Laura and Travis dancing on their 2019 wedding reception at Avanti Mansion in Hamburg, NY.
WNY engaged couples and longing for the days normalcy. One bride we have been talking to remembers attending her best friends wedding last year. The entire experience was fun. "From watching my friend try on dresses to squeezing in to a limo for the bachelorette party the experience was amazing". They the day of the wedding came. Hanging with close friends, a church full of friends and family, taking pictures at Canalside, cocktail hour at the reception, dancing, posing in the photobooth, and more. It was all a blast!
Then 2020 arrived and the world got turned upside down. Countless weddings have been cancelled. Churches at first couldn't hold ceremonies. Some churches have starting to hold wedding ceremonies again but due to social distancing space is limited. And then brides were asked to wear face mask as they walk down the aisle with their dad. In NY State many receptions were cancelled. Some recently started back up with a limit of 50 guests. Guests are asked to wear their mask unless seated at their dining table. You can't order drinks at the bar and have to wait for a banquet server to come around to your table to take your drink order. Photobooths are cancelled due to fear of Covid. After dinner is served no dancing is allowed. No kidding. The intent is to reduce congregating. Many people have cancelled their wedding DJ. Many banquet facilities discourage hiring DJ's because they know it's hard to stop someone from getting on the dance floor after a few drinks when good music is being played.
Sorry 2020 / 2021 brides and grooms. No one could have predicted this would happen. Covid-19 has affected everyone but none more than you.
At Everlasting Memories Vacations we have been busy fielding calls as more and more couples consider the idea of a destination wedding. Some were supposed to get married in 2020 and were forced to cancel. They don't want to go through the process again. Many more are just getting started and want to avoid the hassle of a large wedding at home during the pandemic. Once they look in to the idea many are sold on the value and ease of a destination wedding.
Below are a few reasons destination weddings may be right for you.
- VALUE: At many resorts destination weddings are free. If you bring a small group with you your room can also be free.
- EASE: Your EMvacations travel advisor and resort wedding team make planning easy
- SAFETY: Resorts are doing an amazing job with COVID-19 protocols. Many islands/resorts require a negative Covid test to travel so you know everyone there has been tested recently. Getting a test in NY is easy and we will help guide you through the process.
- FUN: Who wouldn't enjoy a wedding and vacation in one on the beach?
- LESS RESTRICTIONS: While policies are in place to keep everyone safe you can still dance and do the traditional wedding components you have always dreamed of.
Whether you are considering a wedding with just the two of you, or you want to bring a group of family and friends with you, destination weddings are becoming more and more popular each year. We hear the comment "best wedding ever" all the time.
The entire wedding experience, including the planning process should be enjoyable. We believe planning a destination wedding is much less stressful than a traditional wedding at home. You only have to worry about one vendor (your amazing travel advisor at EMvacations). We guide you through the entire process from picking your dates, colors, flowers, music, etc. We even handle reserving rooms for your family/friends. You can relax knowing everything is taken care of. Also, since we are in uncertain times with Covid-19, our clients are pleased to hear that most of our resorts have amazing policies in place if you need to make changes or even cancel your destination wedding.
Also, many people don't realize this, but using our service is free. We get paid by the resorts so you never spend a penny working with NY's favorite destination wedding travel advisor. Unlike some agencies, we never charge additional planning fees.
So what do you think? Would you like to schedule a free planning session to discuss ideas and get pricing? You have nothing to lose other than a 1/2 hour of your time. I'm happy to meet over the phone or in person at our office at 1450 Niagara Falls Blvd in Tonawanda. Feel free to send me an e-mail at [email protected] or text 716-308-8713.
Best wishes on your engagement. I look forward to wedding planning with you.
Larry Field
Destination Wedding Specialist