As more young couples are getting married (and trying to stick to a budget) DIY is becoming a bigger part of the wedding planning process. And for many, this might mean nixing the added cost of a wedding planner.
In the case of traditional weddings, this makes sense – wedding planners aren’t essential when you’re getting married close to home. But when you are getting married 200+ miles away, a wedding planner becomes a necessity. The laws are different, the resort is far (and could have a language barrier), and it helps to have someone with all-hands-on-deck leading up to the big day (especially when you can’t be there yourself!). Fortunately, destination wedding planners can be a complementary part of your wedding package.
At DestinationWeddings.com we are proud to have over 200 Certified Destination Wedding Specialists. They are the biggest assets to our team and are the ones who ensure that our wedding couples have the wedding days they always dreamed of.
They are there for you every step of the way! They help you pick your resort, venue, wedding package, excursions and more. Plus they are there to organize your group’s travel and are your go-to if any issues arise. They are the ones that keep the planning process fun and stress-free!
Destination Wedding Planner vs Resort Coordinator
Most destination wedding resorts offer the services of an onsite resort coordinator to help tie together the details of your day, whereas a destination wedding planner is there with you from day one.
So, how do you decide if you should use the services of a resort coordinator or a destination wedding planner? Should you use a wedding planner for a destination wedding in Mexico, for example, or just rely on local help?
A resort wedding coordinator works for the resort rather than for the couple. They may meet with you for a few days before the wedding to organize small details such as how many chairs to set out for the ceremony and what kind of flowers you want. Many resorts offer wedding packages that can be customized in small ways to your preference and the resort wedding coordinators are there to help you make those customizations.
A destination wedding planner, on the other hand, is involved in the planning process from the very beginning. Their job is to take the stress out of bringing your wedding together — especially when it comes to a destination wedding! They are a part of your process from making your invitation list to booking international flights and choosing the right resort for your needs.
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are award-winning experts in wedding planning. They’ve put together more than 30,000 personalized celebrations of every size, style, and preference!
Let’s take a look at these top 5 benefits of a destination wedding planner:
1. Complimentary Service
One of the greatest perks of a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist is that their expertise is totally free! Typically, wedding couples will pay thousands for wedding planning with the amount of knowledge and experience we have. By getting all of this for free, you can get much more out of your destination wedding budget. This allows you to splurge more on fun things like excursions, spa treatments, and amazing honeymoon packages!
2. Stress-free Planning
Planning a wedding takes a lot of time, work, and patience. We know that everyone may not have that, and we don’t want that to make your wedding planning process a drag. As the happiest time in your lives, you and your spouse-to-be should only be focusing on all of the fun and relaxing that will be happening on your trip.
Plus planning a trip of 30+ guests is never easy. With conflicting schedules, different travel preferences and so much more, help is going to be needed. Our wedding experts have years of experience coordinating travel for large groups like this. They are super savvy and know how to score the best room rates and travel deals. We can’t say it enough, they truly make it easy!
Because of the work that destination wedding planners do, research shows that couples are generally less stressed throughout the planning process. And, when the time comes, destination wedding couples are more likely to enjoy their wedding day than couples who plan an at-home celebration
3. More Time for Couples to Focus on the Details and Fun
With your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist working out all of your tedious travel plans, you can explore all of the fun things that are offered at your destination wedding resort. A destination wedding is the ultimate excuse to treat yourself! You’re already in paradise, so why not totally indulge?
This means booking the most luxurious suite with ocean views and Jacuzzi tubs. Most rooms come with incredible amenities, 24-hour service and even special breakfasts in bed and turndown service.
There is also a whole laundry list of extra special things that couples can do while on the resort of their choosing. This means 5-star restaurants featuring all sorts of delicious cuisines, (bring on the fresh seafood, Italian, and award-winning steakhouses.) along with the most amazing spa treatments of your life. There are also a number of exciting excursions like sunset catamaran cruises, snorkeling, and even zip-lining!
4. Paperwork & Legal Documents
One of the most stressful parts of planning your destination wedding can be filling out the paperwork. Each country seems to have different requirements and deadlines. This can just add confusion and take the fun away of planning in a tropical location. Luckily, our specialists have years of experience in organizing all of these important documents. They know the legal requirements of each country and will work closely with you to make you aware of what they need so that they can acquire the proper marriage licenses for you far ahead of time.
5. Constant Support
One of the greatest things about working with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist is that they are always there for you. From the moment you begin planning, they are there to help you choose the best resort and location based on your preferences, guest list size, and budget. They are there to lend their advice and expertise on any topic you need help with. Whether that be with your air travel, excursions you want to book, or even which wedding package makes the most sense. They are there when things go wrong and you need to make last-minute changes. Basically, they provide the peace of mind that when something doesn’t go your way, you don’t have to deal with it. And they will work their hardest to give you the day that you have always imagined, no matter what!
ks of a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist is that their expertise is totally free! Typically, wedding couples will pay thousands for wedding planning with the amount of knowledge and experience we have. By getting all of this for free, you can get much more out of your destination wedding budget. This allows you to splurge more on fun things like excursions, spa treatments, and amazing honeymoon packages!
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Selecting the Right Destination Wedding Planner
If you like the idea of a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist who helps you every step of the way, how do you decide which one to choose? Here are a few tips for choosing the best destination wedding planner for your big day!
Experience — Look for a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist with many years of experience. How many weddings have they helped bring together, and more importantly, how many destination weddings? Look at reviews from past clients and see what they say about their experience with their wedding planner. Details like these show that your wedding planner knows their business!
Familiarity with the region — Planning a destination wedding can be a challenge. You’re trying to put together the biggest celebration of your life from hundreds of miles away, likely in an area you don’t personally know. Look for an expert with intimate familiarity with the venues in Mexico and the Caribbean, so they have first-hand experience of planning in your destination.
Vendor networks — A great wedding isn’t the work of just one person, but rather a team of people! Look for a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist with a wide vendor network. That will ensure that they can bring your big day together with the personal touch that you’re looking for.
Communication style — You will be spending a lot of time talking with your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist, so it is important to choose one whose communication style works with yours. That means they answer messages promptly, answer questions in detail, and are respectful and professional!
Finding the right destination wedding planner can make all the difference in the time leading up to your big day. It’s vital to find a professional who understands your vision for your wedding day and puts in the effort to make it happen.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Wedding Planner
Certified Destination Wedding Specialist are fountains of information, so take advantage of their services! Here are a few ways that you can make the most of your time with your wedding planner.
Stay organized — We know, easier said than done when it comes to wedding planning. Do your best to stay organized and on schedule. It will be easier for every party to track where you are in your timeline and planning needs. Your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist will likely have helpful tips for keeping your notes organized!
Set clear expectations — During your first meeting, tell your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist your vision for your wedding day. Talk about your expectations for their services and any disagreements that you and your fiance might have about the celebration.
Keep the lines of communication open — Remember that this is a team effort, so it is important to communicate clearly and often! Responding to messages promptly will keep the process moving and avoid missing out on key deadlines.
Trust their expertise — It is your big day, but your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist is the expert. They know how to plan a destination wedding in places like Mexico or the Caribbean! Trust that they know what they are doing so that you don’t have to stress over every detail on your own. They want your wedding day to come together perfectly, just like you do!
Your Dream Wedding Awaits – Start Planning with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist!
There are endless perks to destination weddings. Not only are they budget-friendly, super fun, and take place in the most amazing locations – but when you work with us you get an incredible Certified Destination Wedding Specialist.
This allows you to enjoy the planning process and have the most fun and stress-free wedding day possible. Our Specialists are the secret ingredient to an amazing wedding day, and they are so passionate about all of the ways that they can help! To get started planning the destination wedding of your dreams simply fill out one of our wedding planning forms and leave the rest to us!
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