Today, Marci Zied of
A Love of Travel will share about the affordable wedding options available in Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.
More and more couples are planning weddings in Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico
and other places, especially in the Caribbean. The bulk of them are
going to Jamaica because of reasonable prices for both the wedding and
the guests who attend. Many are going to Mexico as well. In both
places free weddings (often after a small government tax) are
available. They also offer vow renewals for special anniversaries such
as a 50th wedding anniversary.
At
one time, most of the people doing a Weddingmoon were married
previously. For some, especially divorced couples, they did not want
the same destination where they had the original honeymoon.
That
has changed and young people marrying for the first time understand the
value of having the people who they care most about and who care the
most about them in an intimate setting.
We had a big, expensive
wedding for our daughter and son-in-law with a large champagne and hors
de oeuvres reception in a beautiful social hall next to the sanctuary.
Then, we went to a Westin Hotel ballroom for a sit down dinner after
the bride and groom arrived by horse drawn carriage. Most of the
people that attended, are people that we have lost touch with and never
see.
It would have been so special to know that the people who
came cared enough about the couple to incorporate their wedding with
their family vacation.
The most popular resorts for this type of
thing are couples only resorts like Sandals since they are closely
allied with sister properties like Beaches Resorts for couples, singles
and families.
June 24 my husband, Ernie and I (I have to take my
accountant on my trips) will attend a destination wedding in Jamaica.
The couple originally wanted Nassau at Sandals Royal Bahamian. After
I scouted the various properties in person, we decided that Beaches
Negril would better suit their needs, continuing the honeymoon at
Sandals Whitehouse afterwards. Beaches enabled them to have guests at
no additional charge who were not couples. Some guests opted to stay
at Sandals Negril, a couples only resort with complimentary privileges
at Beaches only 5 minutes away. Those staying at other resorts must
pay a fee to come to the wedding at Sandals or Beaches.
Resorts
in Mexico are also reasonably priced. However, there are none that I
know of that are couples only. Some are adults only, which are
preferable for honeymooners. People with children have to stay
somewhere else and in some cases can pay a fee to attend the wedding..
Most are all inclusive resorts.
In most of the Caribbean, you need to be in the country at least 2 days before the wedding. In St. Lucia it is 3 business days.
Weddings
are free at several resorts, including Sandals and Beaches, which
require that the bride and groom stay a certain number of nights to
qualify. A few small amenities are included like a bouquet and
boutonniere, an official or minister, legal documents, a small cake,
and in most resorts a small reception for a handful of guests,
including champagne and canapes or hors de oeuvres
Usually there are items that are optional at a cost such as photos, music, etc., etc., etc.
Some
brides have even embellished their wedding with a wedding in a box
(silk floral arrangements from a local florist to take along). They
can even be designed in such a way that they can be given as keepsakes
for some or all of the guests to take them home (so the bride need not
cart them back).
Recently a bride ordered free "save the date"
invitations to let people know about the wedding and who to contact to
make arrangements to come.
The biggest obstacle is finding a
place reasonably priced, especially for guests, without additional
costs, and a place where the bride and groom can also have a romantic
honeymoon after the guests leave.
Another obstacle is the family
wanting the wedding at their church with their friends and business
associates. Some people are offended that they will have to spend
money to come to a wedding. However, those who love them the most will
be delighted as we were when we were invited by this client couple in
June, Bryan Edmondson and Amy Daddino. Even though it will take us out
of the office and cost money, we know it will be a warm loving
experience and one that we all will remember for a long time.
Many Happy Returns,
Marci Zied,
A Love Of Travel770-345-8687
