Barefoot Luxury Destination Weddings
In Mexico & the Caribbean
Does This Sound Familiar?
You’ve done the whole Google deep dive, but with so many options, blogs, and self-proclaimed “wedding experts,” it’s all starting to feel like a bit much. Overwhelm, anyone?
Having your family and friends there means everything to you, and you want the process to be as smooth as possible for everyone but coordinating travel for 10, 20, 50… maybe even 200 guests? Yikes! - that’s no small feat!
You’ve tried reaching out to resorts or hotel wedding planners on your own, only to find yourself waiting… and waiting… for responses that can take weeks, if not months. It’s frustrating.
On top of that, you’re not even sure how to tap into all those group perks and amenities that should come with your package. A few small missteps, and you could be missing out on major bridal bonuses that might save you thousands!
What you’re really craving right now is someone with the knowledge and expertise to help—an actual human who listens and guides you through this whole process. You’re so ready to feel heard and supported!
Now Imagine…
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Boutique Destination Wedding Experience
I take a “boutique” approach to wedding travel; other than your on-site wedding coordinator, you will only work with me. Unlike many sites out there who handle hundreds or thousands of events a year, I handle 10 weddings a year… no more. This allows me to make sure each and every wedding is getting the attention and care they deserve.
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I Am Your Advocate
I’ve cultivated relationships with resorts, their wedding teams and vendors which means I am better able to assist you in not only navigating the wedding building process, but also handle any bumps that may come along the way. There are so many decisions to make, and a boatload of logistics to keep track of but I’ll give you an inside take on your best options.
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Hand Holding Every Step of the Way
You will regain your time by trusting me to present carefully curated options for your wedding day. I will carefully select, organize, and present you with up to 5 options based on your wedding vision and budget requirements. Your wedding group will get the best room rates for the value with my niche suppliers that offer premium benefits.
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Guest Management
I know family & friend are super important! Whether you’re eloping or inviting 20, 60, or even 200 guests to your wedding, I will answer all questions, manage each reservation, and process payments for your loved ones. I’ll design a customized wedding website to share with all the Q&As. And if a guest still has a question, just send them my way.
FAQs
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It’s never too early to start planning a destination wedding. 12-18 months is an ideal range. Don't hesitate to contact us 18-24 months in advance if you are particular on a specific date or season.
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As with any customizable experience, costs will vary.
When we discuss "packages" it’s important to remember that this does not mean some set, cookie-cutter wedding. Instead, a "package" is a combination of services that can be customized.
When you work with the right resort, everything can be modified and customized. Customization is the defining factor between a "good" destination wedding resort from a "great" one. [We also know the tips & tricks of the trade to get the most value within your budget]
To give you an idea of cost, the average Escape Key Travel client has between 40-60 guests and spends between $10,000-$20,000 on their wedding and wedding events.
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Throughout Mexico and the Caribbean (our most popular destinations for weddings), there are 3 main seasons:
Peak Season (Highest Cost): Mid-January through Easter, plus all Holiday weekends
Mid Season (Average Cost): Easter through August, early January
Low Season (Lowest Cost): September through early November, just before Thanksgiving
Depending on how much cost-effectiveness matters to you and your guests, this information can be used as a guide to help you plan the right time for you.
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For US-based couples, the most popular destinations for all-inclusive weddings are:
Mexican Caribbean, including the areas of Playa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres, Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Punta Maroma, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, Akumal, and Tulum
Western Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
The Dominican Republic, including Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata
Jamaica, including Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios
St. Lucia + Other Caribbean Islands
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The answer is: it depends…
Destination weddings usually come in two varieties:
Legal ceremony
Symbolic ceremony
A legal ceremony is, of course, legally binding. If a legal ceremony at your wedding site is a must-have for you, we can walk you through the requirements for different countries. Some are simple (such as in Jamaica). Others are more challenging – but not impossible.
In situations where a country’s legal marriage requirements seem too daunting to navigate, a symbolic ceremony is a great solution. With this option, you simply get legally married at home, either just before or just after your trip. Your guests will never know the difference – unless you tell them.
(Fun fact: More than 90% of destination weddings are symbolic ceremonies.)
A great benefit of symbolic ceremonies? Since the ceremony is not legally binding, anyone can perform the ceremony. You can choose a close friend or family member to be your officiant and make your destination wedding especially unique and personal for you.
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Let’s be real—some big travel agencies might not charge fees, but they also don’t offer the level of service or care you’ll find at Escape Key Travel Co. I limit the number of couples I work with each year to give you the personalized attention you deserve, from quick responses to thoughtful, honest advice. It’s a different approach, and our couples agree—it’s worth every penny.
To become a destination wedding client, we ask for a non-refundable Planning Fee of $1600. This covers everything from researching custom (never cookie-cutter) options to booking your resort stay, planning special events, managing guest logistics, and offering hands-on support throughout the process. This fee allows us to work with a limited number of couples, so you’ll always get the personal attention you deserve!
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I'm so glad you asked! The first step is our process includes a free, no-pressure consultation call. There is no obligation and no fees will be collected for this conversation.
During this call, I can answer any questions you might have about our travel planning process. All you have to do is book your call to get started.
We Might Be a Good Fit If…
The Process
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If you feel like a ball of stress and anxiety right now, help is on the way.
During your free, no-pressure phone call, we’ll take you by the hand and lead you through the entire process. When you leave the call, you just might discover your jaw has finally unclenched.
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Destination weddings are NOT one size fits all. In this FUN part of the process, we’ll use our experience and expertise to determine the country, region, and resort/venue that suits your wants and desires.
We have detailed information on MANY resorts and destinations, and if we don’t have it, we can get the most up-to-date, accurate info (and fast!), so that you make the right decision for you.
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By this point, we’ve taken your general vision of “whens” and “wheres” and figured out the specifics. Now we’re going to single-handedly tackle the “how” for you.
We’ll handle all communication and negotiation with the venue for contracts, deadlines, special requests, etc. Then we’ll build your project management board – where we keep track of all big and small to-dos going forward.
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Our job is to bring your travel vision to life, and we take our job very seriously. No matter what hiccups may come - and hiccups are an inherent part of travel – you can rest easy knowing your loved ones are in good hands.
All that’s left to do is relax, remain present, and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience