So you just got engaged and you and your fiancé have decided that the perfect wedding for the two of you is on a white sandy beach in a lovely tropical location somewhere. What an exciting time! But now that a few more days have passed, the question is what do you do next and where do you start?
Well don’t worry.. I have three great tips to get you thinking and start planning the wedding of your dreams in a far away land!
1. Talk to your finance and decide together the locale. You’ll want him to have fun planning the wedding too and not feel left out. Start with your dream of the ideal location for the perfect destination wedding. Where would it be and why? Let your thoughts about the venue, the time of year, the climate, the price, and the travel time involved influence your decision about where to go. You have to have realistic expectations about what your chosen locale can deliver or you need to be willing to change the locale.
2. Once you have some idea of your location, have a parent chat and plan a budget. Sit down with your parents and discuss your plans. A lot of couples today plan to pay for their own wedding. However, not everyone can afford to pay for the wedding on their own, and some parents what to help. So you have to sit down with your parents and discuss the wedding budget BEFORE you send out “Save the Date” cards.
2. When you have settled on a location, check with a destination wedding consultant to find out the availability for your tentative guests at three or four suitable resorts at you desired locale. You will want to find out pricing, amenities, ratings, and reviews of the different hotels. Check on Tripadvisor yourself to see what other people are saying about each of the tentative resorts. You will find that it is usually more economical to get a vacation package which includes airfare and the hotel rather than to book the two separately. Make a decision on the resort or venue that is ideal for you.
3. Once you have a selected a tentative resort, don’t let everyone know about your wedding until you have secured a venue. That’s a big NO NO in today’s busy destination wedding world. Check with the on-site wedding planner for a tentative date and time. Once the resort has confirmed your date and you have signed the contract, get your travel consultant to find group rates for your selected resort if you have ten or more people. You will want to offer your guests a discounted rate if possible. When you have that information, then you can send out “Save the Date” cards to your friends and family announcing the date when you are getting married and where. You should also include some information about the resort and how to contact the travel consultant to book their travel.
Well don’t worry.. I have three great tips to get you thinking and start planning the wedding of your dreams in a far away land!
1. Talk to your finance and decide together the locale. You’ll want him to have fun planning the wedding too and not feel left out. Start with your dream of the ideal location for the perfect destination wedding. Where would it be and why? Let your thoughts about the venue, the time of year, the climate, the price, and the travel time involved influence your decision about where to go. You have to have realistic expectations about what your chosen locale can deliver or you need to be willing to change the locale.
2. Once you have some idea of your location, have a parent chat and plan a budget. Sit down with your parents and discuss your plans. A lot of couples today plan to pay for their own wedding. However, not everyone can afford to pay for the wedding on their own, and some parents what to help. So you have to sit down with your parents and discuss the wedding budget BEFORE you send out “Save the Date” cards.
2. When you have settled on a location, check with a destination wedding consultant to find out the availability for your tentative guests at three or four suitable resorts at you desired locale. You will want to find out pricing, amenities, ratings, and reviews of the different hotels. Check on Tripadvisor yourself to see what other people are saying about each of the tentative resorts. You will find that it is usually more economical to get a vacation package which includes airfare and the hotel rather than to book the two separately. Make a decision on the resort or venue that is ideal for you.
3. Once you have a selected a tentative resort, don’t let everyone know about your wedding until you have secured a venue. That’s a big NO NO in today’s busy destination wedding world. Check with the on-site wedding planner for a tentative date and time. Once the resort has confirmed your date and you have signed the contract, get your travel consultant to find group rates for your selected resort if you have ten or more people. You will want to offer your guests a discounted rate if possible. When you have that information, then you can send out “Save the Date” cards to your friends and family announcing the date when you are getting married and where. You should also include some information about the resort and how to contact the travel consultant to book their travel.
**************************
Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel, is a travel consultant who specilizes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca
Ocean view from the hotel
Located on a pristine, private beach along Runaway Bay in St. Ann, Jamaica, the Gran Bahia Principe is surrounded by lush fauna and beautiful tropical beaches. This gorgeous hotel provides couples, families and spa-lovers with a relaxing retreat amidst the bright sun and sand of the tropics. 
A view of the Gran Bahia Principe from the beach.
The property has a wedding gazebo which extends out into the water. The view from this location makes any wedding here a truly memorable event.
Imagine lying in the sun, your toes in the surf, and a rum-flavoured drink in your hand. 
There are four a la carte restaurants, one international buffet, five bars including a swim-up bar, a spa, a gym, and so much more.
A peaceful and tranquil beach!
Evening in paradise at the Gran Bahia Principe
