Destination Wedding Travel Agent vs. Wedding Planner: What's the Difference?

"Having a beautiful destination wedding means that a lot of moving parts need to fall into place," said Pixie Vacation's Debbie Nebel, a destination wedding travel agent who works with Vacation. "Sometimes couples think that their wedding planner can handle it all, and while they do play a very important role, they don't do everything. Working with a qualified travel agent is the best way to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch."

Here are some key differences between the two roles:

• A travel agent works for you. Your wedding planner works for the resort where your wedding will be held.
• Your travel agent will work with you to find the perfect destination wedding and venue for your wedding. A wedding planner will take care of the details from there. Remember, your travel agent knows the destination wedding world, and can recommend places with the best wedding planners on staff.
• An experienced destination wedding travel agent will make sure all the travel arrangements for you and your guests run smoothly. The wedding planner will be able to plan onsite activities—or even a look-through for a pre-wedding trip to the venue.
• The agent and planner will work closely together, especially at the beginning. Your travel agent will get in contact with the wedding planner to secure the necessary date, and the planner will confirm that date with the travel agent.
• When it comes to having a destination wedding, there are a lot of logistics, like legalities and religious customs. This is another area where the two roles will tag-team to make sure everything is in order. After you discuss your wishes with the travel agent, they will work with the wedding planner to make it happen.
• A travel agent will be able to tell you and all your guests about legalities for your destination wedding, like your marriage license and if a visa is required to enter the country. The wedding planner, as the local expert, can help out with issues such as how to hire the proper wedding officiant.
• Got an emergency? There will be someone to handle it. Your travel agent will take care of all travel-related emergencies, and you can expect your wedding planner to solve any on-site issues that pop up.

"Let your wedding day and the build-up to it be about you and your spouse," said Nebel. "Let the professionals take care of the details, and part of your team of professionals includes a travel agent. They can help you choose a destination, a property, and help ensure that you're just concentrating on your love for each other—not if great aunt Jane will make her connecting flight in Cleveland. I always tell couples that if they are working with a travel agent, they won't need to sweat the small stuff—just relax and enjoy their wonderful destination wedding."

Vacation is a celebration of why people travel and its six categories—including Play (Adventures + Events), Unwind (Resorts + Spas), Bond (Families + Groups), Celebrate (Weddings + Honeymoons), Savor (Food + Wine), and Explore (Destinations + Cultures)—are filled with rich content. The articles, online quizzes, videos, infographics, and podcasts are designed to help modern travelers plan a vacay they're going to love. In fact, it will be Love at First Travel. #LoveUrVacay

Vacation inspires, informs and guides travelers throughout their planning process, making every step—from researching a destination to connecting with the ideal travel expert—as rewarding as possible. The content-rich website is powered by Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com), one of the industry's largest travel agency companies, with over 7,000 locations. Check out Vacation at www.vacation.com or on social media at #LoveUrVacay.

SOURCE Vacation

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