Desti Lisa's Prep | Santorini, Greece

Part destination wedding, part elopement, all love!

*Photos courtesy of Kapetanakis Studios


How Lisa Prepared For Her Destination Wedding in Santorini, Greece!


DESTI Lisa and her fiancé Ramon planned a romantic part destination wedding / part elopement (a virtual destination wedding, if you will) in Santorini, Greece and Lisa is here to tell us alll about it! If you’re considering (or have dreams of) an elopement - the way they did theirs was pure magic!

This interview was just DAYS BEFORE they were off to their destination and I asked all the questions to cover EXACTLY HOW this couple planned their wedding in Greece!

As a longtime podcast listener, Desti Lisa knew exactly what advice we needed to hear so she spared no detail in this interview! Here are just a few things we discussed:

Destination Wedding Planning Topics Covered:

💕How to get married LEGALLY in Santorini, Greece!

💕A GENIUS virtual destination wedding / elopement idea!

💕Finding and working with their destination wedding planner

💕Managing their Greece destination wedding costs and budgeting

💕How to make the most of your destination wedding photography

💕Their backstory + reason for having a destination wedding

💕Great ways to make your family and friends happy with your decision

💕Working together to plan their destination wedding - while living in different countries!

💕Lessons learned so far before the wedding

💕so much more!

Soooo…how do you LEGALLY plan a destination wedding in Santorini, Greece?
...And should you?

Click Play and find out!

Here’s how Lisa planned her destination wedding at the
Andromeda Villas
in Santorini, Greece…

Enjoy!


WATCH LISA’S INTERVIEW!


Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to know when Lisa’s POST-Wedding Interview goes live!

YOU CAN LISTEN ON THE PODCAST TOO!

Apple Podcasts  |  Google Play  |  Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube


DestiCouple: Lisa + Ramon


Home: Indiana + Canada

Wedding Destination: Santorini, Greece

Wedding Venue: Andromeda Villas | TripAdvisor Reviews for Andromeda Villas

Wedding Date: July 18, 2018

Wedding Budget: $15,000

Engagement Length: 9 months

# of Guests: O!
*technically…The couple planned a destination wedding for 2 (with virtual guests!)

THE DESTIPROS

Wedding Planners: Divine Weddings Santorini

Wedding Photography: Kapetanakis Studios


FUN FACTS:

💕LISA’S FAVORITE PODCAST EPISODES are:
Episode 3 w/ Ivory Perkins when we discussed destination wedding makeup! 
Episode 19 w/ HitchSwitch to learn about the name change process! 


💕LISA + RAMON were BOTH in Medical School
and in 2 different countries while they planned their destination wedding!
Lisa was in Grenada and Ramon in Canada.

SO HOW DID EVERYTHING GO?!?

STAY TUNED BRIDEFRIEND!
Lisa and I are going to do a follow-up DESTIChat soon to get her update. We’ll be talking about what went right, lessons learned, and everything in between! So don’t forget to Subscribe + drop your questions in the comments below!


Thank You Lisa!

It was so fun getting a peek "behind your veil" of destination wedding planning and we CAN’T WAIT to hear how everything went for you and Ramon!

You’ll always be our Bridefriend Forever!


Don’t miss an episode of the DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings!

SUBSCRIBE FOR INSTANT NOTIFICATIONS!

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Candice Coppola, Jubilee Events: Caribbean

Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events: Caribbean has been in the game for 10+years…her advice: “It’s like summer camp, for adults!

*All photos provided courtesy of Candice Coppola & Jubilee Events

Meet Candice Coppola, DestiPro Extraordinaire on Episode 21 of the Bridefriends Podcast!

Meet Candice Coppola, DestiPro Extraordinaire on Episode 21 of the Bridefriends Podcast!

Candice is THE DEFINITION of a DestiPro - In the destination wedding business for over 10 years, She’s a wedding planner and designer, author, and founder of Jubilee Events and Jubilee Events: Caribbean, renowned event design and planning boutiques.

Clients have hired Candice and her team to design and plan adventures in Paris, Spain, Barbados, Mexico, Costa Rica and throughout the United States.

Her weddings are ridiculously luxurious and drool-worthy...so much that she’s been featured in...well...everything - but to name a few...Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES Magazine, Style Me Pretty, PEOPLE, ELLE and ELLE Decor, The New York Times, Glamour, and the list goes on...you name it, Jubilee Events has probably been in it.  

AND NOW we can add DESTI® to her press sheet because Candice was more than happy to become a Bridefriend and share her amazing insights and REAL advice with us, to help us understand what works, and what doesn’t when planning a destination wedding!


We discussed:

· How to plan a destination wedding in Barbados

· Tips for multicultural and same-sex couples planning a destination wedding

· Must-haves when choosing your destination wedding planner and vendors

· Important factors to consider when deciding on a destination wedding location

· The best ways to plan a budget-conscious wedding in a luxurious location

· What Candice wishes every client knew about destination weddings BEFORE meeting with her

· The newest destination wedding book out on the market!

· And more!

So how do you plan a destination wedding in Barbados - and really ANYWHERE in the world?!?

Candice shares alll her best knowledge and expertise with us, so Press Play to see what to do!

Enjoy!

bridefriends-guide-to-destination-weddings-podcast-the-white-dress-destinations-book-episode-21-The White Dress Destinations Cover High Res.jpg

PURCHASE CANDICE'S NEW BOOK!

The White Dress: Destinations:
The Definitive Guide to Planning the New Destination Wedding


A FEW OF CANDICE'S FAVORITE PHOTOS TO ENJOY...


TO CANDICE:

Thanks so much for being a Bridefriend and sharing so much advice with us! We wish you much luck and LOVE your book, The White Dress: Destinations!



Don’t miss an episode of the DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings!

Subscribe for Instant Notifications!

Apple Podcasts  |  Google Play  |  Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube


SHARING IS CARING!

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JAMELLAH | Montego Bay, Jamaica

How Jamellah planned her 78 guest destination wedding at the Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay, Jamaica!

*Photos courtesy of Michael Chen Photography


How Jamellah Planned Her Destination Wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica!


This interview with DESTI Jamellah was EVERYTHING! Jamellah and her husband brought 78 guests to witness their destination wedding at the Royalton Blue Waters Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica and she tells us alll about how they did it together! Jamellah shared so much destination wedding planning advice with us!

Destination Wedding Planning Topics Covered:

💕Everything before she was on her way to get married including:
💕How they met
💕Her proposal story
💕Why they decided to have a destination wedding
💕Picking their date
💕Planning and saving money TOGETHER
💕How they chose their destination wedding venue
💕How they picked their destination wedding vendors - makeup, photographer, etc.
💕Her Royalton Blue Waters Resort review
💕and so much more!

Soooo…how do you plan a destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica?

Click Play and find out how Jamellah planned her destination wedding at the Royalton Blue Waters Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica!

Enjoy!


WATCH JAMELLA’S INTERVIEW!
PART 1

PART 2


DestiCouple: Jamellah + Patrick Owens


Age: Bride, 30 Groom, 33

Hometown: Prince Georges County, MD

Wedding Budget: $15,000

Destination Wedding Date: October 6, 2017

City & Country: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Venue: Royalton Blue Waters Resort, Montego Bay  
[
TripAdvisor Reviews for Royalton Blue Waters Resort Resort ]

Number of Guests: 78

Bridal Party: 7 Bridesmaids + 7 Groomsmen  + 1 Jr. Bridesmaid + 2 Jr. Groomsmen


Photography: Michael Chen Photography

Bride’s Dress: Cherry Blossom Bridal, Washington DC

💕DESTI Note from Bride: Black and Women-owned bridal boutique where they specialize in plus size dresses for women! AMAZING team of stylist!!!

Bride’s Shoes: BLUE by Betsy Johnson

Bride’s Jewelry: Macys

Hair: Loc's Expressions (Mother of the Bride’s salon)

jamellah-how-to-plan-a-destination-wedding-in-montego-bay-jamaica-royalton-blue-waters-black-destination-bride-destiland-desti-guide-to-destination-weddings-purple-wedding-cake.jpg

Makeup: Makeup by JodyB

Styling & decor: DIY!

Flowers: DIY!

DJ: 876 Sounds

Cake + Catering: Resort | Royalton Blue Waters Resort, Montego Bay

Groom’s Attire: ​Men’s Formal Wear Shop in Washington, DC​

Groom's Accessories:​ Men’s Formal Wear Shop in Washington, DC​ + AMAZON

Bridesmaids’ Attire: SPOSABRIDAL​

Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Formal Wear Shop in Washington, DC​


Want more pics? ​Jamellah’s Wedding Hash Tag was #OwensLinkUp2017​, check it out on Instagram!


Thank You Jamellah!

We appreciate you being our Bridefriend Forever and giving us a peek "behind your veil" of destination wedding planning in the lovely Montego Bay, Jamaica!

jamellah-how-to-plan-a-destination-wedding-in-montego-bay-jamaica-royalton-blue-waters-black-destination-bride-destiland-desti-guide-to-destination-weddings-couple-after-beach-ceremony-back.jpg

Thanks for Watching + Listening!

Don’t miss an episode of the
DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings!


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TRESSA | Cancun, Mexico

You’re not gonna regret it! No truer words have ever been spoken!

*Photos courtesy of Moments That Matter Photography


How Tressa Planned Her Destination Wedding in Cancun, Mexico!


Our 1st VIDEO interview is with this beautiful bride - Tressa - a Cancun, Mexico Desti! Tressa was married at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico and traveled w/ her family (including her 2yr old daughter) who lives in Detroit, Michigan and gives us her BEST destination wedding planning advice and tips!

Tressa is a Bridefriend O.G. and we go waaayyy back! Well, we’ve never actually met before this interview...but - she’s a longtime podcast listener and has been super-supporter from the beginning - I’m talking BlackDesti blog beginning! So I am super pumped to be able to share this interview with you all. You will learn something no matter what phase of destination wedding planning you’re in. I asked Tressa how to plan a destination wedding and she spilled all the ☕!

Destination Wedding Planning Topics Covered:

💕What Bridal Party vs. Bridefriends means to her

💕What made her choose to get married in Mexico?

💕Choosing a destination that they had never been to before - on purpose!

💕An interesting way to send Save the Dates and Invitations

💕Why she decided to plan a destination wedding vs. local wedding

💕Dealing w/ friends and family (a big family!) against the decision to plan a destination wedding

💕Dealing w/ last-minute guest RSVPs

💕Destination Wedding Specific Hair + Makeup tips

💕Shopping for her wedding gown as a plus-size bride

💕Deciding mid-wedding to change her wedding website to AppyCouple

💕How she chose her destination wedding venue

💕Money saving tips

💕How she narrowed down the perfect resort as her destination wedding venue

💕A mini review and her experience @ Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico

💕so much more!

Soooo…how do you plan a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico?

Click Play and find out how Tressa planned her destination wedding at the Moon Palace Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico!

Enjoy!


WATCH PART 1

Watch Tressa’s interview on DESTITV!

WATCH PART 2

DestiCouple: Tressa + Jonathan Galloway


Tressa’s Wedding Details

Destination Wedding Date: September 2, 2017

City & Country: Cancun, Mexico

Venue: Moon Palace Resort & Spa - TripAdvisor Reviews for Moon Palace Resort

Number of Guests: 36

Number of Bridesmaids/Groomsmen: 6 each (12 total)

Total Budget: Budget originally 10,000 ended up around $12,000

Photography: Moments That Matter Photography

Bride’s Dress: Bombshell Bridal Boutique (St. Clair Shores, MI)

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka - Style: Carver | Similar Style

Bride’s Jewelry: Random costume jewelry store in Troy, MI

Hair: Resort | Moon Palace Resort & Spa Cancun, Mexico

Makeup: LePinkie Club (MUA was a bridesmaid)

Styling & decor: Zuniga (resort's preferred vendor)

Flowers: DIY! Hobby Lobby

DJ: Encore Audio & Visual (resort's preferred vendor)

Paper Invitations + Details: WeddingPassports.com

Cake + Catering: Resort | Moon Palace Resort & Spa Cancun, Mexico

Groom’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse

Groom's Accessories: Macy's

Bridesmaids’ Attire: David's Bridal

💕Don’t forget to check out Tressa’s podcast - TheRealiTea Show! These ladies are hilarious!
— Omi Allen, HEAD DESTI

Groomsmen’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse

Tressa’s podcast - TheRealiTea Show!

DESTI ❤️S ETSY!

Bridesmaids Robes – https://www.etsy.com/shop/GentleSateen

Bride’s Robe – https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatieJamesDesigns

Barefoot Sandal – https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeNelipots

💕#DestiNote from Tressa: “This snagged the hell out of the tulle under my dress and ended up breaking; I didn’t think this through when choosing the style of the barefoot sandal!” GREAT TIP! 💕Make sure you test before the wedding!

Caketopper – https://www.etsy.com/shop/HaymadeShop

Labels for Guest Tumblers – https://www.etsy.com/shop/DavetDesigns

Tumblers – https://www.dollartree.com/

Itineraries - https://www.etsy.com/shop/OneEarDesign

MORE PHOTOS!


Thanks Tressa!

We appreciate you being our Bridefriend Forever and giving us a peek "behind your veil" of destination wedding planning in the lovely Cancun, Mexico!

We wish you & Jonathan (& baby girl Jordan) the ABSOLUTE BEST!


Thanks for Listening!

Don’t miss an episode of the DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings Podcast!

Subscribe for Instant Notifications!

Apple Podcasts  |  Google Play  |  Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube


SHARE!

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