Why spend nearly $40k on a traditional wedding, when you can have a unique and intimate destination wedding for under $10k? Here are seven tips for keeping your budget in check without sacrificing any of the fun or frills: Go All-Inclusive For the best value, we highly recommend going all-inclusive. When all your meals, drinks, entertainment, airport shuttles and taxes are included, guests can gauge their budgets and plan accordingly. This is especially true for wedding groups, as the cost you pay for private dinners and events is significantly reduced. Convenience is also huge reason couples opt for all-inclusive. It is the best way to travel! Pick Off-Season The best rates are found during off-season in September and October. Besides the best room rates, you’ll find that resorts have lower occupancy levels during this time, leaving plenty of pool chairs open for everyone. November and December are also good options, as long as you avoid the holidays (when rates and occupancy goes way up)! Choose a Simple Setting A big draw to having a destination wedding is the natural and intimate setting it presents. Not only will it save you money on venue costs, but sometimes less really is more. After all, nothing says “I love you” like some swaying palm trees and an ocean view! Bring Your Own Vendors Have a photographer friend or hair-stylist BFF? Perhaps a DJ’ing college roomie? Well, then, you’re in luck! As long as these pros are staying at the resort with you for three nights, they are not typically considered outside vendors and you won’t have to pay extra to use them. Ask us how you can negotiate travel for these services. Free Wedding Package Most destination wedding resorts offer a complimentary wedding package, which covers all the elements you’ll need to pull off the perfect wedding. Some even offer an extravagant package that includes more than you’ll ever need. We recommend starting out with the basic package first, then add in where it makes sense! Honeymoon Split-Stay Another great way to cut down on costs is to combine your destination wedding and honeymoon (aka, a split-stay). Most couples stay at the wedding resort for 5-6 nights while guests are there, then move to a new resort where you can honeymoon for 3-4 more nights. This will save you a lot in airfare! Use a Destination Wedding Planner Last but not least…use a wedding travel specialist (that’s us!). A good travel pro will make suggestions for you and knows the resorts that offer the most amenities based on what your needs are. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did! Looking for a little push in the right direction? Then, fill out our destination wedding questionnaire to get the conversation started. We’ll get back in touch with you soon to chat! P.S. Be sure to pin this post so you can refer to it later!
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On the search for a travel agent for your destination wedding? Here's some tips for picking the right one! Consider The Candidate's BackgroundExperience This is the first thing you should ask a potential destination wedding specialist. As a bride and groom, it’ll put your mind at ease knowing your go-to person has years of experience in the field. Remember, just about anyone can plan a trip. You need someone who can plan an entire destination wedding experience and understands all the moving parts that go with it. Relevance Everyone always likes a recommendation, so be sure you ask the wedding planner you’re talking to if they’ve been to the resorts you have your eye on. That way, they can provide additional insight on things like service, food, entertainment, wedding décor, key staff, and more. Coordination The thought of transporting 50+ people from point A to point B can sound very daunting, but to a highly trained travel expert, it’s just another day. Be sure to ask them for examples of how they’ve managed group bookings, transfers, group excursions, etc. And Understand The Logistics!Fees Because every wedding has a budget! Be sure to ask your potential wedding specialist how much it is to utilize their services. You may be shocked at the wide array of agency fees out there! Free isn't always good here. Look for a balance of reasonable fees and good value. The right wedding expert is worth their weight in gold! Support It’s always great to know if your destination wedding specialist has an assistant or second point of contact in case they’ve fallen ill, are traveling, etc. That way you can rest easy knowing your questions and concerns will be responded to in a timely manner! After all, planning a wedding takes a village! Process Once you’ve gotten a good feeling about your potential wedding planner, the last thing you’ll want to know are next steps. The right candidate will have a straight forward game plan for you ahead so no guessing games along the way! Wanna know more about our destination wedding planning services? Well, you've come to the right place! Simply click below to get in touch. We look forward to chatting with you soon!
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