FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a destination wedding travel agent?
A destination wedding travel agent goes beyond booking – they're your wedding getaway concierge. They'll collaborate with venues at your chosen location to secure proposals and find the perfect fit for your dream day. Once you've said "yes" to the venue, your agent seamlessly handles the rest: blocking hotel rooms and arranging any special events or excursions you envision. They'll also manage bookings for your family, wedding party, and guests, ensuring everyone has a smooth travel experience. Plus, they'll keep everyone on track with payments and deadlines, so you can focus on the joy of planning your destination wedding.
How Do We Select a Destination, Venue, or Wedding Date?
As you daydream about your ideal wedding day, start by thinking about what kind of setting you’d prefer. Maybe you long to tie the knot with your feet in the sand or inside a historic old church. These preferences will help guide your search for the perfect venue. By narrowing your options down a bit, you’ll start to hone in on the ideal destination.
With a general idea of where you’d like to get married in mind, it’s time to contact a wedding travel agency. From there, an agent can shed light on possible venues, timelines, and expenses. Flexibility is key when planning a destination wedding. If you have your heart set on a particular location and date, it’s important to act fast. Many of the most sought-after wedding venues book out years in advance.
What Questions Should I Ask Destination Wedding Travel Agents?
When you’re considering working with a destination wedding travel agent, schedule an initial consultation. Ask about their process and what to expect at every step of the planning experience.
It’s also worth asking about the terms and conditions around working together, especially when it comes to blocking off resort rooms for guests. When reservations are booked within a group room block, there are often unique benefits, terms, and conditions, especially compared with a room booked outside of the group. Be sure you understand those differences so you know how best to pitch the trip to your guests.
What if I book a a package and realize I need more support?
No problem! We will schedule a call to discuss your needs and decide if upgrading is the right decision for you, or if you simply need to add a few “wedding coaching” meetings onto your package. We can customize any package to meet your needs.
What if you don’t hire a travel agent for your destination wedding?
Guests may have varying costs depending on how long they wait to book their trip.
You don’t have the expertise and knowledge the travel agent has when it comes to picking the right resort.
It can be difficult to get in touch with the resort/onsite wedding coordinator.
You may be bombarded with guest travel concerns and questions.
What can I expect from a destination wedding travel agent?
Depending on the package you select, the process may vary but here is an overview:
Find a destination that matches your budget and wish list.
Help choosing a resort that has a wedding package you love.
Save your date at the resort while you confirm your group travel through room block and wedding package contracts.
Virtually introduce you to the on-site wedding coordinator at the resort so you can take over the planning process directly.
What are the advantages to working with a destination wedding travel agent?
Working with a travel agent has numerous benefits. Not only can they help you navigate the intricacies of travel planning, but they can also provide resources and advantages you might need help with. Here are the key advantages:
Saving Time and Stress: Travel planning can be time-consuming and stressful, especially for a destination wedding. With a travel agent, you can delegate the nitty-gritty of travel planning and focus on the fun parts. With trusted vendors and suppliers, they are often able to get pricing and inclusions that can’t be found on your own. This saves you countless hours and spares you from the stress associated with planning.
Customization According to Individual Needs and Preferences: A travel agent is all about personalized service. They can customize your travel plans based on your specific needs, interests, and budget. Whether you want a romantic sunset cruise for the couple or a thrilling zip-lining adventure for your guests, a travel agent can make it happen.
Expert Assistance in Unforeseen Circumstances: An experienced travel agent can be your first line of defense when encountering issues during travel. From issues at check in to advising how to handle a medical emergency, they are there for you.
In essence, a travel agent is your personal advocate, a specialist who’s dedicated to ensuring that your travel experience, especially your destination wedding, is everything you’ve dreamed of – and more.
When should I have my destination wedding?
This depends on your schedule and availability, but seasonal changes make a major impact. If you want to take advantage of the local environment with outdoor festivities, check the average rainfall by month and ensure that you're not positioning your event right in the middle of hurricane or monsoon season. Be aware of fluctuations in tourism; high season translates to expensive booking rates and congested sights, but low season can mean empty streets and closed hotspots.
When do I notify guests of my destination wedding?
Save-the-dates should be mailed eight to 12 months before the wedding. The official invites should go out no later than three to four months before. An extra-long lead time will allow guests to make arrangements, but this can be a bit laxer for domestic destinations.
Who pays for guest accommodations?
Usually, guests are expected to cover their own accommodations, so we recommend providing a few options at a variety of price points. However, it's important to make this as gracefully clear as possible. If you've booked a hotel room block, emphasize that each guest needs to reserve their own room within it. Your wedding website and save-the-dates will be your best tools for getting the word out.
Do I need to help guests book travel?
Enlisting a travel agent can help lighten the load by taking over group reservations, inputting everyone's travel info, and scoring the best deals. They may be able to snag upgrades and luxury treatments, too. You can also start a Facebook group or group chat so everyone can share flight deals or make plans to travel together. Providing a wedding itinerary will keep everyone on schedule and fully informed.
Do I need a registry for a destination wedding?
Given the increased costs of guests attending the wedding, you may want to consider scrapping gifts. Utilize the invitations or wedding website to let everyone know that their presence is the best gift. If you prefer to have a registry, be sure to have gifts shipped to your home rather than brought to the venue, or opt for virtual gifts like gift cards or donations to a honeymoon fund. Some resorts even have their own honeymoon registries for on-site experiences.