To tip or not to tip... that is the question! We're breaking down all of it for ya, here! Now you're probably wondering - do I need to tip the vendors at my destination wedding even though I'm having it at an all-inclusive resort? Well... technically everything is included (that's why destination weddings are so affordable!), buttt, we'd also like to point out that you'll find many of your vendors go above and beyond to make your day super special. Here's a list of vendors and amounts we recommend tipping below! Tipping Your Destination Wedding VendorsMakeup Artist/Hair Stylist - 20% Photographer - $100 Videographer - $100 Florist - Between $50-$100 - depending on the extend of services provided Other Staff to Consider TippingWedding Coordinator - $100 Waitstaff - $100-$200 depending on size of staff Officiant - $50 Do you Tip the Owners?Great question! Usually, the owners of a photography business (or similar) aren't expecting a tip; however, it's still a nice gesture to tip your vendor based on the level of service provided. You can also ask if gratuities are included in your contract. When's the Best Time to Tip?The best time to tip is near the end of the night. We recommend splitting your tip cash into separate envelopes and dedicating someone you trust to disperse the tip money at that time (you're going to be busy that night, after all!) Interested in planning a 2022 destination wedding? Then, click be low to get started! P.S. Be sure to pin this post so you can refer to it later!
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How did you select the resort? What were the deciding factors?
We selected our resort in particular because it was a newer build and we had stayed at a different location of the Dreams resort chain in the past. We never actually saw our venue until we got there for the wedding weekend, so it was somewhat of a gamble, but we trusted that the service and food would be great just like we had seen at the other Dreams location. Lastly, we found that the prices they were offering for our guests’ nightly stays were reasonable for all that was included, and the resort threw in some extras for things like rehearsal dinner and additional rooms when a certain amount of people booked. Describe what it was like working with the wedding coordinator at the resort? What went well? Any challenges? Our wedding coordinator at the resort, Jennyfer, is a miracle worker!!! She was so polished, kind, and amazing at putting together our dream wedding. We were truly blown away. She cranks out weddings with her team almost nightly, sleeps very little because of that, and you would barely be able to tell. She is so attentive to detail and passionate about making everything look and feel great, including the bride on the big day. Describe the booking process for your guests. Did they find that to be easy to navigate? The booking process was online and very easy for our guests to navigate. From what I’ve been told, when any of our friends and families had a specific question they wanted Shelli or Heather’s help with, they were always quick to respond and offer their assistance. What were some of your biggest fears or things you worried about as your wedding date drew near? How did you get through this? Most of my big fears were Covid related - specifically that the resort would have to shut down, there would be border closures, or that we would have to last minute postpone and throw everything off. I was also worried about forgetting important items at home. I eased my worries, though, by realizing that nothing productive really ever comes from anxiety and by creating an extensive and detailed packing list that I stuck to while we prepared the week before leaving. Describe the meeting you had with the onsite wedding team when you arrived at the resort. The wedding we had with the Dreams Team once we arrived was very extensive - probably lasting about an hour and a half long! While it was tiring to go through it all and I was bummed we were missing time with our guests, I knew it was necessary and I really appreciated their willingness to work out and confirm all of the little details with us! Were your guests wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept? What was their reaction upon arrival? Our guests seemed to love the all-inclusivity and general charm of the resort. We kept getting comments during and after the weekend about how much fun everyone had just being able to relax and not worry about the cost once they got out there. Tell us about your wedding – did you have a traditional wedding with a cocktail hour, dinner reception and dance? What was different about a destination wedding compared to a wedding at home? We had a traditional wedding ceremony with cocktail hour, then a plated meal, speeches and dancing. I loved the set-up of that and I would say a difference between what we were able to do and what we would have had at home was that we had a long cocktail hour where people were told they could even go up to their rooms and freshen up if they needed to, and that at the end of the night, everyone could just go right up to their suites and not worry about Uber’s/driving. There was also no driving to different venues for the ceremony versus reception as everything was just a short walk apart. What was the best part of having a destination wedding? The best part of having a destination wedding was how close all of our friends and family members were able to get because of time spent together just hanging out before the big day. Everyone seemed to just make a vacation out of it, which is exactly what we wanted. It’s also so nice as the bride and groom to be able to mingle with guests over the course of a few days and not have to worry about fitting it in all in one evening during a reception! What is your most favorite memory of your wedding experience? My most favorite memory of the wedding is hard to choose, but I would have to say it was either walking down the aisle towards my best friend or the end of the reception where after what was supposed to be our “last song” (New York, New York by Sinatra), our friends started singing (screaming, really) the words to Mr. Brightside until the DJ finally caved and just turned the song on. Next thing we knew, my new husband and I were hoisted onto shoulders in the air, and it was so much fun. I know it was after our reception’s time was “up,” but I could never thank the resort enough for allowing that moment to happen. In what ways did Romance Travel Group make the planning less stressful for you? Shelli and Heather made the planning so much less stressful for me by handling just about all the logistics of our guests flying in and out plus their lodging at the resort. I’m sure it is a HUGE undertaking to have to handle the flight schedules, airline issues, billing with the resort, etc. so it was amazing to have that off of our shoulders and to have a resource that we could point our guests to when they asked us questions. Destination weddings are expected to increase in 2022 - and here's why! It's Unique! If an elaborate wedding ceremony is the last thing on your mind, you may want something a bit more scenic... more tranquil... and even a bit untraditional. Sound about right? Sure, you can make any wedding unique. But location offers an experience that makes it hard to forget. They're Romantic! On top of the sandy beaches, the colorful sunsets, and the warm Caribbean breeze, most resorts actually have special packages for newlyweds that are intended to enhance the romantic experience. Some of the perks we're talking about include room upgrades, resort points—and even spa credits. Couple's massage, anyone? Super Affordable! Speaking of perks, a lot of resorts offer wedding packages that include everything from the decor at the wedding ceremony, to the food and drink at the reception. Not to mention taxes, gratuities, and lovely accommodations! In fact, you can have a beautiful destination wedding for as little $10,000—quite the deal compared to the average American wedding of around $30,000+! Very Convenient! Besides travelling to the wedding destination itself, once you and your guests are there—you're there! It's nice to know you don't have to worry about rides to and from the ceremony, to the reception, then back to the hotel again—everything's usually within walking distance. Additionally, resorts typically have a workout facility, spa, and numerous restaurants and bars—a stamp of approval in the convenience department. Hey, it may even save you a honeymoon trip, if that's what you choose! Dedicated Experts! Did you know that there are travel agencies dedicated to planning the ultimate destination wedding? Most assume arranging these types of weddings are difficult. But with Romance Travel Group, you get to work with experts who have planned hundreds of destination weddings. Plus, they have great relationships with travel partners to ensure the most affordable rates, and will even try to match competitive prices. Another positive, is that you communicate directly with a "live" person from start to finish—that's not something you can say about your average travel website. Interested in planning a 2022 destination wedding? Then, be sure to fill out the form through the link below to get in touch! P.S. Be sure to pin this post so you can refer to it later!
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