Real Wedding: Whitney & Scott at Azul Beach Negril

Wedding Date: February 2, 2022 ~ Resort:  Azul Beach Negril ~ Photographer: Caribe Photo ~ Bridal Salon: David's Bridal ~ Seamstress: Anniseau

Why did you choose Romance Travel Group?
We chose RTG because when we were looking for travel agents, they never would get back to us and never seemed like they were truly wanting to help us.  Booking with RTG, they were quick to respond and helped us and our guests every step of the way.  They helped us narrow down resorts in the area we wanted and worked with the resort that we chose. Any question or concern, they would answer.
 
What were some of your biggest fears about having a destination wedding?
Our biggest fears were Covid-19.  When we booked late 2020, we hoped most of the pandemic would be over by 2022.
 
How did you come to decide on your wedding date? Is there meaning behind it?
We didn’t pick 2-22-2022 for any specific reason at the time other than we didn’t want to go to Jamaica in the middle of their summer/hurricane season. It turned out it was an awesome date, because we got to get married 2 times, as we legally got married in the U.S. on 2/2/2022 and symbolically on 2/22/2022 on a Twosday.
 
Describe what it was like working with the wedding coordinator at the resort? What went well? Any challenges?
Our wedding manager, SueAnn, was amazing. She knew what she was doing and most definitely would not let anything go wrong on our day. Working with the wedding planner, Carla, before we arrived in Jamaica was more difficult. The wedding department did not seem to know we were coming on 2/16/22 but thought we were going to be arriving 2/18/2022. 

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Tell us about your wedding dress – How did you find it? Who went shopping with you? How do you feel wearing your dress?
I found my wedding dress on a website for $109, brand new with tags from David’s Bridal.  It was a few sizes too small and had lace up around the neck.  I took it to a shop in Amery, WI called Anniseau.  She customized the dress for me and made it fit perfectly!
 
What were some of your biggest fears or things you worried about as your wedding date drew near? How did you get through this?
We were very worried, what if someone doesn’t make it? What if one of us can go and the other can’t?  We decided, if one of us couldn’t go, the other was still going and we would’ve had to do a Facetime wedding. Us and 28 guests made it safely to and from Jamaica.
 
Were your guests wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept? What was their reaction upon arrival?
Everyone loved the resort we chose. The beach, the staff, and the food were amazing. The staff was amazing and made it a more memorable because they got to know us and they were so nice and fun!
 
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 wanted to keep our wedding small and memorable and after a long 2 years of the pandemic, we wanted our guests to have fun and have their own vacation.  We had a dinner for all 30 of us the night before the wedding, as a thank you/welcome dinner.  After the wedding we had told everyone we hadn’t planned a reception but to go eat dinner and we would all meet down on the beach somewhere, and have our “own” party.  Fortunately, by the time we got down to the bonfire event the resort was holding, all our family was sitting on the beach waiting for the bonfire to be lit.  The resort staff asked us if we would like to light the bonfire, so we did together. And they had music entertainment and we got to have our first dance next to the bonfire on the beach with all our family.
 
What was the best part of having a destination wedding?
Getting to spend a whole week with our family and friends in paradise.
 
What is your most favorite memory of your wedding experience?
My favorite memory is having my mom walk me down the aisle to my best friend in front of everyone that loves and supports us and the sunshine rays shining through the clouds down on us during our ceremony.
 
In what ways did Romance Travel Group make the planning less stressful for you?
Knowing that all information that was needed for them to get to Jamaica was sent and we didn’t have to do anything.
 
What would you do differently? What advice would you give to couples just starting the planning process?
I wouldn’t do anything different. Don’t worry about who will and won’t come, invited everyone.  If they want to come, they will make it happen.  We were surprised by the ones that did make it and the ones that didn’t.
 
What surprised you the most about having a destination wedding?
How many people booked and came with us to Jamaica. We had 28 guests.
 
Would you recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples who are considering a destination wedding?
Yes, I would definitely recommend!