6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Book Your Destination Wedding Directly With a Resort!

Hi doll! Planning your dream wedding can be burdensome, especially when
you're looking for the perfect resort venue in the Caribbean or Mexico. It can be quite challenging to find the ideal spot that checks all the boxes that you are looking for.
 
When you stumble upon that dream venue, your first instinct might be to pick up the phone and book directly with the resort. It seems like the most logical thing to do since you are in cloud nine, right? After all is well, hold on a minute! Let me share a few things to consider beforeyou make that decision based solely on cost or personal preferences.
 
Here are some of the reasons, I recommend avoiding booking your destination wedding directly with the resort.

Let's dive in and discover why it's not the best idea:
 
You Might End Up Spending More

Photo courtesy Jinyun

Sure, you might think that booking directly with the resort will save you some dollars,
but that's not always the case. Resort managers are aware that it's a one-time deal
with you, so they may try to maximize their profits.
On the other hand, a Destination Wedding specialist  will have solid
connections with resort management and can often score special rates, discounts, and
package deals that aren't available to individual customers. They can help you compare
prices across different resorts and make sure you get the best value for your money.
 
You Could Get Slammed With Fees

Avoid losing money, work with a travel agent. Photo courtesy Ketut Subiyanto

​It is so upsetting to see couples get blind-sided with fees based on the group contract which will increase the costs of their destination wedding. Essentially, when rooms are held for a group, there are attrition dates and cancellation penalties.

If you don’t pay attention to those and have empty rooms in the group, or if your guests cancel their room when there are cancellation penalties, couples can be stuck holding the bag and have fees they weren’t expecting. You can check my blog about the cost of a destination wedding.

This is why most destination wedding couples will learn from the mistake of others and choose to work with a travel advisor who specializes in destination wedding and group travel.
 
You'll Be Left with Stressful Tasks

Don't get stress out planning your destination wedding. Photo courtesy Alex Green

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when it's a destination wedding.

While the resort will take care of the wedding-specific infrastructure, there are dozens of other aspects to manage. Juggling all these tasks from afar can be incredibly stressful.
 
Hiring  a destination wedding specialist can alleviate much of that stress. They can handle the logistics, coordination, and communication with the resort, allowing you to focus on taking care of your loved ones and ensuring their comfort and enjoyment during the wedding preparations.
 
You'll Miss Out on Personalized Service & Experience

Couple enjoying a romantic dinner. Photo courtesy Zach Marshall

Keep in mind that the resort might be handling your wedding along with a dozen other unrelated events at the same time. The best they can offer is a dedicated wedding planner, but that doesn't really qualify as a personalized service.

A destination wedding specialist can work closely with you to understand your dream wedding ideas and preferences. They'll customize the event to reflect your style, theme, and budget, ensuring that all the details are taken care of. They can also connect you with top-notch photographers, decorators, and entertainers to make your wedding experience truly memorable.
 
You'll Be Busy Troubleshooting on Your Big Day 

No matter how meticulously you plan your event, unforeseen hiccups may happen at critical moments. And when they do, in some cases the resort may leave you to handle them on your own.
 
Having a dedicated Destination Wedding Specialist by your side can be a real lifesaver in such situations. They've dealt with similar cases before and know how to quickly troubleshoot problems, ensuring that your wedding day runs smoothly.
 
Communication Issues May Cause Problems

Let your travel agent handle the communication. Photo courtesy of Mizuno

​Let's face it, the customer service at some exotic and remote destination wedding resorts isn't always as speedy as we'd like. If you need to communicate changes or get information to help with your planning, reaching the right people quickly can be a challenge.

Booking directly with these resorts may lead to communication difficulties. They might not respond to your emails promptly, and if you manage to get them on the phone, they might keep you waiting until you're frustrated.

On the other hand, a Travel Agent who is a Destination Wedding Specialist knows how to connect with the right person quickly and relay your messages effectively. They might even have local contacts to make sure everything is set up perfectly for your big day.
 
In conclusion, while booking your destination wedding directly with the resort might seem tempting at first, there are better options out there. It's essential to consider the advantages of working with a Destination Wedding Specialist.

Their expertise, local knowledge, and ability to negotiate deals can lead to
cost savings and a more personalized wedding experience.
If you are in the middle of trying to figure out your destination wedding, or just feel like you need a helping hand. Hit the easy button, and schedule a free 60-minute consultation with me today. I will do my best to help you make your dream wedding a reality.

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