WEDDING EXPERT AISLE TO ISLE | 79 Engagements are an incredibly exciting time for couples, but they also come with quite a big to-do list! To help newly engaged couples, can you share some timeline recommendations for sending out save-the-dates, booking room blocks, securing your photographer, and any other big items? First and foremost, get excited! Then, take that excitement and turn it into a fun-filled way of sharing the news with immediate loved ones and friends. You should want to tell people about it — it’s your bragging rights! Once the excitement settles down, you can dive into your timelines. The first thing to identify is the official wedding date, so you can get those save-the-dates in the mail! Do not hesitate to send those out 12 -14 months in advance because a save-the-date isn’t just for planning; it’s especially helpful for booking airfare and helping your guests lock in the best available rates. Moral of the story: give your guests the courtesy of having more time to plan ahead. And that statement goes for anyone planning their wedding, not just destination wedding couples. Next up, lock in your vendors! It's a rule of thumb that anyone who is popular at a specific location gets booked first. That being said, start by identifying what you value. Is it photography, videography, entertainment, or your venue time slot preference? Once you have that figured out, start reaching out and securing their availability for your big day. There truly is no such thing as too early in your planning journey! As an expert in destination weddings, can you share some of the benefits for couples thinking about celebrating their big day in the Caribbean? I believe the most important thing to do as a couple is to plan a day of dreaming. This lets you identify what you like individually and collectively about the Caribbean. For some it's the beach, for others it’s gardens. Maybe even the music, food, tropical florals, and adventure of the islands stand out. Once you’ve identified why you want to say “I do” in the Caribbean, you can figure out how to incorporate those things you both love. Let’s say you envision a beach ceremony with a steel pan band — something unique to the Caribbean that you wouldn’t get back at home. Allow those special magnets of why you chose the Caribbean to be a big part of the tapestry of your wedding day. And if they’ve already booked their destination wedding at Sandals or Beaches Resorts, can you offer some advice or helpful tips to help make the planning journey less stressful? So, let’s talk about the planning journey. The important idea to underscore is that Sandals Resorts helps dispel the notion that the wedding planning journey is stressful. How do we do that? First, we provide you with a personal wedding team that will make your dreams a reality. Second, we ask you to share your vision of the big day. But don’t just tell your wedding team. Allow them to work with you to customize your wedding canvas and make it as unique as the love you share. The idea is to collect pictures that resonate. Explain specific details of tablescapes and bouquets you love. A A A Q Q Q In this exclusive Q&A, Sandals Resorts International Corporate Director of Weddings and Romance, Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown, shares her tips, tricks, and recommendations for those embarking on a new chapter in their love story, whether it be a destination wedding, honeymoon, or babymoon! Our Wedding Expert Our Wedding Expert
