​So often when we hear the word “free” we immediately laugh and think “yeah, right.” But hold on! Let’s take a look at the Always & Forever destination wedding package offered by El Dorado Resorts in Mexico. It really is free! Keep reading to learn more.

First, the Always & Forever wedding package is offered at the three El Dorado Resorts in Mexico:

1. El Dorado Royale
2. El Dorado Maroma
3. El Dorado Seaside

To qualify for the Always & Forever wedding package, you need to have a minimum of five rooms. In other words, you'll need your room plus four others. That’s it. Each room needs to stay a minimum of three nights, but really, who goes to Mexico for less than three nights? Not us!

Once you have your five rooms, you get the Always & Forever package automatically! This is what is all included:

• Your choice of resort ceremony location
• A white altar table and linens
• White ceremony chairs
• Red carpet aisle
• Sound system with speakers and microphone
• Officiant
• Wedding certificate
• Group dinner for up to 40 guests (20 guests at El Dorado Maroma)
• Personalized dinner menu cards
• Wedding coordinator from El Dorado to design your events
• Groom’s room with snacks for 5 hours on the day of wedding
• Honeymoon gift registry

AND, you also get the Free Honeymoon package that includes:

• Chef’s special gourmet honeymoon breakfast in bed
• Chilled bottle of sparkling wine delivered to your room
• 15% discount on spa services
• Fresh tropical floral arrangement in room
• Romantically decorated suite with rose petals, aroma therapy and candles
• Beachfront sky massage two for one (buy one, get one)
• One night return stay anniversary voucher, 5-night minimum return stay

This time, free really means free! If you like this, and are ready to start planning your own destination wedding at one of the El Dorado Resorts in Mexico, you'll want to talk to us! Romance Travel Group been one of the top wedding agencies for El Dorado Resorts for 15 years. We know and love these properties, and we know you will, too. Schedule your free wedding consultation call today!

If I had a nickel for every time I was asked “do you think airfares will go down,” I’d be a millionaire. We spend hours upon hours looking for the best airfares. We wait weeks just to see if airfares will drop. Sometimes someone will get lucky. But more often, we end up booking an airfare pretty close to the airfare we originally found before we invested our time and energy into trying to beat the rate. So, what’s the secret to getting the best airfares when you’re traveling to Mexico and the Caribbean?

The major airlines (Delta, American, United) release their flight schedules 331 days in advance of travel. This means you can start looking for airfares 331 days prior to your flight home. However, some smaller airlines (Southwest, Jet Blue, Sun Country) only release their flight schedules within 6 months of travel. So, for about 5 months, the major players have less competition, and airfares tend to be higher. We always recommend looking, and of course if you see something good, book it. But if airfares are high, wait until all of the airlines have their schedules released, then get serious about booking.

If you’ve already passed the 6 month mark and airfares are still high, pay closer attention to doing your price checks on Mondays and Tuesdays. We tend to see airfares climb as the week goes on, then drop off after the weekend as Monday rolls around again.

If you’ve been diligent about watching and airfares still are not budging, there is a very good chance that they just won’t. If you are 2-3 months before travel and still haven’t booked, just book it! It is costing you more in time and effort at this point, and any potential savings more than likely won’t make up for your time investment. If you’re 2 months from travel, do yourself a favor… book your flight, and move on to planning the FUN parts of your trip!

Need a little help from the experts? Then, click the button below to inquire with us, today!

[Originally published on  01-01-17]
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​P.S. Be sure to pin this post so you can refer to it later!

Curious how you can save on your destination wedding? Here are 4 expert tips that should help with your budget:

Travel During Off-Season
Did you know that you can save big on your destination wedding by simply traveling during off-season? That’s right! In fact, you can find some of the best rates during the months of September and October. Besides the best room rates, you’ll also find that resorts have lower occupancy levels, where you’ll have more of the property to yourself! November and December are also good options, as long as you avoid the holidays.
 
Use Major Airports
Major hubs like Cancun, Montego Bay and Punta Cana have a wide-range of flight options, as well as several price ranges to suit your budget. The advantage of choosing a destination with  a major airport also means you may find more direct flights and less layovers.
 
Keep Décor Simple
Many couples love the fact that a destination wedding needs very little to be beautiful (think minimal décor). Not only will it save you money on venue costs, but the scenery will make your day truly magical. After all, nothing says “I love you” like the natural beauty of swaying palm trees and an ocean view!
 
Use a Travel Pro
We can’t stress this enough! If you use a wedding travel specialist (that’s us!), they’ll be able to make suggestions for you and will know which resorts fit your budget and preferences. Spending hours searching online for the best deals will only waste your time and give you a huge headache! Allow the experts to find you the best value destination wedding that is tailored to you. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!
 
So, there you have it! 4 ways to save money on your destination wedding. Pretty simple, right? For more info on destination weddings, feel free to contact us here!  

Take it Out of Town
That’s right! Destination weddings have grown in popularity over the years for their budget-friendly options, casual atmosphere, and incredible memories. We recommend traveling during off-season (September and October) when rates are the lowest. Besides the best room rates, you’ll also find that resorts have lower occupancy levels during this time, leaving plenty of pool chairs open for everyone. Be sure to avoid holidays, as that’s when rates go up significantly!
 
Opt for All-Inclusive
For the best value, all-inclusive is the way to go. It’s much easier to plan your budget (and your guests’ budgets) when you get to factor in meals, drinks, entertainment, airport shuttles and taxes. Convenience is also huge reason couples opt for all-inclusive resorts and hotels.
 
Utilize Your Surroundings
Nothing says “I love you” quite like some swaying palm trees and an ocean view! We recommend keeping your venue simple so you can save money on other “musts” you’d like to include in your big day. So, allow Mother Nature to take care of some of the work and expense for you!
 
Free Wedding Packages
Most destination wedding resorts offer a complimentary wedding package, which includes everything you’ll need for your wedding. We recommend starting out with the basic package first, then adding in where it makes sense.
 
Pick Your Own Vendors
If you have a preferred vendor at a price you’re happy with, then bring ‘em along with you! As long as they 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. This works great for photographers, hair stylists and make-up artists.

Honeymoon Split-Stay
Most couples like to combine their wedding and honeymoon to save on costs. For example, you can 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 Expert
The absolute best way to keep your wedding in your budget range, is to use a destination wedding planner. A good travel pro will help you navigate the experience, all while keeping your preferences in mind!

Looking for a little push in the right direction? Then, fill out a contact form to get the conversation started. Looking forward to hearing from you!

One question we hear all too often is, “how much does a destination wedding cost?” While a traditional wedding can typically be around $32,000, we can plan the destination wedding of your dreams for nearly a quarter of the cost. How? Simple! Here’s a breakdown of what most couples spend:

The Resort – For 7-nights at an all-inclusive resort, expect to spend approximately $3,000 for the both of you. Now, most resorts charge between $150-$250 per person, per night, but that includes your room, your meals, your drinks, airport shuttles and taxes. Of course, you’ll probably want to bring a little extra cash for spending and  gratuities at your discretion. Also keep in mind, prices may vary depending on the time of year you book, as well as the resort you select. 

The Flights – For 2 round-trip flights, you’re looking at a total cost of around $1,000. This will also be dependent upon the airline you’re using, the time of year, and of course, your destination of choice. 

The Wedding Package – Most resort wedding packages can range between $0 and $5,000. You heard that! And although some properties offer some really great free wedding packages, most couples spend about $2,500 for additional customization, upgrades, etc. Packages typically include the ceremony location, bride’s bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, officiant, cake, chairs, and semi-private dinner for around 40 guests. 

So, for a grand total of about $7000, you and your fiancé can enjoy a week-long tropical wedding celebration! Now, that’s something we can get on board with!

For more information, check out this exclusive interview with our favorite romance travel expert, or click here to start planning your wedding today. We look forward to chatting with you!