​Do any one of these fantastic venues catch your eye? Then, be sure to get in touch with a destination wedding specialist, today! 

Do…book early
We recommend you reaching out to a destination wedding specialist and booking your resort between16 and 18 months in advance.
 
But don’t… invite guests too early
It’s best to extend the invites no more than14 months in advance – after your resort has been booked.
 
And don’t… require an RSVP
For a destination wedding, the guest’s room deposit serves as their RSVP. Easy-peasy! If you ask for a traditional RSVP, you will end up with a lot of “yes!” that can’t actually attend. Just let the room deposit be the RSVP.
 
But do… set a “book by” date
To encourage guests to book early, you can have a recommended  “book by” date on your website. This allows your guests plenty of time to plan accordingly.
 
Definitely don’t…worry when your wedding coordinator takes a while
In the destination wedding industry, it’s not unusual for your wedding coordinator to take a week or more to get back to you. *Deep breaths* We promise, this is normal. They are busy making magic happen behind-the-scenes!
 
Oh, and do…trust your travel agent and wedding coordinator
Remember, your destination wedding specialist and wedding coordinator are your advocates and have your best interest at heart.
 
Also, don’t…stress out over the little details
They say, “hindsight is 20/20,” and this couldn’t ring truer. Everything always falls into place beautifully, and you’ll eventually realize that stressing out over your music playlist was pointless.
 
Lastly, please do …commit yourself to slowing down
While you can easily get caught up in the moment of wedding planning, it’s important to slow down and take things in stride. After all, you only get one wedding countdown – so it’s best to make it count!
 
Ready to plan the wedding of your dreams? Then, click here to connect with a destination wedding specialist , today. We look forward to working with you! 

Shelli Nornes started Romance Travel Group after planning her own destination wedding in 1998. We had the opportunity to sit with Shelli and talk about travel and destination weddings and listened as she shared some very valuable advice.
​
​Please give a brief description of yourself and your business for the readers to know about you and what your agency has to offer.
 
Travel is my passion!! I am president and CEO of Romance Travel Group, an award-winning travel company offering expert travel and destination wedding planning services to brides, grooms and guests.  Our clients have the distinct advantage of our hands-on expertise. We're out there experiencing the resorts we recommend several times each year. We're travel agents... we travel! Planning weddings never feels like “work” to us. Several of our agents were also destination brides, so we understand all aspects of the planning process from start to finish. 

What type of destination weddings do you specialize in?
 
We specialize in Mexico and Caribbean destination weddings. Over the years we’ve learned that the all-inclusive resorts offer the best value to our clients. Whether a couples’ destination wedding dream is sweet and simplistic or stylish and sophisticated, there is a resort out there that is just perfect for them, and our goal is to find it. We’ve planned weddings for 2, and weddings for 200. Every wedding, no matter the size of the guest list, deserves special attention.
 
Why do you think having a destination wedding in Mexico or the Caribbean is the best decision to make for couples planning their wedding?
 
These days, loved ones are often scattered throughout the country, staying connected by technology. Chances are, when you announce your wedding plans and begin making your guest list, you will notice a great number of family and friends who are going to have to travel for your wedding already. Why not have your guests come together at a fabulous  resort where meals and drinks are all included, where you will be catered to, and your time can be spent with those you love. We hear over and over again, “Thank you! The time our loved ones spent together at our destination wedding is something we will cherish forever!”
 
Destination weddings are

1. Less expensive – the typical destination wedding easily costs under $10,000 for air, room, meals and drinks for 7 nights, plus the wedding ceremony and dinner reception for approximately 40-50 guests.
2. Less drama – everyone can relax and enjoy themselves with no pressure.
3. Less work – you make the basic decisions and let the wedding coordinators orchestrate it all for you. Enjoy a morning at the spa while the resort handles all of the details.
4. More time – imagine a fun, 3-day event with your loved ones. Your wedding doesn’t have to go by in the blink of an eye. Cherish the time and make lots of memories. Your guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come.
5. More intimate – you actually know every guest at your destination wedding. There are no long receiving lines greeting guests you’ve never met before.
6. More beautiful – white sand beaches, clear blue water, swaying palm trees, glowing sunsets. Destination weddings are a feast for the senses.
7. More enjoyable – no stress! Just show up, enjoy the vibe and have fun. 

 
Are most couples happy they chose to have a destination wedding once they have experienced it?
 
We have never had anyone say “I wish we wouldn’t have done that.” In fact, we hear the opposite from guests who have done a traditional wedding of their own. They tell us “if we could do it all over again….THIS is what we’d do!” The experience couples share with guests and the memories that are made last a lifetime.  Many destination wedding groups begin traveling together year after year because they had such a great first experience. They want to go back again and again. That says a lot! One bride recently wrote to us and said “This whole experience was so great! A lot of my friends are considering having destination weddings now and have thanked me for opening up the doors to this idea.”
 
What is one important tip for couples planning a destination wedding?
 
The most important decision couples will make about their destination wedding is which travel agent to hire. Anyone can book a trip. Anyone can get you a deal. But this isn’t just a spring break trip you’re planning. You need to partner with a destination wedding travel specialist who can share her experience and expertise with you from the beginning.  A destination wedding travel specialist is someone who has worked with more than a dozen couples already, who travels to the destinations she recommends, who personally knows the wedding team and management at the resorts, who understands the residency laws of each country and can guide you on locations, dates and budget logistics. A typical travel agent’s attention gets watered down by clients booking cruises, safaris, Disney, and escorted tours to Europe. A destination wedding travel specialist gives her full attention to weddings.  It is a very focused specialty that you must have on your side. Your destination wedding travel specialist will be your best friend during the planning process.
 
Why should couples go through you to plan their destination wedding?
 
We have a team of true destination wedding travel specialists. We are industry recognized leaders in the art of destination wedding travel planning. After 20 years of wedding travel planning, we have dozens of awards and accolades on our shelf, and thousands of very happy brides, grooms and guests who have put their trust in us. Our team has a true passion for this industry. Seeing our couples and guests having the time of their lives is extremely rewarding.  
 
Anything else you want to say to brides?
 
It’s ok to call us and say “I have no idea where to start!” If you are dreaming of a destination wedding, but have no idea how to get is started, let’s talk it through. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can all come together and how smoothly everything can be planned. Don’t let the details scare you away. If you’re entire guest list can’t make it, that’s ok, too. Your wedding day is for YOU. It should be exactly how you want to start the rest of your lives together. ​

Group Excursion
A really unique way we’ve seen couples thank their wedding guests is to set up a group excursion. Not only is this a great option to get everyone together, but it’s an experience your guests will remember forever! Popular excursions include snorkeling, archeological tours, rum or tequila tastings, sunset catamarans, and more.
 
Swag Bag
Swag bags are another popular way for destination wedding couples to thank their guests because, well – it’s fun! Who doesn’t like opening up a little bag of goodies that was created just for them? We’ve seen swag bags filled with things like snacks, local wines or liquors, beach gear, hangover remedies and more.

Spend Time Together
If you prefer to thank you guests with a more intimate experience, then you can always find other ways to spend time together! For example, a day on the beach with your parents and siblings, a spa day with your aunts and cousins, a resort show or concert with your besties. The possibilities are truly endless!
 
Thank You Photos
Rather than a standard thank you card, consider personalizing it! Most photographers are excited to work with you on fun poses and scenery options, so be sure to ask them for some ideas. You may even want to purchase a cute “thank you” sign to pose with, if you’re really trying to get creative!
 
Personalized Drawings
Hiring a live artist will not only entertain your guests, but thank them in the process! Consider bringing one on to impress your guests with their caricature skills – or even see if they’ll paint the beautiful landscapes that surround you. What better way to thank your guests than with a souvenir like that?!
 
Of course, this goes without saying, but a handwritten thank you note is always greatly appreciated in addition to the suggestions above. 😊 Have any questions for us? Then, be sure to contact a romance travel expert, today!