DESTINATION WEDDINGS

In today’s market planning a “traditional wedding” can carry a tremendous cost as the events become more elaborate. Traditional Weddings commonly are turning into multiple day affairs as rehearsal dinners become larger, hosts feel compelled to arrange activities for out of town guests, and day after brunches become the norm in addition to the ceremony itself. Then of course there is the planning of the “perfect” honeymoon as well and picking the right spot that is romantic, fun and relaxing for newlyweds after all the months and weeks of planning the “big day”. It is no wonder that weddings are a billion dollar industry!

Planning a Destination Wedding is often easier and more cost effective than planning the two events separately. There is only one location to scout and reserve, and there are local coordinators that you can be connected to through your travel agent or on-site at the host resort. And the biggest benefit to the Destination Wedding is not having too travel far to start your honeymoon!

However, choosing to do a Destination Wedding, even with the increasing popularity of the concept, can be a tough decision as well. You have to decide on the perfect location as the backdrop for your special day as well one that meets the criteria for your honeymoon dreams. You also have to take into consideration the travel requirements and costs for your family members and guests that you will invite to the event. Additionally there are legal requirements, documentation and waiting periods to meet for the marriage to be legally recognized that differ from location to location. These, and many others, are important factors to consider.

Destination Weddings, too, can take considerable planning, time and research, and the best properties and accommodations often book far in advance of the wedding date. The earlier you begin planning your wedding, the greater the likelihood you will be able to book the perfect property for you and your guests.

We at MacNair Travel & Cruises strongly feel that considering all the hours/days/weeks of planning and stressing over your wedding event that only two parts of it are truly just for the newlyweds: the ceremony and the honeymoon. Combining the two into a coordinated event can be less stressful and way more cost effective if done properly. Getting the right professional help for a destination wedding is as important as the planners you would hire for a traditional wedding and helps ensure the event is not only special but as stress free as possible.

Let the travel professionals at MacNair Travel & Cruises help you plan your special event. We can research the destinations, qualify the best resorts to meet your budget requirements, review wedding packages and/or put you in touch with local wedding planners or the resort’s Wedding Department, and make your and your guest’s travel arrangements.

However, we at MacNair Travel & Cruises are not wedding planners, so while we can guide you to the right place for your destination wedding, we do not plan the ceremony, negotiate with caterers or florists, design or create decorations or process and translate required documents. Many of the preferred resorts we work with offer wedding packages (at an additional cost) that include these details and make the process easier on you.

MacNair Travel & Cruises charges a group travel planning fee starting at $750.00 for a Destination Wedding group of up to 15 hotel rooms. For larger groups, we reserve the right to negotiate an additional service fee, on a case by case basis, or if specialized services are required.

The above agreed upon planning fee is paid up front and is non-refundable. The fee covers:

• Research and pricing of up to three (3) resort destinations
• Travel arrangements and reservations for the bride and groom and revisions or changes if required; some revisions or changes will incur penalties and will be the responsibility of the traveler(s). Travel insurance can offset these penalties, please discuss options with booking agent;
• Coordinating and tracking of the wedding guest’s travel arrangements and revisions or changes if required if attendees book through MacNair Travel & Cruises. MacNair Travel & Cruises is not responsible for travel arrangements made separately through other travel agencies, on-line travel websites or with the hotel directly if not initiated by MacNair Travel & Cruises;
• Pricing of wedding packages or referral to a local wedding planner (our fee does not cover the price of the wedding packages or a local planner’s services);
• “Save the date” card in PDF format that can be sent to the invitation list; and
• A “Destination Wedding” announcement newsletter in PDF format containing destination and resort information, as well as the bride and groom’s instructions to their guests

The planning fee does not cover any required international ticketing fees or service charges on non-commissionable items; cancel, change fees or penalties on deposited reservations if the traveler’s have declined trip cancellation insurance, legal or administrative fees required by local governments (if not included in the wedding package purchased through the host resort), fees associated with, or the actual translation of, legal documents if required by the local government, or any fees associated with the obtaining of a US Passport or birth certificate required for international travel.

For more specialized planning requiring group air rates or room blocks requiring contracts made with the resort directly, MacNair Travel & Cruises does have a group specialist we can refer you for those arrangements.

MacNair Travel & Cruises also strongly recommends that the bride and groom perform a destination site inspection of their selected choice(s) prior to confirming their ceremony date or group requirements. This well help ensure their expectations for their event can be met and provides an opportunity to speak with the resort Sales or Wedding staff prior to committing to their arrangements. MacNair Travel & Cruises can price and book these travel plans.