I am so excited for part two of my Destination Wedding article series. For this article, I had the privilege to interview a few people to get their professional and personal perspectives on destination weddings.
The first interview was with my cousin (D’Rita Robinson) who had a beautiful wedding in South Carolina. She was the planner of her entire wedding weekend festivities with the help of the resort’s designated planner. The next interview was with another cousin (Dorothy Carter) who is a travel agent and has planned destination wedding accommodations for many couples during her 27 years in the travel business. My last interview was with a couple (friends and non-profit business owners – Cristina and Major Whitlow) who had a beautiful destination wedding in Jamaica, during the COVID pandemic.
Please enjoy what they have to share. Our hope is that this article will inform and excite you if you are considering doing a destination wedding. Happy Planning!!!
D’Rita Robinson, Entrepreneur
Married – March 2004, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina (approx. 150 guests attended)
1. During your wedding, did you have an ‘if I had known’ moment? If so, what was it?
Yes, there were a couple. The first one occurred when I realized I should have hired a wedding planner from the beginning. It is so stressful doing it yourself. I wanted the entire family to enjoy the day, instead of them placing items on the table and decorating the room.
The other moment was how I underestimated the amount of work and how much of that time I could have delegated to the wedding planner and used it to enjoy the day with my family and friends. There is so much time that goes into the preparation and handling those tasks which makes the day go by so fast. For example, looking back, I could have spent more time catching up with family members who, since the time of the wedding until now, have left us and are no longer here.
2. What did you like most about your destination wedding or planning them?
The biggest benefit was that it created a true family vacation. For some family members, my wedding was the only time they all gathered as a family. It allowed family members to spend quality time with one another on a vacation and away from the distractions of home responsibilities.
3. Since you were a planner and had a destination wedding, was there anything you missed about doing a destination versus traditional wedding?
We had to forgo having a gospel choir sing at our wedding and other religious traditions.
4. What are your top tip(s)?
To relax, delegate as much as possible so that you can genuinely enjoy the day with your family and friends because it goes by so quickly.
5. How much planning time do you recommend at a minimum?
Set aside six months to plan at a minimum.
Dorothy Carter, Travel Agent
- As a travel expert, what are some of your destination wedding tips (in random order)?
- Know the location’s marriage requirements and evaluate if the requirements fit your wedding desire/timeline/budget
- Be aware of marriage license rules for how long you must be there before getting married (average between 2-3 days)
- Talk to onsite wedding coordinator to understand their wedding process and package offerings
- Be mindful that some locations may not begin preparations for your wedding until 30 days out since they have so many weddings prior.
- Decide if you want wedding ceremony inside or outside
- Utilize a travel agent to book travel packages as they will know how to advise your guests and will be sure to include everything, they will need for attending your special day
- Be sure to check hotel package stay requirements
- The couple can offer to their officiant fees and airfare
- Consider flying minister in and out the same day, if possible, to minimize cost
- The wedding couple should plan to fly in at least a day or two before to ensure everything is as you desire
- You may want to consider getting married in the United States first and then have a mock wedding at your destination so that you have United State protocols and laws to protect you during your ceremony and afterwards.
- What are the common mistakes couples make?
- Not paying all deposits or payments by the specified dates. If payments are delayed this could impact services or timely delivery of items.
- Trying to do the planning yourself. The wedding couple should be free to enjoy their day versus worrying about event details.
- Thinking that bringing items yourself may cut cost, unfortunately since many packages are priced and executed the way they are without customization you may end up wasting your money.
- What benefits do you see for couples when doing a destination wedding?
- Many couples find that destination wedding requires less planning/work to do with your wedding since you chose a comprehensive package
- Destination weddings can be exceptionally beautiful with the natural surrounding and offer the ability for your guest to travel to a nice destination
- Sometimes destination weddings can be cheaper because of less formal attire requirement, most of the wedding décor will be supplied by the location/vendors, so you have minimal extra purchases, external caterer are not needed, etc…
- How has COVID impacted destination weddings?
- There are new vaccination and quarantine requirements for guests traveling abroad
- Traveling guests must be mindful of various COVID precautions to follow prior to arrival, while there and before leaving
- Ensure that the couple and guests meet all documentation protocols
DYC TRAVEL SERVICES
Office (773)978-7222
Email: dcartertravel@hotmail.com
Cristina and Major Whitlow
Married – May 2021, at Couples Tower Isle, Montego Bay, Jamaica (36 guests attended)
- What were the biggest challenge you want to advise destination wedding couples about? Cristina: Ensure that guests are truly there to celebrate and enjoy your wedding, be prepared for COVID travel issues, and coordinating virtual participation Major: Coordination and meeting our guests who stayed at a different resort
- Was there anything you felt you missed by having a destination wedding versus a traditional wedding? Cristina & Major: Because of COVID and other circumstances, many of our friends and family that we wanted to attend could not. We might do a post-celebration to celebrate with them.
- What was your favorite moment? Cristina: Seeing Major and having family come together to celebrate with us. Also seeing my Dad & Stepmom dancing. Major: Hanging out with family prior to wedding at the resort, dressing for the wedding and seeing Cristina walk down the aisle.
- Is there anything you would have done differently? Cristina: Have a friend or travel agent help with booking guest travels so we did not have the additional stress of guest questions/concerns. Major: Not pay for transportation from another resort to wedding resort, just ensure everyone stays at the wedding resort
- What advice do you have for other couples?
- Cristina & Major:
- Do not allow others to influence your wedding day, do what you want
- Be in the moment and enjoy
- Be sure to see everything beforehand (after they decorate if possible)
- Consider an additional photographer
- Require all parties to stay at host/wedding resort
- Have fun
- Ensure you have good vendor selections
- Taste food prior
- Cristina & Major:
- What additional stress did COVID add to your wedding planning process?
- Covid 19 caused us to move/change the following:
- Our wedding locations and date were changed twice.
- Guest list changes – several people that we wanted to attend our wedding could not attend due to travel and fears of covid.
- Had to change to bridal party multiple times due to travel and documentation issues
- Covid 19 caused us to move/change the following:
- Do you have any additional insights you want to provide? Cristina & Major: Destination weddings are cheaper, and we would definitely wed this way again.
JAS Blueprint 