Our Latest Bit of News...

Get Your Sunshine On! After what feels like the longest winter we've ever had, a trip to the sunnyCaribbean is the perfect antidote. Shed your jackets and let's start planning! Our company has been exclusively selling the Caribbeanfor over 13 years. We have a very high success rate of matching each individual client to the perfect property. Simply put, we KNOW the Caribbean and would love to assist with your travel plans.  Just Back. . . {More fabulous photos here.} 2013 has already been a busy year of exploration for our consultants. Destination Weddings are our top specialty and April found us exploring two incredible wedding venues in Puerto Rico. The W Vieques Retreat & Spa and the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. The W Vieques is a hip, chic, beach resort with a fresh modern approach to even the smallest detail. The St. Regis Bahia Beach is equal parts classic old world Caribbean resort and high-end ecological reserve. The mix of fine amenities and abundant nature makes it a very special location for celebrations. Puerto Rico is one of the best Caribbean options for weddings because flights are inexpensive & short from most US gateways and passports are not required for travel.   With a recent trip to Colonial Mexico, we've fallen in love with Merida, in the Yucatan, and its charming boutique hotels and easy access to deserted beaches and eco-wonders. As a delegate for the Mexican Tourist Board at the 2013 Tianguis Touristico, Laura enjoyed meeting the Secretary of Tourism for Mexico, as well as many governors, hotel owners, and tour operators. The event was set in Puebla, Mexico a quaint town rimmed by twin snow covered volcanoes - another gem worth exploring.   Just For You. . . Warby Parker sunglasses are an essential in our beach bags and we've decided to share the love. We are giving away a Warby Parker Gift Card to every client who books a $5000 vacation for travel before September 15, 2013.Warby Parker is a sweet collection of vintage inspired glasses with an innovative order process. Log on, pick 5 styles, check your mailbox, try on all 5, decide which one is yours, and place your order. How cool is that?    *This is not a sponsored giveaway. All gift cards are provided by Caribbean Journey. One $95 gift card per trip. Travel must be completed by September 15, 2013. Gift card will be sent with final travel documents 2-3 weeks prior to travel. Strictly valid on new bookings only.    ~ PS. We're letting you in on a little secret... a new website design is in the works for CaribbeanJourney.com The new site will feature more Caribbeaneye-candy than ever before!  ~ How May We Help?  It is a daunting task to try and decide which vacation destination is right for you. Each one of our Travel Specialists visit the Caribbean & Mexico an average of 4 times a year and are able to quickly narrow down what property would be the best fit based on your individual needs. We prefer to work with a minimum budget of $1300/per person. If you're interested in obtaining our assistance in planning and booking your vacation or Caribbean Destination Wedding, please contact us at 866-236-1924 or info@caribbeanjourney.com

Get Married at the Buccaneer in St. Croix, USVI

The Buccaneer Resort on St. Croix is one of the Caribbean's finest resorts. Family owned & operated and a quiet mix of old world charm and pristine sea views. 

It is the PERFECT option for a Caribbean Destination Wedding! 

Wedding packages at the Buccaneer Hotel start at just $1350.

What I like most about the Buccaneer are the many different ceremony & reception locations. While the beach is amazing - the grounds offer plenty of other private corners of celebration.

The Buccaneer recently added a private luxury villa to their collection - The Beach House at Whistle Point. The Beach House would be perfect to house the bride & her family, allowing her to have plenty of space to prepare for her wedding. The rest of the guests will be comfortably accommodated in the main hotel. 

Would you like to explore The Buccaneer Hotel for your destination wedding? If so, drop us a line! 

Cheers,

3 Lovely Garlands

Garlands are an easy addition to Destination Weddings - cheap and lightweight - easy to transport.

here / here / here

Enjoy,

Save the Date with Chocolate

{full instructions here... in french!}

Enjoy,

Twinkle Light Invitations

Two of my very favorite things... 

It's no secret I love garlands... and pretty paper. So these are perfection! 

Don't you think they'd be swell for a destination wedding? {from here}

Cheers,

Get Married at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider having your Caribbean Destination Wedding at Paradisus Palma Real.

1. The hotel is home to Gabi Beach Club - think Nikki Beach Club but waaayyy more laid back. Same chill music and groovy food & bev:

2. The pool is HUGE, there's room for you and all your friends:

3. The Spa is one of the best of any all-inclusive hotel:

4. The food is pretty awesome:

5. And back to the beach... the quintessential Caribbean beach with plenty of shade or sun! 

This hotel is one of our top wedding hotels. I was just here in December - read more about my visit here. 

Want more info? Contact us! I'd love to speak with you to see if Paradisus Palma Real is a good fit for your Destination Wedding.

Best,

Wedding "Thank You" Photos

I've received a few of these from brides and I think it is such a smart idea. Plan a way to let your photographer capture you saying THANK YOU and use it as the cover of your thank you cards. 

Photography is such a big part of destination weddings and any friend or family member will love seeing a shot of you two on your big day! 

here & here

Cheers,

Mr. & Mrs.

love this

{here}

Get Married at the Jamaica Inn

The Jamaica Inn, tucked into a pristine corner of Ocho Rios, has been surpassing guests's expectations for over 50 years. It is a sure bet if you are looking for a classic Caribbean Resort with Old World Charm to host your Destination Wedding in Jamaica.

Want to know more? Drop us a line and we'll share! 

Cheers,

Sandals Resort offers $1000 Wedding Credit

Sandals Resorts have made strides in allowing their destination wedding clients to fully customize their Sandals Wedding. Book by June 30, 2013, to earn double the credit. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2014. Our travel consultants are happy to help you decide which Sandals Resort is best for your dream wedding. Please contact us for full details.

Change is coming...

Oh man... I am so behind on updating this little space. And this one too. 

I've had my blogs for almost 7 years. A lifetime in blogland. I still don't think I've found my voice. It's all so time consuming and I'm very short on time. With 4 little ones and a busy-business, there isn't much left over for cyberspace. But I don't want to bow out yet, so a sweet friend is helping with a little redesign. Long overdue and I can't wait to show you!

In the meantime, if I don't start sharing more on here, it will all fade away... 

Peace-

Piñatas for your Destination Wedding

Piñatas add fun to any occasion... especially weddings.

A hot pink one will undoubtedly steal the spotlight at your event...

(via)

A pretty white moon piñata...

 (via)

My favorite, an ombre wedding cake piñata...

(via)

A lemon wedding cake piñata...

(via)

Piñatas don't have to hang in the sky - they are super cute additions to wedding festivities as table favors & place settings too - especially for Destination Weddings in Mexico...

(via)

If you'd like assistance booking + planning your destination wedding, we'd love to help. Our travel consultants has been booking destination weddings for over 12 years. Drop us a line or call 866-236-1924.

Try a Tequila Station

Looking to put a unique spin on your Destination Wedding Cocktail Hour in Mexico? Skip tradition and set up a Tequila Bar!  It will create a great conversation piece for your guests as they mingle and linger around the table investigating the different Tequila options... 

{photo spotted here}

It is becoming more difficult for add a unique spin to Destination Weddings as hotels scramble to stay on trend and flood the market with customizable options for every aspect of the event. Even hotels such as Sandals Resorts are offering highly customizable weddings now! Something as simple as a Tequila Bar instead of the normal cocktail bar will be an unexpected surprise for your guests!

Cheers,

Get Married at Amsterdam Manor in Aruba

Amsterdam Manor is a charming little resort location across the coastal road from Eagle Beach - Aruba's best beach!

Here are a few of the wedding packages available at Amsterdam Manor in Aruba:

Simple Elegance (Beach Blessing)
starting at $465

This package is suitable for either Engagements or Promissory Ceremonies, Wedding Blessings on the Beach or Other Venue of Choice (after being legally married in your home town prior to your arrival), or for Renewal of Vows (after one or more years of being married).

Additional Selections to the Simple Elegance Package to enhance your Special Day can be found below.

Simple Elegance Package $465 (excl. 1.6% tax)

• Services of a Religious or Non-Religious Officiator
• Commemorative Blessing Certificate
• Hand Tied Bridal Bouquet and Matching Groom Boutonniere
• Set-up of Pedestal / Column for Signing of Beach Blessing Certificate
• Coordination and Administration Fees for this Package
• Unlimited Email Consultation with the Wedding Planner
• Welcome Meeting with Bride and Groom upon Arrival to go over Final Details

Civil Ceremony starting at $465
from Monday - Friday (on Saturdays $595)

This package includes the civil ceremony only and is suitable for couples that would like do have a civil ceremony only or this package can be added to the Simple Elegance Package to create a complete wedding day with a civil and beach (or other venue) ceremony.

Civil Ceremony $465 ($595 on Saturdays) (excl. 1.6% tax)

• Local Documentation Handling on Your Behalf 
• Registrar Fees, Civil Fees and Civil Administration Fees
• Commemorative Marriage Book
• Translation of Document
• Authentication of Translation (Dutch Apostille)
• Return of Documents to you Locally or by International Courier if necessary
• Set-up, Coordination, Administration Fees for the Civil part of your Wedding

The above prices are valid through December 20th, 2012 but subject to change depending on government instructions.

Our wedding travel consultants are happy to answer any your questions and provide you a custom quote for your intimate Aruba wedding at Amsterdam Manor. weddings@caribbeanjourney.com or 866-236-1924

Cheers,