I know you've heard it before but its worth repeating, 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚! Your wedding is a big deal, 𝙬𝙚. 𝙜𝙚𝙩. 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩! Most destination weddings are booked about 12 to 14 months prior to saying I Do. So, you'll be working with your travel agent and wedding planner for a long time. Think of all that can happen in 14 months; Birthday celebrations, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and all things Pumpkin Spice, Santa dropped off presents, New Year's Eve kisses, Heart-shaped chocolate boxes on Valentine's day, the Easter bunny comes, babies are born... OMG the list goes on. I can't stress this enough - you have to like who you're working with. Everyone's goal is an amazing wedding to be shared with friends and family and an unforgettable vacation experience. Throughout the year process you need to work with someone who understands your expectations, vision, lifestyle, sense of humor (we can't take everything so serious). It doesn't hurt to have some common ground, perhaps a favorite wine or can't miss tv show, or favorite sports team! Get to know each other. Maybe you both belong to book clubs, or have a shared love for golden retrievers, or you can't go a week without hitting up a hot yoga class. Our clients are not a number or just another wedding. We love to get to know our couples and their guests and creating friendships with them! So I'll 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚: when vetting your travel agent / wedding planner absolutely yes, make sure they're well versed in group travel, destination weddings and the resort/venue and promotions that apply but also get to know them. Find out a bit about them and see 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙞𝙫𝙚! And hey, if we aren't your style that's okay too! Different strokes for different folks 😉 Did you know you can book up to 39 rooms for your destination wedding with only a $500 deposit!
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Getting married in Jamaica is simple – visitors can be married 24 hours after arriving provided all prior paperwork and applications have been approved. Jamaica does not require any blood test, but the following documentation are required:
Special Note: All documents that are not issued in English must be translated by an Official Translator and subsequently certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of residence and by the nearest Jamaican Mission or Honorary Consulate. Processing Fee The processing fee for the Marriage License is Four Thousand Jamaican Dollars (approximately US$50.00). The marriage license is valid for 3 months and the application is a same day process. (source visitjamaica.com) We choose to work with resorts and venues who we are confident can host your wedding, after all, it is one of the most special days of your life! The resorts and venues we work with offer great wedding packages, add on options and have create incredible events to make your wedding day the best day ever! One important thing to know is the resorts and venues we choose to work with not only offer amazing wedding packages, décor, florals, food, entertainment, etc… but they also are prepared for back up options – while no one wants rain on their wedding day, some elements are simply out of our hands, but rest assured the venues we recommend offer beautiful back up locations just in case! The island offers resorts to suit all needs – adults only, couples only, family friendly and anything in between. Most often wedding couples choose to stay at All Inclusive resorts, to make the vacation seamless and easy for their loved ones. These resorts are plentiful in Jamaica with a variety of price points and amenities. We highly recommend and advise wedding couples to choose a resort that can accommodate their needs and wishes for their wedding events as not all resorts can, but don’t worry – we are here to guide you through that and help make selecting the right resort easy! Apart from the resorts, the island always has something to do! Whether you want sun and sand or culture and history, Jamaica’s got it mon! Ride a bobsled down the rainforest or hike in Fern Gully. Climb the famous Dunn’s River Waterfall or snorkel the reef in Ocho Rios. Sit back with a Red Stripe and watch the cliff drivers jump from Rick’s Café in Negril while taking in one of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see or play a round of golf at Half Moon Golf Course – it’s internationally known for being challenging and breathtaking. Still need more excursion ideas? Take a bamboo raft down the Martha Brae River. Bike through the famous Jamaican Blue Mountains. Tour the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory where Blue Mountain Coffee is processed. Stop at any roadside jerk hut for Jamaica’s own Jerk Chicken – be sure to try festival if they have it! Visit the White Witch at Rose Hall, who is said to still haunt the property. Stop at Appleton Estate to learn the history and see how Jamaica’s famous rum is made from sugar cane. The list goes on and on… there truly is something for everyone in Jamaica! Jamaica is such a special island in the Caribbean. One of the most common thing people say if they’ve been to JamRock is how friendly and warm the people are. And they really are! The vibe on the island is laidback with people who are genuinely warm, hospitable and happy. You can walk through the market and hear folks humming Bob Marley or hear it at any bar. What are you waiting for – let’s plan your Jamaican Wedding now!Below I will guide you through where to start with your destination wedding. I have broken down my weddings that I've booked from 2017, 2018 and 2019 so you can see how travel costs, wedding prices and promotions work. Here you can see proof of past, current and future weddings. I have included hotels in each destination so you know where to start looking. Before you start looking up resorts all over Mexico and the Caribbean you need to narrow down 2 budgets. At the same time you need to consider your wedding date, does it fall over a holiday or peak time of year as you may have to increase the travel budget to accommodate or be flexible on the date/month. 1. You and your guests travel budget. 2. Your wedding budget. Without having planned a wedding before you are asking the same questions... how to estimate travel budget? and wedding budget? without knowing where to start!? I have calculated the nightly average price from 3 years of weddings that I have booked between Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica to give you an average cost that is accurate to present day. The average nightly rate worked out to $185.50 per person per night x 2 adults in the room is = $371 per night. If you stayed for a week that is $1,298.50 per person for 7 nights. Average wedding cost of $7,486 with an average of 42 guests for food, drinks, décor, DJ, dance floor with ceremony, 1 hour cocktail, 3 hour dinner reception. Average free room or free guest promotion couple received $5,194. How do free rooms work? One of best promotions that quite a few different brands of hotels are offering is every 6th room free (average is maximum of 3 free rooms). What that means is when final payment of your group is finished the hotel gives the wedding couple the monetary amount of the free room. To keep it simple if the cost of the week is $2,597 and you have 12 rooms book that is $2,597 X 2 free rooms = $5,194. If you had 18 rooms that would be $7,791 that you would receive. What most couples do is reduce their travel costs and then put the rest towards the wedding but you may do what you wish. Total costs for hotel for 1 week =$2,597 Total wedding cost =$7,486 Total =$10,083 PROMO -$5,194 ($2,597 x 2 free rooms) New Total = $4,889 What isn’t included is photography and flights to the destination.
Now that you know what an average wedding costs you can decide if you want go up or down in your travel budget and wedding budget. Resort Sourced Riviera Maya, Mexico – Dreams Riviera Cancun – April, May, October, November 2019 Riviera Maya, Mexico – Hard Rock Riviera Maya – September, October, November 2019 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Now Onyx Punta Cana – May, June, October November 2019 Montego Bay, Jamaica – Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall- September, October 2019 Liberia, Costa Rica – Secrets Papagayo- September, October 2019 I LOVE to travel -- to explore new places; try new foods; experience new culture; relax on gorgeous beaches; the reasons why I love to travel are endless! But, I HATE to leave my furbaby at home!!! I have serious heartache when I have to leave my sweet girl behind. I mean, just look at that face!!! There's a lot that goes into planning a vacation, not to mention if you're planning your destination wedding!! And keeping your furry family member out of the plans is heart wrenching! Finding a suitable doggy sitter, ensuring they will be safe and happy and cared for while you're gone, facing timing them from the beach... (yes I do this -- #crazydoglady) There's lots that goes into keeping your dog at home while you're away. Fortunately, now I can bring my dog on vacay with me!! Yup, you read that right! Breathless Riviera Cancun, an adults only all inclusive resort situated on the beautiful white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya coast line in Mexico allows small dogs in selected room categories!! Yeessss!! So, what's all this mean... I've scooped all the details for you!
While there are restrictions, you now can bring your small pup along with you for your vacay, or destination wedding!! Every dog mom and dad want to have photos with their furchild with them on their wedding day! And you're used to sharing your bed, albeit, sacrificing your own sleep comfort, so bring that spoiled pooch with you to snuggle together in your luxurious king sized bed! What does that mean to me? Now my sweet Casey can come along with me on vacation! (If only this had been available for my own destination wedding! I would have been totally down, and while my husband may put up a tough guy front he adores our little pup) So to sum up, everything is better with a dog and that includes your vacation to Breathless Riviera Cancun! I cannot wait to bring Casey and pamper my girl with all the unlimited-luxury inclusions they can offer her! Her nickname is Princess Paws for a reason ;) What does this resort offer for their human guests? Glad you asked! Lux and modern suites are divided among three unique areas, each with distinct character and appeal. The xhale club section (dog-friendly rooms) for those seeking an elevated level of personal service and luxury, the energy center for those looking to mix & mingle and the xcelerate Party Zone for those who live and breathe for the party. This adults-only oasis offers all of the benefits of Unlimited-Luxury®--where everything is included. Unlimited premium beverages at hip bars and lounges, unlimited gourmet meals at trendy restaurants, 24-hour room service and much more. source: Breathless Riviera Cancun Weddings at Breathless Riviera Cancun Breathless resorts knows how to create a lux wedding! With pre-made packages plus plenty of add on options to make your wedding events look and feel custom made, the choices are endless. The wedding team at Breathless Riviera Cancun knows how to delivery on details. Plus with Wedding Butlers' professional destination wedding planners working with you alongside the team at the resort you have all you need to make your dream wedding a reality! Packages begin at $999 or ask us how to receive your wedding package for FREE! Another happy guest!We're always excited and delighted to hear when our clients enjoy their vacation, honeymoon, wedding. But we're equally excited to hear that clients are happy and satisfied with the work we've done leading up to their getaway. We take a lot of pride in our work and creating relationships with our clients. With our years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry we have made the reservation process simple and easy. We take all the guess work out of "how to book" and give clients all the need to know information to make their reservation. A wedding guest recently told me "Thank you so much for making it so easy!" -Danielle S, Dreams Tulum wedding guest. Ready to plan your next vacation with our simple easy to book process?!
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!
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!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! |
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