Destination Weddings by Tailored Travel Experiences
Destination Wedding planning is a full-time job.. and you've already got one of those.
On top of your busy life, you're suddenly planning a destination wedding.
Destination weddings are AMAZING (obviously we love them around here!), but I won't lie to you.. they take a lot of work.
So far in your destination wedding planning journey, have you found yourself:
- Getting overwhelmed by research ? . . . so. much. research?
- Crossing your fingers that the resort reviews you found are real and true?
- Wondering what to do next (or at all)?
- Feeling like you've taken on a new, high-stakes job, but no one ever trained you for this.. at all?
- Wishing you had an ultra-organized BFF who already knows all the steps & secrets to plan your perfect destination wedding and who will be in your corner throughout this whole process?
You've come to the right place.
I'm Allison, I'm a Destination Wedding Expert, and I'm your new, ultra-organized BFF.
Meet your Destination Wedding BFF
Allison Slater
As your personal travel expert and ally, I work for you, not a brand, chain, or resort.
No matter where your dream wedding destination may be, I will get you there with worry-free, stress-free, expert travel planning.
From the very start, I get to know you and your fiancé to gain a deep understanding of your travel goals, preferences, budget, and wedding dreams.
I take care of all of the research, price-checking, logistics, and negotiating; helping your on-site coordinator to hand-craft the romantic, beautiful wedding you've always dreamed of!
You'll end up with the destination wedding you've been dreaming of your entire life, and memories to last a lifetime!
Wherever your wedding fantasies take you - I'll take care of anything and everything you'll need for the most exciting and romantic trip of your lives: your destination wedding!
Breathe easy & let your Destination Wedding BFF handle it.
How does Destination Wedding Planning work?
Tailored Travel Experiences' Destination Wedding Planning Process is simple!!
We follow the destination wedding planning process plan below to seamlessly plan your big day in paradise!! Check it out:
Step 1: We set up a special Destination Wedding Consultation Zoom Call
Similar to my honeymoon consultation calls, we will discuss your travel plans, destinations you're interested in, your travel budget, and more!
BUT with your destination wedding consultation call, we'll dig even deeper!! We'll cover things like:
- How many guests you plan to invite
- Will there be any children in attendance?
- Your wedding / event budget
- The price point you're sticking to for your guests
- What kind of wedding you want, and WHERE! (on the beach? on a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean? etc)
- And more!!!
This call is mega important, as it gives me most of the details I need to continue in our process!
Because it's so important, and so we can get to know each other, this will be a Zoom Call. I'll share my screen, show you some great resources and tools we'll use, and make sure we're all comfortable working together!
You can book your own Destination Wedding Consultation Call HERE.
Step 2: We determine your wedding location
After our consultation call, I help you narrow down the options, and eventually choose your wedding location and venue - yay!!
(Note: Sometime wedding couples come to me with locations and even dates already picked out - and that's Great!!! It's absolutely okay for you to have already started the Destination Wedding planning process before we start working together.. trust me, I still have a lot to offer you!!)
After we find the perfect location for you, we work with the property to nail down your:
- Wedding Date
- Time of Ceremony (sunset is super popular!)
- Location of Ceremony
- Location of Reception
You may have heard that resorts all around the world are selling out very early these days, and that's absolutely true! So the earlier we can start to get these dates nailed down for you, the more choices you'll have!
Step 3: I create a Room Block Contract for your group
Together with my travel partners, I find the best prices and terms, and then create a room block contract for you and your guests!
Why do we work within a room block contract?
There are many reasons! But one of the biggest is that we get to lock in prices for your guests, as well as blocking off rooms to ensure that we have enough space for all those you want to invite!
We can't have people missing out on the event of the year!!
During Step 3, we hammer out all of the details of the contract, including all of the perks that you receive as the "group leaders" or wedding couple! You pay the deposit to lock in our rooms and rates, and we move on to Step 4- the fun part!
Step 4: I create a wedding site for you, including a detailed page about the resort for your guests
That's right - I create a specialized website just for you two! (It's kind of like The Knot or Wedding Wire.. but honestly? It's better 😄).
I include lots of photos of your resort, the destination, and explain all of the events you'll be hosting as the wedding couple! This insta-worthy page will inspire your guests and entice them to come to your dream wedding!
We include detailed pricing options for all room categories we offer within your room block, making it incredibly easy for your friends and family to understand what their financial requirements will be to attend your destination wedding.*
*Fun fact: I ALWAYS include the cost of ground transportation between the airport and resort in the cost of the rooms for your guests - this is one small way we can take the stress off your closest friends and family, and let them travel to paradise without lifting a finger or worrying about logistics!
Travel Insurance options are available here as well because travel insurance is ALWAYS a good idea, especially 'these days' :)
Finally, your site includes forms your guests can fill out to choose their room, add travel insurance if they want, and pay their deposit, securing their spot at the WEDDING OF THE YEAR!!! (i.e. You don't have to keep up with spreadsheets, payments, RSVPs, or anything - this website and I do. it. all.)
P.S. - The rest of the site is all yours! You get to pick the colors and theme, you can add photos and videos of you two lovebirds. Add stories, the bridal party - anything you want! This is YOUR wedding website - I just run the travel side!
Step 5: You and I work together with the on-site Wedding Coordinator to plan the details of your wed
Flowers, colors, cake, chairs, place settings, backdrop, meals, drinks, DJ, you name it.. we take care of it!
Every resort that offers destination wedding packages also has on-site wedding coordinators that are 100% ALL OVER THIS for you.
We work together with them to ensure that you get exactly what you want on your big day!
Step 6: I walk you through everything.. and you don't stress out! (no really)
Throughout the destination wedding planning process, I'll be there for you ("Friends" style)- if you have questions about your wedding, the decor, music, venue, rain plans... or if you have questions about your room block, has Aunt Sally paid yet... anything you need - I'm here for you!
I'm going to be honest with you - during this process (especially if we start early) - there's going to be a lot of "hurry up and wait" time between these steps.. and even then, I'm still here for you!
I'll give it to you straight - "We should do nothing right now - don't stress!" or "Now's the time, you really have to pick flowers this week." Whatever the case may be - I'm your new bff in wedding planning, and I've got your back.
I keep up with due dates, reminders, and so much more, so that you have a stress-free experience. Get ready to get married and RELAX!
Step 7: I follow up with your guests about due dates & 'must haves'
Remember all those contractual obligations we just hammered out? Yeah, I'm the one who keeps track of the due dates.
I remind your guests about payments. I hound them until they're all paid up (I play bad cop so you're not the one ticking off your Aunt Sally.. don't worry!).
I send packing lists, get everyone's flight information, make sure they understand the current COVID travel protocols, and make sure we have each detail needed at the correct time so that everything runs smoothly!
This is something that is 100% on me. *insert wedding couple happy dance here!*
Optional Step 7.5: Allison travels with your group
I should note that I do offer totally optional add-on services to my Destination Wedding Planning Package - I can travel with your group, or even be your day-of wedding coordinator!
I can offer moral support, help make sure all the details we planned get executed correctly, and generally be there for your guests in case they need anything!
Or if you want me to be your day-of coordinator, I'll be there with you literally every step of the way. Make sure you have water or champagne when you need it, be ready for any emergency or last-minute needs, and make sure everything runs smoothly and on time all. dang. day!!
Plus, I'll get to attend that amazing party of the year in a gorgeous place - what an awesome thing!!
(Can you tell I LOVE weddings!?!)
Step 8: You travel, relax, spend time with your favorite people, & oh yeah, GET MARRIED IN PARADISE
After all our work, all the decisions you made, it's time for your trip and your big day!!
Now all you do is relax, let the plans we made do the work for you, and have an incredible destination wedding in the perfect and gorgeous destination you chose!
You get to marry your favorite person with all your other favorite people around and enjoy a vacation in this beautiful place!
Ready to get started on your destination wedding?
Wonderful! I LOVE planning and booking destination weddings and I can't WAIT to help you plan the perfect wedding you've always dreamed of in the perfect location!!
Click below to get started!
Get your copy of my Destination Wedding Budget Calculator:
Frequently Asked Questions about Planning a Destination Wedding
As soon as possible!!!
These days, event dates and room blocks are selling out super early, so the sooner we get started, the better!
The general rule of thumb is about 1 year in advance, but we can start even earlier!
Essentially, the earlier you start to plan, the more choice you have in your location and wedding date / time. So if you have a particular date that is very important to you (02/24/24 for example) or time of day you're set on, earlier is better!
This is especially true if you plan on having a large party with many guests in attendance. Resorts only have so many rooms, and they can sell out quickly - so if you're dreaming of a big wedding party, again, earlier is better!
Planning early also gives your guests plenty of time to understand their financial requirements, save money, and be more likely to attend your wedding!
That being said, it is not NECESSARY to book that far in advance, especially if you're going to have a very small group or elopement. We can work with just about any lead time!
It all comes down to you - every situation is different. Give us a call and we'll figure it out together!
Great question!
In order for us to create a room block contract (where we lock in prices and have guaranteed rooms for your guests), we have to book a minimum of 10 rooms, each booked for a minimum of 3 nights.
Please note that Tailored Travel Experiences DOES work with groups smaller than this!! We just handle them in a different way. We do NOT require our wedding couples to use a group contract. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have a smaller group, that is NO problem! :)
Nope! Not unless you want to!
Here's how it usually works with destination weddings:
- Wedding couple pays for their own trip (flights + resort)
- Wedding couple (sometimes along with their parents) pay for the wedding and reception, as usual. *This is typically NOT paid for by guests
- Guests pay for their own rooms (within our hotel block)
- Guests typically book their own airfare (outside of our block, unless they request it.)
Wonderful question!
It's important to know that the wedding couple often gets some kind of 'perk' or 'kickback' that is laid out in our contract, based on the number of rooms / nights their guests book within the room block.
Sometimes these perks include credits or freebies during the wedding weekend - things like a free cocktail hour or upgrade to a certain type of centerpiece, etc. Other times, the couple may receive a refund/payment in the amount of a room's stay (i.e. "one free room for every 7 rooms that stay for 3 nights or more" - that kind of thing).
So if a guest decides to book on their own somewhere, they will not be contributing to the numbers that add up to perks for YOU, the wedding couple.
For your own sake, it's very wise to encourage your guests to book together with us!
There are sometimes even perks for the guests booked within a room block! Sometimes there are resort credits, special events they can attend or activities they can participate in - and if they book outside the block, they're going to miss out and have BIG TIME FOMO!!
Additionally, if I am handling your entire group and something unusual happens (hurricane forces a reschedule, room issues, or anything else you can think of) - I can ONLY help those travelers whose trips I booked. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to help those guests who chose to book on their own.
Yes!!
Depending on my availability and your needs, I can offer different on-site services for you, your guests, and your wedding event(s).
Some services include general support and ensuring that all events run smoothly. Other tiers of service include official wedding Day-Of Coordination, including all of the detailed wedding planning that leads up to it!
Please ask me about the different on-site services I offer to determine what's right for you!
For you? Yes!
For wedding guests? No - but here's why:
I always book airfare for the wedding couple (unless they don't need it for some reason). There are sometimes even perks where if you have a certain number of rooms booked within your room, you can get air credit for the two of you!!! It's great!
I typically do not book airfare for your guests, just because of this:
These days, everyone has different credit card points, airline miles, a gift card they've been waiting to use - whatever. PLUS, you've probably got guests coming in from many different airports, and all traveling on different days (some stay for the 3-night minimum, others make it a week-long vacation!)...
If I booked everyone's airfare.. it would be chaos. People would be upset that they found a $25 cheaper flight on Tuesday than I booked for them on Monday, and it would become complete madness.
It is honestly FAR easier for everyone involved to let the majority of your guests just book air whichever way they feel most comfortable.
But if you have one or two parents or grandparents who want/need help with flights, of course I am happy to help with that! Just let me know!
Ready to Get Started?
Send an email or set up a totally FREE Consultation Call with Allison now, and start planning your perfect Destination Wedding!
Looking for reviews? Read my past clients' own words:
Get your copy of my Destination Wedding Budget Calculator:
Tailored Travel Experiences Belongs to:
Copyright © 2023 Tailored Travel Experiences - All Rights Reserved.
allison@ttravelex.com - (706)-340-5011
Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.