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Should You Go on a Honeymoon After Your Destination Wedding?
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
A question engaged couples planning their destination wedding often find themselves asking is, “since we’re having a destination wedding, should we also plan a honeymoon?” And the answer is really quite simple and depends on a few factors. Do you have the time to take a honeymoon? Planning a honeymoon immediately after your destination wedding is a great way to unwind and decompress after several months of wedding planning and all the hustle and bustle of spending the past few days with your friends and family who attended the festivities. If you have the time to spare another few days or even a week to vacation on your own post-wedding, you should definitely plan a honeymoon. Do you have it in your budget? With a destination wedding can come significant expense. But if you can manage to squeeze in a honeymoon, it will be well worth the costs. While you may have the time of your life with all your wedding guests, it’s nice to be able to spend at least a few days with your new spouse to truly enjoy your wedded bliss. Staying at the same resort after all the guests leave, can be a cost and time efficient way to honeymoon. And if you’ve got room in your budget, getting an upgraded room for your extended stay is a nice way to change the pace and setting. Other couples may choose to move to entirely different resort in the area and that’s a way to make it feel like an entirely different experience that sets itself apart from your destination wedding. Maybe consider spending a few days at that resort that you thought would be too costly for your guests, or perhaps it’s a property that you’ve always wanted to visit. For couples who opt for a family-friendly resort to accommodate the children in their guest list, honeymooning at an adults-only resort is a great way to change things up. Where do you want to honeymoon? If your preference is to honeymoon in the same region as your destination wedding or somewhere that is a short flight away, then it will be more cost efficient to honeymoon immediately after the wedding because you’ll save on overall travel costs since you’re already in the area. MOST IMPORTANT: Is taking a honeymoon after your destination wedding important to you? For some people, their destination celebration fulfills the need to honeymoon and extending their trip just isn’t important. And that’s totally OK. For others, a honeymoon is a must and in that case — go for it. Another thing to keep in mind is that the honeymoon doesn’t have to take place right after the wedding, many couples opt to honeymoon weeks or months after the Big Day. It really is up to you to decide. There really is no right or wrong answer on whether destination couples should take a honeymoon — it really depends on your situation, needs and preference. The bottom line is, do what makes you happy as a couple and be it on honeymoon or at home — the most important thing is to simply find a way to enjoy the start of your marriage, together. For more information about booking a group, wedding or honeymoon at any destination location, contact the official travel agency of the BestDestination.com -- Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com. -
Hi brides! Im hoping someone can help me! I’m looking to connect with brides who are planning to have a destination wedding, is in the process of planning, or already had a destination wedding. I would love to chat for 10 mins to learn more about your planning experience, it will really help with with a site I'm building. If anyone is willing to help, please PM me. Thank you!! PS. If anyone needs wedding packages from resorts in Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Mexico, or Jamaica, I have them from most resorts in those countries. I'll forward you the emails from the coordinators
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We have a great new promotion for BDW Brides and Grooms! Book your wedding with Wright Travel Agency and fly FREE! See below for more information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wedding expenses tend to quickly add up, but with the help of the Best Destination Wedding's official travel agency -- Wright Travel Agency -- the bride and groom can fly to their destination wedding for free! BRIDE & GROOM FLY FREE - GROUPS EXCLUSIVE FOR WRIGHT TRAVEL CLIENTS Book 2/1/2018 - 6/30/2018 (wedding date and travel can take place anytime after this period) Book a total of 60 nights or more for your group at selected properties and receive free round trip coach air tickets for the Bride & Groom (up to $1,000 in value). For more information: Email: info@wrighttravelagency.com Or Call: 1-415-839-7511 Featured Resort Brands - AM Resorts (Secrets, Dreams, Breathless, Zoetry, NOW, Sunscape) - All-Inclusive Collection - Hard Rock Hotels - Blue Diamond Resorts (Royalton) - Melia Hotels International Resorts (Paradisus, Melia and ME) - Bahia Principe Resorts - RIU Resorts - Barcelo Resorts - Iberostar Resorts - Palladium Resorts - Karisma Resorts (El Dorado Resorts, Overwater Bungalows, Sensimar Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts, Generations Resorts, Sensatori Resorts, Nickelodeon Resorts Punta Cana, Hidden Beach, Karisma Villas) … and more (inquire with Wright Travel Agency to see if your resort qualifies) Terms and Conditions: Offer is valid on new Group Bookings with Wright Travel Agency, LLC and applies to the wedding couple ONLY. A minimum of 60 paid room nights) booked in the group block in order to qualify for the offer inclusions. Any complimentary nights or bookings made outside the group block will not apply towards this promotion. Wedding couple to receive credit 2-3 weeks after travel (valid for the wedding couple only when traveling from any US gateway, for a maximum value of $1,000.00 total for both tickets). Customer is responsible for any cancellation fees once airline tickets have been issued. Offer is subject to availability at time of signing contract and receipt of deposit, and may be changed or discontinued without notice. Blackout dates, minimum night stays, room category restrictions, seasonal surcharges, taxes, resort fees, and other restrictions may apply. Wright Travel Agency, LLC CST# 2084813-40. This post has been promoted to an article This post has been promoted to an article
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Wedding expenses tend to quickly add up, but with the help of the Best Destination Wedding's official travel agency -- Wright Travel Agency -- the bride and groom can fly to their destination wedding for free! BRIDE & GROOM FLY FREE - GROUPS EXCLUSIVE FOR WRIGHT TRAVEL CLIENTS Book 2/1/2018 - 6/30/2018 (wedding date and travel can take place anytime after this period) Book a total of 60 nights or more for your group at selected properties and receive free round trip coach air tickets for the Bride & Groom (up to $1,000 in value). For more information contact WTA at: Email: info@wrighttravelagency.com Or Call: 1-415-839-7511 Featured Resort Brands - AM Resorts (Secrets, Dreams, Breathless, Zoetry, NOW, Sunscape) - All-Inclusive Collection - Hard Rock Hotels - Blue Diamond Resorts (Royalton) - Melia Hotels International Resorts (Paradisus, Melia and ME) - Bahia Principe Resorts - RIU Resorts - Barcelo Resorts - Iberostar Resorts - Palladium Resorts - Karisma Resorts (El Dorado Resorts, Overwater Bungalows, Sensimar Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts, Generations Resorts, Sensatori Resorts, Nickelodeon Resorts Punta Cana, Hidden Beach, Karisma Villas) … and more (inquire with Wright Travel Agency to see if your resort qualifies) Terms and Conditions: Offer is valid on new Group Bookings with Wright Travel Agency, LLC and applies to the wedding couple ONLY. A minimum of 60 paid room nights) booked in the group block in order to qualify for the offer inclusions. Any complimentary nights or bookings made outside the group block will not apply towards this promotion. Wedding couple to receive credit 2-3 weeks after travel (valid for the wedding couple only when traveling from any US gateway, for a maximum value of $1,000 total for both tickets). Customer is responsible for any cancellation fees once airline tickets have been issued. Offer is subject to availability at time of signing contract and receipt of deposit, and may be changed or discontinued without notice. Blackout dates, minimum night stays, room category restrictions, seasonal surcharges, taxes, resort fees, and other restrictions may apply. Wright Travel Agency, LLC CST# 2084813-40. This post has been promoted to an article -
For those who are considering tying the knot at any Secrets, Breathless, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas, now is the time to make it official as AM Resorts launches its Beyond Memorable Wedding Promotion for weddings booked one year or more in advance. The Beyond Memorable promotion offers couples four private events including, a Welcome Cocktail Party, a Rehearsal Dinner, the Wedding Ceremony and a Wedding Reception. Plus, the more rooms you book, the more incentives you will receive: every 5th room booked is free (up to 10 complimentary rooms) receive one complimentary upgrade for every 10 paid rooms each guest will receive $100 USD in resort coupons This wedding promotion is offered at all Secrets, Breathless, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas for the price of: $7,500 USD for wedding groups of 50 guests $11,999 USD for wedding groups of 100 guests For more information on booking your stay or wedding at any of the AM Resort properties to take advantage of the Beyond Memorable Wedding Promotion, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or use the contact form on the website at www.wrighttravelagency.com This post has been promoted to an article
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For those who are considering tying the knot at any Secrets, Breathless, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas, now is the time to make it official as AM Resorts launches its Beyond Memorable Wedding Promotion for weddings booked one year or more in advance. The Beyond Memorable promotion offers couples four private events including, a Welcome Cocktail Party, a Rehearsal Dinner, the Wedding Ceremony and a Wedding Reception. Plus, the more rooms you book, the more incentives you will receive: every 5th room booked is free (up to 10 complimentary rooms) receive one complimentary upgrade for every 10 paid rooms each guest will receive $100 USD in resort coupons This wedding promotion is offered at all Secrets, Breathless, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas for the price of: $7,500 USD for wedding groups of 50 guests $11,999 USD for wedding groups of 100 guests For more information on booking your stay or wedding at any of the AM Resort properties to take advantage of the Beyond Memorable Wedding Promotion, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or use the contact form on the website at www.wrighttravelagency.com -
i bought my weddiing dress from www.sassymyprom.com and it was amazing. delivery was fast and they were always willing to respons to questions and querries very fast. i recommend them. that are amazing
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The holiday season can be a busy and stressful time of year for many people, but when you're planning a wedding on top of that, it can send you over the edge. Between the holiday to-do list, the shopping list and your wedding to-do list -- you can easily find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated. Here are a few ways you can manage planning your wedding throughout the holiday season in an effective and efficient manner that will keep you on top of things! 1) Take advantage of holiday sales. If there are items on your wedding shopping list that you've been meaning to buy -- for instance, that perfect pair of shoes or earrings for the Wedding Day, or perhaps your sweethearts suit or the gifts you've planned to give your bridesmaids -- look out for holiday sales on those items. You may find that shopping during the holiday season will save you a considerable amount of money -- so brave those crowds or browse your favorite shopping sites for those money saving deals! 2) Take advantage of family get togethers. When your family and friends gather, don't hesitate to use that time together to ask for help planning out your wedding details or asking for advice on decisions that have you stumped. You may find that your family and friends are eager and happy to help you knock off things on your to-do list. If you want to get your bridal party together, consider throwing a holiday cocktail party just for your bridesmaids -- it can double up as a festive celebration as well as a gathering to handle some of those wedding tasks or projects you've been meaning to get to. Who doesn't love to handle DIY projects over cocktails, appetizers and desserts?!?! 3) Narrow down your registry by adding gifts to your Christmas list. Does your wedding registry seem to be bursting at the seams? Move some of those gift ideas to your Christmas wish list. Start building your life together this holiday season, by asking for practical Christmas gifts that will help you get your new home together as husband and wife started now instead of later. 4) Step away from the wedding planning and take a holiday break. Yes, you read that right. Don't plan a darn wedding-related thing this holiday season and instead enjoy the holidays to the fullest without doing any planning at all. If you've been burning the midnight oil planning your wedding, it's a great time to take a break (that is, if you can afford to take some time away from it all). And keep in mind, that many vendors will also be taking a much needed holiday break, so don't be surprised or upset if your vendors don't respond as quickly. The holidays are a time when lots of businesses slow down and step away in anticipation of the new year. To book or inquire about a location for a destination wedding or honeymoon, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or visit the website at www.wrighttravelagency.com - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding photographer and writer/blogger. -
Hi all, I'm getting married at Secrets Capri in May 2018. I see many old posts from former SC brides, but don't see any recent information. Anyone have any tips or info they can share? I haven't spoken to the WC on-site yet, we're only done the very basic first stages of planning. Anyone been and have feedback? Thanks in advance -
As part of its continued effort to go global, Southwest Airlines now offers service from several major U.S. cities to Cancun, Mexico, including nonstop service from Los Angeles, Calif. While Southwest has always been known for their reasonable airfare rates and flexible and abundant flight schedules, the airlines jaw-dropping rate for a direct flight from LAX to Cancun was all the motivation I needed to take advantage of a last minute trip with my family that I booked less than 24 hours before I was scheduled to depart. How much you ask? My ticket was $283 roundtrip all taxes included! (I also traveled with my 2-year-old toddler on this trip, so for the two of us it was a little under $600). Full disclosure, I was a little hesitant to take a Southwest international, because I wasn’t sure how they would compare to other airlines especially when it comes to the basic features they offer. But I’m here to report, my first and only experience with Southwest from Los Angeles to Cancun had a few ups and downs, but overall I can say it was an affordable and efficient way to travel and I'd definitely consider using their nonstop service to Cancun again. The pros about flying to Cancun via Southwest: The leather seats are comfortable and spacious and you get a good amount of legroom. Having been on several flights, I’d say legroom and comfort on my Southwest flight was above average. So if comfort is important to you — you’ll be pleased on this flight. You can check in luggage for free. This is especially important to point out because any other airline will charge you for check-in baggage. The awesome check-in policy is what Southwest is known for, and when it comes to international travel, it applies here too. Your first two check-ins are absolutely free, so if you’re bride with lots to bring, Southwest is a great option that will cut down on baggage fees! Easy check-in and flights are timely. During both legs of journey, we didn’t run into any problems with check-in or flight times. Also important to mention, there were several flights we could have chosen from when we were booking our tickets, which is a great advantage if you need flexibility. From Los Angeles, there were two non-stop flights to Cancun offered daily — one in the morning (with arrival in mid afternoon) and one in the mid afternoon (with arrival in the late evening). This gave us options if we needed them. Great rates. Bottom line, Southwest offers unbelievable rates if you can nab them at the ‘Wanna Get Away’ rate. I’ve never flown to Cancun for such a great rate with check-in baggage fees included. The cons: Southwest does not offer pre-assigned seating. So yes, you have to chance possibly not sitting next to people you know. The solution to this is purchasing the Early Bird check in option, which allows you to get a higher priority boarding to increase your chances on getting the seat(s) you want. This option was only $15/person for each flight, so it’s not too high a price to pay if you want a better chance of sitting where you want and choosing your neighbor. The no-assigned seating method may also make you a bit nervous if you’re traveling with children, but after some asking around, I found out that they do allow people traveling with children 6 and under to board the flight after the A group and preferred members board — so you’ll likely be abler to sit next to your child with no problem. I also witnessed the flight staff, really work hard to keep families together once all passengers were situated. No meals are offered for free or for purchase on Southwest flights, but they will load you up with all the drinks and snacks you can eat (chips, cookies, crackers and peanuts), which is actually a great thing compared to some other airlines that do offer food for purchase. So make sure pick up a meal at the airport or bring one from home if you like being able to eat a meal on your flight. Wifi service is TERRIBLE on Southwest. I can only attest to my two flight to and from Mexico, but either way it was a crap shoot and mostly didn’t work. Wifi will cost you $8 for all all day pass on a single device and no matter how hard I tried to pay — I was basically like “TAKE MY MONEY!” and it never worked. So don’t rely on Wifi onboard, this is a problem I’ve read is a common occurrence in other travelers who’ve used Southwest to go international. While Southwest does NOT offer any entertainment module on board (screens on the backs of seats in front of you or television screens above), they do offer free streaming TV and movies for purchase if you use your own device — BUT again, anything streaming on my flights was terrible. This was basically the message I saw the whole time when trying to watch their free live TV, “ Hold tight! Our Live TV is currently outside a coverage area.” There simply wasn’t a stable connection and it was quite frustrating. So I basically spent my in-flight time on my laptop catching up on work (i.e., writing up this review LOL.) If you can get past Southwest's minor shortcomings, it’s a great and affordable option for traveling into Mexico. It all really depends on what in-flight comforts and services are important to you! Note: My travel period from LAX to Cancun was May 29, 2017 to June 1, 2017. To find out more information about booking your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at:www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
So you've said "yes," to tying the knot destination wedding style. But what's next? Picking your location of course! But there are many aspects to consider before you choose your destination wedding location. We've compiled our top tips to help you choose the perfect spot for you to say "I Do!" 1. Reach out to an experience destination wedding travel agent. Agents are worth their weight in gold when it comes to planning your celebration. Not only are they familiar with wedding locations regions and resort options, they can help with so many of the other variables listed below. The forum's official travel agency Wright Travel Agency helps its clients from the beginning with planning the most important travel/lodging details to overseeing any issues during the travel process through the end of the trip. These agents deal with your guests directly, so that you don't find yourself bombarded with a million travel/lodging questions that you're not quite sure to how to answer. Wright Travel agents are also aware of all the special promotions and discounts being offered at the different resorts, resulting in great savings for you and your guests. These agents also have close relationships with each of the destination resorts, which can help ease your wedding planning experience from beginning to end. Most importantly, there is no charge to use Wright Travel Agency's service. (For more information on Wright Travel Agency visit: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! 2. Timing? You'll quickly find that every location has "seasons" -- meaning, there will be times when your location of choice will be cheaper or more costly to travel to in terms of airfare and lodging. Holidays tend to be more expensive as they draw more people to the area. So consider timing because that will greatly affect the costs necessary for you and your guests to travel to your wedding location. 3. Budget/Costs. How much do you want your guests to spend? And, does that matter to you? Some couples seek to be considerate of their guests investment in the trip, while others have their heart set on a destination location and all that matters is that they're able to get there -- guests present or not. It's really up to you to decide, but bear in mind, the total investment will play a significant role in determining the size of your guests list. So If you want to draw big numbers to your destination celebration, then consider what each person will have to spend to travel and stay at your location. 4. Distance. Yep, distance matters. Costs and time will also factor into this aspect. If you decide to get married in a location that will require several of your guests to travel 8+ hours or more one way, then you have to accept the fact that some people simply may not be able to make that trip. Long distances will eat up at least 2 days of travel time, cutting into a person's time off. You also have to remember that distance will affect how much you can carry with you. If you had intended to bring a lot of your decor, then realize you will be lugging a ton of stuff thousands of miles away -- that could complicate things and make your journey tougher. So keep distance in mind. 5. Kids vs. No Kids. To have kids or not to have kids, that is the question. The answer is really up to you -- do you want children to be present at your celebration? The choice is ultimately up to you. This is an important decision to make early on because many resorts in destination locations are adults-only. So talk to your sweetheart right away about whether you want children present or not -- just remember, some guests may welcome an adults-only getaway, while others won't be able to attend because of family obligations, and you need to be OK with that. 6. All Inclusive vs. Non All-Inclusive. Deciding on whether you want to go all-inclusive or not will play a huge role in the budget/costs factor. All-inclusive options are in abundance in several Mexico destination locations like Cancun/Riviera Maya, but these options are few in places like Hawaii. While it may seem like your guests are having to pay a lot upfront costs to go all-inclusive, they will likely enjoy a more stress-free vacation experience because the main costs (dining, drinks, activities, etc.) are already paid for. The all-inclusive route may also help lower the costs you will have to spend on the actual wedding celebration at your resort. Check out our blog post about going All-inclusive to help determine whether you want to go that route. 7. Legal Requirements for Tying the Knot. Does your location have certain legal requirements when it comes to weddings? You need to look into this as soon as you begin the planning process because it may affect how early you need to arrive at your location. This will also impact who you choose to marry you, where/how you plan on getting married and what type of ceremony you'll be having -- religious, spiritual, legal, etc. Reach out to the resort planner or coordinator for assistance on these details as they should be well informed about the processes that will affect your wedding celebration. 8. Number of Guests. The size of your guest list will be a big factor in choosing your location because if you plan on having a large group, looking at smaller resorts may not be ideal. So consider this variable early on as it will narrow down your options upfront when it comes to looking at location options. 9. Wedding Planner/Coordinator? Many resorts will include assistance from a wedding coordinator or planner from their wedding department as your wedding date nears, but some couples invest in an independent coordinator/planner to take over the wedding planning process from the very start. Many brides and grooms find that planning a wedding away from home can be quite stressful, so hiring an expert to handle the details from a far could be a great investment that will make your wedding journey much more stress-free and enjoyable. To find out more information about booking your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
We are getting married at the riu santa fe this coming January and we have selected the caprice package with a semi private dinner and then we are considering have speeches, first dance, and reception in the disco bar. Is this a good idea? Any suggestions? We have been patiently awaiting information from the resort but have received nothing yet. If anyone has any information on weddings at the santa fe could you please send it to lindsey_alexay@hotmail.com.
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Hello, My future husband (!) and I are researching all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. We're between Moon Palace, Dreams Tulum, and similar resorts....our question is really through negotiation. How much wiggle room is there when negotiating with a resort? Is the price THE price? We're trying to keep our wedding under a certain price but the numbers add up quickly!
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Giving your bridal party gifts is a personal preference. There is no wedding rule that requires you to gift your bridesmaids or groomsmen. But if you're a groom who decides you'd like to give those standing beside you on your Big Day something special, here are a few gift ideas that they'll be sure to appreciate. 1. A Wallet: Much like the ladies with purses, a man can never have too many wallets. Opt for something sporty and durable, or chic and made of leather. If you have time, you may even be able to pick up some wallets at your destination location -- for instance, Mexico is known for its great leather goods. 2. A Flask: If the spirits will be free flowing throughout your trip, your buddies may appreciate a flask for bringing alcohol on the go. You can get something engraved check out Etsy for a variety of options. Or maybe go for something simple, it's really up to you. 3. Bottle of the Local Spirits: If time permits, pick up your groomsmen a bottle of the local spirits. Tequila from Mexico, rum from Jamaica? It's an ode to the local culture and your guys will appreciate the thought! 4. A Pocketknife: It's like a law of life -- men love their tools. There are so many options when it comes to pocketknives, but pick something with handy tools you think your friends will find handy. 5. A Group Excursion: Want to keep it simple but memorable? Consider paying for a group excursion for your groomsmen to enjoy during your destination trip. Perhaps a dive or snorkel trip? Maybe an ATV tour or catamaran ride. Nothing beats a fun experience together. Just make sure that all your groomsmen will be in town to enjoy the outing. And if you want it to be a surprise, make sure they know ahead of time to set aside the day/time. To find out more information about booking a destination wedding or honeymoon, contact the Best Destination Wedding Forum's official travel agency -- Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
5 Reasons Why the Weekday Wedding Is the Way to Go
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Some couples are set on having their wedding on a particular date that falls on a weekend. But if you're a pair who is more flexible on the date you tie the knot, you may want to consider having a weekday wedding. Here are five reasons why a weekday wedding may be the way to go for you: 1) It allows your guests to extend their trip into the weekend. While you and your sweetheart may be spending an extended amount of time at your destination location before and after the Big Day, your guests may not have that flexibility. When you plan your wedding a few days before the weekend, it may give them a chance to extend their stay by taking advantage of the weekend. For example, plan your wedding on a Thursday or Friday and that gives your guests the option to take some additional time to unwind on Saturday and Sunday. 2) May help cut down on crowds at your venue. While destination locations usually double as popular vacation spots, having your wedding on a weekday could drastically cut down on the crowds in or around your venue -- especially if you are having a beach wedding. Having your wedding ceremony on the beach on a Thursday could cut back on the chances that you'll have a bunch of swimsuited observers watching the festivities nearby. 3) It will give you some flexibility on the rest of your wedding festivities. When you plan your wedding on a Saturday, it's very likely that your guests will make plans to depart and go home on Sunday. But if you plan your wedding on a weekday before the weekend, you'll be able to schedule other fun group activities during the remaining days thereafter. You'll also have less of a chance of booking a day when another wedding will be taking place, especially if you're having it at a popular venue that hosts more than one wedding a day. 4) Popular vendors are more likely to be available on a weekday. When it comes to booking your wedding at a popular destination location, some couples will find during the planning process that their favorite or preferred vendors may already booked. Popular photographers, videographers, event planners/designers, hair/makeup stylists, DJs or bands will often book weddings several months or even a year in advance. So if you find out that your favorite vendor is already locked into another event, consider a weekday wedding to increase your chances! 5) It may cut down on some wedding and travel costs. While destination locations are no stranger to weekday weddings, you may find that your location/venue or even vendor offers a small price break for a weekday event. It's not common, but definitely worth asking about. You may also find that your weekday event date(s) will also cut down on travel and lodging costs for your guests. To find out more information about booking a destination wedding or honeymoon, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
I'm two months away from our big day and working out a few add on's with our planner (adding guests, changing some minor details) when she hits me with a $350 "beach cleaning fee". Our ceremony is on the beach that is in front of the restaurant that is our venue... I'm already paying a good deal of restaurant fees and also fees to set up chairs on the beach ($5/head) and now this? Moreover, we signed our contract nearly a year ago and it did not include this. She makes a flat fee, but has not exactly been easy to negotiate with- i.e. I tried to ask her to negotiate with the officiant, and she reduced $25, but said she didn't want to negotiate with him. I feel that all her prices are probably well padded but it's a destination wedding and hard to micro-manage. I'm pretty annoyed about this fee though, because it's a significant amount of money. Has anyone heard of a beach cleaning fee before? It doesn't seem like something typical when I googled it.
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Hoping to plan the perfect honeymoon trip to top off your wedding experience? We've already given you 5 tips to guide you as you plan the ideal honeymoon, but here are 5 more suggestions to ensure that your honeymoon overflows with wedded bliss. (See Tips #1 thru #5 here) 6. Fly during off-peak days and times. Opt for traveling on non-peak days and times, for example, traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday often yields cheaper flight prices, which can be reduced even further if you're open to taking a red-eye or late night flight. That's not to say, book the flight that leaves you with 2-4 layovers, because extending your travel time can be exhausting and may require you a few days to recuperate, but definitely consider an off-peak travel schedule because it could save you big bucks in the end. Consult with a travel specialist like Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- for the best deals and to ensure that your accommodations are arranged to fit in with your travel schedule. 7. Sleep late and sleep in. Once you arrive to your destination, make it a point to sleep late and sleep in. Don't let alarm clocks wake you, this is your time to completely clock off from the rest of the world and enjoy the love of your life. So say yes to taking that late night walk along the beach to hear the waves crashing or catching that late night movie that happens to pop up on your television. And if you miss breakfast because you decided to sleep in, that's OK too. The key here is to RELAX and enjoy every minute. 8. Plan to do something new and exciting. As you plan your honeymoon, look into an activity or excursion that will bring you and your spouse's heart rate to another level. Do something new together that you'll never forget -- be it something as adventurous as a zipline tour, an amazing but challenging hike or maybe swim with the whale sharks or perhaps something as simple as taking a cooking class together or opting for a salsa dancing lesson. Create memories by doing something out of the norm and don't forget to take pictures! 9. Bring a camera and take lots of photos and video. DON'T forget, I repeat, DON't forget to bring your camera. Snap away at every wonderful moment big or small during this time away with your honey and capture the feelings, sights and sounds of your experience. Smartphones these days are perfectly capable to taking great photos and video, but if you've got an actual camera, bring that too! You will cherish these photos/video years into your marriage. 10. Stay within your budget -- remember you have to live "real life" when you get back. It's easy to go "buck wild" with the wallet when it comes to your honeymoon, but make sure you stay within your budget. If you feel inclined to purchase a fancy dinner, fun excursion or lovely trinket during your time away -- do it. But think twice before you push the button on any big purchase(s) that might break the bank, remember, when the trip is over it's back to real life and you still gotta live and pay the bills! For assistance on booking a honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Part One: 5 Tips for Planning the Perfect Honeymoon Trip
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Hoping to plan the perfect honeymoon trip to top off your wedding experience? Here are 5 tips to ensure that your honeymoon overflows with wedded bliss. 1. Create a honeymoon fund early. Do not hesitate to start putting money aside for your honeymoon as soon as your sweetheart pops the big question. Keep the wedding and honeymoon funds separate and stick to your budget. 2. Consult in a Travel Agent. A travel specialist can give you advice on the best time/dates to travel as well as provide you with the best rates. Travel agents are also a great resource of information on things to do in your destination location. But most importantly, travel agents are there to assist you should you have to deal with any changes to your travel plans or run into any problems. They are there to help you along the way, which doesn't happen when you opt to book through a travel discount site on your own. Take the time to consult and use the services of a travel specialist like Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- it can make a world of difference! 3. Don't leave for your trip too quickly after the wedding. Some couples are under the impression that honeymoons should begin immediately after the wedding, but that is not always the case. In fact, you should give yourself some time after the wedding to unwind and relax before you part for your honeymoon trip. The weeks and days leading up to the Wedding Day are stressful enough, and when you have to make sure to pack your bags and get things in order at home before you take more time off, it can be even more overwhelming. Give yourself at least 2 to 3 days after the wedding to unwind and spend time with friends and relatives who may have traveled into town to attend your wedding. Some couples will even opt to plan their honeymoon weeks or months after the wedding -- there is no true timetable. Plus it will also give you additional time to save up for your travels! 4. Plan a honeymoon itinerary but make it flexible. While planning your honeymoon, draft up a general schedule for what you plan to do together during your time away. But don't feel pressured to stick to that schedule -- let your mood dictate timing. If there are certain sites or locations you want to make sure to visit, then set some days aside to do those things -- and spread the itinerary out. But be flexible enough to where you can switch some activities around if need be. Again, the assistance of a travel specialist can be of great help when it comes to planning your activities. 5. Give yourself time to adjust to reality before heading back to work. Much like after the wedding, you should give yourself at least 2 days to readjust to home life before returning to work. So plan to come home from your honeymoon with a few days to spare before you go back to reality AKA work. Your body and mind will thank you! Make sure to check back for additional tips in Part Two of Planning Your Perfect Honeymoon Trip! To find out more information about booking an all-inclusive vacation for your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Hi everyone! Newbie here! I AM SO HAPPY THAT I FOUND THIS SITE! I was having such a hard time getting info on average costs for a destination wedding in the Rivera Maya, so I hope to get some feedback here! We're getting married in October 2017 with a group of 35-55 people. I have NO idea how much the average cost would be. We're planning our budget and I'm thinking 6k is good (for the ceremony/music/decorations/videographer+photographer] [PLEASE TELL ME IF I'M WRONG] I want a super simple wedding, nothing crazy. My main concerns are: -Photographer/videographer: how much should I set aside for these two? I don't want to spend more than $1,500. [if you have any recommendations, please let me know] -Outside vendor fees: which hotels/resorts have low fees? -Ceremony costs for 30-55 people -Florist: does the resort provide floral arrangements or do we come up with this ourselves? If so, what was your experience like? how did you do it? -Wedding planner: DO I NEED ONE? I LOVE planning stuff myself. But is it absolutely necessary to get a wedding planner? If so, how much does it usually cost to get one? Here are the resorts I was considering: -Valentin Imperial Maya -Las Villas Akumal -Excellence Resort Isla Mujeres I want a small/intimate hotel/resort. I stayed at Sandos last May and I HATED IT because it was such a huge resort. I want to keep it small and intimate. If anyone has gotten married/plans to get married at these resorts, could you tell me about your experience? OR if there are any resorts you'd suggest, please let me know! Thank you in advance!
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If you and your sweetheart are one of the many couples that got engaged over the holiday season, you're probably wondering, what do we do now? Here's a list of to-do's to help get you started on the journey toward the wedding of your dreams! 1) Call family and close friends: Start making those phone calls or sending those messages to let those closest to you know, you are to be wed! 2) Make it social media official: Once you've let your closest circle know the good news, make it social media official. Post a photo of the proposal or perhaps one of you and your spouse-to-be with your new bling. 3) Get ring resized if need be: If the ring doesn't fit the way you want it to, make plans to get the ring properly sized as soon as possible. And if you have the means, get your ring insured. Always better to be safe than sorry. 4) Begin looking at dates: Sit down with your sweetheart and begin the discussion on when you'd like to get married. It doesn't have to be an exact date right away, but at least start thinking about the season and year you plan to tie the knot so that you can start planning accordingly. Your wedding date will help determine your timeline for the rest of your wedding to do's. 5) Decide on a local wedding vs. a destination wedding: The location of your wedding is typically dependent on how big your guests list will be. Do you want it to be a huge celebration? Or do you prefer a smaller more intimate wedding? Keep in mind, destination weddings tend to weed out a lot of people on your guests list simply because some won't be able to travel, take time off work, or afford the trip. So bear in mind that when it comes to planning a destination wedding, your guests will be incurring their own costs to attend. But most importantly, plan your wedding at a location you both agree on -- this is your day to celebrate your love. 6) Start an inspiration board: When it comes to weddings, there are tons of details involved. And whether you plan on having a wedding planner or not, you can start the planning process by creating a vision board of what you want your wedding to look or feel like. Pinterest is the most popular option for creating an inspiration board. So start searching for those ideas and pin away! 7) Wedding planner vs. self planned: Wedding planning is hard work. So if you can, invest in a planner/coordinator who can take care of the big details -- or at least hire a day-of coordinator at the very least. You'll find that having someone to organize and take care of the overall planning will help a ton when it comes to alleviating wedding stress. If you don't have the means to hire a planner or coordinator, then invest in a good planning book and ask your friends/family for help. Keeping yourself organized is most important if you plan to do it on your own! 8) Create a wedding budget: Determining your wedding budget is often the hardest and most stressful part of wedding planning. Sit down and talk with your sweetheart about wedding finances and also take time to determine whether you will have any financial support or help from your parents. And always keep in mind that there are typically unexpected expenses that will come up during the planning process so plan to set aside extra money as needed. 9) Start saving $$$: Planning for your wedding can be a huge expense. So after your plan your wedding budget, set aside some time to determine how you plan to save along the way. Perhaps it means cutting back on other expenses in your life, just remember, saving up for your wedding is temporary. Also don't go broke planning the wedding of your dreams -- a wedding only last for a day, make sure to plan for your marriage and life together as well after the Big Day. 10) Start booking priority vendors: If you've had your heart set on booking a particular vendor (i.e., photographer, entertainer, caterer, venue, florist, hair/makeup stylist, etc.), it's important to reach out to those vendors right away to secure your date. The earlier you book these important vendors the better, as vendor pricing can often increase without notice. 11) Ask for parents' input on guest list: Once you've decided on a venue and budget, it's time to start drafting up your guests list, consult with your parents on their thoughts as well. Take into consideration their input when it comes to who gets invited, and then make it a joint effort with your spouse-to-be to decide on who makes the cut. It's normal to have various revised guests list and keep in mind that the location of your wedding may affect who attends your wedding as well. 12) Go dress shopping: Some brides likes to go dress shopping early, some like to wait till later. But at the very least, start looking at the different styles and designers of wedding gowns that catch your eye. Remember that some designers will require that you order your dress months in advance, also keep in mind that styles change, so if you don't plan on getting married for a year or more, it may be better to wait. And don't forget, to set aside time and money for alterations! Most importantly, enjoy the process of wedding planning. It can be a stressful process, but just remember that in the end you'll end up marrying the love of your life. So enjoy the journey! To book or inquire about any destination wedding venue/resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or visit our website at www.wrighttravelagency.com - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Hello ladies, We picked the NOW Sapphire as our DW and the date is set for May 2nd, 2017. I had some questions for past brides or anyone that could be of help. We are paying for my 2 (soon-to-be) stepchildren (1 of which will be at an adult rate as he's over 12 yrs old). Plus our photographer friend. So paying for 4 adults, 1 child as well as our honeymoon (so already at approx. 15k there)--- so we are trying to save where we can! Where there are 5 children so far coming, (that all love to dance), we decided we should have a "reception" of sorts. We currently are set up for the "Complimentary" (Your Moments) wedding package as we did not need a photographer and all packages would still require us to pay extras. We decided on the gazebo with the Preferred Pool as the "dance" location. We want to have the "dance" so that our photos include our first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, etc. photos... plus the kids would not be allowed at the disco later, AND if we were to opt for the disco instead of a reception, the parents of the other children would have to tend to their kids so I'd be missing 4 wedding party members. I'm terrified of all the extra costs. The cost is adding up and I'm not convinced that a "Package" will even help us out either. We're looking at renting the speakers from the resort (180$ per hour - 3 hours), and cost per additional guest after 10 is 22$ approx. (for the Your moments package) we are currently 30 attendding. Renting the Preferred pool is 1000$ and we are using an off site make up and hair team which wasn't cheap but it was something all of us ladies agreed on. 1-I'm thinking of bringing "fake bouquets" cause they seem pretty costly at the resort. I have 4 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen and the 2 stepsons. What have some of you done regarding bouquets? 2-In regards to renting the speakers, we have also been in contact with a DJ where the speakers, the DJing would all be included but that would come with a vendor fee on top of their fee so approx 700$ I believe. Do any of you have any tips to share? I hear lots of brides mention a DJ app, how user friendly is this? 3-The lighting or decor... we want it to be very pretty for the photos, do any of you that chose the Preferred pool needed to bring anything additional? Lighting starts at 600$ and bringing your own, you'd still need to pay 100$ per pole to hang them. Any experience advice on that location? 4-During the wedding, do they play music or is that an additional fee? 5-Has the WC given out decor or anything complimentary with this package? i.e. aisle runner or little decorations on cocktail tables, etc or do they nickel & dime you every chance they get? 6-I was thinking of having some sort of video (short one), but not paying an abundant amout, has anyone done this at a reasonable cost? Basically - Have any of you chosen the "your moments" package, and if so, could you share your cost saving ideas? We aren't opposed to paying for some extras but just are looking at cost cutting where we can so that we can permit to spend a bit more on our guest bags and "at home party". I'm extremely excited about our choice and when I see all the photos our WC posts of the weddings, I'm in awe - I guess I picture that each bride must have paid for the packages and had a much larger budget than we do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-) -
Hi Brides! I am looking for any help you may have for a great photographer in Punta Cana .. that is reasonably priced .. and when i say that .. i mean. . no more than $2000 for a decent package (7+ hours of coverage) .. i feel like when looking at the prices of photographers my budget is low .. but considering my wedding is costing $3000 alone .. i don't have much room left for the photographers! I am from Canada, and I hate that all these prices are in USD!! It kills me .. are there any photographers, other than Photo Phil, that charge in CAD?? I love Karina Jensen's style .. her prices aren't too bad .. but i just wanted to check and see if any brides found someone with the same style, but less $$ -
1) Why are you worth the amount you charge? There are many reasons we charge the rates we do, some of which are quite obvious: all of our photographers have many years of experience and many, many weddings under their belts, we offer full resolution images with full reproduction rights, we use very expensive equipment, we edit the photos ourselves – each of the photographers edit the photos from the wedding, their own and the second-shooter’s; then there are the “hidden” costs, like having a beautiful lounge in most hotels we work with, having to pay all the additional people involved in the process of organizing photography and cinematography for a wedding – our colleagues at the Call Center, our Wedding Planners that meet the bride and groom in the hotel and help plan and organize the whole experience etc. 2) Do you shoot natural light or artificial light? Or both? All of our photographers in DreamArt, myself included, are comfortable shooting both. We do prefer using natural light whenever possible and as late as possible, but we also always look for opportunities to be creative with off-camera flash, or complement that available light with a little fill from our flashes. We also use flash to create better quality photographs when there is an actual need for the extra light – like during a reception where there isn’t much light or the light is in all different and weird colors. 3) Do you back up your files online just in case of a fire? Do you have backup equipment? We actually have several backup plans in place at all times. First off, we download the photos to the photo lounge in the hotel the same day we take them. Second, we have a NAS in place in our main office, where everything gets copied to, then there is the Online Gallery, where our brides can actually access and download their photos at all times. We also keep our photos for a minimum of eight months, most of the time much longer than that. 4) Will I get a high resolution DVD? We actually give the Full Resolution images (between 20 and 40 megapixels’ resolution), which is perfect for doing both large prints – we regularly print our photos in 18*12 inches – and also larger or smaller things too, like huge canvas prints or just regular 6*8 inch prints. We also give our photos on USB and online. Both versions are the full resolution files. 5) How do you make us feel relaxed for the photographs, especially when posing? Both myself and all of my colleagues have extensive experience working with people, from all walks of life, and we also have photographed quite a few weddings (I photographed over 150 weddings). Also, we all come from different parts of the world, so, if nothing else, our quirky accents will make you laugh. 6) What is your shooting style? Do you focus on storytelling? We pride ourselves in capturing your special day with all the possible details, storytelling being the main focus. It will be a combination of both photojournalism and some posed shots (especially the group shots and some of the bride and groom). We tend to be as unobtrusive as possible so as to be able to capture all those natural, genuine moments that cannot be posed and planned for, nor repeated. We only take center stage when we need to organize a specific shot. 7) Will you help us with the planning of photos and video for the wedding day? Yes. The most important things for us are for the bride and groom to first, have a great time and not worry about anything, and second for their photos to be as beautiful as possible. Since we live here and know what light is better, how long it takes to move from one place to the next inside the hotels, what can end up taking longer than initially thought etc. we do our best to help you plan accordingly, so that you take advantage of the best places with the best possible light and with all the time you have with your photographers and videographers. It happens often for a bide to come to the interview with our Wedding Planners with a specific timeline in mind or even written down, and leave with a very different schedule after that meeting. We try to have the photographer present during that interview, or at least have several questions and ideas written down by our Wedding Planners and communicated to the photographer. 8) What happens if you get sick on my day? We are very lucky in the sense that we always have someone that can take over if needed. The benefit of working with such a talented team for such a long time (there are around 40 photographers in DreamArt, and we have been working together for the past 3 years, or more) is that if you were to have a situation where you really can’t attend a wedding, one of your colleagues could take your place easily. This is something that hardly ever happens, and it has never happened to me personally. 9) What happens if it rains? This is an important question, because most brides would think their photos and video would be ruined if this happens. This is actually not the case. There are some photographs that can only be done on a rainy day, with rain as a backdrop. We always make the best of any situation and rain is just that: a different situation. There is always a Plan B in terms of where your cocktail or reception will take place, in case of bad weather, and we also I have also offered couples an hour of two of extra time on a different day so we can get photos with the beautiful Caribbean Sea in the background, rather than just rain. DreamArt Photography is the leading luxury photography company based in resorts in Mexico and Jamaica. In the past years, DreamArt Photography & Video has become world leader in its category with more than 1,000 weddings, 6,000 lifestyle sessions, and almost 250 events yearly, in both four and five diamond resorts. By Andrei Mihalache Kay English Photos: DreamArt Photography Event Resources ©DreamArt Photography 2010 - 2016. All Rights Reserved -
I am so glad that I found a community of brides and grooms that are planning a destination wedding just like me. I just recently got engaged to the man of my dreams and now we are ready to start planning the wedding of our dreams. We originally had plans set for a wedding here locally but as the planning continued our budget raised to close to $35,000 and I began to question if it was worth it. After several events we decided to stick with a destination wedding, and I couldn't be happier! I've spent 6 weeks researching resorts and I have made the decision on Now Sapphire Resort. From the pricing to the reviews I believe I made the best choice. We are looking at approximately 25-30 guests with a budget hopefully of 15,000. We would love to get married next year but we want to do things right and allow our guests to have enough time to pay for this vacation as well as take care of a few life situations therefore we decided to go for a 2018 wedding which is fine with me Me being a newbie and not having any experience in this I am feeling a bit overwhelmed planning this wedding. I would love to hear your stories thus far on wedding planning, etc. I also have a few questions so if anyone could assist me that would be great! 1) When planning your wedding did you use a travel planner? Is it best to have a travel planner for your guests? 2) Do you plan on visiting your resort prior to your wedding day? 3) I've done some research and found that a lot of brides brought some decorations to help with costs can anyone provide some advice on doing this? 4) What date did you book you wedding day for? We originally planned for August 18, 2018 (Our anniversary) but I have been scared off by the chances of rain and it being hurricane season. 5) What is your budget, how easy has it been to stick with it? So excited to meet you all, and I look forward to planning with you!
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hello beatiful brides! anyone thinking of a destination wedding with no guests?? I've been looking at different resorts and pricing, block rates etc...I was overwhelmed lol. So next best idea....no guest. I have a $6000 budget.
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