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Writer's pictureKimberly Jacoby

Demystifying the terminology and differences between Destination Weddings Specialists and Wedding planners

bride sitting and  planning a wedding
Wedding Planning Roles

Planning a destination wedding can feel like stepping into a new world—beautiful beaches, exotic flowers, dreamy venues…and a never-ending list of confusing titles. Destination Wedding Specialist? Travel Advisor? Wedding Planner, Wedding Coordinator? Are these different people? Do you need all of them? Can they trade hats?


Choosing the right team is key to a smooth, stress-free wedding. To make your life easier, let's break down the most common roles, what they actually do, and why it’s essential to know the difference.


The Difference Between Destination Wedding Specialists and Wedding Planners


  • Destination Wedding Specialists/Experts  


    Think of these professionals as your Sherlock Holmes for destination weddings. They’re laser-focused on planning weddings in specific locations. Their expertise isn’t just in planning a wedding; it’s in navigating the resorts, venues, customs, and regulations unique to a certain destination. This means knowing the perfect beachfront villa in Mexico or the chic terrace in the Caribbean for your special day. They bridge the gap between your vision and local logistics to make magic happen. They are usually also a travel agency. They are more knowledgeable about weddings than your average travel agency as well and offer a varying array of services. They also usually know resorts better than most other agencies and can assist with narrowing down options. They will help you streamline the process for you and your guests and is the perfect option to start to get the ball rolling, and help you along through the entire process, and show you what to do every step of the way. They may or may not have a wedding planner on their team that can help with the wedding events. They may also assist with wedding websites, save the dates and so much more. Interviewing is crucial as there are so many levels of expertise, and services available.


  • Wedding /Event Planner  


    They may be local to you, or local to the destination and they may or may not be familiar with destination-specific details, their expertise might stop at the airport check-in counter. These professionals handle every detail of wedding and event planning. They’re your go-to for creating your wedding vision, streamlining schedules, assist with wedding timelines, assisting with budgeting, managing your vendors, and ensuring your day goes off without a hitch. They are usually also on site with you to ensure that all logistics are perfectly executed. If their title mentions certified, before you assume “certified” means all boxes are checked, know this—it simply highlights that someone has formal training in wedding planning. Certification can be incredibly reassuring as it reflects their dedication, but remember, it doesn’t automatically make them an expert in destination weddings or prove that they have even done a wedding at all. Checking reviews and interviewing is crucial They are usually not travel agents, so securing room blocks, or access to supplier perks will not be the norm. Nor will they be the person to call if your guests have travel issues.



  • Travel Advisor /Travel Agency 


    This person focuses solely on logistics like flights, hotels, and group bookings. However, expecting them to plan wedding details may be a bit of a stretch—as most don’t tackle wedding-specific tasks or get involved with any of the wedding planning. Many also do not charge a fee for their services, which is just fine for those looking for a "free" or "basic" level of service where the couple is doing most of the work.



Resort Wedding Planners and Wedding Coordinators


It’s common to not understand resort-specific roles when planning a destination wedding. These planners and coordinators can make your experience much smoother but understanding their focus is vital, as they work for the resort and not you. They are there to ensure that the resort's contract with you is fulfilled. Planners are usually more helpful than coordinators. But also expect that if there are multiple weddings that day, which there usually is, that their duties may be spread very thin. It is up to the resort to ensure that they give you the resort's preferred vendors, but not necessarily assist with that process. Some may expect you to take on that task alone, and not every couple is comfortable with that or knows the questions to ask. There are also couples who do not have the inclination or the desire to plan the wedding, and for this, a local wedding planner most certainly would help to come along side the couple and be the liaison between you and the resort's wedding planner/coordinator. Most resorts will have one or the other assisting you. It's important to know which type of wedding help the resort is offering, since you may end up needing to hire someone in the long run if you are not comfortable or overwhelmed with the planning process. Expect response times in the beginning to be very long as they are usually handling immediate weddings.


  • Resort Planner  


    This employee works directly for a specific resort. They specialize in leveraging the resort’s packages, facilities, and services. If you’re considering broader, off-property celebrations, they won’t step outside their resort’s figurative (or literal) doors. because they work for the resort, expect them to assist and answer questions about the resort and ensure that the resort is holding up their end of the bargain. they are usually also very helpful when it comes to budgeting and answering questions.


  • Resort Coordinator  


    The Resort Coordinator is your day-of behind-the-scenes person. Once all your plans are in place, they take over to make sure the timeline flows and everything runs smoothly at the resort. Just remember, they handle only resort logistics and won’t organize details outside of their territory. They are also there to fulfill the contract and ensure that every item in your contract is accounted for, and that all of the elements of your wedding are accounted for.


Why Choosing the Right Roles (and People) Matters


Not every role fits every situation, and not every professional can fill every role. For example, while resort staff are essential for executing plans on-site, their expertise might not be enough for securing external vendors or streamlining travel. Similarly, hiring only a Travel Advisor or a Wedding Planner won’t guarantee expertise in the unique demands of a destination wedding.


That’s why it’s so important to choose professionals who can offer a mix of specialized skills tailored to your needs. Some roles complement one another, while others fill critical gaps. This is why interviewing is so crucial. Looking for questions to ask your wedding planner? Head to: Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Destination Wedding Planner.


Where Romantics Travel Stands Out


At Romantics Travel, we’re here to make your wedding planning experience not just seamless, but exceptional. We wear many hats because we’re not just Destination Wedding Experts; we’re also certified wedding planners with deep knowledge of the Mexico and Caribbean regions. Whether it’s finding the perfect venue, navigating local customs, or ensuring your guests travel in comfort, we’ve got you covered.


Your wedding should be as unique as your love story. Don’t settle for one-size-fits-all planning. Better yet, don’t stress about juggling too many professionals. When you work with Romantics Travel, we help you simplify the process and create a day you (and your guests) will never forget.


Because your dream wedding deserves nothing less.


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Is it time to turn those destination dreams into reality? Reach out to us, and let's start planning your perfect day!

Visit us at www.romanticstravel.com/destination-weddings to learn more about us and grab a copy of our Destination Wedding Guide for overwhelmed couples.

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