A tale as old as time…(cue the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack). A couple gets engaged and they are really excited about a destination wedding until they start thinking about questions. Questions about location, flights, rooms, transfers. Planning a destination wedding by yourself can be daunting and the couple often becomes overwhelmed.
The question you should be thinking about is, “Should I hire a travel advisor to help me with this?” The answer is unequivocally yes!
How can a travel advisor help with your destination wedding?
Travel advisors will help you determine the best resort for your wedding based on first-hand experience. We know which resorts offer perks and which ones have the best prices. We often have exemplary relationships with wedding planners and staff so we can get information more quickly than you can on your own.
Best of all, we will handle all of the travel arrangements for you and your guests. Can you imagine trying to book Aunt Becky’s transfers and room at the same time you are sending out invitations and scheduling bridal fittings? Um, no thank you!
Once your party has arrived at the destination, your travel advisor will still be providing support. When cousin Eddy doesn’t like his room, he can call the travel advisor to have it all worked out instead of asking you to fix it. Having a travel advisor in your back pocket will give you an added layer of insulation between all the things that could go wrong with travel and the real reason why you are there – your wedding.
If you choose an international location, this may be the first time some of your guests have ever been out of the country. They are sure to have plenty of questions about passports, and what happens if they need to cancel their trip. Instead of calling you to have their questions answered, your travel advisor will provide expert answers to ensure they are ready to travel. Your travel advisor will also be able to answer simpler questions about the dress code for the resort or if the menu has gluten-free options.
On occasion, your travel advisor may be able to provide on-site support. In this case, the travel advisor would travel with you and be available to assist the group for the entire time they are at the destination.
Will I still need a wedding planner if I’ve hired a travel advisor?
Yes, but most resorts offer a wedding planner as part of the package. Your travel advisor and the onsite wedding planner will work together to ensure you have the perfect day.
Your travel advisor will be in charge of helping you choose a location that fits your budget, style, and preferences. They will also book all travel arrangements for you and your guests and help with any issues that may come up while traveling.
The onsite wedding planner is in charge of the day-of details on your wedding day. Additionally, they will help you with wedding plan packages and options to secure florists, photographers, and caterers.
When should you hire a travel advisor to help you plan your destination wedding?
You should hire a travel advisor as soon as you have decided to have a destination wedding. Their primary job is to help you determine the venue which is one of the first things you should secure in the planning process.
How can you prepare for the first meeting with your travel advisor?
When you meet with your travel advisor for the first time, be ready to answer the following questions:
- What is the approximate number of guests you are expecting?
- Are any of these guests under 18?
- Do you have a preferred resort or destination in mind?
- From what cities will your guests by flying?
- Other than the wedding itself, what other events would you like to host? Some of these events might include the rehearsal dinner, bachelor/bachelorette party, or a celebration brunch.
It’s okay if you don’t have all of this information nailed down the first time you talk to your travel advisor.
A destination wedding is planning a huge group vacation with all the added details of the wedding. There are a lot of logistics involved which can become taxing. With a travel advisor, you won’t need to worry about any of that. Instead, you’ll be raising a glass, toasting your spouse, and celebrating with friends and family.