Canadian Brides!!!!!!!!!

[justine416]

I've been reading all the post and had to chime in. Probably the biggest stress of my whole wedding planning was this topic. I made it even more difficult, offering 2 different dates and 2 different hotel(same chain beside each other) as no one told me how these group bookings go.

And my FI's family booked for only 5 days well everyone else is 7  but at least they are coming.

We had so many people coming that put down deposits but when it came to final payment we had around 18-20 people cancel. Now our resort is sold out so no hope of last minute bookings. With 6 weeks out I feel I'm now enjoying it. If I could redo my advice would be to worry about your immediate family , you and him, everyone else is a bonus. And to also choose that date that works for you. We planned around our siblings but we lost others because of being around the holidays.

[JA2012]

Originally Posted by futuremrswarner 

 

Yeah I got a really good rate from the TA so I didnt want to turn it down. I considered waiting but who can turn down $1100/pp for a double room. Online, I haven't been able to find anything as low as that for a couple of months.. so I took the deal. My family doesn't really know these things about resorts and such, so it's not that they think they can find a better rate. They just have committment issues. 

Which travel agent did you use? Are they in Toronto?  I'm wondering if I should contact a few others. The one I used gave me rates that were so high in comparison to what I was finding online. That's why I opted to just do it on my own. But now I'm having second thoughts...I don't want ppl calling me for information or travel assistance. 

[Ploman]

JA2012 I would definitely get a quote from several travel agents before deciding to go on your own!

 

I had lots of guests ask me "can you get me a window seat?" and "how much to stay an extra weekend? week?" and "how much to upgrade" and "can you put the cost of an excursion on my ticket price"... I wanted to punch them, but instead I could refer them to ask the travel agent. SUCH a relief not to have to deal with answering those questions! But if you are just requesting everyone to book on their own then thats an easy way to handle it too!

[futuremrswarner]

Originally Posted by JA2012 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuremrswarner 

 

Yeah I got a really good rate from the TA so I didnt want to turn it down. I considered waiting but who can turn down $1100/pp for a double room. Online, I haven't been able to find anything as low as that for a couple of months.. so I took the deal. My family doesn't really know these things about resorts and such, so it's not that they think they can find a better rate. They just have committment issues. 

Which travel agent did you use? Are they in Toronto?  I'm wondering if I should contact a few others. The one I used gave me rates that were so high in comparison to what I was finding online. That's why I opted to just do it on my own. But now I'm having second thoughts...I don't want ppl calling me for information or travel assistance. 

 

I was referred to a website called destinationweddings.com by a friend who's had a DW before. They have travel specialists there that will contact different vendors for you to get the best rates. If you find anything lower for the same time you're going, they will try the best to price match. They say the service is free, but there's a $50 deposit, which is supposed to be paid back to you when you book the resort (essentially, they're a free service). My travel specialist is Shelley Elkas, and she's been amazing. Maybe you can check them out, and see what they can do for you if you want. I'm not sure how things work for them, but I'm pretty sure she ends up making a commission from the resort or the vendors based on how many people book with her. 

[DinaQtobe]

Originally Posted by jreist 

 I wanted to punch them, but instead I could refer them to ask the travel agent.

 

Jreist, you have no idea how this made me laugh!  This is exactly why I want a travel agent too.  I do not want to have to answer loads of questions, or help people book.  I do not want that stress.

Thanks for the laugh!

[JA2012]

Originally Posted by jreist 

 

JA2012 I would definitely get a quote from several travel agents before deciding to go on your own!

 

I had lots of guests ask me "can you get me a window seat?" and "how much to stay an extra weekend? week?" and "how much to upgrade" and "can you put the cost of an excursion on my ticket price"... I wanted to punch them, but instead I could refer them to ask the travel agent. SUCH a relief not to have to deal with answering those questions! But if you are just requesting everyone to book on their own then thats an easy way to handle it too!

Ok, I will look into that today. If anyone has a good travel agent in the GTA that they can refer me to please send the info. Much appreciated. 

[JA2012]

Originally Posted by futuremrswarner 

 

 

I was referred to a website called destinationweddings.com by a friend who's had a DW before. They have travel specialists there that will contact different vendors for you to get the best rates. If you find anything lower for the same time you're going, they will try the best to price match. They say the service is free, but there's a $50 deposit, which is supposed to be paid back to you when you book the resort (essentially, they're a free service). My travel specialist is Shelley Elkas, and she's been amazing. Maybe you can check them out, and see what they can do for you if you want. I'm not sure how things work for them, but I'm pretty sure she ends up making a commission from the resort or the vendors based on how many people book with her. 

Thanks!! I will get in contact with them today. 

[futuremrswarner]

Good luck with it JA2012, hopefully, they'll be able to help you with the quotes. I find it's so much easier when there's a TA to help with those things since we have enough of other things to stress over.

[ashk]

Hi ladies! We're down to 2 months and counting

 

I DEFINITELY cannot say enough for having a travel agent to handle all your guests' questions and needs. Also, they are experienced and it's their job to make sure everything goes smoothly for you (flights are scheduled, special needs are accommodated, resort treats you right, etc) and in Ontario, they have to be registered with TICO. And a good TA can make recommendations for dates and resorts. For instance, mine informed me that we could get a better rate if we left on a different day! And we had a couple guests who had to wait until the last minute to book, and she was able to hold extra rooms in addition to those with deposits.

 

We jumped around quite a bit in the beginning over which resort to go to, when to go, etc. We ended up choosing a resort that wasn't even on my list, at TA's recommendation - I looked into it and jumped for joy

 

I hope everyone's planning is going well - I'm enjoying the planning/prep, but now it's crunch time and I'm ready for that sandy beach!

[justine416]

Wanted to share my Pashima deal. I found them for $3 each. There's an area off of the 410 & Derry where you will find alot of trade stores. If you purchase over $25 they give you the trade deal. There's also a wholesale place called Creative Bags there although prices on JustArtifacts are better but it allows you to look at things in person.

I also got $5 hanging crystals today at one of the whole place...Creative bags & Micheals they are $19.99 each!

 

Happy Decorating!