Points to consider when planning a Destination
Wedding:
-
Start Early. You may think you have all
the time in the world, but when you start investigating your
first-choice locale, you may discover it's a lot pricier than
you thought, or getting there is too complicated for you and
your guests. And speaking of guests, they need lots
of time, too. While six to eights weeks ahead is fine for
sending invitations to a traditional wedding, you will need to
give four months' notice - minimum - to guests invited to a
wedding away.
-
Stick to your Budget. While it's true
that it's easier to keep costs in check with destination
weddings (it's that all-inclusive thing), it's still wise to
keep an upper limit firmly in mind. That way, if you
happen to start tooling around online and see the "ever so
slightly ritzier resort just a few steps down the beach from the
first place you loved, you're less inclined to spend more.
-
Be Communicative. Send out save-the-date
cards as soon as you know when and where you'll wed.
Consider setting up a wedding website to keep guests appraised
of details. Let them know when you've set aside blocks of
of hotel rooms and how to book them, what to pack, what the
itinerary of the event will be and so on. (Caveat:
Keeping guests up to date is not the same thing as boring
everyone to tears with details about the search for the perfect, strappy, sandal. Only give them the information they need.)
-
Destination Weddings
USUALLY
COST LESS than Traditional Weddings.
Formerly the exclusive domain of celebrities and the
ultra-rich, Destination Weddings have in recent years become
accessible to more and more couples looking to add an
"exotic twist" to their special ceremony. Properly planned,
a destination wedding can not only save you upwards of
$20,000 off the cost of a traditional wedding, it
can also turn your wedding day into an unforgettable
"mini-vacation" for you and your guests.
-
"NEGOTIATE" Directly with Hotels and Resorts at your own
Risk.
Although hotels will often give some form of discount for
groups of 10 or more if you book directly, it is important
to keep in mind that hotels, by necessity, are in the
business of maximizing the amount of revenue they bring in
on the rooms they book. By working with an experienced
travel agent with appropriate negotiating power,
you will not only generally receive a better deal for you
and your guests - you will also avoid the costly mistake
of planning your wedding and reception without knowing the
property as well as an experienced agent who is already familiar
with the destination.
-
You
can do it all Yourself -
BUT IS IT REALLY WORTH THE RISK?
Planned right, a destination wedding is truly the most
unique way to commemorate your special union. Unfortunately,
we've heard quite a few horror stories over the years from
brides and grooms who chose to plan their wedding entirely
on their own. Missed flights with no emergency number for
support. Hidden clauses in hotel contracts leaving couples
with an enormous financial liability on their hands.
Reservations being dropped by the hotel - forcing couples
and their guests into a "2 star hotel in paradise". You name
it - and sadly - we've heard it.
Recent Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding at Sandals Montego Bay
Destination Wedding at Sandals Negril
Destination Wedding at Beaches Negril at Sunset
