Congrats to Camille, one of our senior DW Specialists, for the save of this DW!  Great testimonial Camille - I just had to share! 

Just another day in the life of a Destination Wedding Planner...

We began our wedding planning with Destination Weddings in August of 2008 for our October 9, 2009 wedding in Mexico. We choose Destination Weddings due to its "all-in-one" knowledge of wedding resort locations and travel agent experience. Signing up was incredibly easy and inexpensive ($50.00 to sign up and is applied to your travel package) and we were put in touch with a Specialist within 3 days. 
 
We began our process of selecting a resort with our Specialist Camille H. and from the very beginning she was a true "blessing" to us and our overall planning process. Through her assistance, we choose Mexico and the Riveria Mayan area. She spent countless hours on the phone and email to help us weigh options for resorts. Camille was also a critical component to ensuring that not only our guests travel packages were coordinated appropriately but also ensured that the communication, contracts and "promises" made by the wedding coordinators of the resort were handled appropriately. I can point to several instances where Camille assisted us in ensuring our wedding details were correct. Examples include her assistance in obtaining a "comp" for our colored wedding chair bows and another included securing an upgrade to our resort suite. 
 
We can point to one another area that Destination Weddings was critical to our wedding success and was the one major challenging aspect of our planning process. We had originally chosen a brand new resort (with an established company) for our wedding. Being a new resort it was experiencing several months of "teething issues" and we went back and forth with Camille on whether to "stick it out" or change resorts. We can count two different occasions within a seven month period that we looked at alternate locations with Camille. As always, she continued to be patient with us and provided quotes on new packages and contract details.
 
Approximately two months before our wedding date, we made the difficult decision to move our wedding to a sister resort. Again, Camille was able to move our entire party (over 16 rooms, 33 people) to the new location; secure a new contract and ensure that our wedding planning details were transferred to the new location. We can tell you that without Camille's help we would not have been able to switch resorts in the timeframe that we did. Not only did we save money on cancellation fees, but the time and effort alone to rebook everyone and finalize a new contract would have been nearly impossible in the timeframe we had left if we had to do it ourselves. Camille's patience, attention to detail and empathy were much appreciated during this process.
 
Our wedding day was amazing, truly breathtaking. The resort was perfect for the size our wedding party and was exactly as we had pictured it. The service, food and amenities were beyond expectations and we can't say enough about our experience.
 
We want to personally thank Camille H. with Destination Weddings and all staff members at Azul Beach resort who made the best day of our life come true!

Bree and Nick

Special thanks to Destination Wedding Planners Midge and Camille for providing the photos and explanation of DestinationWeddings.com's recent visit to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then seeing and experiencing something with one's own eyes is worth a thousand pictures!  A couple of weeks ago, a number of the Destination Wedding Associates had just such an opportunity.  We had on-site inspections of a number of different resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  We toured the various resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators, exploring the grounds of each resort, checking several different room categories, viewing the various wedding venues at each resort, seeing the different restaurants and, in some cases, having the privilege of eating at some of those restaurants.  I can tell you that without a doubt each and every one of us came away from that trip with a wealth of knowledge and equipped to provide the best information that any couple could ask for when trying to make a decision about where their wedding should take place.

Punta Cana Wedding - Beach wedding location at the Melia Caribe

We can now provide you with the invaluable knowledge about which wedding coordinators are most well informed and professional, which resorts have the prettiest beach venue or loveliest gazebo, the best food, the prettiest grounds, the best amenities, can perform a Catholic ceremony or a symbolic wedding and so, so much more.  When it comes to providing you with expert advice there is no substitute for "been there, done that" and we have.  That enables us to provide you with all the information that you need to make a well-informed decision about where to have your perfect dream wedding!

Punta Cana Wedding - Wedding gazebo at Melia Caribe

What says "Fairy Tale Wedding" more than a horse drawn carriage in a tropical paradise?

Another great wedding gazebo location, this time at the Paradisus Punta Cana

Judy, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners takes time out from her busy day to answer our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

I think my favorite would have to be for Sitota and Daniel in Jan '08.  They stayed at the Riu Palace Punta Cana and everything went off without a hitch.  The only thing missing, they said, was "me"  :)

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

Probably Jamaica, as my husband and I love Jamaica.  Preferably Negril, but not quite sure of which property.

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

It's on the testimonial page, and below...My couple are holding their hands like a clam shell, with the moon in the center, like a pearl. 

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Just know that we will be with you from beginning to end, because we want to, not because we have to.  I love all my brides and the most satisfying thing is knowing that they had the best day of their life and I helped to make that happen!

Kimberly, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners takes time out from her busy day to answer our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

Wow, I have done so many that it is hard to choose a favorite. I just recently attended one of my weddings in Punta Cana at the Paradisus Punta Cana.  Meeting everyone was the best part! Putting faces to the names of the wedding coordinators was priceless. Unfortunately, it started to rain about 45 minutes before the wedding.  The bride and groom were nowhere to be found as they had gone off with their photographer for pre-wedding pictures. Once they did show up the rain had stopped but the seats were all soaking wet. To move everything would have pushed the time back so far that we suggested that they stay on the beach.  With a little last-minute action by the wedding coordinator, everything was fine.  The bride and groom laughed through the whole thing - what else were they going to do. It ended up being a touching and wonderful ceremony.

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

Well, in my case it would have to be a vow renewal! I have seen so many great beaches that it is hard to choose but I would defintiely go back to Punta Cana. I love the country so much! The people are genuinely the friendliest I have ever been in contact with. I would be hard pressed to decide which beach but it would be between Paradisus Punta Cana and Paradisus Palma Real. The white sand is amazing - the softest ever. There is a destination wedding package called the chill-out chic that happens on the beach at their beach club. The only decor I would use is the theme of the beach club - small poles with white flowing drapery on the end of each one. Then back up to the beach club to hang out on the beach beds and just enjoy food, drinks and atmosphere.

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

The most unique picture came to me from another couple who also got married at the Paradisus Punta Cana. They brought along their own photographer who was a family friend (Studio Viohl). Not only were the pictures absolutely gorgeous, the bride and groom actually went into the ocean all dressed up! The most beautiful couple! They also took a plunge in the pool where they held hands and kissed under water for the most unique wedding picture ever.

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Relax, enjoy yourself, and laugh! While some things may not go perfectly throughout the planning process and/or the wedding they are usually things you cannot control - like the weather! Let your specialist handle as much as you feel comfortable with - and more! Once you arrive on the island where you are to be wed, you will meet your wedding planner and be able to fine tune everything. The most important thing is to remember why you are getting married in the first place - your love for each other. Going with a Destinaition Wedding will be a truly memorable experience for everyone!

Cheryl, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Specialists, answers our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

Barcelo Palace - Dominican Republic. Both the Bride and Groom along with all of the guests were an absolute pleasure to work with , along with "they all had a great time". These are the stories you want to hear, everything went off perfect, the wedding was lovely, both mothers of the bride and groom had a great time . They were a little apprehensive at first as they've never been out of the states, but once everyone was booked everybody got REALLY excited. This gave the girls a really good excuse to go out and buy that perfect beachy dress and matching shoes! Once they arrived it was one big party. At that point the mother of the bride knew her daughter had made the right choice in choosing destination weddings because we got them all there safe and sound!

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

Gotta find a really rich man first! But, I would absolutely do Jamaica. Really upscale resort on the beautiful beaches of Negril. The Negril sunsets are a sight to behold, laid back atmosphere, great food, reggae vibes and the lush, lush tropical vegatation and white sand beaches would be my dream wedding. To kick back with a tropical drink (or Red Stripe), watch the beautiful Negril sunsets, and wait for the party to begin!

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

In Mexico, on Maroma beach, bride and groom were married on horseback. After the ceremony, bride, groom and horse went for a celebration swim.

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Calm down, don't panic, trust us . We have your best interests at heart. We know this is the most important day of your life and we will step in your shoes as if it were our own wedding we are planning.

Sue, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners gives answers our questions about planning a beach wedding. 

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned? 

I am doing a wedding in Cancun for a bride.  The bride is getting married in a halter top with bare feet and the groom is wearing a t shirt with a mexican logo.  They have been taking tango lessons for the first dance and the bride has been selecting wedding favors with a mexican theme.  She has even found a bride and groom in mexican atire dancing to put on the top of the cake. 

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

I would get married on the beach in Maui.  Maui is my idea of heaven and what I always thought Hawaii would be like.  I can think of nothing more romantic than to get married by the beach with the surf rolling in and surfers observing the nuptials in the background!

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

I just observed a wedding in Cancun.  The ceremony was done with a 7 piece mariache band  in full costume and when the wedding finished, a plane flew above the wedding couple and sent down a banner saying Congratulations!  My husband took a picture of this.  I hope it turns out great!

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Every bride is beautiful and it is the most romantic day of your life!  Enjoy it, love the attention and allow yourself to be pampered!  You deserve it.  Have it videotaped.  Most of us are so nervous that everything goes right, the ceremony is just a blur!  This is your day and your 15 minutes of fame and to be in the spotlight with everyone's eyes only on you!