Question: My partner and I recently got engaged. We really had a “dream” of a small intimate ceremony on a Caribbean beach. Sitting in front of my computer on Google, I am amazed how hard it is to find info on gay “destination weddings.” I found some great places, but really need a gay friendly/ knowledgeable travel agent/wedding planner who can do this all for me!
Any advise or ideas on where to look for a planner/agent?
- Kari, St. Paul
Answer: Having a gay destination wedding in a jewel of the Caribbean is totally possible! Pack up your bathing suit, your veil and let’s go!
The travel agent/wedding planner combination doesn’t sound like the best idea to me. A wedding planner and a travel agent have two completely different jobs. It would be like hiring the caterer/make-up artist or the dress designer/cake baker for your big day.
Each job requires a specific skill.
If you’re just looking for ease, I can’t imagine those package wedding/trips are just one-click-and-walk-away, either. I have some tips that will hopefully help to ease your wedding stresses.
Curacao is a great place to check out in the Caribbean. TripOut Travel awarded Curacao the 2009 Best Breakout Gay Destination. As they say, “Curacao follows the Dutch tradition of being gay-friendly. You’ll see plenty of gay folks working at the hotels and shops.”
There are many hotels that are proud members of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. I would recommend planning your trip through GayCuracao.com and skip the travel agent all together!
You said that you’d like an intimate wedding, so you may not even require a wedding planner. How about a gorgeous wedding on the beach during a sunset? Beach weddings are so easy, as nature has done all the decorating for you!
You both can wear linen fabrics in a flowing dress or a breathable shirt and pants combo. I would put a local flower in your hair or pin one on your shirt. Keep your make-up light – you’ll both look adorable, anyway, being a little sun-kissed. Then you can follow the ceremony by having an amazing dinner with your small group of destination wedding thrill-seekers!
If you must have a wedding planner, each hotel has event managers that would be happy to assist you. If you stay in a hotel that is a member of the IGLTA, I’m sure you’re not the first gay wedding to roll into town. I couldn’t find a specifically gay travel agent in St. Paul, but they don’t need to be gay to book your flights and hotel. If you can’t live without a travel agent, I would start off by giving the agency a list of hotels that are a member of the IGLTA and you should be totally fine.
We all have the power to take the mysteries about of travel and wedding planning. Just open your mind as you’ve opened your heart to your new fiance!
Have a wedding question? Ask now or put it in the comments!
Your wedding columnist Shawn Hollenbach is a former make-up artist, friend to LOTS of married folks, comedian and one of the social media guys for @LogoTV, @RuPaulsDragRace and for himself at @ShawnHollenbach.
