Destination Wedding 101: Working with Your Onsite Wedding Team (Part I) Ana Tiznado, Corporate Wedding Manager for Grand Velas
Have you been curious as to what it would be like to work with a wedding coordinator abroad? We asked Ana Tiznado, Corporate Wedding Manager, at Velas Resorts, some of your usual questions to help you out. Luxury all-inclusive resorts like Velas Resorts have an on-site team ready to help couples make their dream destination wedding a reality.
Interview with Ana Tiznado - Corporate Wedding Manager, Velas Resorts
What is your role in helping couples plan their dream wedding away from home? What exactly do you do?
Our on-site wedding planners manage and coordinate everything before, during and after the wedding. Their job is to handle everything and make it the couple’s best day of their life, allowing them to enjoy everything. The wedding planner is in charge of the planning process hand by hand with the couple: decoration quotes, furniture, flowers, lighting, AV and entertainment. The wedding planner coordinates all the events on the wedding weekend, etc. We only celebrate one wedding per day, so the entire banquet and weddings department will focus on that wedding.
What are some misconceptions couples think of when working with your onsite team and/or planning a destination wedding?
They think that the distance will make it complicated to contract vendors, or that communication will be an issue due to the language barrier. We have completely capable certificated wedding planners at all our resorts, and we guarantee the quality of our preferred vendors that we work with. Another misconception is that they think this planning service has an extra cost, but it is included in the agreement with the hotel.
Is it necessary to have a wedding planner when working with a Resort Wedding Coordinator?
It is not necessary or mandatory to have an outside wedding planner; our in-house wedding planners have the best knowledge about protocols, policies and the best way to work with the resort, vendors, weather of the destination, and more. All of our weddings are tailor-made, which allows the couple to express and choose exactly what they always dreamed their wedding would be. However, when working with external wedding planners we extend multiple benefits for them and our mutual clients in order to recognize and grow our partnership.
Do you prefer working with the bride and groom directly or with a travel advisor, wedding planner, and/or a third party?
Velas Resorts works with all these options for weddings/groups suites blocks. We do have different benefits depending on who we are working with. We understand the preferences of the couples and always look for the best option to cover their needs.
What is the hardest part about what you and your team do for couples on a daily basis?
We don’t like to set limits for our couples, which is why we do not have packages. This allows the couple to explore, get inspired and expand their creativity; the challenge that our wedding planners have is to bring to life exactly what they would like to have and adapt to all the different personalities.
If you could tell your couples anything that would help you and your team, what would it be?
Communication is the base of a successful wedding. We always have as a priority to make a bond and achieve the best communication with the couples, just to ensure we are on the same path and make magic together.
How many couples on average are you helping during the week/weekend/over the course of a month?
On average we celebrate 4 weddings per month, depending on the season. But, our policy is to only celebrate one wedding per day, so that the couple and the wedding are the center of attention of the entire resort.
Why do you reach out to the couple only 3-4 months prior to the wedding, unlike a traditional wedding coordinator who plans a year out?
The planning process starts right after the couple signs the official agreement with the resort. The manager then arranges a video call to introduce the wedding planner that will be assisting the couple from then on; they have a structure of the planning process and personalize it to the time they have from that day until the big day.
What don't you and/or your team do for couples planning their wedding abroad?
We are unable to assist with migratory documentation. With regards to legalizing the marriage and travel to the destination we have some options and recommendations of external vendors, but is not something we can arrange ourselves.
What is one thing you want all of your couples to know when working with their resort coordinator?
The wedding planner's mission is to design and make the wedding of their dreams come true, having in mind their budget and needs.
Would you recommend a site visit?
Totally! The best idea would for the couple to experience the Velas Resorts experience before their guests so that they can fall in love with our 5 Diamonds service and let their family and friends know they will have the best vacation/wedding weekend with us.
One of the benefits that we offer our wedding couples is a special rate when they want to visit the properties for a site visit. The best part is that if they choose to have their wedding with us the amount spent on their stay will be credited towards their master account and can be used for extras.
Ready to book your destination wedding without a hitch, then get in touch with one of our team and schedule your consultation.
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.
