Worth it to hire a travel agent?

I am planning a destination wedding for June 2009. When we started planning, I checked flights for the same week this year, and they were less than $500 round trip. Now they're approaching $700, and I'm getting concerned that my family will be in debt from attending our wedding!



I know that airlines are upping their prices due to fuel costs, and I have always been pretty good at shopping around for good airfare deals. However, would it be worthwhile to work with a travel agent to try to get a better deal? (and would it cost more than the difference in the price of airfare??).



How far in advance should you start working with an agent if you hire one?Worth it to hire a travel agent?
I would definitely work with a travel agent, but one that specializes in destination weddings. They are going to be very helpful. I would start working with one about 1 year ahead of time.



Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase the flight, hotel and wedding vendors separately sometimes it is cheaper to buy a package. A good travel agent will be able to help negotiate all of this.



You do have to consider that it is a financial obligation for your guests for a destination wedding. Not everyone will be able to make it. That is just how destination weddings are.



Speak with the people that you feel you just couldn't have your wedding without. Find out what their financial situation is and work from there.



There are many ways to have a destination wedding and if you work with a good destination wedding travel agent you will find you may have many choices that will work for you and your family.



I wish you all the best!Worth it to hire a travel agent?
If your only concern is airfare, I would not hire a travel agent. You cannot really get cheaper fares from one. Airlines no longer give an agent a commission, so you have to pay her, plus they don't have access to much better info than you have.



Use your smarts on the internet. Keep an eye on fares - and keep in mind that discounting does not happen this far out (for June 2009).



That said, airfares are ONLY going up, thanks to the cost of fossil fuels. It would be unrealistic to think that there will not be a big jump in airfare prices in the next year.