Endlessly searching websites, blogs, forums and travel sites to decide which resort is the best for your destination wedding? Or maybe you're old school and like flipping through travel brochures and magazines? There are so many options and soon you start to wonder, "How do I choose?!".
I've heard this question countless times! Wedding couples are always asking how to narrow down the right resort. "Will my friends like it?" "Will there be enough to do?" "Will it be too quite.. or too much of a party crowd?" "Can they offer the style of wedding I want?" "Do they even do weddings!?"
There are lots of factors to consider when narrowing down the right resort. Of course you want a resort that your guests will love; it's their vacation too therefore it's got to be within budget. But don't forget the main reason you're all there.. YOUR WEDDING! Does the resort have a wedding date, time and location available during the week you're there?
Your wedding festivities will create a few more questions that must be taken into consideration! Does the resort have a reputable wedding department? Can they offer the style and type of events you envision for your wedding celebration? Does the resort offer packages or add on services you may want for your big day?
These are questions we answer daily! We can easily narrow down the best resort options for you and your wedding group. We are a huge asset when planning your destination wedding having years of experience working with resorts, airlines, wedding vendors and wedding departments,
and if that's not enough, all of our wedding planners have been married at destination, so we have first hand tips and suggestions as former destination couples ourselves!
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I recently returned from another trip to St Lucia. The island itself is stunning and lush and evokes a magical feel with it's rainforests and majestic famous peaks, the Pitons! Since this was not my first time to this tropical island I was already aware of some of things that make St Lucia so inviting to visitors from around the world! However it was my sister's first trip here, so I was excited to share what I knew and already loved about this small Caribbean hot spot! I always say "the further away the destination, the better it is" which is totally true in this case. From the interior of British Columbia, Canada, this island is a bit of a distance to travel to. St Lucia is located in the Eastern Caribbean, only 3 islands north of South America, boasting gorgeous weather, crystal clear waters and history dating back centuries. This destination is ideal for couples wanting an exotic feel of a true tropical getaway with the comforts of well appointed accommodations and amenities! With day trips to the rainforest, waterfalls, mud baths, hot springs, deep sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, ziplining, snokeling, hiking, shopping, gambling, touring rum factories and banana plantations; there is endless possibility to keep busy. And if you prefer to relax and unwind there are countless beaches, spas, pools and ways to escape in St Lucia! Of course another reason to come to the Caribbean is the cool beverages, mouth watering food and fresh fruits! I was beyond please to find local fruit vendors selling homegrown, handpicked local fruits from their kayaks each day on the beach! My kind of breakfast! St Lucia offers a backdrop like none other to say "I do". View breathtaking views of the Piton mountains to turquoise blues of the Caribbean Sea and tropical palm tree beaches you can be married in your choice of local! St Lucia now features the Caribbean's first and only overwater chapel located at Sandals Grande St Lucian. Set at the end of a pier providing stunning 360 degrees views of Rodney Bay, featuring a glass bottom floor and ample space for loved ones to celebrate your I do's. This is the crème de la crème of locations. Ready to plan your destination wedding in St Lucia!? Let's get started!Breathless Resorts are known for chic and contemporary style, lots of fun and activities, superb food and drinks and ideal for groups! This resort will be a top choice for destination weddings in Jamaica!
Opening December 15, 2016 – Luxe and ultra-modern, Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa has been re-imagined for sophisticated singles, couples and friends who want to live big, breath deep and experience life at its fullest. Located minutes away from the heart of downtown Montego Bay, the highly anticipated and stylish resort will offer guests a unique experience focused on exhilarating parties, weekly and monthly themed events and around the clock entertainment designed to entice and arouse your senses. The stunning 5-story adults-only resort will boast 150 ultra-chic and lavish suites with state-of-the-art technology, all carefully designed to exceed expectations with furnished private balconies and terraces, stunning mountain and bay views, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, gorgeous marble bathrooms and more.
A social atmosphere is infused into all aspects and areas of the resort, encouraging guests to mix and mingle while enjoying all of the benefits of an Unlimited-Luxury® experience, where everything is included. Limitless access to seven specialty-themed restaurants featuring communal tables and unique culinary experiences, five trendsetting bars and lounges serving top-shelf spirits and handcrafted cocktails, 24 hour room and concierge services, endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment; all without limits, reservations required or expected gratuities.
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa
We are super excited to visit this resort for it's opening! Having experienced all other Breathless Resorts we're sure it'll live up to it's expectations! Each resort is unique on it's own and still in keeping with the ultra chic and contemporary style that Breathless has become known for! Each Breathless Resort is ideal for wedding groups wanting a lively and fun resort to celebrate their wedding festivities. Perfect for groups of friends and family to come together and share in all the love and laughs during your wedding week!
We cannot wait for this resort to open! Ready to get started planning your big day!?
These days everyone is online -- my grandma uses an iPhone and my 2 year old nephew uses an iPad like no one's business! So, here are some 21 century tips on planning your destination wedding.
Wedding Butlers offers major advantages and cost saving perks like wedding websites and e-vites at no extra costs!
Wedding Website:
Our services include a wedding website that contains all the need to know info for your guests! All of the must have details like celebration dates, location and of course, cost. Plus some cool extras like a guest book so friends and family can write you a message. A photo gallery of the happy couple and beautiful tropical pics of the destination and resort! We also include an advanced RSVP system that allows guests to accept or decline your invite which will then send them the instructions on how to complete their reservation. Seamless, stress-free and simple! All at your fingertips! These days it's essential to have a wedding website.
Pinterest:
If you aren't following us on Pinterest, you should be! It's a necessary tool for finding wedding inspiration! Our boards and pins are specifically geared for the resorts and venues we work with so they're filled with what has been done, what can be done and some pretty awesome ideas that you will want to consider! One of the challenging things of having a destination wedding is that you may not be aware of what your options are and some of the resources are limited. But, that's where we come in! We've been to these places! We've planned countless events here! We've had our own weddings on these same beaches and resorts! Not to mention the strong relationship we've built with our vendors and resorts. Wedding Butlers can make your Pinterest wedding a reality!
E-vites & Newsletters:
People are attached to their phones, emails, social networks... so put the information where the people are! While sending out paper invitations may be the formal and traditional way, it's not necessarily as practical when it comes to planning a destination wedding. In most cases the quote you receive for your destination wedding is only valid for a certain length of time. In that time frame you and your guests will need to put down a deposit to confirm their reservation. Having a time constraint can make things tricky when waiting on Mr Postman. You will want to give everyone the info as soon as you can to allow them ample time to make their reservation. Plus the way we create your beautifully designed e-vite guests can click to get to your wedding website instantly! Our mailing system is pretty sophisticated. It allows us to see who has opened or not opened your e-vite! We use this same tool to send out some helpful reminders to your group like "your balance is due" or "packing tips for your big trip!" even "check out these local tours". Don't worry, we'll only send a few and at your permission -- we promise not to bug your guests!
Wedding Butlers' services are a major asset when planning your day in paradise! Looking to tie the knot somewhere tropical? We would love to help!
Deciding to have a destination wedding can be a tough choice. For some couples they know right away that a destination wedding is the route for them, but other couples may still be on the fence about a wedding away! Here's some reasons why a destination wedding is a great option for you! A chance to be unique! Having a destination wedding allows you to stand out and be different. When your friends and family choose to have a local wedding you won't be subject to using the same vendors and venues they go with, giving you a way to stand out from the crowd! Plus, yours will be talked about for years to come! Everyone loves a tropical vaca! Yes, your wedding is the highlight of the trip but having a getaway wedding also allows your loved ones to have a much needed escape from reality. Asking them to join you to celebrate your I do's in a tropical paradise is a perfect way for them to have some R&R too! Like most home town wedding celebrations time is limited and finding time to hang out and catch up (and thank!) your friends and family in a weekend or worse just one night is practically impossible. Why not head south for a week and really get to celebrate with your nearest and dearest! More affordable! Destination weddings are more affordable, and for a few reasons! A) in most cases you won't have a massive guest list of 150+ people like you would at home, so fewer mouths to feed. B) Resorts and hotel offer wedding packages including a variety of the necessities you need to host a gorgeous events rather then adding each item up separate the resort includes the big ticket items! C) Less is more! You actually don't need as much décor, flowers, lighting, etc. to create a stunning atmosphere; paradise is already beautiful! Actually planning the big day! Not everyone has the bride / groom gene! Did you know that planning a wedding is typically 200 + hours of work and time! While destination weddings do still need to be planned there is far less work to be done when you work with Wedding Butlers. We have built relationships with our vendors, resorts, travel partners and having been destination brides and grooms ourselves we know a thing or two about the process! We're experts and have a seamless system to create your dream day. Leave us to do the work while you relax and enjoy your engagement! Ready to get started? Contact us to learn about our current promos!We've been lucky enough to travel to some of the world's most glamorous and awe-inspiring places, including Bora Bora. On our last trip to Bora Bora we went all out -- I mean ALL OUT. We stayed at the Hilton Nui in the only two-story overwater bungalow in the South Pacific featuring a sauna, massage room, 2 suites, 3 full bathrooms, hot tub, infinity pool, and multiple decks and places to lounge around in the bungalow. It was totally fabulous! Now we won't need to travel as far to experience the glamour and lifestyle of the rich and famous with the opening of the overwater bungalows in Jamaica at Sandals Royal Caribbean! Sandals is already know for offering luxurious accommodations and amenities featuring services that no other resort would include for free. And these overwater suite take the cake! Reminiscent of a Tahiti–style bungalow, these gorgeous Over-the-Water Villas convey an intimate connection to the Caribbean Sea. From floating water hammocks to private glass floors—your villa delivers an immersive journey of the Caribbean's finest turquoise waters and rich marine life. Plus, guests can enjoy private boat transfers to and from the resort – all included. Couples can admire the majestic beauty of the ocean from their private infinity pool and Jacuzzi with outdoor shower. You don't even need to step outside to appreciate the Caribbean's best crystal-clear waters. With see-through glass floors, you can experience the ocean from the comfort of your luxurious villa. Lit water ensures you can enjoy the sea anytime day or night. And of course in true Sandals style your own personal butler. Trained in accordance to the exacting standards of the Guild of Professional Butlers, who provide butlers to nobility and celebrities, your personal butler handles every detail of your vacation with unobtrusive grace. source: Sandals.com Although these suites can be a one in a life time experience due to high demand and limited number of bungalows they are certainly worth the wait. Just imagine a stress free relaxing vacation. Where you can literally not move form your opulent room. Your butlers can bring your morning fresh Jamaican coffee and muffins. Then stick your toes into the clear Caribbean waters and see the abundance of fish and marine life floating all around you. Needing an afternoon siesta, just lay back in your over water hammock, or deck lounge chair or one of the many other soft cozy curl up spots! When nightfall comes your butler will draw you a rose scented bubble bath completed with petals and champagne, perfect to unwind after a day in the sun. This room is all about luxury and luxury comes at a price tag - And these oversized suites are approximately $2900 USD per night. Remember you get so much more than just a gorgeous luxurious room you also have a fully luxury included resort at your fingertips with fine dining, activities, spas, salons, pools, bars, delis and other amenities to dive into Ready to learn more -- contact us!
Check out Sandals.com for more details about the luxury included vacations in the Caribbean Defying every convention of traditional design, the new Sandals LaSource Grenada takes innovation beyond the realm of imagination to create an extraordinary resort unlike anything you have ever experienced. Pools in the sky and living rooms in swimming pools. Private plunge pools, cascading waterfalls and meandering river pools. Here, in the heart of Grenada's exclusive Pink Gin Beach, on an exotic island paradise where the intoxicating scents of spice and tropical blooms make a heady elixir for romance, we've taken the best of everything to create a whole new Sandals experience... one that takes you beyond the unexpected.
Source: Sandals.com
Considering a destination wedding? It’s becoming more and more popular among engaged couples for lots of reason; it’s affordable, convenient and less stressful! Here are a few more pros to jet off to a tropical local to say your “I do’s”!
Stunning setting:
You won’t need to break the bank on your décor budget! Since you are already in a gorgeous location with a tropical backdrop you won’t need to add as many décor pieces to make your wedding a beautiful atmosphere. Of course you can still add your own personality to it with flowers, candles, and unique pieces – there are plenty of options available to make it your own!
Guys get more involved… and like it:
Guys are more typically more excited about a destination wedding compared to local nuptials. Guys would rather plan fun excursions with friends like a fishing or ATV trip instead of picking out flower arrangements!
More quality time with your friends and family:
Most traditional weddings last only day and trying to visit with each guest is a hard task to complete with such limited time however choosing a destination wedding means you’ll have at least 3 days to spend real quality time with your loved ones!
Vacation time:
Your wedding is the star of the trip but it’s also an added bonus for friends and family to have a vacation, relax, reconnect and celebrate! Plus, your honeymoon begins right after you say “I do”!
Stand out:
Tying the knot in paradise means that your wedding won’t be at the same old hometown locations that many of your friends have picked. There are plenty of destinations, resorts and locations to select from that will create a unique way to celebrate and stand out from the pack!
Planning is easier:
Planning any wedding means you will need to devote time and energy into making your day perfect. When planning a destination wedding many resorts offer planning services not to mention Wedding Butlers provides dedicated destination wedding planners to handle all components of your big day! liable to make it your own!
Wedding Butlers offers full wedding planning from travel arrangements to choosing centerpieces! Our team is committed to creating your dream wedding. Ready to start planning your day in paradise? Contact us! One of Wedding Butlers' wedding planners recently returned from Dominican Republic. She spent a few weeks away to sample some of the best beaches in Punta Cana, indulge in the resorts and scope out some great wedding venues and vendors. Here's what she thought! Now Larimar in Punta Cana is a breathtaking resort from start to finish. From the inviting and bright lobby, all the way down to the white sparkling beach. The general layout of the resort is fantastic and very easy to find your way around, however still large and open enough that if you need to escape for a moment of clarity your relaxation spots are endless. Activities are abundant throughout the resort from babies to eighties. A wonderful kids club to entertain the wee ones with a rock climbing wall and tons of fun daily activities, and with complete supervision all day you can relax knowing the kids are entertained. Other adult activities include, pool games, early morning exercises, scuba diving training as well as windsurfing and kayaking. If you're more into a relaxation session there are many spots along the beach and pool where you can relax and sip on your favorite cocktail. I enjoyed the beach thoroughly as the sand is beautiful, the ocean is warm and the drinks abundant. It's a wonderful spot for a day in the sunshine. The pools were inviting (5 to choose from!) and the swim up bars are a fun filled way to spend the day either participating or (sometimes equally entertaining) watching the pool games. Even just finding a nice comfy lounge chair and curling up with a good book can be just as fun. The rooms are gorgeous as well. I stayed in three different levels and let me tell you! Each one was better than the last! The decor is bright and inviting and the views were such a lovely thing to wake up to every morning. Room service was an absolute dream each time and I definitely recommend the Margarita pizza. It was my absolute fave! Having such a colorful comfortable room to come back to every evening (and sometimes for an afternoon nap of course) definitely made an impact on my relaxation levels; because, let be honest a comfy bed and air conditioning can really be the best to get you back on track after a day in the hot sun. Every meal I had at NOW was amazing. The buffet has an abundance of choices for even the pickiest of eaters and is a bright and inviting place to enjoy any meal. Most of the restaurants are situated around the large open air courtyard so they are easily accessible if you are meeting a group. If you do need to wait to get a table (I found the busiest and of course most delicious ones did have a bit of a wait) you were giving a buzzer and could sit on a comfortable outdoor patio set with table service drinks and candlelight ambiance until your table was ready. Depending on the time in the evening as well you may be able to take in the nightly entertainment (magic shows, dancing lessons etc) while you wait. My favorite restaurant by far was the French, "Mercure". The food and ambiance was absolutely incredible. Spice (Asian cuisine) was phenomenal as well but if you want teppanyaki, I strongly recommend getting there at opening as the table fill up quickly and the wait times can be long. If you don't end up at the teppanyaki table don't fret! The table service menu is fantastic as well! It was the best Pad Thai I have ever had! All in all Now Larimar is perfect place for a group of family and friends to celebrate a destination wedding! There are so many options to keep all of your guests entertained throughout their stay, plus the wedding location options are incredibly beautiful! Just to name a few you can choose from: the beach, the gardens, the water fountain (with waterfall!), private ball room, gazebos, and more! My favorite is the beach; it is a gorgeous place for a ceremony, then continue the celebration for cocktails poolside and the phenomenally landscaped gardens would make for breathtaking photos. If you're looking for an intimate and impressive location the fountain is a unique setting perfect for those couples wishing to tie the knot in privacy. The food is fantastic and every room I entered was colorful and inviting. I loved this resort, I felt at home with every step and every kind word I received from staff. Was a wonderful experience and you can bet I am already missing this place terribly. Ready to start planning your own wedding in paradise? Wedding Butlers here to help - contact us now! Check out more photos, videos and blogs on our Instagram Blog by Tanya So you've got your dress! A crucial piece of the wedding planning is checked off! Now you're non stop thinking about your dress -- how awesome this dress looks on you! How great you feel in it! How excited you are to walk down the aisle wearing it! Now that you got it, and visualized how you'll look in it... let's talk about how you should pack it! When planning for a destination wedding, keep your dress in mind. It's ideal to choose a dress that travels well. Something light, airy and comfy. We suggest using fabrics that handle traveling like: lace, silk charmeuse or chiffon, while still creating the bridal vision you see yourself in on your special day! Image from our friends at Bicoastal Images. Check them out in Cancun! Make friends!! When purchasing your dress tell the salon that you're traveling to a beautiful beach for your nuptials! Most shops offer cardboard to fit in the bodice to keep its shape. Some amazing dress shops will even pack your dress for you! I know of some local shops here who offer this! Another great tool when packing your dress is to use acid free tissue paper between each fold. Be sure to match your tissue paper to your dress color. To add even more protection place your dress in a dry cleaner bag before putting it in the garment bag (haha garment bag -- read further to hear this story!) Wedding Butlers' biggest tip is to always bring your dress as carry on. Many airlines have tight restrictions when it comes to carry on items. If this is the case, ask some members of your group or you fiancé to forego their carry on so there's more room for you! Depending on the season the flight attendance may have no problem hanging your dress in the closet but keep in mind there is limited room and flight attendance typically use the closet for their own bulky winter gear. As a last effort you can put your dress bag in the overhead bin but please, please I beg you, place it on top of the other carry on items. While being polite ask others to avoid that bin so they don't put their luggage on top of your dress. Last thing you want to is have more wrinkles and worry about your dress for the duration of the flight! Lastly, the resorts and venues we work with offer dress steaming for the wedding couple. Take advantage of it but don't leave it to the last day! I always advise brides to take their dress out of the garment bag when you arrive to your room (tell your man to keep his eyes off the dress!) Just by letting the dress out of the bag will help release a lot of wrinkles. Humidity helps too, so turn on the hot shower and let the bathroom get muggy and hang your gown in there (don't let it get wet!!) This blog reminds me my sis-in-law's wedding held at a mountain side resort. Exciting times, right? Right!
The quick thinking bride did not want her future hubby to catch a glimpse of her dress so she safely stored it at her parent's house. What happened next she didn't learn about until the speech section of the reception! A few days after placing it in the guest room closet, the bride's brother came for a visit. While there he was asked to bring a dress (from the closet) home to his girlfriend... maybe cities away! Some guys aren't as delicate as they ought to be. He flung that garment bag into the back of his grubby jeep, after dragging it along the grass. When he reached home, he grabbed the bag and tossed it around the house rather than hanging it up. More days go by before his girlfriend looks at the garment bag to realize this isn't her cocktail dress!! Oh no, this is the bride's gown! Tulle and Crinoline and Beads! Luckily we managed to get the dress back to the closet it belonged in after having it specially cared for to remove the grass stains, add missing beads and steam out the wrinkles. There was no way we were about to stress this bride out days before her wedding by informing her of the road trip her dress went on; that was a story to be saved for the toast to the bride from her brother during the reception! Luckily she was a great sport about it! :) |
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