TravelBash by Courtnie Nichols

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What You Need to Know Before Choosing DestinationWeddings.com

Wondering if DestinationWeddings.com lives up to its promises? Trying to decide between DestinationWeddings.com and TravelBash for your dream destination wedding? Let’s make it easy.

We’ve compared the experiences of two brides—one who said ‘I do’ with TravelBash and another who chose DestinationWeddings.com. How did these two destination wedding services stack up against each other?

We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to, because finding the perfect service can mean the difference between wedding stress and wedding fun. Let’s dive into the experience of each destination wedding service to help you make the right choice for your big day.

What is DestinationWeddings.com?

Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, that’s why many couples turn to experts to make sure their big day goes off without any issues. After all, who really wants to juggle all the details alone? 

That’s where services like TravelBash and DestinationWeddings.com come in. Your destination wedding travel gurus. They’re your partners in planning, offering expertise, personalized experience, and that all-important peace of mind for your celebration abroad. 

According to the DestinationWeddings.com website, they help you choose the right resort, confirm your dates, secure your group room block, book guests’ travel and communicate with onsite planners on your behalf. 

But what’s the real deal? Before you make that big decision on which wedding service to go with, let’s break down the differences. Here’s what you need to know: 

Differences Between TravelBash and DestinationWeddings.com

The Service Approach

The first big difference that stood out to us was how differently each destination wedding team tackled their service approach. 

At TravelBash, we’re all about giving you the reins but also having your back every step of the way. Our team of pros are here to make sure your dream wedding happens just the way you want it. Whether you want to be hands-off or dive into every detail, we’ve got you covered. 

DestinationWeddings.com might work best for brides who are looking for a self-service approach. Think more of a DIY vibe—brides often roll up their sleeves to handle a lot of planning themselves. 

Here’s a difference of what the DestinationWedding.com bride has to do vs. what a typical TravelBash bride has to do: 

What the DestinationWedding.com Bride Has to Do:

  • The bride connected directly with the resort’s wedding team and had to take charge of all communication, with the DestinationWeddings.com team copied on the emails for oversight.

  • The bride had to organize every detail, from coordinating with vendors for décor and entertainment to selecting locations, activities, food, drinks, welcome party arrangements, and reception details, often dealing directly with some of the vendors instead of relying on the wedding team.

What the TravelBash Bride Has to Do:

  • Just gave us the basics—where, when, and who—and we took it from there.

  • Once the bride shared the information, TravelBash then handled all the communications and the bride was simply on CC for oversight.

  • Sat back, enjoyed the process, and popped a bottle 🍾 (we handled all the details). 

  • Simply rest assured all is being taken care of. 

Even though DestinationWeddings.com helped out with bookings like guest rooms and transfers, they weren’t very hands-on overall. 

At TravelBash, we're here to guide you without cramping your style. We keep it relaxed but professional, providing a personalized experience tailored just for you. We keep our circle small and only accept a few brides a year, because we believe in giving our all, every time, to make sure your big day is nothing short of perfect. 

Bride Rescue Team: Support When You Need It

The second major difference? The support you get while you’re en route to your wedding. Because let’s be real, the wedding journey doesn’t end when the planning does, and neither should the support. 

Unexpected challenges pop up all the time—we’ve seen it happen over and over again. Sometimes you’re headed towards your destination, and airport dramas or lost luggage throw you off course. There’s always a plot twist you didn’t sign up for. 

The thing that makes it all better: having a great support team, that you trust, and that’s there to help you throughout the entire wedding journey. 

DestinationWeddings.com was fairly hands-off in those stressful moments. Your cries for help end up in a generic support inbox, where you get assistance from a faceless stranger (not exactly reassuring). 

With TravelBash, we’re your ride-or-die crew. We have a small-knit team of destination wedding experts that are ready to jump into action the moment you need help. When you reach out to our support line, you’re talking to a real person who gets you and your situation. It’s like having a friend on speed dial for wedding emergencies.

Price: Balancing Cost and Value

Let’s talk dollars: one major difference between these two services? The price tag. We’d love to gloss over it, but let’s face it, money talks. 

For brides on a budget, DestinationWeddings.com might be a great option. They keep it simple with a $500 sign-up fee, which then goes towards your wedding package at the resort. They also have exclusive offers and cheap packages to specific destinations.

Plus, their planning service? Totally free according to their website. 

At TravelBash we charge a $5,000 fee upfront, but that’s because we are honest about our pricing. Our typical client’s budget for their wedding is at least $25,000, and most of our couples are in their 30’s and looking for something unique. 

And, you know what they say: “you get what you pay for.” It’s a harsh truth, but opting for the cheapest option can sometimes mean sacrificing quality or missing out on important details. 

For example, the DestinationWeddings.com bride found herself rolling up her sleeves and diving into everything, from vendor coordination to sorting out every last detail of her wedding bash.

Whereas the TravelBash bride received a more personalized service. Here are all the different wedding concierge services included in the $5,000 upfront fee:

  • Four scheduled consultations to determine budget, location, and wedding date

  • Resort scouting, research and selection (and we go beyond those typical Mexico / Caribbean resorts)

  • Travel management for the two of you + all guests

  • A monthly check-in email

  • Coordination of any off-site group excursions

  • Negotiation of room rates

  • Payment tracking, invoicing, and auto-reminders

  • Assistance with Group air booking (if applicable)

  • Liaison services for communication with onsite Wedding Coordinator and vendors

  • Assistance with ideas for welcome bags/gifts for guests

  • Access to our “Bridal Carry-On” which includes our Destination Wedding Planning

  • Checklist, Preferred Vendors, and other helpful resources

  • Coordination of honeymoon plans (if located at a different property/destination)

On top of all of that, you also get a streamlined process for your guests, expert knowledge from our team, and a stress-free, 100% epic experience. 

TravelBash will cost you more, but sometimes splurging a bit means a smoother ride down the aisle.

So, which one is right for you?

Here’s the gist: with TravelBash, you’re not just getting a service, you’re getting a dedicated team of experts who are truly there for you every step of the way. No fluff, no BS—just honest pricing and unwavering support from start to finish. We’ve got your back and we prioritize making your wedding journey as smooth as possible. 

When it comes to choosing between DestinationWeddings.com and TravelBash, it all comes down to what matters most to you: do you want a personalized, stress-free planning experience with dedicated support and expert guidance? If so, TravelBash is the way to go. 

Go With TravelBash If You:

  1. Are looking for a 4 or 5 star property that goes beyond just an all-inclusive wedding resort. 

  2. Are creative and open to visiting non-traditional destination locations for your wedding. 

  3. Want a personalized experience with experts you can trust by your side.

Go With DestinationWeddings.com If You:

  1. Are looking to visit a traditional wedding resort in a destination like Mexico or the Caribbean. 

  2. Are on a budget. 

  3. Are looking for a more DIY approach and plan to do everything yourself anyways.

Choosing TravelBash means stepping beyond the ordinary space of travel advisors or planners. With our wedding concierge services, we redefine the standards set by typical advisors at DestinationWeddings.com. 

Here’s the difference: we’re dedicated to you. By committing to just one wedding per month, we ensure your experience receives our undivided attention. Meanwhile, over at DestinationWeddings.com, you risk blending into a crowd of 100 brides per advisor, missing out on the personalized care you truly deserve. 

By weighing the pros and cons of each service, checking out real bride testimonials, and considering your own needs and preferences, you’ll be ready to make the best decision for you. Eat, drink, and happy wedding 🎉 🥂!


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.