I think Pilar will email you the booklet when you put your deposit down for the wedding package you choose. As for the travel agent, mine required a retainer fee. You can choose to do a group booking where the TA will have the hotel hold a # of rooms. Or you can have everyone book through your agent so you can have all their info and if anything happens your TA will be the one to handle those situations. You don't HAVE to have a TA but it's better if you do so you are concentrating on the wedding only.