Dreams Natura Resort & Spa Destination Wedding: Katrina & Tim

Are you worried about the intricate planning that comes with doing a destination wedding? Katrina and Tim felt the same way. 

When they reached out to us, they were already certain about one thing: they really wanted a destination wedding. They craved the idea of combining their love for vacations, parties, and each other into one unforgettable celebration with their loved ones. Their vision? A fun-filled wedding that reflects their laid-back personalities.

Despite feeling a bit overwhelmed, they were excited to hear our insight and hoped we could help guide them through the planning process. That’s why we were so thrilled to be part of their wedding journey.

Real Wedding Q&A with Katrina & Tim!

What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding?

The unknown of the resort having not been before. Most resorts are quite nice but there are always horror stories of terrible food or poor room quality. We were also concerned about guests attending due to the financial commitment of attending a destination wedding. 

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

The price compared to a traditional wedding. With our package and add ons it was the perfect day for such a reasonable price. 

What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding?

It was great getting there a few days early to spend time together and get the lay of the land before our guests got there. It was also great getting to spend multiple days with our friends and family that we do not see as much compared to just a few hours if we did a traditional wedding. 

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

We upgraded our room to use as a bridal suite day off. It was so nice having a big suite with all the amenities for the week and the relaxing part of using it to get ready on the day of the wedding. We also spent a little more on florals. It was definitely worth it as the pictures were amazing. We also upgraded lighting which was 1000% worth it!

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

We tried to make cuts to things we did not find value in. We did not get a dance floor and it was the best decision for us. We also cut down on extra center pieces such as big candles and opted for LED candles instead. 

What kind of feedback did you get from your guests?

They LOVED it. The weather was amazing and having all of our friends meet and bond was great. 

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

Do not stress over the small stuff because it will all work out.

In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you?

It made it much easier to pick a resort that best fit the needs of us and our guests. It was great to have a list of good resorts that she has been to and narrowing it down to what we liked best. Having the updates before travel was great to make sure not only us but our guests had all the documentation they needed beforehand. The team was very responsive to ours and our guests’ questions. We had a weather delay due to snow for our travel and the team was great at getting back to us and adjusting our transportation.
 

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Photographer: Taylor Attili

Travel Advisor: Alpaca Your Bags Travel 

Resort: Dreams Natura Resort & Spa