Ask the agent – all things romance
Love is in the air! What destinations are you booking for honeymoons? Anything exotic or interesting? Any particular hotels/brands that are offering an elevated romantic escape?
LK: We are finding an increased demand for Los Cabos, St. Lucia, Jamaica, the Maldives, and the Amalfi Coast in Italy for honeymoon bookings. Although most couples request exotic destinations like Bora Bora, many do not quite have the budget yet for it but our team of experts are here to help them with great alternative options. We really like working with World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection, particularly their Secrets brand which I feel was designed for romance and honeymoons in mind.
PJ: For honeymooners the world is their oyster so the options are really endless. Romantic escapes to Italy, or relaxing vacations in the Maldives or Tahiti. Some are looking for something small right after their wedding so when in Mexico, the all-inclusive resorts all have so much to offer.
Let’s talk about destination weddings. What’s the average size of the booking, how far out are they booking and where are they going?
LK: The average size of our destination wedding groups is 28 passengers and they are booking on average 12-15 months in advance. Our top destination is still Cancun/Mayan Riviera, followed by Punta Cana, then Jamaica, then Cuba. The appeal of the all-inclusive package with the advanced and transparent one-rate for all guests makes it easier to plan a destination wedding. Most of the top all-inclusive resort brands have incredible in-house wedding departments to work with that makes planning the event itself much easier than ever before.
PJ: For my South Asian weddings most book me 1-2 years in advance and an average group size is between 100-200 guests. Majority of the time we are in Mexico due to the long flight times coming out of the West Coast. Cancun and Los Cabos are my go-tos in Mexico.
Is there a honeymoon or destination wedding client that stands out from all the other bookings? If so, why and what sets it apart?
LK: Yes, we had booked a destination wedding in Santorini where the Canadian bride rode a donkey to her ceremony, fully embracing the tradition of the Santorini wedding tradition and culture! I also really enjoy planning South Asian destination weddings with their five days of celebratory events and so much colour!
PJ: All of my couple’s are lovely and unique but they all want to make sure their guests have the time of their lives. One wedding I did last year my bride is Canadian, and my groom is American so it was not only a mixing of two countries but mixing of two worlds while doing their Hindu wedding in the Dominican Republic. I think we achieved the perfect harmony and balance for their wedding.
What trends are you noticing when it comes to honeymoons and/or destination weddings?
LK: More and more newlyweds are seeking unique and off-the-beaten-path honeymoons. Where they may have gone to Paris and Rome before, they are now seeking out places like Dubrovnik and Budapest. They are also requesting more interactive and experiential immersion for themselves and their destination wedding guests like cooking classes or volunteer excursions. We’ve also seen an increase in “dry” holiday inquiries — asking advice on where to go where the emphasis isn’t on alcohol consumption.
PJ: A simple and intimate wedding with more emphasis on the pre-wedding parties and the big blowout event for the reception.
Do you have anything to add?
PJ: South Asian weddings are constantly shifting with what is popular and in demand, but coming from such a diverse ethnicity we have so many beautiful ceremonies and traditions we can celebrate. There is always a way to respectfully accommodate our customs and traditions in destination.
