My fiancé and I are starting to plan our 2028 destination wedding and would really appreciate any tips or advice. We’re from Toronto and already have a travel agent, but are thinking about hiring a wedding planner too — for those who did, was it worth it? We’re expecting around 100 guests (only a few kids) and are hoping for somewhere with beautiful beaches, great food, and has a fun night life (our family loves to party and dance)! Right now we’re considering St. Lucia or Antigua, but we’re open to other similar (not overly expensive) options. Has anyone stayed at Coconut Bay Beach Resort in St. Lucia? We’re also looking at Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres and Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Mexico — would love to hear any thoughts! Thank you!

Direct answer

Yes — hiring a wedding planner for a 100-guest destination wedding is usually worth it. Planners save time, reduce stress, handle local logistics, negotiate with venues/vendors, and help manage guest experience and legal requirements. Since you already have a travel agent, consider a planner who specializes in destination weddings to coordinate ceremony details, local vendors, and on-site execution.

Key considerations and steps

1. Budgeting and contracts

   • Set realistic per-guest budget (travel, room blocks, F&B, ceremony, decor, entertainment, taxes, service charges, travel agent & planner fees).
   • Get full contract reviews: inclusions, guest minimums, attrition, upgrade rules, cancellation/force majeure, payment schedule.

2. Planner vs travel agent roles

   • Travel agent = guest travel, group room blocks, air/transfer logistics.
   • Destination wedding planner = venue sourcing, permits, timeline, rehearsal, vendor coordination, on-site management.
   • If you want to enjoy the day and have 100 guests, hire a planner or a day-of coordinator plus a strong local events lead.

3. Guest logistics and communication

   • Pick dates with shoulder-season balance (better rates + good weather). For Caribbean/Mexico avoid peak hurricane windows (Aug–Oct riskier).
   • Create a wedding website with travel, accommodation, dress code, activity options and RSVP/meal choices.
   • Block rooms early and secure a mix of price points. Provide airport transfer info and welcome packet.

4. Legal vs symbolic ceremony

   • Many couples choose a symbolic ceremony and handle legal marriage at home — this avoids complex local paperwork. If you want legal, confirm residency requirements and document list far in advance.

5. Entertainment, catering, & vibe

   • For a party-loving group prioritize resorts with: late-night bar/lounge options, live bands or DJ-friendly policies, on-site nightlife or easy local club access, and good culinary variety.
   • Ask potential venues about decibel limits, curfew, and extra charges for late-night events or amplified music.

Resort/Location notes (based on your list)

St. Lucia (Coconut Bay Beach Resort and general)

• Coconut Bay Beach Resort: an all-inclusive resort with family and adult sections, multiple venues, and entertainment staff. Pros: good value, on-site activities, beachfront venues, entertainment options. Cons: variable room quality, sometimes busy with families (check adult-only options for wedding areas), and reviews on food/service can be mixed — do an on-site visit or request references/photos of past weddings.
• St. Lucia overall: stunning scenery, romantic venues (Pigeon Island, Sugar Beach, etc.), higher-end boutique options available. Travel time from Toronto is reasonable. Some properties have steeper pricing than typical Caribbean islands.

Antigua

• Pros: renowned beaches (365 of them), relaxed island vibe, reliable resort weddings, good dive and sailing options, lively beach bars and local nightlife in St. John’s/Jolly Harbour. Generally slightly more low-key than parts of Mexico or Dominican party scenes.
• Consider resorts with strong wedding teams (e.g., Galley Bay, Jumby Bay if budget allows, or mid-range all-inclusives).

Costa Mujeres, Mexico (Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres & Secrets Playa Blanca)

• Costa Mujeres area (just north of Cancun) is purpose-built for resorts: modern properties, easy airport transfers (30–45 min), typically excellent food, varied F&B, and strong wedding services.
• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres: family and adult sections, reliable all-inclusive service, decent wedding packages, good for larger groups. Generally good value; confirm whether nightlife/programming meets your late-night party expectations — some resort complexes are quieter after midnight.
• Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres: adults-only, upscale vibe, often higher service level and romance-focused packages — excellent for a lively adults-only wedding and better for late-night parties. Ask about DJ/band policies and whether an outside band is allowed.

Choosing between Caribbean vs Mexico for your group

• Mexico (Costa Mujeres/Cancun area): easier logistics, more predictable resort quality, strong nightlife (Cancun/Playa del Carmen proximity if guests want to extend partying), often better value per service.
• Eastern Caribbean (St. Lucia/Antigua): more unique scenery and intimate island feel, potentially more expensive and slightly fewer nonstop flight options depending on the island. Offers spectacular backdrops but sometimes less late-night resort nightlife.

Questions to ask resorts/wedding planners

• What’s included in the wedding package (ceremony, rehearsal, flowers, cake, photographer hours, coordinator, food/tasting)?
• Is there an exclusive wedding coordinator on-site? Any preferred vendor restrictions? Can we bring third-party vendors? Any vendor fees?
• Noise curfew, bar closing time, extra fees for extended music/lighting.
• Maximum group size and room-block release policies. Room upgrade and resort transportation options.
• Backup plans for weather and associated costs.

Practical tips and timeline

• 18–24 months before: secure venue and deposit (especially for 2028). Reserve block of rooms and book planner if desired.
• 12–18 months before: secure key vendors (photographer, band/DJ, florist), send Save-the-Dates.
• 6–9 months before: finalize menu, timeline, décor, and confirm legal paperwork if needed.
• 1–2 months before: confirm final guest counts, seating, timelines, and supplier arrival details.

Final advice

• Visit your top 1–2 properties in person if possible before booking, or request a video walkthrough and references from recent weddings.
• If your budget allows, hire a destination wedding planner (full-service or month-of with travel) — for 100 guests it’s usually a good investment.
• Keep guests’ travel comfort in mind (direct flights, transfer time, visa needs) and offer a few price-tiered room options.

If you want, I can:

• Compare 3–4 specific resorts (rates, wedding inclusions, guest logistics) within your budget and produce a short pros/cons sheet, or
• Draft a sample wedding timeline and vendor checklist tailored to your chosen resort.