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Answers to Your Destination Wedding Questions
1) What is a destination wedding?
A destination wedding (a.k.a. weddingmoon: wedding + honeymoon) is defined as a wedding or symbolic ceremony that
takes place in a location other than the bride and groom’s home. Weddings By Oceans specializes in Caribbean and
Mexico weddings and would be happy to share with you our personal experience in these
destinations.
2) Why choose a destination wedding?
Many traditional weddings cost thousands of dollars for one special day. Destination weddings are comparatively
cost-effective, especially considering that they not only have the ceremony day but also typically involve an
entire week of celebration! Many guests consider this a meaningful vacation-with-a-purpose.
A destination wedding is exotic, romantic, elegant and full of adventure. Up until a few years ago, they were
enjoyed mainly by the rich and famous. Destination weddings offer a unique emphasis on fulfilling the desires,
tastes and personalities of the happy couple.
3) What do destination wedding specialists do?
Destination weddings require thorough research of travel packages,
tour operators, destinations and marriage requirements,
hotels & resorts and
wedding packages. Some wedding packages are complete, others are not. Some resort staff, including managers
and on-site wedding coordinators, operate on `island time’ which can be frustrating for many couples planning
their wedding from a remote location.
Your Weddings By Oceans destination wedding specialists have already done comprehensive research on all these
factors, including first-hand experience with group bookings, tour operators, destinations, resorts and their
staff. We also have solid relationships within the industry to help negotiate the best deals for you and your
guests.
We consult you based on your specific needs and wants, help you plan and organize every aspect of your
destination wedding, introduce you to the local wedding coordinators and help and coordinate your wedding
so that you, your fiancé and all of your guests enjoy the destination wedding of your dreams.
Contact us today to start planning!
4) How much do your services cost?
Our destination wedding services are free. Yes, you read that
correctly.
5) Why do you offer free destination wedding services?
Since we are reimbursed by the tour operators, we can offer our
services to you and your guests free of charge. Our highest intention is to help make your destination wedding
dreams a reality and so we simply ask that you and your guests book your travel arrangements with us to ensure
that plans go smoothly.
6) When should I contact you and start planning my destination wedding?
The sooner, the better. Popular destinations and resorts fill up fast and so to ensure you have the destination
wedding you’ve always wanted without the stress, it’s important to finalize your special date as soon as possible.
Plus, your guests will appreciate the advanced notice. Generally, because of the length of the celebration, travel
and accommodation arrangements and cost involved, it is respectful to send out your destination wedding invitations
six to eight months in advance.
7) What can I expect when working with a Weddings By Oceans destination wedding specialist?
You will enjoy planning your wedding as much as the ceremony because you’ll be relaxed, knowing all your friends
and family will be there to witness your dream wedding in a tropical paradise.
This is how:
- As your Cyber Maids of Honour, we take care of all the tedious but essential travel and accommodation
arrangements for you, your fiancé and entire wedding group. This way you are free to concentrate on planning
your dream destination wedding!
- Money (yours or your wedding guests) should be the least of your worries. This is why we connect you and
your guests with the best group rates and provide our
Beachside Brides and hubbies-to-be complimentary destination wedding services.
- Our services include sourcing the information and people you need to plan every aspect of your destination
wedding. You also have access to our knowledge and experience so that you and your wedding guests can enjoy the
highest quality for the best prices.
- Planning your wedding from a remote location with an onsite wedding coordinator can be challenging. We liaise
with the hotel wedding coordinators as you need and help you confirm dates, including the all-important time
and date of the BIG day! Our Beachside Brides can count on us to assist in everyway we can.
Much of a successful destination wedding relies on the coordination of the travel and accommodation of the wedding
group. You will be leaving this aspect mainly in our hands but we will be working together as decisions need to be
made. To give you an idea of timelines which will guide your wedding planning, here is the basic process:
- Contact us to help narrow down your selection.
- We request rates from Canadian tour operators
(takes up to 7 business days).
- You and your destination wedding specialist discuss options and prices to help you decide where your
destination dream wedding will take place!
- You’ll receive our quote shortly, valid for 7 to 30 days (depending on the tour operator).
- Ready to make your dream a reality? A non-refundable deposit of $150 - $300 per person is required, which
will be deducted from your final travel expenses.
- RBC Insurance is highly recommended and offered to clients for out of country medical insurance/trip
cancellation insurance.
- The final balance due dates vary. If there is an Early Booking Bonus (EBB) included in the rates, then
payment is due on this date.
- Without the EBB, the balance is usually due 60 days prior to travel with proper spelling of names.
- Tickets are issued 2-3 weeks prior to travel and are usually electronic.
- Bon voyages!
8) Can I use a local travel agent to help me plan my destination wedding?
Most travel agents lack the experience in planning destination weddings. There are many details involved, from
knowing which resorts offer the best wedding packages and on-site wedding coordinators, to properly coordinating
flights and other transportation to ensure your entire wedding group's travel arrangememts run smoothly. If even
one of these details is overlooked, you risk having a destination wedding that’s less than what you envisioned.
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