I realized the other day that I’ve basically always been the planner in my relationships: love, friendship, you name it. I book flights for my parents, mastermind surprises for friends, bottom line bachelorettes, and coordinate fashion photoshoots. There’s nothing quite as #boss feeling as pulling off something you’ve worked really hard for. But also, it’s exhausting, and it depletes you.
Which brings us to weddings: Planning. Is. Hard. Work. That’s why it’s legit a job. Not saying you can’t DIY your wedding (hi, that’s why we’re here!) but also, #realtalk, sometimes you want to hand someone a credit card and just show up. That’s why dinner out feels like such a luxury: you don’t buy the groceries, and you don’t do the dishes, so you can just focus on… dinner.
So when we had the opportunity to partner with Palace Resorts to talk about all-inclusive weddings in the Caribbean, I was psyched. Not just because I’m currently booking flights and hotels for a holiday getaway to the Riviera Maya for myself and a few friends. Or because I think the Caribbean is hands down one of the best places to travel for beauty and sanity. Or even because Palace Resort’s locations read like a rolodex of my favorite destinations—Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres in Mexico and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
But because planning a wedding isn’t everyone’s thing (or like me, maybe it’s always your thing). And despite what Pinterest wants us to believe, sometimes handing things off and actively not planning your wedding is the best thing you can do for yourself and your sanity. So if you’ve just started to realize that maybe wedding planning is not for you, then here are five reasons why it’s totally okay to ditch the DIY and opt instead for a #lazygirl approved all-inclusive destination wedding:
Don’t worry, about a thing
Okay, first—and most importantly—going all inclusive means you get to relax. Actually relax. Why? Because all the things that one generally needs to stress about—transportation to the wedding, which catering place, how much alcohol to buy, what the guests will do before and after—it’s all a moot point. The drinks are endless. The food is plentiful. All the guests have to do to arrive at your ceremony is walk out of their rooms. Are they bored? Oh, well they can probably go swim in some turquoise waters, or check out the spa, or read, or get wasted. Whatever floats their boat, and it’s not your problem. Also, they often make it easy to support the local economy (just ask for recommendations), because they serve as a perfect hub to venture out for an adventure (or three)!
Two Love birds, one destination
Because you’re not in charge of anyone else, you’re legit on vacation. Which is why lots of people opt to roll the destination wedding and honeymoon into one. If you’re anything like me, you can’t afford fancy digs for two separate trips (not to mention multiple tickets to exotic locales). Which is why combining means you get the best of both—a luxe room for your wedding night and your honeymoon. Pro-tip: You can usually score a free minimoon when you book a wedding at a hotel, and that translates into perks. Think couples massages, chilled champagne when you arrive, a room with a view… the works.
They know what you want (what you really, really want)
You know what’s great about people who work in weddings? It’s their job. They’ve done it before. They know what you will need, and they’ll give you a list. They’ve got it covered, from centerpieces to chairs to sound systems. And here’s the other secret perk: destination weddings usually only have a handful of options to choose from on everything. Which might sound like a bummer at first. Except your chances of decision fatigue are next to zero. Just pick from options A, B, or C, and then go hang out at the swim up bar.
Think of your people
Traveling for weddings is complicated. Sometimes a flight across the country costs half of what it takes to get to Oklahoma. So if a large portion of your wedding guests are already going to be coming in from out of town, then why not give them a destination that they can turn into a mini vacation? And yes, probably, your whole 150 person guest list (with your fourth cousin, twice removed) won’t fly to Jamaica for your wedding. But that’s half the magic of having your wedding on a tropical beach. Chances are it’s going to be smaller, and that means probably only your very best people will be there. Just the way you wanted, right? Bonus: Wedding vendors are always talking about how much they love to travel, and sometimes they even offer discounts for weddings in destinations where they’ve never shot before.
EVERY MOMENT IS A POSTCARD
Okay, okay. I know this isn’t the point of the wedding. But when the wedding industry is pressuring you at every turn to make every single aspect of your wedding beautiful and meaningful, right down to the napkin rings, it’s nice to get married somewhere that’s effortlessly beautiful (well, effortless for you). Because who needs centerpieces when you have the beach?
This post was sponsored by Palace Resorts and Apple Vacations. Let Apple Vacations’ Destination Wedding Department make your wedding fun and stress free by taking the work on for you. Apple Vacations will set up a reserved block of rooms for your group, and we will put you directly in touch with a wedding coordinator at your resort who will help you plan the wedding ceremony and reception. Plus, when you book with Apple Vacations, you and your guests receive resort credits to use towards upgrades and other hotel services. Click here to inquire about an all-inclusive Palace Resorts wedding today!
