Affording a destination wedding

[cendcar]

A lot of ladies here have had 2 year engagements so that the family has time to prepare financially. ( I wish I would have thought of that before, our engagement will be 9 months).

 

Also, Dreams does not charge for kids if there are two adults in the room.

 

Dang, you are in Denver. I know there are not any beaches close by (my fam is from there too).

 

I would say if you really want a beach wedding, have a long engagement to prepare people. Most TA's offer payment plans. Then at the resort (at least Dreams, Tulum) you can get the complimentary wedding and keep it simple.

 

Good luck to you!

[akbeach]

Talk to a travel agent because they will know which resorts are offering specials such as kids stay free. In 2008, Dream and a few other resorts had a kids stay free deal. Also, check Applevacations.com because they will have info about kids. In Mexico, Barcelo and Iberostar had lower prices when we were searching for a location that were more affordable than some of the other resort and still 4-5 star quality. The Viva Wyndham is 3 -4 star and is cheaper. You can always upgrade for your honeymoon if that's important to you! No matter what you choose, make sure you and your FI are doing what you want. Family has a way of making their point but in the end, it is your wedding! Good luck!

[RoryS]

Have you looked into Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point)? My sister lives in Arizona and it is a drive down from the Scottsdale area. It is really growing and a lot of hotels have been added. You'll still get the beach and it might be more reasonable for you.

[FranticBride2be]

Hey,

 

This was a major concern for us.  We did a couple of things. 

 

1) We booked early.  The prices were significantly lower (prices have since gone up at our 5 star resort by about 900$).  Also, this allowed people to plan around the trip. 

 

2)  We looked into a resort that had multiple prices ranges (we decided not to, but did go with a resort where there were different price points depending on room type (swim up, luxury...)

 

3) A lot of packages/hotels, offer discounts like " every 11th person free".  We decided to pool the 5 free trips, and offer either a significant discount to specific people we knew couldn't afford to come, or reduce the price for everybody.

 

4)  We also decided that since it would work out cheaper for us to do the destination wedding, we could use the extra money we anticipated spending, to help out the couple of people that wouldn't have been able to make it otherwise.

 

Hope that helps!!

[Gladis]

Great helpful reply...Thanks a bunch!

 

~Gladis

[Moments That Matter]

Excellent suggestions FranticBride2be! you sound like you have it all together, and not "frantic" at all.....lol - hope it all works out just the way you want........be "free as a child" with joy + imagination, and all the Best! Enjoy

[Aynat]

It does all add up, but you have to remember that it's a vacation and a wedding in one! You get both things and the wedding part is stretched out. Normally wedding are expensive but only lady a day and you not even get to see everyone. Thus way everyone is relaxed and enjoying each others company for more then just a day That's my take on it.