Guests Not Booking Through Travel Agent

[kmk2016]

Mine is the group in total. Departure cities didn't matter.

 

 

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Mine was same way. Total guests booking package. (Land only guests did not qualify toward numbers)

[calgarybride2015]

Mine was same way. Total guests booking package. (Land only guests did not qualify toward numbers)

Agreed. We had a few who only booked resort but not airfare so they didn't count. They did count though towards deals from the resort.

 

 

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[Guest]

Excellent! We have around 28 invited from Canada between the two departure points, and probably three who are not financially secure at the moment, so if we can get some sort of freebies to go towards those ones, that would probably help out a lot!

[calgarybride2015]

Excellent! We have around 28 invited from Canada between the two departure points, and probably three who are not financially secure at the moment, so if we can get some sort of freebies to go towards those ones, that would probably help out a lot!

All depends on the airline. Definitely ask once you sort out your TA issue!!!

 

 

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[Mangosong]

@@palmtree99 I'm not doing a cruise, but I really like that idea!

[Ydolem]

Our group package is similar to @@calgarybride2015 and @@kmk2016, we have seven departure cities included. The prices varied slightly, all within $200 for a one week stay and airfare. Unfortunately a few cities had different departure dates, so our friends from Vancouver will arrive a day before the majority of the group, and our friends from Ottawa will arrive a day later.

[Lia33]

Ours was based on group total also. Our TA didn't book flights, just resort stay and assisted finding good flights for guests who requested her assistance. But I don't know if any of our perks will come into play since perks were based on rooms booked - many people are rooming with each other and many people are booking on their own. I don't regret having a TA but with so many people booking on their own I could have easily gone without one :/

 

Oh well! I know that those that are already booked are glad to be able to pay this slowly while being booked, so it definitely has it's benefits.

[JennyZ]

Last weekend, I encountered this problem with my Fiance's side of the family - which to say lightly, was rather offensive and frustrating (even caused some tears). I have been working very hard with a travel agent for months in order to find the lowest rates available and even had to "fire" my first travel agency, as they were not being respectful of the budget I had given (under $1500 per person).

 

Since I am having a "smaller" wedding with approx. 20-30 guests (most on his side), it is very important they all book with the group deal we have been given, so everyone can get the group rate. I decided to send out an explanation letter, before sending out Save the Dates, to make the arrangements very clear.

 

Here is what I sent to friends and family (some details removed for privacy):

 

 

With love in our hearts, we, Frederic and Jennifer, are pleased to announce our engagement to be married! We are planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya, Mexico leaving on November 28, 2015. Please know how very important you are to us and that we would be honoured by your presence at our wedding.
 

At this time, we are reaching out to our loved ones, to see who will be able to join us on our special day.

We have been working hard with a specialized travel agency who will assist everyone in making all of the arrangements. Through this company, you will be able to take advantage of an interest free payment plan for the trip. The final cost including tax is $1310-1325 per adult, out of Toronto and Montreal airports. This includes flights (both there & back) and one week all-inclusive accommodations at the beautiful Iberostar Quetzal Resort in Playa Del Carmen. We will also be given a “price match guarantee” to ensure everyone receives the best rate available and if any of the costs lower closer to the wedding date you will be appropriately compensated.

We welcome you to visit a few links about the resort:
http://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-quetzal

Here is a video tour taken by an actual guest (shows the entire resort grounds):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xpCwOFa5s&feature=youtu.be

If anyone would like to confirm their attendance: The above prices are valid until December 15, 2014 (will increase after) and only requires a $250 deposit per person to lock in the discounted group rates we have been given. You will then be given an interest free payment option, which is payable up to June 15, 2015.

 

Contact our travel agent Krystyn directly at:
Toll Free: -----
Email: -----

Hopefully this will provide you with ample time to budget and consider your ability to attend. Although it would be fantastic to have all of our loved ones there as witnesses, we appreciate that limitations exist. We would of course be saddened by your absence and miss you greatly, but we want you to know that we would truly understand.

Please let us know if you will be coming so we may get an approximate number of guests, and if you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us! We will soon have an actual wedding website as an information resource and plan to send out formal invitations once we hear back from everyone

 

 

Since sending this and hearing back that the "other side" will either just find their own flights, or even stay at a different resort?!!!....  I have modified my wedding website to kind of make it less of an option, asking them to please book with the "wedding group travel agent" that we have reserved for the courtesy of our guests. I guess a lot of people don't understand, there are fees for day passes/guests to come in from other resorts and also extra charges (at least at my resort) for outside guests to attend the dinner - which gets billed to the Bride & Grooms account!

 

I have asked my Fiance to speak with his family to try to explain the above, but I find myself worrying they're all going to wait last minute (a deposit has to be paid by this Dec 2014 to lock in the early booking bonus/discounted rates we have) and be charged the $1600+ we were originally being quoted! I know I have no control other this, but it's so frustrating, especially when these people are saying $1300 is too much for a 5 star resort...? Guess they're in for a big surprise!!!

 

My plan at this point is to send out the link to my wedding website soon (just sent above explanation letter 3 weeks ago) and then to send out "reminder emails" when the deposit deadline is approaching. Just very worrisome knowing the group deals can be ruined, should our invited guests start deciding to plan their own approach of our wedding!

 

If anyone has any other suggestions, I am totally open to them!!! I should mention, his side are all in another Province of Canada (so we dont get to see them very often) AND speak another language, so that is also a bit of a challenge to getting everyone "on board" 

[calgarybride2015]

Last weekend, I encountered this problem with my Fiance's side of the family - which to say lightly, was rather offensive and frustrating (even caused some tears). I have been working very hard with a travel agent for months in order to find the lowest rates available and even had to "fire" my first travel agency, as they were not being respectful of the budget I had given (under $1500 per person).

 

Since I am having a "smaller" wedding with approx. 20-30 guests (most on his side), it is very important they all book with the group deal we have been given, so everyone can get the group rate. I decided to send out an explanation letter, before sending out Save the Dates, to make the arrangements very clear.

 

Here is what I sent to friends and family (some details removed for privacy):

 

 

With love in our hearts, we, Frederic and Jennifer, are pleased to announce our engagement to be married! We are planning a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya, Mexico leaving on November 28, 2015. Please know how very important you are to us and that we would be honoured by your presence at our wedding.

 

At this time, we are reaching out to our loved ones, to see who will be able to join us on our special day.

 

We have been working hard with a specialized travel agency who will assist everyone in making all of the arrangements. Through this company, you will be able to take advantage of an interest free payment plan for the trip. The final cost including tax is $1310-1325 per adult, out of Toronto and Montreal airports. This includes flights (both there & back) and one week all-inclusive accommodations at the beautiful Iberostar Quetzal Resort in Playa Del Carmen. We will also be given a “price match guarantee” to ensure everyone receives the best rate available and if any of the costs lower closer to the wedding date you will be appropriately compensated.

 

We welcome you to visit a few links about the resort:

http://www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-quetzal

 

Here is a video tour taken by an actual guest (shows the entire resort grounds):

 

If anyone would like to confirm their attendance: The above prices are valid until December 15, 2014 (will increase after) and only requires a $250 deposit per person to lock in the discounted group rates we have been given. You will then be given an interest free payment option, which is payable up to June 15, 2015.

 

Contact our travel agent Krystyn directly at:

Toll Free: -----

Email: -----

 

Hopefully this will provide you with ample time to budget and consider your ability to attend. Although it would be fantastic to have all of our loved ones there as witnesses, we appreciate that limitations exist. We would of course be saddened by your absence and miss you greatly, but we want you to know that we would truly understand.

 

Please let us know if you will be coming so we may get an approximate number of guests, and if you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us! We will soon have an actual wedding website as an information resource and plan to send out formal invitations once we hear back from everyone

 

 

Since sending this and hearing back that the "other side" will either just find their own flights, or even stay at a different resort?!!!.... I have modified my wedding website to kind of make it less of an option, asking them to please book with the "wedding group travel agent" that we have reserved for the courtesy of our guests. I guess a lot of people don't understand, there are fees for day passes/guests to come in from other resorts and also extra charges (at least at my resort) for outside guests to attend the dinner - which gets billed to the Bride & Grooms account!

 

I have asked my Fiance to speak with his family to try to explain the above, but I find myself worrying they're all going to wait last minute (a deposit has to be paid by this Dec 2014 to lock in the early booking bonus/discounted rates we have) and be charged the $1600+ we were originally being quoted! I know I have no control other this, but it's so frustrating, especially when these people are saying $1300 is too much for a 5 star resort...? Guess they're in for a big surprise!!!

 

My plan at this point is to send out the link to my wedding website soon (just sent above explanation letter 3 weeks ago) and then to send out "reminder emails" when the deposit deadline is approaching. Just very worrisome knowing the group deals can be ruined, should our invited guests start deciding to plan their own approach of our wedding!

 

If anyone has any other suggestions, I am totally open to them!!! I should mention, his side are all in another Province of Canada (so we dont get to see them very often) AND speak another language, so that is also a bit of a challenge to getting everyone "on board"

Unfortunately I think everyone on here feels your frustration. We've all been there in one way or another. The complaints and slack we got (and still get) about Mexico, about the cost, etc. Is upsetting. For people booked it is only fiance's dad but people who didn't book felt the need to not just kindly say no, some where so tacky about it. I didn't realize now how much drama they caused!!! So you are just witnessing what's par for the course it seems. People who you thought would be 100% by your side, won't be. And friends you thought would be 50% are there 100%. I've lost a great friendship (or so I thought it was). My bestie vanished once I got engaged. It caused a lot of tears, I had friends say they couldn't come but then ignored me/got in a tiff when I took them at their word and didn't send an invite. I could go on. What I'm learning is this day is for you two. You can't and will never make everyone happy so just do your best while remembering at the end of the day it's about you two. Foster the friendships that arise from this and move on from the ones that bring you down. It's such an eye opener. The stress goes in waves. Leading up until the deposit deadline. Then leading up until the payment deadline (mine was yesterday and this week was tough. as the week went on fiance's dad's complaints re started). We also banked on those booking bonuses for extras as we thought we had our numbers. While it seems we do - I believe everyone paid yay! it wouldn't be the end of the world if we don't. At the end of the day worry about making you two happy! Don't budge for others. We did early on only for those people to not even come!!!!! Be prepared for the frustration of people's opinions and be prepared for drama. Just know you worked hard to get them a good deal and try to have faith. Most of us have been here, trust me. I thought it was just my friends and family until I found this board. Good luck!!!

 

 

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[veryvalentine]

@JennyZ 

That was such a great letter that you put together!  I love it.  So well organized and the message is clear.

 

I hope you have an amazing wedding that things get cleared up on the FI's side.

 

We have also experienced this and I was surprised at how upset i was.  

 

It's unfortunate that people pull away when you are about to get married.  I don't get it.