I understand that you could technically find and book a resort online for your wedding, but planning a destination wedding isn't like any other trip. Here are common reasons why people seek my help at Escape Key Travel Co:

• A seasoned travel agent will handle all the uncertainties, such as guests missing payments, flight disruptions, venue inquiries, last-minute directions, and even unforeseen events like a pandemic.

• Moreover, a travel advisor will negotiate special perks and bonuses on your behalf, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. With a dedicated destination wedding specialist like Alpaca Your Bags Travel, you gain access to exclusive resort connections that you wouldn't have alone, resulting in a unique and tailored experience.

• We take care of all the intricate travel details, from guest communication and payment plans to insurance, transportation, and excursions. As a boutique agency, we also provide a personalized touch, treating your guests like our own family.

In essence, while you could DIY your destination wedding, partnering with us ensures you maximize both your budget and your experiences.

Here are common reasons why people seek my help at Escape Key Travel Co:

• Time-saving: You're tired of wasting time researching vacations. You want an expert who knows your destination well, so you can get what you want without the hassle.

• Fine print assistance: A skilled travel agent knows the right questions to ask, preventing you from signing up for deceptive deal.

• Avoiding buyer's remorse: Travel agents have extensive resources to address any concerns you may have. We network and collaborate, ensuring you're fully informed before making a booking.

Your destination wedding travel agent and destination wedding planner are generally two separate people with different jobs, and you’ll need both pros on your destination wedding team.

As your travel agent, we handle all the travel details. That means we’re in charge of chasing down guests for required payments, keeping everyone’s flight information in order, and fixing problems if they pop up.

(And we’re really good at solving problems. It’s kind of our superpower.)

Your destination wedding planner, on the other hand, is generally the on-site, resort representative who will help you figure out all of the ceremony and day-of details. We’ll be in touch with this planner, making sure we’re on the same page when it comes to your arrival, room arrangements, guest travel, and departures.

Both of us work together behind the scenes, making sure your wedding day is everything you imagined.

In my opinion, the earlier, the better —especially if you have a specific season or date in mind. Don't hesitate to contact us 18-24 months in advance!

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 and the right wedding planner (we help you find them), everything can be modified and customized. Customization is the defining factor between a "good" destination wedding resort from a "great" one.

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.

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.

For American 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

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.

Let's address the elephant in the room: Some big box travel booking agencies do not charge fees but they also don’t provide the same services or quality assistance as Escape Key Travel Co. We take a different approach because we believe you deserve better. Instead of pushing high-commission resorts to a large volume of people, I only accept a limited number of couples each year to provide highly personalized service. This includes prioritizing prompt responses to your questions, striving to accommodate special requests, and providing honest advice. Our approach is entirely distinct—and according to feedback from our couples, it's worth every penny.

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.