Must go through travel agent to attend wedding

That sounds like a great question for the travel agent!

ETA I have no idea if this is standard or not. And it doesn't sound like you HAVE to go through the travel agent to attend the wedding, the B&G want you to because they get perks for having as many rooms sold as possible, so it's in their benefit for you to spend more. I would check with the travel agent to see why the rate is so inflated going through them, vs going through the normal booking process with the hotel.

I would honestly just buy my ticket else where. I don't like people dictating where my money should go.

Honestly how are they going to stop you, if you buy your plane tickets and pay for the hotel , you're still able to get there.

Maybe ask if the bride and groom even know if he sent the email saying the only way to "attend" is to Book through the travel agent.

I can't imagine the B&G telling you if you book another way and you were there on the day of the event that you can't enter because you didn't go through the travel agent.

And if so that shitty on their part!

So I had a DW. A lot of resorts press that if you have x amount of guests staying at the hotel for a certain time than you get a free wedding (to varying degrees). I thought this was gross because a) the hosting was def sub par with this "free" weddings, b) you're basically having your guests pay for your wedding, and c) its just plain shady.

We have a travel agent for our destination wedding. We do get some perks based on the number of people that book though him, likediscounts on our own room. But, I have told all my guests that if they find a better deal to please book whatever the better deal is. I chose to have the destination wedding and am not relying on any perks for guests booking. I have 2 friends that booked direct though the resort. They still get to attend and do everything other guest can. They just aren't in the "group" when factoring in our perks at the end of our stay. I'm guessing your friends resort works the same way. The travel agent also makes commission off the rooms they book so they are motivated to get you to book through them. I would book whatever the better deal is for you.

Also, when comparing the pricing, make sure to factor in taxes, resort fees, and transportation costs to and from the airport. Our travel agent price includes all of those but the price on the resort website does not.

And, the resort coupons may not be that great that they are offering. We are getting some at our honeymoon resort but the travel agent was very honest and told us most were things like "$40 off a massage" but the massage will cost way more than $40. So we would still end up paying for it.

That sounds horrible to me. Hard pass. Also, your friend might not realize te travel agent is saying they HAVE to book through them to attend your wedding, which obviously isn't real. It sounds like a scam

MFB - We get the "private check in" with our honeymoon package. I have been scratching my head over it for weeks.

OP - I have no advice....but I would definitely be asking questions to the Travel Agent. Maybe they will price match for you...

I would book on my own. I would hope that the couple was not trying to get their accommodations paid for by their guests.

That's horrifying. Book yourself.

I wouldn't go. That is really scummy behaviour on the host's part.

I would book on my own. I'm not a fan of the bride and groom financing any part of their wedding based on their guests/ choices.

I was going to say the resort credit is BS and a scam like MFB said.

Just book separately, if she gets pissed either cancel or just go on vacation and she can go F herself.

No no no- you seem like a good friend who is committed to going but DW are already pricey for guests- why would she make it even more expensive in order to get perks?!? Rude

Try and get the agent to price match. I don't see why you should have to pay more just for using the agent. They are supposed to get you the best deal available. Not the worst!

Please make sure the price you are being quoted outside of the travel agent includes taxes and fees.

I'm having a destination wedding. We do not have a travel agent. Guests book their room right on the website.

The couple probably gets free shit if people book through the travel agent. They assume (maybe the older crowd or less traveled crowd) won't do research on the actual cost of the hotel and just book through the agent.

It definitely sounds like she is having her wedding subsidized though her guests by receiving "perks" from the travel agency (likely a free stay for them, plus wedding subsidies) for each room that is booked through them. I find this gross that they are making it sound like you MUST book through the travel agent to attend the wedding when you can find a better deal elsewhere.

I would book elsewhere and save money. Is the bride going to stop you from attending the wedding if you don't book through the agent?

I would never attend a wedding at an all inclusive. You are in essence paying for all your food, etc. This arrangement just takes it one step further.

I don't like that! I say book elsewhere. Save money, get them a nice gift.

I have a feeling this happened to me a few years back, i was just to stupid to catch on and the price was really good.

They did have a reception with a DJ and some trays of food that i dotn think were in any of the other buffets/restaurants. Unfortunately, it was all terrible.