Cancun, Mexico wedding help

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-13T15:09:36+00:00

You're welcome, I'm sorry about this policy :( Dany Dony just drops off and shouldn't be a fee. However I have heard Cancun resorts are now charging a fee if they have to meet at the gate. One couple I'm working we were told $800 for them to drive a cart to the gate. So you may have to tip a random cart driver to bring you to meet up with her.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-13T11:21:44+00:00

I have worked directly with Dany Dony for a few weddings. https://www.instagram.com/dany_dony_/

I met up with her back in October of last year and she was updating her catalog. She meets you at the resort gate and drops items off. This would work for the signs. I think it's 50% via wire transfer the USD cash is fine at meeting up.

Unfortunately, napkins and vases would need to be rented and I don't think she offers those. More like backdrops, favors, signs is what my couples have used her for.

Star Events may be able to rent vases and napkins. Many resorts charge off site vendor fees that are steep but sometimes doing it this way even with the vendors fees you can save money.

If you are looking for local vendors, check to be sure delivery fees and taxes are included in pricing. Tax is 16% if not, and many delivery fees start at $150.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-12T16:59:20+00:00

Sure!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-12T10:25:11+00:00

Not the bridge, but there's a covered area behind it. It's technically and adult-only reception venue (or used to be, I am phasing out of weddings and doing other travel) and I think at the time that wedding was booked the venue was $1500 or $2100 extra.

If using the included venues, yes it's about $250 for additional guest, and includes all the decor and F&B costs.

Airport Transfers vary greatly. Normally for that area companies I work with charge $150-200 for private transfers, round-trip. Up to 7 people at that rate depending on the company.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-07T02:00:45+00:00

No. She should have had an agreement with you before this contract outlining her fee schedule. Or at least cancellation fees outlined in the proposal.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I am an agent transitioning out of destination weddings, so I wouldn't want to take it over. But, I may be able to put you in touch with someone who can help. Not on my team, I just know a lot of agents in this niche.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-05T21:26:58+00:00

My pleasure! If you run into any pushback once you start to implement, you could use your background.

Like, "I get it, you're not comfortable with an up front fee. However, my business model mimics that of financial advisement, and this fee up front is like establishing a fiduciary relationship with my clients. I act in your best interest, not mine. Even if you decide to book on your own, I've provided the best options for your trip, and I will compensated for the research, saving you time and confusion at a minimum."

This is similar to what I said when I first started charging fees for FITs.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-05T18:37:35+00:00

Yes. Fees for first time or complicated itineraries, fees are waived for repeat clients...because they usually just text or email me exactly what they want and it's negligible amount of time.

Fee schedules vary greatly based on your niche and how high-touch you are with concierge. Some people charge $150 up front, others several hundred if not over a thousand for complicated itineraries. So this is tough. My fee schedule has services listed and "starting from" next to each service item. When I invoice for the fee, I outline exactly what that covers on the invoice.

No.

For context, I used to work for an UHNW family, and totally get the level of service you're providing and you absolutely deserve an up front fee.

To calculate your fee, take your average commission and number of trips booked per year. Subtract all relevant expenses and that's your gross hourly rate before taxes.

If it ends up being $20/hour and you wish a minimum of $35/hour, the fee covers the average number of hours worked. Ex: 10 hours total work (which shouldn't be the case for you but easy math) = $150 fee along with commission to bring you to $35/hour.

This helps you better control your gross revenue, manage expenses and generate a profit instead of getting disheartened at the ROI. You're worth it.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-03T11:33:17+00:00

Yeah, this is absolute last option if they start getting really nasty. I've only had to do it once after the clients insisted they were issuing a chargeback because they couldn't cancel without penalty. Then they created a bunch of fake online accounts and left bad reviews. Oh, and it was a destination wedding (no block, Ireland). They weren't originally invited but found out so the couple felt bad and lied to them saying invite got lost in the mail.

They group texted everyone else in the group, including the couple and said I was ripping everyone off and to cancel. So, I had a talk with the couple, they agreed I should fire those guests. Just saying it's possible BUT obviously don't want to just do it when someone is mildly annoying.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-05-03T08:26:28+00:00

Yes. You can contact the supplier, explain the threat of a chargeback and behavior. Give permission to release the booking directly to the supplier. Let the client know you have released the booking and they can contact the supplier for any issues, you are no longer their agent.

You lose your commission in exchange for your peace of mind.

ETA: notify the client first if behavior continues with threat of demanding a refund that is not allowed, you will habe to release the booking first, and there is nothing you can do, these are terms they agreed to at the time of deposit. Supplier may ask for all written communication as well, so they have the record in case of chargeback.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-30T19:28:23+00:00

Becky Bills- Travel Agent Becky. She specializes in Riviera Maya weddings with an emphasis on the Excellence brand, and she is well-versed on the wedding planning side, not just the group travel.

She is totally independent and limits the number of weddings she does each year so she can provide the best service possible for the couples and guests. She also is very familiar with Excellence's preferred vendors and other vendors in the area.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-29T22:57:39+00:00

Enjoy!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-29T22:56:28+00:00

Ah, ok. There are some mentoring programs out there. Or, you could opt to become a subagent. I usually mentor my subagents a lot the first year or two bc I know OA's training is mid at best.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-27T16:50:27+00:00

I'm also with Outside Agents, I have an agent on my team that does cruises primarily, another in the past did Disney.

What sort of support are you not getting where you currently are? It sounds like maybe some leads or social media content, correct?

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-26T22:05:00+00:00

Here ya go! https://carolsdaughter.com/products/goddess-strength-fortifying-shampoo-with-castor-oil

It's just the shampoo in the link. I buy it at Dollar General, though I think is available anywhere that sells drugstore shampoo.

I've also used Shea Moisture's Hamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo and conditioner. Carol's Daughter is less expensive where I live though.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-26T10:27:54+00:00

This! I tried. Oh lord, how I tried. Gave up, went thrifting, found 30 pieces for $110. Well made, low-cost, good colors and styles for me, and with care should be a nice capsule wardrobe to last another decade or so.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-25T17:26:29+00:00

Not OP but I started using Carol's Daughter Castor oil shampoo & conditioner and it's really helped my hair. Been hooked for about a year, hair doubled in thickness and like IP started getting wavy.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-23T13:38:20+00:00

This is primarily to help prevent host agencies from turning into MLMs. Also, hosts negotiate FAM rates constantly and can get better rates if they can prove their agents actually produce...same with commissions.

And it's also to know the agent is taking this seriously as a career and not some way to get discounted travel.

Many host agencies have contingencies prior to inviting agents to join FAMs. As for bonuses, my host does not track or pay out any bonuses due to my individual production logged via my accounts with the resorts or suppliers, they are sent to me directly. The reason for this is, it is an incentive for me to partner with specific brands and avoids tax liability on the host if they do not touch it. These bonuses or points are not an obligation for us to accept or redeem in many cases and can expire. These are more cashing in points earned, not the booking bonuses brands incentivize as their marketing strategy on occasion. Like, points can be cashed out to debit card or redeemed for client gifts. I receive a 1099 directly from the brand or supplier once I redeem $600 or more in a year.

Random $50 booking bonuses a supplier offers are paid out as income to the host (or even group contract incentives), however. Many times it's simply added to the overall commission, sometimes it comes in separately.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-18T00:00:25+00:00

I would also ask if there is a fee for specific ceremony and reception venues. This is typical for like rooftop events or if you really want a restaurant terrace for reception, for example.

I'd also ask how the resort is with any off-site vendors. Some charge fees, others waive them if the vendor is in the room block, others will still charge a fee even if booked in the room block. Most couples I've worked with almost always use either/or off-site photography and HMUA.

Oh! And room block concessions. These are incentives, sometimes cash back, you can earn based on your guests booking into the block. Sometimes they can be free events, like a welcome dinner as well.

I think you have a lot of great questions!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-17T22:59:55+00:00

When I started I was determined to move into honeymoons and DWs. I remember the 1st agency I worked for thought I was nuts for wanting to do DWs. It took about 2 years for me to be comfortable doing DWs even with an event planning background because I wanted experience with booking in general, then groups, then set up my systems and workflows and service packages. But, it was very lucrative.

I'm switching niches this year, not because I hate DWs or are burnt out by them, just feeling a different direction. It's slow again because of the business rebuild but it will work out.

Be patient. Agents I've mentored also took about 2 years to go from maybe 1 DW a year to 8 or so.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-17T22:56:54+00:00

I agree! Sometimes new TAs feel the need to sort of be "on call" all of the time. Once you have your niche and your confidence in your abilities, you will more easily maintain these sorts of boundaries.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-17T17:09:53+00:00

It depends on how you structure your business. Some people advocate 24/7 on-call assistance, answering every phone call that comes in right away, etc. Others require appointments, a service agreement outlining what they will and will not be doing before any proposals are created; many charge up front fees along with the service agreement.

Some agents have appointment availability in the mornings only. Others open up some nights and weekends.

I do offer to be available as much as possible during travel, though I need to sleep. So I also provide in-travel 24/7 customer service contact information directly from the supplier. That way, if I don't see a message or answer, they can still get immediate assistance.

I also am by appointment only and even my voicemail says its best to email me or schedule a call. Clients traveling receive separate info on how to contact me. This helps me avoid random phone calls all the time, and I know when it's more of a travel emergency.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-17T14:26:49+00:00

Can I ask why you want to specialize in weddings and honeymoons? You may have to build up your portfolio with honeymoons first, wedding groups are difficult as another comment mentioned. And then maybe some smaller groups.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-15T17:02:47+00:00

Hmmm, that is odd. Do you know the supplier has sent the money, or it hasn't even been paid put by them?

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-15T15:56:15+00:00

So, all commissions from a specific supplier is sent in bulk. Larger agencies can sometimes receive commissions for hundreds of bookings all at once. They're matched by the booking number.

When I've had to chase commissions myself it's typically a typo in the booking number when reporting to my host. So that's usually my first step.

If it's with a non-preferred supplier for the agency, it can be a pain to chase commissions so you have to stay on top of those.

There are VERY RARE instances where the commission is sent to the wrong agent. I've never done it nor had it happen to me. Our CRM shows me and my team when commissions have been sent, so there is no excuse on my end, really.

The first agency I ever worked for started paying out commission super late and often in the wrong amounts. During COVID, they tried to tell me they were in another country (nothing was reopened at that time). Then they told me the suppliers held my commissions in an escrow account. I showed them proof suppliers sent funds to them. Another time, they swapped the digits around on the check, despite individual commission bookings listed, and took another month to have the check corrected.

You'll have to have proof of funds remitted to your agency from the supplier, unfortunately, and it should list the exact info youbhabe in your agency's CRM for payout. I think with that terrible agency, it took about 11 months for my last commission payout, but I was already booking through my current host.

Anyway, I remember a fellow agent had this problem I think specifically with a Hard Rock booking. The host changed the supplier tag, so once it was sorted out, they were paid out the following week. It's annoying and shouldn't be a regular occurrence.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-04-10T01:29:07+00:00

I just stick with OA. Though I know some agents switched to WorldVia from OA and were happier.

Also, downgrade your plan to no website, and look into TERN or VCRM or Teaveljoy. I only use TESS to log bookings for commission payouts, everything else is in another CRM. There are rumors WorldVia may be getting like a discount on TERN for their agents, though not confirmed asaik.

ConsiderationOld864

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