How to Sell Private Island Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

As demand for destination weddings and honeymoons grows, so too does the demand for more original experiences. With more than 350,000 destination weddings taking place annually (The Knot), creating original destination wedding bookings is proving more challenging for even seasoned romance travel specialists. Sunset ceremonies on the beach are becoming passé, but few couples have laid claim to wedding on their own private beach, let alone their own private island. Yet, more couples are requesting just that.

The Panache of Private Island Weddings

If owning a private island is the ultimate status symbol for ultra-high-net worth individuals, traveling to one is the equivalent for everyone else. Private island getaways landed on both Virtuoso’s 2018 Luxe Report and Travel Leaders Group’s list of Top Luxury Experiences for 2018. 

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For many affluent travelers, the ultimate luxury when traveling is finding seclusion and serenity—two aspects all but guaranteed where private islands are concerned. And, exclusivity and privacy aren’t just coveted by the ultra-wealthy. Lonely Planet dubbed “private islands for all” a 2018 travel trend, noting that “thanks to global improvements in travel infrastructure …, scouting unique adventures has become a budget-blind endeavor.”

Honeymooners have long frequented private-island resorts but what about private-island weddings?
Private islands have served as the backdrop to many celebrity weddings (Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Gardner) but few non-celebrities have said their “I do’s” à la Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis. With your help, that can change.

Yes, Your Client Can Afford It: Targeting Tips

The Knot 2016 Real Weddings Study revealed that “to create a completely memorable experience for guests, couples will amp up the entertainment and personalization” by choosing a destination that delivers on their creative whims. Further, destination weddings draw an average of only 40 guests.

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Private island weddings are the epitome of originality, exclusivity and intimacy and three types of travelers—Millennials, older betrothed and adventurers—are prime targets. Among all three groups, Jamaica was a favored wedding/honeymoon destination in 2017, according to Delta Vacations.

Millennials

Not only do Millennials book more destination weddings and honeymoons than any other age group, they also spend more when they travel (MMGY Global’s Portrait of American Travelers).

Millennials want the bragging rights associated with long haul weddings/honeymoons. The key to targeting Millennials is emphasizing a private island wedding’s originality by pitching the prospect of an unrivaled buddymoon replete with personal plunge pools and the hashtag #goals thrown in the mix.  When you let your clients know that they can have an elaborate private island wedding ceremony for under $5,000 at Couples Resorts Tower Isle, you’ll be come the #boss of wedding planners.  

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Older Betrothed

According to The Knot, 80 percent of couples who have destination weddings have been married before. Cost is not a factor when it comes to encore weddings or vow renewal ceremonies. This group is older and often richer than when their parents paid for their first weddings. They want to include their children, grandchildren and friends and need an incredible destination suitable for the entire family. Suggesting an all-inclusive resort with abundant activities allows the older betrothed to focus less on the family’s needs and more on planning the perfect private island wedding.  

The Adventurous

Adventure travel has been steadily gaining popularity for a couples of years. Everyone from Millennials to boomers and families want more active trips. Honeymooners are no different.

Your clients might assume that a private island won’t provide the adventure they crave. Make sure to pitch a product that offers both hard and soft adventure activities, like scuba diving and knee boarding, on an adventure-packed island, like Jamaica. And when you throw an exclusive private island wedding for 50 fellow adventurers, the challenge is on.

Work with a Suppler Who You Can Trust

Few of your clients want a “castaway” theme for their private island escape (or they wouldn’t be working with you). Avoid working with a supplier unless you can trust that they can provide originality experiences and luxury amenities as well as hassle-free service. Most importantly, the supplier should have an established travel agency program, so you know they will value your client as much as you do.

Couples Tower Isle Private Island Weddings

The private island wedding package at Couples Tower Isle is a truly unique experience. What kicks off with a boat ride to a private island in Ocho Rios, gets going with the couple exchanging vows under a cliff-side gazebo adorned with flowers and keeps the party going with a cocktail reception. The private island wedding package is priced at $4,750 and includes over 30 features, from a wedding planner to tropical flowers to a live band to a private four-course dinner on the beach for two.

All Couples Jamaica resorts are all-inclusive luxury properties, where honeymooners and their guests enjoy well-appointed accommodations, gourmet dining, unlimited premium brand drinks, water sports, golf, excursions throughout Jamaica and much more.

Benefits for Travel Advisors

The Couples Preferred Travel Agency program is an easy-to-use, web-based program that rewards travel advisors with cash bonuses, free nights and special discounted rates.