Are Free Destination Weddings Really Free?

As you start the research for a resort to have your destination wedding at you inevitably come upon an advertisement for a “Free Wedding”. As you start to review the ad or make a phone call, the confusion now sets in and you start to question is my wedding really going to be free. The simple answer is that Yes. there is such a thing as a free wedding, but each resort has it’s own definition of what the Free wedding package is and what the qualifications are for you to receive the free wedding. To help you better understand this we will look at the various FREE Wedding offerings from some of the most popular resorts companies in the Caribbean and Mexico. These resorts are all inclusive resort, which means that for one price you and your guests will receive your stay, food, drinks and activities.

Dreams Resorts-Family Friendly Resorts

Dreams has 15 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. Dreams Resorts & Spas offer a high level of luxury for couples and couples with children, in ideal beachfront settings. Spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped provide a picture-perfect vacation experience with welcoming service and romantic inclusions. Each resort has 5-8 restaurants and almost as many bars as well as providing free room service in all rooms.
FREE Wedding package-Dreams wedding in paradise package
FREE Wedding Package-Includes items such as a wedding coordinator, a symbolic wedding ceremony, bouquets and boutonniere, preparation of your attire on the day of the wedding, waking cake and sparkling wine toast for up to 10 guests, romantic turndown service and 15% off spa treatments. It also includes free nights for your anniversary stay as well as a free massage for the bride and groom and a private candle light dinner on the beach.
How to Qualify- you need to stay at least 7 nights in certain preferred club rooms which vary by resort or book 5 rooms for yourself and your guests each staying at least 3 nights.
Fine Print-Locations and times vary by resort, there is a fee for a judge or minister to perform the ceremony. There may be a fee to use certain venues at the resort

Summary-YES the wedding ceremony is free as long as you stay long enough in a qualifying room or book enough rooms. You can add fancy décor and music to the ceremony. You can also add a reception or cocktail party. Dreams also has many other packages that start at $2500 that include everything you can think of.

Palace Resorts

Palace has 8 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Jamaica. Some of the resorts are couples only and some are for everyone. What they have in common is great rooms with Jacuzzis right in the room, liquor dispensers in the room and plenty of activities.
Free Wedding Package-Yes
Free wedding package includes-Wedding ceremony location, Chocolate colored ceremony structure with ivory spun fabric and floral appliqué , Chocolate colored ceremony podium with two floral spheres as table décor, Bridal Bouquet of 20 Roses, Themed Boutonniere, Themed wedding cake, Silver branches for front of chocolate colored structure, Justice of the Peace or Minister to perform legal, symbolic or vow-renewal ceremonies, 30 White Avant-garde chairs, Sparkling wine during ceremony, One dinner reservation for up to 30 guests, discounts on photography, Breakfast in bed the morning after the ceremony, CD system available for the ceremony, Complimentary Honeymoon Package and Services of a Wedding Coordinator.
How to Qualify-just book a stay of 4 nights or more in a required room category or book 5 rooms for 3 nights or more.

Summary-Yes the wedding package is free. Palace offers many other upgrades to their package. One of the true benefits with Palace is that if you have 10 rooms of guests staying 4 nights or more you will earn up to 9 hours of free events. Those events could be private cocktail parties, private welcome parties and even a full sit down reception dinner. Plus your guests will earn up to $750 per room in resort credits they can use for excursions, room upgrades, spa treatments and many other things.

Now Resorts-Family Friendly Resort

Now Resorts are family friend all-inclusive resorts located in Mexico and Punta Cana. Each resort has multiple restaurants and bars and has a no wrist band policy so you don’t have to worry about tan lines in your pictures. The resorts offer many wedding venues as well as constant activities for you and your guests.
FREE Wedding Package-Includes items such as a wedding coordinator, a symbolic wedding ceremony, bouquets and boutonniere, preparation of your attire on the day of the wedding, waking cake and sparkling wine toast for up to 10 guests, romantic turndown service and 20% off spa treatments.
How to Qualify- you need to stay at least 7 nights in a preferred club rooms which vary by resort or book 5 rooms for yourself and your guests each staying at least 3 nights.
Fine Print-Locations and times vary by resort, there is a fee for a judge or minister to perform the ceremony. There may be a fee to use certain venues at the resort

Summary-YES the wedding ceremony is free as long as you stay long enough or book enough rooms. You can add fancy décor and music to the ceremony. You can also add a reception or cocktail party. Now also has many other packages that start at $2500 that include everything.

Azul Resorts

Azul has 4 Gourmet Inclusive resorts in Mexico and Jamaica. Azul resorts are known for their upscale food, top shelf brands of liquor, service of their staff and their ability to customize any event you can imagine. Your guest will all receive 24 hour room service no matter what room they stay in. Azul is also known for their Sky Weddings, which are 100% private roof top venues with views of the ocean.
Free Wedding Package-YES-Always and Forever package
Free wedding package includes: Romantic ceremony location with special aisle runner and white garden chairs with use of the sound system and microphone. They will provide a non-denominational minister and a wedding certificate and witnesses if needed. Dinner reception in one of the resorts restaurants with personalized menu cards. Also includes one of their Signature Wedding Designers, an onsite attendant for 3 hours during the wedding, grooms room the day of the wedding with special bites as well as a honeymoon package that includes a private candle light dinner on the beach, special breakfast in bed, 15% off spa services and a one night return stay voucher.
How to qualify-must stay at least 7 nights in a specific room type which varies by resort or book 5 rooms for 3 nights each for your guests. Features differ by resort and are based upon availability.

Summary-Yes they do offer a comprehensive FREE wedding. They also have many upgraded options and décor packages. Their design team is one of the best around. The chef’s can custom design any menu you can dream about. At times they offer a Private Event promotion that gives you free cocktail parties and a free 3 course sit down reception for lunch or dinner and the menu even includes surf and turf.

Secrets Resorts

Secrets offers 15 resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The resorts are 5 star all-inclusive and adults only. Secrets Prides itself in providing your guests Ultimate Luxury which includes 5-10 restaurants at each resort, 24 hour room service in all room categories, top shelf brands served at all bars, free wifi and phone calls back to the US and much more.
FREE Wedding-Yes –Weddings in Paradise
Free Wedding Package Includes- Includes items such as a wedding coordinator, a symbolic wedding ceremony, bouquets and boutonniere, preparation of your attire on the day of the wedding, waking cake and sparkling wine toast for up to 10 guests, romantic turndown service complimentary room for one member of the wedding couple the night before the wedding, 15% off spa treatments, special turn down service and up to 2 nights free for your anniversary trip.
How to Qualify- you need to stay at least 7 nights in certain required room categories which vary by resort or book 5 rooms for yourself and your guests each staying at least 3 nights.

Summary-YES they do offer a nice Free wedding package. They also offer several other packages. One of the great things about Secrets is that the wedding planners are based at the resorts and you are typically dealing with one person from start to finish. The Secrets Ultimate Package is priced from $2999 and offers everything you can dream of including: onsiite wedding coordinator, Service of judge or minister,Preparation and ironing of the couple’s wedding day attire,Hairstyling and make-up application for one member of the wedding couple day of the ceremony, Live Mexican music trio (1 set, during cocktail hour), wedding cake and toast for up to 20 guests plus a private cocktail party and reception for up to 20 people with many options to choose from. The package also includes wedding photography and video.

El Dorado Resorts

El Dorado has 4 Gourmet Inclusive resorts in Mexico. They are known for their upscale food, top shelf brands of liquor, service of their staff and their ability to customize any event you can imagine. Your guest will all receive 24 hour room service no matter what room they stay in. El Dorado Resorts are known for their Sky Weddings, which are 100% private roof top venues with views of the ocean.
Free Wedding Package-YES-Always and Forever package
Free wedding package includes: Romantic ceremony location with special aisle runner and white garden chairs with use of the sound system and microphone. They will provide a non-denominational minister and a wedding certificate and witnesses if needed. Dinner reception in one of the resorts restaurants with personalized menu cards. Also includes one of their Signature Wedding Designers, an onsite attendant for 3 hours during the wedding, grooms room the day of the wedding with special bites as well as a honeymoon package that includes a private candle light dinner on the beach, special breakfast in bed, 15% off spa services and a one night return stay voucher.
How to qualify-must stay at least 7 nights in a specific room type which varies by resort or book 5 rooms for 3 nights each for your guests. Features differ by resort and are based upon availability.

Hard Rock All Inclusive Resorts

Hard Rock has resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. If you are looking for an upscale active vibe with many activities to keep your guest busy and good food and entertainment then Hard Rock is the place for you. Hard Rock has partnered with famed wedding planner Colin Cowie to create amazing wedding packages.
FREE Wedding Package-YES-Complimentary Collection
Free wedding package includes: Wedding ceremony location,White ceremony structure, White ceremony podium with a golden manzanita branch and a gold mirrored vase filled with white rose, 32 white avant-garde chairs, Themed one-tier wedding cake for 32 persons, Bridal bouquet and Groom’s boutonniere, Justice of the Peace or minister to perform legal, symbolic, or vow renewal ceremonies*, Sparkling wine for 32 persons during ceremony, CD system available during the ceremony, Wedding planner, Witnesses, if required and a Complimentary Honeymoon Package.
How to Qualify-Couple must stay at least 6 nights in a qualifying room or book 5 rooms for 3 nights or more for their guests.

Summary-Hard Rock does offer Free wedding packages. They also offer many varied décor packages and upgrades. One of the great benefits at Hard Rock is that depending upon how many rooms you book for your guests you will earn free events such as welcome parties, private cocktail parties and even a 3 course sit down reception or buffet. With only 25 rooms for 3 nights or more you will a free reception as well as a free cocktail party. In addition guest will receive up to $1500 in resort credits per room that they can use for the spa, excursions, swimming with the dolphins, room upgrades and at the saloon.

Sandals Resorts

Sandals is known for their 5 star couple only resorts. Sandals has 15 resorts in the Caribbean including Jamaica, St. Lucia and Antigua. Sandal resorts are made for couples. If you want to be active Sandals has much to offer as one of the few resort companies to offer motorized watersports such as Scuba diving and snorkel trips.
FREE Wedding Package-Beautiful Beginnings
Free wedding package includes:Orchid boutonniere, and bouquet, elegant table setting for 8, two tier wedding cake, personal resort wedding planner, romantic wedding locations, preparation of marriage documents, white Chiavari Chairs, music during ceremony, 30 minute sparkling wine and hor d’oeuvres reception for up to 8, 30 minute foot massage for groom, manicure for bride, special turn down service and breakfast in bed and a special picture from the event. Plus receive $500 towards a custom wedding theme décor package or private events and $500 towards a room upgrade and $200 towards wedding photography.
How to qualify-just stay 3 nights or more in a required room category. There are additional charges that very by resort for the minister and/or government documents. The extra wedding gifts require a stay of 6 nights or more.

Summary-Sandals does offer a nice free wedding package. They also offer many great options and upgrades. At various times of the year they offer promotions to earn free events as well as resort credits.

These are some of the most popular resorts and as you can see the answer is truly, Yes, you can receive a FREE wedding. Each resort is constantly changing their offers but the highlighted resorts usually have some type of Free wedding offer. It is important that you work with an experience travel professional that is well versed in how to help you create a stress free destination wedding. While it is nice to receive a free wedding it is important that you select the right resort as a free wedding at the wrong resort will not provide you or your guests a great experience.

Companies such as Vacationeeze have been helping clients create and host their dream destination weddings for years. Because of their experience and relationships with the resorts, the team at Vacationeeze should also be able to provide you other FREE perks such as free rooms for the bride and groom, free resort credits for guests at the resort, Free spa treatments for you and your guests, Free airfare for the bride and groom and much more. The important thing is to find the right resort that matches your dreams and budget so that you will be the most important guest at your event. For more information on the most up to date offers and promotions from these and other resort please feel free to contact Jack Benoff at Vacationeeze at [email protected] or 215-454-2070 .