Send in the Clowns

Many resorts have staff members who handle all the in-house wedding arrangements, from paperwork to photography. These in-house coordinators work for the resort and are usually limited to wedding sites at the resort itself. Usually the services of the resort wedding coordinator are part of the wedding package itself, a savings over hiring an independent wedding coordinator. Will you be on site the day of our wedding? __ yes __ no Will you be attending the ceremony? __ yes __ no How many other weddings will be held the day of our ceremony? _______________ Some resorts run weddings on an assembly line basis, especially during June. If you don't want to be one of four or five weddings on property that day, check before booking. Can we set up a rehearsal? __ yes __ no Are we limited to particular sites on the property for our ceremony or may we have the ceremony anywhere on the resort grounds? __ yes __ no Will we meet the wedding officiant before the ceremony? __ yes __ no Can you help us arrange a religious ceremony? __ yes __ no May children attend the wedding? __ yes __ no Many adults-only resorts do not permit children on property. Is there a minimum age for children allowed on property at this facility or resort? __ yes __ Age __ no Some properties that do allow children require a minimum age of 16 or 18. What individual items should we add to the wedding package? ____imported flowers ____flowers for guests ____local band ____soloist ____seating for guests ____aisle runner ____flowers for showering ____cake ____champagne ____reception ____photo package Is there a per guest fee for non-resort guests? __ yes __ no What hours does this fee cover? __________ For guests who would like to remain on property and party through the evening, what is the cost of a night pass? ___________________ How late do night activities continue? ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ Can you show us photos of the floral arrangements used at the site and at receptions? __ yes __ no Are there photos online or can you email us photos? __ yes __ no

Aside from resorts, traditional hotels also offer wedding packages. These come in all shapes and sizes, from two-person ceremonies to grand affairs with many guests. Many of the same questions that apply to all-inclusives will apply to hotels as well. How many weddings are performed at this property every year? _________________ This question is a trade-off. On the one hand, you want the property to be skilled in planning a wedding, no matter how complex. (Although hotels may have plenty of facilities, some may typically use those facilities for meetings, not for weddings.) On the other hand, you don't want your wedding to feel like part of an assembly line. Is there an on-site wedding coordinator? __ yes __ no While most all-inclusive resorts have on-site wedding coordinators, many hotels rely on local wedding coordinators, which can be a separate cost for the couple. Or properties may have a person on staff who handles weddings but that person's responsibilities may also include groups or conventions. Check to see if the hotel staff person is a dedicated wedding planner; if not, you may be better off hiring a local wedding planner if your wedding will involve many arrangements. How many weddings are typically performed in a day at this property during the month of our wedding? _______ Notes:

Name: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Location: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Per night cost: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Adults only? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Couples only? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Distance from airport: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ On site wedding planner? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Cost of wedding package: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Min. stay for wedding package: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ # weddings performed daily: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Wedding site options: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Reception included in package? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Beach? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Nightclub? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ Favorite sports in all- inclusive package? Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________ What we like about this resort: Resort #1___________ Resort #2___________ Resort #3___________

At one time, destination weddings were primarily a ceremony for the couple themselves, occasionally accompanied by a pair of close friends to serve as witnesses. Today, however, with families spread out across great distances, more and more destination weddings are including a number of guests. Wedding parties often find it just as easy (and sometimes simpler) to meet at a vacation destination for a wedding than to travel to the couple's hometown. What are the resort's guest restrictions? ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Some all-inclusive resorts are for couples only so this rule will apply to day guests as well. Some all-inclusives are adults-only, permitting only guests age 18 and over (or age 16 in a few cases). Would we like our guests to stay in other nearby resorts? __ yes __ no You may not want to bump into your guests throughout your honeymoon. Sometimes the bride and groom stay at one property and the guests at a sister resort. You'll have the option to get together for a meal or a drink but you won't feel like you've got your guests looking over your shoulder throughout your honeymoon. What is the fee for non-guests?________ Guests who are not staying at the resort typically purchase a "day pass" or a "night pass," depending on the time of your wedding and reception. This pass typically allows the visitor to enjoy the same privileges as a guest, from drinks to meals. What hours does this guest pass cover?_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________