| When a bride is searching for a wedding venue in her | | | | host your wedding! Some couples may want to |
| hometown, it's simple to find...just jump in the car and | | | | upgrade the packages, though, with steel drum bands, |
| start scouting! However, if you've always dreamed | | | | sparkling wine and private dinners on the beach. |
| of surf, sand and serenity for your wedding, it's not | | | | Shop around for the best package and price for you. |
| always easy to find the perfect resort. | | | | Hotel Amenities |
| Here are some tips to consider when looking for your | | | | On your wedding day, do you want to hit the Spa with |
| dream destination. | | | | the gals while the groom and his buddies play a round |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | of Golf? |
| Of all the beautiful islands to choose from, how do you | | | | Will your guests be bringing their children? It's a good |
| choose just one? I guess my first question would be | | | | idea to have a Kids Club onsite to give parents a |
| "what time of year are you planning your wedding?" | | | | break too. Or maybe you want to choose an |
| If you're planning on getting married in the dead of | | | | Adults-Only resort (it's a not-so-subtle way to say |
| winter, when every sun craved citizen could use a | | | | ‘no kids allowed!') |
| shot of vitamin D, your choice is wide open. | | | | Pay close attention to what each resort offers. |
| BUT if you're planning a wedding in the summer, keep | | | | Cost is King |
| in mind it is hurricane season in the Caribbean. There | | | | If you know your guests are on a budget, price is going |
| are still options, though, like Europe or resorts on the | | | | to be a consideration when choosing the resort. |
| Pacific that generally have a "wet" rather than | | | | When thumbing through your travel brochure, take a |
| "hurricane" season. Hey, if the price is right, you may | | | | quick look at the range of prices for each resort. If a |
| want to take the risk. | | | | resort is listed at $2500 + $300 in taxes, and your |
| Other considerations are: | | | | guests budgets are $1500 in total, there is no point |
| - What is the culture of the country? | | | | wasting your research time. |
| - Are there departures from all of my guests' airports | | | | However, if it says the same resort ‘starts at' |
| to this destination? For example, guests from | | | | $1700 and you're open to travelling in off-seasons, |
| Winnipeg may not be able to take a package to | | | | off-days and have enough people for a group rate, it |
| Costa Rica. | | | | might be doable! |
| - How long is the flight? | | | | Photo Opp |
| I Thee Wed | | | | If the appearance of the ceremony spot is really |
| Once you've chosen your location, you'll want to start | | | | important to you, you don't want to go in blind. You |
| browsing through brochures to find the resort you | | | | may prefer white sand to gold or black. Maybe you'd |
| want. Keep in mind, not every resort hosts weddings | | | | change your mind and hold it in the garden gazebo if |
| onsite, so make sure it says ‘Weddings' | | | | you knew how beautiful it was. Scour the internet |
| somewhere on the page. | | | | looking for photos of past weddings – the resort |
| Some resorts offer free wedding packages if you | | | | may even have a website to help you plan. |
| have enough rooms booked with your guests. If | | | | Adrienne Turcotte works at as the Destination |
| you're not picky, this is a very cost effective way to | | | | Wedding Specialist. |