When Should I Start Getting Quotes?

Sarewarren · July 4, 2016

Hello Everyone,

I am new to posting here, but I have been lurking for a few months. We are planning on getting married in sometime between October-November 2017. I have spoken to a travel agent but the quotes all seem super high. Is this because it is 1.5 years out? Do you think the quotes will drop? I am planning on sending my STD's out a year in advance and invitations out 6-8 months in advance. In your experience when is the best time to get the quotes and when did people typically book, with the STD's or the invitations? I am so confused. I am hoping to use these quotes to narrow down a resort so I can lock down a date now and start planning.

Thanks,

Sarah

YS Studios · July 4, 2016

Booking over 1 year out is standard. Traveling during this time of year is a bit higher due to that sort of being a peak time of year in the US at least Mid-West for Weddings.

Sending those save the dates out earlier than 8 months is advised if you would like most of the people to plan for time off etc. Who doesn't want to come see a lovely destination Wedding ; )

Sarah ~ Don't forget this is fun so enjoy the process ; )

JasminMattPhoto · July 5, 2016

You can never start planning too early, probably the best thing you can remember. Also, like @YS Studios said, "Don't forget this is fun so enjoy the process ; ) "

scadeau · July 7, 2016

I booked about 12.5 months out, but my wedding is in May (so that is a bit off season). I emailed a few travel agents to see what different prices they could get me for a variety of different resorts because we weren't sure which resort we wanted. We were being more price conscious so our families could afford to go. We met one travel agent in person and decided to go with her mainly because weddings and large groups are her specialty. We gave her an approximate budget per trip and she gave us different price points/resorts.

Once our travel agent gave us quotes they were good for one week, in the that time frame we had to book or let the quotes go. Once we put our deposit there was 3 months until our guests deposits were due. I don't know if this is normal, but definitely something to speak to your travel agent about. My friend created our invitations so once my finance and I put our trip deposit down, we added the travel dates/wedding day to the invitation and then took a few days at the printer. Guests had 10 weeks to get deposits in from receiving the invitations.

The only thing that I noticed about different travel quotes was that departing on Wednesdays seems to be cheaper! And don't be afraid to ask travel agents LOTS of questions - keep in mind it is your wedding and you need to be comfortable with everything

Sarewarren · July 9, 2016

I actually was referred to darci at platinum travel through this website. However with everything thats been going on in Fort McMurray where she lives she has been really slow in responding to me. Which is understandable. Luckily I have a lot of time to plan as we are planning on oct 2017.