Tulum, Mexico

[Quadmom]

How do I go about finding a good deal for my wedding party (and us for that matter). The coordinator we are using doesn't take care of the travel/accomodations aspect. We're ok with that, since its been a trade off between going with someone who obviously knows what they are doing in terms of the ceremony and photography and someone who took care of travel but barely responded to our information requests.

Anyway, how do we find the best deal? I've always booked our personal travel via Travelocity and Expedia. Is there usually a big difference between that and what you can get through like a touring company?

[tripsdown]

Hi Quadmom,

First I have to be honest with you to say that I am a owner of a travel agency that has been specializing in destination weddings for the past 10 years, both travel and wedding planning. I want you to know that upfront so you know where my thoughts are coming from, especially the travel industry.

The best route for you to take can depend upon the resort and how many people traveling to your destination wedding. My honest opinion is to not go with the big online guys like Expedia and Travelocity because you do not get service. Plus many agencies like myself now have access to the same inventory to what the big guys have. Actually Travelocity provides a travel agent section where they even send us coupons to be lower then them. And for advance booking I have found neither of them to be cheaper then what I can get lately. (Knock on wood! Don't want to jinx myself) But what you have to take away from that is what is comfortable for your guests.

Ok, lets look at an example. If you book lets say with Travelocity, your wedding guests have to pay for everything at the time of booking, upfront, nonrefundable in most cases. Do you feel your guests can comfortably do that? If you book with a travel agent who uses a tour operator depending upon your departure city, yes, you do have to pay for the airline ticket 100% at the time of booking, but your land based package would only be $150.00per person, with the remaining due roughly 60 days prior. Why do you say this is important? Because say your guest wants to travel but it is far in advance, so airfare they might want to wait and see. At least right now they could book the resort, then watch the airfare and pay for the remaining amount of the room later. Giving them the freedom to control their money.

This is best when you are looking at resorts that might sell out. At least the guest has a room, because that is the biggest battle to face with a destination wedding. Especially true if you are at an all inclusive resort. If they don't book that resort, they might get one close by, but someone will end up paying a day pass rate to attend the wedding or to see you. Those costs could be $75 - $125per person, per day. And if there is not another resort next by, then they have taxi charges in there too.

Another asset using a travel agency is that they can send the rooming list to the resort and keep you updated on who is traveling. Plus some can get deals depending upon how much business is going towards the resort/hotel that you are staying at and the airlines. Yes, there are discounts on airline deals because some use cheaper bulk airfare or could use a straight discount. And don't forget you might not people who do not like to use the internet or trust it to give a credit card. What are they suppose to do?

I once saw a destination wedding on a cable TV show where I saw the bride and groom spend hours on the internet using those sites trying to get all of their guests down there. You could really see the frustration that they where feeling. Actually there was some choice words flying around. I felt so bad with them.

My suggestion is, you went to use a person who specializes in just the wedding planning, you should treat your travel planning the same way. Wedding travel is so much different then just hoping on the plane for just two. So many people ask questions that you need to provide them with the avenue to take. Service is truly the key.

I hope this helps! Sorry to be so down on internet travel sites. I know that educated travel agents have come along way from the first years of the travel internet boom. Many can meet or beat the prices. It is always worth an email or two to see what else is out there.

Best wishes on your special day!

Take Care,
Lindsay


How do I go about finding a good deal for my wedding party (and us for that matter). The coordinator we are using doesn't take care of the travel/accomodations aspect. We're ok with that, since its been a trade off between going with someone who obviously knows what they are doing in terms of the ceremony and photography and someone who took care of travel but barely responded to our information requests.

Anyway, how do we find the best deal? I've always booked our personal travel via Travelocity and Expedia. Is there usually a big difference between that and what you can get through like a touring company?