Any other 2013 Brides??

[shannonmarie]

You are so lucky to be able to go to Mexico and check out the resorts! We made our decision just by researching online and reading these boards. We have never even been to Cancun, actually, never even been to an all inclusive resort! But I have heard and read so much about destination weddings. We've been on plenty of crusies, but I really wanted to have our wedding at a resort and stay at the resort for a few days. I have faith! lol
 

Originally Posted by JennyBenz 

Congratulations everyone!! I'm hoping to have an April 2013 wedding =) We will be going down to Mexico to check some resorts out and hopefully make a decision. It's so hard to choose where to have it, I think it will easy once we are there. Have you all gone down to the resort, or did you book it blindly & have faith in your advisors/planners/FI? Good luck to you all in planning!!

 

 

[ntlsnow]

I had to wait too. :-( I hope that does not mean I have a crappy TA. LOL!

 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Will the resort not allow you to book until May? I had several TA's tell me that I had to wait to book as well...but then I found a few who got me pricing, and booked our travel right away.
 

 

 

[ntlsnow]

I also only want a media package, I have people that can also handle the coffe table/photobook. Plus I love to play with some photography programs so it would be great to get the CD.

I am not sure what photography companies are used at the 2 resorts I chose, I cannot figure it out. I looked at some of Carribean Emotions and their packages are right in my price range. I will be checking into them as well once I find out what the resorts use.

 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

I booked Caribbean Emotions. I liked their packages and prices (as I wanted just a media package...all photos on CD (edited) so that I can print them at my leisure at home. I also have an Uncle who used to do wedding photography making our coffee table/photobook as a gift, and can help out with a photo slideshow afterwards as well.

 

 

 

 

[Dominican Ally]

It may have something to do with the fact that you are from the USA? Here in Canada, there are about 6 different tour operators (Transat, Sunquest, Air Canada Vacations, etc.)....and they all have a certain amount of spaces with each resort. We book our travel as a whole package (flight/hotel/airport transfer) - and even though flight schedules aren't out yet, they know what days they will be operating on, etc. 

 

I had a few Canadian TA's tell me we "couldn't" obtain pricing, but I kept searching until I found one who was great to deal with, and could get me pricing now. She secured a group rate for us out of each of our departure citys (we have 4 across Canada) for April 6-13. We can hold 30 spots for 90 days with no deposit (except Bride/Groom's) which is great for our guests to give them time to get deposits ready. Even though we have to wait to see our flight schedules, we know what days we'll be flying, and that our price is secured

 

I don't think it means you have a bad TA - I think maybe it might just be different in the US?

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

I had to wait too. :-( I hope that does not mean I have a crappy TA. LOL!

 

 

 

[ntlsnow]

I noticed that you can start groups on this forum. That might be a great way to have somewhere for people to talk about these things and support one another. I hope you hear good news too. Will be thinking of you guys....
 

Originally Posted by katiemac 


Thanks for sending prayers and thoughts our way. I just looked at my post, my FI has been battling cancer since 2011 not 2012. We find out on Friday the pathology of the tumor and the treatment plan. Hopefully we will receive some good news finally. Katie

 

[ntlsnow]

That is a good point, it may be a US thing. I did have most of the hotel prices last month when I went to the TA. But flights here in the US do not come out for January 2013 until about mid-March this year. (Going to the TA Monday!). We will be doing pacakges as well, just waiting on the flights now to pick what dates I may want. Flights changed by one day could mean a $200pp savings. I dont know why they do that here...makes things quite frustrating.

 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

It may have something to do with the fact that you are from the USA? Here in Canada, there are about 6 different tour operators (Transat, Sunquest, Air Canada Vacations, etc.)....and they all have a certain amount of spaces with each resort. We book our travel as a whole package (flight/hotel/airport transfer) - and even though flight schedules aren't out yet, they know what days they will be operating on, etc. 

 

I had a few Canadian TA's tell me we "couldn't" obtain pricing, but I kept searching until I found one who was great to deal with, and could get me pricing now. She secured a group rate for us out of each of our departure citys (we have 4 across Canada) for April 6-13. We can hold 30 spots for 90 days with no deposit (except Bride/Groom's) which is great for our guests to give them time to get deposits ready. Even though we have to wait to see our flight schedules, we know what days we'll be flying, and that our price is secured

 

I don't think it means you have a bad TA - I think maybe it might just be different in the US?

 

 

 

Quote:

 

 

[ntlsnow]

So I just took a quick look at a vacation package and flights are out up to Janaury 17. I am looking for the end of January so I am sure they will be out next week. I cannot believe how much they are though... I hope the TA can get a good deal. I am happy you were able to book already! I cannot wait to finalize a date!

[Dominican Ally]

You may also want to check out HDC photos - they have the same sort of packages, for a similar price. I can't really even tell you what made me decide on one over the other between them and Caribbean Emotions - just gut feeling I guess.

 

Also - once you decide on your resort - make sure they don't charge a crazy outside vendor fee to bring in a photographer! Some resorts I was considering charged $300+ as a fee to bring one in....crazy! With Ocean Blue (and I believe plenty of other resorts) we just have to pay the day pass fee, as we would for an outside guest ($50).

 

 

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

I also only want a media package, I have people that can also handle the coffe table/photobook. Plus I love to play with some photography programs so it would be great to get the CD.

I am not sure what photography companies are used at the 2 resorts I chose, I cannot figure it out. I looked at some of Carribean Emotions and their packages are right in my price range. I will be checking into them as well once I find out what the resorts use.

 

 

 

[Dominican Ally]

What hotels are you considering?

 

Fingers crossed for you that your TA can get you a good price I'm sure it will all work out!

 

I started off with Dreams La Romana, but my TA could get us was 1800pp from one gateway, and 2000pp from out west. I just couldn't ask my guests to pay that, as some are students, large families, etc. I quickly changed my hotel choice lol

 

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

So I just took a quick look at a vacation package and flights are out up to Janaury 17. I am looking for the end of January so I am sure they will be out next week. I cannot believe how much they are though... I hope the TA can get a good deal. I am happy you were able to book already! I cannot wait to finalize a date!

 

[Peach]

Yeah, I have to wait if I want to get a package. If I want to book separately, I can do that, but for packages not. Only two airlines fly to my destination, and only sporadically during the summer. I am okay waiting now... it drove me a little crazy in the beginning, but at this point I have been waiting since July, so what is a few more months?

It is a fairly small resort, but apparently we won't be having a huge group, so I am not too worried...

But believe me, the day that I can book, I will be doing so!

 

Originally Posted by Sllefebvr 

Wow, I can't believe that you have to wait so long to book everything.We are getting married June 2 2013 and I was allowed to book everything way back in September.. I wonder if just my resort is that way! I know you are getting married around the same time that I am but me ms. planner would be freaking out haha if my place wasn't booked I only have seventeen months till my wedding!!! LOL!!!
 

 

 

Originally Posted by Dominican Ally 

Will the resort not allow you to book until May? I had several TA's tell me that I had to wait to book as well...but then I found a few who got me pricing, and booked our travel right away.