Destination Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS that we get about Destination Wedding Planning!
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We handle everything for you (except what you are going to wear!). There is no fee to use us. We help choose your destination & resort, organize all travel, match you with the perfect wedding coordinator, and we are there for you every step of the way!
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We recommend planning 12 - 18 months in advance (if you can, if your big day is closer—no worries! We can still help). This timeframe will allow us to work together securing the right resort, coordinate with the in-destination team & vendors, and give your guests time to budget financially & prepare for your big day.
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While there are a ton of “Free Wedding Packages” available at resorts, typically a Destination wedding ranges from as low as $1000 and can be upward of $15,000 depending on how many guests attend. While these numbers are NOT solid, 2-10 guests avg. $1000 - $3000; 10 - 20 guests avg. $3000-$5000; 30 -50 guests range $5000 - $7000; and 50+ guests can be anywhere from $7000+ (these are JUST estimates, actual pricing for the wedding may be more or less).
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Most destination wedding resorts require a minimum stay of 3 nights for your guests. The avg. cost of air + resort for 3 nights for most destinations in Mexico & the Caribbean begins at $1000 per person. We offer flexible payment terms where your guests put down a small deposit that is subtracted from their total, and they can have a payment plan to pay off their reservation.
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Typically you will pay a small deposit to hold your date at the resort that you will be getting married at. Also you pay a small deposit on your accommodations. Both of these costs together are minimal and you have until 45 days prior to travel to pay them off in most cases.
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A typical destination wedding package will include the spectacular setting where you want to get married, flowers, cake, and dinner for your destination group. Packages differ from resort to resort. Let us help you to choose a resort where you will get the BEST destination wedding experience.
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Most Destination Weddings have symbolic ceremonies. A symbolic ceremony is where our clients get a marriage license in the United States and then have their wedding in the Caribbean. When you have a symbolic ceremony, the only people that know that you’re already legally married are the officiant, you + your spouse, and anyone else that you tell. If you’d like to have a LEGAL wedding (getting your license in destination) then your Travel Designer will guide you through the steps to do so (sometimes this involves additional fees, blood tests, etc. depending on the destination)
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2…you and your fiancé!
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For the best travel rates we like to plan at least 9 months in advance. This ensures that you and your guests have plenty of time for us to arrange all travel and wedding ceremony details with you. We have (and will) plan weddings that are approaching sooner than 9 months out as well.
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As many as you invite, though something that we have noticed is that approx. 60% of who you invite will book and attend in most cases.
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This is such a great question! We suggest that you NEVER check your bag that has a wedding dress in it and that you carry it on. Most all of our brides (though we are sorry this cannot be pre-arranged) will have their dress in a secure garment bag and ask the flight attendants to store it for them. Most attendants are kind enough to do so.
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Of course! Our travel designers can guide you to destinations & resorts that are same sex and lgbtq+ friendly!
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A vow renewal is where an already married couple remarries. A destination wedding is when a couple is getting married for the first time.