Recommend June 2011 - (Page 84)

mexico says “I do” to destination weddings T sarah muñoz Tying the knot in Mexico—so romantic, so dreamy, so very profitable. With an average 8-day stay in destination weddings and 23 percent of U.S.-originated destination weddings taking place in Mexico, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be a part of it. Reasons for clients? Here they’ll take in a rich history, internationally renowned hospitality and world-famous attractions. They will make their nuptials an unforgettable experience for themselves and for their guests. They’ll combine a wedding, honeymoon and more in one fell swoop. “The feedback from past destination wedding travelers to Mexico has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, many people who have chosen Mexico as a vacation destination have been seeing the many beautiful weddings being performed at various resorts and then requesting to have their destination wedding in the same location,” says Jacqueline Marks, v.p. of product & pricing at Funjet Vacations (funjet.com), which offers exclusive discounts, return anniversary stays, customizable wedding websites and registries and other great incentives for destination couples. “Mexico is viewed as ideal for destination weddings because of the overall affordability of the destination.” The cost-effectiveness of ceremonies in Mexico, adds AMResorts’ romance product manager Amanda Davis, lets couples enhance their special day. “This allows couples to add these unique touches or other ‘wow’ factors, like a bonfire on the beach or fireworks display, that they may not have had the opportunity to include had they not selected a destination wedding.” what’s hot in mexico weddings More Spending. Despite the still-thriving perk of saving money when choosing a destination wedding in Mexico, many couples are choosing to fine-tune their experience by adding more splendor. “Many people use destination weddings as a way to save money, but couples are now definitely incorporating more sophistication. I see that a lot when talking to hotels and wedding planners—events are becoming more sophisticated,” says Kitzia Morales Harbich, partner at Mexico Wed, which along with the Mexico Tourism Board offers Love Mexico, destination wedding specialist trainings for travel professionals and planners. Love Mexico is the only specialized symposium and networking event that promotes Mexico as a destination for weddings and romance, giving agents and other travel professionals the chance to learn about the wedding market through seminars, certification programs and other events. This increase in spending—by choice—also applies to weddings of couples who have been married before or who are older. Of course, the love with the all-inclusive concept continues to cross over into destination weddings with more refinement than ever before, in the form of unique and luxurious packages. “Even if they end up not using them, they’re a great base for brides to know what they can do,” she adds. Tequila. Morales Harbich sees the muy Mexican town of Tequila as a future hotspot for weddings, especially when complemented with nearby Puerto Vallarta. “Tequilas has all the elements of ‘Mexicanidad’ in a marvelous town with a fully assembled product,” she explains. That product is Mundo Cuervo (mundocuervo.com), Jose Cuervo’s visi84 june 2011 tors center and tequila distillery. Mundo Cuervo’s full-service team can set up weddings in courtyards, gardens and other colonial-inspired venues within the property itself, but also in the Church of St. James in the town’s main square, within walking distance of Mundo Cuervo. It offers a completely Mexican ambiance away from a hotel, booking the mariachi band or charros, setting up transportation and arranging tours and tastings at La Rojeña, Mexico’s oldest tequila distillery. Jumping into the “Mexican-ness” of the country is part of the attraction, after all. Davis, whose employer manages Dreams Resorts in nearby Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, would advice couples to “…savor the richness of the Mexican culture and combine your personal style with the local traditions, colors, flavors and surroundings of the destination. The warmth and kindness of the people is sure to make couples and their guests feel welcome and at home.” There are many ways in which to incorporate Mexican culture into the wedding, she adds, including the aforementioned tequila tastings and mariachi bands. “A very popular addition that guests will love is the tornaboda, which is the wedding after-party. After a night of dancing and celebrating, a buffet of late-night snacks—empanadas, taquitos, and other treats—is set up to make sure everyone goes to bed happy.” Mayakoba. Nowadays, people wanting a high-end bash on some of Mexico’s most beautiful shorelines don’t just think about the Riviera Maya; they ask for Mayakoba by name. One of the benefits of this all-inone luxury destination is that it has tons of events space for holding very posh activities and accompanying entertainment options. Here, says Morales Harbich, “…You can have the rehearsal dinner at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, some spa time at the Rosewood Mayakoba, the wedding dinner at Fairmont Mayakoba.” For golf, spa, gourmet cuisine, ocean activities and easy access from tons of cities through Cancun International Airport, the buzz word is Mayakoba. For more information on the destination, visit mayakoba.com. But first and foremost, it’s all about training to sell those destination weddings. “Selling weddings is different from selling honeymoons and other romance. It’s more of a groups sell, where one first has to be trained in what Mexico offers, then in becoming the link to ensure that the bride gets everything thing she wants,” explains Morales Harbich. “It’s so important that [agents] develop relationships with Mexican suppliers, with hotels and with wedding planners in those hotels, to know what each specializes in.” A solid relationship with hotels works both ways, she adds. A bride might approach the hotel directly but then find herself overwhelmed with the issue of arranging flights and other logistics. This is where a hotel could step in and recommend an agent that could put it together for her. This is supported by Funjet’s Marks, who recommend’s the following to those heading to the altar in Mexico: “Always seek the advice of a good travel agent who specializes in destination weddings instead of trying to plan your destination wedding yourself. A good travel agent will not only be able to recommend resorts that meet your needs, but they can also provide you with the most value and can help you with planning all the details.” n recommend.com http://www.funjet.com http://www.mayakoba.com http://www.mundocuervo.com/english/ http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend June 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Club Med Weddings by Imagine
A Perfect Honeymoon
Super-Sexy Voyages by Sea
Home-Based Happily Ever Afters
Kiss & Tell
Saying "I Do" on an Island
The Best Beach Honeymoons
Brazil Travel Planner
Say "I Do" to Central America
Steamy Love in South America
Finding Honeymoon Gems in Europe
Mesmerizing Retreats
Exotic Africa—The Perfect Honeymoon Haven
Five Fiery Honeymoons in Mexico
Mexico Says "I Do" to Destination Weddings

Recommend June 2011