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How are you getting deposits?

TerriHuggTerriHugg member
Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer
in Destination Weddings Discussions
So we found an all-inclusive rate we like and have a great group rate. We have to either give them a deposit of $1,000 or have each person attending give $25.00 to hold the rooms at the rate we found. 

We are trying to find the best way to deal with this deposit. $1,000 is a lot of money to give up front. Would it be in poor taste to just ask everyone for the $25.00 pp deposit right away? We haven't even sent save the dates yet so I'm thinking it's tacky to just say "Hey I know I haven't sent you any invites yet but can you give me $25 pp if you think you are coming?" 

So how did you guys go about putting a deposit on group rates and such? Did you just put money down on your own or did you collect the money from everyone first. 
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Re: How are you getting deposits?

  • jacquiroxxjacquiroxx member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    We are getting married at the Jersey shore, where room blocks and all-inclusives are unheard of.  However, when we were planning for Mexico, we were going to put the deposit down ourselves.  I think as a potential guest, it'd be a little off-putting if someone asked me to pay any amount for a room to a wedding that I didn't even get any information about yet.  That's just me though.  I hope someone else has better info for you :)
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  • loramarie03loramarie03
    500 Comments
    We put the deposit down ourselves... which was about 5 times what you have to put down. Let me tell you, it was nervewracking and I almost backed out... but, in June we will get the money back.
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  • TerriHuggTerriHugg member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer
    Thanks for the input. Yea, I definitely think it would be tacky to ask for money before sending them information. For those who put the deposit down yourself, did you put the information on the save-the-date and then request the dates have deposits in by a certain date? Did you request they write a check to you so you can get the money back?

    Just trying to figure out the best way to do it. 
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  • Erinkathleen84Erinkathleen84
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    We paid it ourselves which was A LOT of money. Also nervous because we needed a minimum but luckily everyone is going that we need to go. I would def do it yourself ... what are the rules of getting it back ?
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  • Tanq&TonicTanq&Tonic
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    Could you work something out with your hotel where you pay the deposit, but you earn it back as each guest RSVPs?  That way, you don't have to bother any guest to pay you, and the guest only pays the hotel, and you still end up whole.
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  • HappyMaddieHappyMaddie member
    100 Comments
    We put down the deposit for 20 people ($200 per person =$4000 total). And we needed that minimum of 20 people for it to be a group. I was terrified I didn't think there was a chance we would fill all those spots but we did we even had an extra couple but they eventually backed out) the deposits were non refundable but they were transferable so we got to use it. Our guests paid us by the deadline so that was nice. Having to put a deposit down is normal. I'd say put yours down and then quickly send out your STDs or invites (we skipped the STDs and sent the invites out early - 6 months before the wedding) With the travel agent info on it and when they get in contact with the TA they will instruct them where to send the deposit (I'm guessing to you). Good luck I hated that part of wedding planning!
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  • mcvassmcvass member
    10 Comments
    I am not at that part of planning yet, since i do not meet with my TA until August but I have wondered how the deposit works. Good info!!
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  • Julyet06Julyet06 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    About 4 months after we got engaged (we were engaged in June 2011), all of our guets knew by word of mouth (direclty from FI and I) that we were having a destination wedding.  We then sent an "informal" save the date via email (provided by our travel agent) about where and when more than a year in advance from the wedding date.  Speaking openly with our guests, we've told them that the quotes were provided by our travel agent and that prices are subject to change unless a deposit is put down to hold the reservation.  To our knowledge, no one felt that this was in poor taste.  It's also one of the reasons we set the wedding date so far away!  I originally wanted to get married 6/30/12 but decided it'd be best for all to allow for more time to save :)

    We are 9 months out and no one has yet to contact my travel agent and I know I would be sweating about getting the # of rooms booked if I had put down the deposit!  So I am just glad to have avoided that extra stress lol!
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  • nicolej518nicolej518
    500 Comments
    I had to put the deposit down for the air immediately and did not have all of the travel details out to everyone attending (I went the email route because I wasnt ready for invites back in January). I put it on my credit card, and immediately sent out an e-mail letting people know all the travel details. I sent out payment info with the deposit schedule and had first payment due about 1 month later in February. I didn't get it on time from everyone, but got more than I put from some people so it worked out. I had to put 100 per ticket but only asked for $50 per person because I felt like it was last minute. 
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  • TerriHuggTerriHugg member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer
    Did you all work something out with resort or agent to get the money back or did you request that guests just make checks out to you instead?
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