Destination Weddings are still a fantastic choice for couples who want a unique celebration
As the owner of a travel agency specializing in all inclusive Destination Weddings, the last few weeks have been a very wild, uncertain ride. Since mid-March, we have helped nearly 15 wedding couples (that’s almost 700 wedding guests!) to postpone or change their destination wedding plans.
During this process, the travel industry has shown amazing patience, persistence and fortitude. We have stuck out the tough times while looking forward to better times ahead. As I work with each individual wedding group, I’ve noticed a wide range of emotions. Some couples are scared, some are nervous. Some just want to know when this will end (don’t we all!). Throughout it all, there has been one common theme and question: “Is it still okay to plan a destination wedding?”
My answer is YES - a resounding yes! Yes, it is still okay to plan a destination wedding during COVID-19. In the past few weeks, we have all gained a new appreciation for human connection and celebration. With that in mind, I think Destination Weddings are still a fantastic choice for couples who want a unique, meaningful and intentional celebration of their marriage.
looking forward
While travel may look a little different for a while, the human need to explore and celebrate will shine through. This time will pass, and people will be more ready than ever to get out and explore. Planning a destination wedding is a great way to give your guests something to look forward to. While we all may need to adapt a little, I am more excited than ever to help couples plan their destination wedding. Need convincing? Consider these points:
1. When travel rebounds, people will look for a reason to celebrate.
Travel will rebound… slowly at first, but it will. After weeks of lockdown and quarantine, gathering in person and sharing new experiences will be more important than ever. Your friends and family are looking for the occasion to celebrate; your destination wedding can be the event that everyone looks forward to.
2. Destination Weddings allow you to focus on what’s important - you, your fiance and your guests.
With a destination wedding, there are fewer decisions to make and fewer choices to labor over. Since you are not burdened with managing hundreds of details, you get to relax and enjoy this amazing time with your loved ones.
3: A Destination Wedding gives your guests new experiences and helps make memories
Want to see your grandma on a water slide? Would you love to see your college friends on the dance floor with your dad? Will your mother-in-law ever try a mojito? These are the types of fun, shared experiences that you can have when you travel with a group. After lockdown, people will have a new zest for life and trying new things.
4: All Inclusive Resorts allow people to try new things without focusing on price
If you’re bursting at the seams for a new adventure, why not try an all inclusive resort for your destination wedding? All Inclusive resorts allow you to try new things without worrying about cost! Not sure if ceviche is for you? Want to try scuba but worried about the commitment? The best all inclusives can include excursions, activities, spa treatments and more. Why not give your loved ones a chance to try something new?
5: Your Destination Wedding Gives Guests a Pre-Planned Family Vacation
Most destination wedding guests stay an average of 4-5 nights in destination. Many guests choose to make this their family vacation for the year. Your guests may be anxious to travel and broaden their kids’ horizons, but they might not know how to organize this type of trip. Your wedding gives them a pre-planned, stress-free vacation!
6: Your Destination Wedding Can (also) be the Perfect Kid-Free Adult Getaway!
Your friends with kids are tired. Your sister is tired of faux homeschooling. Every couple needs some quality time to reconnect. If you’d really like people to get excited, consider an Adults Only resort for your destination wedding. In our recent client survey, 90% of our clients were interested in an Adults Only trip before any other kind of travel.
7: An all-inclusive resort destination wedding is an affordable alternative to a traditional wedding
According to The Knot Real Weddings Survey, the average cost of a wedding has ballooned to $33,900. Compared to the cost of a traditional wedding, a destination wedding can be one of the most cost-effective ways to start your life together. Depending on the number of guests, the destination and the options you choose, a Destination Wedding can be free (yes, really!) Our clients spend an average of $6,000-$19,000, depending on the options and time of year. Many of them are much less. Curious to know more about cost? Read our Destination Wedding FAQ.
8: Destination Weddings at All Inclusive Resorts can accommodate a wide range of budgets
For couples who may be concerned about cost, consider this: with an all inclusive resort destination wedding, your guests only worry about one price, one budget and one destination. At Alpaca Your Bags Travel, we work with couples to design a room block with a wide variety of price points, giving something for everyone. We typically recommend a mix of entry-level rooms, middle-tier Ocean View rooms and upgraded Suites, offering something for every budget level. Guests also have the ability to pay over time, making this an easy and affordable option.
9: With an all-inclusive resort destination wedding, there’s no logistical stress or added transportation costs
After the stress of COVID-19, people will want EASY experiences. People will want to feel pampered. When you choose an all inclusive resort for your wedding, everyone is in the same place. There’s no need for schedules & transportation headaches. Planning multiple events like a welcome party and a day-after brunch? With everything in the same place, you don’t need to worry about how guests will get from point A to point B.
10: Resorts are ready to welcome guests with open arms (at a distance!)
Due to COVID-19, the travel industry experienced tremendous losses this Spring and Summer. As a travel agent who focuses almost entirely on destination weddings, I am in constant contact with hotel managers, reservations agents, hotel concierges, resort wedding planners, transportation companies and tour operators. In many destinations, tourism is the driver of a local economy. Every single friend I have made in Mexico and the Caribbean is ready to welcome guests as soon as they can. There has never been a better time to support the travel industry and tourism as a whole.
11 (Bonus!): The travel industry is resilient and adaptable. New health & safety policies are being implemented every day.
Airlines, hotels and tour operators are changing their operations on a dime, quickly implementing new safety procedures for guests and staff alike. As we all adjust to a post-COVID world, the travel industry is quickly pivoting to accommodate this new-ish normal. Safety is paramount, as evidenced by new protocols that are being shared and updated every day. There are new procedures for housekeeping, new processes for dining, room service and the beach. If we have learned anything from past events like 9/11, the travel industry is resilient and adaptable. As the world changes, the travel industry quickly adapts, ready to reward those who embrace adventure.
BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION NOW - BUT DON'T DELAY. 2021 AND 2022 WEDDING DATES ARE BOOKING FAST.
If you’ve been dreaming of a 2021 destination wedding, I cannot stress this enough: NOW IS THE TIME! With so many weddings moved from 2020 to 2021, dates are booking quickly, much faster than normal. If you’ve been considering a destination wedding but aren’t sure where to start, why not schedule a free consultation with me?
On the call, I will explain the pros and cons of a destination wedding. I’ll answer any questions you might have about flexible policies, cancellation terms and how you can earn FREE travel for your event.
We can collaborate to create the wedding (and vacation) of your dreams. Ready to get started?
