Destination Wedding & Luxury Travel Concierge
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Services
    • Travel Quiz
    • Testimonials
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Best Time to Travel
  • Destination Wedding
    • Wedding Groups
    • DW Services
    • FAQ DW Planning
    • Quiz - Find Your DW Location
    • Wedding Blog
  • Contact

Destination Wedding Blog

Picking a Wedding Date: What to Consider BEFORE You Commit

8/25/2020

0 Comments

 
Before you get too far into dreaming of the perfect beach wedding dress and walking down the aisle in a tropical paradise to say “I do”, you first need to choose the date before you start planning your destination wedding. If you have a special date in mind that means a lot to you and your partner, you’ll need to consider a few things before you want to settle on the location that you’ll married at. Even for those of you that have more date flexibility, there are still some important factors that will play a role in deciding when is the best time of year for a destination wedding.

In addition to all the below influences in figuring out your perfect wedding date, keep in mind that Friday and Saturday evening weddings are the most popular and are the first to go. Quickly followed by the day before and after, so if you are considering a Thursday to Sunday wedding date to create a long weekend for guests, I highly recommend you start planning around 12-16 months prior. On the latter side if you’re hoping for that unique memorable date such as 11/11/21, 2/2/2022 or 4/22/22 – you can bet there are hundreds of others trying to get the same date, so you have to be first!

Below will highlight our tips for how to pick the best wedding date and what to consider before you start planning your destination beach wedding...
Picture
Guest Commitments
While you won’t need to take a poll and find out all of your guests schedules for the next two years when you pick your wedding date, you will want to think about those closest to you, and who you absolutely do not want to get married without being in attendance – and for these guests, you may want to reach out for tentative information about their availability.

One of the biggest guest commitments to take into consideration is actually related to their children – if they have kids and if those children are school age or not. Many parents may not want to – and in some cases be unable to – remove their children from school to attend an international wedding, and particularly if their kids are in sports, extra-curriculars and/or in junior or senior year of high school.

On the other hand, this might be ideal if you are hoping for an adults-only wedding!  Selecting a date that you know won’t be ideal for a child’s schedule, may make it easier for you to request no kids, but also the parents may not feel as bad for leaving the kids knowing they have activities keeping them busy with their care-givers.  

Additionally, you may want to check if those closest to you have any “blackout” dates at their workplace – these are dates in which employees are heavily encouraged not to request to use time off because the business is just too busy – such as accountants in tax season.  While this may not be a deal-breaker, it’s nice to consider your guests when you start planning your dream wedding!

Weather
Weather can wreak havoc on the most well-laid plans and unfortunately Mother Nature will do as she pleases, regardless of how long you’ve been planning your destination wedding! The easiest way to circumvent her and set yourself up for wedding success though, is to have a thorough understanding of the seasonal destination wedding weather of the location(s) that you are considering.

You’ll find that many tropical destinations have a high humidity rating and relentless heat during the US summer months, which can be so oppressive that it’s nearly impossible to enjoy yourself outside of the pool – or even keep makeup and hair in place. This can be especially uncomfortable for those who prefer a more formal men’s attire, because dress pants, dress shirts and closed toe shoes in formidable temperatures is not a good combination.

Another often over-looked piece of the equation is ocean and pool temperature. Due to the balmy weather found year-round in destination wedding paradises, some resorts don’t offer heated options for plunge pools, swimout suites, and even the main pools – and of course there is no way to regulate ocean temperature (not without a specific superhero power at least).  

This means that if any swimmable water, such as swimout or plunge pools are located in an area that blocks the sunlight for part of the day, you’ll be paying for a fancy feature that will be too cold to use in the “winter” season! Similar can be said of the ocean – while shade isn’t the problem, the significant drop in temperature in the evenings of these cooler months tend to mean that the ocean can be quite chilly in this season. This varies depending on where you travel to, but just know that not all Caribbean water is warm in the winter months.

On top of the above, hurricanes, rainy seasons and seaweed can significantly effect quite a few tropical destination wedding locations at varying times of the year, so you may need to consider date flexibility, and if that’s not an option, destination flexibility.
Picture
Picture
Ecological Events
Briefly touched on in my Savvy Soulmates Guide to Planning a Destination Resort Wedding, ecological events can be found across Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean – such as turtle nesting season, sargassum seaweed, and red tides.

During turtle nesting season for instance, areas of the beach where the turtles need to nest are off limits and as such, cannot be used – so if your heart is set on a sunset beach wedding or reception, you’ll need to find another location, resort or date that won’t be affected by this.

On the other end of the spectrum, ecological events such as Whale Migrations are also seasonal events that many people love to plan their unique wedding concepts around. In the same vein as the above, you’ll need to select a date that falls within this spectrum for the chance to have such a momentous event take place during your proceedings.

Holidays – Local and International
Many couples think that planning their destination wedding to fall over a holiday weekend is the best of both worlds – kids are out of school, most people are off of work an extra day, so why not jet off to paradise for a beautiful wedding and some fun and sun?!

The only caveat is that – everyone else is off of work and school. This means that holiday periods have limited availability AND resorts and airfare are often priced significantly higher than non-holiday periods. This can occasionally be circumvented by being the proverbial early bird and getting your contract and air locked in early, so if you have always dreamed of a Valentines Day wedding or are thinking of using Spring Break as a way to ensure travel easier for your guests, you should jump on the train well over a year in advance!

Christmas Couples – many resorts do not allow weddings on major holidays such as Christmas or New Years, because they usually have resort wide events that ALL resort guests are invited to partake in. If your absolute dream is to have a destination wedding on a major holiday, I recommend reaching out to a destination wedding travel agent to discuss your options.

The other holiday factor to take into account are the local holidays of the country that you’re visiting. If you don’t do your due diligence with researching your destination wedding locations local holidays, you may find that a weeklong national holiday event is taking place the week of your wedding.

If this happens to you and your partner, you could suffer from limited vendors availability, limited staff on the resort, resort wide events to celebrate, limited accommodation availability as local nationals are off work and vacationing too, increased pricing due to requesting services on national holidays, or simply have nothing to do in the place you chose for its breadth of nightlight and local activities because the locals are off enjoying their holiday and you find many closed businesses and shops. 

Budget
While no-one wants to spend more than they need to, some couples prefer to stick to a tighter budget for their destination wedding. With that in mind, you’ll want to get to know the peak and off-peak seasons of the destinations that you are considering and begin looking at wedding dates that fall into those off-peak parameters.
​
Just be aware – off-peak is often priced lower for a reason, so you’ll need to be very careful that your “great deal” doesn’t coincide with a weather, ecological or holiday event in the country where you’re getting married that may affect your experience! 
I hope you found some valuable insight on what to consider before deciding on your date for your dream destination wedding. If you feel overwhelmed or would like assistance to narrow down the perfect destination or resort, we are here for you! 
​
We spend most of our vacation time touring resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators and training for destination weddings, so we can make it very simple for you. We save you time by filtering out all the bad advice and countless options for you. Let us take the guesswork out and match-make you to the destination and resorts that fit your style, vision and budget the best.

​Together we will find your most perfect wedding resort and we take care of the logistics after that. All you have to do is the fun wedding planning and creating an unforgettable event your friend and family will remember for a lifetime! Schedule your free consultation to see how we can assist and learn more about our services!
0 Comments

Comparing All Inclusive Resorts - Don't Forget the Details!

8/12/2020

0 Comments

 
With so many amazing resorts to choose form, it gets overwhelming trying to figure out the best resort for your destination wedding! We tend to look at resort features, aesthetics, and pricing first and foremost, but there are a lot of other details that you should consider that could be destination wedding deal-breakers.

Read on for some examples on what to look for as you compare resorts for your beach wedding. 
Picture
Wedding Package Options
You should go over the resort wedding package options with a fine-toothed comb – preferably with your destination wedding travel specialist – and be sure to check the fine print. While some packages can look appealing at a glance, there are often red flags in the fine print – and some that you may not even find out about until you ask the specific questions related to it!  

Some things that you could run into include, but are not limited to:
  • No included wedding reception dinner - and no, just because it’s an all-inclusive resort, you can NOT just all head to one of the restaurants together at the same time!)
  • No private reception/ceremony options - some resorts only offer semi-private section within a restaurant and charge a location fee if you want a private location to customize your reception with  dancing or special event after dinner. 
  • Limited ceremony/reception locations – and some may even incur a hefty fee in addition the wedding package price.
  • Chairs not provided for wedding guests
  • Altar additional fee for set-up - while others already have designated structures designed for weddings around the property that are included in the ceremony package.
  • Beach location additional fee or has government costs associated - for ceremony and/or reception. Some destinations require a permit for beach weddings or do not allow any decor set-ups directly on the beach due to local laws. 
  • Too many weddings scheduled in one day - if you want to be the only bride around the resort on your wedding day, there are resorts that only offer 1 - 3 weddings per day, while others can pack them in every hour during peak seasons - so don't forget to ask if that's important. 
  • Waitstaff for reception additional cost - may be included within your package, or a separate charge.
  • What is their vendor policy? - Most charge a vendor fee to use outside vendors not on their preferred list, but check to see if that fee is outrageously high - those fees vary greatly between resorts. 

Will You Be Rocking a Neon Wristband With Your Wedding Attire?
You’ll likely want to find out if the resort that you’re considering requires hotel guests to wear wristbands – and what they look like. If wristbands are mandatory, you’ll want to find out what the resort policy is for wearing wristbands during the wedding.
​
Many resorts don’t allow wristbands to be taken off at all, so your wedding pictures could end up showing brightly colored wristbands or you might need to pay extra for a photographer who can hide them or edit them out later.

Additionally, some resorts might allow the couple or bridal party to take off wristbands for the ceremony and pictures, but may charge a fee for allowing this privilege.
 
Glassware – and I don’t Mean Cinderella’s Glass Slippers
Yet another aspect that many people don’t give a thought to during resort selection process, but end up being disappointed in upon arrival. If you’re dreaming of colorful cocktails in tall pretty glasses (perfect for those insta-worthy posts!) and then get handed a small, flimsy, plastic cup like you’re on Spring Break in college – you might end up unimpressed. Especially if you have waited awhile for your fancy tropical drink! 
Picture
Picture
Don’t Throw in the Towel! (no, really, that might be your only one...)  
Towels are another often overlooked and yet important detail. Some resorts cost cut by requiring guests to use a beach towel brought from their room or picked up upon arrival to the pool area in exchange for your “Pool Towel Card”.  You are then required to use that same towel and return it before they close for the day to get your card back. If you end up losing that card or towel during your stay, you are on the hook for a hefty fine - all for a cheap towel you can’t even keep. Whereas other properties simply have unlimited towels available for use with no card to track.

Foodies, Take Note:
Most of us love the idea of the different variety and options of dining available at resorts, however, you’ll find that some have strict rules governing their restaurant use. Yep, you read that, rules for eating at all-inclusive resort restaurants!

During your search for the perfect resort for your destination wedding, you’ll find some that don’t have all of the restaurants “included” in your stay, and some require reservations to be made in the early morning so you aren’t stuck at a buffet for dinner too (which usually means that someone has to head downstairs before breakfast to try to beat the line at the concierge desk).

Mind you, all of that is STILL better than the resorts that hand you “tickets” for dining during  your stay or limit you to only dining once at certain establishments – so too bad if you loovveed that ceviche at the gorgeous seafood restaurant overlooking the water – it won’t be an option a second time!

Lastly, be wary of resorts that limit how many a’la carte restaurants you can enjoy based on your length of stay. Buffets are not the most gourmet of options, so if you get stuck with buffet food for 4 days out of your 7-night stay, morning, noon and night, you may get board or even worse, ready to head home for some decent food. These restrictions can be hard to find on the resort websites, so it’s important to deep dive for these things while you are doing your research.
 
Differently Abled Accessibility and Entertainment
Are you inviting anyone who has trouble with walking on uneven surfaces or long distances? In the same vein, you’ll need to consider if any guests require a walking frame or wheelchair. If this is the case, then you will need to pay close attention to what accessibility the hotel offers for differently abled guests. There isn’t much point choosing a resort for the amazing over-the-water sky terrace if Grandma Sally will have to watch the ceremony via Zoom at the bottom of the stairs after all.

Please note: There are many quality resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean where you may run into this issue. They do not have the same ADA laws that we do in the United States and thus, are not required to include ramps, elevators or alternate entrances for guests.

Likewise, if you have anyone attending with other special needs or major dietary concerns, you’ll need to take that into consideration as you select your resort – while a mega-resort could sound appealing due to the amount of different activities on offer, you don’t necessarily want any of your guests to be confined to their room because they are unable to walk the length of the hotel. (There are quality resorts that offer golf cart assistance around the property for this reason, but you’ll need to check for that amenity and be sure to inquire about the availability, wait time, etc!)
Mind Your Business – Powder Room Practicalities!
Whether we like to talk about it or not, the fact of the matter is, that everybody pees! Granted, when you sit down to excitedly plan your dream destination wedding day, toilets are probably not something that come to mind. 

I recommend paying close attention to the bedroom layouts, as the newest “open room concept” has been taken to an uncomfortable level at some resorts – so if you personally prefer privacy, you can bet many of your guests would also want that seclusion. Especially if you’ll have families with kids or friends sharing rooms together! It’s not a fun surprise when you arrive for your tropical vacation and realize you’re going to be real close and personal with your roommate (or new spouse!) You don't want to worry about how to awkwardly hide from each other for bathroom privacy.

Special Services to Escalate your Event
We see a lot of couples who would like to incorporate a special family tradition – or create a new one – on their big day and the last thing that you want is to select a resort, sign a contract for a group room block, and then get into the planning stages only to find out that your request can’t be accommodated or will cost a significant amount extra to implement.

On that same note, if you have visions of a beachy welcome bonfire party with your guests, fireworks at your reception, or are envisioning a cocktail hour with strings of fairy lights reflecting off of the grains of sand while enjoying drinks by the firepit, you’ll need to find out in advance if any of that is even available before settling for that resort.  There could be government laws on the public beaches that may not allow those type of options, or require a permit.

Pretty as a Picture... Created in Photoshop
Sad as it is, touching up photos for the internet isn’t just limited to magazines and Instagram. Resort brands have been doing this for a long time and it breaks my heart to see disappointed couples when they arrive on property and realize that they were sold an illusion.

This is a bit of a minefield because even resorts from the same brand, may not be consistent from country to country, so this is where a travel advisor who specializes in destination weddings in your chosen location can really be worth their weight in gold.

Even without an agent however, you can still try to do your due diligence by sourcing pictures from other travelers and really looking past the cocktails and pool to look for the details.

Take note of the following areas within a resort:

  • Furniture in pictures – pool loungers, patio chairs, lobby or restaurant seating. Is it threadbare? Plastic? Is there rust on the edges of metal or holes, stains, or tears in fabric? *In the case of fabric covered lobby/dining furniture, see if you can find any OLD pictures of the resort. Did it have the same fabric print on the furniture in those pictures? Odds are that if that is the case, they probably haven’t refreshed their furniture for quite some time!

  • Pools/Tubs – Can you see cracked tiles? Rust around any showerheads or faucets near the drains? Do you see stains on the walls of pools and bathtubs?

  • Air-Conditioning Units – Are they visible on balconies or buildings? If so, what condition are they in? Rusted? Are there drips running down the wall or balcony that they are placed on?

  • Beach Area – Is the water as blue as the website pictures indicate? Do you see rocks or large waves? Evidence of significant amounts of seaweed? Are there beach umbrellas or “palapa” style coverings to provide some shade from the relentless sun? Are there beach waitstaff or a beach bar nearby?

I could keep going on and on – with having over a decade in the destination wedding industry and seeing, as well as, experiencing countless resorts first hand, it has opened my eyes to situations and questions I had never thought about before until I observed the major differences between properties. Nonetheless, I’ll just leave you with the above points to consider for now and will be here when you need any assistance! 
Picture
Picture
I hope you found some valuable insight on what to look for as you search to find the best resort for your beach wedding. If you feel overwhelmed or would like assistance to narrow down the perfect destination or resort, we are here for you! This is what we do every day!

We spend most of our vacation time touring resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators and training for destination weddings, so we can make it very simple for you. We save you time by filtering out all the bad advice and countless options for you. Let us take the guesswork out and match-make you to the destination and resorts that fit your style, vision and budget the best.

​Together we will find your perfect wedding resort and we take care of the logistics after that. All you have to do is the fun wedding planning and creating an unforgettable event your friend and family will remember for a lifetime! Schedule your free consultation to see how we can assist and learn more about our services!
0 Comments

Destination, Check! Next Up: How to Find the Perfect Resort for Your Destination Wedding!

7/14/2020

0 Comments

 
If you’re reading this, then you’ve settled on your perfect destination - or at least narrowed it down to a few locations that are ideal for your destination wedding. One step down, but now it’s time to decide on where you and your guests should rest your heads after fun-filled days in paradise together! 

First things first, you need to figure out what type of accommodation is best for your dream wedding. You’ll likely run into the following options:  
​
  • A house rental  
  • Private villa  
  • Regular hotel (room-only)  
  • All-inclusive resort  
  • Small boutique property  
  • Large mega resort  
 
Before you can figure out what is right for you, think about your  vision for the ceremony and reception. For example, If you’re planning an off-site wedding and reception, you may not need the on-site wedding coordinator and the packages offered at an all-inclusive resort.  
You should also consider the experience you want to have and the size of your group to determine if a house or villa rental would be something of interest. Keep in mind, you’ll also need to add the cost of transportation for all of your guests between the event locations and accommodation(s), wherever your guests will be staying. Etiquette dictates that when having an off-site wedding, the transportation for guests should be arranged by the couple.  
​

While a house rental can sound like an affordable and fun option to spend time together, the biggest complaint I often hear, is that the couple forgets that it’s also their special day, making it impossible to spend intimate time together before and after the wedding since everyone is sharing the same space.   
  
There are also extra expenses and decisions that you’ll need to orchestrate, such as food and drink, preparing meals, entertainment, transportation to explore off-site areas, and of course, hiring a wedding coordinator to arrange the details and set-up.   
 
Depending on the location that you’ve chosen, you may opt for a regular hotel (room-only) or an all-inclusive resort. All-inclusive resorts are limited to certain destinations, so that might not even be an option for you.     
Your next decision will be to decide what type of property you prefer. When selecting an all-inclusive resort, you will have the option to go small, mega or something in between. Properties also vary in experience and vibe, which can range from a spring break party feel to a tranquil relaxing ambience. The quality, inclusions, service level, comforts and benefits differ as well, so it’s important to understand what you are getting into before committing. Photos can help you narrow what you like, but the true assessment, that you will need to dig more in depth to find, is the experience you and your guests can expect.  

As you compare resorts, think about your own style. Do you like more modern chic décor, large resort feel, upscale luxury, eco-friendly features, or perhaps you want cultural elements that tie in the feel of the destination you’ve chosen. Once you know the type of property you are looking for, you can filter out options rather quickly.  
​

Keep in mind – as mentioned in my post regarding planning a destination wedding on your own – that reviews, opinions and suggestions are based on a person's own style, budget, experiences and expectations, so what was amazing to someone else, may be unacceptable to you.  

Another thing to consider as you narrow down accommodation options, is the wedding date you’re planning around. Check what’s going on locally. If it’s a national holiday or festival time in the country you’ve selected, you might want to avoid certain areas that will become more congested and crowded. Some businesses could also be closed, so you’ll want to ensure your local vendors or tour company you were planning to use will be available.  

Speaking of tour companies, do you have a certain activity or excursion you were planning to do with your group? If so, you might focus on hotels that are closer to that particular area to keep transfer costs down and utilize travel time efficiently. If you’re looking for multiple off-resort experiences to go shopping or party nightlife most evenings, you should focus on those properties that are closer to points of interest to you.  ​
Picture
Picture
Furthermore, if you have mermaid blood coursing through your veins, and want a property where you can spend more time playing in the ocean instead of just lounging around the resort pools, you’ll need to research the area very well. Some destinations have rough water or rip tides and warn you to not get in the water for your safety. 

​
Other areas have pockets along the coast line that are rockier, more prone to seaweed, have large or smaller beaches, clear or murky water, etc…, so knowing what experience you prefer will help you narrow the area you should focus on to find a resort. One tip I have in this regard – do not trust the resort pictures of the beach. Unfortunately, many properties have very skilled marketing firms, photographers, and photo-editing that know how to make a beach look like something that it isn’t.   

As you look at the resort options, don’t forget to know what the “Plan B” venue location is in case weather is an issue the day of the wedding. In addition, review the wedding packages and group amenities in careful detail. You may find that one property has much better perks or inclusions that can end up saving you money or provide a superior wedding affair.   

Lastly, if you are thinking about moving resorts after the wedding for your honeymoon, you might want to focus on accommodations that are closer to your next location to make it easier and more efficient with time and the cost to transfer over.  ​
I hope you found some valuable insight to get you started. If you feel overwhelmed or would like assistance to narrow down the perfect destination or resort, we are here for you! This is what we do every day!

We spend most of our vacation time touring resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators and training for destination weddings, so we can make it very simple for you. We save you time by filtering out all the bad advice and countless options for you. Let us take the guesswork out and match-make you to the destination and resorts that fit your style, vision and budget the best.

​Together we will find your most perfect wedding resort and we take care of the logistics after that. All you have to do is the fun wedding planning and creating an unforgettable event your friend and family will remember for a lifetime! 
Schedule your free consultation to see how we can assist and learn more about our services!
0 Comments

How to Decide on a Location for Your Destination Wedding

7/7/2020

4 Comments

 
Here comes the fun part – deciding which paradise location to say "I Do"! 

There is a ton to consider when deciding where to have your destination wedding, but with a bit of knowledge and education, you can begin narrowing the options for your dream wedding quicker than you might think.  

To get you in the zone, I have something fun to start you off! I created the quiz below to help couples begin the process of planning and envisioning their dream wedding location. These questions will get you started on the right track about some things you'll want to keep in mind as you start location shopping! ​
After daydreaming and having some fun taking the quiz, we still need to talk about specifics.

The first thing that you should decide is not actually that exciting, but something to get out of the way so you can move forward with your planning
 - legal verses symbolic ceremony.  

Each country has their own requirements in order for a legal ceremony to be performed, and many can be quite tedious. There may be a mandatory "residency period" which can range from 24 hours to 4 days.  Some countries require blood tests, immunization certificates or doctor certificates. For instance, one island requires the official ceremony be held at their civil townhouse before you can have your "blessing ceremony" at the resort or beach location of your choice. Another country requires you to arrive 3 months prior to complete the paperwork in person before returning for your ceremony later. 

I'm going to be completely forthright here - nearly every single destination wedding couple that I have worked with (including myself), has chosen to do the legal paperwork back home prior to the international ceremony to keep it simple and have more time in destination with family and friends. However, this is an intimate decision that each couple must make together and there is no wrong way to do this. Just make sure to research the requirements of the destination(s) you have in mind to determine how you want to proceed. If having a legal ceremony is important, you might select a destination that's easier and doesn't have a lot of requirements. If you have chosen to work with a travel advisor, they should be able to go over all of this in great detail with you – it's their job!  

While the above is paramount to your narrowing down your location choices, there is so much more to consider before you start coming up with Aruba or Curacao wedding hashtags, so keep reading on!  
Picture
Picture

Additional Considerations to Determine Your Ideal Destination Wedding Location:  

  • Do you have a significant location that may be an ideal destination to start your new life together? Did you get engaged on vacation? What was your first vacation spot together? Or perhaps just a destination you have both always wanted to go? 
    ​
  • Do you prefer an all-inclusive resort? These resorts are great for keeping costs consistent and not having your guests worry about extra expenses when they arrive. If this is something you had in mind, there are limited all-inclusive resorts and are not available in all locations or islands, so this question will narrow down your destination options very quickly. 

  • What is your wedding vision when you think of your ceremony? Do you want a sunset background in your wedding photos?  Mountain views? Cultural influences? Many people don't think about the fact that not all tropical destinations have direct sunset views - the resort may face East and offer sunrise views only with the sunset behind the buildings. 

  • Is there a date or month that has significant meaning? If you need to plan around a special date, focus on destinations that have good weather that time of year. Don't forget to think about any local festivals or holidays that may effect availability or pricing. Additionally, seasonal concerns such as turtle nesting season could be factor. For example, during turtle nesting season, the property is required to close the beach early which would force you to have an early wedding or select another reception location which might not live up to your vision of getting married on the beach. 
     
  • Is turquoise water one of your top 3 requirements OR not as important? This in particular is a huge factor because even though all of the pretty pictures online love to tout locations as having that Caribbean teal water, the truth is that many places do NOT, so you can narrow down your search considerably right there. 

  • Is the color of the sand important? White, Golden, Black colors? Beaches also range in locations from powder soft sand to pebble beaches, so if you have a preference or know what you do not want, you can cross some destinations off your list. 

  • Do you have a vision of venue for your ceremony? Are you looking for an ocean view wedding gazebo instead of ceremony directly on the beach? What about a sky wedding, where you're on a rooftop with aerial or panoramic views? Maybe you want an over-the-water chapel or over-the-water palapa or a secret garden? Deciding on your vision for the ceremony will help trim those destinations that offer properties with venue options matching what you are looking for. 

  • Are you planning on wearing heels, but still want a beach wedding? If so, you'll need to find a property which includes a deck or boardwalk on the sand or has an ocean front ceremony option that isn’t directly ON the sand. You'd be surprised, but this would actually rule out a lot of destinations!

  • Do you have any special traditions or desires that you want to incorporate? Looking for a bonfire welcome party or floating lanterns to be released? Not all resorts can offer these due to government restrictions or insurance coverage. What about fireworks, a particular band, or entertainment show like fire dancers? Be sure to ask first, as not all resorts or locations can offer these type of events, so this can help you rule out many options if you have something particular in mind.
     
  • What back-up location(s) are available in case of weather? Some properties will only have a ballroom available, others will have covered entertainment areas with ocean views or charming chapels. You'll want to discuss what matters most to you should a tropical shower occur.  This will ensure that you're prepared and know what you're getting so you aren't disappointed on your big day!  

  • Any guests have disabilities, dietary or any other special needs to be considered?  Consider ages (children or seniors) and any physical mobility issues you should plan for. For example, if you have a lot of guests coming from both California and New York you may need to consider a more centralized country that won’t require some of your guest to layover overnight to get to your wedding losing precious time and money. In addition, if you have some mobility issues, you'll want to ensure the property grounds are easy to get around on, and have elevators to the rooms, as well as, any venue locations you are considering for any of the wedding events. Make sure the destination and resorts you are looking into can accommodate for any special needs your guests may need.  

  • Do you have a special group activity you want to experience off resort? Zip-Lining, snorkeling, city tour, etc... My clients often elect to plan at least one group excursion that’s off property during their stay, so if you think that you might want to share that kind of experience with your guests, you may want to select a location that offers the adventure you envision. Zip-lining flat grounds isn't quite as exciting as if you zip-ling through a jungle mountain range, so if you know what you prefer to do as a group, that can help you concentrate on destinations that are best for that particular experience!   

  • Budget for guests (air and hotel). While budget will come into play in a much bigger way when it comes down to comparing resort options, you'll want to pay attention when selecting your location since some countries are, simply put, just going to be way more expensive.  A wedding in Mexico for example, is a completely different budget ballgame than a wedding in Turks & Caicos. 
    ​ 
  • Kids Clubs/Activities/Babysitting Services. If you know that you'll definitely need to get married on a family-friendly property, then take that into consideration when choosing your country. Some countries - and smaller islands in particular - may not have a suitable family-friendly option available, so you could waste a lot of time and energy researching a place that has no actual viable resort option for your wedding. 
I hope you found some valuable insight to help you get started with finding your ideal destination wedding location. If you feel overwhelmed or would like assistance to narrow down the perfect destination or resort, we are here for you! This is what we do every day! 
 
We spend most of our vacation time touring resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators and training for destination weddings, so we can make it very simple for you. We save you time by filtering out all the bad advice and countless options for you. Let us take the guesswork out and match-make you to the destination and resorts that fit your style, vision and budget the best. 
 
Together we will find your most perfect wedding resort and we take care of the logistics after that. All you have to do is the fun wedding planning and creating an unforgettable event your friend and family will remember for a lifetime! Schedule your free consultation to see how we can assist and learn more about our services! 
4 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Accommodation Info
    Before You Plan
    Budgeting
    Communication Tips
    Location Ideas

    RSS Feed

Let's Chat!
Luxury Travel Planner Kansas City
Destinations HD Travel Best of Kansas City

​2010- 2021

  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Services
    • Travel Quiz
    • Testimonials
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Best Time to Travel
  • Destination Wedding
    • Wedding Groups
    • DW Services
    • FAQ DW Planning
    • Quiz - Find Your DW Location
    • Wedding Blog
  • Contact