Wedding Date: May 6, 2025 ~ Resort: Dreams Onyx ~ Photographer/Videographer: WBA Studios - Maria Martinez ~ Bridal Salon: True Society ~ Tux Shop: The Suit Shop
What led you to choose a destination wedding?
We always knew we wanted to have a destination wedding. We are the happiest at the beach and couldn’t think of any other place to have our big day than where we are the happiest at.
How did you select the resort? What were the deciding factors?
We selected our resort based on what our planner sent us. We had a video consultation with our specialist (Abigail) who asked us what we were looking for. We wanted a good beach, great nightlife, and entertainment for all ages. Abigail sent us a packet of resorts to choose from that were in locations we requested and that encompassed our views. We then looked over the information which included pricing, amenities, perks, etc. and picked the resort that we felt was the best option for us. Doing it on your own can be overwhelming but with Abigail’s help, it was an easy process.
What were some of your biggest fears about having a destination wedding?
Some of my biggest fears about having a destination wedding is having to plan such an important event with people you have never met at a place you (may) have never seen. I continued to read reviews about the weddings at the resort and joined the Facebook page. Many of the comments reassured me that the resorts have a lot of weddings so they know exactly what they are doing. I trusted this, and they were right. Everything went smoothly.
Describe what it was like working with the wedding coordinator at the resort? What went well? Any challenges?
Working with Manuela at our resort was easy and stress free. I was a little nervous about meeting with her once we got there because I did not want to be pressured into any additional charges or have unexpected payments for anything. Manuela was easy to work with, very respectful, and made our wedding day easy to plan.
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 local bridal store called True Society. I did not go thinking I was going to find a dress that day but the staff was very kind, helpful, and found me the perfect dress. My mother, future mother in laws, sister, and best friend came with me to shop for my dress. I knew a few of them would be honest while others would love everything. Having a few different opinions I knew would be helpful without bringing too many people. When I put on the dress I ended up picking, everyone started crying and stated it was perfect. I was not sure at the time that they were right but trusted their reactions and the fact that everyone agreed. In the end, it was perfect. My fiancé ordered his suit online from The Suit Shop, because we were seeking a very specific blue that we were unable to find at any local suit shops.
Describe the booking process for your guests. Did they find that to be easy to navigate?
The booking process for my guests was easy to manage. Romance Travel Group created a wedding website for our guests that included instructions on how to book the room you wish in our room block. All of our guests continued to praise how kind and helpful our travel specialist (Shannon) was and how quick she was to reply to questions. Shannon made the process stress free.
Were your guests wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept? What was their reaction upon arrival?
Our guests were all pleased with the resort. We had some guests who have never been to an all-inclusive resort who stated they were impressed with the ease of eating and drinking. Some of our guests have never traveled to a place that far before and stated they will be doing it more now since going to this resort (Dreams Onyx). The staff was exceptional and committed to customer service. We had a butler named Zoro who helped us through the whole week with any questions or requests we had. He really made the stay memorable and stress free.
How easy/difficult was it to travel with your wedding attire? Did you carry-it on, where did you store it? Did you get a lot of comments at the airport?
It was pretty easy to travel with my wedding dress. I carried it on in the garment bag. Since the garment bag was “too long” to go through the x-ray machine at TSA, they did have to hand check it which took a while and almost made us late to our flight. However, on the way home, I folded the garment bag up before carrying it through TSA and fit it perfectly in the bin with no issues. The first plane stated they had nowhere to store it so I just laid it on top of the bags in the overhead bin and it was fine. The second flight was very accommodating and placed my dress, and my matron of honor’s dress, in an overhead bin by themselves to ensure they did not get damaged. I took a small carry on steamer to the resort for my bridesmaids and the resort provided me and my fiancé with free steaming of our attire. They took our attire the day before the wedding in the morning and brought it back after they steamed them. It was an easy process.
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 ceremony on the beach with a cocktail hour immediately following and the reception immediately following that. The ceremony and cocktail hour were in the same area on the beach and the reception was on the beach next to the ceremony location. This made it easy for guests to get to the required destinations. We had a dinner buffet, dancing, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting, parent dances, and our first dance during the reception. Due to having a destination wedding, our wedding was smaller than it would have been at home, however, we still had over 60 guests attend. Having it at a destination which required a passport, made us feel extremely lucky that we had so many guests willing to attend our special day. Knowing the sacrifices they made to attend made seeing them there very heartwarming and emotional for us. We felt extremely loved and were blessed to have so many guests. Since the wedding, we have had many guests say that our wedding was the best wedding they have been to. Some of our married guests stated they were glad they already got married because they wouldn’t be able to top ours. We all had so much fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves with sand on their feet.
What was the best part of having a destination wedding?
The best part about having a destination wedding was that those who came were very important to us and everyone was able to enjoy themselves and use it as a little vacation. We loved having more time to spend with our guests leading up to the big day. It made it memorable and unique.
In what ways did Romance Travel Group make the planning less stressful for you?
Romance Travel Group made the planning extremely easy. They took the stress of looking for resorts away by listening to what we wanted and sending us options. They also took away the stress of booking room blocks at the resort and arranging transportation for all of our guests. No matter how big or small the wedding, they accommodated every guest. They also provided support which gave me confidence when communication with the vendors or wedding planner was difficult. They constantly checked in to see if I had any questions. All of my guests were very impressed with their quick replies and willingness to work with their needs for the trip. I did not have to worry about any guest planning issues! I honestly felt like I should have been doing more! The staff is very helpful, kind, and made this process stress free.
Would you recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples who are considering a destination wedding?
I would absolutely recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples who are considering a destination wedding. They made the process easy, were professional, and knew exactly what they were doing. Most of the time I didn’t feel like I was even planning a wedding because they handle all the bookings, guests questions, transport information, etc.. I am very thankful I found them and wouldn’t have been able to do it without Shannon and Abigail. They constantly were checking in to see if I had questions, needed to meet, or if they could assist with anything else. They were very quick to respond and willing to contact the resort if needed. If you are considering it, I highly recommend Romance Travel Group.
Congratulations, Katie & Derek! Wishing you the best always!