Stunning agent-booked destination weddings
The couple: Geraldine & Mario
The wedding: May 8, 2024 at Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
The guest list: 38
The agent: Andrea Stainburn, Boutique Travel Services
Photographers: Timeless Tree Weddings
From the bride: The wedding was absolutely amazing, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing! I highly recommend a destination wedding to anyone who’s on the fence. It’s such a special experience to spend not just one day, but an entire week surrounded by the people you love.
One of the challenges I faced was not being able to see everything in person when choosing the resort. I visited the resort eight months before the wedding, but I had already booked it by then. Fortunately, I loved it as a guest, and meeting the wedding coordinators during that trip gave me peace of mind. Another challenge was that I couldn’t do as many DIY projects as I wanted because of luggage restrictions. While I did bring some of my handmade items, I wish I could have done more.
A key lesson I learned was the importance of delegating tasks to family and friends, and making sure everything is ready before you arrive. Once you’re at the resort, the last thing you want to do is stay in your room doing last-minute wedding planning!
Overall, it was an incredible week filled with unforgettable moments. From booking with Andrea to working with the coordinators at the resort, everything went smoothly. My biggest advice: savour every moment, because it flies by so fast!
The couple: Tom & Kim
The wedding: Sept. 15, 2024 at Blue Venado Seaside (private venue) while guests stayed at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa, Mexico
The guest list: 45
The agent: Janel Ascher, Liz Moore Destination Weddings
Photographers: Maricarmen Arcos Photography
From the agent: I thoroughly enjoyed working with Tom and Kim. They were that couple that you immediately felt a connection with and looked forward to doing everything as a travel agent, to the best of your ability to ensure that everything ran as smoothly as possible. This beautiful couple had devastating news not once, but twice, but true to their nature, they celebrated their wedding day with grace and honoured the ones who could not be with them. I have deep gratitude for couples like Tom and Kim as it reminds me that I do not have a “job”, but I have yearning to make their day as special as possible.
From the couple: We, Tom and Kim, were married in Mexico at a private venue called Blue Venado Seaside. Our agent Janel Ascher at Liz Moore Weddings made our booking a breeze, supporting our family and friends from all over the world to attend. We stayed at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya for the week, which was fabulous and the Blue Venado staff took care of all our wedding planning and made it stress free.
We chose Maricarmen Photography and videography and could not have been happier with the results. On our wedding day, September 15, 2024, it had rained briefly and when we walked out, we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow! Our wedding was truly perfect. We danced barefoot in the sand and laughed all night. Things were challenging at times, but it is always a reminder that we have to make the most of every moment. We look back and remember how much love was surrounding us, and how that love will embrace us forever.
The couple: Chantel & James
The wedding: Sept. 17, 2024 at Majestic Costa Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico
The guest list: 11
The agent: Pamela Walker, Weddings by Escapes
Photographers: L&V Photography (Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres)
From the agent: Chantel & James initially reached out to me in early 2023 about starting the planning of their destination wedding for late summer 2024. We put the planning on pause for a few months until the tour companies had their schedules out, and in August, one year away from their planned wedding day, we started looking at destinations. Resorts were considered in St. Lucia and Costa Rica, before settling on Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, for its ease of travel (direct flights!), beautiful beach, and excellent value for money.
From the couple: Trust the process — it will be a magical day. All weddings are stressful whether your booking destination or planning your own wedding however it was extremely helpful having a wedding planner like Pamela to assist in the entire process. We were amazed by how beautiful the resort was and how beautiful the wedding was.
