What You Need to Know About Planning Your Destination Wedding at Sandals Resorts
Image courtesy of Sandals Resorts.
If you’re considering Sandals Resorts for your destination wedding, you might want to hear about our experience first. One of our couples recently chose Sandals for their dream destination wedding, and we learned a lot during the process. From their planning style, to their lack of customization, there are many reasons why we don’t recommend Sandals for your big day.
We always share our honest opinions, so here’s what it’s really like working with Sandals Resorts and why it might not be the best choice for your wedding. If you’re set on an all-inclusive resort, we’ll also compare Sandals with Secrets Resort & Spa to highlight the differences.
Sandals Wedding Packages and Why Some Choose Sandals
We all know Sandals, right? They’re like the celebrities of the travel world, helping couples turn their destination wedding dreams into reality every single day. They offer some gorgeous venues, and their packages often come with perks like free nights for the wedding couple. And let’s not forget the all-inclusive convenience (yes, all your guests being fed all the time—no hangry moments here!) With tons of resort options across the Caribbean, Sandals is a top pick for couples craving that perfect beach but if you’re thinking of getting hitched there, here’s a quick breakdown of the packages, what they offer, and why couples are saying “I do” with Sandals.
What Sandals Offers
Sandals has four wedding packages that you can choose from, based on the size of your big bash, here’s what you can get:
A wedding planning team.
Gift registry and wedding website templates.
Couples massages.
Honeymoon packages.
1-hour wedding cocktail reception.
Breakfast in bed.
Two-tiered fondant wedding cake with rose topper.
15% off select Red Lane Spa Services for the entire group.
One of the coolest perks? You can “test drive” your wedding—basically, be a guest and see what it’s like before you commit. And depending on your wedding date, you might snag a free room for your guests (every 6th or 12th room is on the house, up to 5 rooms), which can save you some serious cash.
Plus, if you’re honeymooning within 30 days of your wedding, you get a free honeymoon package (and a bonus-free anniversary night). It works perfectly for couples who love all-inclusive resorts but aren’t into crazy adventures.
Sandals Wedding Venues
When it comes to venues, Sandals has lots of options. Think beachfront spots, garden gazebos, wedding chapels, and even offshore private islands (yes, really!). Some favorites include over-the-water gazebos, serenity chapels, and the Sky Terrace at Sandals Royal Barbados.
Costs and Deposits
Let’s quickly talk money too. While the average cost of a traditional wedding is over $30,000, Sandals’ all-inclusive packages give you serious bang for your buck, depending on what all you want. But heads up, they do require a hefty deposit to hold down rooms for your guests. For example, one of our brides had to put down 10% of a total $8k deposit.
Couples go to Sandals Resorts for their destination weddings because it’s just too damn convenient. Tons of dreamy locations, budget friendly options, and drop-dead gorgeous venues—what’s not to love? Plus, the all-inclusive factor means no guest goes hungry. But hold up, there’s more to the story. Let’s dive into our experience and why we might not be team-Sandals for your destination wedding.
Image courtesy of Sandals Resorts.
Reasons to Avoid Sandals for Your Wedding
While there are some great aspects to getting hitched at a Sandals Resort, here are our top reasons to consider alternatives:
Sandals Wedding Planning Feels Impersonal and Disconnected
One thing we noticed right away is how impersonal the wedding planning process with Sandals can be. From the start, couples are assigned a wedding concierge who operates out of a call center, not the resort. This rep doesn’t offer video calls (even if you ask) and communicates solely through phone calls. This screams “disconnect” to us.
Our couple really craved that face-to-face interaction, because it makes the planning experience much more personalized. Your rep should get to know your style and personality to help you get the most out of your wedding experience. But with only a phone line to chat with your main contact? That absolutely sucks.
At Secrets, it’s a whole different ball game. Couples get an on-site wedding representative who stays with them throughout the entire planning process. They are available for video calls, adding that much-needed personal touch. They also show you examples from past weddings to help bring your vision to life, which is a fantastic bonus.
TLDR; You shouldn’t feel like just another number in a call center queue. You deserve a dedicated, on-site expert who is committed to making your destination wedding amazing for you and your guests!
The Wedding Planning Lacks Customization and Flexibility
Sandals Resorts offers wedding packages that are pretty rigid, with limited room for customization unless you’re willing to pay extra. Their approach is very much “what you see is what you get,” and trying to personalize your wedding can quickly get expensive. We get it—you want your wedding to be uniquely yours, reflecting your style and personality.
Not every all-inclusive resort is this way. Secrets Resorts often go above and beyond to accommodate special requests. Unlike Sandals, you’re not dealing with a call-center rep but a dedicated on-site person who knows you and your needs. For instance, one of our couples chose a wedding ceremony package at Secrets that included a beach shoe station. Since they weren’t having a beach ceremony, the Secrets wedding rep transformed the shoe station into a cocktail station at no extra cost! They really went the extra mile because a) their goal is to help you, b) they take the time to understand you, and c) they are there on-site to make it happen!
You’ll Get Minimal Personal Touches and Suggestions
Another downside with Sandals is the lack of personal touches and suggestions from their wedding planners. The call center reps focus on ticking boxes from a checklist rather than offering insights or recommendations based on their past experiences. When you have a destination wedding, you want experts to guide you since you might not know all the ins and outs of your chosen location. Having a wedding rep who can provide valuable insights and make your wedding even better is crucial.
At Secrets, the on-site wedding reps offer valuable suggestions and insights from weddings they’ve personally overseen. Their experience is priceless. This hands-on approach ensures that couples receive tailored advice that actually enhances their wedding, not just a run-of-the-mill event they didn’t ask for.
They Have High Costs for Basic Packages
The pricing structure at Sandals drives us and our couples crazy. Their basic wedding packages are significantly more expensive compared to other resorts, yet they offer very little in terms of added value. This often leads to frustration for couples who realize they are paying a premium for a standard experience. Imagine spending all that money and not getting those special touches you dreamed of!
At Secrets, it’s a different story. Secrets offers more competitive pricing with packages that often include additional perks and customizable options. For instance, some couples are thrilled to find their package includes complimentary extras like a romantic dinner on the beach and a couple’s spa day. These little extras can make a huge difference in creating memorable moments.
Secrets is also flexible with customization without charging extremely high fees. Whether it’s adding unique floral arrangements, entertainment, they are way more willing to help accommodate your requests without breaking the bank.
Sandals Only Offers King Sized
We’ll keep this one short and sweet, because it’s simple yet can get very annoying for our destination wedding couples. Sandals Resorts cater primarily to couples, which means their room options are limited to king beds. So what? Well, think of your guests! This is incredibly inconvenient for guests who are friends, or single travelers, as they will either have to share a bed or pay the full price for a room intended for two. I don’t know about you, but my one single bestie who’s living it up in Europe? I want her at my wedding, but I don’t want her to pay double the price just because she wants her own bed.
Secrets Resorts offers a variety of room options (from double beds, to queen and king sizes), making it easier to accommodate a wide variety of guests, all comfortably. This flexibility is so important when you have a diverse group of friends and family attending your wedding, and it’s always important to try and make your wedding as accessible for your guests as possible. After all, having your loved ones by your side on your special day is essential ✨.
Image courtesy of Sandals Resorts.
Having Your Destination Wedding at Sandals Might Not Be Worth It
Before you decide, think it all through: is Sandals really the best option for your destination wedding? While it may seem like a dream at first, things start to crack once you try to get personal and detailed. Our experiences and those of our clients prove this true. The impersonal planning process, lack of customization, high costs, and limited room options can make the overall experience less than ideal.
If you’re looking for a more personalized, flexible, and cost-effective option for your destination wedding, we highly recommend broadening your options. Secrets Resorts, for example, offers a much more hands-on approach, customization options, and diverse accommodations to ensure you have a more enjoyable destination wedding planning journey. Also, let us note that this is not an ad, not sponsored, and Secrets has not asked us to write about their wedding program. We just want to always be honest and share our experiences with you all.
We’re not cookie-cutter gals here at TravelBash, so we alway remember: your wedding day should be as unique and special as your love story, and the right venue can make all the difference.
Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.
