This is a favorite topic with couples...the elusive "Group Discount".  In today's world of buying in bulk at large membership clubs like Costco and BJs, many couples are thinking that more guests=less money per guest.  Make sense when I think about my recent trip to the grocery store where I got 1 item free after buying 10, but it doesn't always apply to travel for a Destination Wedding.

So, if you have enough guests to fill up the stairs like the wedding below, with 20+ guests, should you be asking your specialist to do a group contract with the hotel?

Answer:  It depends.  I know you were expecting a yes or a no, but it really does depend, and here's why.

What does a group contract mean to you? It means that the wholesaler or resort will guarantee the number of rooms requested at the rate contracted for.  It also means that you will have to sign a contract stating your understanding of the terms of this contract. These contracts have stipulations such as cancellation penalties and attrition (not ending up using all of the rooms you contracted for), to name a few. On the brighter side it also guarantees that there will be rooms for all of your guests, and, if you work to make sure that all of your guests book as quickly as possible, eliminates some chance of penalties. Also, most contracts allow you to decrease, or even cancel the entire contract with little to no penalties, depending on the date you do cancel, usually at least 120-days before.

Two examples of a time when it makes a lot of sense to do a group deal would be if you are having your Destination Wedding over a holiday or school break, or if you chose a small resort (so they would be more likely to sell out quickly).   Not sure what to do?  My favorite answer is...Ask your specialist, that's why you have someone helping you that does this kind of planning all the time right?!?

One last note on group Destination Wedding packages - Although a resort may not give incredible deals to you and your wedding guests, they will give deals to large Destination Wedding Specialist companies that send a signifigant amount of business to them.  If you choose your company wisely you should be able to take advantage of additional benefits that they have already negotiated with resorts (like room upgrades, free stays, etc. for the wedding couple)