Your Destination Wedding Timeline

You just turned in your first deposit and now it's time to start planning—but where do you start? Have no fear, our handy destination wedding timeline is here!

1 + Year Before

c  Determine a budget for your wedding ceremony, reception, additional activities, favors, etc. 

c  Contact a destination wedding specialist, or travel agent

c  Fine-tune your wedding vision: the theme, colors, fine details and extras. QUICK TIP:set up Pinterest boards to share with your wedding coordinator and travel agent

c  Review all legal requirements and documentation needed for your wedding and submit all required forms to the wedding coordinator. Then, determine if you’re going to do a legal or symbolic ceremony

c  Create your guest list. The more rooms you fill, the more money you save—so invite everyone who you would’ve invited for a local wedding

11-12 Months Before

c  Set up a wedding room block with your travel agent

c  Choose your wedding party

c  Send out Save the Dates

c  Create a wedding website with travel details and accommodations

c  Review options for a DJ, cake, welcome events, band, photographer and videographer. If you want to use an offsite vendor, get permission from the wedding coordinator (if an option) and confirm any additional fees for using an outside vendor 

c  Have your passport books (must be valid 6 months from return date). Brides should use their maiden name since it will take 3 weeks to get a copy of your marriage certificate. Names on the reservation must match your passports exactly!

7-10 Months Before

c  Continue working with your wedding planner from the resort to determine additional wedding events if desired (welcome cocktail party, rehearsal dinner/night before dinner, day after brunch)

c  Purchase airline tickets and inquire about carrying your wedding dress on the plane

c  Set up a honeymoon registry, if you'd like

c  Buy your wedding dress!  

4-6 Months Before

c  Start planning additional group activities –golfing, tours, excursions

c  Schedule your spa, hair and nail appointments

c  Schedule a spa day with your bridesmaids and loved ones, if desired

c  Review final contracts with your wedding planner

c  Select décor, flowers and your cake 

c  For legal ceremonies, send completed paperwork to the coordinator if you have not done so already. These records must be received at least 60 days prior to your ceremony!

2-3 Months Before

c  Finalize your guest list and room requirements. Your travel agent will send you your final guest list after the final payment due date (which is noted on invoice)

c  Confirm any group amenities or benefits received from your group reservations

c  Confirm ceremony and reception locations and request any changes if needed/desired

c  Book ceremony musicians with your coordinator

c  Share with the wedding coordinator any requested readings, songs, traditions, etc.

c  Start selecting the menu(s)

1 Month Before

c  Confirm all décor, floral, cake and “extras” with coordinator

c  Confirm menu for all wedding-related events: dinner the night prior, cocktail reception, wedding reception, etc

c  Finalize reception chart and seat cards (if applicable) and send to the wedding coordinator

c  Have program, menu, place cards, etc. printed, if applicable

c  Confirm timeline of event(s) with wedding coordinator

c  Confirm all special requests with wedding coordinator

c  Shop for welcome bag goodies for guests, if desired. These items can’t be shipped in advance!  

3 Weeks Before

c  Review your wedding contract and make any final amendments

c  Your travel agent will send your final guest list to the resort for all of those who booked into the group. If anyone booked outside of the group or at a different resort, the bride and groom will need to confirm their attendance at the wedding to make sure any additional fees have been paid 

c  Confirm that your wedding coordinator has all the information/details needed for all wedding-related events

c  Schedule a trial hair and makeup run through the salon, if desired

c  Arrange for a private dinner on the beach for the two of you, if desired

Up to 1 Week Before

c  Arrive at the resort (based on whether you are having a legal or symbolic ceremony)

c  Meet with the wedding coordinator and/or onsite staff to go over all details, timeline, and any last-minute additions or amendments

c  Do a walk-through of ceremony and reception at the designated locations

c  Book salon appointments for the day of for bride and bridal party, if not booked in advance

c  Arrange for welcome bag room drop, if desired—fees may apply

c  Leave your wedding dress and groom’s attire with the wedding coordinator to be steamed and prepared for your big day, if desired

1 Day Before

c  Have a welcome cocktail party, rehearsal, or welcome dinner, if desired

c  Arrange for special room drops for parents and/or wedding party, if desired (i.e. petit fours, champagne, flowers, etc.)

c  Get an early night sleep so you are well-rested for your big day!

Wedding Day

c  Have a nice breakfast

c  Go to hair appointment at salon –don’t forget your wedding veil and flowers!

c  Enjoy your special day!

8 Tips For Traveling With Children

We all know traveling with children can be stressful. Here's some tips to ensure your trip runs as smooth as possible. 

1.     BE REALISTIC

Plan for potty breaks, snacks and naptime.  Remember, those little feet don’t move as fast as yours!  You will need to adjust your itinerary to fit your children’s pace accordingly.

2.     PLAN ACTIVITIES TOGETHER

If the kiddies help you choose what you will do on your trip, activities will run much smoother –with no room for meltdowns. 

3.     CHOOSE FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS

These optionsusually have game rooms, waterslides, and kid-friendly theme-nights –just do your research ahead of time.  Keeping the tots interested and engaged are key to a happy vacation for all of you!

4.     ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

This choice will appeal to everyone in your travel party, from food and drink choices, to activities and down time. 

5.     A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME

Familiarity is extremely important to your little ones.  Pack your child's favorite “blankie” or beloved teddy that they just can't live without. YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

6.     PACK LIKE A KID

Make sure they have their very own special bag to carry their favorite books, hand-held games, cards and puzzles –again, YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Let the kids choose their own clothes to cut down on the tantrums that are sure to happen if you choose to bring the pink top and she wanted the purple!  

Pack light.  If you forget something, you can always buy what you need when you get to your destination.  Sometimes a little extra expense is worth it.  

7.     MAKE MEMORIES

After all, isn’t this what a family vacation is all about? Give them an inexpensive digital camera, or even a disposable one –do they make those anymore?  They can take pictures of your family adventures and scrapbook them as an activity when you get back home. 

8.     DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION

Life isn’t perfect and your trip won’t be either.  Something will go wrong –it's a given!  The important thing to remember, is that you are all together on this journey, and you will overcome it as a family.  Go with the flow and enjoy the moment you're in!

If you're looking for recommendations for your next family trip, contact us at sales@landsvacations.com today!

5 Reasons We Think You Should Have a Destination Wedding

Feeling skeptical about those wedding plans of yours? Here's 5 reasons we think you should have a destination wedding.

1.     Untraditional

There's no reason your wedding day has to be like everyone else's. Maybe you and your partner have a more casual and untraditional lifestyle? Or, maybe the two of you prefer a more intimate setting with your inner-most circle of friends? Whatever the reason is, the location of your destination weddingoffers a unique experience that makes it incredibly hard to forget. Choose wisely, now!

2.     Convenient 

What better time-saver than having your ceremony, reception, and bed for you and your guests all in one place? In most cases, resorts will happily arrange the main events within walking distance from each other, so finding transportation is never an issue. Phew!

3.     The Romance

Saying "I do" in paradise just screams romance, don't you think? On top of the sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets, we'll help you find the ultimate wedding package with perks –including room upgrades, spa credits, or even special accommodations just for you and your sweetie. 

4.    Surprisingly Affordable

Considering the average American wedding can cost up to $30,000, a gorgeous destination wedding for about a third of that cost looks a lot more appealing to couples trying to adhere to a friendlier budget. Ask us today how we can customize the perfect wedding package that won't break the bank.

5.     The Experts

We don't like to brag, but we arepretty good at what we do :) Take our years of combined experience from a knowledgeable travel team and get the wedding of your dreams in no time! It's our passion to work with brides and grooms just like you and make everything on your wish list possible. The best part? We've experienced it all before you, so we can guide you every step of the way. Don't worry, you're in good hands.

For more information on planning a destination wedding today, contact us at sales@landsvacations.com, or fill out a request form, here. 

3 Resorts Your Family Will Adore

We know you've been dying to take your family somewhere special—here's 3 places we know you'd all adore!

1.     The Grand at Moon Palace

 

At the Grand at Moon Palace, you will experience thrills and fun for guests of all ages! Ranked among one of the top-familyresorts in Cancun, you will experience paradise in perfect doses. Some of our favorite activities include:

·       Bowling

·       Games

·       Outdoor pools

·       Spa facilities

·       State-of-the-art gym

·       Waterparks

·       Nightly entertainment

                 

2.     Beaches Turks & Caicos

If you haven't heard about beaches, you're missing out! Known as "the last of the true exotic" resorts, this place is a rare discovery—a true island escape unlike any other. During your stay here, your family will enjoy:

·      All-inclusion

·      45,000 square-foot waterpark

·      Five magnificent villages

·      Versatile architecture, influenced by Italy, France, the Caribbean and Key West

·      12-mile beach of sparkling turquoise waters

·      Endless fun activities for entire family

3.     Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

Get your rock on at this popular destination! At Hard Rock HotelRiviera Maya, you can live large with the family, or escape to "Heaven," the exclusive retreat for adults with luxurious amenities. Some highlights included in your stay:

·      A kids club

·      Entertainment lounge for teens 

·      Stunning pools

·      Championship gold

·      Watersports

·      Fitness facility

Anything catch your eye? We thought so. Fill out this form to get started today!