Last month was unexpectedly wonderful and it feels sooo good. But enough about my feelings, you want to know the deets, right? Oh, I sure hope so.
I officially became a Mrs. on March 10, 2016. The ceremony took place at the Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. The Punta Cana resort was beautiful, well-kept and had something for everyone. Y’all already know I’m a sucker for good customer service and I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations. Everyone from the wedding coordinator to servers to the maids were attentive to detail. It really was well worth the money. The hubby (screech!) and I are already planning a trip for our anniversary.
That brings me to the point of today’s post. If you are a bride-to-be and looking for a unique experience for your big day, consider a destination wedding. Here’s why:
It’s a vacation with your loved ones
I mean, really, with work, social life, maintaining a home and everything in between, who doesn’t need a vacation?
Our friends and family were patiently waiting for our wedding as if it was theirs. While I’m sure it was a benefit to see us get married, they were really there for sunny days, pools and beaches. And I’m not mad at it one bit.
Not to mention wedding planning is effing stressful. I needed one BAD! But when it was all said done, what I enjoyed most is seeing how much fun everyone was having.
It’s an experience like no other
When have you ever had full-on balloon fights at foam parties or shared a hot tub with 10 other people while someone brought you chicken fingers and more El Presidente?
Or drove go-carts through the country while stopping at a pristine beach where vendors sell their country’s treasures and kids sell homemade candy from their mom’s kitchen?
Or dipped in a natural spring inside a cave with your friends and family?
Connections will be made
What I love about destination weddings the most is that it’s an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. It’s not about picking a side or only sitting next to the people you know. It’s about embracing the experience and making connections with the loved ones of your loved ones. That was one of the main reasons Tracey and I decided to do a destination wedding.
Though we’ve been together for a long time, our wedding was the first time that both of our families were coming together. That excited us. It was heart-warming to see one of my Tracey’s frat brothers vibing with my siblings at the reception. I adored the fact that everyone welcomed his mentors with open arms. And it was interesting to watch my friends become friends with my husband’s friends.
It’s less fuss
I’ve never planned a traditional wedding, but I’ve heard about the process. In addition to finding the perfect venue, you also have to hire the best photographer, videographer and florist. By doing a destination wedding, a lot of those main components were already chosen for me except the venue. Once I chose Hard Rock and selected the theme, which is how my ceremony was decorated, the flowers were already predetermined for the package. The photographer was a partner of the resort and we did a simple chocolate and vanilla cake that was super moist. I personally liked that I didn’t have to make those decisions because it was one less thing for me to do.
It’s cheaper
I don’t have to tell you what the going rate for a wedding is nowadays. I’m sure during the black hole, which is Pinterest, you’ve stumbled upon way too many pins that almost induced an anxiety attack. It’s cool. We’ve all been there, but you don’t have to break the bank to have a memorable ceremony. We sure didn’t and honestly, couldn’t because the way our bank account is set up…you know the rest. Tracey and I set a budget and with my dress and his tailor-made suit, we were still under it with money to spare. We spent some of our savings on a couple’s massage package, that was AMAZING! There’s absolutely no need to go in debt for one day. That was our main concern when we started planning.
p.s. If you are considering a destination wedding, I’m always willing to talk about my experiences. Drop me a line at yasmein@shesfacingfreedom.com.
What do you think are the benefits of having a destination wedding?
