Waiting for Quotes

Angelacm

Hi ladies!  Never posted before, so here's hoping it works! 

My fiance and I are getting married in December in the Mayan Riviera, and are in the process of getting quotes for different resorts.  We have two different travel agents getting quotes, and have received a few, but are still waiting for other tour companies to provide quotes to them (Sunwing, Sunquest, WestJet, etc.)

My question is, how long did it take to receive quotes, and how many resorts did you get quotes from?  I'm getting so anxious, I just want to book a resort now! 

SimplyMistaken

My went through a travel agent so I got my quotes pretty much immediately I think?  I am sorry I am not much help.

Angelacm

Yeah, we are using travel agents too, I figured I'd have a few get quotes for us and then work with whoever got us the quote for the resort we end up going with.  It's been a few weeks, and only received maybe 4 quotes, all of which were too pricey.  I thought it would be much quicker to receive them!  Maybe our budget is too restrictive?  We ideally would like our guests to pay no more than $1,400 (taxes included) for their all-inclusive package.  One of our travel agents said she would definately be able to find this, maybe I just have to be patient!  He he.

SandalGirl

When we went to regular travel agents, they took FOREVER, but when we went to someone who works just with weddings and honeymoons, they only took a few days (but did still take days).  I would try finding a specialist - they're helped us out with a few problems only related to the wedding.

Where do you live - mine is from vancouver (you mentioned westjet, which makes me think canada

www.destinationweddingtravel.ca

Angelacm

Oh Vancouver, really?  That's where I'm from!    I met a woman from Romantic Travel (through Uni-Globe) at the Wedding Fair last month, and she seemed great.  Really knowledgable, is a destination wedding specialist, goes to Mexico every year to check out the resorts.  But I'm beginning to lose confidence in her, it's been about 3 weeks, and she's only gotten me quotes through Air Canada, and they were above our budget (which I provided her).  Then the other travel agency is Reshaw Travel (on 4th Ave) and a friend of ours works as an agent there (she doesn't have a lot of experience in weddings, but works closely with another agent there who does), and she's been better.  But again, to get quotes has taken more than a month!

A few days seems amazing!  Is there anyone specific you worked with at Destination Wedding Travel?

Angelacm

I will definately contact them, thank you so much for your suggestion!  I know, I just felt it was a bit long, I almost felt like I could get the quotes faster if I did it myself!

Happy 1 month until your wedding! 

AuntieJo

We are dealing with a travel agent as well and it seems that it's a bit hard to get many quotes for December 2010 because it's so far away.  Apparently the prices aren't really out yet, etc.  I'm not TOO worried.

What resorts are you looking at?

SandalGirl

That is also what a lot of people said when we were looking nine months ahead - but I think its crazy - couples (well... when I say that, I mean ME) are not going to wait until threemonths before their wedding to book.  You need a date for the STD's, invites and all other fun stuff you're going to do. 

Angelacm

Boo, I replied, but it didn't go through!  Jo - we really don't have a specific resort in mind.  Just one that is child friendly, has a nice beach to get married on, nicer rooms, a variety of a la carte restaurants, premium alcohol, and a spa.  We've gotten a few quotes for Dreams (wow, such a gorgeous resort), they have a special on right now but you and your guests have to pay in full by March 18 (my guests and myself require more time to budget!), also received a quote for the Barcelo Colonial, and one of the Riu resorts (can't remember the name, it's the one in the jungle, 3 km from the beach).  I have a friend getting married at the Grand Bahia Principe in May, and another friend got married at the Barcelo Maya and loved it.

SandalGirl - I know!  I don't think it's too soon at all!  We've already sent our STD's out (basically just emailed all our guests our link to our wedding website, letting them know we are going to be getting married in December in the Mayan), and I'd really like to lock down a resort within the next month.  I just think how I would be if I was invited to a DW.  I'd need at least 9 months to budget, time time off work, etc.  It will be so much fun to plan once I know where it's going to be!  (I emailed Marsha, BTW - thanks again!)

angybanez

We're waiting for confirmation ...finally!...after getting multiple quotes for our budget, which also took some time. We're getting married November 2010 so we have time, but like you I want to book a resort NOW! :-)

Angelacm

How exciting!  Where are you getting married? 

angybanez

We're getting married in Punt a Cana, Dominican Republic. I have co-workers who lived in that area and some who were just there recently and loved the area. They say the resorts are all beautiful.

Angelacm

How exciting!  My fiance and I went to the Dominican last year, we went to Puerto Plata, it was gorgeous!