GETTING THERE PLANNING YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING

If I told you that I found and booked the perfect destination wedding venue without ever setting foot outside of Canada, would you believe me? It sounds like a tall order, but it’s totally doable with the right preparation. After all, if I can do it, you can too. Here are my top five tips for booking your own dream venue.

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Set A Budget

Once you have a rough idea of how many guests your destination wedding is likely to have, setting a budget will help narrow down the type of location you can realistically afford. Luckily, many destination venues offer wedding packages that include food, drinks, and décor, which can be customized to suit your needs. However, you’ll want to work with your vendors to stay on budget – which could mean making some sacrifices along the way.

Gather Inspiration

When it came to choosing my dream venue, I took my time carefully considering the type of wedding I wanted. Social media is great for gathering photo and video inspiration, so that you can nail your perfect beach/ vineyard/castle vision. I’m a huge fan of saving your favourites to Pinterest or Instagram, and frequently checking in with your partner to make sure that you’re both on the same page.

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Get In Touch

When all is said and done and you’ve narrowed down your potential list of wedding venues, getting in contact with the events teams can give you a lot more information. In my experience, some overseas vendors are quick to respond, while others may keep to a more relaxed schedule. Depending on your personality, that could be a dream come true or a total nightmare. Finding a team that you feel comfortable and confident working with will only help your wedding day run more smoothly, so send an email or schedule a video chat, and you’ll be sure to find the destination wedding venue of your dreams in no time.

Set Your Guest List

Read Reviews

If you’re opting to book your wedding venue without seeing it in person first, reading reviews from couples who have already gotten married there is an amazing resource. Google, wedding planning sites, and social media (again) will become your best friends. I also recommend searching up photographers that have shot weddings at the locations you have in mind as a way to gauge the overall experience. Scrolling through wedding albums online is a great way to see how the finished event comes together.

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As with any kind of special event, knowing how many people you plan to invite can majorly influence the type of venue you choose. When planning a destination wedding though, you’ll also want to consider where your guests will be staying. Hotels are a great choice since they come with built-in lodging, whereas smaller venues might require a little more planning on your end to ensure that there are enough nearby accommodations for everyone on your list.

YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING WILL BE UNIQUE and never cookie cutter and her Something Blue is always included. Look no further than Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa for the perfect setting to celebrate your dream wedding. Not only will your wedding be the only one on your special day, but our wide range of packages are designed to suit every budget and guest list providing every desired inclusion. You’ll enjoy daily activities, captivating nightly entertainment, an oceanfront spa, one mile of private beach and 5 pools (including two exclusively for adults) along with our Premium All-Inclusive amenities. All just minutes from Hewanorra International Airport.

Our Deluxe Wedding Package is ideal for an intimate ceremony with up to eight guests, while the Pearl Package transforms your wedding day into an unforgettable wedding weekend, complete with three days of celebrations for up to 40 people. You’ll start with our Perfect Start Beach BBQ and Bonfire or a Plated Rehearsal Dinner. On your wedding day at picturesque Eternity Beach, the Cocktail Reception is followed by your Private Dinner Reception. As newlyweds, treat your guests to a memorable Private Catamaran Sunset Cruise for a post-wedding outing. Choose the perfect package and then customize every detail to your heart’s desire – from your stunning tropical bouquet to the décor and menus. Simply make your choices, and we will take care of the rest. Rest assured that our skilled event planner will assist you well before your arrival, and your dedicated wedding coordinator will be by your side to attend to every beautiful detail, ensuring a stress-free experience on your special day and throughout your stay.

We have also created an elegant new Bridal Suite for our destination wedding couples, where you can relax in comfort with your party with everything needed in preparation for the ceremony as well as sparkling wine and light refreshments.

Our award-winning resort also offers the ideal choice between family-themed and adults-only accommodations all with patios or private balconies on 85 oceanfront acres and a mile-long beach. The Splash wing caters to guests with children, offering family-friendly accommodations, the island’s largest waterpark, a petting zoo, the zero-entry Splash Pool with Swim-Up Bar, and the engaging Kidz Klub welcoming infants through 12-year-olds. The resort is a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award Winner for a Baby-Friendly Vacation. Meanwhile, adults can relax, restore, and reconnect in Harmony, our adults-only wing featuring accommodations including concierge rooms and suites with sweeping ocean views. You and your guests can lounge in suntracker beds while premium cocktails are served at both pools.

There are eight restaurants offering unlimited à la carte and buffet dining at indoor, outdoor, and stunning oceanside locations. Farm- and ocean-to-table menus feature produce from the resort’s gardens and greenhouses and selections include vegan and dietary preferences including gluten- and sugar-free meals. Top-shelf liquor is served at seven bars including the Peter John’s Sugar Cane Rum Bar with one of the region’s largest rum collections as well as the Paradise Beach Bar where hammocks are surrounded by water or shaded by coconut palms.

Embrace the opportunity to explore the exotic wonders of Saint Lucia. Embark on a Piton catamaran cruise, immerse yourself in the rejuvenating mud baths, or embark on thrilling adventures such as ziplining, horseback riding, and diving. The possibilities are endless. At Coconut Bay, we transform your wedding into a stress-free vacation you will remember forever.