TheKnot.com, #1 in connecting couples with wedding services, announced the top-rated wedding vendors in the U.S. of 2017 earlier this month.

The award is based on the highest-rated wedding professionals, which are reviewed by real couples, families, and wedding guests on TheKnot.com. Exceptional vendors who have received four or more of The Knot's Best of Weddings awards are nominated to be inducted into The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.

"As the leading wedding planning resource, we pride ourselves on being able to connect couples with the best local wedding vendors to pull off their perfect day," said Kellie Gould, editor-in-chief of The Knot. "Vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings or Hall of Fame winning badges give couples the reviews, recommendations and confidence they need to choose exceptional vendors that are right for them."

Romance Travel Group is part of the top 2% of vendors to be inducted into The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, after receiving more than four awards year after year. Quite an impressive record!

"What an incredible achievement! I am so proud of and excited for our team,” shares president and CEO of Romance Travel Group, Shelli Nornes. “Everyone works extremely hard to provide the best service and travel planning experiences possible. We love what we do, and I think that is really what makes us stand out.”
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If you're in the market to plan a destination wedding and are looking for The Knot's stamp of approval... Romance Travel Group is the way to go! Check them out at www.romancetravelgroup.com, or call 507-267-4857.

1. Customize a Website
One of the first fun and exciting steps in your planning process is creating a customized wedding website that is designed just for your wedding. Details like the wedding location, booking information, and important dates and times can all be included on your wedding page. It might be good to include an itinerary for your guests, so they know what to expect when they arrive, as well as periods where they will have down time. Many couples share their "love story" and include some photos of their engagement. In addition, your wedding website can serve as the primary resource for suggested activities, either for the group, or individual. Your guests will thank you for doing the research for them.
 
2. Welcome Them with a Party
What better way to be greeted than with a party after a day of long travel? As a wedding guest who just arrived in Mexico, the last thing you'd want to worry about is changing into some stuffy wedding attire. Instead, you'd probably be wondering where the closest swim-up bar is, right? With that being said, give your guests a chance to settle in before throwing them into the hustle and bustle of your wedding day. A welcome party is an excellent way to greet your guests and set the tone for your destination wedding. After all, that is why you were looking to get away, isn't it? To have an non-traditional, carefree, relaxing wedding. So, invite your guests to kick back, have a drink, and stay a while.  
 
3. Provide a Welcome Bag
Who doesn't like gifts? Go the extra mile (because your guests certainly did) and put together some welcome bags for your friends and family to pick up at the hotel's front desk upon check- in. Fill the bags with an official itinerary, resort map, water bottles, snacks, small gifts – maybe even a cute welcome note from you and your SO. Be creative and make it fun! This gesture will help your guests feel right at home and appreciated. 
 
4. Be Considerate
Take advantage of where you are! Use your resources. Work with your travel agent and wedding coordinators to ensure that not only your wedding is amazing, but the experience for your guests are as well. Be considerate not to book around holidays or dates that would be of conflict for everyone. Also, price is an important factor for most people, so consider coordinating a time of year that appeals to everyone's budget. Up-playing the all-inclusive perks will look tempting to your guests, so be sure to note the resort's amenities and inclusions when creating your website.
 
5. Suggest Activities
Make sure to do the research for your guests. They are guests for a reason. Do suggest activities and resort promotions, but don't expect that your guests will do everything (it's their vacation, too!). A lot of all-inclusive resorts have activities that run throughout the day, so if you suggest one or two group activities for them to get involved in, they'll have the perfect balance of activity time with the group, and downtime alone, as well.  Making these suggestions will relieve a lot of headaches for your friends and family in the long run, and only makes the vacation experience run smoother for everyone.