7 Great Tips to Know about Wedding Packages at All-Inclusive Resorts
When looking at a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort, one of the main steps is to figure out which one of the wedding packages fits your needs the best. The inclusions will vary depending on the wedding packages but they are usually pretty straightforward. However, is there anything else you need to know? In this blog post, we will cover some of the most asked questions and little-known facts about wedding packages for a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort.
Numbers of Guests Included in Wedding Packages
All wedding packages come with a number of guests included. However, what if you expect more guests than that? What if you have fewer guests than expected?
One way to look at it is to see it as the maximum amount of guests you are allowed for that price. If it is $3,999 for 30 guests, it will be $3,999 whether you have 19, 26, or 30 guests. Resorts will not reduce the rate if you have fewer people.
If you have more people than the number of guests included in the wedding package, they will then charge you a per-person price for the people above the number of included guests.
Please remember that the wedding couple, as well as children, count in the total amount of guests.
Wedding Package Modifications
When it comes to wedding packages, resorts are usually pretty inflexible.
If you see something you like in one wedding package and want to swap it for a feature you don’t need in the wedding package you pick, unfortunately, resorts do not allow that in general.
You can opt to not use some of the features but they will not reduce the price. If you want to add a feature to the package, you will certainly be able to, however, they will charge you for it.
This is just something to keep in mind when you’re planning your destination wedding!
Taxes on Wedding Packages
Wedding Package taxes can be a bit confusing, but it’s important to know how they work so that you can budget accordingly. The rate of the wedding package itself includes taxes, but any extra services or guests do not. This means that if you’re having a destination wedding in Mexico, for example, you need to account for the 16% VAT on top of the cost of the package. Add in service fees for things like catering, and the total can add up quickly! The resort wedding coordinator can help you calculate the taxes owed on your wedding so that you can budget accordingly.
Extra Expenses to Consider
When you’re planning your wedding, it’s important to factor in all of the potential costs, not just the big-ticket items. Depending on your wedding package, things like the ceremony, food, and open bar for the cocktail hour and reception might be included, but there are other important expenses to consider as well. Photographer, Hair and Make-up, Extra decor and flowers as well as DJ and dance floor are all items that are typically not included in wedding packages.
This means that you’ll need to factor them into your budget in order to avoid any unwelcome surprises down the road. But don’t worry – with a little bit of advance planning, you can easily stay within your budget and still have the wedding of your dreams!
Premium Wedding Venues
Wedding packages usually include the venues for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. However, there might be some venues that will come at extra costs. Some resorts will consider special locations to be premium venues and will charge extra to use them.
For example, a popular wedding package at a luxury resort might include the cost of using the beach and pool terrace for the ceremony and reception. However, if the couple wants to use the resort’s outdoor rooftop terrace for the ceremony, they will likely have to pay an additional fee.
Before booking a wedding package, be sure to ask about any extra charges for special locations.
Free Wedding Packages
Yes, free wedding packages do exist! But before you get too excited, it’s important to understand that these packages are usually very limited in what they include.
For example, most free wedding packages will only include a small ceremony for the couple (or for a very small group) and will often be limited to certain days (usually no weekends) and times (usually 11 am or 1 pm).
They will not include other events such as a cocktail hour or reception but might include a toast and a cake. Also, some resorts will offer free wedding packages based on a minimum number of nights stayed in specific room categories – which are usually the most expensive ones. So while they do exist, free wedding packages are usually best for couples who are thinking of eloping or renewing their vows.
Room Stay for Wedding Couple and Guests
Wedding packages are a great way to save money on your big day, but it’s important to be aware of what they do and don’t include. One thing that’s not included in wedding packages is the hotel stay for the couple. This has to be done separately as part of a room block or individual reservation.
Some wedding packages will offer a complimentary room for one of the partners the night before the big day and/or a free anniversary night. These will vary based on the wedding packages.
It is also important to know, that in order to host your wedding at an all-inclusive resort, they will require a minimum of 80% of the wedding guest to stay on the property. The guests that choose to stay off-property, will need to purchase a wedding day pass to attend the event.
Wedding packages are an important part of a Destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of what they include and don’t include. Wedding packages are the base of the planning process but understanding their inclusion and exclusion is key so that there are no unwelcome surprises down the road!
Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions, we can surely help you decipher whether a wedding package is the right fit for you and your group!
