Need Help..Large group, wedding?
Jul 25th, 2014, 06:32 PM
#21
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I'm interested as to what places have 20,000$ weddings down there? Nearly every hotel I've seen costs between 2500 and 4500? We are looking to have a really basic wedding, with 20 people. If more people show, most places cost an additional 75-125pp. So even 20 more people at max cost, it's 2500 extra.
Just as an example - Iberostar Cozumel - basic room 1078/rm for 7 nights. = 9702 (9 rooms)In the original post, I said there were children with us, one of which is parents with 3.
The most expensive package for weddings there is 5500, including hair, reception, cocktails, decorations, photos.
Our flights together would be 900
All said and done, thats around 16100 - 18600...and there's room to add to it?
I guess I was just hoping someone that had experience with something like this would chime in. I figured there would be someone on here that's done the destination wedding thing, or knew where to get the most bang for your buck. Like I said, I'm new to planning large groups, and, thankfully new to planning weddings. I appreciate the people that have given me some advice, and am digging into it. I've also considered just getting a travel agent, have you found that they can get better deals?
Just as an example - Iberostar Cozumel - basic room 1078/rm for 7 nights. = 9702 (9 rooms)In the original post, I said there were children with us, one of which is parents with 3.
The most expensive package for weddings there is 5500, including hair, reception, cocktails, decorations, photos.
Our flights together would be 900
All said and done, thats around 16100 - 18600...and there's room to add to it?
I guess I was just hoping someone that had experience with something like this would chime in. I figured there would be someone on here that's done the destination wedding thing, or knew where to get the most bang for your buck. Like I said, I'm new to planning large groups, and, thankfully new to planning weddings. I appreciate the people that have given me some advice, and am digging into it. I've also considered just getting a travel agent, have you found that they can get better deals?
Jul 25th, 2014, 09:01 PM
#22
"...(as the ones you have picked are 5 bedrooms or less) for a few days,"
Then pick a bigger one.
"and we would end up spending a large amount on the actual wedding, as more people would attend"
Why would more people attend?
" If you think people can stay for 3 days with rooms, food, drinks, and gas for under 400 on Cape Cod, I'm impressed"
???
I do think they can attend a wedding a few hours away for less than a destination wedding.
"The whole point of spending this money this way was to really enjoy a week all together so both sides of the family could get to know each other"
Weddings are stressful.
Family vacations are stressful.
The thought of a week with the in-laws getting to know each other brings up all sorts of possibilities. Feelings get slighted during weddings, on trips, between in-laws. IMO it's a minefield.
You want to honeymoon in a warm destination. My suggestion is to have a "destination" wedding closer by. Spend a weekend with the families. Then you and your love go off to spend a honeymoon by yourself.
There are a lot of reasons guests/families aren't thrilled about destination weddings. One of the biggest reasons is the forced week of vacation and time spent at a location they may not have chosen on their own. They want to celebrate the wedding with you. A week all together in a foreign country - especially if they don't travel a lot (if I understood that right) will be a lot of stress on everyone, especially you as the bride.
Good luck with what you decide.
Then pick a bigger one.
"and we would end up spending a large amount on the actual wedding, as more people would attend"
Why would more people attend?
" If you think people can stay for 3 days with rooms, food, drinks, and gas for under 400 on Cape Cod, I'm impressed"
???
I do think they can attend a wedding a few hours away for less than a destination wedding.
"The whole point of spending this money this way was to really enjoy a week all together so both sides of the family could get to know each other"
Weddings are stressful.
Family vacations are stressful.
The thought of a week with the in-laws getting to know each other brings up all sorts of possibilities. Feelings get slighted during weddings, on trips, between in-laws. IMO it's a minefield.
You want to honeymoon in a warm destination. My suggestion is to have a "destination" wedding closer by. Spend a weekend with the families. Then you and your love go off to spend a honeymoon by yourself.
There are a lot of reasons guests/families aren't thrilled about destination weddings. One of the biggest reasons is the forced week of vacation and time spent at a location they may not have chosen on their own. They want to celebrate the wedding with you. A week all together in a foreign country - especially if they don't travel a lot (if I understood that right) will be a lot of stress on everyone, especially you as the bride.
Good luck with what you decide.
Jul 26th, 2014, 02:39 AM
#23
2 things to consider:
Most expensive wedding is $5500. For how many persons? You know the price will end up being more for more people, right?
Your money will get you basics. Things in general cost a lot more in caribbean-- so expect "rustic" "basic" not just for wedding, but for rooms and food. Do not expect the food to be good. $5000 in Caribbean is not they same as $5000 in the States. It will be half expectations of what you get in the States.
Sounds like you've figured it out. So you really don't need us! ;-)
Ask KVR about Ibostar, she's the expert on AIs, saving money on vacation. If she approves iberstar, go for it! If she says she would never return, I would listen carefully. She has experience in tons of AIs places all over and I consider her the expert in the places you'd look into.
Make sure to add 25% taxes service charges to your quote.
Consider the honeymoon elsewhere. Honeymoon is to start your marriage right, not get to know the family. (and you will need a break, families, there's always someone who expects more or different, someone who hard to please. Any trip with 20 persons is hard, as you're responsible now to make 20 persons like what you like all the time (because you picked it) and do everything you've planned in a foreign country (because you picked it).
A destination wedding in the States still creates independence. Persons can still do other than wedding stuff on their own.
You pay for 20 persons, even just a portion of their trip, they will be obligated by your choices the entire time. That's really a lot to ask of anyone, even with the right intentions.
Your idea is noble, but even more stressful. For example, I've attended weddings in foreign places. We paid our way, and still felt obligated. Most didn't speak the language. Others felt "trapped" being in a foreign land for 5 days following what someone else had decided they would do for 5 days.
This adds a different stress to an already stressful thing. And when you pay, theres additional obligation to do things that a person might not normal do.
Some might not like to travel. Some might not like Caribbean. You are adding many stresses to an already stressful thing.
My true suggestion? Do not pay for anyone. This causes dependency. (and can cause animosity)
Your thinking economically that you get more "special" for your money and you won't. You'll get less, unless you increase your budget.
Okay, I'll stop being Dr. Phil. But you really need to consider, some people don't like to travel. Destination weddings are terrific (I've been to quite a few actually) but you do have to be more realistic!
And make expectations of "affordable" is less standard in Caribbean, as it's not the same. You get LESS than what you pay for in Caribbean.
Ask KVR about iberstar!
Most expensive wedding is $5500. For how many persons? You know the price will end up being more for more people, right?
Your money will get you basics. Things in general cost a lot more in caribbean-- so expect "rustic" "basic" not just for wedding, but for rooms and food. Do not expect the food to be good. $5000 in Caribbean is not they same as $5000 in the States. It will be half expectations of what you get in the States.
Sounds like you've figured it out. So you really don't need us! ;-)
Ask KVR about Ibostar, she's the expert on AIs, saving money on vacation. If she approves iberstar, go for it! If she says she would never return, I would listen carefully. She has experience in tons of AIs places all over and I consider her the expert in the places you'd look into.
Make sure to add 25% taxes service charges to your quote.
Consider the honeymoon elsewhere. Honeymoon is to start your marriage right, not get to know the family. (and you will need a break, families, there's always someone who expects more or different, someone who hard to please. Any trip with 20 persons is hard, as you're responsible now to make 20 persons like what you like all the time (because you picked it) and do everything you've planned in a foreign country (because you picked it).
A destination wedding in the States still creates independence. Persons can still do other than wedding stuff on their own.
You pay for 20 persons, even just a portion of their trip, they will be obligated by your choices the entire time. That's really a lot to ask of anyone, even with the right intentions.
Your idea is noble, but even more stressful. For example, I've attended weddings in foreign places. We paid our way, and still felt obligated. Most didn't speak the language. Others felt "trapped" being in a foreign land for 5 days following what someone else had decided they would do for 5 days.
This adds a different stress to an already stressful thing. And when you pay, theres additional obligation to do things that a person might not normal do.
Some might not like to travel. Some might not like Caribbean. You are adding many stresses to an already stressful thing.
My true suggestion? Do not pay for anyone. This causes dependency. (and can cause animosity)
Your thinking economically that you get more "special" for your money and you won't. You'll get less, unless you increase your budget.
Okay, I'll stop being Dr. Phil. But you really need to consider, some people don't like to travel. Destination weddings are terrific (I've been to quite a few actually) but you do have to be more realistic!
And make expectations of "affordable" is less standard in Caribbean, as it's not the same. You get LESS than what you pay for in Caribbean.
Ask KVR about iberstar!
Jul 26th, 2014, 07:22 AM
#24
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Actually, except that you can be sure some of your people will not want to set foot on a ship, a cruise to the Caribbean in March or April would be wonderful. We enjoy them a lot and that is one type wedding I would be most likely to travel for. You would just have to gage your family, and also, pick the ship and cruise carefully. I also think you would be able to do inside staterooms only on your budget, but for a larger group, you might get better rates.
Look at vacationstogo for ideas, but fill in dates for next Spring because their 90 day sticker won't show cruises for next year yet. Also, some of the very short 3/4 day cruises may be more college partying cruises and you do not want that. At least 5-7 days is good. You would need to do closed circuit cruises, US to US or everybody would need passports. They should have them anyway just to be safe, so that is another issue for people to deal with. I think it would be tight, but you could make it work with your budget. We did a week on Epic this Spring for about $1000 a person, including airfare to Florida and a couple of special dinners, taxis, etc.
Look at cruisecritic also for opinions and advice.
Check out the West Coast of Florida around Passe Grille. It is pretty and easy to get to, decent beach and good restaurants for small groups. DD got married on the beach there. We had white chairs with flowers, a musician playing a viola, etc and dinner in a nearby restaurant. It was very nice, but frankly, still work to get it done, and even on the cheap, might not be your budget.
Look at vacationstogo for ideas, but fill in dates for next Spring because their 90 day sticker won't show cruises for next year yet. Also, some of the very short 3/4 day cruises may be more college partying cruises and you do not want that. At least 5-7 days is good. You would need to do closed circuit cruises, US to US or everybody would need passports. They should have them anyway just to be safe, so that is another issue for people to deal with. I think it would be tight, but you could make it work with your budget. We did a week on Epic this Spring for about $1000 a person, including airfare to Florida and a couple of special dinners, taxis, etc.
Look at cruisecritic also for opinions and advice.
Check out the West Coast of Florida around Passe Grille. It is pretty and easy to get to, decent beach and good restaurants for small groups. DD got married on the beach there. We had white chairs with flowers, a musician playing a viola, etc and dinner in a nearby restaurant. It was very nice, but frankly, still work to get it done, and even on the cheap, might not be your budget.
