So...

[Shawn96VR-4]

@Mafdark

Holy freaking coincidence. We definitely have no financial commitment but that may cause some problems… we have all 120 guests traveling (mostly from NY) and we’ll need a good 40-50 rooms. However each hotel would only give us up to 20 rooms with out a financial commitment.

It sounds like we are dealing with the same issues. First of all, find out the hotels in the area with the largest # of rooms. They will be more willing to give you more rooms. I got such as good deal that I only dealt with one but perhaps you might want to give a variety for whatever reason (location, price, etc.). Regardless, you deal with the same way. If you need more rooms, ask if you can change the cut-off date from 30 days to 45 or 60 if they would be willing to give you more. As you fill your block (ie. 14 out of 20), ask that you are refilled to another 20 as you already filled 14. Try to work a combination of that and the cut-off date. Obviously your family/wedding party will be using some rooms right? Tell them you will book X number of rooms right away but that shouldn’t affect your block. For us, we did 15 on Saturday and 15 on Sunday but that didn’t go towards our block. It didn’t matter because Crystal is an excellent negotiater but the goal is to get as many rooms. It’s a shame to use up 50-75% on your wedding party and then need more and deal with it.

So, ask for the wedding party right up front. If that’s 10, then the 20 they give you is 30. You are about 10-20 away from what they already give you. Ask if you can get another 10-20 (or whatever you need) when you reach X. Talk to OTHER family/friends and get them to fill that real quick if you can.

@Mafdark

and people are nuts, you’re absolutely right about picking a budget and sticking to it. My fiancee’s parents are pretty much footing the whole bill but they gave us a number to work within. Whenever I put my foot down and say: we don’t want that, we don’t need that, we can’t afford that, they say oh that’s a gift its not part of the budget. That’s incredibly nice and all, but as two kids fresh out of college I’d rather have a small manageable wedding as opposed to spending spree.

We have no help except Crystal’s mom is paying for the dress. Very generous. You are lucky to have that help and respectful given you don’t want to run up the tab.

It’s tough when someone else is paying because you need to consult them. The only thing I can say is that it is YOUR wedding and that you need to make sure you don’t get pushed into anything you don’t want regardless of who’s paying for it. Sure, listen to their input given they are putting up the dough but ultimately you don’t want regrets.

@Mafdark

A spending spree isn’t too bad when I’m not paying for it, but now I’m told I have to foot the bill for the honeymoon… it makes no sense. :banghead

Look for all-inclusive. Also, be careful of these exotic places where you have to exchange. The dollar sucks. Tahiti is is popular but uses XPF currency which is like 40% more than the USD. So, you just lost 40%.

At least I made it clear no videographer. I don’t want to see my drunken family on tape. Ever.[/quote]