Congratulations Sara & Andrew!!!

Sara & Andrew hosted their Destination Wedding at Excellence Riviera Cancun in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. 

It was a super easy event to organize largely in part because the Excellence is hands down one of the best hotel groups for Destination Weddings. We receive accolades from all of our Excellence clients and are always thrilled when a bride selects one of there hotels for her special day.

Sara & Andrew used the photographer recommended by the resort - Blue Lens Caribe - and I think they did an amazing job! Love, love, love their photos.

Congratulations!!!

Cheers,

Stay only 5 Nights at ANY Sandals Resort for a FREE Wedding!

Effective Immediately, Sandals Resorts has dropped their FREE WEDDING requirement to a stay of only 5 nights in ANY room category! This applies to ALL Sandals Resorts with the exception of Sandals Emerald Bay during the months of FEB to AUG where a government fee of $350 will still apply. 

To start planning your own Destination Wedding, contact the Wedding Travel Consultants at Caribbean Journey ~ 866-236-1924 or via email.

{As with all promos, restrictions apply. Please inquire.}

Book a FREE Wedding at Le Blanc Spa Resort

When I poll my travel agent colleagues about their favorite resort in Mexico to vacation, many come back enthusiastically with LE BLANC. It is a luxurious, 5 star resort, with an atmosphere that can be described as simple elegance. This makes Le Blanc the perfect host hotel for a Destination Wedding. Their complimentary wedding package is one of the finest offered:

COMPLIMENTARY WEDDING* FOR 2011 & 2012

Our Complimentary Package includes the following: Wedding location Personal Wedding Planner Justice of the Peace or Non Denominational Minister Marriage certificate for civil ceremonies (documents issued in Spanish) Special Butler service on the day of the wedding Aisle runner White wine during the ceremony Wedding cake Bridal bouquet 1 Matching grooms boutonniere Sound equipment for the ceremony White Tiffany chairs for the ceremony2 Dinner reservations for the wedding party 3 Special breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding Two Le Blanc Signature totes 4 Two Le Blanc Signature bathrobes 4 A romantic dinner for two during the stay 4

1 Bridal bouquet includes 24 rose blooms

2 Tiffany chairs provided for 60 guests during the ceremony

3 A set menu at a selected restaurant will apply to wedding parties with eight guests and over with a maximum of 25 guests. Lumiere subject to availability, based on resort occupancy.

4 The Honeymoon package included (only for europe)

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply.}

Not only will you enjoy a fabulous wedding, but you & your guests will earn up to $1500 in resort credit. You may apply this credit to upgrading your wedding package and your guests may use it for world class spa treatments, candlelit dinners, upgraded bottles of wine and more. 

If Le Blanc Spa Resort sounds like just what you've been looking for, contact us today to get started planning! 

Being located in the Cancun area, your guests will be flying to one of the easiest destinations in the tropics. Cancun is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. 

Secrets Royal Beach + NOW Larimar Punta Cana

There are two hot new resorts on the Destination Wedding scene in Punta Cana! The brand new Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana and the NOW Larimar Punta Cana. 

Each resort includes Unlimited-Luxury® vacation concept which offers desirable locations, understated yet elegant accommodations with breathtaking ocean views, limitless access to gourmet a la carte dining and premium beverage brands, 24-hour room and concierge services, countless daytime activities, live evening entertainment, fitness facilities and more. Highlights at each resort include:

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana 

Located a short 30 minutes from the Punta Cana International airport, this adults-only resort sits on 700 yards of picturesque palm-studded, white sandy beach.  All 373 rooms feature a Jacuzzi on the terrace and are designed in a subtle contemporary style with vivid Caribbean colors. The resort features three restaurants and five bars. Additionally, guests can enjoy reciprocal dining privileges at Now Larimar Punta Cana, expanding their dining options to include 10 restaurants and 14 bars. Guests have access to a variety of activities including land and water sports, daily special events such as movies on the beach, dance classes, and nightly shows and entertainment.

Now Larimar Punta Cana

Offering stunning ocean views, white sand beaches and lush gardens, the resort boasts 642 spacious rooms and suites. In addition to offering seven restaurants and nine bars, Now Larimar includes signature amenities such as a bowling center and an open-air nightclub and lounge with swimming pool. Families with children will appreciate the resort’s Explorers’ Club, which caters exclusively to younger guests’ ages 3-12 with dedicated facilities and fully-supervised activities. Preferred Club level accommodations and amenities also are available featuring three separate preferred private lounges and check-in area, daily continental breakfast in the lounges, afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, free internet access in suite, and upgraded mini bar service and bath amenities.

The properties also share a full-service spa and a 9,040 square feet convention center. In addition, guests also have close access to four golf courses including the Cocotal Golf & Country Club, designed by six-time Spanish Champion Jose “Pepe” Gancedo.

To celebrate the opening of these two new hotels, they are offering the following low introductory rates. 

   • Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana - $139 (summer) and  $149 (fall) 

   • Now Larimar Punta Cana - $99 (summer) and $89 plus kids stay free (fall)

If your Destination Wedding plans aren't until 2012, take advantage of these low rates to take a site tour of the hotel and meet with the wedding planner! Contact us for a quote with airfare today!

Cheers,

St. Lucia - Jade Mountain Weddings

This is your backdrop. Add bride + groom, and that's really all you need for one of the most amazing weddings in the world.

This week, I'm working with a bride on her wedding dream to marry at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia. Jade Mountain is a small, exclusive resort with award-winning architecture and some of the most dramatic views in the Caribbean. I've been extremely impressed with the swiftness of the hotel's replies to our wedding planning questions. They've helped to make the planning process easier and it is much appreciated.

Jade Mountain is a "resort within a resort" located on property at Anse Chastanet on St. Lucia's southwest coast. The benefits of the "resort within a resort" concept are many. The bride and groom may choose to stay at Jade and their guests may stay at the less costly Anse Chastanet and still attend the wedding events. It also solves a common problem we find with smaller resorts. A smaller resort often only as 1, maybe 2, dining establishments.  Guests at Jade have dinning access to all of Anse Chastanet's many restaurants. This also extends the lists of reception location options for wedding guests at Jade. 

 

The wedding packages start at $995. If you'd like to consider Jade Mountain or Anse Chastanet for your Caribbean Destination Wedding, please contact us! 

Cheers,

Weddings at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma, Bahamas

Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas is a perfect choice for an all-inclusive Destination Wedding with an off-the-beaten path, private island feel. The beach is not shared by any other hotel, the rooms are spread out and privacy abounds. This leads to an overall elegant and romantic feel. 

Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart are offered at Sandals Emerald Bay. Every wedding includes:

Personal Wedding Consultant

Picturesque Wedding Location

Bridal Bouquet & Groom’s Boutonniere

Pre-Recorded Musical Accompaniment

Marriage Officer

Sparkling Wine & Chilled Hors d’oeuvres Reception

for Bride, Groom and Two Guests (30 minutes)

Two-tiered Wedding Cake

One (1) 5x7 Wedding Photograph

Preparation of Marriage Documents

Certified Marriage Certificate

Wedding Gift from Sandals

Honeymoon Dinner for Bride & Groom in an existing Resort Restaurant

Continental Breakfast in bed the next morning

The starter package is the Beautiful Beginnings with a price point of $1000. {The $500 additional government admin fee will be waived for couples staying 6 nights or longer.}

You can build your customized wedding package from here and add such fun inclusions as a beachy wedding sign, cheery parasols, a candy buffet, flip flop station, customized favors, and more. 

We've helped dozens of brides plan and book their dream wedding at Sandals Resorts and would love to help you! Contact us today! 

Cheers,

Get Married at El Dorado Maroma

The El Dorado Maroma is one of the Riviera Maya's most desired resorts. The sand here is the coolest around. It is made of fine coral and so it does not get hot like most beaches. The hotel also has this rustic over-water gazebo complex. It is primarily used for the spa's Sky Massage service but it popular with brides what want a somewhat unique ceremony location:

If you prefer a Catholic ceremony or want to walk down the aisle of a chapel, there is one on property: 

After your ceremony move back to the coolness of the beach for a lovely reception! 

Check out the rest of my photos from the El Dorado Maroma! 

The Cancun area remains a top choice for Destination Weddings because it is so easy to find cheap tickets on most major airlines! We typically find flights in the $400 and under range from every major US city. 

Cheers,

Congratulations Jennifer & Russell!

Jennifer & Russell were married this summer at Sandals Negril Resort and Spa in Jamaica.

 I love the beach balls - printed with the couples names and wedding date - how cute and unique! Isn't it amazing how the bright blue of the sea and sky cast such a lovely glow on the tables?

Jennifer & Russell hired South Florida Destination Wedding Photographer, Tony Gajate to join them on their journey and capture the special moments:

Jamaica is such an easy choice for Destination Weddings - everyone has a great time! Negril is a good choice because of those famous sunsets.... 

{Congratulations & Best Wishes!}

If you are interested exploring the option of a Destination Wedding at a Sandals Resort, please drop us a line - info@caribbeanjourney.com

If you need a Destination Wedding Photographer for your event, check out Tony Gajate.

Cheers,

Almond Resorts offers FREE Weddings!

{photo is Almond Morgan Bay}

Almond Resorts are all-inclusive resorts located on the islands of Barbados & St. Lucia. Being smaller than most other all-inclusive resorts, the Almond concept focuses on special requests and making your vacation your own... this includes your Destination Wedding!

The Wedding For You Package is complimentary if you stay at least 7 nights.

The Wedding For You Package Includes:

• Clergy/Magistrate
• Government fees
• Registrar/ceremony charges
• Taxes & gratuities
• Decorated wedding location
• Best Man/Maid of Honor (if needed)
• Bottle of champagne
• Single tiered wedding cake
• Bouquet of local garden flowers
• Boutonniere for groom
• Wedding Coordinator
• Postcards of the property and island

If you're look for more amenities included in your wedding package, fear not because Almond Resorts has 4 other wedding packages available to chose from. Drop us a line and let's get started - info @ caribbeanjourney.com

Enjoy,

Meet the Winners of Sandals/Martha Stewart Wedding!

UPDATE*** This wedding will be featured on the Style Network's Real Weddings on October 23rd at 9/8 Central. Tune and and watch Bayou to the Bahamas!


This past year, Martha Stewart Weddings & Sandals Resorts teamed up to offer an all-expenses-paid wedding at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas.

A sweet couple on from New Orleans were announced the winners during a taping of the Martha Stewart Show. 

A grand wedding cake set amongst the all white candy & cupcake bar:

We love the scalloped edges of the tents and the peak of the crystal chandeliers... 

The customized the event by serving Bourbon laced Cafe au Lait & beignets:

See the entire wedding here.

The Sandals Resorts - Grand Romance Package was featured in this wedding with multiple add-ons.

Enjoy,

Congratulations Theresa & Dustin!

Congratulations to Theresa & Dustin, married earlier this month at Excellence Playa Mujeres Resort & Spa in Mexico.

An elegant & chic ceremony, a joyful reception, and a stunning couple...

... made for a perfect destination wedding.

After 12 months of planning and booking the travel arrangements for the wedding group, it was a pleasure to be able to witness such a gorgeous event! 

I enjoyed meeting Theresa & Dustin along with their guests. It was also great to be able to see their talented photographer, AJ Horkavy in action. Mr. Horkavy is a Destination Wedding Photographer based in Austin, Texas. 

This was also the first time I was able to meet Yamira Bermudez in person. Ms. Bermudez is the chief wedding planner at the Excellence Playa Mujeres:

{For more real wedding photos from Mr. Horkavy - visit his blog.}

{Click here for more information on planning & hosting your own destination wedding.}

Best,

Weddings at El Dorado Royale

I spent last week in Mexico, exploring 8 fantastic hotels and conducting my research from a weddings point of view.

I scoped out the best ceremony locations at each resort, including this simple, yet elegant, gazebo at El Dorado Royale Resort & Casitas:

I tasted cake - 6 or 7 flavors... it was heaven!

And towards the end of my trip, I was lucky enough to witness a sweet vow renewal ceremony at the chapel on property at El Dorado Royale:

The chapel is a great choice for brides who want a Destination Wedding but don't want to give up the dream of walking down the aisle of a church:

The Vow Renewal Ceremony is complimentary at El Dorado Resorts:

Then it was time to celebrate complete with colorful cocktails... and a shoe valet - such a great idea:

The resort had arranged a dance floor on the sand, complete with bubbles, a great DJ, and a cute couple:

* More photos from Weddings at El Dorado Royale.

* My resort tour of El Dorado Royale.

* More about our Destination Wedding Planning.

Enjoy,