Destination Wedding Planning Q&A: Fees, Travel & More

Welcome to another Sunday ‘Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session where I go live, answer your wedding and travel questions, and occasionally explain why my Christmas tree is still up in February. (Spoiler alert: it's pink. It stays.)

If you're dreaming of a destination wedding (or flirting with the idea), this one's packaged with the stuff nobody tells you — including when planning fees kick in, whether I’ll show up at your wedding (you know, in person), and why surprise weddings might just be the best thing since chocolate fountains.

📺 Watch the full video above or keep scrolling for highlights, timestamps, and a few juicy takeaways.

What We Covered in This Episode

Do I charge a planning fee? (Short answer: sometimes. Long answer: Keep reading.)
How to give your local wedding a destination vibe — no passport required
What “off-the-beaten-aisle” weddings really look like (underwater weddings, airplane weddings, Valentine's trees… yep)
Why Sandals & Beaches are my go-to-all-inclusive resort partners
The real reason I became a travel advisor (hint: control freak vibes)
The inside scoop on wedding departments that aren't really departments 😬
Don't Tell the Bride + surprise wedding in person (Rev. Debbie, reporting for duty!)

So… Do I Charge a Planning Fee?

Let's spill the details:

Sandals or Beaches wedding with 20 guests or less? My planning fee is usually $0. Yep. Zero. Nada.
30+ guests or custom logistics? My fee starts at $500 USD and slides up from there.
Not at Sandals or Beaches? Planning starts around $1,000 USD, especially if I'm wrangling guest bookings and resort contracts.
Custom venue or offsite wedding? We'll need a proper chat. This is your “bespoke” moment, and it takes serious planning power.

🔗Book your free consultation here

✈️ Why I Became a Travel Advisor (Yes, Really)

Once I realized how essential travel is to the destination wedding experience, I knew I needed to wear that hat too (because, again, control freak). Being a travel advisor means I can:

Negotiate better room blocks for your guests
Work directly with resorts and wholesalers
Save you time, stress, and probably a group-text meltdown

And yes, I help with honeymoons too -with no fee for planning (at Sandals & Beaches resorts). That's just my thank-you gift to you.

🧳Will I Actually Show Up to Your Wedding?

Sometimes! If it's a custom event or you need onsite coordination, we can absolutely talk about me being there in person.

But for all-inclusive weddings? Most of the time, the resort's got it covered — unless it’s, well… chaotic. And trust me, some resorts are all glitter, no systems. (Looking at you, untrained front-desk staff turned “wedding coordinator.”)

But Sandals and Beaches? They get it right. Which is why they're at the top of my list.

Surprise Weddings = Chef's Kiss

Picture this: Guests think they're attending your engagement party… but SURPRISE! They're at your actual wedding.

You flip the room
Change into your ceremony look
Cue the officiant
Cue the happy tears
And no one's scrambling for napkin colors or signature cocktails.

Is this your sign to consider a surprise wedding? Probably.

📆 My Seasonal Sunday Lives (Nov-Mar)

I go live most Sundays at 3pm ET during my dedicated planning season (November through March). It's my chance to answer real wedding questions, shared insider tips, and say hi to viewers like you.

You don't have to register—but if you do, you’ll get a gentle reminder (no spam, just good vibes).

Ready to Start Planning?

Whether you're dreaming of a toes-in-the-sand ceremony or want to surprise your guests with a plot twist for the ages, I'm here to help make it stress-free and stylish.

Book a Free Consultation

Thanks for reading — and I'll see you the next time I'm live. Or maybe at your surprise wedding. 😉