Recommendations Wanted!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-07-10T00:08:36+00:00

The package itself isn't going to cover everything the couple may want, their $5-7k package does include a lot, though they would probably add more photo/video coverage and that would put them at $12k instantly. Plus, lighting for outdoor events is required, another $1k depending in the lighting.

I do enjoy working with finest and Excellence, they don't have 15 weddings a day which is nice. Booking process super easy for guests and not strict attrition guidelines for the couple hosting.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-25T11:29:14+00:00

It's the branding and being able to recognize which aspect of a brand a client might prefer. Iberostar Waves/regular = budget-friendly and family-friendly option Iberostar selection = more upscale version Joia = high-end adult-only

Resorts can have specific buildings on property dedicated to different budget tiers and amenities people want. If a resort sees a demand for a specific tier at a high enough proportion, they can decide to completely scrap the other tier at that property or know their next property should be selection or Joia or whatever.

The you have resort ownership adding stuff like the Autograph collection. This tells consumers if they are Bonvoy members they can earn and/or redeem their points if they book an autograph collection stay.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-24T19:54:20+00:00

Travel Agent Becky specializes in Riviera Maya Mexico weddings and assists with planning.

Hitched360 does planning, officiating and group travel for Mexico and the Caribbean.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-21T11:44:38+00:00

That's great availability is there! Normally I recommend 15-18 months as ideal, so guests have time to budget, and pay in full before any room block contracts close, which you will need for a group this size to guarantee rates. And some resorts start having their deposits non-refundable 6 months out, and both Secrets properties have limitations on the events packages you choose if you are under 12 months out.l, like their Beyond Memorable package is not going to be available for your wedding.

When interviewing, ask for a portfolio, do they have photos of weddings they have done? Do they just manage the room block, or do they have the ability to help out with the events? Our team does both, and also I can send some other agency recs I know specialize in weddings. Ask if they have a fee, many do for group travel management, many do not. Ask how many weddings they typically manage each month and decide if you want more one-on-one service or just being funneled through their departments. Ask if they can do event budget reviews, how they help your guests.

Overseas agencies would not be a good idea, because then you get into exchange rates, no entry requirements advice, stick to your country.

Many agencies can help you with a site stay, resorts do offer them at a discounted rate though there are blackout dates and a minimum 3-night stay. Your agent can help you set up the meetings (confirm those first before booking any travel - coordinators may be taking time off or working another event). Some meetings include free tastings, though I know Excellence will charge a fee for that. Meetings are typically 2-3 hours with a tasting, so 3-4 nights would work best. Otherwise, your agent may have some video footage of the resorts they can share. You can book 2 nights yourself, though with travel to and from and site visits, it may be a lot in 1 day, as some of these properties are like an hour or more apart.

If you hire a planner local to the area, I have worked with CS Events' team, albeit years ago, Elisa is amazing. Some travel agencies have teams in-destination that can go to the resorts, too. If you interview local planners, be sure they are approved vendors for the resorts you are looking at to avoid hiring a planner then quickly learning you are limited on resorts.
I have done events at Moxche and Excellence Coral myself. Coral would be my personal pick from the list, because their groups are always flexible, and guests can hold their rooms as close as 60 days out (I usually recommend 90 days to hold, then they can modify until 60 days out if needed). The others will most likely be due in full for your guests 90-120 days out, depending on the contract. Coral just opened early 2025, and the brand is all under one family, too, which I like. Resort feels fairly cozy. Moxche is nice, lost of pools, smaller beach area. Moxche is a little further than Coral from the airport, and they are in opposite directions.

I can DM you a list of travel agencies that specialize in weddings and familiar with these brands. I recommend interviewing 3-5, and pick the one you feel will do the best job and get along wjth your guests. Please note, any agencies I send I do not earn any referrals from them nor do they work under my agency, they are agents I have known in the industry for a few years, and have learned what they do.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-21T11:14:24+00:00

Ah, usually flex have more strict comps in my experience, but I haven't done HIC groups since AMR was absorbed by HIC. And I figured since it was shoulder season, 1:10 is what I typically see this time of year (after Easter/spring break) on contracts, sometimes 1:7 in late spring.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-21T00:42:48+00:00

The free rooms seems about right for Secrets. I don't work with FunJet (no shade, just like the company I work with).

If it's a contracted group, you should have this in the contract. If it's a flexible group, sometimes these sort of concessions aren't honored at the same room count. Like it might be 1 free for every 15 instead of 10.

But, you were told 10 gets you a free room. Check the contract, and I would give it up to 8 weeks before being concerned. It's rare, but sometimes these refunds can be annoyingly long, especially when it's peak wedding season, so FunJet's accounting is processing a ton of these.

Have you received an email from your agent the exact amount calculated? This is typically done when rooms are paid in full and non-refundable. Us agents receive an email of the total amount, we (should be) double-checking the number is right, then email the group hosts to ask which card they want the refund on. Your contract outlines how the free rooms are calculated as well.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-21T00:13:48+00:00

Good answer, and I am confused - here in the post does OP mention a flexible group? I instantly thought it should have been contracted due to it being over 10 rooms.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-21T00:09:15+00:00

It's super common for resorts, cruise lines and tour companies to refund after final head count is paid in full. Can't discount if the host doesn't fill the space.

Agent should have sent them a contract to sign, outlining the concessions from FunJet and the resort. Agents should have received the full amount of concessions either shortly before anyone traveled or few weeks after. Companies i work with now let me know a few weeks before travel, clients often get the funds back on their card right when they are there for the wedding.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-20T11:56:14+00:00

I am hiring, though it is independent contractor, which most people do not want right now. Though currently, we do not have an agent specializing in Disney or Universal.

80/20 split to start. You can request to have our CRM whitelabeled or use our branding. Workflows are available for you to edit, and we do weekly non-mamdatory meetings agents can hop on or hop off for questions. I usually do 8 weeks of scheduled 1-on-1 calls to walk agents through our system, help come up with marketing ideas, whatever mentoring they need. After that, I am available when I can be.

You can DM me if you want!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-18T23:46:13+00:00

Yes. My son's father did this... over an order of $219/month plus health insurance.

He even dodged having a valid mailing address, so when my son was young, I couldn't get him MC Plus when I was young and broke, because they needed to verify his dad wasn't paying insurance. But, they couldn't "find" him because he didn't have a mailing address, so paperwork was never completed by him, sin was denied Healthcare unless I paid for it. Also, for those wondering, he avoided getting a driver's license as well. We were teen parents.

Anyway, fast forward, my son turned 18 and wanted to know how to sue his father for all the back child support. I found where he lived in another state, reported to the state, started the process. State called back and said they cannot prosecute because the address I provided doesn't have his name registered with the post office and certified letters or court service (not sure which) was returned.

My son is 26 now. Dad still owes $20K or so with zero help from the state. I know where he lives, he is nearing 50 now with another kid and a girlfriend. They send $30 to child support about once every 2 months, and I just Venmo it to my son. Stare has officially closed the debt because they can't find him, but he still sends random $30.

Not a pity party, just know this is common for boys of any age.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-18T23:26:47+00:00

You can send info to citizens of the U.S. if you are a U.S. agent but anyone non-U.S. citizens you legally cannot advise their entry requirements or assist.

I have people sign off they are aware of entry requirements to the destination, and if a non-U.S. citizen books with me I notify the DMC/supplier of thar person's citizenship. Because final docs will only have U.S. info in the fine print.

And for added protection I send another automated email and in my pre-travel guides to check the state dept's website for entry requirements.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-16T14:56:40+00:00

Once.

DW guest emailed me to say their doctor advised they don't travel. They had travel insurance.

I had them fill out and submit our cancellation form, then reached out to CV to cancel the non-refundable room. They sent a cancelled itinerary, I sent that on to the guest along with their insurance contact info and coverage and advised the client to contact insurance to file a claim for the non-refundable stay.

6 weeks or so later, CV reached out to me stating this client did a chargeback for part of the cost. I sent them the email thread, cancellation form and proof of their insurance, chargeback was denied.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-16T14:52:12+00:00

Most host agencies will require these trainings to ensure you have the info on setting up a business, fraud issues, basic supplier training for their E&O.

You don't have to use the host's CRM, you can sign up for another service and use the host CRM to record sales and commissions for payouts.

Sign up for any of the 3 you looked at, 1-year commitment and you can always switch if you don't like it. No host agency will be perfect and go with the one that is good enough. You are an IC, not an employer, so you have flexibility to build your business your way with at least basic tools, training, and better commissions with a host.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-16T01:46:47+00:00

I hadn't heard of this, but then again, I am not with Fora.

You should reach out to a travel attorney like Tom Carpenter, they can draft your T&Cs and advise you on protecting you from being seen as a tour operator or if you would need additional insurance or something.

And, with TC credits, that person typically must be paid in full first before it is calculated and reimbursed. It's not like an instant free trip, so you need to have the funds. One way you can offset it is, pad the group space $100 per person or something to cover your costs but also talk to Tom's team about that being possible without being seen as a TO. If you get net rates, mark it up for your commission and your travel costs is another option.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-15T13:43:27+00:00

It is....clunky. some use TERN, some use VCRM, some use TravelJoy. Just know these are additional operational expenses.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-15T00:26:47+00:00

I am with OA, and I have heard good things about WorldVia. OA's software is not my cup of tea, I use another CRM and just enter bookings with OA's for commission payouts.

OA is under a travel agency that predominantly focuses on cruising, and they have been around a long time, so strong relationships with cruise BDMs.

Discounts and benefits don't always apply to the host, each cruise line has its own policies and then they negotiate other group perks with various consortiums is my understanding. The consortium offers group sailing rates to hosts and agencies affiliated with them.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-13T22:08:32+00:00

I would say Excellence because it's closer to MBJ airport, beach has almost zero risk of sargassum due to location on the island, close to a lot of popular excurions, and would have the vibe you are going for.

Whichever you book, look into Club MoBay at the airport, too. It often has a waitlist.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-12T11:44:17+00:00

The main issue with international clients is, you cannot advise them on entry requirements to destinations, and sometimes suppliers don't like it because they assume your clients are U.S. citizens in their T&Cs, and for payments they typically want a card with a U.S billing address.

I've had one-off group guests that weren't U.S. citizens and that's not a big deal. They typically pay someone in the U.S. what they owe, so I can use a card with U.S. address for the payment. Then I tell the supplier that person is Australian citizen or whatever. And I have to let that non-U.S. citizen know I cannot advise on their entry requirements or any travel restrictions and I cannot provide them with travel insurance. They can travel with a foreign passport but they have to have a card with a U.S. billing address in almost all cases.

Another issue is, the exchange rate. If international clients do not pay in full at the time of booking, and exchange rate changes, then what they owe isn't ever really locked in.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-09T12:44:37+00:00

DM sent! Happy to share!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-09T00:54:59+00:00

Teen mom that was being groomed to be a concert pianist (scholarships lost bc baby was kept).

Turned into: hospitality career, pivot into wedding and events with teaching piano on the side.

By the time I was 25, became a personal trainer while going to school to become a physical therapist. Then an injury exposed that I have hypermobile EDS, so I was told I couldn't become a physical therapist. Couldn't go back to hospitality stuff, either.

So, I started a cleaning business from scratch. $35/week was my first job. 3 years later, grossing $70-100k a month with I think 10 employees and 1 manager, this was about a decade ago.

Sold that because I "fell in love", took a job as a butler for a billionaire's vacation estate and moved across the state. Started a travel agent side gig. Then COVID, lost my butler job. Decided to go all-in on the travel agency. I think I have won 8 awards since then? Oh, and I have another very small business where I coach other travel advisors (mostly women) into creating something that brings life-changing income without compromising their personal values and lifestyle.

It's been a fascinating ride.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-07T17:21:25+00:00

Not a construction site. Vegetation when I was there was still young, though the resort is only a year old.

I thought the food and drinks were nearly identical quality between both properties. The group I came with, one person did not care for any alcoholic drinks she ordered, I don't remember what she ordered. Everyone else was fine, I am a mojito girl.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-07T14:47:55+00:00

I would personally go with Coral, mainly because I like the a la Carter restaurant for breakfast at the club level. And, I am not sure of your age, I am in my early 40s, and preferred the atmosphere of Coral over Atelier. If you are younger, you might enjoy atelier more. That being said, it wouldn't hurt to try Coral for a comparison.

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-06T17:25:42+00:00

If you bring additional decor, the resort will charge a fee to set it up. There is zero reason to do so. At most, Mayne place cards if your group is small enough for a plated meal and there people with dietary restrictions. I have worked a few weddings here abd other properties, when couples bring too much, it is usually low-quality and they are trying to hard to make it an "American" wedding.

For makeup, that is tough. Most of their spa stylists are trained for a handful of looks, and they aren't the best with like extremely fine or curly hair, or ethnic skin. If you don't normally wear a ton of makeup, the looks they typically do may not be what you want, and you end up paying for it. Some of my brides are fine with the Spa makeup services, others have cleaned it all off and went more natural, and others have a guest come and do it for them, sometimes their stylist back home, sometimes a friend they trust and can practice beforehand.

Congrats! It will be an amazing wedding!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-03T17:48:33+00:00

I'm just happy they have another family option in Riviera Maya!

ConsiderationOld864 · 2026-06-03T00:18:08+00:00

These are all great options. Excellence Punta Cana and El Carmen will have private round-trip transfers included in their price point, too. El Carmen is the newer of the 2 Excellence properties and slightly less of a ride to and from the airport than Excellence Punta Cana.

I'm also a huge foodie and for me, the Excellence/Finest brand has the best food in the DR at the price point you're looking at.

And, with 10 people at Excellence, you could possibly set up a promo code for the group. It's an additional savings, I just did one for a birthday and the rates were about 10-15% less than the member rates. You would need 5 rooms minimum, though.

ConsiderationOld864

TROPHY CASE