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Real Destination Wedding: Katie & Riley at Live Aqua Cancun, Mexico

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Live Aqua Cancun Mexico Destination Wedding
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos

Katie and Riley chose the stunning setting of Live Aqua Cancun for their Mexican destination wedding! One of my favorite resorts, the turquoise blue water and white sand of the Cancun hotel zone cannot be beat.

When Katie first made her appointment, she told me the long and twisty story of her and Riley's meeting ... long story short, it took SEVEN years for this couple to get together after their first meeting! When Riley later proposed in Mexico, they started exploring the idea of returning for a destination wedding.

With two busy jobs (Katie is a travel nurse and Riley is a field rep), Katie knew that she didn't have the desire or time to dedicate to planning a complicated destination wedding. That's where Alpaca came in!

While she described herself as a "bit of a sour patch kid," I found working with this couple to be nothing but pure joy. IN her original appointment email, Katie described something I think many couples can relate to.  She said: "I am not the greatest at planning, especially when it comes to this because I am CLUELESS when it comes to weddings. We have also heard that some resorts will not charge for certain things if you have so many guests book (or something like that???). We are definitely interested in that! I am so excited about meeting with you!"

Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos

DESTINATION WEDDING q&a | Katie & Riley

What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding?

I was so fearful I was going to pick a resort that everyone would HATE. This was very hard for the people pleaser side of me. I wanted a place that everyone who truly wanted to come could afford, but I also wanted a nice resort where everyone would enjoy vacationing. Going into our wedding I thought we would only have around 20 people there, but we ended up having 45!!! Which made me even more nervous at first, but I quickly got over this. I just kept telling myself if someone couldn’t have a GREAT time on the beach with a cocktail in hand, then it was on them not me HAHA. Ashley also helped calm my nerves, too. Always reassuring me in the beginning when I was worrying about every detail.

Is there anything about the actual destination wedding experience that surprised you?

HOW EASY IT TRULY WAS. Once I got it in my head that the wedding planners/wedding team at the resort do this day in and day out, I was totally fine. I basically just showed up the week of the wedding, went over the last few details and they did everything else. It was so nice not having to set anything up or clean up afterwards. I’m a very indecisive person so this was truly the best option for me because I didn’t have as many decisions to make as you would in a traditional wedding. I met with the wedding planner and decor vendor via zoom a few times. I shared with them my ideas and my Pinterest boards, and they made it HAPPEN. I cannot brag on them enough. Most brides are stressed to the max on their wedding day/week and I wasn’t.

What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding?

Oh my word where do I even start. I think one memory that really sticks out to me was right before the ceremony when I was waiting to walk down the aisle. We had our ceremony on the beach in front of the infinity pool at Live Aqua. So my parents and I were waiting by the pool essentially and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THAT. It was so fun and totally calmed all of our nerves (my dad had been very EMOTIONAL) because people were like OMG CONGRATS or you look so beautiful.
Whenever it was time for me to walk down the aisle everyone in the pool started cheering and HYPING ME UP. I LOVED that. It just went right along with the theme of the wedding (one big party). There is a picture of my parents and I walking down the aisle with the infinity pool in the background and you can see some of the people.
Another memory that I will never forget was at the reception. My friends and I love to dance so we had been tearing it up on the dance floor. I had been going around telling them that we had to jump in the pool at some point. So towards the end I requested a hype song from the DJ, grabbed Riley and we jumped in the pool hand in hand. Several of our friends followed suit and the dance party continued in the pool. MY PARENTS EVEN JUMPED IN. At the very end of the reception, the DJ announced it was the last song of the night. The song was Dancing in the Moonlight and the funniest thing happened. We all got in a circle and held hands and just spun around. We basically made a very strong whirlpool hahaha. I remember looking at Riley and he looked so happy! At one point in the pool he told me it was his favorite wedding he had ever attended and I knew he genuinely meant that. It was a core memory and I will never forget it.

Did you splurge on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it?

We splurged on a BURRO (aka DONKEY) for the wedding. I think this was absolutely worth it. Her name was Frida and she was so sweet. People loved taking pictures with her and it was just a fun little thing to keep people entertained. We had the donkey come during our cocktail hour while we were finishing up pictures! Sweet little Frida added that much more to the cocktail hour and she stole the show (in the best way).

We also splurged on string lights for the wedding reception. Since that would be where we would spend the most time we were okay with this. Also, my favorite part of weddings is the reception, so I knew mine would be no different. The string lights gave it a dreamy, romantic feel and I LOVED it. You could also see the string lights from across the resort, providing a beacon for where our reception would take place. It was exactly what I wanted!!! I do not regret splurging on this.

Lastly, I upgraded my bouquet. I think this was totally worth it. My matron of honor gave me some really good advice when I was trying to decide what to splurge on. She told me the bouquet would be great to upgrade because it would be in a lot of pictures!!! So I kind of applied that to everything else, too.

Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos

Did you attempt to *save* on anything  travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it?

DEFINITELY. I was fortunate enough to have one of my good friends do my hair and another one of my friends helped me with my make up. I think this was worth it for me for a lot of reasons. I don’t like a lot of makeup so I didn’t want someone I didn’t know doing it, and the same goes for my hair. I also have a hard time sitting still (hahaha), especially on my wedding day. I don’t think I would have done well having strangers do my hair and makeup for hours and hours. It was nice having my friends help me and it just felt more ME.

Another thing we saved on was I didn’t go too crazy with flowers and decor (or I don’t think I did anyway). Our location was so beautiful on its own I didn’t think we needed a bunch of decor covering that up. We had a triangle gazebo with one floral arrangement and that was basically it for the ceremony. I didn’t have a lot of decor at our reception either because it was outside at Live Aqua’s pool club and it had the ocean in the background.  Our wedding package came with all the basics so I didn’t go too crazy with all the little things because that adds up.

If you could change anything with your wedding (planning, the day itself, the location, resort, ANYTHING) - what would you change?

The only thing that I wish I could change was what I stressed about. The only thing I truly stressed about (which was a very small part) was the day of the wedding, I was worried about the weather. Which was a dumb thing for me to stress over because YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE WEATHER. Plus, we had a back up plan if the weather did get bad. I think I just needed something to stress about so my brain picked that thing to focus on HAHAHA. As far as everything else, I don’t think Ashley could have helped us pick a better resort for our event. I loved Live Aqua and so did everyone else.

Now that you've been through it, what is your #1 best piece of advice for wedding couples entering the planning process?

Trust the process. When Ashley says the wedding planners at the resort can plan your wedding in a weekend, they truly could if they had to. This is their job and they are so good at it. I remember emailing Ashley about something the week of the trip, and saying something about “not being stressed or worried at all about it.” Everything will get done and there is no need for you to stress!!!! They all make it so easy!!!! Another amazing thing about having Ashley on your team is she has visited these resorts and built relationships with the workers. I thought that was so awesome and helpful. She knows the best way to communicate with them and reach them!!! So don’t worry if you don’t hear back from them right away!

What kind of feedback did you get from your guests?  

Everyone really liked the resort! My dad mentioned how awesome the beach was compared to other Mexico trips he has been on. Everyone really liked the restaurants and the pools!
I asked a lot of my friends what it was like on their end working with AYB and they said it was GREAT. One of my friends even said that she emailed Ashley and wants to use AYB in the future!!!

In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you?
I remember learning so much just from the first phone call we had. I was like OH BOY! I definitely can’t do this on my own! There was so much I didn’t know, and I had no idea how to organize a trip like this. I didn’t know all the requirements for a legal ceremony to take place in Mexico, or how to set up a room block contract. AYB helped with all of that and more. AYB set up our room block contract with the resort. AYB made us a website for our guests to reserve their rooms. Not only did they handle travel related questions, but also wedding related questions. Another thing that was so helpful was the video & travel document/itinerary that they put together. It had all of our travel information in one place. Ex: when our flights left, what transportation would look like, what apps we should download for the trip, etc. Basically everything we would need to know for our trip, all in one place. AYB made that for us and all of our guests traveling. It was amazing and so helpful!

Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
Katie & Riley | Live Aqua Cancun | Photo: Chris Paul Photos
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Traveling to a Destination Wedding and Booking Your Own Air? Here’s Some Tips!

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Our individual trip packages like honeymoons, anniversary trips and family vacations include everything you need: Airfare, transportation, hotel and insurance.  However, there are a few times where clients may book their own flights.  For example, if you are a destination wedding guest using a group rate, you will probably book your own airfare. While booking air is very commonplace these days, there are some tried and true tips from experts like myself.  Even if you are an expert traveler, you may learn a thing or two!  Read on to learn more!

booking flights for international travel? Read more for expert advice! 

When to Buy Airplane Tickets

1. use google flights for basic research, but don't book there.

My favorite tool for researching different options is Google Flights. Google Flights is simple tool where you enter your home airport, your destination airport and your travel dates.  This is a good way to simply research the routes and major carriers for your destination. Without committing, Google Flights makes it easy to see different times, connections, connecting cities and airlines.

Some airlines are better suited to some locations than others.  For example, American is one of the most common carriers to smaller islands in the Caribbean, but nearly every airline flies to Cancun several times a day.

You can enter your home airport & destination airport and it will show you all of the major carrier flight times and estimated prices.  Beware, these prices are typically not the "Final" pricing, but it will give you a rough idea of what different times and connections will cost.  When  it's time to book, DON'T use Google Flights for booking.  Head on over to...

2. book directly with the airline, not a discount site 

If you are booking a honeymoon or an individual trip where you purchase a package, you don't need to worry about this.

However, if you are a destination wedding group guest and you are buying your own air,  it makes sense to book directly with the airline.  Avoid third party sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, Booking.com, etc.  Why?  If there is an  airline schedule change or if YOU need to make a change, you typically cannot modify your flights easily on these third party sites. This means calling Expedia, calling Orbitz, etc. and sitting in the queue for long hold times.   Budget third party airline sites like these also sell extremely restricted tickets with minimal changes allowed. Booking directly with the airline offers more flexibility if you need it.

You will have a lot more control over your reservation when you book directly on the airline’s website. When you book through a third party (such as Expedia), you often cannot modify your flight on the airline’s website. Instead you’ll have to call Expedia & then have them make changes. This can mean a lot of time on hold & lots of frustration. Do yourself a favor & book direct.

3. understand the different fare types

It used to be so easy! We had First Class & "coach" and that was it.  Today, we have all kinds of new fare categories .... Basic Economy – Economy – Premium Economy and more. It can be confusing if you're not well versed on the basic fare types.

Regular Economy Class Ticket: This is what people will call "coach". It's the regular main cabin (not first class, not business class). For all airlines but the discount carriers, this ticket comes with a seat assignment, a carry on bag and the ability to check a bag (for a price)

Sub-Economy Ticket: Literally means "Below economy" and airlines may call this different things: like "Basic Economy", "Economy Basic" or any other term. It will depend on the airline, but typically sub-economy tickets:

  • May not include a carry on bag (really!)
  • May not allow ANY changes (even if you pay, they may not allow it)
  • May not include a seat assignment of any kind (even a paid seat upgrade). Instead you will just be assigned seats at random at the gate.
  • Will be the last group to board
  • May have limited options for re-booking if there is a weather delay or issue outside the airline's control (i.e. they will rebook all the other passengers first, then handle the Basic Economy people).

Discount Carriers like Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, etc. are closer in comparison to a Sub-Economy or Basic Economy ticket on a major airline.

"Premium Economy" Ticket : As airlines try to make more money, some offer a "premium" experience.  This isn't First Class or Business Class, it's sort of in between.  This could be called Comfort Plus or Main Cabin Extra on some carriers. Premium Economy seats are usually located right behind First/Business class and have a bit more legroom, dedicated bin space & often include alcoholic beverages and upgraded snacks.

I personally never book basic economy, as it’s a very restrictive ticket. Typically non refundable/non changeable, you’ll be the very last to board the plane (good luck finding overhead bin space!), and you cannot select your seat in advance (hello middle seat).

Main Economy is the better choice, which gives you a lot more choice and flexibility.

4. beware of upselling and extra costs

Nearly every airline (notable exception: Southwest) charges for checked baggage these days. Many airlines also charge a premium for choosing an aisle or window seat in advance.

You'll also want to pay attention to your baggage... your luggage, that is.   For a regular economy seat, the weight limit is typically 50 pounds per bag.  However, this is changing as fuel costs go up. That brings me to....

5. know that a low cost carrier isn't always low cost

Airlines such as Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant are known as ‘low-cost carriers.’ Their basic fares may be less expensive, but watch out for their added costs. They may charge for both checked AND carry-on bags. The weight limit may only be 40 pounds. They charge for refreshments onboard. They have a lot fewer plans and more limited routes, which means if your flight is canceled then you could be stuck for days.

6: navigating nonstop vs direct vs connecting flights (yes, there is a difference!)

Obviously, nonstop is the way to go, if you live in an area that offers it!  Only navigating one flight can shorten your travel day and limit your stress.

Don't mistake a "direct" flight for being "nonstop".  In the airline world, these are two different things.  A direct flight means you don’t change planes, but you WILL stop at another airport before reaching your final destination.  A nonstop flight means exactly that, zero stops.

and 6A: watch those connection times if you have a layover

Of course, not all of us are lucky enough to have nonstop flight options available. If you're like me and live in a city where connections are often the norm, brush up on some basic connecting flight tips:

  • Try to leave on the first flight of the day, it is less impacted by crew and weather delays
  • Allow ample time for connections. You don't want to be running through the airport ,sweating a 42 minute layover if you don't have to!
  • When returning to the United States, remember to leave time for the re-entry process. This means Customs & Immigration and re-checking any checked bags.  When you enter the US by air, you must clear customs & immigration at your first stop in the US.  This typically means waiting in a long line.  After you're cleared, you'll have to grab that checked bag and re-check it again for your final destination. This entire process can take as long as 90 minutes.  When I fly back home, I always look for a MINIMUM 2 hour connection time to navigate this.
  • Traveling in the winter months? I have even more tips linked here: 3 Mistakes You’re Making When Booking Winter Flights

7. Book using the -exact- name on your passport

When flying internationally, your passport is your ID, not your drivers license.  This means your airline ticket and international hotel bookings must match the name on your passport. ID.  First. Middle. Last.  No nicknames, no exceptions.  Failure to follow this rule can result in costly change fees or even denial of boarding.

Newlyweds: You need to book your trips under the name that will be on your passport at time of travel.  For those changing their name, this typically means booking your trip in your maiden name.

8. get cozy with your airline - apps & clubs!

I always recommend signing up for the airline’s frequent flyer program, if you’re not already a member.
Make sure to fill out your profile completely, including day of contact information.  This is how the airline will find you if there is a change or an emergency.

If you have a Known Traveler Number (TSA Pre-check/Global Entry), you can attach those numbers to your frequent flyer login. This way, any time you book with that airline your KTN is automatically attached to your ticket.

I also suggest downloading the Airline App prior to your flight. When you log in, all of your booked flights will be loaded on the app. It will alert you to any delays or changes. It can also be handy for tracking your checked baggage or using their in-flight entertainment.

9. when is the best time to book?

This is probably the single most frequently asked question I get from wedding groups.  It's also the hardest question to answer because no one has a "perfect" response to this.

If I could predict the cost of air, I promise you I would not be planning weddings for a living. LOL!  I'd be living on my private island, dreaming of all the ways I could spend my millions!

The truth is, nobody knows. Airline inventory is incredibly variable and can change at a moment’s notice. Fuel costs, crew shortages and international transit laws also impact flight availability and costs.

You’ve probably seen advice such as ‘book your flight on a Tuesday for the lowest rate,’ but in my nearly 9 years of working in travel, I haven’t noticed this to be true.

What I do know:  Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to set up flight alerts for your potential trip.  Watch prices over time and get a feel for what is "high" and what is "Low"

That said, my best advice is this:  If you see the flight at a price you’re comfortable paying, go ahead and book it.

If you are traveling during a high demand time (such as over holidays or during Spring Break), book your flight as soon as it becomes available.

The major airline carriers (Delta, American, United) typically release their flight schedules about 11 months prior to departure. Southwest has a shorter lead-time, usually about 6 months in advance.

I hope this advice helps you book your next international flight with confidence!

tsa airport security cartoon

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If you're prepared, ready and waiting to travel, let's chat! Schedule a free consultation with me by clicking the link below.  I can't wait to get started!

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Real Destination Wedding: Melissa & Travis at Dreams Playa Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Mexico

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Dreams Playa Mujeres Wedding
Melissa & Travis | Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)

When Melissa first called me, she was on her second wedding planning attempt and had given up. You see, Melissa had always dreamed about a destination wedding, but her first go-round with planning left her frustrated and overwhelmed. After trying to DIY wedding planning, she gave up and shelved her dreams for bit.

By the time Missy called me in April 2020, she was ready to get the ball rolling! At that point, life had progressed and she & Travis were celebrating their five year anniversary, their second anniversary of being engaged AND they had welcomed son Reed into their lives.  While waiting for the perfect time to plan a wedding, a whole lot of life had happened!

Melissa started her call with "It's time to get #destinationDuceatt rolling!"  Wedding hashtag in hand, it was time to start planning.

You may have noticed the timing of Melissa's appointment - April 2020.  It was not the most popular time to think of planning a destination wedding, to say the least.  But Missy had a vision and she was ready to get started ... this group was brave, ready to take what life threw at them and ready to look forward to a great celebration.

Fast forward to October 2021 and they finally had that dream wedding, toes in the sand, surrounded by family and friends!

Destination Wedding Dreams Playa Mujeres
Melissa & Travis - Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)

DESTINATION WEDDING q&a | Melissa & Travis

  1. What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding? I was concerned with the overall cost of the trip for myself as well as my guests. Covid shutting down travel out of the country.
  2. Was there anything about planning a destination wedding that surprised you? I was very surprised to learn that you are given credits with room blocks.  It was a great surprise at the end of our trip! As well as how SIMPLE it was to plan my wedding while there.  I truly wish I did not stress beforehand bc while at the resort the process was SO easy!
  3. What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding? Walking up to my wedding the day of.  It was everything I had ever dreamed of and wanted. I felt like a queen the whole time!
  4. Did you splurge on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? Yes we upgraded our room and it was BEYOND worth it. I was able to enjoy my early morning coffee looking directly at the beach and drunk late night swims when the pool was closed. For our wedding I also upgraded our flower package. Also very happy about this. It added the little extra touch of pretty to the canopy.
  5. Did you attempt to *save* on anything  travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? Nope, I wanted everything to be smooth and RIGHT, anything I was advised was a "good idea" I researched and agreed with .
  6. If you could change anything with your wedding (planning, the day itself, the location, resort, ANYTHING) - what would you change?  I would have not stressed as much. Everything was laid out perfectly. I am extremely OCD so not knowing is hard for me. I attempted to preplan and upon my arrival to the resort I changed almost everything. The location was beyond beautiful. The staff was beyond helpful and always willing to help. I have traveled to Mexico and the Cancun area many times in the past. This was the smoothest experience I have ever had with travel!
  7. Now that you've been through it, what is your #1 best piece of advice for wedding couples entering the planning process?  TRUST IN THE PROCESS, Stress less and go with the flow everything will turn out Perfect!
  8. What kind of feedback did you get from your guests? Our guests are still raving about our wedding. They loved the special little touches (fireworks, light show, mariachi band.) It wasn't just a wedding, it was a fun 4+ day event for our family and friends.

  9. In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you?I don't even know where to start with this. When I started my planning it was pre-Covid, the world was a different place. When it was time to "make your reservations" we were in full on Covid time. I had all sorts of different people traveling, young, old, some who were scared, others that just went with the flow. Ashley and the team helped address any and all questions keeping all of our guests at ease. Not one guest canceled and I attribute that to Ashley and her team. Our trip and wedding was Perfect, from the time we left our house till the time we returned we did not experience 1 issue. The resort was a perfect fit for us and our guests!
Destination Wedding Playa Mujeres Mexico
Melissa & Travis - Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)
Melissa & Travis - Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)
Melissa & Travis - Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)
Dreams Destination Wedding Playa Mujeres Mexico
Melissa & Travis - Dreams Playa Mujeres (Dean Sanderson Photography)
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Real Destination Wedding: Amy & Drew at Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana Punta Cana Destination Wedding
Amy & Drew - Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - May 2021. Photo: Twelve One Projects

I started working with Amy & Drew in April, 2019.  When I first met with this couple, they had just moved, gotten engaged and were in the midst of crazy times at both of their jobs.  They were excited about the prospect of a destination wedding, but had zero time to plan.

At the time, Amy was a finance director at an investment management firm and Drew was a creative director at an advertising agency (hello, my past life before travel!). I was instantly drawn to their fun and laid back attitude ... from minute one, it was obvious that they were a wonderful couple!   They are also dog people, which was a sign that we were meant to work together... animal people are my people!

Amy and Drew were interested in both Punta Cana and La Romana, two very different parts of the Dominican Republic.  As fate would have it, I had literally just come back from seeing the new construction of a brand new resort, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana.  I showed them my hard hat tour pictures and off we went... planning a wedding for late Spring 2020.

Planning a wedding at a brand new resort is not for the faint of heart. When you plan a wedding at a property that hasn't opened yet, there are so many unknowns.  Most visuals are just renderings; there are no official photos or videos of the venues, the rooms, etc.

With my relationship with the hotel, we were able to secure some sneak peeks of the wedding venues, room layouts, etc.  Combined with my reconnaissance trip during construction, Amy & Drew felt comfortable enough to sign on the dotted line.  Away we went!

Amy and Drew even planned a last minute visit to Punta Cana just after the opening in winter 2020.  They were able to see this weeks-old resort with their own eyes, which did a lot to set their minds at ease.

Little did they know, "brand new resort" jitters were going to be the least of their worries, haha!

This story may seem tired to some, but it is devastating to each individual couple: Just a few short weeks after Amy & Drew's "scouting" trip to Punta Cana, the entire world changed. The resort closed for what would be 5 months, finally re-opening in late 2020.

Amy and Drew decided to postone for a year, hoping that COVID would be behind us. They picked a new date of May 21, 2021.

My team got to work moving reservation after reservation, essentially copying and pasting old trips for a new date 12 months in the future. We set our sights on 2021 and stayed in touch over the next year.

I truly love getting to know my couples on a personal level - and I love it when they do the same.  During Amy & Drew's planning, had a scary dog incident with our terrier, Sally.  They were sweet enough to send a box of DELICIOUS cookies and a get well card for Sally, which of course she enjoyed  (LOL!)  That is the part of my job that you just can't replicate using a generic, big box travel agency.  The friends I have made on this journey are one of the best parts!

Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana Punta Cana Destination Wedding
Amy & Drew - Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - May 2021. Photo: Twelve One Projects

DESTINATION WEDDING q&a WITH amy & drew

  1. What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding?  Initially, it was the unknowns of the resort itself since we booked prior to it being complete and was it going to be fully functioning at the time. Then Covid hit and we had to reschedule – our next fear was were our favorite people that were initially going still able to come a year later.
  2. What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding? The dance floor – every single person was dancing until they told us to go home. We almost didn’t get one since we were on the beach and last minute decided to get that and the photo booth. We had some surprise rain at the perfect time of the night to add to the magic.
  3. Did you splurge on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? We upgraded our room to a master suite and our flight to 1st class, so worth it to start the adventure! We also added VIP coming into the Punta Cana airport and won’t ever be flying in without it now! Thanks Ashley!
  4. Did you attempt to *save* on anything  travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? Decorations/flowers – ABSOLUTELY! You’re in the Caribbean, THAT is your décor/background.
  5. If you could change anything with your wedding (planning, the day itself, the location, resort, ANYTHING) - what would you change?   Would’ve made a better schedule throughout the trip of where we’d be. Definitely rough trying to corral different groups. Our initial maid-of-honor/best-man couldn’t come to the rescheduled wedding (big crocodile tears here – silly babies), but would’ve appointed someone else to help with the day of to make sure we had everything we needed and fully supplied with “hydration”
  6. Now that you've been through it, what is your #1 best piece of advice for wedding couples entering the planning process? Listen to your gut and Ashley, and literally no one else. If something is super important to you, make it known and keep focus on that, the rest is minor details that no one will remember.  Have an event (whether inside or outside of the resort) for all your guests to get to know each other.  Make sure to have a Whatsapp channel with everyone on it made life so much easier to let people know where you are and share pictures/stories.
  7. What kind of feedback did you get from your guests? They had an amazing time, loved the resort, and can’t wait for our wedding reunion trip.
  8. In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you?  If it hadn’t been for Ashley helping us through it all and the rescheduling w/Covid, we probably wouldn’t have had a wedding. Ashley talked us off all the ledges and made us feel heard through the chaos and drama. We also thought we were going to miss a connecting flight, but Ashley was already on it watching.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana Punta Cana Destination Wedding
Amy & Drew - Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - May 2021. Photo: Twelve One Projects
Amy & Drew - Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - May 2021. Photo: Twelve One Projects
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana Destination Wedding
Amy & Drew Reception. Photo: Twelve One Projects
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Alpaca Your Bags Travel Named Winner of The Knot Best of Weddings 2021

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Knot Best of Weddings Alpaca Your Bags Travel

We are so pleased to announce that Alpaca Your Bags Travel has been selected as a 2021 ­­winner of The Knot Best of Weddings, an accolade representing the highest- and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests.

This is the fifth consecutive year that we have been honored with this wonderful award!

In 2021, only five percent of hundreds of thousands of local wedding professionals listed on The Knot received this distinguished award. In its fifteenth annual year,

Despite COVID-19 interrupting many 2020 weddings and social events, wedding professionals around the nation continued to support couples throughout their wedding planning journeys. From adjusting future schedules to make way for postponed weddings, to helping couples host socially distanced weddings following state and local guidelines and restrictions with an increased focus on health and safety, wedding pros—and the industry as a whole—rallied together in 2020, ultimately helping couples continue to celebrate life and love. The Knot 2021 Best of Weddings recognition honors the vendors who went above and beyond to help to-be-weds navigate the global pandemic.

"Last year was so challenging, but I'm really proud of how our team pulled through... we had so many amazing couples in 2020 and 2021; it was a true honor to help them navigate one of the most challenging events of their lives!" said Ashley Morris, owner of Alpaca Your Bags Travel.  "I'm proud to say we helped 42 wonderful brides and grooms to have their dream destination wedding in paradise last year.  Thank you to everyone who put their faith in us to navigate this crazy time!"

To determine the winners, The Knot analyzed its millions of user reviews across various vendor categories—including venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more—to find the highest rated vendors of the year. These winners represent the best of the best wedding professionals that engaged couples should consider booking for their own unique weddings.

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Real Destination Wedding: Jessica & Tyler in Negril, Jamaica!

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Even though I am based near Kansas City, I typically work with couples all over the world. It was a treat when Jessica & Tyler made a wedding planning appointment with me -- they are local!  As we got to know each other, we realized that we also share a mutual love of travel, exploring new places and weird/interesting foods, including hot sauces. Haha!

As a couple, Jessica described them as "polar opposites, to put it lightly."  Jessica explained that she is incredibly outgoing and extroverted, while Tyler is more of a "extroverted introvert". Ha!  They didn't want a lot of muss & fuss, they really just wanted to celebrate their (at that point) 11 year relationship. It was also important that they honor their existing anniversary, which was Halloween.

When we met, Jessica and Tyler had just been to Negril previously and fell in love with the laid-back attitude and beautiful sunsets.  After all, Seven Mile Beach in Negril is one of the most famous beaches in the world.  They were open to exploring other locations.  To compare choices, we discussed destination weddings in Mexico and the Dominican republic.  At the of the day, their hearts kept leading them back to Negril.

What happened next? You guessed it - COVID!

Jessica Tyler Jamaica Green Destination Wedding

After a lot of soul searching, Jessica and Tyler made the difficult decision to postpone their wedding. A Halloween 2020 wedding became a Halloween weekend 2021 wedding.  A core group of this couple's nearest and dearest made the journey to Jamaica in late October. Here's what Tyler and Jessica had to say:

Jessica Tyler Jamaica 2021 Destination Wedding

DESTINATION WEDDING q&a WITH jessica & TYler

  1. What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding?  Our main concern was asking everyone we invited to spend so much money to attend our wedding.
    Is there anything about the actual destination wedding experience that surprised you? The Caribbean is fairly casual, and works on "island time." I didn't expect the actual wedding planning to be so close to the wedding date itself. This didn't bother me at all as our wedding was fairly laid back.
  2. What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding? My husband and I love Negril, Jamaica, and honestly our favorite part was sharing the culture and beauty of the country with our friends and family. I would say overall the time we got to spend with our family and friends as a whole during the trip.
  3. Did you splurge on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? We typically get basic rooms when we travel since we don't really spend any time in them. This trip we upgraded our room to an oceanfront suite, and it was absolutely worth every penny
  4. Did you attempt to *save* on anything  travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it? We didn't really try to save on anything. We decided that since it was for our wedding, we were going to go, see and do the most that we could as comfortably as we could.
  5. If you could change anything with your wedding (planning, the day itself, the location, resort, ANYTHING) - what would you change? Nothing at all. My husband and I are fairly laid back, and wanted our wedding to be the same. So we made sure it was.
  6. Now that you've been through it, what is your #1 best piece of advice for wedding couples entering the planning process? USE A TRAVEL AGENT! And if you do use one, use Ashley!
  7. What kind of feedback did you get from your guests? Our guests loved having a vacation in such a beautiful place, on top of getting to attend our wedding 😉 They all loved exploring a new and beautiful place.
  8. In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you? Allllll of the ways you can imagine!! Our guests asked a lot of questions to myself and my husband, and we would always direct them to reach out to Alpaca if we didn't have the answer. Ashley was always prompt, and full of information. Ashley and I have a similar demeanor, and that also kept it a lot less stressful for us.
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