News & Tips

Over the years I have said to struggling brides, “You truly are not going to make a wrong decision here. Every country and resort you are considering has something unique that caught your eye or it wouldn’t be on your list. It’s our job from this point on, to polish the stones we have gathered and uncover the perfect “gem” from your collection of possibilities that will make your special day perfect.”

There will be lots of questions, lots of choices. When you are n the middle of a stressful decision making moment remind yourself that there are many perfect possibilities and that the day is so much more about the people and the event being celebrated, take a deep breath and believe in your choice.

So as you begin your destination wedding planning journey, these are some things that are probably on your planning list, or you may want to add if they aren’t already there.

• Budget for wedding couple (air and hotel)
• Budget for guests (air and hotel)
• Symbolic wedding (Some couples choose to wed at home prior to leaving the US and do a symbolic ceremony in destination. What this does is alleviate the need for all the “red tape” prior to the ceremony. It also can be less expensive and less time consuming when it comes to filing the paper work when you get back home.)
• In destination wedding legal specifics (Consider the waiting time, witnesses, blood tests, translation of the documents)
• Flight time and connections
• Age and health of your guests (If you have elderly guests or guests with special needs consider the size of the resort, transfer time, is the resort hilly, handicapped facilities, and beach access to name just a few.)
• Adults only
• Ages of children attending
• Resort size
• Cost and Inclusions of resort wedding packages (Most resorts have a number of wedding packages available with package perks based on the number of guests attending)
• Is there a spa available (If you are you planning to have a bridal spa day, what is the spa and beauty shop area like?)
• How many weddings in the resort per day. (With large resorts they might have a wedding scheduled every 30 minutes. Small resorts sometimes as few as 1 a day.)
• Distance of resort from airport (this is especially important for your 2-3 night stays) (If you have guests arrive for 2-3 night stays, they will truly appreciate a transfer time under 1 hour.)
• Large or intimate resort
• Laid back or busy resort
• Airport transfers

A guest deposit with a portion being nonrefundable is the bride and grooms best friend. It helps to give a fairly clear picture of the actual number of guests who will be in destination celebrating your wedding day with you.

The number of attending guests is important for several reasons:

1. The amount of the resorts wedding services deposit may depend on the number of guests
2. Perks the bridal couple earn is based on the number of rooms contracted for
3. Providing in room “welcome” gifts for guests can be estimated

Sometimes the logic of a destination wedding planner might not be evident upfront, please don’t hesitate to ask. We do this every day and sometimes forget to communicate why it is we suggest what we do.

Learn More:

Romantic Travel Destinations >>

Destination Island Weddings >>

Tags: All-Inclusive Resorts, Couples, destination wedding, wedding planner, weddings