DESTINATION WEDDINGS

5 Insider Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding at an All-Inclusive Resort

January 17, 2024

Planning a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort? These 5 insider tips will help you avoid common mistakes, pick the right property, and keep your planning stress-free. From guest lists to group perks and wedding dates, here’s the honest, upfront advice you actually need—straight from a pro who’s been to 200+ resorts.

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I'm kathryn potter!

I’m an ocean-obsessed Midwesterner who’s personally checked out over 200 resorts (so you don’t have to) and runs a travel agency specializing in all-inclusive vacations and destination weddings.

My signature accessory? Dog hair. My love language? Witty sarcasm. I’m also a sucker for street tacos and a good spicy margarita. And no matter how hard I try, I just can’t quit the Real Housewives. Don’t judge.

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Thinking about a destination wedding in Mexico or the Caribbean? Before you dive into venue Pinterest boards and group chat chaos, let’s talk real talk. These five tips come straight from experience (I’ve been to 200+ resorts!) and are here to make your planning way easier—and actually fun. Stress-free planning starts now.

Unico 20 87 Wedding Gazebo

1. Not Every Resort Is a Good Choice—Here’s How to Spot the Right Ones

You saw the Insta-worthy gazebo, the swim-up bar, and the “free wedding” promo. But real talk? Those shiny perks don’t mean the resort actually delivers on wedding-day magic.

What matters more:

  • An experienced on-site wedding team (some resorts outsource!)
  • Guest-friendly travel (easy flights, short transfers, no visa drama)
  • Solid Plan B venues (rain happens, even in paradise)
  • Resort size and vibe (you don’t want to need a shuttle to your own ceremony)

“Free weddings” come with strings. And upsells. And often, disappointment.

Let’s make it easy for you: Work with someone who’s actually been there and knows the real scoop—not just what’s in the brochure.

📍Need help narrowing it down? Schedule your call here and let’s talk real options, not sales fluff.

2. The Guest List Comes First (Seriously)

Before you lock in a venue, think about who’s coming. Are your VIPs traveling with kids? Flying from different airports? On a budget?

The right resort for a party-hard friend group might be totally wrong for your beach-loving grandma. And you need a property that keeps everyone comfortable without sacrificing your vibe.

Things to think through early:

  • Adults-only vs family-friendly
  • Accessibility (mobility, dietary needs, etc.)
  • Group perks and room block policies

This isn’t just a wedding—it’s a mini-vacation for your people. And it needs to work for them.

3. Wedding Dates Go Fast (and You Can’t Just “Pick One”)

Here’s the truth: You don’t really choose your wedding date—the resort does. And popular dates (especially Saturdays, holidays, and spring break) book up a year+ in advance.

Why you should move fast:

  • You need a venue and group contract before you can even reserve a wedding date
  • Resorts often limit the number of weddings per day
  • Perks and promos are tied to availability

Pro tip: Have a few date ranges in mind. Flexibility = more options and less stress.

Mini‑FAQ: Why should I set up my room block 12–18 months out?
Booking early locks in the best rates and guarantees availability—and avoids guest scrambling (or paying way more later).

4. Spreadsheets Are Your Best Friend (or Ours)

Between guest RSVPs, room categories, flights, and payments, things can get overwhelming fast. That’s where planning tools come in—and yes, I’m a proud spreadsheet nerd.

We build custom trackers for your group so you can:

  • See who’s booked and who’s ghosting
  • Track payments and deadlines (no missed deposit drama)
  • Organize your wedding events and budget in one place

You get one dashboard, total visibility, and none of the stress. That’s our thing.

Mini‑FAQ: What if guests have questions or need help?
Without a pro, your inbox will blow up. I handle everything from flight queries to last-minute changes—so you don’t have to.

beach destination wedding reception table inspiration

5. Upfront, Honest Advice Saves You Time (and Regret)

Google is a great place to start. But planning a destination wedding through online rabbit holes will eat your sanity. Reddit threads can’t tell you which resort coordinator actually responds to emails.

Working with a vetted, all-inclusive wedding pro means:

  • You avoid the duds (yes, even the ones with 4.7-star reviews)
  • You get real pricing up front (no surprise service fees later)
  • You have someone keeping you on track every step of the way

We don’t sugarcoat. If a resort is a mess behind the scenes, I’ll tell you. If your budget doesn’t match the vision, I’ll help you pivot.


Ready to Plan Your Wedding Without the Overwhelm?

Your job: pop the champagne. My job: make sure your wedding is organized, vetted, and stress-free from the first guest RSVP to your last poolside mimosa.

🎯 Schedule your destination wedding planning call today.


How to pick the perfect destination wedding location and resort workbook

Bonus Content!

Ready to dig even further into finding your perfect resort? Check out our free guidebook to finding your perfect wedding destination, resort and venue.

5 Insider Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding at an All-Inclusive Resort

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I'm Kathryn, your All-Inclusive Resort & Destination Wedding Specialist

I'm the seen-it-all, planned-it-all expert who knows which resorts truly deliver. In a world of too-good-to-be-true Instagram photos, I'll help you plan an all-inclusive getaway (or destination wedding) that's 100% what you imagined—and then some.

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