Cheaper versus exemplary location?

[TropicLover]

I'm running into the same problem.  We're already getting guilt trips from my future sister in-laws that it's going to be too expensive and hard to save for (wedding will be Feb/Mar 2012).  As an alternative I'm looking into the hotels that have different price points to accommodate different income levels.  I hope that satisfies most parties, but I do expect complaints.  I've gotta work on my smile-and-nod technique

[nairay]

Pick a place where *you* will be happy having your ceremony and reception; if you try to please everyone, you might end up picking a place where you don't envision your wedding.  Like previous posters, giving alternative locations at different price points is an option, or being flexible with the dates if rates will change at a certain time of the year. 

 

Good luck!

[mochamakes3]

It doesn't matter if a room costs 5 cents or 5 million dollars. If it's an affordable option, people will complain that it is too far away. You will never please everyone, or even the majority of people. Make yourself and your FI happy.

[HazelsMelody]

That's a good idea. Don't forget to mention though, whether or not YOUR resort will have a day pass for the day of the wedding and how much it will cost - if the guests are to pay for that themselves.

 

We had a family of guests announce they weren't going to book with our travel agent and they were going to find their own less expensive resort. But in the long run, they ended up booking with our group after all because of the cost of their day passes and the added benefit of being able to spend the week with us (they don't live in the same city as us). So it worked out better for them to be with us.
 

Originally Posted by TropicLover 

I'm running into the same problem.  We're already getting guilt trips from my future sister in-laws that it's going to be too expensive and hard to save for (wedding will be Feb/Mar 2012).  As an alternative I'm looking into the hotels that have different price points to accommodate different income levels.  I hope that satisfies most parties, but I do expect complaints.  I've gotta work on my smile-and-nod technique

 

[sarah2012]

Initially when we decided to have a DW both my FI and I felt guilt about pricing people out number 1 and number 2 deciding whether or no to have adults only or family friendly. We don't have kids but quite a few of our friends and cousins are starting to have families. In the end we are going with what we want and that is Adults only. We still haven't booked as we are waiting for prices to come out for March 2012 but have narrowed it down to our top 3 choices. 

 

So obviously I would agree with most and say go with the resort you want. Simply by choosing to have a DW is going to out price a number of people regardless of where you hold it. It's hard to do when you want everyone to come and don't want to leave anyone out, but in the end it's YOUR day. People always complain about the cost of a wedding even when it's local ("I have to buy a dress, gift, shower gift, stag night/weekend, drinks if it's not open bar etc etc"). No matter what you just can't please everyone. 

[JayKay]

We had a few resorts that we fell in love with and each one was slightly differently priced.  We ended up going with one that was decently priced and we knew our guests could afford.  We decided for our honeymoon we will go to the more luxurious resort, just the two of us! 

 

[AfricanVenus]

The hotel I fell in love with was way too expensive for my guests initially, even though a wedding there is fairly cheap. I decided to go in a different direction b/c I didn't want to drag people so far and then make them pay a whole heap. It wasn't their wedding after all. However, I just loved the hotel, so when I went back to them, I changed the date (had more meaning anyway) and voila! The price came down considerably. I didn't want to make too big a deal w/ the hotel b/c they're a 5 star resort and the price is worth it from all reviews. I figured if I've been favored enough to get such a low price, then I should grab it and run!

 

It's still a little pricey, but guests were forewarned well ahead of time to save. And, it's like everyone's been saying: it's your day. Ultimately, do what will make you happy. All the right people will get it and be excited with you. If some still don't want to come, be understanding and gracious, but keep planning your dream wedding. Life's too short to worry about money.

[bmadzia1]

Because we wanted to make sure that our family comes and they said they would, we also didn't want to put them into a financial hell.  We did switch hotels (same Island - just different location) and decided that for our anniversary we will go to the more luxiurious hotel.  We like both hotels, and decided that it is important to us to have our family there.

[delgadot]

I think that is what it comes down to"what is more important to you" Everyone has different ideas of what means more to them. If having family there means a lot then yes go for a more reasonably priced resort but if location/venue is your priority then go for the more expensive option. I am thinking about going with the more reasonably priced location for the accomodations and just having my wedding off site. So I can sort of have the best of both, my family there and my dream wedding:)

[traceysteve]

We booked with the chain that we loved the most, but fortunately, we only had my FSIL to worry about, financially. My parents are using their timeshare membership, and other guests are looking into renting houses for the week, which, btw, are pretty swank! I agree with the others that said people would complain no matter what, make sure you don't let it get to you...it's YOUR day!