Specialist - The Destination Experts

Transcription

&
D
estination
Weddings
H oneymoons
Specialist
SUPPLEMENT TO
Travel Agent,
MAY 21, 2012
INSIDE:
The Perfect Client • 6
Bali and Thailand • 8
Hawaii and Tahiti • 12
Mexico • 16
The Caribbean • 24
The Business of
W eddings
and
Honeymoons
LGBT Couples • 30
Want to increase your revenues?
Think bridal market.
Selling Tips • 31
Become a
Destination Weddings &
Honeymoons Specialist
Take the exam to earn your
Specialist benefits. Simply go to
www.tauniv.com to earn:
* Diploma
* Special offers from
participating sponsors
Cover photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism
Authority (HTA) / Sri Maiava Rusden
CUSTOM SOLUTIONS
Executive Vice President/Group Publisher:
John McMahon
Vice President/Editorial Director:
Ruthanne Terrero, CTC
Vice President of Custom Solutions:
Neil Strickland
Director of Creative Solutions: James Y. Huntley
Managing Editor: David K. Moseder
Contributing Editors: Meagan Drillinger, Jena
Tesse Fox, Jacqueline Johnson, Joe Pike
Associate Art Director: Debbie Sheehan
Digital Communications Specialist:
Karen Zuegner
Project Coordinator: Jordan Cronk
Production Director: Marilyn Hiris
Questex Hospitality + Travel is a
division of Questex Media Group
LLC, 757 Third Avenue, New York,
New York 10017. © 2012. All rights reserved. Although
every effort has been made to guarantee the accuracy of
information appearing within this supplement, we cannot
be responsible for typographical errors, omissions or
changes since this publication went to press.
T
he wedding and honeymoon market is again on the
rebound, and you, the travel
agent, now have the opportunity to capitalize on this growing travel segment. The steadying economy along with
consumer confidence is giving engaged
couples the encouragement to finally plan
and book their weddings.
Will they continue with the high level of
negotiating prices? Yes, do expect this, as
more couples are paying for the wedding
themselves. In previous years when the
Jacqueline Johnson
parents were paying for this event, the sky
www.MarryCaribbean.com
was the limit and serious negotiations by the
parents were considered almost an embarrassment. It is for you to understand
this, and stick to your published rates. What you sell is always above and beyond
what they could ever get from the Internet–especially your service.
Will they spend to get what they want? Yes, a whopping 70 percent do plan
to make it the best day ever, and will spend to make sure this happens. At the
end of the day, it is still a milestone in a couple’s life – and therefore the mode of
transportation, hotel, cuisine, activities, etc., will be looked at differently from a
quick holiday jaunt. Today’s couple will spend approximately $4,000-plus on this
trip of a lifetime vs. $850 or so for the average leisure traveler and the average
expenditure on a wedding today is $27,438.
The above figures come from The Wedding Report, one of the premier research companies, which provides a comprehensive outlook on all aspect of the
wedding industry. The information on page 4 will give you a quick overview of
the numbers of wedding taking place in the United States on a monthly basis.
This does not include those who travel outside the country to get married.
WEDDINGS BY MONTH
The most in-demand months to get married appear to be June (no surprise there)
and September. The following table provides a breakdown of estimated weddings
by month for 2012. Except for a spike in September nuptials this year, these numbers have fluctuated only a few percentage points up or down over the last six
DESTINATION WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS SPECIALIST
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A TRAVEL AGENT UNIVERSITY PROGRAM
years, so you can expect similar figures
for 2013 and beyond.
As you can see, there is ample opportunity for you to make destination
weddings and honeymoons a yearround business. You have the ability
to gain more revenue from one wedding than you can ever imagine: Think
group travel for your destination wedding couples and their friends/families, spa events, shopping and dining,
before and after parties. And do not
forget to forge alliances with luggage
and jewelry stores (local and foreign)
and such.
If you have any questions, e-mail me
at [email protected]
and I will do my best to answer on a
timely basis.
Jacqueline Johnson, CTC, is President and
CEO of the Global Bridal Group, a media
company that provides comprehensive bridal and honeymoon guidance through interactive target marketing utilizing the following vehicles: www.MarryCaribbean.com,
www.CaribbeanWeddingAssociation.com
and www.MarryCaribbean.com/blog.
Weddings by Month: 2012
Month
% of Weddings
Total Weddings
January
0.4%
8,943
February
0.9%
19,022
March
2.9%
59,833
April
5.7%
117,820
May
11.2%
229,253
June
17.1%
350,054
July
10.6%
216,619
August
12.2%
249,268
September
16.7%
343,027
October
14.8%
303,068
November
4.2%
86,662
December
3.2%
66,434
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Memories that last a lifetime
We vow to honor your romantic imagination, and obey your ever y
command. All in the world’s most luxurious all-inclusive surroundings.
You just need to say “Yes, I will marry at Paradisus Resorts.”
The Pure Freedom to Just Be
•
Lushly Appointed Suites • Private Pools and Beach Areas with Bali Beds
& Valet Service • World Class Cuisine • YHI Spa ($) • Customized Wedding
& Honeymoon Packages • LUXE-CLUSIVE Freedom
Fully commissionable wedding packages:
Aqua
• Fantasy
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• Passion (Honeymoon Package)
•
Contact your Tour Operator, 1.877.276.0872 or visit PARADISUS.COM
C O S T A
R I C A
( 2013)
I
D O M I N I C A N
R E P U B L I C
A Melia Hotels international Brand.
I
M E X I C O
Riviera Maya is Mexico’s top
weddings destination. Pictured:
Barceló Maya Beach Resort.
Turn a dream into a reality and your clients will be ready to spend.
Romance Travelers:
The Perfect Client
W
e’ll let you in on a little secret: If destination
weddings and honeymoons are not part of
your business, you are missing out on all of
the action. The wedding/honeymoon client
is the “perfect customer” for the travel agent. This is a person
who is willing to pay full price if presented with the benefits,
shops with immediacy and provides agencies with a constant
flow of business. These clients are looking for experience and
quality as well, meaning they will pay top dollar.
THE BASICS
According to The Wedding Report, one of the leading companies providing independent research concerning the destination wedding business, this market generates more than
$5.3 billion annually and is approximately 15 percent of the
bridal market. About 91 percent of all couples getting married in the United States subsequently take a honeymoon,
spending an average of six nights away. No matter the state
of the economy, people will still get married, making this segment of the market truly stable and lucrative.
WHO IS THE CLIENT?
We took a look at The Knot Market Intelligence: 2012 Destination Weddings Study, put together by The Knot (www.
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theknot.com), which surveyed almost 3,000 people in its wedding network. The study tells us that the destination wedding
bride is most likely to live in one of two U.S. regions: Twenty-four percent of destination wedding brides come from the
South Atlantic and 18 percent are from the Pacific.
There are key differences between brides who choose an
international destination versus a domestic one. The international destination wedding bride represents a more diverse
clientele; they are generally older and more affluent as well.
International destination wedding brides are more likely
to come from the mid-Atlantic and Pacific areas. Domestic
clients will hail from the South and Mountain regions.
DESTINATIONS
According to The Knot, 24 percent of couples had a destination wedding in 2011, which is up from 20 percent in 2009. In
2011, most of these clients chose a domestic destination over
an international one. Domestic locales are an average of 670
miles away from home, while international places average
2,605 miles distant, according to The Knot’s study. Seventy
percent of couples chose a domestic destination, while 30
percent chose an international one (including Hawaii).
The top international destinations will not come as a surprise to experts in the business. The top 83 percent of clients
opt for international destinations in the Caribbean (39 percent), Mexico (24 percent) and Hawaii (20 percent). Central
and South America, Europe and Asia all come in at under 10
percent each.
When it comes to the Caribbean, Jamaica receives the
majority of the business, at 34 percent. The Dominican Republic pulls in 16 percent and the Bahamas holds 13 percent. In Mexico the lion’s share goes to Riviera Maya (32
percent), followed by Los Cabos (20 percent) and Cancun
(14 percent).
If it is a domestic destination, the top three locations are
Florida (18 percent), California (13 percent) and Nevada (9
percent).
Honeymoon destinations are often the same as destination
wedding locations, as well. Romance is romance. In fact, almost nine out of 10 couples plan to take a honeymoon after
their destination wedding. Sixty-eight percent of these couples will honeymoon in their destination wedding location,
as well.
CAPITALIZING ON EXTRAS
While there is plenty of money to be made on planning the
wedding and honeymoon, from airfare to hotel rates to packages, it is in the extras where agents can truly capitalize on
the market.
Destination romance clients are looking for additional
events, regardless of the location. These include a rehearsal dinner, bachelor/bachelorette party, other meal/cocktail
events for guests, brunch after the wedding day, sightseeing tours, spa treatments, golf outings and more. The Knot
reports that 90 percent of destination wedding couples plan
extra events, which is up from 76 percent in 2009. Over half
(53 percent) of those who plan a group activity cover the cost
for at least some of their guests, as well.
Jamaica is the most popular Caribbean
destination for weddings.
Florida heads the list of favorite domestic
weddings destinations. Pictured: Hyatt
Regency Clearwater Beach.
|7|
Western-style ceremony at Outrigger
Hotels & Resorts’ Phi Phi Island Village
Beach Resort & Spa in Thailand.
Bali and Thailand cater to couples looking for unique settings.
Romance in
Southeast Asia
S
outheast Asia continues to flourish as the new exotic getaway for destination weddings and honeymoons. Couples looking for far-flung romance,
with all of the finishing touches, keep turning to
Thailand and Bali for romance travel. These destinations
continue to raise the bar on travel for enamored clients.
BALI
If your wedding clients or honeymooners are headed East,
Bali is a classic option. The tiny island in the Indonesian
archipelago has been catering to the romance market for
years, and appears to have it cornered.
One of the best examples of what this exotic land has to
offer your betrothed couples is the AYANA Resort and Spa
Bali (www.ayanaresort.com). The resort has launched new
wedding spa packages for both before and after the big day.
The hotel’s 237-square-foot Thermes Marins Thalasso Spa
has Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pools and its own, ultra
exclusive, “Spa on the Rocks” villa.
The new Bride-to-Be regimen starts with a skin treatment
focused around the neckline, chest and shoulders. It is followed with a Back Treatment and Flat Tummy Treatment
consisting of body scrub, wrap and massage. The Bride-toBe Deluxe expands on these services with a Collagen Facial.
Men can get in on the action as well, with the Grooming Time package. This involves both Back and Flat Tummy
|8|
treatments and concludes with a Men’s Facial. On the big
day itself, AYANA offers a host of settings, ranging from two
glass chapels overlooking the Indian Ocean, to a cliff-edge
wedding gazebo and a 350-year-old “joglo” (a traditional
Javanese home).
One drawback to a wedding in a place as remote as Bali
is that the guest list is rather short, as not everyone is able to
attend. AYANA amends this with a new “Skype-in” service,
allowing couples to broadcast their ceremony live to family
and friends back home. AYANA’s wedding planners can assist with the technical aspects of this service.
And for those couples who have already tied the knot and
are looking to escape together, AYANA has an “Ultimate
Honeymoon” offering. This package includes creating a signature perfume at the L’Atelier Parfums et Creations Studio,
a thalassotherapy experience and Balinese massage, and a
three-course private dinner for two at sunset.
For your honeymooners, book a private villa, which comes
with its own plunge pool, 24-hour butler service and more.
The property recently completed a renovation of over 200
rooms and suites. The renovation has upgraded every category of accommodations in the hotel, from standard rooms
through the Club Floor. The design reflects classic Balinese
with modern touches, including canopied beds, sofas and
daybeds on balconies. Modern elements include marble
floors, lighting and bathrooms with rain showers.
Oceanfront Cliff Villa (here) and Spa on the
Rocks (below) at AYANA Resort and Spa Bali.
For a truly over-the-top stay, book your clients on The
Club Floor, which has 71 Club Rooms and Suites. Special
perks include access to the Club Lounge, with complimentary food and beverage all day. The new dinner menu features
a different restaurant each night, allowing guests to sample a
little bit from each of the resort’s seven dining venues. Other
benefits include complimentary laundry pressing; private
check-in and check-out; complimentary Wi-Fi in the Club
Lounge and more.
THAILAND
With secluded jungles, frenetic cities and tropical beaches,
Thailand is one of the world’s top destinations for romance
travel because it has something to offer everyone.
For a unique experience, Thailand’s wedding ceremonies
are packed with symbolism. The wedding day begins at sunrise with offerings made to Buddhist monks making their
morning alms rounds. Following the alms ceremony, couples
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are treated to a traditional Thai breakfast and are taken to
city hall for the signing of marriage certificates. The newlyweds then go to a traditional northern Thai teak Buddhist
temple, where they receive blessings from the head monk.
In keeping with the history of the ceremony, a string is tied
around the couples’ wrists, symbolizing unity.
Thailand is also an ideal backdrop for Western-style weddings. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts’ Phi Phi Island Village
Beach Resort & Spa (www.outrigger.com), which offers
both traditional and western nuptials, is one of the outstanding options for Thailand-bound couples. The traditional Thai
wedding is typically outdoors in the morning or late afternoon. The ceremony is about an hour and is followed by
cocktails and dinner.
The wedding ceremony highlights include a long drum
procession, Buddhist monks chanting prayers blessing the
couple, sprinkling of jasmine water and the planting of a tree
to symbolize their new union. Couples can choose the beach
for an outdoor event, the Marlin Restaurant for dancing, the
Dolphin Restaurant for bay views or the Ruan Thai Restaurant, which overlooks the pool and islands in the bay.
A western set up is also available. Guests can arrange for
all of the fixings, from flower arrangements to the wedding
cake to the menu options. The bride and groom are entitled
to complimentary touches such as a welcome beverage, fruit
basket in their bungalow on arrival, breakfast in bed on the
day of the ceremony and a bottle of sparkling wine on their
wedding night.
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa sits on 70 acres
overlooking the Andaman Sea. Guests have a choice of 112
thatched-roof bungalows. For the most luxurious stay, suggest the hillside villas, which are each equipped with a private swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. The property also has
four restaurants, two bars, a spa, fitness center, a dive and
activity center and more.
For an in-depth look at Thailand as a romance destination,
check out the “Thai the Knot Specialist Program” at Travel
Agent University, www.tauniv.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GOHAWAII.COM
Newlyweds romp on a
secluded beach in Kauai.
Hawaii and Tahiti provide wide range of opportunities for weddings.
Pacific Island Nuptials
T
he islands of Hawaii are all unique from one another, offering a wide range of opportunities for
different kinds of weddings. Those in the mood
for a quiet gathering can exchange vows on an
isolated Kauai beach, or on a historic estate like Kilohana.
(Note: Kauai has its own association of Wedding Professionals. Visit www.kauaiwedpro.com for more information.)
Beach weddings are also popular on Maui’s western shore,
but the many luxury resorts on the island also make it ideal
for an over-the-top celebration. Molokai and Lanai are two
of the quieter islands (the whole island of Lanai has no traffic lights and only one established town), and are ideal for
intimate escapes. Tip: Molokai and Lanai are both easily accessible from Maui, and can make for a wonderful day trip
for guests staying on the larger island.
And, of course, there’s the urban energy of Honolulu, where tradition can be maintained with a wedding in
Kawaiahao Church (known as the Westminster Abbey of the
Pacific) or with something more unique and cutting edge...
like a cliffside ceremony looking over the ocean. Disney
fans can have Mickey and Minnie at their wedding reception at Aulani (resorts.disney.go.com/Aulani) on Oahu. In
Waikiki, historic resorts like the Moana Surfrider (www.
| 12 |
moana-surfrider.com) and the Royal Hawaiian (www.royal
hawaiian.com) sit alongside more contemporary options like
the Trump Hotel Waikiki (www.trumphotelcollection.com)
for beachside or indoor ceremonies. Simple civil ceremonies
can also be conducted in Oahu’s Town Hall.
Wherever your clients choose to have their wedding in
Hawaii, they can incorporate plenty of local touches into the
ceremony, such as lei exchanges, slack-key guitar accompaniment or even a full-fledged luau reception.
Important: To lawfully marry in the State of Hawaii,
the couple must appear together in person before a marriage license agent. Once the license has been issued, there
is no waiting period. There are no state residence or U.S.
citizenship requirements for a marriage license in Hawaii. A
marriage license and marriage certificate are different documents. The former permits a marriage to take place, while
the latter indicates that a legal marriage has been performed.
For more information, visit http://hawaii.gov/health/vitalrecords/vital-records/marriage/index.html .
WEDDINGS IN TAHITI
In Tahiti, weddings are legally binding for citizens of the U.S.
and Canada. Note: The couple cannot be French nationals or
A grand setting.
A grand experience.
A grand gif.
IBEROSTAR
GRAND HOTEL
PARAÍSO
FREE
WEDDING
PACKAGE*:
Flowers for bride and
groom
Wedding cake with
fresh fowers
Champagne toast
Wedding dinner in a
specialty restaurant
Sweets and bottle of
sparkling wine on your
wedding night
FREE room upgrade for
the wedding couple
Bridal SPA package,
plus 10% disount for
wedding guests
Late check-out for the
wedding couple
IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Paraíso was recently awarded a AAA Four Diamond
rating for exceptional service. And, for good reason. At this luxurious, adults-only,
all-inclusive destination, personal wedding coordinators take care of every detail
and with no more than two weddings per day, you receive all the attention you
deserve. Plus, enjoy free unlimited golf with a 7+ night stay.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Book through your favorite tour operator,
call 888-923-2722 or visit iberostar.com
*To qualify for a free wedding package you must book 5 rooms or more for 3+ nights or a Grand Oceanfront Room for 7+ nights. Complimentary rooms and room upgrades are subject to availability. Any additional food
and beverage will incur an extra charge. Book a 7 or more night stay based on double occupancy and enjoy unlimited golf at IBEROSTAR Playa Paraíso Golf Club. Book 5-6 nights based on double occupancy and receive
two complimentary rounds per person. Book 3-4 nights based on double occupancy and receive one complimentary round per person. Ofers good only at IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Paraíso. All ofers are subject to
availability and based on double occupancy. Not redeemable for cash. Blackout dates and additional restrictions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Valid for bookings February 1 - December 23, 2012 for travel
now through December 23, 2012. IBEROSTAR does not assume responsibility for errors or omissions within the context of this advertisement.
residents of France, and must be of the opposite sex. A certified copy of both spouses’ birth certificates authenticated
with an “Apostille.” (Note: the birth certificates must have
been issued less than six months prior to the date of the marriage.) Both of the birth certificates and the “Apostille” must
be translated into French by an approved translator and legalized by the French Consulate. Translators can be found on
the consulate’s website.
The planning for a traditional Tahitian wedding ceremony
generally begins at least 45 days in advance. The marriage is
civil and is sealed at a city hall with the mayor and an interpreter, if needed. Wedding ceremonies can take place either
on a beach or at a resort (some resorts have over-the-water
chapels). Weddings are typically followed by a traditional
Tahitian feast. There are plenty of variations and options, but
here for those who want an authentic Tahitian experience,
here is what they can expect, courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme:
While the newlyweds-to-be are in their bungalow, the
priest’s assistants will come to dress up the bride and groom
with white pareu (painted wraps, like sarongs). The couple
is adorned with specially created flower crowns and leis.
The ceremony includes traditional gowns, a priest, a group
of dancers and musicians, and tropical flower arrangements.
The couple is then wrapped in a “Tifaifai” (Tahitian quilt)
following the ceremony. After the ceremony, a cocktail is
A musical moment from a traditional
Tahitian wedding ceremony.
served to the couple. Dinner can be prepared on a private
islet, on the beach, or at a restaurant especially for the wedding couple. A professional photographer takes pictures of
the ceremony. Best of all, the couple will be presented with
a traditional wedding certificate made of “tapa,” with their
joint Tahitian name on it in honor of their new lives together.
HONEYMOONS
One of the best parts of getting married in Hawaii or the
South Pacific is that the honeymoon can be easily attached to
the wedding, combining everything into one easy (and profitable) package.
Most of the resorts in Hawaii will offer combination packages for weddings and honeymoons, and couples can begin
their lives together on a cruise around all of the islands or just
staying in one place. The Four Seasons (www.fourseasons
.com) brand of luxury resorts has four properties in the islands (two on Lanai, one on Maui and one on Hawaii Island), and are a top pick for romantic escapes.
In the South Pacific, couples can stay in overwater bungalows at resorts like the Four Seasons Bora Bora, or can unwind on cruises like Paul Gauguin’s tours of Tahiti’s islands.
Encourage your honeymooning clients to visit some of the
region’s spas and learn about some unique treatments, like
banana leaf wraps and river baths.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAHITI TOURISME
| 14 |
Romance sparkles brighter at Jamaica’s finest all-inclusive, adults-only resort! At The Jewel we have fabulous packages
and wedding planners to help you experience the wedding of your dreams (including one that’s absolutely free!), whether
it’s just a party of two or includes friends and family.
True luxury is as much about experience as it is amenities. And at The Jewel, neither disappoints. From spacious
guestrooms to elegant butler-service suites, superb beach casual to sophisticated white glove dining, spectacular pools
to relaxing ocean side whirlpools, Radiant Spa to beach-side cabanas, we ensure every element of your stay will be
pampering, relaxing and memorable.
Let your clients discover The Jewel's luxury all-inclusive, adults-only experience and they will credit you with making
dreams come true.
FOR MORE SPARKLING DETAILS AND PROMOTIONS, VISIT WWW.JEWELRESORTS.COM
BOOK THROUGH YOUR PREFERRED TRAVEL WHOLESALER, CALL 1-800-959-7431 OR GDS:
GDS codes: all YX Amadeus: OCJJDR Sabre: 43746 Galileo: 26092 Worldspan: OCJJD Travelweb/Pegs: 29095
THE JEWEL OFFERS A SELECTION OF ROMANCE
PACKAGES, COMMISSIONABLE OF COURSE!
Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraíso in Riviera Maya
Packages and expert planners make weddings easy and memorable.
Love, Mexican Style
F
rom free weddings to the chance to perform
Mayan wedding rituals, Mexico resorts keep enticing clients to tie the knot across the border.
Iberostar’s Free Weddings: Iberostar Hotels
and Resorts (www.iberostar.com) offers a “Free Wedding”
package at its award-winning, all-inclusive, five-star Grand
Collection properties in Mexico (except Cancun), as well as
in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
An Iberostar Grand wedding combines impressive settings with endless pampering and exquisite service and cuisine. Couples can enjoy their day (and stay) in the luxurious Grand Collection properties, while also extending family
members the option of staying at the adjacent family-friendly
Suites and Beach properties, which cater to every budget.
In addition to all-inclusive meals, premium liquors and
non-motorized sports, the Free Wedding package includes
minister fees; flowers for bride and groom; a wedding cake;
a champagne toast; complimentary room for the groom the
night before the wedding; and a free room upgrade plus 10
percent off spa services for the newlyweds.
Mayan Wedding Ritual Package: El Dorado Spa Resorts
& Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma (www.karismahotels.
com), a collection of “Gourmet Inclusive” properties located
along the beaches of the Riviera Maya, Mexico, has added a
Mayan Wedding Ritual Package to its portfolio of personalized destination wedding offerings available at all of its
Mexico properties.
| 16 |
Recognizing the significance of the Mayan culture (in
2012, in particular), the Mayan Wedding Ritual Package is
designed to celebrate a couple’s love for each other in an ancient, spiritual and interactive Mayan ceremony performed
on the beach by an authentic traditional Shaman. The package, priced at $1,500, also includes a center altar display of
fruits, flowers, seeds, and fire, representing the basic four elements of the universe, crowns of fresh flowers for the bride
and groom, and more.
Complimentary Wedding Package From Meliá: At ME Cabo
(www.melia-hotels.com) in Los Cabos, Mexico, clients can
take advantage of a complimentary wedding package that
includes a ceremony at the beach with impressive views of
the iconic natural arch (El Arco) and Land’s End. Also included is a basic ceremony setup (white cloths, white chaircovers, and torches); a minister; a bouquet for the bride; a
boutonniere for the groom; a ceremony table with flower
centerpiece; prerecorded lounge music during ceremony;
a wedding banner; in-room breakfast for the couple the
morning after the ceremony; a romantic nightly turndown
for the couple’s room.
Also from Meliá, the Romance team at Paradisus Resort
(www.paradisus.com) in Playa del Carmen will help you create a unique romantic escape for your clients, whether it’s
just the two of them, or a family affair. They will work with
you to provide information regarding room rates and availability. They will guide you through the entire event planning
For magnifcent weddings & honeymoons
Te Salamander® Hotels & Resorts family embraces our Founder and CEO’s passion for providing guests
with luxurious weddings and honeymoons. Whether your client’s special occasion takes place oceanside
at one of our stunning Dominican Republic resorts, or greenside at one of our renowned Florida golf
Sheila C. Johnson
Founder & CEO of
Salamander Hotels & Resorts
resorts, allow us to provide the perfect backdrop for those perfect memories.
Contact our Wedding Stylist: Dominican Republic - U.S. ofce - 540.687.3710
Florida: Innisbrook 727.942.5822 | Reunion 407.396.5200 | Hammock Beach 386.447.4633
SUITES SO ROMANTIC WE HAD
TO NAME THEM LOVE NESTS
Honeymoon Garden Ronodoval with Private
Plunge Pool at Sandals Grande Antigua
®
LOVE
NEST
THE HONEYMOON OF A LIFETIME
BEGINS IN A LOVE NEST
AS THE RESORTS CREATED FOR TWO PEOPLE IN LOVE, Sandals Resorts has
®
always taken romance to heart. Set on the Caribbean’s best beaches, each of its 14 resorts
has its own distinctive personality — all are uniquely romantic. Since newlyweds have their
own ideas for their perfect honeymoon, Sandals has created a wide variety of suites to
fulfill every possible dream. With a Sandals Love Nest, you’ll be in your own unforgettable
world. These are so much more than suites–they are your ultimate honeymoon experience.
Scan for more information!
®
THE LUXURY INCLUDED ® HONEYMOON
CALL YOUR TOUR OPERATOR OR
1-800-SANDALS • SANDALS.COM
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JAMAICA
•
ANTIGUA
•
SAINT LUCIA
•
BAHAMAS
BUTLER SERVICE
at your beck & call
While every resort has a thousand and
one entertainment options, you need
never entertain the thought of leaving
your suite. All of Sandals’ top-tier suites
include the services of your own butler
certified by the Guild of Professional
English Butlers. Always within reach
via your personal butler cell phone,
your butler will attend to everything
from serving tropical drinks to you
as you laze on the beach to drawing
scented baths. On your honeymoon,
you shouldn’t have to think about
anything except each other, and with
a personal butler, you won’t have to.
Swim-Up Suite at Sandals Royal Caribbean
HONEYMOON GIFTS†
JUST FOR YOU:
• Chilled bottle of sparkling wine will
await you upon arrival
• Turndown service including tropical
flower petals on your bed
• Breakfast in bed on a morning of
your choice
†To qualify for the all-inclusive honeymoon package all you have
to do is check-in online at checkin.sandals.com after booking your
honeymoon. Sandals® is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations,
Inc., is the worldwide representative of Sandals Resorts.
Millionaire Suite at Sandals La Toc in Saint Lucia
®
LOVE
NEST
THE LUXURIOUS HONEYMOON
LOVE NESTS OF SANDALS
CREATED IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF ROMANCE, THESE SUITES EXCITE YOUR SENSES with details like plush terry
robes, hand-embroidered Egyptian cotton duvets, plasma TVs and many with private pools. Comfortable
sitting areas with sumptuous décor welcome relaxation and are the perfect place to cuddle. Only Sandals
pampers you with divine pleasures like custom mahogany four-poster beds and Carrera marble baths.
Encircled with luxury
RONDOVAL SUITES
with plunge pools
Honeymooners who want something
totally exotic can’t make a better choice
than a Rondoval with plunge pool. Luxury
has no boundaries in a suite that has no
corners. Sandals introduces Rondovals–
exotic suites-in-the-round found at both
Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals
Grande Antigua–that surround you in
modern luxury and tropical tranquility.
Inside, enhanced natural elements such
as 20’ conical ceilings, rich mahogany
furnishings and stone details are
complemented by 50” plasma TVs
and personal butler service. Outside, a
secluded garden oasis plays host to a
world of pleasures from a private plunge
pool and whirlpool to hammocks and an
outdoor grotto shower…either steps from
the beach or nestled in a palm grove.
Ultra Luxury Ocean Villa One Bedroom Suite with
Private Pool at Sandals Grande Antigua
Your own private
SANCTUARY VILLA SUITES
with plunge pools
Do you imagine having your own tropical
villa with every conceivable luxury?
You’ll find the answer to your dreams
at Sandals Grande Antigua and Sandals
Negril. Measuring up to 1,400 square
feet, these magnificent villas open onto
an extremely private patio with zeroentry pool, stone whirlpool, lanai and
outdoor shower. Inside, experience
every refinement from French-polished
hardwood furnishings to plasma TVs.
The pinnacle of perfection
SUNSET OCEAN BLUFF
SUITES with plunge pools
Magnificent cliff-side villas are the refuge
of celebrities who desire the most rare of
luxuries: true seclusion. If you want to spend
your honeymoon like a celebrity, you can at
Sandals La Toc in Saint Lucia. Sunset Ocean
Bluff Suites with plunge pools have been
created for uninterrupted privacy. Edging a
dramatic bluff, these one and two-story suites
feature a sumptuously-appointed living room
that opens onto a private sun deck with its own
plunge pool and breathtaking ocean views. A
Sunset Ocean Bluff Suite is the height of luxury,
and your honeymoon shouldn’t be any different.
The allure of water
THE SWIM-UP SUITES
Few things are as enchanting as water and
for those who want its magic to be part of
their honeymoon, Sandals has created the
Swim-up Suites of Sandals Negril and Sandals
Royal Caribbean. Gracious sitting areas open
directly onto the edge of a crystal lagoon
pool. Retractable plantation-style louver
doors open to invite cool breezes and views
of the ocean and the shimmering pool. British
Colonial furnishings of mahogany and woven
seagrass lend a sense of island ease, while
details such as designer fixtures and onyx
countertops impart a spirit of contemporary
elegance. With a free-flowing floor plan, this
suite is open to every romantic possibility.
MILLIONAIRE SUITES
The epitome of luxury
For those who want the ultimate honeymoon,
there are the Millionaire Suites at Sandals
La Toc in Saint Lucia. These freestanding villas
include private infinity pools, oversized stone
whirlpools, and fully retractable glass “walls”
opening onto the island’s best ocean views, you
will be catered to and spoiled—and always feel
on top of the world. The Millionaire Honeymoon
Suites at Sandals Negril in Jamaica offer
their own luxuries, opening out to secluded
walled-in garden patios with sparkling plunge
pools and outdoor grotto showers. In both
cases, you’ll be catered to and spoiled—
and always feel like you’re a millionaire.
CALL YOUR TOUR OPERATOR OR
1-800-SANDALS • SANDALS.COM
Millionaire Honeymoon Suite at Sandals Negril
®
THE LUXURY INCLUDED ® HONEYMOON
El Arco is one of many awesome backdrops for
wedding ceremonies in Los Cabos.
and will assist with any questions you may have regarding
documentation, wedding contracts, event planning/coordination and more. A variety of wedding packages are available.
Free Ceremony From Pueblo Bonito: For couples looking to
celebrate their nuptials on a romantic an beach, Pueblo Bonito Oceanfront Resorts and Spas (www.pueblobonito.com/
weddings.php) is offering a free wedding when a designated
number of room nights are booked at any of the company’s
six properties in either Mazatlán or Los Cabos. Complimentary ceremonies are offered to clients who book a suite for a
minimum of seven nights or who book five rooms for a minimum of three nights each.
For couples looking for a shorter getaway, Pueblo Bonito
also offers a number of paid packages to suit their every need.
All couples receive access to a certified wedding planner, and
each ceremony is performed by a justice of the peace or nondenominational minister and includes sparkling wine for the
wedding toast, plus bridal bouquet and boutonniere.
All Pueblo Bonito wedding planners are accredited through
the Beverly Clark Certified Wedding Professional Program,
created by wedding and lifestyle expert Beverly Clark to provide the latest tools and techniques to better understand the
wedding market as well as the needs and expectations of the
bride. Pueblo Bonito also offers couples a bridal and honeymoon gift registry (www.pueblobonito.honeymoonwishes
.com), making it easier for family and friends to find and buy
gifts for newlyweds traveling to any Pueblo Bonito resort.
Couples can create the ultimate wish list with gifts such as a
couple’s massage, a private candlelight dinner on the beach
and hotel upgrades. Couples who use the wedding registry
also receive a free wedding website, announcement cards, a
guest message board and more.
Newlyweds can celebrate their nuptials in paradise with
Pueblo Bonito’s Complimentary Honeymoon Package. For
| 22 |
couples who book a minimum of five nights at any of the
brand’s resorts, this package includes a bottle of sparkling
wine upon arrival, romantic room décor, and a guaranteed
king-size bed, as well as an upgrade to the next room category, and early check-in and late check-out, based upon
availability. Newlyweds also receive a free night certificate
for use on their first anniversary, valid with a minimum fivenight stay.
Free Wedding and Honeymoon Packages: The adults-only,
all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort (www.leblancsparesort.
com) in Cancun offers both a Complimentary Wedding
Package and a Complimentary Honeymoon Package, as well
as a $1,500 resort credit that can be used toward one of its
more elaborate wedding packages: Royale, Zen Garden and
Signature. From a small, private ceremony to a gala event
surrounded by family and friends, Le Blanc’s expert planners will tailor a wedding to fulfill your clients’ wishes on the
most special day of their life.
Palace Offers Colin Cowie Weddings: The nine Colin Cowie
Wedding Collection packages at Palace Resorts (www.palaceresorts.com/weddings) feature designs inspired by Mexico, including options such as Exotic Peacock, Romantic Red,
Sultry Sunset and Pure White. Packages start at $1,500.
Wedding specialists will oversee the ceremony location and
set-up (chairs, chair covers, floral decorations, aisle runner,
etc.), witnesses (if needed), the bridal bouquet and groom’s
boutonniere, wedding cake, champagne, dinner reservations
at a hotel restaurant for up to 30 guests and a honeymoon
package. Couples can add a reception to their package for
a cost per table. Palace Resorts has properties in Cancun,
Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.
Romance in Riviera Maya: The Romance Manager at the
Banyan Tree Mayakoba (www.banyantree.com) in Riviera
Maya will work with you and your client to create the perfect wedding or anniversary celebration. Ceremonies can be
arranged at various locations within the resort, such as the
beach, ballroom, scenic-view terrace, private villa or Sands
Beach Club. Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers 107 private pool
villas within a private, gated resort development on Mexico’s
famous Riviera Maya coast.
Free Nuptials in Cancun, Playa del Carmen: At the Real
Resorts’ (www.realresorts.com) ROYAL or Gran resorts in
Cancun and Playa del Carmen, couples can enjoy a complimentary wedding with a booking of five nights or longer in a
Master Suite or Presidential Suite. Included are the services
of a wedding specialist, ceremony, witnesses (if required),
decorated oceanfront wedding gazebo or beachfront location, sound system for the ceremony (clients bring their favorite music on CDs, iPod or MP3 player), champagne toast,
wedding cake for two and late check-out for the couple (up
to 6 p.m., subject to availability). There is a nominal perguest charge for champagne and cake. All four ROYAL and
Gran resorts also host an array of full wedding packages that
add such items as spa services, photography, live musician
and “honeymoon breakfast,” ranging from several hundred
dollars to several thousand dollars.
W
here happy endings begin.
Breezes Resorts & Spas are proud to call some of the most
romantic and breathtaking places on earth home. And
there’s no better place for couples to exchange their vows
than at one of our spectacular resorts.
At Breezes, Dream Weddings are complimentary*, but the
memories are priceless. Consider it our wedding gift to your
clients.
ISLAND INSPIR ATIONS
Discover our new Island Inspirations wedding collection.
Five new wedding themes that capture the beauty of our
unique island settings.
AQUA
TROPICAL
SEASHELL
FLORA
BLOSSOM
FOR
CLIENTS
FOR
AGENTS
To learn more about Dream Weddings & Honeymoons by Breezes
and the 6th Room Free promotion, visit our new Breezes Romance
website at breezes.com/romance
To learn more about our Free 3-Night giveaway for agents, visit our
agent-only website at SuperAgentConcierge.com
superagentconcierge.com
JA M A IC A · THE BA H A M A S · BR A ZIL
Dream Weddings not available in all locations. Restrictions and minimum night stays apply. Information accurate at time of printing.
Part of the SuperClubs Collection of Hotels & Resorts. © 2012
Super-Inclusive ® Resorts • The Playful Side of Paradise
Morgan Bay is the newest
addition to the Elite Island
Resorts collection.
Caribbean
Bliss
A variety of isles for that march down the aisle
T
he Caribbean offers a great number and diversity
of island destinations from which your soon-tobe-newlywed clients can choose to tie the knot
and enjoy their first vacation as a married couple.
These same choices are also available to those who wish to
renew their vows and enjoy a second honeymoon.
Vows can be exchanged in a variety of romantic settings–in a forest or garden, at a historic site, in a festively
decorated gazebo or on the beach, accompanied by the
sound of waves gently lapping the shore. Some couples have
even gotten married on horseback or underwater, complete with aquatic wedding outfits and scuba-diving gear.
Whichever island they have their heart set on, make sure
you do your homework, beginning with the requirements.
These may vary, but can include waiting period (usually a
day or two, but ranges from none to a month); registration
and license fees; passport or birth certificate (with raised
seal) and photo driver’s license; proof of marital status, proof
of divorce or death certificate where applicable; and other
documents, depending on the destination chosen. For islandby-island details, visit www.caribbeantravel.com/weddings.
RESORT WEDDINGS
Following is a sampling of some of the diverse options available
to you and your clients at resorts throughout the Caribbean.
| 24 |
Rendezvous’ Romance Concierge: Agents should tell clients
getting hitched about Rendezvous (www.theromanticho-
liday.com), an all-inclusive couples-only hideaway in St.
Lucia. The 100-room boutique property provides couples
with a personalized romantic experience and is set on a beautiful two-mile stretch of sandy beach and surrounded by
seven acres of gardens. The property features a scuba center,
an array of watersports, archery, fencing, tennis courts, two
pools, the Piano Bar, a swim-up bar at the main pool, and
Terrace Bar.
Rendezvous’ “Romance Concierge” provides services that
are customized to the guests’ preferences, so that these experiences are as personalized as possible. This includes creating personalized candlelit dinners, intimate Sunset Cruises,
romantic in-room retreats, and Sunset Rendezvous (where
guests can watch the sunset while enjoying chilled champagne or wine, exotic fruits or assorted cheeses). She makes overall recommendations about romantic experiences as well as details such as the best champagne, flowers,
desserts, candles, etc., in order to create the desired mood. She can also help to coordinate a “dream proposal.” One example of this was her arranging for a young woman to propose to her future husband under a waterfall.
Renew Vows at Jamaica’s SunSpree: With U.S. divorce
rates on the decline primarily due to the persistently sluggish
Say “I do” in Tahiti.
Make their wedding as romantic
as their honeymoon.
Visit TahitiTourism.com/Weddings
Islands the way they used to be.
GETTING HITCHED IN NO TIME AT ALL
For clients who can’t wait to get married and spend as many days on-island as
possible as honeymooners, there are a handful of Caribbean destinations where there
is no waiting period for the newlyweds-to-be. Here are three places you can send
these impassioned, impatient lovers
Barbados: If your clients may have always dreamed of getting married barefoot with
the sand between their toes and waves gently lapping at their feet, or to live out
an epic romance on the grounds of a gracious and genteel plantation, suggest they
tie the knot in Barbados (www.visitbarbados.org). Likewise, if they’re a couple of
mystery and daring who gravitate to the exotic allure of marrying in an abandoned
sugar mill at midnight, Barbados can accommodate them.
And if the couple want more flowers that a bouquet and boutonniere they can be
wed in the island’s Flower Forest, Orchid World, Andromeda Botanic Gardens or other
floral settings.
Cayman Islands: With more than 500 destination weddings a year on the three
islands, Cayman (www.caymanislands.ky) represents a large commission potential
with the booking of air, accommodations and more for the bride and groom and
their guests. Thanks to a range of wedding service companies based in the Cayman
Islands, your clients seeking a destination wedding can get the exact experience they
want. Whether it’s just a couple looking for an intimate ceremony on the beach or an
extravaganza hosting hundreds of people at a luxurious venue or anything in between
– including an underwater wedding – the bride and groom will find every service
available to them stateside. Plus, the can wed the same day they arrive—there is no
waiting period.
There are a host of interesting locations beyond the beach for couples not looking
for the sand-beneath-their-toes option. Choices include Pedro St. James Historic Site,
the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, or even underwater in full scuba gear.
Puerto Rico: There are several reasons why hundreds of couples (including Grammy
Award winner singer Shania Twain and Swiss businessman Frederic Thiebaud) chose
to get married in Puerto Rico (www.seepuertorico.com) in 2011. The island is an
ideal setting for a destination wedding, combining the exotic appeal of the Caribbean
with the ease of getting married that comes with being a U.S. territory. It also offers
near-perfect weather and a great variety of venues, including sun-drenched beaches,
El Yunque rainforest and two of the oldest churches in the New World.
If you want someone with local expertise to help you and your clients plan their
big day, Wed Affair (www.wedaffair.com) specializes in destinations weddings, with
services that span the entire island of Puerto Rico.
A romantic carriage ride through George Town, Grand Cayman
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
| 26 |
economy, the Holiday Inn SunSpree
Resort Montego Bay (www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica) is helping couples
celebrate staying together by offering an affordable Wedding Vows Renewal package. It includes the services
of a minister, choice of three tropical
seaside locations, one renewal certificate, one bridal bouquet and a groom’s
boutonniere for just $200. Clients may
choose ceremony locations including:
the Wedding Gazebo, located at the
end of a dramatic pier overlooking the
Caribbean; a beachfront arbor draped
in pastel-hued flowers with an aisle
adorned by sand castles and flower
petals; or Cupid’s Gazebo draped in
lush tropical greenery in an intimate,
garden-by-the-sea setting.
Elite Island’s Newest Resort Offers
Four Venues: Morgan Bay Beach Resort (www.morganbayresort.com) is
the newest addition to the Elite Island
Resorts collection. Located on its very
own secluded cove on the island of St.
Lucia, this all-inclusive resort offers an
elegant and casual setting that is perfect for an unforgettable Caribbean
destination wedding.
The resort offers 340 rooms including 65 brand new suites overlooking
the Caribbean Sea, four pools, four
gourmet restaurants and a comprehensive all-inclusive program that includes
water sports, land activities and live
nightly entertainment.
At Morgan Bay Beach Resort, couples can choose from four unique wedding venues: Morgan’s Pier, which
overlooks the glistening Caribbean
Sea; a beautiful, hilltop gazebo that
also overlooks the sea; a garden amidst
lush and exotic flowers; and, of course,
the white-sand beach with sparkling
blue waters as a postcard-worthy
backdrop. Couples can customize their
wedding package with the resort’s onsite wedding coordinator, adding live
entertainment, flower arrangements,
spa treatments and much more.
In addition to Morgan Bay, Elite
Island Resorts offers a variety of premier destination wedding experiences
at its other all-inclusive resorts located
throughout the Caribbean. At Palm Island (www.palmislandcaribbean.com),
a private-island resort in the Grenadines, weddings have a
truly intimate and romantic feel. This exclusive resort offers
world-class beaches, elegant oceanfront cottages and a fine
dining restaurant. One of the resort’s most popular excursions, an exhilarating sailing trip to the renowned Tobago
Cays, adds a dash of adventure as couples can get up close
and personal with nature, even swimming with sea turtles. Like many of Elite Island’s properties, Palm Island offers a free wedding package for all-inclusive stays of seven
nights or more in an island loft or villa category. This package includes a personal wedding consultant; government
fees, registrar cost and ceremony charges; marriage officiate;
a certified copy of marriage license; a decorated site for wed-
A heart-shaped tree (above left) sets the stage for intimate, romantic
dining at Palm Island in the Grenadines.
A couple takes a hammock break (above) during their “Blossom” wedding and reception at Breezes Negril in Jamaica.
ding ceremony; bouquet and boutonniere; a one-tier wedding
cake; one bottle of champagne and all taxes and gratuities.
Additional Elite Island Resorts wedding destinations include the adults-only Galley Bay Resort and Spa, the glamorous St. James’s Club & Villas and the eco-friendly Verandah Resort and Spa, all in Antigua; the luxury-inclusive
LaSource spa resort in Grenada; and Long Bay Beach Resort, a beach hideaway in Tortola, BVI (note: Long Bay is
not all-inclusive).
Call your Preferred Tour Operator or 888 280 8810
karismahotels.com
GOURMET INCLUSIVE
SUMMER SAVINGS
Welcome to our summer promotion with up to 40% off at our award
winning Gourmet Inclusive® resorts, which have become synonymous
with luxury vacation experiences for adults, couples and families.
Book now, and not only will your clients will enjoy huge discounts -kids stay and eat free. Try it.
SAVING
S UP TO
40%
The difference is. Gourmet Inclusive.
Check website for complete details. Sunsational savings promotion is not combinable with any other promotion and may be changed or cancelled
at any time without prior notice. Certain restrictions apply. Applicable for US market only. Not responsible for errors or omissions.
Sandals Emerald Bay (here) in
Grand Exuma, Bahamas
One of the two inviting pools at
Rendezvous in St. Lucia (right)
Breezes Resorts & Spas’ New Dream Wedding, Honeymoon Collection: Building on its years of expertise, Breezes Resorts & Spas (www.superclubs.com) is now offering
pairs even more personalized options with the new Breezes
Dream Wedding and Honeymoon Collection. With a choice
of three wedding packages and five colorful Island Inspirations themes (Aqua, Tropical, Seashell, Flora and Blossom),
couples can tailor their big day to best fit their personalities.
At the same time, they also keep their budgets in check.
In addition to the complimentary wedding option, brides and
grooms who have family and friends booking five or more
rooms to join the celebration will enjoy the sixth room for free.
Here are the three Dream Wedding packages, which are
on offer at Breezes Negril in Jamaica and Breezes Bahamas.
Endless Love: A complimentary wedding which includes a
Dream Wedding Planner who attends to every detail, classic wedding cake, a non-denominational minister, marriage
license, bouquet and boutonniere, champagne, music and
decorations, four guests passes, online bridal registry website
and a few wedding keepsakes. For those who stay six nights
or more, Breezes will also absorb the government and administration fees.
Timeless Love ($999): Designed as an extension of Breezes’ complimentary package, Timeless Love features upgraded themed bridal bouquet and boutonniere, floral
centerpieces and theme wedding cake, private candlelit
dinner for two, romantic petal turndown service, in-room
champagne and fresh local fruit, breakfast and mimosas
in bed, 30-minute couples massage and 15 percent off additional spa services for the entire wedding party, a tote
bag, photos and photo album of the special day and a free
two-night anniversary stay.
| 28 |
Eternal Love ($1,599): This option includes everything from
the Timeless Love package plus more lavish bouquets and
centerpieces, extra champagne for the reception, and keepsakes such as his-and- her robes, a knife and cake server set
and a free four-night anniversary stay.
Hard Rock Hotels Offer Colin Cowie Weddings: Colin
Cowie offers nine destination wedding designs at the allinclusive Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana in (www.hardrock
hotelpuntacana.com) in the Dominican Republic. These are
the same essential packages as those offered at the resort’s
sister Palace Resorts properties in Mexico (see page 22).
More Dominican Republic Bliss: Grand Resorts at Cap
Cana, a Salamander Caribbean Collection (www.grand
resortsatcapcana.com) provides guests with everything they
need for a luxurious wedding or honeymoon. Couples can
say their vows oceanside or choose another perfect backdrop
for that special day. A Wedding Stylist (540-687-3710) is
available to help you and your clients plan the ceremony and
reception. They can stay in one of the 298 spcious villas at the
new village-style Fishing Lodge or in the176-suite oceanfront
Sanctuary. Cap Cana is an ecologically pristine, 30,000-acre
exclusive retreat featuring ocean, beach, cliffs and forest.
Free 12/12/12 Wedding from Sandals: Sandals Resorts
(www.sandals.com) is offering couples a chance to book a
“WeddingMoon” to remember by selecting the auspicious
12/12/12 for their special day. Triple digit wedding dates
occur only 12 times every one hundred years and hence are
hugely popular with engaged couples seeking a memorable
date to tie the knot. Last year, Sandals and Beaches Resorts
saw record marriages on the momentous date 11/11/11 with
more than 150 couples choosing to wed at the 18 Luxury Included resorts across the Caribbean and, as 12/12/12 will be
the last triple digit date until the year 2101, couples should
book their WeddingMoon early to avoid disappointment.
To help brides and grooms stay within their budget, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts offer a complimentary
Beautiful Beginnings wedding to all couples who stay for
six nights or longer in any room category. That means couples can now get married at one of the 18 Luxury Included
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean
for as little as $2,517 per couple for seven nights at the new
Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort in Ocho
Rios, Jamaica.
In partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia,
Sandals Resorts offers engaged couples six wedding themes
featuring coordinated color palettes and wedding décor designed exclusively by the expert herself. The Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart options can also be tailored to every
couples tastes, helping brides and grooms plan every detail
of their celebration from beginning to end, including resort
destination, accommodation type, wedding décor, cake and
color palette.
You can book Luxury Included Honeymoons and WeddingMoons directly with Sandals or through your regional
GOGO Vacations (www.gogowwv.com) representative.
Precious Gems Wedding Package in Jamaica: The Jewel
Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa (www.jeweldunnsriver
resort.com) in Ocho Rios offers a complimentary wedding
package for couples staying six nights or longer in a Diamond Ocean View Concierge or higher room category. The
Precious Gems package features all the essentials plus a special dinner and continental breakfast in bed one morning for
the newlyweds. For a fee, ranging from $750 to $2,500, they
can upgrade to more elaborate packages that pile on the extra
features. The Platinum Sunset, for example, includes lengthy
spa treatments for the bride and groom.
New Wedding Planner at The Somerset: In Turks and Caicos, The Somerset (www.thesomerset.com), which hosts
more than 20 weddings and bridal events each year, now has
its own wedding planner, Rosalind McKensie, formerly with
NILA Destinations in Turks & Caicos. Special group rates
are available. For couples getting married at The Somerset,
the bridal party can opt for a two-bedroom villa with additional bridal party suite for hair/makeup/spa treatments. This
third accommodation is attached with a separate entrance
and can be transformed into a relaxing spa room for exclusive use during the stay.
precious
Time is so
,
smart couples steal it
Rendezvous allows you to find time, time to be together,
time to relax, time to talk. It gives you time to reconnect
and to reflect. It gives you time to concentrate on each
other, to refocus. It gives you time to rediscover what
matters most – you.
Rediscover life’s pleasures together.
Visit www.theromanticholiday.com or call 1 866 371 9555
PHOTO COURTESY
OF JERRY GRIGORY
PHOTOGRAPHY
LGBT
W eddings
Same-sex marriages provide a growing niche for travel agents.
I
n the last year, several U.S. states have recognized
same-sex marriages and civil unions, offering new options for destination weddings.
In New York, which legalized same-sex weddings
in July of last year, venues all throughout the state have
opened their doors for ceremonies. New York City’s Central Park offers a great blend of urban sophistication and
romantic greenery, and is a terrific option for a lovely and
affordable event. The Conservatory Garden, located at Fifth
Avenue and 105th Street, hosts numerous ceremonies each
year. The six-acre Garden is made up of three smaller gardens, and weddings at any of the venues cost approximately
$400. Other popular places include The Pond, Cherry Hill,
Bow Bridge, Shakespeare Garden, East Green, Cedar Hill,
the Mall, Hernshead, 100th Street Pool and Harlem Meer.
For permits for these and other areas of Central Park (required only for parties of 20 people or more) there is a fee
of $25. Visit www.centralparknyc.org for more information.
Many hotels in the city are gay-friendly and will help organize and host LGBT weddings. Among them are the Hudson
Hotel (www.hudsonhotel.com), the ultra-luxe Pierre Hotel, the
W Times Square and, of course, the recently opened Out NYC
(theoutnyc.com), the city’s first “straight-friendly” gay hotel.
Important: Any couple looking to marry in New York must
complete an application and receive a marriage license at the
City Clerk’s office before they can legally wed. The City Clerk’s
office can perform a civil marriage ceremony at one of its five
Above: Grand Wailea offers civil union ceremonies at the
Wailea Seaside Chapel and Chapel Gardens.
| 30 |
locations throughout the boroughs. For general information
about getting married in New York, visit cityclerk.nyc.gov.
Other states where same-sex marriages are legal are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermiont, as well as the District of Columbia. Freedom-to-marry
bills are pending in Maryland and Washington state, while in
New Jersey advocates are working to override the governor’s
veto of marriage equality legislation passed by the state senate.
In Hawaii, which legalized civil unions in January of this
year, hotels have been reaching out to the LGBT community as a new weddings niche. On Maui, the Grand Wailea
(www.grandwailea.com) offers several dedicated civil union
and commitment ceremonies for a super-swank event. Aqua
(www.aquaresorts.com) and Starwood (www.starwood
hotels.com) properties throughout the state offer wedding
packages that are extended to same-sex couples.
At the at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (www.
marriottwaikiki.com/), Chaniece-Nicole Torralba is a Certified Wedding Planner who can help plan and coordinate all
wedding, civil union and commitment ceremonies for couples. The Four Seasons Resorts Lanai (www.fourseasons.
com/manelebay/weddings) has a License to Wed specialist,
who is licensed by the state of Hawaii to authorize marriage
and civil union licenses. The specialist can help organize the
wedding and help take care of the paperwork, making for a
personalized one-stop bridal boutique.
Civil unions can also be performed at Aulani, Disney’s
Resort & Spa ((resorts.disney.go.com/Aulani) on Oahu, and
ceremonies can be customized to unite not just couples, but
whole families with children from previous relationships.
The “How To” of
‘I Do’
Some expert tips on making the
most of the romance market
W
e wrap-up our Destination Weddings and
Honeymoons Specialist as be began it,
with some helpful advice from Jacqueline
Johnson, CTC, President/CEO of Global
Bridal Group, beginning with the basics of how to become a
go-to travel agent in this market:
◆ First and foremost, know your product. Visit the destinations you want to sell.
◆ Develop a relationship with on-site service providers,
whether independent or hotels.
◆ Develop an informative and welcoming website. Make it
easy to navigate. Today’s couples will not waste time trying
to find your information.
◆ If you do not have time to promote your services on all the
social media networks, pay a younger person to do so—or if
cash is a problem, exchange services/goods, whatever.
◆ Be a friend to tourist boards, hotels and cruise lines. They
always have some free training going on; you may also get
leads this way.
◆ Attend bridal shows, write for your local paper and promote within your community.
◆ Ask the couple with whom you are working to recommend
you to their friends.
◆ For the wedding party, create a special booking code and
make sure you handle the group.
◆ If it is a cruise, make sure shore excursions are part of the
commission.
SERVICES RENDERED
◆ Take care of your clients. That means informing the hotel
of their arrival and ensuring that the room is ready and a
welcome drink or gift basket is in room.
◆ Follow up with the couple to make sure everything is as it
should be. Leave nothing to chance.
◆ Have a contact at the hotel. At some hotels, reservations
can be a “black hole” with no one to accept responsibility.
◆ If an ocean view is requested, make sure your clients get to
see the ocean directly from the room and don’t have to be a
contortionist to catch a glimpse of water.
◆ Let the manager of the hotel know that this is the wedding
party (or the honeymooners).
◆ Have a nice welcome note from you delivered to the clients’
room.
◆ On their return, send over a bottle of wine or some baked
goods to welcome them home.
BRANDING
◆ For the services provided, you will have these clients for
life. But most important, they will gladly recommend you to
their friends.
◆ Whatever you send to your clients, always have your logo
and contact information displayed on it.
INCREASING YOUR REVENUE
◆ Charge for your services. You are a professional with un-
matched expertise.
◆ Working with the hotel, make sure you not only plan the
actual day of the wedding (if it is a destination wedding)
but create a full package—arrival drinks/dinner, family gettogether, private dinner at local restaurant, the final “Thank
You” dinner/lunch/brunch to thank guests for their participation. All of these should be commissionable.
◆ You could take it one step further and select your favorite
jewelry store—get coupons or some incentive from the store
to pass on to your clients. Yes, they do shop and nothing says
“I love you” more than a nice trinket. You are not only booking a client, you are trying to earn their trust for life.
◆ Do not just take a general coupon: In today’s fast-paced
and electronically advanced world, get your logo on the certificate. Branding is important. It sets you apart from your
competitors and you can use these for other promotions at
trade shows, etc.
| 31 |
WEDDINGS AT THE RESORTS MADE FOR TWO PEOPLE IN LOVE
The Luxury Included® Vacation
Jamaica • Antigua • Saint Lucia • Bahamas
This is your time to plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed of and to begin your new life together as husband and wife. Make it last forever in the
most romantic places on earth. Sandals® Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation
experience in the Caribbean.
Each resort offers:
•
Stunning beachfront locations
•
Up to 15 specialty restaurants per resort
•
Unlimited premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer® Wines
•
Luxurious accommodations in a range of categories
•
Butler service in top-tier suites
•
Unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program*
•
Signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region**
•
Sandals WeddingMoons®
The spirit of an exotic island wedding combines with the pleasures of the Luxury Included® Honeymoon to create the exclusive WeddingMoon®. It’s
the perfect start to the perfect marriage where your honeymoon begins the moment you say, “I do.”
Contact your local GOGO Groups Branch
New England
877.520.1865
South
877.786.4094
North East
866.849.3063
Mid West
866.864.8203
Mid Atlantic
877.889.8323
West
888.381.4838
For more information, contact your local Groups Branch above or visit www.gogowwv.com
*Scuba diving included for certified divers. Resort dive course and night dives additional. **Spa services additional. Sandals® is a registered trademark.

Specialist - The Destination Experts

Transcription

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