What You Need to Know About Outside Vendor Fees

What is an outside vendor fee and how does it work? 

Unico Riviera Maya

When you start planning your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort, you may run into the concept of "outside vendor fees" or "off-resort vendor fees". Simply put, this refers to the resort charging a fee for you to bring your own vendor on the property for your destination wedding. All-inclusive resorts will typically have a list of preferred vendors. For example, if you have your heart set on a photographer who is not part of the resort's preferred vendor list, then you could be charged a fee to bring that photographer onto the property for the day of your wedding. 

What are "Preferred Vendors"?

All-inclusive resorts will typically provide a list of vendors who are either employed by the resort or have paid a (hefty) fee to the resort in order to meet the preferred status. Unfortunately, preferred vendors are not necessarily chosen for their merit alone, but sometimes as a business decision made by the resort. If you pick a vendor who is not listed, then you could end up paying a fee to cover the cost of their employee who is now unemployed for the day of your wedding. 

Lavish Daydream at Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos

What is the cost of a typical outside vendor fee?

Every resort is different and their policies on outside vendors are constantly being updated. Unfortunately, we are not seeing this go away or even diminish. Conversely, we are seeing more resorts charge higher vendor fees as destination weddings continue to be in such high demand. On the high side, there are properties who charge a $1,000 vendor fee! On the low side, you might be able to get away with simply purchasing a day pass for your vendor which could run you approximately $150-$200. Another option that resort's may consider acceptable is purchasing your vendor a room at the property, so that technically they are a guest at the wedding who just happens to be taking pictures or doing your makeup.