Because travel agencies build relationships with numerous suppliers, airlines, resorts and hotels, exclusive rates can be obtained for both flexible and contracted groups. 

Booking a contracted group for a destination wedding comes with exclusive rates that are locked in along with many benefits. These exclusive rates and benefits are available when a minimum of 10 rooms have been booked within the group.

Some of the many benefits of a contracted group could include:

• • A complimentary wedding package (includes simple decor, florals, chairs, champagne toast, and a cake)
  • Up to a $1000 airfare credit for the couple
  • Complimentary room nights
  • Free upgrades

Complementary functions (cocktail parties, rehearsal dinner, brunch, Mehndi, Sangeet, or Welcome Party)
** Most venues offer complementary wedding packages for the couple. These packages typically come with a ceremony venue with simple decor, chairs for your guests, a champagne toast, wedding cake, and music. Upgraded packages are available based on your vision and the amenities you want to have.

• • Reception entertainment (such as a mariachi band or fire dancers)
  • Room upgrades for VIP guests
  • Private check-in for the entire group
  • Welcome party event (a sunset catamaran cruise, for example)
  • And much more!

Oftentimes, group destination wedding packages are complementary when meeting the minimum room night requirements at your chosen venue. The more rooms you book, the more likely you are to secure added perks for all of your guests!

When planning a destination wedding, most couples are in contact with a travel agent, a resort coordinator and sometimes a wedding planner based on needs.

First is the travel planning portion. A destination wedding specialist:

• • Shares knowledge and advice about destinations while assisting in hotel and destination recommendations that fit the couples vision and their budget
  • Works with various suppliers to obtain a group rate for your guests and different room categories
  • Facilitates the booking from deposit until departure to ensure you and your guests have a stress-free and memorable travel experience. This would also include taking care of problems that arise while in destination
  • Organize transfers for all guests along with any upgrades

In addition some wedding specialist, we will also

• • Provide wedding planning tools for the couple
  • A custom-designed website for the couple to share with all their guests to learn about the property and make the booking process seamless
  • Add as many surprises, amenities and freebies for you and your guests

Next, a Wedding Planner can be helpful with:

• • Sourcing and recommending vendors for your wedding (whether you take them to your destination, or want them to be locals). I’m a destination wedding specialist that offers this service too!
  • Working with the resort wedding coordinator for scheduling and wedding details

The Onsite Coordinators are your eyes and ears on the ground

• • Manage and coordinate everything before, during, and after the wedding for you and your guests.
  • They present wedding packages for your budget and let you know about accessibility for religious/cultural events. This would include types of services, decoration, florals, furniture, flowers, lighting, food, and entertainment. 
  • Offer services from the hotel/resort (catering, package inclusions, extra services, pre-wedding events, reception venues)

This is often the most difficult part of planning a destination wedding. Our best advice would be to find an agent that you mesh with and with whom you have built that trust. We would also recommend that this agent specializes in planning destination weddings because there are so many moving parts to this type of travel. Anyone can book a trip. But planning a destination wedding for 20, 40 or 100 guests takes a completely different set of skills.

Most of your guests will be thrilled at the idea of a vacation with you in addition to celebrating your “I do’s”! Some will be concerned about cost or safety. Agent communication with your guests is the key to answering all their questions and listening to their concerns about destination travel. Trust me… your guests will RAVE about your wedding upon returning home. Many destination wedding groups start creating yearly trips together because they had such a great time at the wedding. In the end, they will thank you for nudging them outside of their comfort zone a bit.

This is a question that, unfortunately, has an answer that changes from year to year!  We often say that the average client of Travel With Class, LLC  has paid, at a minimum, $10,000 for 40-60 guests for their wedding ceremony and reception. The average tends to fall in the $20,000 range. This answer is based on booking at a 4-5 star all-inclusive resort.  In addition, your guests can expect to pay about $1400-$1600 for a 3-night/4 day all-inclusive experience in Mexico or the Caribbean.

It’s Affordable – You read that right! The typical destination wedding easily costs far below a typical hometown wedding as stated previously. Many in-state, hometown venues cost, on average, $3000 – $4000 just to book the facility!

Way Less Drama – Who wants drama on their wedding day? Here, everyone can relax and enjoy themselves with no pressure. You’ve selected your closest friends and family to attend this event, and they have your happiness in mind!

And Less Work – All you do is make the basic decisions and let the destination wedding specialist, onsite wedding coordinators, and possibly a wedding planner orchestrate it all for you. Enjoy a morning at the spa while the resort handles all of the details!

More Free Time! – You’ll get to enjoy a fun, minimum-3-day event with your loved ones. Your wedding doesn’t have to go by in the blink of an eye. This is one regret that is shared so often by most brides and grooms who choose a traditional wedding. Share more than just a few hours with your guests; you want the memories to last a lifetime!

Much More Intimate – Usually, destination weddings have a smaller guest list than your average hometown ceremony and reception. With a smaller number of people, you’ll feel it is much easier to get to all your guests and take pictures, share a toast or fond memories, and, most importantly, thank them for sharing in your special day!

Naturally Beautiful – White sand beaches, clear blue water, swaying palm trees, glowing sunsets… need we say more? Eliminate the stress of choosing your wedding theme, table centerpieces, string lights, photo booths; simply embrace the beauty of the destination as your perfect decor.

SO Enjoyable – No stress! Just show up, enjoy the vibe and have fun 🙂

Similar to local weddings, Destination Weddings are usually planned 1.5 years to 2 years in advance. Earlier is always better as you will have more options on resorts, better pricing (at times), and room categories without the fear of seats on the plane and certain room categories being sold out.

The larger your group, the closer to that rule of thumb you’ll want to be. If you book extremely early, it doesn’t mean people have to make their full payment right away.

We always recommend you book through a destination travel agent. They have years of travel experience themselves, they know the countries of destination well, and having a mediator to help bridge the gap between you and the resort staff is invaluable! Other things to consider:

• Price for the wedding (incurred by the bride and groom)
• Price per guest
• Location (considering where you and your guests are coming from, and how accessible it is)
• Seasonality
• Star rating (5-star? Or does a 4-star work too?)
• Adult or family-friendly resort
• Food and drink options (how many restaurants, bars, etc)
• Recreation options (number of pools, free activities, off-site excursions/tours/sports)
• Accessibility to cultural/religious needs, if any