anyone else have a problem with people wanting to book last min.?

[Miss Lighting Bug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusieQ Hi Melissa, I totally hear where your coming from... I had gotten prices confirmed and held for a really decent price. I sent the invites and quote out in July and people had until Oct 31 to book... Well my brother who has never travel anywhere.. was at a summer party here at my house in August and was telling people not to book until Jan because they were getting ripped off... I had to take him aside a explain that if no one booked until last minute I could not plan a wedding... He didn't get it!!! Thought I was what I was asking people to do was ashameful on my part.... (Honey there will be these people in your group and you can not change that). Yeah we all have stupid people lol!!! With that said... everyone that went booked Oct.31 or sooner "except of course my brother)... Well darling he booked Jan 25th and I was getting married Feb 2... Ok here is your arguement for people... I got the confirmed price for a week all inclusive 5star $1300.00 per person. My brother searched the internet day and night for two months and ended up paying $2200.00. He got a really crappy travel time and had to come a day early and leave a day early.. He was in a totally different section of the resort, 20 minute walk from the group. Last minute works when you don't care where your going and are extremely flexible on the dates and travel time... Hang in there babe... There will be stupid people...

Not to be mean but serves him right for putting you through the stress and annoyance. Glad everyone else planned ahead for you though.

[Miss Lighting Bug]

Booking my group is by far my biggest fear. I want to give guests ample time to spend as my family isn't the most wealthy but will be okay given the proper amount of time. I also don't want to wait til the last minute to book either. With my resort (mostlikely Moon) we can get great private events if we book enough rooms but it must be done as a group. I think I will be having a serious talk with everyone one on one to explain the importance and see where they all stand before going to the TA for bookings cuz the TA can't hold things that long. We will see I guess. By far my most stressful part of everything. Good thing I have a lot of time.

[mexico102]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsbride2010 People will always procrastinate, especially the people who usually book an all-inclusive last minute... they just don't get it! I gave everyone a February 1st deadline for booking in the group; anyone who chooses to book after that would not get a welcome bag, and would have to pay the extra fee for the reception boat I'm having... since it's kind of like they took a trip last minute and "happen" to be going to my wedding.

I like those ideas! maybe I'll take it even further and say you can still come on the vacation but not the wedding---OMG I am a bitch! I really would never say that with my outside voice....LOL!

[MysTea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexico102 So strange this thread popped up today-hasn't been active since April. I'm having a similar problem but I am part to blame. A little back ground--I did not do STDs or invites! We invited people thru word of mouth and email. I know a little strange but there is a lot of family drama in both of our families. We did not want to send out invites to people that we really didn't want to come. So we personally spoke to the people on our "wish lists" and let the word spread otherwise----"no one is invited but all are welcome!" So mostly everyone (all but one friend) is booked! The problem is now that I keep hearing from people---this one wants to come, this ones trying to come. All would be fine if they book it now!!! What I need advice on is I want set a deadline!! but how? No RSVP card to wait for (my fault). What is a reasonable time frame--my wedding is in October? HELP!!!

I am getting Married in November and I sent out 60 STD's, and Just mailed my invites out this week....to date I think only 3 people have booked...smh....Personally I could care less who shows up. As long as My Parents are there. (the 3 who booked) Im cool. I often stress and inquire about who will be coming but everyone has their own agenda and as long as Me and Fi are there...Perfect! I gave them until August 1st. I think you should send an Email saying the deadline for confirmations are August sometime as well.. you still have to do what you have to do as far as planning so that should be fine. Good Luck and dont let the stragglers stress you.

[mexico102]

thanks so much! It just great to know I not the only one experiencing this crap!! I think I am just sending and email with a deadline of the 3rd week in July----TA said today she has to send final room list to hotel then!

[richarsd]

To "try" and avoid the stress of this situation, I set out STDs almost as soon as we got engaged and decided we wanted a DW...we didn't even know the resort at that point, or had a date, so the STDs had a very general "Punta Cana, April 2011". Basically it was just to let people know that this is what we're planning so if they think they'd like to come, start saving!

 

Our wedding isn't until April but now that we've finalized the resort and date and got group rates from our (awesome) TA, I'm sending out invites this week with all of the travel details. Now, I expect some people will want to book last minute and we've had some outspoken (ie: borderline rude) relatives even tell us such because they think our group rate is too expensive (which it isn't for that resort at that time of year...they're just cheap!). But I refuse to let myself stress out over it. I am being very clear in the letter I'm attaching with my invites. Our TA arranged to have a whole bunch of rooms held up until 60 days before but after that, people risk not being able to get a room. I've been very clear that April is a very busy month and resorts are at full capacity. If they end up at another resort that it is totally their own responsibility to make their way to our wedding and pay the resort's day pass fee of $90. Frankly, I've put so much work into trying to cater to people to pick a resort that everyone will enjoy and at a price that is reasonable, that beyond that, I'm done. Maybe that's mean but if people want to do their own thing, that's totally fine...but that really does mean they're gonna be doing their own thing, lol.

 

I am also asking for a Feb 1, 2011 RSVP (so that's about 10 weeks before) and have said upfront that if you don't confirm by then, then you won't be coming. People need to understand that it's still a wedding and requires some advance planning!

 

Goodluck!!!

[richarsd]

Oh and by RSVP, I mean "you've booked and are definitely coming or not" and NOT "I want to come but am holding out for a better deal". It's totally ok to be specific with RSVPs for this type of wedding.