Destination Weddings

Congratulations!  You have decided to get married!  Over the next year or so, you will be making what seems like a million decisions about your wedding and even your honeymoon.  Hopefully this will be a process you will enjoy.  If the thought of all the planning, arguments with family and friends over all the little details, etc has you stressed out before you even begin the planning, you may want to consider a destination wedding. 

A destination wedding, or "weddingmoon" combines your wedding, honeymoon, and even your reception together in one location.  Couples often invite only their nearest and dearest friends and family members to celebrate their union. The destination wedding is held at a desirable site, sometimes tropical, other times exotic, allowing the guests to enjoy a relaxing, activity-filled vacation while spending quality time with the wedding couple. 

If you can't imagine what a destination wedding would be like, close your eyes and imagine you and your fiancé are standing on a beach, sounds of music and the ocean waves peacefully blending together in the background.  You are relaxed knowing every single detail from the setting of the service, to the flowers has been effortlessly arranged to suit your tastes. 

A destination wedding has its pros and cons.  Here are few for you to consider:

Stress Free - Your travel agent will help make your destination wedding stress-free. They will talk with you and determine what your destination wedding desire are, and what your budget is.  They will alert you of the special requirements that your destination has for getting married there.  Some destinations  require that you be in their country/island for a certain number of days before you can get married, blood tests, and special documentation.  This is when it is essential to work with your travel agent.  You don't want to do this on your own, and arrive at your destination only to find out you can't get married because you didn't know what the pre-qualifications were!  

Awkward Invites - Because destination weddings are generally intimate affairs, you can avoid being forced into inviting the cousins you met once 10 years ago, or your fathers boss that you really don't like anyway.  You get to choose the level of intimacy you want for your ceremony and invite accordingly, or you can invite no one and just have an intimate ceremony for just the two of you.  

Cost Saving - So you have invited 250 people to your reception, including co-workers, business acquaintances and all your long lost relatives and friends, at a cost of $75 a head.  You do the math!  For the average cost of a traditional wedding, you could have a luxurious wedding weekend at a fabulous destination.  Proper etiquette of a destination wedding calls for invited guests to pay their own airfare, while you pick up the tab for the lodging, food and beverages (this is where an all-inclusive resort is a great idea!).  You can add a few perks for your guests if you are feeling generous, such as a spa treatment, or an excursion for everyone to enjoy together.

No Extra Traveling - Destination weddings are perfect for couples with families and friends that are scattered across the country or even the world.  If a good majority of your guests have to travel to your hometown anyway, then why not get married in a fabulous destination that will make you, and your guests happy!

Wedding Planners - Most resorts have a wedding planner that will assist you with your destination wedding plans.  If you marry off property you will need to acquire a wedding coordinator that is familiar with that destination.  Your travel agent can normally recommend someone that we have dealt with in the past, or that they know comes highly recommended. 

Granny Won't Travel - While an exotic locations is a great way to keep undesirables from attending your special event, it may also keep away some your loved ones who may not be able to travel, or that are unwilling to travel due to the expense, work issues, or physical limitations.  Think about all the guests who are truly essential before deciding on the location.   If many of your family members or friends balk at the idea of you having a destination wedding because they can't be there, don't let this stop you from having the dream wedding you have always desired.  You can have have your destination wedding videotaped, and when you return home you can throw a small reception and they can watch your video, and share with you the joy that you felt that special day.

Act Quickly! - With a destination wedding, advance warning and save-the-date cards are crucial.  Send them off as early as possible, preferably at least eight months in advance, as your guests will need to budget their money, and ask for time off from work.   Some of your guests may want to talk to your travel agent about booking an extended family vacation.

Afraid of a crowded honeymoon? - With your family and friends all around, you may be worried if you will be able to enjoy a romantic honeymoon.  Many guests will often arrive several days before the wedding to enjoy some quality time with you, and then discreetly depart the day after the wedding.  If you want to ensure some quality alone time, you can easily get it!  After the wedding, you can take off for your honeymoon to another resort, perhaps one that is more romantic and catering to romance, or you can even hop over to another island.

Want to elope? - Have you had it with everyone telling you what you should do, and what they want?  Stop the madness and elope!  Our travel agents will be glad to find you a destination where you can get away from it all and have a quiet and romantic wedding for just the two of you, or you and your best friends. 

If you think a destination wedding is right for you, then say "I do" to one of our travel agents.  Our agents excel at making plans for multiple people from multiple locations, often times at special or discounted rates.  Planning for the most important day of your life will be a wonderfully crazy time for you so finding someone you trust to aid in the decision making process will be a welcome relief to you!

Our travel agents can save you money as well as time - two enormous factors for couples planning a life together.  Through our love of travel and our reliable relationships with suppliers from around the globe, we can provide personalized suggestions to suit both your dreams and your budget.