I think I may have made a mistake

[bosi]

oMG! I think I may have made a mistake in chossing Beaches Negril as my wedding location.

 

We just got engaged in June and decided not to waste much time before we get married in January.

 

I was told my by TA at destination weddings that Beaches Negril would be the best choice for me with kids and some older people invited, all inclusive etc. Our guests are just starting to make their reservations and the rates are so high! I have a lot of guests traveling from Africa and Europe so they are already paying a lot for their flights to Jamaica and then to pay so much more for their rooms? All the reasonably priced rms appear to be sold out and so rates are starting at above $3000.00 for a week. I am so afraid that most of our friends and family will not be able to attend because of these rates.Some have already said they can't make it. Others are taking their time and they may be shocked at the prices in a week or two.

 

Some are making reservations at Beaches Sandy Bay which is also included in my group rate but it's gotten mixed reviews on trip advisor and its a diferent resort.

 

I am actually thinking of having people sleep elsewhere but it would be so expensive to pay for their day passes for the wedding, and we would not be able to hang out with people who've traveled so far to be with us.

 

Perhaps I shold change the location of the wedding, but weve already sent out STDs and IVs.

 

Don't know what to do, and its worrying me so much.

[shellk]

do you and your fi still want to go to this resort?i would wait a few weeks and see how things go.i know it is important to you for your friends+family to be there but you need to remember it is your day and you need to do what the 2 of you want.if it comforts you our guests paid £3500 for 2 weeks.but our families can not afford to come and thats why we are having a big ahr when we return.

 

speak to your ta and find out what you would lose if you were to change resort.but i think this is your last choice

[islandbride317]

Ok...first of all, try to breathe and stay calm -- I know you must be panicked!

 

But, here is where your TA can come in and do their best to make sure this burden is not fully on your shoulders. See what they can do about finding similar accomodations nearby (and your guests will still get an amazing vacation and can still get day passes for your wedding), or take shellk's advice, and make sure your guests that can't make it are at the top of your list for invitations to your AHR.

Or...think about the following:

 

I am also a Sandals/Beaches bride, and maybe you might want to consider Beaches Boscobel, in Ocho Rios Jamaica. From what I understand, both Sandals & Beaches Negril are the priciest of their resorts, and Beaches Boscobel might be more economical for your and your guests. It looks like an incredible place, and you'll still have a fantastic wedding there (Beaches Boscobel is where I am recommending my guests with children stay since I am getting married at SGOR)! Plus, since it's still within the same company, you might be able to transfer all of your booking details from one resort to another seamlessly (fingers crossed!)

 

Perhaps you should PM TA Jennifer -- she's the expert on all things Sandals/Beaches! She'll be able to give you insight on what is possible and what it not.

 

Either way, just give it a lot of thought before you move your entire wedding to a different resort (because it might not be what you had envisioned for your day).

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you

[michelle6114]

Hi,

We also found Beaches Boscobel very reasonable. My mom's 6 night package in her basic family room came to about 850. I think that was with like 50% off.

[kdnicholer21]

Or maybe you can change the resort and go with the Riu of negril or Riu tropical bay, just a suggestion if nothing else works out. Hope this helps

[bosi]

Thanks for your responses, you guys are great!

 

I did take the time to take a few deep breaths and calm down. I then called the TA and she says she will really try to make sure that everyone gets the cheapest rates and she will send them all quotes for both beaches hotels...blah blah blah. I hope this will encourage some people. I only wish I had reserved a block of rooms earlier on but she had also discouraged me from the doing that citing the cost and that the rates would have expired anyway at this time.

 

Anyhow, I am going to try and remember that its my day and that I'll have fun even if its only our immediate families who can attend.

 

I will also call Beaches boscobel to find out if they have availablity on my date.

I hope other brides learn from this though,...if in a rush during the holiday season, book very early and badger your guests to do the same :-)

 

Thanks for your support and I'll keep you informed

Bosi

[islandbride317]

Yea, Bosi! I am glad to hear that things seem like they are going to be worked out, and EVERYONE will be happy in the end....whew! What a relief, right?

 

Please keep us in the loop on how your TA does in getting this mess straightened out for you -- it's stressful enough just being a bride, let alone having to orchestrate so many people's travel arrangements! That's why you trusted a professional in the first place, huh? I would just give her a friendly reminder that this is not just another yearly family vacation, too (I think it might be easy for her to forget that this is in fact YOUR WEDDING when she is busy with other clients and their trips!) I'm sure she is doing her best, but it's not like you can just hit a "do over" button if major things get missed. It's a once-in-a-limetime event, and I think it's only fair that she give your wedding the proper amount of time and attention it deserves.

 

Stay strong, and solider on, my friend!

[guest123]

Exact same thing happened to us.. we had our time booked at Beaches Negril. Sent out invitations and everything, only to find out all the Deluxe rooms are booked. We switched over to Riu Negril through the TA..

[msmoodyr]

Negril is more expensive overall vs ocho rios .. Montego Bay seems to be the cheapest of them all

[eec129]

I recently also briefly considered switching my resort...and my travel agent told me it was possible, aside from a $50 fee for those who had already booked...even if it was a different resort. If you do decide to switch it up, then the guests who have already booked probably wouldn't mind this fee if they are saving all around.

 

Good luck! I hope everything works out.