were the dumps. Just before I went ahead to book, something was telling me to look for another TA. I am soooooo glad I did, not only because my TA services are wonderful BUT the price was alot cheaper then my first choice and she even got another cheaper price the day everyone booked. I am one happy bride