With all of these questions in mind, are you curious about how to plan a destination wedding and whether this is right for you? The only way you can find out is to talk. Call me at 403-477-0643 or e-mail me at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca and let’s set up a complementary get –acquainted session. I want to hear about your struggles, hear about your situation, and we’ll see if I can help.
Photo courtesy of Claudia Rodriguez Photography
Wedding Packages. More and more resorts are offering a wedding package which they claim contains all of the essentials for a care-free, ideal wedding in an idyllic vacation spot. Many couples think that the exclusive package, which varies from $500 to $3500, is for their entire wedding. If you read the fine print it might include a bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom, wedding decorations, and a cake and sparkling wine for anywhere from 2 to 24 guests including the bride and groom. Many couples assume that having their wedding at an all-inclusive will include a reception for their guests at no extra charge. Usually this is not the case at all. The resort will often charge anywhere from $30 to $100 for each person at your reception. Why? The resort has extra costs for holding your reception and being in the business to make money, they do not offer these services for free. They usually need to pay for extra staff to set up and work your event, the more elaborate menu for your reception, the bartenders and licenses, an extra ceremony and/or reception space, the officiant, the license and so on. Many couples assume that everything they need is included in the wedding package but often it is not. Be sure to read the fine print to see what you are actually getting.
Ocean Crystal Chapel at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
Wedding coordinator services. Many couples think that the resort has wedding coordinator is there to look after their wedding. This can be a very huge point of frustration. First of all, these event coordinators are hired by the hotel and are looking out for the hotels interests, not the couples. Second, the resort wedding planners are often spread between multiple events at the same time at different locations on the property. Sometimes they miss a wedding rehearsal or even the wedding altogether. In addition, at some of the larger resorts, where there are up to five or six weddings a day, the wedding coordinators barely have the time to deal with all of the weddings they have each day let alone answer all of the e-mails and requests for destination weddings that they receive on a daily basis. Brides often get very upset when they do not hear back immediately from the resort’s coordinator and have to wait a few days and sometimes more than a week to get a response to their e-mail.
Desire for a customized wedding. Many brides have dreamed of their wedding day since they were a little girl and have a vision of what they want. In many cases, the resort offers a pre-planned package which allows some changes but does not have room for a lot of customization of the wedding ceremony and reception. If you want a lot of changes to the packages, then you probably would be a lot better to hire a certified wedding planner who can help you create a unique wedding that is especially designed for the two of you. The bride’s bouquet with the special flowers you saw in the latest Bridal magazine will not be one of the standard one the resort offers you and may cost $300 or $400.
Unrealistic expectations. A lot of couples who are not familiar with the logistics and the hotel’s purpose behind destination weddings have unrealistic expectation. The resorts offering destination weddings usually want you and your guests to stay at their resort. As a result, you will often receive some part of a free wedding package if so many guests stay on the property for a certain amount of days. Yes, they will charge your off-site guests a daily charge to come to on the resort to attend your wedding! In addition, the resort, makes money by upselling you on many parts of the wedding that you need such as wedding flowers, decoration, cakes, photography packages, and so on. You will have to pay for each additional icing flowers on the white slab cake. Many couples expect that the extras will often be included when they are not. Brides get upset when they find they can only have their reception room for 90 minutes or will be charged extra if they want it for longer. Most of the resorts are not set up in their a la carte restaurants for large groups and you cannot just arrive with your guests in tow for your reception and expect to carry on a private reception. And no – the resort usually will not keep guests off the beach so you can get married in private with no one else around. And the list goes on!
What is your budget? Every wedding there is has a budget. Your destination wedding is going to cost you money even if there is a free wedding package included! Make sure that you have an idea of what your budget is for your destination wedding. Also be ready to make cuts if you find that what you want is exceeding the money you have available. We had one couple who wanted us to add the cost of the reception dinner to their guests travel package cost because they couldn’t afford to pay for the reception. Be realistic! Some couples can’t afford a destination wedding.
Photo courtesy of Claudia Rodriguez Photography-------------------------------------------------------------
Muriel MacRae plans destination weddings, exciting getaways and customized vacations for discerning travellers, honeymooners and families. As the owner of Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.