2016 Brides! Let's Wait In Here!

[calgarybride2015]

@@LeighC yes, of coarse we did. I feel that is pretty standard and with a lot of people, understandable. Two weeks ago two of my male good friends got engaged and they ended up not booking because they didn't know when their weddings would be and how much spare cash they would have. On my FIs side, a lot of people are trying to have children. For that reason, a few said they would have to wait until closer to to book. Those are reasons I can totally understand. I think the most frustrating part are those people that don't have enough respect to respond back that they aren't coming. We sent a reminder email one month out, two weeks out and the day before our "fake" deadline. We are missing responses from A LOT of people.

 

Those closest to us understood that our resort is small and there is a reason we booked so far out. Those that haven't taken the time to read our website or ask, don't get it and that is likely why they haven't booked.

 

I sound so angry lol and that's because I kind of am. Very stressful time trying to get everyone booked.

 

One of our guests actually went out and got their own group rate and had people hold off booking with us. Didn't even tell us! That didn't go over well.

What?!? I can understand staying somewhere else or booking alone but to get their own group rate. That's a large slap in the face and I'd be so miffed I'd probably re nag my invite. I know another bride had a guest trying to sway people to stay at the resort he chose and in the end he didn't even go! Some people are just so disrespectful that it's hard to believe they were your friend!!!!

 

 

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[LeighC]

@@ashhtayy

 

I would murder my guests if they pulled that!   I realize we can't rely on our guests to subsidize our weddings, but for me at least, I'm really counting on a couple "free" rooms to be earned based on the number of guests who book.  I want to be able to help out my dad (who is helping me pay for the wedding) and also use one for my photographer (which is the only reason I can afford to fly him in from Boston).

Edited June 14, 2015 by LeighC

[calgarybride2015]

@@ashhtayy

 

I would murder my guests if they pulled that!   I realize we can't rely on our guests to subsidize our weddings, but for me at least, I'm really counting on a couple "free" rooms to be earned based on the number of guests who book.  I want to be able to help out my dad (who is helping me pay for the wedding) and also use one for my photographer (which is the only reason I can afford to fly him in from Boston).

 

I think it's less being comped by our guests, but more the shock when we realized people have no tact when it comes to weddings!  I had a lot of shockers too and lost friends.   It had nothing to do with us getting a free flight or our free wedding package - sure it was nice don't get me wrong!!! - but it was more the way the people treated us that we thought were our good friends.  In the end if they booked with us or not, we would pay what needed to be paid.... but people getting their own group rate, what? Or asking your guests to stay at another resort?  Like come on people, it's not your special week, let them have this one!  That said, you want to stay elsewhere go for it but leave others alone. That's my take anyways

 

And I say this laughing, just when I think I have seen it all, someone posts another doozy! 

Edited June 14, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[ashhtayy]

@@calgarybride2015 @@LeighC let me add to my last post...I think think will make most brides feel better about their situation, so here goes...

 

The kicker is, it wasn't a friend that tried to arrange their own group rate, it was my FIs father and step-mother. I want everyone to know that my FIL is amazing. He's always been there for his kids and even after this I will always say he is a great father. He loves a deal as does his wife and she pushed for them to find a better rate for our resort. I have NO problem with people price checking - in fact, I encourage it. If our guests find something cheaper we will get our TA to price match it and then everyone can take advantage.

 

When we heard through the grapevine the reason why so few BC guests had booked (waiting on FILs pricing) I naturally snapped. Like someone else said, I felt like we had been slapped in the face. All this went on while my TA was out of the country and we had two completely incompotent TAs looking after our group (they literally screwed every booking up). I had my FI call and make his father send the quote over. They finally sent the quote last Friday, which we sent to my TA who immediately fired back "this quote is void - the taxes were not calculated properly and with the right taxes it's more then our quote". We've since been fighting with Transat - 9 days and counting and no resolution.

 

The good news in this is 8 people that were waiting on my FILs quote booked with us after getting an ear full from my FIs nonna. Thank goodness someone had our back

 

Another observation I've had through this whole booking process is, if they want to be there, they will. Oddly enough it's the people that are faced with more of a financial burden that booked immediately and those that appear to be financially comfortable that have posed the biggest headache. I realize how it appears may not be how it is, but, it's just been a very long, tortoreous process.

 

Many people don't read, have no email etiquette, or genuine concern for how much times goes into a wedding, let alone a DW. I personally CANNOT wait until final payments are due so that part of the worry is over and done with.

 

Luckily my FI has stepped up throughout this process and dealt with the difficult guests, the lazy and incompotent back up TAs and his father. He saw the stress I was under with work, my two best friends weddings, moving and then this booking bs and helped make this process SO much easier. Wasn't sure he'd take part in most of this but just when I needed him he started to shine

[priscilla31185]

I JUST BOOKED HERE TOO!! FOR JUNE ALSO JUNE 11 2016 IS THE BIG DAY~!! I AM TOO EXCITED EVERYDAY IS PRETTY MUCH RESEARCH DAY NOW AND I AM SURE IT WILL STAY LIKE THIS UNTIL THE WEDDING DAY IS OVER!!

[JaeD]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm completely new...actually, this is also my first time joining a forum (ever)...sorry in advance for any incorrect posts...

 

Engaged since December of 2014. My fiance and I finally decided on a wedding month...looking at end of May/early June of 2016.

 

I'd been doing research for about 3 weeks now, and finally chose Riviera Maya for our destination.

 

Unfortunately, my travel agent is terrible and now I'm not sure what to do. Getting a little nervous as it seems dates are booking up really quickly.

 

Can anyone please provide an agent in the Toronto area?

 

I received quotes, but I have so many more questions and he's not replying. Not to mention that he is NEVER in the office. It's really frustrating and I feel I've wasted so much time.

 

It's nice to read all the posts on here. Everyone seems so amazing and helpful. ☺

[rbehlke]

I'm so excited....I said 'yes' to the dress this past weekend! It was a tough decision as I fell in love with two very different dresses, but after trying them on again a week later, I chose. Yay! Now it's on to choosing a color theme and bridesmaid dresses. Oh, and a photographer.....it's much harder than I had anticipated! Do any of you have recommendations for me on any of these? 

[krystalball]

@@JaeD My TA is Sandi McConnell, and she works with destinationweddings.com. She's actually located in Brighton (between Toronto and Kingston), but didn't seem like a big deal to me that we wouldn't easily meet in person. Her email address is: smcconnell@destinationweddings.com

 

She's seriously been awesome to work with and she seems to work 24 hrs a day - emails are usually answered within an hour! She's in the Mayan Riviera this week, but is still responding to emails (though not as quickly as usual), and back in the office on Monday.

 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about working with her or want her number for when she's back in the office

 

There are a few other Toronto brides with great reviews of their TAs, so you'll probably have a few to choose from @@snswedding2016 @@TinkerSofi

[acw271011]

@@JaeD Sorry to hear about your TA. You're absolutely not the first bride to have this issue. As @@krystalball mentioned, you'll definitely get some recommendations here. @@TinkerSofi is actually in Calgary and is using an agent that is quite popular on this site. Obviously I can't speak for @@snswedding2016 so I can't say on her TA. The agent's name is Laurie Lee Rosser. She isn't based in Toronto, but the ladies that deal with her have nothing but great things to say about her. Her number toll free is 866-509-9337 and she has a site: www.laurielee.ca  Her email is [email protected]

 

Hope that helps and good luck!

[snswedding2016]

@@JaeD sorry to hear that you are having issues with your TA. I really do find that this is such an important part of the wedding planning and it makes all the difference to find a TA that works for you and that you trust. 

 

You may want to check out this thread about TAs in the GTA. I posted a review about Karen Lantigua at myweddingaway.com who is my TA and I love working with her. There are some other great suggestions on this thread as well. Happy planning!

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/79184-best-tas-in-toronto-ontario/