Help...Destination Wedding, how to choose a resort!

We are recently engaged and decided that we wanted to do a destination wedding.  The only place we ruled out is Mexico, and now we're doing research to decide where to go.  I've been reading all the forums on the various locations/resorts, but I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Any advice on how to select our destination? Or a good travel agent to work with to help us?  Thank you!!

Hi, AshleyBrooke!  Welcome to BDW.  I was going to suggest reading reviews and seeing what sounds/looks like something you would like and what does not.  I know there is a lot of info so it can be tough.  You might want to try one of the BDW Travel Agents.  They Specialize in Destination weddings.  You can contact them HERE!

Here are some links that may be helpful to you:

• Destination Wedding Community & Forum
• Resort Reviews
• Wedding Vendor Reviews
• Destination Wedding Wiki's and Articles
• Wedding Image Gallery
• BDW FAQ's
• BDW Forum Rules and Etiquette
• Downloading Attachments

• Tammy Host (Founder and Owner of BDW)
• Ann
• Jamy
• Abbie
• Carly

Thank you!  I will keep on reading!  I am really liking St. Lucia/ Antigua and Aruba..... we'll see!

Congrats on your engagement, and welcome to BDW! This place is great! I've spent more hours here reading than I can count. The ladies here are great. I feel in love with Jamaica on a vacation back in 06 and decided then and there, it's where I'd be getting married. Once i had a location FI and i spent hours reading reviews and looking at the numbers. After about 2 weeks of reading, we decided on Iberostar Grand. Haven't decided on a TA just yet, but we've been in contact with several. Good luck with your decisions and happy planning.

We are recently engaged and decided that we wanted to do a destination wedding.  The only place we ruled out is Mexico, and now we're doing research to decide where to go.  I've been reading all the forums on the various locations/resorts, but I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Any advice on how to select our destination? Or a good travel agent to work with to help us?  Thank you!!

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  This site and has been so helpful to me so far (I'm still pretty new in the planning process).  Pretty much anything you can think to ask has probably been discussed so the search feature should become your friend.  Happy Planning!

 

Originally Posted by AshleyBrooke 

We are recently engaged and decided that we wanted to do a destination wedding.  The only place we ruled out is Mexico, and now we're doing research to decide where to go.  I've been reading all the forums on the various locations/resorts, but I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Any advice on how to select our destination? Or a good travel agent to work with to help us?  Thank you!!

Congratulations on your engagement! If you already have an idea of the season/month of your wedding, that can help you narrow locations down. We picked July 2012 then I made a list of all locations we would consider (domestic and international). It was easy to eliminate a lot due to hurricane season. Some locations have residency restrictions that wouldn't work for us. http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/destination-weddings/articles/best-caribbean-destination-wedding-spots.aspx

We picked Aruba because of weather, lots of direct flights from the east coast, fairly easy customs (on your return trip you clear them before you get on the plane which makes getting home a little less painful), uses dollars currency, and we've been there before. 

Once we picked the island, I went through a similar process thinking about which resort felt right. 

I'm working with a travel agent, but I would not recommend her.... Good luck! 

Originally Posted by AshleyBrooke 

We are recently engaged and decided that we wanted to do a destination wedding.  The only place we ruled out is Mexico, and now we're doing research to decide where to go.  I've been reading all the forums on the various locations/resorts, but I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Any advice on how to select our destination? Or a good travel agent to work with to help us?  Thank you!!

Congratulations and welcome to the forums! Have fun with all your planning... no matter where you end up!

Here is a link that may help with choosing a resort once you pick your location! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/a/how-to-pick-a-resort-for-a-destination-wedding

Keep smiling!

Linkn

Thank you for all the tips!  The links have been helpful in my research.

Katie2012, where are you getting married in Aruba?  I've been there a bunch and love it, but I thought it might be pricey for my guests.  Would love to hear what you found.  thank you!

Thank you for all the tips!  The links have been helpful in my research.

Katie2012, where are you getting married in Aruba?  I've been there a bunch and love it, but I thought it might be pricey for my guests.  Would love to hear what you found.  thank you!

Congrats and welcome to the forums!  I've been to Jamaica (married there) and DR and really would say that you can get married anywhere.  I would decide on the time of year and what specific things you want the resort to have (adults only, etc) and then talk to a TA that can help you narrow down what fits your criteria the best.  Good lcuk!