Thinking a Winter 2016 Destination Wedding?

Is it Too Early to Plan if I Start now? 

Written By: Jaime Valdes-Riench, owner of Travel & Events with Style

Recently, even more so than usual I have been asked, “ Is it too early to start planning my 2016 winter destination wedding?”  They all seemed prepared for me to “yes” and are genuinely surprised when I actually, “No! Actually we have quite a few couples contracted that are already with us starting their wedding planning.

The interesting part is that most couples have first gone to another travel agency, and have been told it is too early.   You can’t blame anyone who asked around and went to a family friend right? Most travel agents wouldn’t think of going this early to start the destination wedding.. well, we are not your typical travel agency are we?

Now the reason for my reply that it is not too early simply is that we have added a services to guide you by the hand to START the RESEARCH before even pricing the travel and wedding planning.  Personally, I LOVE how couples are being more cognitive of their incomes.  Whether you can afford something or not, why are you going to spend it all at once without a quality decision?  If you asked me, I know I would be honest and say I do a LOT of research before I buy most things, so it only makes sense that wedding needs this much care.

What we have done is added a few facets to our wedding planning package that now allow couples to dig deeper than the surface to find the best wedding location FOR THEM. Price or not, please, please, please do not just choose your location based on price.  How are you going to be happy? Honestly, if you choose  a location because “it is cheap”, well let’s be honest, you may really get “cheap” in the end.  Or what about the most expensive? Why would you pay for a top dollar resort when it really does even suit you as a couple?

My suggestion is meet with us.  Talk with us. THEN let’s see if we should start a wedding planning package that helps you research before we hand over your hard earned dollars to travel companies and resorts.  Taking this extra step will really give you that peace you made the most informed decision you could. 

Note we have many packages now for destination weddings and we really can adjust them for you.  Can you call us up and ask us how much? No, and we will not answer you over the phone.  Are you shocked I said that? If so, I am sorry, but we would not be one of the most specialized companies for destination wedding if we did? We need to tailor it for you.

Below are 2 most popular destination wedding planning packages.  The first is our most inclusive package the Platinum Package.  This is best suited for those who really need us to take you by the hand from start to finish.  We don’t limit our time to plan your wedding. It is start to finish!

The second is our newest package called our Pearl Package! It is our mini package.  It is really great as it is half the price of the Platinum but is covers all the important bases.  The most important part is that is covers the research help.  You have 90 days access to a resort specific data base to learn about the different resorts in detail.  Once you are ready we can price, narrow it down and we will then get you the information on the wedding packages, connect you with the resort planner and secure your wedding date and location… THEN you can take over.  This is the best package for couples who really want to plan themselves but have no idea how to start.  Sometime it is not just that you don’t know who to start, rather WHO DO YOU TRUST to be honest. 

So read this over, and call or email us.  Let’s talk. Let’s make your wedding your best day thus far, and most it the way YOU want it.  Instinctively, we are often motivated by highly advertised low priced holidays.  Remember, this is your wedding.  You will want to find a balance between low cost and high quality.  Even though you want to shop around for the best price, try to find out at the beginning if you think you will have a good relationship with your destination wedding travel professional.  You are planning a wedding, you will want to work together as team to make your day unbelievable! 

Salud to Your Future & Your Wedding!

Jaime VR 

Barcelo Puerto Vallarta – Quiet, quaint and good family fun

Written By: Jaime Valdes-Riench, owner of Travel & Events with Style

Image credits to:  Jorge from With Style Designs
Resort link: Barcelo Puerto Vallarta

Another trip, another FAM to open us up to new locations and resorts.  This last trip was to Puerto Vallarta and we stayed at the Barcelo Puerto Vallarta.

The Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is definitely a resort that will fit well with some and not others.  For us, as a family it was wonderful! We had the time of our lives and I would definitely recommend it to others.

The Barcelo is a little off the beating path from the other resorts.  It is one of the furthest resort South of the strip and a good 45mins from the aiport and downtown.  This makes for a great hideaway, but not for those who would rather be right in the city to walk and talk to the locals.

Personally, I love that we where far and away.  It was a perfect location for a retreat.  The kids program there was lacking if you wanted to drop them off at the kids club, but if you didn’t mind staying with the family then you really would love every minute.

We had the privilege of staying in the Presidential Suite.  Was it worth paying the upgrade? YES!  The deck was absolutely amazing as it wrapped around 3 sides of the ocean front building.  No disappointment there at all.  OK, maybe one.. we had to go home after the week and wanted to stay forever.

The cuisine had a lot of variety.  We tried the room service and they where attentive and the food was hot and cold as it should be.  No complaints.  I found the food very decedent and I think we may have eating our weight in avocados and papaya.  That alone would be an extra star rating in my heart.

As most resorts, there was a themed night every night and the entertainment was great.  Our stay landed on Carnival and the entertainment that night was outstanding! We where very happy over all with that.  Everything was off at the resort outside at 10pm.  To be honest, it wasn't bad.  You simply  just had to choose a place in doors to continue and it the kids sleep great.  There was not a night club on the property though and with the exception on a shack down the beach, there really wasn't anything near by either.

For wedding locations, it was quite nice, though I am not sure if I would recommend a beach ceremony in the month of March.  The tide is high that time of year, but I have heard it boasts long beaches as it get closer to the summer months. 

 The courtyard and deck around the pool where great locations to consider however for a wedding reception and the garden for a ceremony.  Both great alternatives and most (with the exception of the garden), looks out to the beautiful ocean.  One item to note for couples:  this resort does not allow wish lanterns.  If that is important to you, then this may not be the place for you.

If I had to rate it, I would give it is a solid 4.5 Stars.  There where a few items lacking, but it made up for it with the service and price.  Yes, the price, it was amazing! Great deal for sure.

Changes to travellers with children entering Mexico

Below you will find an update to family members travelling with children in and out of Mexico.  It has been a challenge for single parents or grandparents travelling with children because of the need for a letter form the parents who are not attending the trip.  Below was posted directly from Mexico Tourism:

Las Vegas Destination Wedding you say?

Are people still doing that?
text by Jaime Valdes-Riench

We are asking all the time if Vegas is still in the cards for destination weddings, and my answer is YES! But unless you want a drive thru wedding you may want to raise the stakes and give it a little sizzle to make it more than a typical Vegas wedding.

Our couple Jennifer and David did just that.  They had a reasonable budget and added extras where needed.  Their wedding didn't break the bank.  The location was in the MGM Grand Chapel with the real funs was the reception and after party.

The couple chose to have their reception in one of the Terrace Suites at the MGM Grand.  There was no limit on how late anyone could stay, but with noise ordnance laws they did have to release the DJ after 11pm.  Now did that stop the fun?  Not in the least! We arranged for them to have group area with a tab at Tabu in the MGM Grand as well.  So those who wanted to call it a night after the reception could and those who wanted to dance all night also could.  It was the time of their lives.

Now what was the icing on the wedding cake you ask?  They brought Sugar and Soul Photography along to be their photographer.  She also brought them the next day for a day after shoot in the Neon Boneyard.  The pictures are simply stunning!  Please read our feature in Weddings and Winnipeg Magazine this month in their destination weddings issue!  You will not be disappointed!

 A Good, Good Night - Weddings in Winnipeg

Destination Weddings - Are you ready to depart?

Written By Jaime Valdes-Riench, owner of Travel & Events with Style

You booked your trip months ago and now the time has finally come to depart on your destination wedding or your dream honeymoon, but the question to ask is, “Has anything changed between then and now?”  The answer often is, “Yes!” in some form or another.  Travel is one of the things that you should expect the unexpected.  In one moment you hear suggestions that you should only take carrier-on so you don’t lose your luggage, and then we hear the news and we are told you are no longer allowed to take carry-on on the plane.  There can be nightmares of the long line ups at security and new procedures they implement everyday to insure air travel is safe.  Now, how do you fit in with it all?  How will it affect you directly on your up and coming trip?  Because your destination may be far from home make sure you have taken the extra steps to make sure you have all your bases covered.

Make a list and check everything off as you pack it:   This simple practice is worth the while.  You have so much on your mind and you don’t want to forget anything.  Making a list and checking it off as you pack it will ensure you have everything you need and will make for a great holiday!

Did you purchase travel insurance:  If you ask anyone who does not purchase travel insurance and why they don’t you often get a few answers such as “I’m young and healthy, I don’t need it”, “nothing ever happened to me before, why should it now?”, or “If I buy insurance I am just planning for the worst!”.  Being prepared is never a bad thing.  For the minimal fee it costs you, it truly is worth it.  And with current packages available now, there are even clauses that they can fly you home if something happened to a loved one that wasn’t travelling with you.  Also, note that some countries such a Cuba have made it mandatory as an entrance requirement to have travel insurance.  You hear it all the time, but it does come down to peace of mind.

Your passport and travel documents:  Believe it or not there are still countries that do not require your passport as an entry requirement, but they are few and far between.  Even though they may exist, it is always strongly recommended that you travel with your passport in hand.  It was designed primarily for travel, thus it covers all the main details needed in order to travel.  Also, entry requirements of countries change on a dime, this ensures you are ready if per chance the country you are visiting changes entrance policies.  As for travel documents, always make sure they are packed in your carry-on or on your person and are ready for check in.  You don’t want to be halfway to the airport wondering if you left your ticket on the coffee table.  Remember that you should have verified your name spelling at the time of booking and it has to appear the same as your passport.  Something that often gets forgotten is that you should not book yourselves under your new married name unless your passport already reflects it.  You can not change to your married name without your marriage certificate and an ID with your new address.  So trying to do it last minute is not always possible.  You will not be allowed entrance if the name does not match and once a ticket is issued it very difficult to almost impossible change it.  Charter companies are more flexible with name alterations, but it is extremely difficult to change regular schedule airline flights (i.e. Aircanada, WestJet, etc.).  Be proactive not reactive.

Double check the location you are planning to visit:  If you are leaving to another country, re-familiarize yourself with the countries entrance requirements, health risks, social risks, and suggested vaccinations.  Also, if you are transiting another country, remember to check that countries transiting requirements as well.  A recommend website for Canadian travellers is Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada www.yoyage.gc.ca and also check the World Health Organization www.who.int

Recheck baggage limitations:  Baggage has been scrutinized in a large way since October 11, 2001 (911) and we have seen changes happen literally over night.  A lot of travellers will try to stand their ground and insist that their travel agent told them 6 months ago this would be allowed.  What they do not realize it is the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority makes their discretion according to current events which occur quickly and must be implemented immediately.  Before you depart, a suggested site would be:  www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca to see what changes have been implemented so you can anticipate for longer than usual wait times in order to clear security.  It will also advise if there are any changes to baggage requirements such as limited amounts of medications or no liquids allowed in carry-on luggage.  The time you save in security can mean relaxing prior to flight to literally running aboard or missing your connection all together.

If carry-on luggage is allowed, plan for the unexpected:  If you are allowed to take carry-on with you, making the extra effort of taking a few extra items that can sustain you if you where separated from your luggage.  This can make the difference of being more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.  Now considering the limitation of liquids in carry-on luggage may limit what you can bring aboard, but bringing a change of clothes, a change of shoes, a small amount of necessary medication, a few snacks, and possibly reading material can make the extra long layover a little more bearable.

On the day of travel: When it is time to check in, check-in for international flights and charters 3 hours prior... really!  Legally international carriers and charters can and will deny you boarding.  If your flight is at 5:00am and they request you check-in at 2:00am it is understandable that you are dreading the commute at 1:00am to the airport, but a suggestion can be to rent a hotel room at the hotel that is attached to your airport terminal.  Then you can just role your luggage in prior to check in verses the long commute if there is one.  It simple is a decision of cost (for the hotel room) vs. comfort.

Always consider the holidays and peak seasons when travelling:   Security often can take longer during certain times of the year and may require longer waiting periods.  Also if there is an alert out, this will increase line ups everywhere in all airports.  It is a good idea to make these time considerations so that these early check in times are not be as uncomfortable as they could be. 

Planning ahead can make a world of difference.  Taking the few extra steps are worth it and will keep your mind focussing on the important things, each other, the trip, and how much fun you will have!