The Hidden Fees You Need to Know About

As a destination wedding planner, I’ve helped many couples plan and book their destination weddings in Mexico and the Caribbean. While many couples who think they can DIY their destination wedding by choosing to book directly with the resort (thinking they are saving money), end up contacting me, realizing that the task is not as simple as it seems. 

Sure, you’ve gotten serious about your wedding planning, and that means you’re ready to lock in the resort where you will say your “I Do’s” in paradise. It’s relatively affordable, has a decent rating on TripAdvisor, the Facebook bride groups give it a thumbs up, and it looks beautiful in the online photos. What more is there? Before you run and pick up the phone to book directly with a resort, there are a few things to consider. In fact, there are many reasons why booking your destination wedding directly with a resort could be a bad idea, and one of them is, well…you may be leaving money on the table. Here are some of the reasons, I recommend avoiding booking your destination wedding directly with the resort. 

Let’s dive in and uncover the reasons why it’s not the best idea: 

You Might End Up Spending More

Sure, you might think that booking directly with the resort and cutting out the middle person (aka planner) will save you some cash, but that’s not always the case. Resort managers are aware that it’s a one-time deal with you, and let’s face it, you are overwhelmed and easily wowed with all the glitz and glamour for your big day so they may try to maximize their profits. There are upsells that they will do, there are discounts they may not mention, complimentary room nights, upgrades, and more that are available to you that you might not be aware of and they may not offer to you if you do not know to ask.

On the other hand, a destination wedding specialist or planner will have solid connections with resort wedding managers and can often score special rates, discounts, and package deals that aren’t available to individual customers. They can help you compare prices across different resorts and make sure you get the best value for your money. 

You Could Get Slammed With Fees 

It is so upsetting to see couples get blind-sided with fees based on the group contract which will increase the costs of their destination wedding. Essentially, when rooms are held for a group, there are attrition dates and cancellation penalties. If you don’t pay attention to those and have empty rooms in the group, or if your guests cancel their room when there are cancellation penalties, couples can be stuck holding the bag and have fees they weren’t expecting. Group contracts are typically the best choice for guaranteeing availability and pricing for your guests. They also yield the best comps and amenities. But they do come with risks and if you are not educated on what those risks are, you could be surprised by the exorbitant fees that can incur. Using a destination wedding planner will protect you from this as we pad those dates and make sure unused rooms and room nights are released from the inventory and second deposit and final payment due dates are at least 10 days to two weeks in advance of actual due dates. We also make sure your guests are aware of any penalties upon making their initial reservation. All of this is information that a couple would not want to be tasked with along with the rest of the stresses in planning a wedding. This is why most destination wedding couples will learn from the mistake of others and choose to work with a wedding planner/travel professional who specializes in destination wedding group travel. 

You’ll Be Left with Stressful Tasks 

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when it’s a destination wedding. There are many more moving parts to think about. While the resort will take care of the wedding-specific infrastructure, there are dozens of other aspects to manage. Juggling all these tasks from afar can be incredibly stressful. Hiring a wedding planner or working with a destination wedding specialist can alleviate much of that stress. They can handle the logistics, coordination, and communication with the resort, allowing you to focus on taking care of you and your guests, ensuring their comfort and enjoyment during the wedding preparations. 

You’ll Miss Out on Personalized Service & Experience 

Keep in mind that the resort might be handling your wedding, other weddings that day, along with a dozen other unrelated events at the same time. Often times there are multiple weddings going on depending on the resort you choose. The best they can offer is a dedicated manager (wedding coordinator), but that doesn’t really qualify as a personalized service. That is just someone who will be there to direct you the day of the wedding. A destination wedding planner/specialist can work closely with you to understand your dream wedding vision and preferences. They’ll customize the event to reflect your style, theme, and budget, ensuring that all the details are taken care of. They can also connect you with top-notch photographers, videographers, decorators, and entertainers to make your wedding experience truly unique and memorable. 

You’ll Be Busy Troubleshooting on Your Big Day 

No matter how meticulously you plan your event, unforeseen hiccups can happen at any given moment. And when they do, the resort may leave you to handle them on your own. Having a dedicated wedding planner or travel agent by your side can be a real lifesaver in such situations. They’ve dealt with similar experiences before and know how to quickly troubleshoot problems, ensuring that your wedding day runs smoothly. 

Communication Issues May Cause Problems 

Let’s face it, the customer service at some exotic and remote destination wedding resorts aren’t always as speedy as we’d like. If you need to communicate changes or get information to help with your planning, reaching the right people quickly can be a challenge, especially if there is a language difference. Booking directly with these resorts may lead to communication difficulties. They might not respond to your emails promptly, and if you manage to get them on the phone, they might keep you waiting until you’re frustration meter is off the charts!  On the other hand, a reputable destination wedding planner knows how to connect with the right person quickly and relay your messages effectively. They might even have local contacts to make sure everything is set up perfectly for your big day. 

So, is it worth it to work with a planner or destination wedding specialist?  Even though it comes with an extra cost, it’s an investment that can make a big difference to how enjoyable your destination wedding will be and most likely save you money in the long run. These professionals have local knowledge and contacts, and they also have existing relationships and deals with businesses. So don’t book your destination wedding directly with the resort; get in touch with a planner or agent instead. 

If you are navigating the world of your destination wedding, and have questions or just feel like you need someone that will walk the journey with you and help make the planning process stress free, click on the link below to schedule a free consultation with me today. I will do my best to help you make your dream wedding a reality. Book Your Consultation Here We are bilingual in Spanish, making your communication with the team in Mexico and the Dominican republic seamless! We also offer your wedding website translated in both English and Spanish, as well as the final documents provided to your guests. We are also able to set up conference calls with your guests who are only Spanish speaking, making ease of travel a breeze.

By entrusting the planning to professionals, you can focus on cherishing precious moments with your partner and loved ones, knowing that every detail is expertly taken care of. So, embrace the support and guidance a wedding planner/destination wedding travel specialist can offer and get ready for a truly magical and unforgettable wedding experience. 

We would love to connect with you in planning your destination wedding. Please contact us HERE tolearn about our services and packages.