How to Plan a Destination Wedding in 12 Steps

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How to Plan a Destination Wedding in 12 Steps

Category: Love
November 19th 2023Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
How to Plan a Destination Wedding in 12 Steps

The lure of a destination wedding is hard to resist - a trip to somewhere out of the norm, with the love of your life, to make that significant and symbolic jump to starting your lives together as a married couple. Destination weddings are popular for several reasons, including that they make it possible for couples to have an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience away from home. Just like all other weddings, you can customize your destination wedding to suit your preferences, inviting as many, or as few guests as you'd like. Whether you're dreaming about a beach wedding, a traditional church affair, a garden wedding, an elopement wedding, or something more unconventional, a destination wedding will give you plenty of room to bring your wedding aspirations to life.


In this article on our Sandals Resorts Blog:

What is a destination wedding?
Why choose a destination wedding?
How to plan a destination wedding?


What is a destination wedding?

Beaches Turks and Caicos Beach Wedding

Picture: Beachfront wedding at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

A destination wedding is a wedding that takes place at a location that is far enough for a majority of the guests to make travel arrangements and book nearby accommodation. Destination weddings can be hosted in the country the majority of the guests live in, but these kinds of events are normally hosted abroad. Destination weddings often take place in an unusual setting, breaking free from the norm. Since these ceremonies are typically smaller in size, compared to traditional weddings, destination weddings tend to result in lower costs.


Why choose a destination wedding?

Beaches Turks and Caicos Beach Wedding

Picture: Beachfront wedding at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

There are many reasons couples decide to have a destination wedding, and one of these is that it allows you to have a wedding in a foreign, and often exotic location, without having to break the bank. You can save money in some areas and spend more in others... or save all around. Having a resort destination wedding for example, ups the excitement, and provides you with a wedding planner or coordinator who will help ensure things run smoothly on the day. Here are some of the other reasons people choose destination weddings:

  • If you choose a resort wedding, you won't have to worry about the little details, and you can plan your wedding easily from a distance. Once you get there, resort staff will ensure everything goes according to plan, even helping you to plan group activities in and out of the resort.
  • Many people feel more at ease with destination weddings, as in most cases the planning is left up to them, with little input from friends and family. Destination weddings can, in some ways, be compared to elopement weddings in their execution, but overall, these are two separate concepts. Read our blog about planning on elopement wedding here: How To Plan An Elopement Wedding: The Ultimate Checklist.
  • Fewer guests mean lighter costs, and that's a major draw for couples looking for an economical, yet special, wedding option. Resorts like Sandals offer all-inclusive packages, some of which include a free wedding as part of your stay, if you meet the requirements for the number of nights and/or room bookings.
  • A destination wedding will allow you to have a wedding and honeymoon in one, which is a huge plus, and an experience you're sure to enjoy.

Even with all these benefits, destination weddings are simply not for everyone. Couples who want to invite more people, but do not want to be financially constrained regarding the number of people attending, would likely do better with more traditional options. Couples with not much time to spare for a vacation, and those with other family obligations also would not likely find a destination wedding to be the most ideal option. Nevertheless, if you can afford to get away, and make the time, then it's likely to be one of the best experiences of your life.


How to plan a destination wedding?

Looking for Sandals Resorts travel agents? We offer the best prices and packages, including airfare to and from destination, airport transfers, excursions and activities, travel insurance and so much more.

1. Make a checklist

planning checklist destination wedding

Photo credit: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock.com

To start off the wedding planning process, you'll first need to create a checklist. This is basically a wedding to-do list which will help you streamline what needs to be done, and when. Once you decide on the type of wedding you'd like to have, you'll be able to get things together fairly quickly with a wedding checklist.

Insider tip: Planning a beach wedding? Here's what you need to know: Beach Wedding: Inspiration, Venues & Tips from Experts.


2. Decide on a budget

budget destination wedding

Photo credit: nutcd32/Shutterstock.com

You'd be surprised to know that a destination wedding can sometimes be cheaper than a ceremony closer to home. To save money on your destination wedding, the key thing is to prioritize. Knowing what you won't be spending on will let you know how much more room you have in other areas to spend a bit more. You can also save money on things like flowers, by giving the florist room to choose between flowers of the same colors or shades, rather than selecting a single flower type, which may be more expensive. All and all, the best way to save money is to shop around!

3. Decide who to invite

Sandals South Coast Over the Water Chapel Bridesmaids

Before going crazy with the invites, you'll first need to think about your budget, and whether you want to have a large or small wedding. If you decide to have a destination wedding, you'll need to gauge which of your friends and family members will be able to travel to your location for the event, and how long it will take them to get there if they do. A good rule of thumb for destination weddings is to invite the most important people that you think will make a positive impact on your day with their presence. If a few people get cut from the list, don't worry so much as you'll be able to have a reception for them once you return home (if you choose).

4. Choose a destination & venue

Sandals South Coast Over the Water Chapel

Picture: Over-the-water chapel, available at Sandals South Coast.

The first step would be to decide on a destination which would both fit within the budget of you as a couple, as well as the budget of the most important guests.

Visit 'Exotic destination wedding location ideas' to get some inspiration!


After you've selected your destination, the next stop is the venue. Think about where you want the ceremony to take place, and where the reception/party will be. These could both of course be the same venue. Consider the various aspects you'd like to include, like a bar for example. Will it be an open bar, and what kinds of drinks and finger-food do you plan on serving? Some people pull out all the stops in this regard, giving guests plenty of options, while others go for bars sans alcohol. The choice is up to you as a couple!

Expert tip: Don't want to worry about how much money to spend on food and drinks for the guests? Host a wedding at an all-inclusive resort where all meals and (alcoholic) beverages are included!


Some unconventional venues include a forest wedding, a ceremony at a private home or villa, a luxury resort or on a tropical beach (often the last two pair together). Some couples even choose ruins, cabins, warehouses, and barns as their wedding venue. Another amazing option you might not have thought of before, is one of Sandals' overwater chapels.
(IMG: overwater chapel outside + inside)

For more inspiration on wedding venues, go to '8 Most Romantic Destination Wedding Venues in the Caribbean'.

5. Make a list of the documents you will need

documentation destination wedding

Photo credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Some of the common documents required for a destination wedding include your birth certificate and passport, proof of divorce or death certificate (for divorcees), change of name documents, written authorization for parties under 18, and your marriage license.

There are some places where you need to establish residency before getting married. In most cases this can be done within a 48-72 hour residency period. Check whether your marriage will be recognized as legal in the country you live. For some destinations, you'll need to be of the legal age to marry or have consent from both parents if under the age of 21.

6. Decide who will marry you

Sandals Gazeebo Wedding

Did you know that friends can officiate your wedding in some destinations? This is totally possible, and you'll need to do some research within the territory where you're planning to tie the knot, to find out if and how this applies. Some couples do this to save money and make their wedding extra special. Otherwise, you can settle for a certified officiant to ensure the ceremony is completely legalized.

7. Send out invitations early!

invitation card destination wedding

Photo credit: VBStudio/Shutterstock.com

Some couples choose to include a map of the venue in their invites. This is great when the wedding is taking place in a remote destination. Think about whether you're going to invest in getting your invite designed, or whether you'd like to buy something premade. Send invites out as early as possible, so guests can save up for their travel arrangements and get some time off.

8. Choose a theme & color scheme

Beach Wedding Detail Over the Water Chapel

If you've got an artistic touch, or you know what you want, selecting a theme and color scheme will come easily to you, otherwise it might be best to leave this up to your wedding planner, giving them hints of what you want the final result to be. If you want guests to dress according to a particular theme, or wear a certain color, include this in your save-the-date cards, or official wedding invites.

Welcome sign

welcome sign destination wedding

Photo credit: Mila Drumeva/Shutterstock.com

A welcome sign is one of those details that you can personalize to suit you, which helps guests feel welcome once they arrive. This is a great touch for a destination wedding as it helps to bring people together and feel more comfortable.

Place settings

Beach Wedding Detail Gifts

Place cards are fun because they can be customized to suit your theme. They don't even necessarily need to be written on paper; some people use leaves, napkins, and other elements to make this super fun.

Flowers

Beach Wedding Detail Bouquet Flowers

Flowers are often a big part of weddings but are not a must. However, if you do decide to incorporate flowers, consider whether you're planning on having an indoor or outdoor wedding. With beach weddings for example, you'll need to choose flowers than can withstand the heat and potentially some wind.

The cake

Beach Wedding Detail Cakes

Cakes are popular, but also still optional. You can choose a large or elaborate cake or go with tastefully decorated cupcakes. Either way, it's entirely up to you and how the cake ties into your venue. Consider whether there's room to store the cake once it's been cut, as you may not want to leave it out in the sun for too long. If you're getting married outdoors, have your cake decorator use ingredients that will stand up to the sun for the icing. If you're staying at a resort, find out if a cake is included in your destination wedding package.

9. Take care of the seating arrangement

Beaches Negril Beach Wedding Arrangement

Picture: Seashell seating arrangement beach wedding at Beaches Negril.

A seating chart, or carefully arranged place cards (or both), will help everyone to their seats for the ceremony. Get a map of the wedding venue, spend some time figuring out who should sit where, and theme your chart or place cards to suit the other elements of your wedding.

10. Organize the food and drinks

Garden Wedding Detail Food and Drinks

For your destination wedding, you'll want to make sure there are food options for everyone. Ask about preferences during the RSVP process and find out about allergies; you can even share your menu in advance. Most caterers charge per person, so keep that in mind when putting together your guest list. Organize your wedding at an all-inclusive resort, and you often don't have to worry about food and drinks at all.

Read more about the wedding menus at Sandals (the menus come with dedicated service to your group).

Read more about the dining options that are already included at Sandals.

11. Set up a gift/card box

gift card box cage destination wedding

Photo credit: seeshooteatrepeat/Shutterstock.com

This is the perfect place for guests to leave sweet notes, gift cards, and other little trinkets. Put this box in a safe place, which is also easy to spot when guests walk in. Leave someone from your wedding party in charge of this area, so everyone who comes in knows what goes where. This person can also put the box away somewhere safe once all deposits are made.

12. Hire an amazing photographer!

Sandals Grenada Wedding Couple Rocks

Wedding photos are half the fun, and you'll have to budget carefully for this. Think about whether you want a professional (recommended), or if this job can be done by a family member or friend. Most resorts offer this service, some at added cost. Tell your photographer in advance the kind of photos you're looking for, and how involved you'd like them to be in directing the shots.


Destination weddings made easy

Sandals Ochi Beach Wedding Couple

Picture: Couple enjoying wedding day at Sandals Ochi.

Planning a destination wedding can be challenging, but these helpful steps may help you stay on top of things, ahead of your wedding event. Planning an all-inclusive resort wedding at Sandals? Let our professional wedding planners help you and call 1-877-263257.


Also read:

Destination wedding tips from wedding planners
Destination wedding etiquette
Destination wedding location ideas (inspiration!)
Destination wedding venues in paradise (inspiration!)


destination wedding travel agent
destination wedding near me

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

We bring your dream Sandals Resorts vacation to life!

Hi! I'm Lia Vincent. I have been handling all the ins-and-outs of Sandals Resorts vacations for couples and groups since 2002! I know how unique and special your Sandals Resorts vacation is to you and your guests. My team and I want to make sure your group travel is an extraordinary experience, and one to talk about for ages to come.

  •  Local vendors
  •  Customization
  •  Destination options

Lia Vincent
CEO & Founder (and former destination wedding bride!)
All Inclusive Weddings logo
Schedule your free consultation:
Use our Sandals Resorts Vacation Request Form
Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages

Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages

Your next great adventure begins here. Whether you prefer an intimate elopement or a grand affair, every wedding deserves a week-long celebration with a little something extra. Sandals and Beaches wedding packages offer the best of everything from pre-wedding events to unique wedding day and honeymoon experiences.

Click to read more articles about Sandals Weddings: Sandals Resort Wedding Planning

Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

TWO LOVE BIRDS PACKAGE

Applicable for 2 people.

Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license

Pre-Wedding Events
• Scents of Love Couples massage*

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown

On Your Wedding Day
• Bridal attendant*
• 10 digital images

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Witnesses

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d'oeuvres
- Sparkling wine
- Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Private candlelight dinner with four-course menu and prosecco*

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

SWEETHEART WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $200 credit towards select photography packages
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Reception table with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with white or magenta dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package

- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

This package is complimentary when Bride and Groom stay for 7 nights or longer in Club or Butler categories. This offer is available Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm and is applicable only to 10 persons. This offer does not apply to ReTie the Knot ceremonies. Certain restrictions apply. See terms and conditions

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

BLISS WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 12 people or more

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• 20 digital images
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for 1 member of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for 1 member of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen & white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a Private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

EPIC WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 52 people or more

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• 2-hour private pre-wedding celebration dinner
• Wedding day treats : frozen fruit kabobs & small bites with sparkling wine for bride and groom (in-room while getting ready on day of wedding)

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $500 credit towards the Royal Romance photography package
• $500 credit towards the Ultimate videography package

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for up to 2 members of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for up to 2 members of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Three-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen and whitecushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated or buffet menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas
• One sweetheart table to include white linen, standard place setting & 2 white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-hour DJ entertainment

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine in resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
• $100 Credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

RETIE THE KNOT PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people.

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• ReTie the Knot planning team
• Celebration gift registry and website templates
During Your Stay
• Onsite ReTie the Knot team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)
• One 5x7 photo print
• One keepsake gift
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• ReTie the Knot commemorative certificate
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Single-tiered white fondant cake with dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen & white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category


Some of our destination weddings

Kate and Curtis - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Sandals Grande, St. Lucia, Large Group, Destination Wedding

I wanted to share (with permission) these gorgeous pictures from a destination wedding 2 weekends ago we had the privilege of being a part of and booked by Lia. She chose this over the water wedding chapel in St. Lucia with friends and family there to help celebrate. I love her flower crown and her dress and how happy she is. Picture perfect. Congratulations Kate and Curtis! We are so happy for you!

Michael and Shawana Rowles - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beaches Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Destination Wedding

Lia was very helpful for us in planning our destination wedding to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had gone through a few other travel planners first who didn't seem nearly as interested in our needs. We really appreciated the way Lia helped us navigate through some of the complexities, including the local laws of Jamaica and the planning with the resort itself. Even once we got to the resort and ran into a few snags, Lia was able to quickly get those resolved very quickly. We would highly recommend her for anyone planning a destination wedding or any other vacation. Thanks, Lia, for making our destination wedding the most special day of our lives.

Julie and Chieu Vu - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Playa Del Carmen, Large Group, Destination Wedding

Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming, but if you're planning on having a destination wedding, especially with a large group, I would highly recommend using All Inclusive Weddings!

From beginning to end, they help with every step; i.e., finding the venue, creating a custom wedding website, and booking all your guests. Their office manager, Linze, was very responsive, helpful, and so sweet! Everything turned out smoothly and we couldn't be happier!

destination wedding travel agent Cancun
Alison & Alex K. - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Destination Wedding

Stephanie was our incredible travel agent for our destination wedding! She helped with every aspect, quick communication and AMAZING coordination with over 50 different people over 8 states. Stephanie from the beginning, gave options and talked through so many questions I had. I could not have asked for a better right hand woman! 10 out of 10 for Steph, we could not appreciate & trust her more!

Incredible Agent For Our Destination Wedding! 10 Out Of 10 For Steph!

Such an amazing week of memories,laughter & love! Thankful for our people and truly blessed beyond words ♥️♥️

wedding travel agent cancun
cancun wedding travel agent
Leah and Kell Flynn - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Royalton Blue Waters, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Destination Wedding

My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.

Lia & Linze were both very warm and friendly, and from day one, we could tell cared about us as a couple and our destination wedding success, rather than just seeing us as more clients. I get stressed out easily, so planning my own wedding alone was overwhelming, even though my wedding was 10 months out. I ended up working with Linze, and we pushed up the wedding date with a little less than three months to prepare. I was initially nervous about using a travel agent / wedding planner, but it turned out to be a huge blessing, because it took away a lot of the stress and worry I was experiencing. A bride has so many things to worry about, so having someone else bear the brunt of the work and worry about the nitty-gritty details was a HUGE relief for me.

Why spend hours analyzing vendors and reading reviews, when you can have a pro do it? If you want an intimate wedding, if you want to elope, or if you want a huge all-out, go-into-debt-for-years wedding, and if you're in the market for a wedding travel agent, Lia and Linze should be at the top of your list!

The day of the wedding, everything was so beautiful, and so much better than I could have done on my own. Lia's company finds the best local vendors, so you know you'll get great value in your package, and what's nice is her company offers different packages for different budgets. We worked with and met AMAZING vendors! The reception was so elegant that as soon as I entered the reception, I felt amazement, joy, and relief because being the worrywart and control freak that I sometimes can be, it was hard for me to trust someone to somehow make everything perfect. Lia was able to give us the dream wedding we couldn't have done ourselves. Our family and friends were also amazed, and repeatedly told us how great the wedding, reception, and food were at the resort.

Puerto Vallarta wedding travel agent
Darby Brown - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Destination Wedding

I used Stephanie Tindall to help me choose the perfect resort in PV Mexico for where my guests would stay for my destination wedding. She went round and round with me helping me find the perfect location. It had to be nice, trendy, not to outrageously expensive and within a certain mile radius of a marina where my guests needed to go for the wedding. She helped everyone get booked and when things became a little hectic as tracking sometimes can get. She took care of the details. One of my guests had passport issues and she helped talk them through what to do. It was such a relief to have a point of contact for travel related issues so I didn't have to be stressed about it. She did this all with a patient, positive? upbeat and kind attitude through the entire process. I highly recommend her.
Thank you again, Darby Brown

Juliet D. - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
UNICO, Riviera Maya, Mexico Destination Wedding

Unico was wonderful and the perfect place for our wedding! It was quiet and the ceremony was better than expected. We had it on the gazebo and it was away from everything, which was great. The photography was beyond our expectations. We have not received our video yet, but assume it will be just as great. I also used the in house vendor for make up and hair, and was not disappointed. The wedding coordinator, Nazareth, was so sweet and on point. We used the local host quite a bit with WhatsApp, which was quite convenient. Food and drinks were amazing. We were disappointed that 2087 restaurant was down for half of our stay for repairs. We ate at Mi Carisa on our wedding night, which was the perfect choice. Service was also best there. We scheduled 2 tours through the hotel, a sunset cruise and Chichen Itza express. The boat tour was nice. Chichen itza tour was too fast and ok. We really appreciate your recommendations and help booking our wedding and stay. It was wonderful! Thank you again, Juliet and Jason

Jodie Yu - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Hard Rock Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding

We just got back from an AMAZING wedding weekend yesterday. I can't begin to thank you enough for your help and support during the entire process. Everyone had a great time. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I can't believe how stress-free it was once I got there. Thank you Thank you!

SECRETS PLAYA MUJERES destination wedding review
Vivian and James Chevrier - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Secrets Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding

I have never used a travel agent before Lia. I have always been the "I can do everything cheaper by myself on the internet" type person; most of the time, it works great. When my husband and I decided to have a destination wedding, we were not sure about anything - number of guests, length of stay, etc; we also have very demanding jobs, requiring constant travels up until the week before our wedding. So we thought that a travel agent may be a lifesaver; as it turned out, she was. Lia was endorsed as an expert in destination weddings on the American Express Travel website. Although she lived over a 1,000 miles away, I felt comfortable.

As I am not a "girly" person, wedding planning was not my thing; however, party planning and event coordination are. Lia and I treated this "event" like a business and I loved that about her; I needed someone to be truthful and provide honest advice. As it is with my job, I like corresponding via emails because I can have all the information on hand and in writing at all time; Lia always accommodated that, and always very promptly. I'm not talking about several emails over a few months; I'm talking about over the course of over a year. Lia was there to provide support when I had a hard time reach the wedding coordinator; she was there when I freaked out at the resort regarding my brother's return transportation (as it turned out, my brother spoke with the wrong transportation company); she was organized to be able to provide me with spreadsheet of all guest arrival information; she always submitted my requests to Classic Vacation and the resort promptly. James and I cannot thank Lia enough to make everything go smoothly for the biggest event of our lives. All 48 of us had such a great time that we absolutely see another group vacation in the future.

Mark & Casey Shelley - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
UNICO 2087, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Read the full details about this destination wedding in our blog post, Mark and Casey Simpsen's Destination Wedding at UNICO 2087. This couple was also featured in the UNICO 2087 Resort blog post, UNICO Destination Wedding, Casey Shelley & Mark Simpsen

UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
Jenni Johnson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Lia being referred to me saved me so much wedding planning mental anguish! I had tried with a few other travel agents before I had two different people give me Lia's name, and with each of the previous TAs they had to look into things and call me back (I'm still waiting for those calls). Getting in touch with Lia was a whole new experience, she answered all my initial questions in that first phone call, had so many recommendations, and it was obvious she knew exactly what she was doing. By the time we hung up the first phone call, I had decided on a destination and venue (per Lia's suggestion). She was a God send! A year later, we are still having people talk about what a great trip it was and people are always amazed by what a great turn out we had. We ended up with about 60 people, all booking through Lia and everyone had a flawless experience. One even asked for her name when planning her destination wedding a few months later and was just as pleased! Lia told me a lot through the planning process that I was such a laid-back bride, but it really was because she left me nothing to worry about. She answered any question I had, was always quick to respond to calls and emails, and helped me plan the most perfect wedding ever. I wish I could re-live it all again!!

Sara Thompson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Cozumel Palace, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Throughout the process we felt completely at ease as she handled some of the most important details of planning for this special time. From her first recommendations of resorts and destinations to her help arranging travel for our closest family and friends we always felt grateful having Lia on our side. We highly recommend Lia Vincent and Palace Resorts for your destination wedding!

Bridgette Cariker - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Destination Wedding

I am truly so grateful for you and all of your help! Le Blanc was amazing! NOTHING could have been better, except maybe the weather, but the staff, food, and service were above and beyond! We will definitely go back there!! Love, Love, Love you for all of your help - Can NOT thank you enough!!

Saundra Ogden - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace, Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

Lia was a phenomenal help from the beginning. She was referred to me by a friend, and I was incredibly thankful that we used her. When we started planning, we became overwhelmed with all of the information that is available.

We met with her for about 45 minutes one afternoon, took her pictures of spaces we had seen online and liked, and gave her a list of our "must-haves", a list of things that would be nice but didn't matter too much, and a list of things we absolutely did NOT want. She kind of thought about things for a minute, and then listed 3 resorts that fit every single one of our needs. She then ran sample pricing from EVERY location our guests would be traveling from so we could figure out what best fit our and our guests' travel budgets. After about a million more questions from me, we finally settled on her initial recommendation, the Beach Palace in Cancun. As we went through the process, any time I had a question, problem, or was just worried about something not being right, she was my go-to person. I'm not kidding, she would answer me in like, less than an hour 99% of the time. She even took my file home one weekend to give me more time to figure something out before she ran credit cards and got it booked. She was a Godsend!

Casey Morris - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Riu Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Lia with Lia helped us plan our destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We had a total of 11 people and she helped each of them set up their arrangements. From the beginning she was so helpful and always quick to respond. She made the entire process a breeze. She communicated with the wedding coordinator at the Riu Palace and made sure everything was just like we wanted. We did not have any issues at all, thanks to Lia and all of her thorough planning. Each of our guests bragged on her and said how easy it was to work with her. I would recommend Lia for all of your planning needs whether it be just a short vacation or a destination wedding. She knows what she is doing and will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you have the best vacation.

Mindy Huffman - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right off the beach. It was pure bliss, and everything I could have ever dreamed of! I may be biased, but destination weddings are certainly the way to go and thanks to our wonderful Travel Agent Lia Vincent at Vincent Vacations, we were able to find the perfect place! I had the opportunity to be able to edit the straight out of camera photos from my wedding! Here is a glimpse of our wedding day in paradise!

Justin and Mariama Jordan - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Iberostar, Grand Punta Cana, Destination Wedding

We had the most amazing time at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about what an amazing trip it was! Thank you for your help with organizing this unforgettable time for us, we cannot wait to put our pictures in our new frame!

Kylee & David - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding

Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!

Chelsey Groh - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding

"It was beautiful! Everybody had a fantastic time!"

The staff was wonderful, the rooms were gorgeous, and the food was AMAZING! Our wedding could not have been more perfect and if you have any brides that want a beautiful wedding on a budget, The Excellence Punta Cana would be my number one recommendation. Emy and Livia were fantastic and everything was just PERFECT! Chris couldn't even believe how wonderful it was.

Thank you again for all of your help!!!

Amy Taylor - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

As soon as Jimmy asked me to marry him, I knew we would want a destination wedding. We love to travel, and we love the beach, so there was no more perfect place to start our lives together than a beach in Mexico!

I am not the wedding planning type, and I knew that with a destination wedding, we could get someone else to plan the details for us. Luckily for me, my friend Lia at Vincent Vacations specializes in Destination Weddings. Lia had taken care of trips for us in the past, and I knew she was the perfect person to help me plan this trip. I was right! She helped me look through destinations, and we found the perfect spot: Dreams in Puerto Vallarta! The package came with a wedding planner, who took care of the details for me. 21 of our friends and family came with us, and everyone loved the resort. Our party ranged in age from 7 to 82, and everyone agreed it was an amazing trip. There were activities for the kids, and plenty of excursions for everyone to choose from. The staff was wonderful, and pampered us from the time we arrived. One of my bridesmaids had a broken foot and was on crutches, and was in a wheelchair some. The hotel staff assisted her anytime she needed it, including carrying her and her wheelchair up and down large flights of stairs. They were amazing! All the rooms are ocean front, with beautiful views. Jimmy and I stayed in the "Preferred" tower, and our room came with a great balcony with a hot tub! Most of our guests stayed in the other tower, but the resort is small enough, this was not a problem at all. They all loved their rooms as well. The wedding planner met with me in advance to work out the last minute details and timing. When our wedding day came, everything went perfectly. We got married on the beach right in front of the ocean. We had a sound system and a dj who played all the songs that we picked out in advance. My Dad is a minister, and he performed the service for us. We had 21 in our wedding party, but it felt like a much bigger wedding because lots of people watched the wedding. You could see people everywhere on their balconies watching, which made us feel like rock stars. We had a Mexican band that played a few songs after the wedding. The wedding came with a photographer and videographer who did amazing job! We took pictures right after the wedding, then we had dinner which also came with the wedding. We had steak and chicken which tasted great. Of course, I also asked them for chips and guacamole. (I love the guacamole in Mexico.) They were happy to oblige. They provided the wedding cake after which was amazing. After the wedding, my husband and I stayed for another 4 days, and it was paradise. I could not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married, or a less stressful way to do it. Thanks Lia and Vincent Vacations for making our special day an amazingly unforgettable experience!

John and Jane - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Jamaica, Destination Wedding

Love the pictures one of our brides just shared from her elopement in Jamaica! Thank you for sharing with us! Did you know we book Destination weddings of all sizes? If it's just the 2 of you or a group of 250, give us a call!

Marty Hill - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Grand Fiesta Americana, Los Cabos, Mexico, Destination Wedding

This was the best and easiest decision we made about our entire wedding! Lia at All Inclusive Weddings is the absolute best, extremely intelligent, hard working, and so caring. She truly makes you feel like you are her only client throughout the entire process. We had about 120 people coming to our Cabo wedding and even had to switch resorts, visitors coming from all different states and even Europe. She was calm, and kept the bride and groom calm! Every detail was taken care of and it was made to be the most perfect wedding!

Tiffany Phillips - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Finest, Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding

I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work to arrange the hotel and transfers for Ashley and Robbie's wedding. It was perfect and everything that she had ever dreamed of! The resort was amazing! We had great food at all the restaurants. The staff went over the top to accommodate any needs that you could have had! Everyone felt safe and the beaches are beautiful. Since it's more private you don't get the crazy vendors walking the beach trying to sell you stuff. Our family loved it so much and we defiantly will be planning another vacation. You will be the first I call if we need help to organize something! Thank you again for everything

And lots more!
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!

Contact us today to learn more about All Inclusive Weddings!

how can we help you?

Your love story is unique and special, and we understand your wedding should be, too!

Everything you need to celebrate your special day at Sandals Resorts with elegance and simplicity. It's the perfect start to the perfect marriage. Our frequently asked questions area has many answers about our process.

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Get in Touch With Us

We are a travel agency specializing in destination weddings, romance travel & experiences.

Dallas Office: 1341 W Mockingbird Ln., Suite 600W, Dallas, TX 75247
OKC Office: 9300 N. May Ave., Suite #400, OKC, OK 73120
destination wedding agent contact
1 (888) 976-0061