EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — With just over a month until K-pop boy band BTS brings its world tour to El Paso, thousands of fans are already securing tickets and booking accommodations for the highly anticipated shows.
But that surge in demand is also creating challenges for some events planned the same weekend.
Aaron Carman and Diana Martell are set to get married in El Paso on May 2, the same day BTS is scheduled to perform at the Sun Bowl.
The couple says they began planning their wedding months in advance, sending out save-the-dates last October, before the concert was announced in January.
“We started dating on April 2, got engaged on August 2, and we’re hoping to get married on a second date as well,” Carman said.
However, the timing has created unexpected challenges.
“The biggest issue is having a place to stay, just because all the hotel prices have increased significantly because of the concert or are completely booked,” Martell said.
According to Ticketmaster, both concert dates for BTS in El Paso on May 2-3 are sold out. A review of hotel availability shows many rooms priced at $500 a night or more for that weekend, while others are already fully booked.
Carman and Martell, who do not live in El Paso, say they were able to secure their own accommodations. However, many of their guests are traveling from out of town and are now facing limited and costly options.
“I had a couple friends reach out and said that they still want to come to our wedding, so they’re actually staying two hours away in Van Horn,” Martell said. “Others have booked hotels in Las Cruces, which is still a bit further and not as accessible as staying in El Paso itself.”
Despite the challenges, the couple says they understand the excitement surrounding the concert and the economic boost it brings to the city.
Still, they hope their experience highlights how large-scale events can impact other milestones happening at the same time.
“We’re still super excited for the big day,” Martell said. “We just hope that our loved ones who can make it will have a great time, and those who can’t will still be there with us in spirit.”
El Paso is one of 12 U.S. cities selected as a stop on BTS’ world tour, with both shows on May 2-3 expected to draw thousands of visitors to the region.