If you’re planning on having guests travel with you for your destination wedding, chances are you have been wondering about group discounts and perks and how to manage it all. Let’s take a closer look at group reservations and options.

GROUP RESERVATIONS

The average size destination wedding is about 50 guests, or 25 rooms. Wedding travel agents are very well versed in negotiating and navigating group contracts and terms. Read everything! It is easy to make inaccurate assumptions that can cause issues down the road. Make sure you understand what you’re signing.

Most group contracts require a 10-room minimum. This means if you fall below 10 rooms in your block, you will need to pay for the extra room/s to get you to 10, or your group will be considered a cancellation. If you can’t guarantee 10 rooms (your room + 9 others), don’t sign a group contract. Guests are still responsible for their own rooms and payments, but all the rooms in your group are yours. You own the group.

Group contracts have set booking and payment deadlines. These deadlines are set by the resorts and outline when penalties increase. Don’t expect to negotiate on these deadlines. They will actually help you by creating an incentive for guests to book early. After all, you can’t plan your wedding until you know how many guests are coming for sure, and the only way to know this is to have guests book.

INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS

Group contracts can be overwhelming, for sure. But, for wedding groups, a group block is definitely the way to go. If you just can’t or don’t want to sign a group contract, all rooms for guests will be booked like individual vacations. All guests will pay different prices, rates can change drastically, rooms and resorts can (and will) sell out so some guests may not be able to attend even if they want to, and there are no freebies for you to take advantage of.

Most Romance Travel Group couples (like 95% of them!) sign group block contracts. We find that the perks and benefits of having rooms blocked and rates locked in make it so much easier for guests to book. The freebies are nice, too!
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Ready to set up your own destination wedding group block? We’d be happy to share our expertise and guidance with you. You plan a beautiful wedding… leave all the group details to us!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Romance Travel Group has been honored with The Knot's Best of Weddings Award for 2023, a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable wedding experiences. This prestigious accolade is awarded by The Knot, a leader in wedding planning tools and resources, and is based on extensive reviews and feedback from real couples, their families, and guests.

The 2023 Best of Weddings Award is particularly significant as it was awarded to only a select 5% of the numerous wedding professionals listed on The Knot. This year marks the continuation of The Knot's tradition of celebrating local wedding vendors' excellence. The winners, like us, have been chosen based on millions of reviews from real users, covering various categories such as venues, musicians, florists, photographers, and caterers.

Shelli Nornes, our esteemed President and CEO, shares her joy, "Our team pours their heart into every destination wedding  we plan, focusing on kindness, fun, and support. It's a delight to receive this recognition and share it with our incredible team. This award is a reflection of our collective effort, and I'm eager to celebrate this achievement with them."

The Knot has been a source of inspiration and guidance for over 25 million couples, helping them craft weddings that truly reflect their personalities. The Knot Marketplace is an invaluable tool for couples to connect with top-notch wedding professionals across the country. The Best of Weddings award instills confidence in couples to choose the finest local vendors to bring their dream weddings to life.

About Romance Travel Group: Romance Travel Group is a leader in destination wedding and travel planning. Our award-winning team is recognized for its expertise in creating magical destination weddings. We take pride in our numerous awards and accolades and the joy we've brought to countless couples and guests. Our seasoned specialists are passionate about delivering the best for you, whether it's your perfect wedding day, dream honeymoon, or a tropical vacation. Contact us today to begin planning an unforgettable journey!

Wedding Date: November 11, 2022 ~ Resort: Royalton Riviera Cancun ~ Photographer: Quetzal Wedding Photo ~ Videographer: About Time Wedding Films ~ Bridal Salon: White Traditions Bridal Boutique ~ Tux Salon: Carl's

Why did you choose Romance Travel Group?
A friend suggested a travel agent since we were doing a destination wedding and I found them on Pinterest. 

What led you to choose a destination wedding?
We love to travel and wanted to share that experience with our families. 

How did you select the resort? What were the deciding factors?
A big reason was I have been to a Royalton before and it was wonderful. We picked this one mainly due to the beautiful Gazebo. I knew I wanted to get married in it!

Were there any objections from your wedding guests about your decision to have a destination wedding? If so, how did you handle overcome those?
Some where just afraid of the unknown because a lot of our guests have never traveled out of the country. Also money...they were a little worried it was going to cost a lot. 

What were some of your biggest fears about having a destination wedding?
The weather! LOL! More than anything, I wanted to get married in the Gazebo. I would have been so sad if it rained. I also worried that they would not capture the theme I was going with. :-)
 
How did you come to decide on your wedding date? Is there meaning behind it?
I thought that 11/11 was such a magical number also 11+11=22 so I knew I wanted 11/11/22.

Did you invite guests in a unique way, like a themed save the date or announcement party?
We did a themed save the date it looked like a boarding pass. They loved it.

​Every once in awhile, a resort comes along that steals our hearts. Maybe it is a new build, or a unique concept, or a special venue or location. The Fives Oceanfront checks all these boxes and then some. While the resort was built new just a few years ago, it has made a big impact on us and the couples we send there. Maybe it is just the place you’ve been searching for, too?

​Let’s face it. As travel agents, we get to see a lot of different resorts. A big part of being a travel expert requires us to know the ins and outs of a seemingly endless list of properties across the globe. The experts at Romance Travel Group specialize in destination weddings at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Caribbean. Because we are so highly specialized, we are able to dive deeper than other agents and really immerse ourselves in the products we recommend and sell. Think about it… if you have a heart condition, would you go to a general surgeon or a cardiologist? You’re planning a destination wedding, do you want a travel agent, or a destination wedding travel expert? We thought so. Ok, back to the blog!...

Located 2 blocks outside of the charming village of Puerto Morelos, Fives Oceanfront is a boutique 92-room all-inclusive property situated directly on the beach (we’re talking steps!) facing the Caribbean Sea. Sunrises here are spectacular. The north side of the property faces acres of protected, undisturbed beachfront. The south side leads to town.

The town of Puerto Morelos is a quaint, authentic Mexican village full of small shops, cafes, bars, street vendors, fishing piers, and artisans. Prices are very reasonable in town, locals are friendly and welcoming and the vibe is relaxing and chill. Skip the bustle and expense of Tulum! Puerto Morelos is where it’s at!

The Fives Oceanfront resort itself has a variety of rooms, but our favorite is the One-Bedroom Oceanview Residence. There is plenty of space to sprawl out and the view from the balcony is second to none. Upgrade to a Penthouse and bask in the sun from your private rooftop complete with a hot tub. There are three full-service restaurants serving meals throughout the day and night, and bar service to keep you hydrated.

There are plenty of wedding venue options, but our favorite has to be the private rooftop terrace. Atop the main building sits a pool, deck, bar and restaurant for you to host your destination wedding festivities. With 365 degree views of the ocean and jungle, complete privacy and the ultimate WOW factor for your guests, this venue is a complete stunner.

The wedding team at The Fives resorts has been partners and personal friends of Romance Travel Group for years. We trust them with our couples and know that they will take care of every detail.

BIG NEWS! In October 2022, Romance Travel Group was named “Top Agency” for The Fives resorts, taking the stage at the annual Asset Awards conference to claim this coveted award. With a resort like Fives Oceanfront, and the expertise and guidance of the destination wedding experts at Romance Travel Group, your wedding will be the one to top for years and years to come.
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