As you start planning your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean, you’ve probably come across the terms “destination wedding travel agent” and “destination wedding planner.” While these might seem interchangeable, they are actually two different people who work together but play distinct roles in ensuring your big day is seamless.
Let’s dive in and explore the differences between the two.
When it comes to a destination wedding, there are a lot of moving parts and there are going to be many people involved in making it an incredible experience; two of the most important people will be your destination wedding travel agent and destination wedding planner.
Destination Wedding Planner vs. Destination Wedding Travel Agent
First, a couple of key things to note. A destination wedding planner works for the resort and is usually located onsite. In comparison, a destination wedding travel agent works for you and is typically located stateside.
Ok, now let’s start with getting into more of the details of what I do as a destination wedding travel agent.
Destination Wedding Travel Agents
My role is to work with you to:
choose the destination, resort, and venue that fit your vision
ensure you’re getting the most value-packed perks possible with your chosen wedding package
check resort availability and confirm your wedding date and time
secure your guest room block with the resort and negotiate a great room rate
create a customized wedding website to share with guests to make booking easy-breezy
answer guest questions and book their accommodations and transportation
introduce you to your on-site destination wedding planner who will help you plan the details of your celebration
support you and your guests while you’re traveling
Destination Wedding Planners
A destination wedding planner’s role is to work with you to:
help you select décor, menu choices, entertainment, etc.
plan the timeline for your wedding day
coordinate other special events like a welcome party or rehearsal dinner
be with you on the day of your celebration
Now that you understand the main differences between a destination wedding planner and a destination wedding travel agent, you might be wondering if you actually need the latter or if you can just work directly with the resort.
Well, yes, you can technically work directly with the resort and skip working with a destination wedding travel agent, but that would mean skipping out on working with an expert who can help make things so much easier and less stressful for you.
Remember, the destination wedding planner isn’t going to help you compare resorts, negotiate the group contract for your room block, or coordinate travel logistics for your guests. Plus, this isn’t just any old vacation—this is your wedding. There are no re-do’s. Your once-in-a-lifetime destination wedding is a BIG deal, and it deserves the professional treatment.
Sifting through the thousands of destination wedding resort options out there on your own can be a nightmare. My job as your destination wedding travel agent is to get to know you and what’s most important to you as a couple, so I can cut through the noise online and help you find the resort that’s the perfect match for you—quickly and painlessly.
As a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings, I’ve seen many of the best wedding resorts in person. I know which properties are worth your investment, and I have great relationships with the wedding teams which means I can get answers a lot faster than you can on your own.
Plus, because I know the resorts and their offerings so well, I’ll make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck (when it comes to perks, you don’t get what you don’t know to ask for!).
And, trust me, you don’t want to set yourself up to play travel agent for your guests. Couples who try to plan it all themselves get stuck dealing with everyone’s seemingly never ending questions. Working with a professional travel advisor frees up your time and gives you peace of mind knowing that your guests are in good hands.
Getting married should be a joyful experience, not a stressful one. Call in a travel pro to take all the stress off your shoulders.
Related blog posts:
