Wedding Date: November 2, 2024 ~ Resort: Sandos Cancun ~ Photographer: Romanza
Why did you choose Romance Travel Group?
We knew we could use some help with coordinating the guests' stay and transfers to/from the airport. Our resort recommended we use a travel agency to assist with booking a room block for the resort. Our biggest concern was not being able to keep everyone's information organized and guests being confused on where to stay (we did not want guests staying in resorts other than our own!) I researched several travel agencies/groups and had multiple introductory calls. Romance Travel Group stood out as the obvious choice because of the countless outstanding reviews regarding their friendliness, professionalism, responsiveness, and cost saving. No exaggeration - they are 4.9 stars and above on any site I viewed. I was amazed to learn that their services came at no cost to us; in fact, they helped us save money! Choosing Romance Travel Group was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding and I'm dying to know another couple planning a destination wedding so I can refer them to RTG.
What led you to choose a destination wedding?
After researching domestic wedding venues, I began to panic at the idea of spending my entire life's savings (and more) on the event of my dreams. There had to be another way to host a beautiful wedding! My husband and I had been to Cancun before and loved it as a relaxing, scenic, fun destination that isn't too far from the US. We began researching resorts with wedding packages and found that they were infinitely more affordable than options in the US. Finances were the strongest motivation, but we also liked the idea of an entire "wedding weekend" where people could come together. Our families and friends are spread out all over the US, some all over the world, so they would be likely flying and staying in a hotel no matter where we hosted our wedding. Why not make it a beautiful destination?! Not to mention it's easiest to cut down on a guest list with the excuse of a destination wedding.
How did you come to decide on your wedding date? Is there meaning behind it?
We love Cancun in November. We historically visit that time of year. It's right at the end of the "rainy" season and helps us escape the cold of the midwest before Thanksgiving. We were even more encouraged to have a November wedding because our resort has strict policies around sea turtle nesting season (May-October) in which any outdoor event must end by 9 PM. We wanted an outdoor terrace wedding reception until at least 10 PM so that encouraged us to host the wedding after October ended. The irony of it all is that of the 10 days we stayed in the Cancun area, the only rainy day was our wedding day! Our coordinator helped us pivot and host everything indoors and it was still a beautiful wedding. In hindsight, I would still choose November to have a wedding in Cancun because it's considered a "slower" time for tourists and travel (the locals said Cancun starts getting busy Dec. 15), so I'd like to think it was an ideal time for our guests to be there and have a relatively seamless experience!
Tell us about your wedding attire – How did you find it? Who went shopping with you? How did you feel wearing your wedding attire?
I found my wedding dress at a secondhand store that supports First Responders. I wasn't expecting to walk away with my dress, my goal was just to get an idea of what I liked, but I ended up finding "the one"! It hadn't been worn before - it was a discontinued dress from a boutique, so it was donated to this shop. I knew I wanted a simple, light, beachy dress but otherwise had no specific inspiration. I tried on heavier, classic ball gowns but I could tell they would be far too dense for a tropical wedding destination. I shopped with my mom and my sister, who gave me extra confidence in my dress because they loved it too. I felt like a true bride in my dress! Regarding extras, I purchased my veil at Azazie's, shapewear from HoneyLove, and heels from DSW! Highly recommend having comfortable shoes (I chose sneakers) for the reception!
Describe the booking process for your guests. Did they find that to be easy to navigate?
Our guests had varied reactions to the booking process. Our friends were very responsive and reacted quickly to our instruction - booking their rooms with our block as early as a year in advance. Our families were a little less attentive and had a more difficult time navigating. We had to learn to be OK with receiving slow, sometimes vague responses from guests. However, it was helpful that the Romance Travel Group team followed up with reminders and were always happy to answer questions that our guests had. It definitely took the weight off of our backs as the wedding couple.
Tell us about how you chose your bridal party and asked them to stand up with you.
Initially I did not want a wedding party because I wanted to keep things small and simple, but my husband desperately wanted groomsmen! So I chose my sisters and best girl friends to be my bridesmaids. I made custom "Will you be my bridesmaid" cards that included my vision of the "vibe", the colors, the dress inspiration, and more. Canva is a treasure for these types of projects! I also included a gift box with a decorative passport holder and luggage tag, a claw clip, custom tumblers with each girls' name on it, and a necklace with their birth month flower engraved. I couldn't have done that without Etsy!
Describe the meeting you had with the onsite wedding team when you arrived at the resort.
The wedding coordinator met with us 2 days prior to our wedding day. It was a requirement as the wedding couple to be onsite a minimum of 72 hours before the big day. We reviewed our "master spreadsheet" which included everything from timeline to our specific choices. After confirming all details, we sampled our reception dinner choices, signature drinks, and desserts. It was our responsibility to hand over anything we brought ourselves, such as table numbers, place cards, guest book, etc. We also handed over our wedding day attire so it could be steamed and ready by the morning of the wedding. Our coordinator was professional, warm, and organized. She helped contribute to the success of the wedding weekend 100%!
Were your guests wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept? What was their reaction upon arrival?
Guests were definitely wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept, particularly those who had never been to an all-inclusive. We also had many guests who had never been to Mexico - one guest who had never left the US before! Guests seemed thrilled upon arriving and immediately took part in the poolside activities, spa add-ons, and fun bars. As essentially their host of the weekend, it was so fun to see everyone fully enjoy and turn the wedding weekend into a true vacation for themselves.
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 in many ways, including the classic rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and dance. However, I think by having a destination wedding, it really emphasized the FUN of it all and a strong sense of togetherness. The day of the wedding, I could look down from my balcony and see guests by the pool and beach, enjoying quality time with people they don't usually see, or playing beach volleyball and soaking up the sun. The fun piece really comes into play when the resort plays music, hosts activities such as Zumba in the water, and brings up the energy. I think that same energy was brought to our reception because guests danced with us for the entire night. It was unlike any other reception I'd seen! Even after our reception ended, we continued the party at one of the resort's evening events that lasted until midnight. So. Much. Fun.
What was the best part of having a destination wedding?
The best part of having a destination wedding is seeing all your favorite people in one beautiful location - fully relaxed where it's sunny, warm, and all about the good times. There's truly something for everyone, whether guests wants to chill, adventure, or party! Instead of having a single wedding event, you get days to be with your people, celebrate, and soak up the excitement. The other best part was the affordability of the wedding. You'd never look at our wedding and think how our choice of flowers, food, entertainment, and more would cost 10x more in the US. It's great starting off a marriage not being incredibly in debt from the wedding, I have to admit!
What surprised you the most about having a destination wedding?
We expected guests to decline the wedding invites because of the required travel and budget spending of a destination wedding, but this was not the case for us! 89% of guests invited said "yes". Also, we invited children, to which many parents said "No, thanks!" People will have many opinions of a destination wedding, good and bad, but the people who want to be there will be there!
Would you recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples who are considering a destination wedding?
We would absolutely recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples considering a destination wedding. It was one of the best decisions we made and it took so much stress off our shoulders as the wedding couple. We underestimated how much work it is to coordinate people (of all things!) and the team at RTG made it so much more possible, organized, and pleasant.
Best wishes to you always, Carolyn and Jackson!