Booking Etiquette???

[Lua]

HI Ladies!

 

I'm not really sure about what proper etiquette is for getting quotes and stuff for my potential guests.

 

I've been working very hard the past month and a bit with my aunt (who is a TA) to get the best quote possible for the trip. We've been able to land a fabulous quote and after just recieving an extra month extention from Signature Vacations, are planning on sending STD emails tonight which will include a link to our wedding blog. On the Wedding Blog, we've included all the information on our quote along with my aunt's and her co-workers contact info so they can book through her if they like. We've also made a note on the blog that potential guests can also feel free to book with any other travel agent if they wish.

 

So on to my little issue ... that's stressing me out. ..... And I thought planning a DW wouldn't be stressful!!!

 

I have an issue with my other aunt --- on the other side of the family.

originally FI and I didn't want to invite any kids.. just so everyone could just relax completely and not have to worry. Well this aunt follows up with a "well we can't come then because there's no one to watch the kids --- who are 15 and 9 --- unless we get your grandma to stay back and babysit". I blew up right then and there that she even thought to make my grandma miss my wedding so that her kids could have a babysitter. After that FI and decided we didn't want any family conflict so decided fine, the kids can come. Now this aunt is harping on me to try and get her a different quote for the kids and quotes for different dates for them.

 

Is this up to me to now start shopping around for additional quotes at the potential guests request? Is it bad that I'm thinking she can just contact the TA herself for her special quote?

 

I feel that I've already put a LOT of effort into securing a good quote for our guests for our chosen dates. Is it rude of me to just refer them to the TA if they want something different

 

help!!! i'm going crazy over here! lol

[QueenDiva]

No it's not rude! You're already compromising enough- I know I wouldn't have, lol. Since your original plans were to have a kid-free event and that's now out the window, let her and anyone else who's chosen to deviate from your plan contact the TA themselves.

[Sax Lady]

NO i dont think thats rude at all because you did your job. Now its on the guest to do their own booking either with your TA or another one. SO when she contacts a TA thats something she needs to handle.

[Thomasjsgirl]

Not at all!! Your job was to find the best resort at the best price. If any guest chooses to deviate from your plans, that's their choice. Let your aunt knock herself out trying find a better price than a group rate, lol!!

 

You'll find that some people will try to book last minute, hoping to get a better price through a discount travel site. That's essentially the same concept -- it's their choice to do so and it's not your responsibility to find them a "better price".

 

Don't worry about people not enjoying themselves if they bring their children. If you chose a kid-friendly resort then they will all be just fine. Plus, people with children have the choice to leave them home with a relative or sitter, or bring with, in which case they know what they're in for. The important point being you shouldn't feel responsible for ensuring people with children have a good time!

 

Good luck!

[Lua]

thanks for the input ladies! i do feel much better about this. i have included an extra "note" on our website directing people to the TA if they want seperate quotes.

[loua4]

I agree with everyone else. since you had to change how you wanted your wedding for her, she can contact the TA herself and get a quote for the kids.

You did your job already.

[hat0112]

I agree with everyone and it isn't rude. She can call the TA herself and get her own quotes.

[teshy1]

I agree with all the other ladies on this one. Once you obtained the original quotes and passed along the info, your job was done. If people want quotes for different travel dates, kids, etc., they should contact the TA directly.

We had many of our guests get separate quotes, because they were travelling from the U.S. while our core group was travelling from Canada. All of our guests that dealt directly with my TA found her very helpful and nice, and I didn't have to stress at all about acting as travel agent.