My City February 2023

MYWEDDING

WHICH WAY TO SAY “ I Do” Is Right for You? BY INGRID C. SCHMITT REAM, CTC/GROUP, DWHSA INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL SPECIALIST | PRESIDENT, SUPERIOR TRAVEL SERVICE, INC. P lanning a momentous event like your wedding can be stressful and overwhelming – which is why destination weddings are more popular than ever! Each year, an estimated 350,000 couples opt to say “I Do” at a destination wedding. October is the most popular month to wed, followed by June, September and May and Hawaii is the most popular honeymoon destination. Many options are available to fit the personalities of every bride and groom and the assistance of an experienced travel advisor and wedding coordinator relieves the stress of planning the Big Day. Not sure what destination conveys the inspiration for your nuptials? Your travel advisor can provide recommendations and

ceremony, you can relax at your chosen destination and enjoy your honeymoon! And, destination ceremonies are not limited to weddings – many married couples are choosing this option to celebrate anniversaries and vow renewals. Planning a destination wedding includes many moving parts that you could only be aware of through experience. When in doubt, turn to a travel advisor who is a destination wedding specialist and preferably a Certified Travel Consul tant (CTC) who does this full-time for a living. Travel advi sors are essential for negotiating the best rates, organizing all the booking details, protecting your trip with travel insurance and saving your time.

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several options. How about an island vibe like Maui, where guests are greeted with a beautiful Hawaiian lei and a refreshing chilled towel? Or, plan a sunset cere mony on a sandy beach in Mexico or a Caribbean island? Destination weddings

Planning a destinationwedding includes manymovingparts that you couldonly be aware of through experience.

can be arranged anywhere – for instance, you can have a fairy tale wedding at an iconic castle such as Ashford in Ireland, on the cliffs of Santorini, Greece with its whitewashed buildings, a family friendly venue or a secluded adults-only oasis. Many all-inclusive resorts offer very affordable wedding packages and some even include them if you stay a certain number of nights with a minimum number of guests. After the

Don’t go it alone! No matter what size or theme you choose, your travel advisor will make travel arrangements for you and your guests and assist your wedding coordinator in securing the perfect venue, a wedding package including food, florals, photographers, décor and/or a fun group excursion. Both of these professionals are key players dedicated to making sure this most special life event goes exactly as you envisioned it. u

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