Newbie here! Possibly Jamaica...searching for direction...

[ntlsnow]

Hello Everyone!

I have been trying to do some research on a Destination Wedding and in my searches came across this fabulous sight and I cannot wait to be a part of it.

 

I got engaged back in June while on vacation in Punta Cana. At first I was so excited to plan a huge traditional wedding here in Michigan (with both of our families and friends it would have been 300+), then I started planning...LOL. I soon found that many halls were overrated and over priced. They all looked like any other hall wedidng I have ever been too, including all of my friends. So I took a poll of coworkers, friends, and sometimes even bartenders and waitresses, that were already married and asked them if they could do their wedding all over would they still have the same ol' hall wedding. My survery came out 98% said destination wedding all the way. Hmmmm...I don't want to feel that way on my wedding day and the more and more I look into an island wedding the more HAPPY i am becoming to begin this process. (Unlike the Hall process, I felt depressed!). So here I am!

I would love any advice, I mean Ill take any advice. :-)

 

I am planning on Jamaica because I have always wanted to go there and I have already been to Punta Cana. I have been looking into Sandals resorts but am beginning to realize I need to shop around. I do like the Sandals idea though....we plan on having our wedding and honeymoon there.

 

ANY suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated! I look forward to meeting people and learning all I need to about Desitination weddings.

 

My first question important question though...do you think it is important to have a travel agent? Or can this be done on your own?

[anudrm]

Welcome and hello!!!
 

I did not get married in Jamaica, yet there are plenty of resources on this site to help you find your perfect spot for your perfect day.

 

As for the travel agent, it will all depend on you and the size of your party.  I had a rather small group, so I didn't mind hounding people about booking their rooms and flights.  Also, I have a lot of free time on my hand, so calling around and gathering the best prices and negotiating is not outside of my realm to do.  Other brides get a travel agent because it relieves them of answering questions that guest may have, it relieves them of hounding people down for deposits, flights and rooms.  So if you have the time, patience and energy then forgo a T.A. Yet it does require a lot of your attention.

 

Once again WELCOME!!!!
 

[starchild]

Welcome to BestDestinationWedding.com!  Jamaica is a beautiful place for a wedding.  Happy planning!

 

 

Here are some links and tips that might make your time here on BDW more enjoyable.

 

If you have not done so, you may want to:

 

• complete your profile (upload a photo, add profile details, etc.)
• find the forum for your wedding destination and create a subscription to threads/members/vendors that you are interested in

 

 

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

 

 

Here are some BDW members and staff you should follow:

  Moderators and Community Leaders

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

  If you are a vendor and looking to advertise your business, please email [email protected].   Vendor rules are HERE!  Please read!  

Hope you enjoy your time here.

 

[JoanneIreland]

Congrats and welcome to this great forum! You will find this site invaluable. Let us know if you have any questions!!

[boscobel]

Welcome to the forum!

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I had a TA and I was really glad I did.  They were the middle man for the guests and resort and really helped me out.  I had my wedding booked before I found this forum, so I didn't realize there were TA's that specialized in DW's.  I would make sure that whoever you find is familiar so you get the most help that you can.  You can contact the TA's on this site by clicking on the banner at the top of the page, but whether you hire Wright Travel or someone else, definitely make sure they specialize in DW's!

[ntlsnow]

Thank you everyone!

I am meeting with a TA today, we will see how she is. I have a feeling I will be having a larger group so I am going to need a good TA at that.

Still contemplating Jamaica but am starting to focus on Aruba or the Bahamas or heck, maybe I will go back to Punta Cana (The beach was the most amaxing thing I have ever seen, but I HATED the food and drinks)...I just have no idea how to get prices on these places since I have only booked one vacation through Apple Vacations and they are not a wedding package site. The more I look at Aruba, the more in LOVE I am getting with the island. But after reading many posts on here, some are saying it is much more expensive? Plus I always thought I wanted all-inclusive for my guests and I...guess I will have to wait to meet with the TA!!

[ntlsnow]

P.S. This site is AMAZING! I have already found so many DIY projects I cannot wait to start!!

[JayKay]

Welcome!

Jamaica is a beautiful place.  We too looked into the sandals propertys for our wedding and they are beautiful.  We just needed to find some where that was a little more within our budget.  We do plan on spending a week at our resort we are getting married at and then another week at sandals for our honeymoon.

 

What I found helpful was to make a list of what we wanted from a resort. For example, size, amenities, price, location from airport, wedding packages, cost ect.  From there we were able to eliminate some resorts.  We did use a travel agent to help us pick our resort as well. 

 

As to using a travel agent I was so happy we did.  I didn't want to have to stress about people booking and making sure that was all arranged.  I left that up to our travel agent so I could really focus on planning the wedding.  I guess its personal choice though.

 

Happy planning:)

Originally Posted by ntlsnow 

Hello Everyone!

I have been trying to do some research on a Destination Wedding and in my searches came across this fabulous sight and I cannot wait to be a part of it.

 

I got engaged back in June while on vacation in Punta Cana. At first I was so excited to plan a huge traditional wedding here in Michigan (with both of our families and friends it would have been 300+), then I started planning...LOL. I soon found that many halls were overrated and over priced. They all looked like any other hall wedidng I have ever been too, including all of my friends. So I took a poll of coworkers, friends, and sometimes even bartenders and waitresses, that were already married and asked them if they could do their wedding all over would they still have the same ol' hall wedding. My survery came out 98% said destination wedding all the way. Hmmmm...I don't want to feel that way on my wedding day and the more and more I look into an island wedding the more HAPPY i am becoming to begin this process. (Unlike the Hall process, I felt depressed!). So here I am!

I would love any advice, I mean Ill take any advice. :-)

 

I am planning on Jamaica because I have always wanted to go there and I have already been to Punta Cana. I have been looking into Sandals resorts but am beginning to realize I need to shop around. I do like the Sandals idea though....we plan on having our wedding and honeymoon there.

 

ANY suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated! I look forward to meeting people and learning all I need to about Desitination weddings.

 

My first question important question though...do you think it is important to have a travel agent? Or can this be done on your own?

 

[Cateyedcutie]

Congrats on your engagement. Welcome to BDW. I'm a Jamaica bride too, you're gonna lovely here. Happy planning

[favorsmr]

Congratulations! and Welcome!  We are also considering Jamaica for our wedding in 2013.  This site is amazing and you will find lots of good information.

 

I would recommend using  a travel agent to help you with booking your travel, especially one that specializes in Destination Weddings.  They can provide lots of information about different resorts and help you narrow down  your search.  Also, when it comes time to booking your guests, they will be the ones to handle that, freeing you from having to manage all of that!