Hotel booking??

piscean

Just got engaged
Friends have told me my plan to get married May 2010 is a bit unrealistic because hotels will be booked out already - would like to get married on a Thursday/Friday/Saturday in Dublin/Kildare/Wicklow.

Is anyone else in the same boat?
Will book appointments to view hotels next week.

seamus

I don't think May 2010 is unrealistic, but you definitely want to do the legwork now. We were in meeting the civil registrar yesterday and she told us they were out the door with new registrations, so it looks like people are getting married to beat the r-word blues

One thing to remember is that the time to negotiate with hotels is *before* you give them a deposit. So try to get a guarantee that you'll only be charged 2009 prices and/or if the prices drop next year, you'll be given the cheaper prices. Your day of choice will affect this - May is quite popular, and Saturday is the most popular day, so hotels are less likely to be fluid with prices on those days because there are 50 other couples who'll gladly take your place and pay full price.

nedoo

Well done!

Forget the friends, talk to the hotels, they are the ones who will tell you if they are booked or not. Try them all. Take a few days off, take a laptop and start driving. You will find somewhere beautiful that you never knew was there.

Have fun, it is stress but you can make it highly enjoyable.

( Also the prices that the hotels give you, forget them, you tell them what you want to pay ( be realistic) and if they dont do a deal walk away,they all need the business soooo bad)

piscean

Thanks for the replies - the plan was to hit the road and check out hotels.
Thursday or Friday will do just as well.

Don't worry i'll haggle the prices - the OH is well able to haggle too.

4diarmuid

Was stung for €200 Euro overnight at a Hotel in Glen of the Downs. Went up from €90Euro the day before and the same the day after. A complete rip-off but blackmailed by the fact that you can't risk drinking and driving.

Get the lowest room rate confirmed for your guests who will quote your name when they book. Don't give a deposit until they agree a room rate about €100 Euro with breakfast for two. If they don't like it just walk out.

smelltheglove

As diarmuid says above, th is not always what we think about when booking our hotel, i just accepted the price was as is with mine and I think thats the way it was 2 years ago. Last year at the start of the downfall a friend got married on a Thursday. The hotel gave a special rate of 149 for guests.

The hotel had a huge banner outside, midweek room rates from 49 euro per person. The best man called, cancelled his room, called again 5 mns later not stating the bridal party and got the room for 50 less. He then preceeded to question the situation with the management who explained the special offer would now be finished, only 3 days before the wedding. The sign was taken down, guests were charged the bridal rate and the hotels special went on again the next Monday......... Most hotels have these specials at the moment anyway so it is gobsmacking to think that they would charge extra to one couple just because they are attending a wedding.

As per timing, plenty of time, I had a saturday wedding booked about 10 months previous. That time seems popular though, I have already received 3 bookings for the month of April so I would make my moves now if I was you.

Emerald Lass

what a load of old tosh - won't get a date for 2010!

I booked my hotel on the 30th January this year for a wedding in May of the this year!

You said you are willing to have it on a thurs - mine is on a Thurs, so that will make it a lot easier. Yes Fri and Sat will be tougher, but mid week (i.e Thurs) will be more available and a lot of hotels do mid week discounts.

Accomm at my Nth Dub 4* hotel is €66 per room, or €85 per room B&B for 2 guests. This was a factor when I booked as I did not want people forking out hundreds of Euro on accomm. One hotel wanted €75 per person room only so they were ruled out as soon as I heard that.

And BARGAIN! don't just accept the package they offer - see what else you can get thrown in, play a couple of hotels off against each other, and get as much for your money as possible.