Planning your dream wedding is no easy task, especially when you’re looking for the perfect resort venue in the Caribbean or Mexico. It can be quite a challenge, especially when you want to find the ideal spot that checks all the boxes. When you stumble upon that dream venue, your first instinct might be to pick up the phone and book your destination wedding directly with the resort. It seems like the most logical thing to do, right? Well, hold on a minute! Let me share a few things to consider before you make that decision based solely on cost or personal preferences.

As a destination wedding planner, I’ve helped many couples plan and book their destination weddings. While many clients choose to book directly with the resort, I suggest that you may want to think twice before booking your destination wedding directly with a resort. In fact, there are quite a few reasons why booking your destination wedding directly with a resort could be a very bad idea!

Here are the top six reasons why I do not recommend that you book your destination wedding directly with the resort.

Let’s dive in and discover why it’s not the best idea:

You Might End Up Spending More

Sure, you might think that booking directly with the resort will save you some bucks,
but that’s not always the case. Resort managers are aware that it’s a one-time deal
with you, so they may try to maximize their profits.

On the other hand, a destination wedding specialist or consultant will have solid
connections with resort management and can often score special rates, discounts, and
package deals that aren’t available to individual customers. They can help you compare
prices across different resorts and make sure you get the best value for your money.

You Could Get Slammed With Fees

It is so upsetting to see couples get blind-sided with fees based on the group contract.
Essentially, when rooms are held for a group, there are attrition dates and cancellation
penalties. If you don’t pay attention to those and have empty rooms in the group, or if
your guests cancel their room when there are cancellation penalties, couples can be
stuck holding the bag and have fees they weren’t expecting.

This is why most destination wedding couples will learn from the mistake of others
and choose to work with a travel professional who specializes in destination wedding
group travel.

You’ll Be Left with Stressful Tasks

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially when it’s a destination wedding.
While the resort will take care of the wedding-specific infrastructure, there are dozens
of other aspects to manage. Juggling all these tasks from afar can be incredibly
stressful.

Hiring a wedding planner or working with a destination wedding specialist can
alleviate much of that stress. They can handle the logistics, coordination, and communication with the resort, allowing you to focus on taking care of your loved ones
and ensuring their comfort and enjoyment during the wedding preparations.

You’ll Miss Out on Personalized Service & Experience

Keep in mind that the resort might be handling your wedding along with a dozen other
unrelated events at the same time. The best they can offer is a dedicated manager, but
that doesn’t really qualify as a personalized service.

A destination wedding consultant can work closely with you to understand your dream
wedding ideas and preferences. They’ll customize the event to reflect your style,
theme, and budget, ensuring that all the details are taken care of. They can also
connect you with top-notch photographers, decorators, and entertainers to make your
wedding experience truly memorable.

You’ll Be Busy Troubleshooting on Your Big Day

No matter how meticulously you plan your event, unforeseen hiccups may happen at
critical moments. And when they do, the resort may leave you to handle them on your
own.

Having a dedicated wedding planner or travel agent by your side can be a real lifesaver
in such situations. They’ve dealt with similar cases before and know how to quickly
troubleshoot problems, ensuring that your wedding day runs smoothly.

Communication Issues May Cause Problems

Let’s face it, the customer service at some exotic and remote destination wedding
resorts isn’t always as speedy as we’d like. If you need to communicate changes or get information to help with your planning, reaching the right people quickly can be a
challenge.

Booking directly with these resorts may lead to communication difficulties. They might
not respond to your emails promptly, and if you manage to get them on the phone,
they might keep you waiting until you’re frustrated.

On the other hand, a reputable event management service or wedding planner knows
how to connect with the right person quickly and relay your messages effectively. They
might even have local contacts to make sure everything is set up perfectly for your big
day.

If you’re planning a destination wedding or honeymoon, I strongly urge you to think twice before you book directly with the resort. While booking your destination wedding directly with the resort might seem tempting at first, there are better options out there.

I would encourage you to consider the advantages of working with a destination wedding consultant and let them help you design your perfect destination wedding or honeymoon. Not only can they offer more personalized service than the resort, but they can also negotiate deals, find you exclusive deals, and secure discounts for you, too. By teaming up with a good consultant or planner, you can ensure that everything goes off without a hitch—and that’s something you won’t regret.

If you are in the middle of trying to figure out your destination wedding, or just feel like you need a helping hand. Hit the easy button, and schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me today. I will do my best to help you make your dream wedding a reality.

By entrusting the planning to professionals, you can focus on cherishing precious
moments with your partner and loved ones, knowing that every detail is expertly taken
care of. So, embrace the support and guidance a wedding planner or travel agent can
offer and get ready for a truly magical and unforgettable destination wedding.