How fun it is to do a PHOTOBOOTH at your Destination Wedding!!

Jump on one of the hottest trends at wedding receptions and set up your own photo booth at your Destination Wedding. Buy a few props on a local market, find a neutral background and let your guests make a few wild memories for you...

{Photo courtesy of Dreams Riviera Cancun}

Is a Destination Wedding Less Expensive?

Does a Destination Wedding save you money? I'm asked this question all the time and my answer is YES! 

As a Caribbean Travel Specialist, I've been helping couples plan their Destination Weddings for 12 years. My comparisons are not based on an actual study, but rather my opinions formed from all of the wonderfully detailed feedback my clients have provided.

Here's a breakdown of the average costs of a real wedding. Results were gathered in a 2011 study conducted by TheKnot:

Comparing this study, to the average wedding in the Caribbean or Mexico, I found that the only additional expense my Destination Wedding clients pay for is airfare. This varies from $300 to $700/per person, on average, depending on location.

When you take into consideration that many hotels & resorts offer a free basic wedding package, as long as you meet the minimum stay requirements, there are many areas where I see a savings:

Reception Venue + Ceremony Site Fees: Savings of up to $13,715

{Most Destination Wedding packages provided by hotels include the Ceremony Site Fee in their basic wedding package. Fees for a private reception space are on average $1500. If your wedding is small enough, you may opt not to have a private reception and simply make reservations at one of the hotel's restaurants.}

Reception Band + Ceremony Musicians + Reception DJ: Savings of  up to $4587

{Musicians charge less in the Caribbean & Mexico}

Wedding Gown: Savings of up to $1121

{Many of my brides comment that they spent less on their wedding gown knowing they would be traveling with it, wearing it on the beach, etc.}

Wedding Planner: Savings of up to $1753

{Every hotel in the Caribbean & Mexico has a wedding planner already on staff. Their service is complimentary to you. The only occasions where my clients have paid for a wedding planner is when they've wanted the extra pampering and added service of their own local planner. Clients marrying at a private villa also hire a wedding planner.}

Transportation: Savings of up to $669

{If you host a Destination Wedding on hotel grounds, there is no transportation needed as you & your guests will walk to the ceremony & reception locations.}

Catering: Savings of up to $61/per person

{If you host a Destination Wedding at an all-inclusive resort all meals are already pre-paid in the nightly rate at the hotel. Therefore, you may dine at an existing restaurant at no added cost. Again, I only advise this if you have a very small wedding group. All-inclusive properties take the fact that guests have pre-paid for meals & drinks into consideration when pricing private events making the average cost for a private menu less than at a non-inclusive property. We find the average cost for a private menu at an all-inclusive resort is $35/per person.}

Photographer: Savings of up to $2299

{A basic photography package is included with any wedding package if you want to use the services of the resort's photographer. You can build from this, but will likely not get close to a $2K price point unless you opt to use an outside photographer.}

Many of the other items, such as a videographer and cake, are less expensive in the Caribbean & Mexico too. So even if you build up considerably from the hotel's basic wedding package, a Destination Wedding appears to be a considerable savings. If you'd like a quote on your own Destination Wedding plans, please contact me. 

Cheers,

Crystal Blue Wedding Studio - Cayman Islands

Crystal Blue Wedding Studio is an online bridal salon showcasing everything you need to know to get stated planning your Destination Wedding in the Cayman Islands. All of the vendors profiled are hand-selected by the site's founder, Danielle Cococcia. Danielle has worked in the wedding market locally in Grand Cayman for many years and decided to put her experience online with Crystal Blue Wedding Studio.

My favorite area of her website is the blog-style home page featuring photos from many of the real weddings she has worked on: 

{View this full wedding feature here. Photography ::  Aaron Rebarchek Photography}

 Danielle also applies her talent to putting together Destination Wedding fashion ideas such as:

{via Pinterest from Polyvore}

And sourcing pretty papers:

{photo via Pinterest for Ceci New York}

Enjoy!

Lighted Cocktail Tables for Outdoor Weddings

Take a good long look.... at these DREAMY tables...

I know what you're thinking. These are fabulous! I love how they appear to be floating and more importantly, the use of under table lighting outdoors is PERFECT! 

I stumbled upon them today on Pinterest and I apologize, I could not decipher the original source... but I am in love. Since I saw this photo, I've been racking my brain for any excuse to use these in my personal life... but I don't think they'd work for any toddler birthday parties so I guess I'll have to wait until my husband asks me to renew our vows. {hint? maybe}

Weddings at Curtain Bluff in Antigua

Curtain Bluff has long been on everyone's list of top Caribbean Hotels. The hotel caters to those seeking an exclusive hideaway where service and attention to detail reign supreme. Enjoy a list of activity options that far exceeds what one would expect from a 72 room hotel... all available within the stunning backdrop of a hotel split between a classic Caribbean beach and a lush dramatic hilltop... 

For the discerning bride, a dream wedding at Curtain Bluff offers:

• A warm and intimate atmosphere (the resort only has 72 rooms)
• An award-winning culinary team and fully customizable, one-of-a-kind cuisine for your wedding
• Catered events - rehearsal dinners, cocktail parties - for no additional charge
• Two unique settings – the bluff and the beach – both offering amazing photo opportunities and scenery that will enchant your guests
• A wide variety of activities free of charge, such as a championship tennis facility, scuba diving, waterskiing, deep sea fishing, and more
• A full-service spa for pre- and post- wedding services

Does this sound like exactly what you are looking for? If so, I'd be happy to provide you with a quote for customized luxury wedding at Curtain Bluff. Contact via laura @ caribbeanjourney.com


Enjoy,

Caught in a Whirlwind of Sacrifice

I work with engaged couples every day, 5-6 days a week. I've seen it happen again and again... the turning point where I feel the urge to jump in, be loud and hit "pause"... basically the need to pull my clients out of the whirlwind of sacrifice. 

It seems every Destination Wedding location scouting session starts off with the bride and groom quickly crossing properties off their list for one reason or another. This is fine. I encourage this part of the process because you are planning on only marrying once and you shouldn't sacrifice. Sacrifice in this sense means - don't settle. 

Due diligence until you find the property that is right for you. 

But be careful of the turning point, when you find that you are no longer crossing properties off the list because of your own personal wants and desires but those of your family or maybe even your friends. 

Slow down a minute. Since when did it become someone else's wedding? Take my advice, you will have regrets if you fail to consider a location simply because you know it won't appeal to your mom. Or your grandmother. In a perfect world those closest to you will want to come and celebrate your nuptials regardless of the real estate on which they take place. In a not so perfect world, you might ruffle a few feathers by picking a place more expensive than your great aunt can afford, or a place that doesn't allow kids so your best man can't bring his toddler. 

The one-size-fits all resort simply does not exist. And thank goodness because there is so much hidden beauty in being unique and special. 

Congratulations Sara & Andrew!!!

Sara & Andrew hosted their Destination Wedding at Excellence Riviera Cancun in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. 

It was a super easy event to organize largely in part because the Excellence is hands down one of the best hotel groups for Destination Weddings. We receive accolades from all of our Excellence clients and are always thrilled when a bride selects one of there hotels for her special day.

Sara & Andrew used the photographer recommended by the resort - Blue Lens Caribe - and I think they did an amazing job! Love, love, love their photos.

Congratulations!!!

Cheers,

A Real Wedding at Hummingbird Hall, Jamaica

Hummingbird Hall, is a unique wedding location perfect for anyone looking to marry outside of a resort atmosphere. Located at the Rose Hall Estate in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Hummingbird Hall has sweeping ocean views and a lovely wedding gazebo. 

The number one reason brides choose independent locations such as Hummingbird Hall, is for privacy. Resort weddings are rarely private events as sometimes other resort guests are looking on.

Below are a few photo outtakes from a recent wedding at Hummingbird Hall... Enjoy! 

Congratulations to the bride and groom! 

Please contact our Caribbean Wedding Specialists for a quote on your Destination Wedding Travel and contact Hummingbird Hall directly for a quote on your ceremony & reception.

Cheers,

A Real Wedding at Viceroy Anguilla

I love everything about this video and share in their sentiments about Anguilla... fabulous!




Enjoy,
 

Tips for selecting a Destination Wedding Location

{Wedding Gazebo at Couples San Souci Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica}

Deciding on the perfect location for your Destination Wedding is the most difficult step. If you look back at the beginning of this blog, I started writing to document my own Destination Wedding planning. I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the choices available... and I was only considering Jamaica! 

Here are a few tips I've gathered over the years...


1. Use a destination wedding travel agent. Of course this would be my number 1 - its my business! You can read all about what we offer here. A travel consultant who specializes in the region you are interested in, will work as your personal location scout, having visited the area numerous times, they know what lies beyond the glossy brochure photos. 


2. Do an Internet search for "Destination Wedding Photographers" - this is a great resource for seeing photos that are produced by someone other than the resort itself. Every Destination Wedding Photographer will have a portfolio of past weddings on their website. See which weddings appeal to you and then research that hotel for your own event. Here are some of the Destination Wedding Photographers I've enjoyed working with in the past:
Amanda Julca Photography
Humbled Eyes Photography
Sun Gold Photo
Heather Parker Photography
AJH Photography
Elizabeth Medina Photography
**Stay tuned, we will be compiling a full list of Destination Wedding Photographers for the Caribbean & Mexico, very soon.


3. Make a list of whats important to you and be ready to compromise. Oftentimes, clients come to us simply to help them decide what they should compromise. For example, there are very few small, affordable, all-inclusive hotels that we would recommend. Most small hotels only have 1-2 restaurants so dining off of the same 1-2 menus for your entire stay can become monotonous. Only the most exclusive and thus, more expensive, small all-inclusive hotels go to great lengths to rotate their menus. 


We'd love to help you get started with your planning process. Contact our Destination Wedding Travel Specialists today. 


Happy Planning! 

Cool beach shoes for the guys...

I love a product with soul... (not to be confused with sole) 

TOMS Shoes has soul... 

And now they also have some pretty groovy beach worthy shoes for guys with their new Bimini Line. I think these would make a perfect groomsmen gift OR even a fun gift from a bride to a groom, symbolic of their Destination Wedding.

Buy here and now.

Congratulations Lacey & Ryan!

Lacey & Ryan hosted a Caribbean Destination Wedding earlier this month at Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic. 

The wedding planning began almost 2 years ago and it was one of the most exciting weddings I've worked on in a long time. I'm going to miss my weekly exchanges with this sweet bride.

I love every detail of her event... especially the coral color theme. It contrasts perfectly against the turquoise sea...

An eclectic collection of bridesmaid dresses in vibrant hues...

The stunning bride... {LOVE the dress, the hair... all of it!}

Tissues... a great idea...

Brilliant orange calla lilies... 

Congratulations and best wishes to the bride & groom!

{Photography by Clint Shuttlesworth}

Cheers,

Reduced Room Rates on Destination Weddings at Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos

Book your Destination Wedding in the Turks & Caicos at the luxurious Grace Bay Club on the famous beach that shares the same name, and your guests will receive the following reduced rates:

April 1 to October 31, rates start at $350/per night

November 1 to December 18, rates start at $450/per night

Group Concessions:

Beachfront accommodations Welcome beverage upon arrival for all participants (alcoholic and non) Hospitality Desk and group coordinator assistance Group pre-registration and satellite check-in Full breakfast daily in the restaurant Personal Concierge Wireless internet throughout the resort. All international phone calls from guestroom landline phones Complimentary storage for two days prior (up to 10 pieces) One complimentary gift delivery to all guests rooms (one per stay) Complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival Discounted setup and staffing fees based on season Group rates pre/post based on availability Special site inspection rates Complimentary upgrades and complimentary rooms based on season and rooms booked Free Nights for the Bride & Groom: 45 - 80 effective group nights 81 - 120 effective group nights 121 - 300 effective group nights 301 effective group nights or more (1) complimentary stay for 2 nights (1) complimentary stay for 4 nights (1) complimentary stay for 5 nights (1) complimentary stay for 7 nights

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply - please inquire to info@caribbeanjourney.com for more details! You can start checking flight prices with our partner eDreams - they have great rates on all international flights.}

Colorful Wedding Shoes

I was over at Style Me Pretty this morning, day dreaming and exploring all of the real weddings they feature, and I noticed a trend towards colorful shoes and I love it! The Caribbean & Mexico are so vibrant and colorful, adding a colorful heel to your wedding day ensemble is a great way to get in the spirit and spice it up! See a few examples here & here.

Cheers,