As a Sandals Platinum Preferred Specialist I have specific experience working with Seattle and Portland couples?

I am a Sandals Platinum Preferred Specialist, which means that I am one their top 50 representatives in the United States. One of the many benefits working with me on this very important occasion is that I have stayed at all of the resorts many times and have traveled to all of the Caribbean Islands. So I will be able to give you the benefit of my extensive experience in planning your perfect Sandals honeymoon. After all, your honeymoon is one of the most important trips you will ever take! I will give you unbiased information and advice about the Sandals resorts based on my experience, I will contact the resort General Manager with any special requests you might have before your arrival and I will be available should anything unexpected occur while you are traveling to or staying at the resort. In short, I will be your advocate.

Why not just book your honeymoon or destination wedding over the Internet?

Besides the personal handling and experience you will receive by working with me, my payment policy can be more liberal than the Internet. A $300 deposit for the resort is due when booked, with the final payment due 50 days before your departure. In order to obtain the best airfare, it must be paid for when reserved. If you prefer to search for your own airfare or have mileage, I am happy to handle the resort alone. If your resort should go “on sale”, I have the ability to pass the savings on to you, provided it occurs before final payment.

Isn’t it more expensive to use a travel agent to book my Sandals vacation?

No, my commissions come directly from Sandals.

– Molly Sumption, Caribbean / Sandals Expert, Seattle / Portland / subscribe to RSS feed

Pack for the Caribbean weather, primarily. Expect sun, sun, and more sun (sunblock, and plenty of it, should be on your packing list). Temperatures, depending on the time of year, average between 70 and 100 degrees, with varying humidity. Chances are, though, that this “varying humidity” will feel sticky to those of us accustomed to Seattle and Portland’s climate, and are stickiest during the winter months in the Caribbean—but the heaviest humidity days usually lead to tropical afternoon torrential downpours (quick, warm, and refreshing to get caught in) that leave the evenings pleasant.

You’ll spend most days at your Sandals resort on the beach, so bring a few bathing suits, so you have at least one change, and a light cover-up to toss on for lunch, a trip to the bar, or walking to and from your room. For women, a sarong is always a versatile choice—not only to toss on after the beach, but it can be tied as a skirt, dress, or even used as a beach blanket.

Sandals or flip flops are Caribbean footwear de rigueur. Any summery slip-on shoe, however, will be fine. If you are planning on snorkeling or boating, “water” shoes are nice-to-have, but not compulsory.

Sunglasses are essential. I also recommend bringing a sun hat, even though Sandals will have beach umbrellas available for shade. Bringing a small nylon purse or bag for daily necessities like your room key is also handy (if you are bringing a camera, a waterproof bag will be invaluable).

In the evenings, most guests dress up a little for dinner and resort activities. But even dress-up is “resort-casual” (close to what we consider “fancy” dress here in Seattle and Portland). Long peasant skirts with loose cotton blouses or sundresses are usually perfect choices for women, and for men, light khaki pants or shorts and a short sleeved collared shirt are usually fine. A wrap, light sweater, or jacket will be welcomed in the evenings, which can be breezy and cool.

If you are planning to take day trips off the resort, comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and a small day pack are a must.

My final Sandals preparing/packing tips? Pack light, easy care (no ironing on vacation, please!) clothes you will be comfortable and feel good in…and always leave extra room in your bag for souvenirs of your stay.

– Molly Sumption, Caribbean / Sandals Expert, Seattle / Portland / subscribe to RSS feed

From eliminating small expenditures (having your wedding in an exotic and beautiful locale instantly opens up those couple of hundred bucks you’d set aside for decorations) to easing the larger ones (combining a wedding with the honeymoon, for instance, or getting package discounts planning group air travel and lodging), destination weddings also eradicate the other huge cost of throwing your dream wedding: stress. Although planning a destination wedding sounds overwhelming, it can be as easy as booking a vacation.

I’ve been helping Portland and Seattle couples navigate the overwhelming amount of destination wedding information and book their ideal trips for over 20 years. The question, of course, I hear the most is “Where have couples been the happiest with their weddings?” The answer is, overwhelmingly, at the Sandals resorts across the Caribbean.

A Sandals “Weddingmoon” allows you not only to take advantage of all the Sandals has to offer—the all-inclusive dining, drinking (yes, really!), and recreation—it also includes just about everything else a couple needs to get married and actually enjoy their own wedding. At Sandals, you get your very own personal wedding consultant, the wedding cake, the officiant, a reception…even the wedding bouquet and boutonniere. As my client (who had a Sandals Antigua Destination Wedding) said: “I couldn’t have asked for anything more, except maybe a longer honeymoon!”

If you are looking for a way to get the absolute most from a modest wedding budget, get in contact. Just like in love, there’s no reason to settle for second best.

– Molly Sumption, Caribbean / Sandals Expert, Seattle / Portland / subscribe to RSS feed