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hether it’s a ceremony on the
beach or overlooking ancient ruins, Tara
Soloway, co-founder of LUXE Destination Weddings, says many
couples are looking to make their destination wedding be a true reflection of themselves.
“Couples are seeking unique ideas like special off-site locations, or memorable group experiences like a boat cruise, a casual beach bonfire with acoustic instruments and drums, or an after-dinner party with desserts and specialty coffees,” she says. “Doing something a little different where everyone can participate helps achieve that personalized goal.”
While customization continues to be key for those tying the knot abroad, Travel Courier had travel and destination wedding experts weigh in with their top picks for trends that will be big this year:
TRENDY, PERSONALIZED WEDDINGS ON THE RISEBy ANN RUPPENSTEIN
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Costa Rica is proving very popular for 2016. With more hotel options coming into play and a stunning, lush setting, this country is a perfect choice for so many reasons. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, Cuba and Dominican Republic have some stunning locations as well.
– Tara Soloway, LUXE Destination Weddings
Jamaica is definitely becoming the most popular destination for weddings. – Pauline Blacoe, Shine Travel
Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Hawaii will continue to be perennial favourites for their warm climate, gorgeous scenery and sandy beaches. Likewise, Costa Rica, New Zealand, British Columbia and Grenada are emerging as hot spots for couples seeking adventure.
– Rebecca Hochreiter, Destination Weddings Travel Group
UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHYFrom post-ceremony trash-the-dress sessions to underwater bridal portraits, Rebecca Hochreiter, VP, customer engagement at Destination Weddings Travel Group says wedding photography is evolving.
“Photographers are embracing the opportunity to capture the individual charm of each and every destination,” she says. “Couples are even including their photographers, as they explore the surrounding city, visit iconic sites and areas with scenic backdrops, or go on excursions – a perfect way to not only capture the big day, but the whole celebration.”
DIY TOUCHESAlthough couples are exchanging vows far from home, these newlyweds-to be are still incorporating homemade elements into the main event.
“A lot of brides are turning destination weddings into a more traditional wedding feel with many do-it-yourself decorations, flowers and table settings,” says travel agent and destination wedding specialist Pauline Blacoe of Shine Travel.
VINTAGE & NATURAL STYLINGNuptials featuring organic elements and vintage style is as an emerging trend for celebrations held at Oasis Hotels & Resorts.
“Most of the wedding couples prefer to be with nature and live a moment where the ambience is more natural with lots of details and romanticism,” says weddings director Paloma Flores. “More organic, more greenery and plants, a kind of ancient style.”
As well as fielding requests for a nautical theme, Yanelis Abella-Taylee, manager of onboard revenue – events for Royal Caribbean International believes that classic elements will be timeless.
“A touch of vintage and romantic feel will definitely be popular,” she says.
OUT OF THE BOX CEREMONIESForget the ordinary. Some brides and grooms are literally taking the plunge to make their wedding ceremonies unique.
“A lot of people are looking for adventure,” says Jan LaPointe, senior director of AMResorts. “We’ve done things like underwater ceremonies at Secrets Aura Cozumel, which is on the coral reefs so it’s a beautiful setting.”
Destination wedding specialist Pamela Walker of ‘i Do’ Weddings Away also finds couples are looking more for private options for the wedding ceremony.
“They are looking for resorts that have a unique setting for taking their vows,” she says.
Brides and grooms are hosting special thank-you activities for families and friends, such as a private catamaran cruise or a spa day full of pampering for the group.
“[It’s] a way of expressing their gratitude to guests who have purchased trips and travelled to the Caribbean for their wedding,” says Marsha-Ann Brown, director of romance, Sandals Resorts.
SPREADING THE LOVE
Especially from the Canadian market, AMRewards, which has properties in Mexico, Jamaica, Curaçao, St. Thomas, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, notes an increase in the number of Shadi destination weddings.
“It’s very special, it’s very ceremonial,” LaPointe says. “Some are three to five days, and generally, there’s a lot of people so the hotels have been trained and educated to cater to the audience.”
Meanwhile at Destination Weddings Travel Group, Hochreiter says the company has seen over 50% growth in the past year in its Gay Destination Weddings division.
“We have already seen a surge of LGBT destination weddings and the changing environment in the wedding industry will only increase as more countries open their arms to same-sex marriage,” she says.
NICHE WEDDINGS AND LGBT CEREMONIES
Group weddings and larger wedding parties are becoming the new normal. “A lot of times it’s people who are getting married for a second time, so you have multi-generations and kids at the
wedding,” says Kevin Froemming, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at Playa Hotels & Resorts.
THE MORE THE MERRIER
Brides and grooms are locking down their locations and making reservations earlier and earlier. “I used to book destination weddings a year in advance and sometimes within 10 months,” says Kim Crosby, owner/
operator of SunLovers Travel. “Now it’s close to a year and a half to two years in advance.”
THE EARLY BIRD SAVES THE DATE
In light of a weak Canadian dollar, Liz Moore, CEO of Liz Moore Destination Weddings, says cost is factoring into the decision process like never before.
“People are bypassing the property they may want at times now just to get everybody to come,” she says. “So they’re taking secondary properties.”
LOONIE TUNES
WHAT LOCATIONS ARE PROVING TO BE HOT FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS THIS YEAR?
march 10, 2016 | travel courier | destination weddings 1918 destination weddings | travel courier | march 10, 2016
THE PYRAMID, LUXURY AT GRAND OASIS | GRAND OASIS CANCUN | GRAND OASIS SENS | GRAND OASIS TULUM
EARN A 10% COMMISSION when the wedding is booked through O-Weddings.com or your Preferred Tour Operator.
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•
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True love is eternal, so the saying goes, and for Marsha-Ann Brown, director of romance at Sandals Resorts, the fact that WeddingMoons are continuing to grow year over year, especially in the Canadian market, should surprise no one, because simply put: “The wedding industry is one of those rare recession-proof markets.”
Out at sea, Yanelis Abella-Taylee, manager, onboard revenue – events, for Royal Caribbean International, says the company handled about 900 weddings in 2015, but that’s expected to grow to close to 1,300 in 2016.
Similarily for nuptials aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, Tiffany Bell of Royal Ocean Events, which overseas the cruise line’s wedding program, says the amount of annual festivities is on the rise.
“We saw an 18% growth in the number of weddings we hosted from 2014 to 2015, and have already exceeded the number of weddings we booked in 2015 this year with potential for nine months of bookings ahead of us,” she says.
At Oasis Hotels & Resorts, weddings director Paloma Flores says with the introduction of its new “O” packages, wedding production has already increased from 30% to 60%.
“We have already booked more than 140 weddings from July 2015 to today,” she says. “Cancun and the Mayan Riviera is the No.1 destination for destination weddings in the world.”
Weddings at Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara properties are also showing a 30% growth says Kevin Froemming, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at Playa Hotels & Resorts.
“I think it’s a big business for travel agents,” he says. “It’s very profitable because brides and grooms tend to bring down at least four to five other couples, so you’re doing five transactions in one, and sometimes for 10 to 15 couples. The more they know about the products and the more that they’re experienced in being able to recommend the right products for their clients, it’s a very profitable, lucrative business.”
In bloomWEDDING BUSINESS BLOSSOMING FOR AGENTS
WeddingsREAL
Couple: Sarah and ScottLocation: RIU Playa Blanca in PanamaAgent: Zackary LeBlanc, Liz Moore Destination WeddingsPhotographer: EncapturedPerfection
Couple: Caley and LeeLocation: Las Caletas, Puerto Vallarta, MexicoAgent: Cindy Almond/Romance and Foodie TravelPhotographer: Cristheell Bernal/ Adventure Photos Wedding Photography
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Couple: Sara and AdamLocation: Majestic Colonial Punta CanaAgent: Pauline Blacoe, Shine TravelPhotographer: Vaughn Barry
Know your destinations and your product. Travel to the destinations often, and do as many hotel inspections as you can. Having personal experience at resorts makes all the difference. This gives you the confidence, as well as demonstrates your expertise to the client, by being able to compare the different resort options and match your couple to appropriate destinations and properties for what they are looking for. Cindy Almond, certified destination weddings specialist, Romance and Foodie Travel
Play on the price. The average cost of a Destination Weddings Travel Group wedding is approximately $9,000 and includes travel, accommodations and the wedding itself. According to national statistics from the Knot, the average cost of an at-home wedding is just over $30,000 and rising. The amount of savings from a destination wedding is remarkable. Rebecca Hochreiter, VP, customer engagement, DWTG
Sealing the DEAL
TIPS FOR AGENTS TO TAKE AWAY ON BOOKING DESTINATION WEDDINGS
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Drawing in an annual $16 billion, destination weddings continue to be lucrative. But, while the number of ceremonies may be on the rise, couples still want to feel like their big day is something special.
Jasprit Kaul, managing partner, L’Escape, suggests brides and grooms add elements of their own style into the decor and styling through themes, decor accents and table names.
“Pick a destination which represents your personalities and characteristics, let your guests experience how you like to travel and don’t be afraid to push your guests’ comfort levels,” she adds.
In addition to bringing some of their own decorations, party favours and place cards to add personalized touches to the decor, Cindy Almond, owner of Romance and Foodie Travel, says some couples hire photographers that fit their personal style and opt for locations outside of the resort.
“There are many private venues available off-property, as well as locations in neighbouring properties,” she says. “One of my brides shuttled her guests to a gorgeous wedding chapel at a different resort for her ceremony, so that they could have a Catholic wedding, and returned to the resort they were staying at for their private reception.”
Whether it’s a ceremony by a butterfly garden or an off-site reception on a private island, Pamela Walker of “i Do” Weddings Away says the days of the cookie-cutter destination weddings are long gone, and companies are open to accommodating all kinds of unique and even crazy requests.
“Nowadays, resorts are realizing that brides want to personalize their wedding day, from special requests such as having a bonfire with a weenie and marshmallow roast
instead of a traditional reception, a cupcake and candy station for desert rather than a traditional wedding cake, to an evening ceremony with guests holding candles instead of sunglasses,” she says.
Choosing an off-resort wedding venue can also make for a more private ceremony and reception.
“As a bonus, you avoid the beach chairs, Speedo-wearing man and onlookers,” says Jennifer Borgh, president and lead planner of Jennifer Borgh Events. “If you choose to get married on-resort, ask about changing the standard wedding package, upgrade the chairs, decor, flowers to avoid a cookie-cutter wedding.”
Incorporating the local culture and customs into the celebration is another way brides and grooms can make their wedding stand out.
“If you are getting married in Mexico, have Mexican elements such as local food, a mariachi band, local party favours etc.,” says Almond.
As well as regional cuisines and the use of native flowers from a particular region, Rebecca Hochreiter of Destination Weddings Travel Group has also seen an increase in the use of local vendors to bring in the flavour of the nearby area into a wedding.
Local items from the destination can also be customized with tags in the couples wedding colours or a monogram.
“For Jamaica, I would suggest: Blue Mountain coffee, Appleton’s rum, hot sauce and mini rum cakes,” says Borgh.
Another option couples are taking advantage of is booking pre-wedding excursions for visitors, which not only makes the wedding week more unique, but it helps guests create lasting
memories beyond the ceremony and reception.“Excursions now offer something for every personality, from
horseback riding on Jamaica’s pristine beaches or snorkelling on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, to visiting an underwater museum in Cancun,” Hochreiter says.
Kaul says these group excursions can also be an extension of the wedding events, such as bachelor parties on a catamaran.
“Schedule the optional group events throughout the week by way of using the resort’s amenities or bring your own games, such as group volleyball, games night, yoga on the beach, bingo,” she suggests. “And include thoughtful gifts to make your guests feel welcome, these can be welcome beach bags, luggage tags, themed T-shirts and welcome gifts.”
Before the wedding, couples can create customized ticket jackets, envelopes and luggage tags for their group to take
along through web sites like http://www.idoweddingprint.com through which agents can earn 30% commission.
“Destination couples are increasingly finding ways to personalize their special day with welcome bags, handwritten vows and other details that express their personalities, cultures, and shared experiences,” says Hochreiter.
Since many couples legally get married prior to the destination wedding, Tara Soloway, co-founder of LUXE Destination Weddings, says they can be more creative in their symbolic service.
“This allows them to incorporate more of their personal style into the ceremony, be it by writing their own script, including meaningful readings or even having a wedding guest perform the ceremony instead of an officiant,” she says.
1. The most important thing to consider is the style of wedding you are having. There are many factors to consider: the setting, the temperature, and the overall feeling of the type of wedding you want to have. A gown must reflect your sense of style first, and then be appropriate for your setting. You want to look at gowns that will require as little up keep and maintenance as possible, once you get to your destination. 2. Whatever you choose, keep it light. Make it easy to travel with your gown of choice – keep the fabric textured, beaded gowns are great for travel and very forgiving. Lace is a wonderful fabric to travel with as well, whereas a 100% silk satin bias-cut column gown will need some major touching up after travel, light silks wrinkle like linen.3. Pick dresses that are made of fabrics that are light and airy. If you are heading to a warm or hot climate, you want something that has movement to keep you comfortable, and that can handle being dragged through the sand and still looks great.
Andrea Anastasiou fashion stylist and owner White, Toronto and White, Montréal
A sexy, open-back dress is a great option for a destination wedding.
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Sell the concept of quality time together. Not only are destination weddings about a third of the cost of a domestic wedding, having five to seven days together gives guests a chance to bond, sit on the beach, relax and meet the other family. That’s a huge draw. Liz Moore, CEO, Liz Moore Destination Weddings.
Understand your client’s budget as well as the costs for a destination wedding at the locations you recommend. While your client may have champagne dreams, make sure they have the budget (as well as their guest’s budget) to afford this dream. Just as it is the case with travel, pricing for wedding costs vary immensely not just from country to country, but also with each resort as well, so the wedding budget is equally as important as the travel budget when deciding on a destination. Tara Soloway, co-founder of LUXE Destination Weddings
Focus on the ease of not having to plan a domestic wedding. Wedding couples can enjoy a beautiful and stress-free wedding facing the Caribbean sea, maybe a private party by the pool with candlelight, great service and time – meaning a perfect and unique wedding day. Paloma Flores, wedding director, Oasis Hotels & Resorts
Paint a picture of romance, luxury and choice for couples … and don’t lead with price. Wedding clients are looking for that unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime trip, so agents have an excellent opportunity to sell-up, especially when it comes to accommodation options. Focus on inclusions for different room categories, and all of the amazing experiences that the newlyweds will enjoy. The higher room category translates into a higher commission for the agent. Marsha-Ann Brown, director of romance, Sandals Resorts
Get to know the wedding planning side of destination weddings. Many travel agents simply recommend a resort and pass the client on to the local wedding planners at the resort. This can be a disaster waiting to happen, if you are not familiar with the options available and the overall budget.Kim Crosby, owner/operator, SunLovers Travel
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