Couples put their own stamp on traditions
WHEN it comes to weddings
and honeymoons, everything
is up for reinvention –
destinations timing, duration and
more. Here, industry experts
round up the latest ways that
couples are moving away from the
mainstream.
‘Weddingmoons’
Correspondingly, first
comes the honeymoon,
then the babymoon and
then the family holiday. At
least that is how it used
to be.
Modern couples are
shaking up tradition when
it comes to milestonemarking
travel, says
Alexis Bekker, head
of sales and marketing for South
Africa and Africa of LUX* Resorts &
Hotels. Enter the ‘weddingmoon’, a
combined wedding and honeymoon.
Alexis explains that, in the case
of a weddingmoon, the wedding
party, along with their friends
and family, travel to the couple’s
chosen destination for the wedding
ceremony, after which the couple
stay on and enjoy a
honeymoon. “Couples
opt for weddingmoons as
an exclusive celebration.
In most cases, friends
and family pay their own
way, which reduces the
cost of the wedding. As
we all know, wedding
expenses are usually
high in today’s terms,”
she says.
The wedding is
extended beyond just
one day, says Alexis,
so that the couple can enjoy a long
celebration with their guests before
heading for some alone time. She
adds that because many couples
live together before marriage
nowadays, it has become popular
for wedding guests to give gifts in
the form of contributions toward
the weddingmoon as opposed to a
traditional gift.
Winter weddings
First comes love,
then comes marriage,
then comes the baby
in the baby carriage.
An increasing number of couples are
pushing their weddings to the winter
season, not only because summer
weddings are known to be pricey
but because winter also lends itself
to some unbelievable and original
ideas, says Olivier Perillat-Piratoine,
manager of meetings and events of
Club Med Southern Africa.
“Some couples are looking
for something completely out of
the ordinary, such as mountain
weddings in the European winter,”
Olivier says. “Snow holidays are
not the typical beach choice, but
there is something truly romantic
about sharing a kiss atop a chairlift
overlooking the Alps!”
He notes too that ski holidays are
perfect for honeymooners who are
action or adventure seekers, but still
want to enjoy a romantic setting.
Off the beaten path
For a destination wedding or
honeymoon that is anything
but commercial, Elisna
Bergset, brand ambassador
of Development Promotions,
recommends Bali, Vietnam,
Cambodia and Fiji. While many
will still choose a beach wedding
in these locations, they are far
from typical when compared
with better-known Indian Ocean
destinations. “What’s more,
these destinations are full of
colour and life, and make for
incredible stories to look back
on,” she says.
Olivier has also observed
an uptick in what he refers
to as ‘alternative’ wedding
destinations, such as Club Med’s
Cancun and Rio de Janeiro
properties. “These exotic but
equally breath-taking properties
are rising in popularity among
both wedding and honeymoon
planners,” he says. “They have
wedding experts on hand to help
with all the arrangements for
a spectacular and memorable
occasion.”
Elisna cautions that couples
who select out-of-the-ordinary
destinations need to ensure that
they have settled the necessary
legalities in South Africa, in
order for their marriage to be
recognised by the South African
government.
Long and short cruises
Promoting both local and
international cruises as a
honeymoon product is one way to
ensure you are offering your clients
something that fits their budget,
says Sue Garrett, gm of product
and marketing at Flight Centre Travel
Group South Africa. “We have had
plenty of honeymoon interest in
cruising of late,” she says. “Due
to the mostly all-inclusive nature
of cruising, it virtually allows for an
‘embark and lock your wallet away’
scenario as all on-board meals and
entertainment are always included.
Most extras, such as drinks and
excursions, can be pre-booked and
paid prior to departure.”
Sue recommends Caribbean
and Mediterranean cruises for
honeymooners who are seeking
the sun, or an Alaska cruise for
those who want remote serenity and
opportunities to snuggle up to a
sweetheart for warmth. “For clients
looking for something a little more
exotic, Asia and the Middle East
cruises are fantastic options.”
Ingrid Roding-Tudor, marketing
manager of MSC Cruises, says
three- and four-night local cruises
from Durban to Mozambique are also
popular. “The ship is a destination
in itself, with entertainment, pools
and various activities on offer.
Pomene and Portuguese Island in
Mozambique are idyllic for a quick
and easy getaway.”
Lucinda Tyler, product manager of
Club Travel, also recommends short
cruises on smaller boats to Turkey
and Greece for honeymoons as they
offer a more intimate experience
than large cruise ships. Couples can
also disembark at some romantic
destinations.
“Cappadocia in Turkey offers
a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Couples should make a note to take
a hot air balloon to view the fairy
chimneys and cone-shaped rock
formations from above,” she says.
“In Greece, Poros Island is a mustvisit.
On this secluded family island,
couples can swim under the pine
trees at the charming Love Bay – a
real paradise on earth.”
For couples who choose to
celebrate their wedding on board,
Ingrid points out that this will be
ceremonial only and not legally
recognised in South Africa. She adds
that renewal of vows on board is
also becoming popular.
Wedding travel – lucrative for agents
A RECENT poll undertaken
by TNW asking agents how
involved they get in booking
weddings, revealed that only
30% of agents book flights
and accommodation for such
purposes, but 63% do not
process any wedding travel
business at all.
Only 2% of agents book
the venue, food and drink in
addition to the travel, and
only 5% book all the bells and
whistles. The figures indicate
that there is considerable
potential to be tapped.
While booking weddings may
seem like a mammoth task,
it is also lucrative, according
to industry experts. They offer
simple steps for orchestrating
a wedding that will leave
clients breathless.
1. Offer pricing examples
Step number one is to profile
the bridal couple thoroughly,
which includes determining
their affordability budget,
says Martine Sanderson,
group sales manager of World
Leisure Holidays. “This will
make securing the booking
easier for both the agent and
the tour operator.”
Martine suggests showing
the client example pricings to
quickly narrow down the list of
locations within their budget.
“This simply makes the
process of choosing a
destination a lot quicker and
easier for all parties involved.”
She stresses that agents
should never assume that the
client knows or understands
the costs involved in having a
destination wedding – even if
they are well travelled.
2. Highlight unique
selling points
Working with the bridal
couple’s interests is as
important as working with their
budget, says Martine.
Asking what their interests
and hobbies are may seem
like a very basic question, but
could make all the difference
to securing the booking or not.
She recommends matching
the client’s interests to a
property’s unique selling
points. “This makes agents
look very professional,” she
explains.
She uses the example of
World Leisure Holidays’ free
golfing offer at all its Sun
Resorts. “If the couple enjoy
golf, this could be a huge
deciding factor for them.”
3. Put bride and wedding
planner in touch
It goes without saying that
agents should only use tour
operators they trust when
booking all kinds of travel.
Alexis Bekker of LUX*
Resorts & Hotels, says
when it comes to weddings
specifically, the operator
should have a proven track
record and special events
division.
In addition, Sue Garrett of
Flight Centre Travel Group
South Africa suggests
introducing the bridal couple
to the resort’s wedding
planner. “This way, the bride
will feel more in control and
comfortable with planning her
big day.”
4. Get everything in
black and white
When it comes to weddings,
there are so many details to
navigate, such as a DJ or live
band for entertainment, or
buttercream or fondant on the
cake.
If there is one aspect of
a wedding that should be
black and white, it should be
the agreements made with
suppliers, says Lucinda Tyler
of Club Travel.
Getting everything in writing
protects agents and clients in
two critical ways – it locks in
the agreed pricing and spells
out exactly what is being
purchased, eliminating any
surprise changes to fees or
services.
5. Don’t forget the small
things!
A bride’s wedding day is one of
the most stressful days of her
life. To help soothe the anxiety,
Lucinda suggests having a
bouquet of flowers and a
handwritten card, or a bottle of
champagne on ice alongside
a box of chocolates, placed in
the room where the bride is
getting ready on the day of the
wedding.
These gestures may seem
small, but can really make
your service stand out.
Walking tours for honeymooners
EARTH Wanderer is offering
self-guided Mediterranean
walking tours that are great
for honeymooners who want
an active honeymoon without
skimping on romance.
A seven-day self-guided
walking tour in the Cinque
Terre and Portofino in Italy
is priced from R11 000pps.
By day, honeymooners
can discover the beautiful
peninsulas of Portofino and
Sestri Levante using wellmarked
walking trails. In the
evening, they enjoy sunsets
over the Mediterranean.
The package includes six
nights’ hotel accommodation,
transport, breakfast daily,
three dinners, five days of
moderate, centre-based
walking and sightseeing.
Another option is the sevenday
Rivers and Chateaux of
the Loire self-guided walking
tour in France. The Loire
region is famous for its
chateaux with over 300 to
discover.
The easy-paced, gentle
holiday balances peaceful, offthe-beaten-track
discoveries
with the splendour and
opulence of some of the
finest Renaissance chateaux
in France. There is no tough
climbing – the highest point
is just 150m – but couples
will be rewarded with unspoilt
landscapes and enchanting
views at every turn. The
package, from R15 100pps,
includes six nights in a three
or four-star hotel, three
days of leisurely walking,
all breakfasts, four dinners,
luggage and transfers between
hotels, route notes, maps,
transport and sightseeing.
New products and services
Club Med to debut
Sicily resort
Club Med is bringing a
touch of high-end luxury
to Sicily next month. The
company will debut its
first European five-star
resort in Cefalù, an hour’s
drive from Palermo on
the northern coast of
the Italian island. The
resort has been part of
the company’s properties
since 1956 but has been
closed for the past 10
years.
Olivier PerillatPiratoine
says the
resort is the crème
de la crème of both
destination weddings
and honeymoons. “For
any couple looking for
an authentic Italian
and utterly luxurious
wedding or honeymoon
destination, it will be hard
to beat Club Med Cefalù!”
LUX* Bodrum reopens
for season
LUX* Bodrum Hotel
& Residences, which
opened last year,
reopened for the Turkish
holiday season on May 1.
It is set on a private
peninsula amid
landscaped gardens
on the Turkish Riviera,
and couples can enjoy
a beautiful beachfront
setting in an area of
outstanding natural
beauty just 20 minutes
from Milas-Bodrum
Airport.
“Bodrum is considered
the Saint Tropez of
the Turkish coastline –
luxurious and exclusive,
offering a hideaway for
a couple looking for the
ultimate in a romantic
getaway,” says Alexis
Bekker of LUX* Resorts
& Hotels.
Beachcomber introduces
adults-only wing
Beachcomber recently
introduced a new wing,
exclusively for adult
guests, at Victoria
Beachcomber Resort &
Spa in Mauritius. The
Victoria for Two offers 40
spacious rooms, including
17 Swim-Up rooms (step
directly from room to
water) situated alongside
a large swimming pool.
The new wing offers
an alternative for guests
travelling without children.
Guests still have full
access to all other resort
facilities.
New selling points for old favourites
MAURITIUS and Thailand
remain firm favourites for
weddings and honeymoons
with South Africans as
they are affordable, easily
accessible and wellpractised
at handling
intimate couples-only
ceremonies as well as
large groups, says Lize
du Plessis, sales and
marketing manager of
Perfect Destinations.
While these destinations
may sound too commercial
to some, the stereotypes
can be blown out of the
water by spotlighting the
exclusivity they offer.
Martine Sanderson of
World Leisure Holidays
says while she considers
Mauritius a mainstream
destination for weddings
and honeymoons, agents
should keep in mind that for
couples who are not welltravelled,
it has a distinct
appeal.
Joanne Visagie, sales
and marketing director
of Beachcomber Tours,
points out that Mauritius
need not automatically
translate to a typical beach
wedding. Countless dreamy
locations are to be found
at Beachcomber resorts,
including garden settings
away from the beach.
To keep things exclusive,
Beachcomber has a ‘one
wedding per day policy’,
which guarantees that all
staff, facilities and attention
are focused solely on
one bridal couple on their
special day.
Taking a wedding or
honeymoon to the next
level, LUX* Resorts &
Hotels offers a private
island experience on Ile
Des Deux Cocos near the
Blue Bay marine reserve.
Alexis Bekker of LUX*
Resorts & Hotels, says on
the island, which offers a
private villa that blends the
best of British and Moorish
architecture, couples even
have their own housekeeper,
valet, chef and solarium.
While Phuket remains
a top beach honeymoon
destination, the northern
regions of Thailand have
something to offer couples
looking for adventure, says
Lesley Simpson, South
African representative of
the Tourism Authority of
Thailand.
“If adventure is up the
client’s alley – or if they
simply want to break away
from the mainstream – we
would strongly recommend
the northern parts of
Thailand, including Chiang
Mai, Chiang Rai and Mai
Hong Son.”
Lesley says these
regions are known for their
authenticity, from food,
to arts and crafts, and
hospitality. “There are also
many quaint art galleries
and coffee shops for
couples to enjoy together,”
she adds.
Lize has seen increased
interest in Indian Ocean
beach weddings and
honeymoons beyond
Mauritius. “With the rise in
popularity of the Maldives
as an island destination,
there has never been a
more stunning place to get
married.”
She says resorts offer a
variety of options, including
private island ceremonies,
beach weddings and water
villas. “Think white sandy
beaches, crystal blue waters
and mesmerising sunsets
– the Maldives is pure
paradise!”
Similarly, Sue Garrett of
Flight Centre Travel Group
South Africa has seen
an uptake in Seychelles
weddings and honeymoons.
In addition to its pristine
beaches and luxurious villa
hotels, another advantage
of getting married in the
Seychelles is that wedding
services are legally
recognised in South Africa
so a civil service is not
required beforehand.
Lize and Sue have also
observed an increase in
wedding and honeymoon
bookings in Paris. “Paris
has always been associated
with romance – after all, it is
known as the ‘city of love’,”
Sue says.
“There is so much to fall
in love with in Paris – worldfamous
hotels, crystal
chandeliers, marble baths,
fine food and wine and, of
course, spectacular views.
We have also noticed a
spike in three- and four-night
trips to Paris to pop the
question.
Travelinfo Specials
Honeymoon special at Anantara Bazarato Island Resort & Spa
from Mozambique GSA. Priced at R24 080 pps (R20 820
plus approx. R3 260 departure taxes), the special includes
return flights between Johannesburg and Vilankulo on Airlink;
return transfers from Vilankulo to Bazaruto island by boat
(45 minutes); welcome cocktail; four nights’ accommodation in
a Beach Villa; three meals a day; selected house wines, local
beers and spirits; bottled water, tea/coffee and soft drinks;
sparkling wine in room on arrival; a dhow cruise; romantic
nightly turndown; spa Rasul treatment for two; non-motorised
water sports; daily snorkelling at Neptune's Nursery, emergency
medical evacuation and government and tourism taxes.
Valid for all African residents from April 12-June 21;
July 7-August 2 and August 25-December 26.
Seven-night honeymoon special at three-star Uroa Bay Beach
Resort in Zanzibar from Thompsons Holidays, valid until
October 29. Ex-Johannesburg from R11 475 pps. Includes
return flights with airline levy; return airport and hotel
transfers; accommodation in a Garden double room; breakfast
and dinner daily. Honeymoon bonus: free room upgrade subject
to hotel availability; special dinner; romantic room decorations;
and fruit basket on arrival.
Photocap: Weddings at sea
MSC Cruises offers a number of wedding packages
that can be booked prior to embarkation. The groups
department is also available to assist with large
wedding parties of 12 cabins or more. MSC also offers
full personal assistance from an on-board wedding
co-ordinator for the ceremony.
Did you know?
In Beachcomber Tours’ travel agent portal, Beachcomber e-assistance,
there are customisable flyers that allow agents to enter their own
contact details and send them on to their client. The portal also has
hotel fact sheets, videos of the resorts and information on wedding
ceremonies and renewals of vows, allowing agents to be experts in
wedding and honeymoon travel.
Book it!
At a choice of eight exquisite
resorts on premier beachfront
sites, Beachcomber
offers two packages for
wedding or renewal of
vows – the Beachcomber
Wedding Package and the
Beachcomber Glamour
Wedding Package. Both
packages include all
the necessities, as well
as a dedicated wedding
co-ordinator and a specially
decorated location.
The Glamour package
incorporates extras, such as
hair and make-up at a trial
session and on the day for the
bride, a luxury spa treatment
for the bridal couple,
champagne and canapés after
the wedding ceremony and a
four-course wedding dinner in
a private setting.
Air Mauritius has special
offers for honeymoon
couples. Couples can
upgrade to business class
for R2 500 each on the
Airbus A350 or A340 widebody
aircraft with lie-flat
seats, or at R1 800 each
on the Airbus A319, on the
day of departure. During
Air Mauritius’s Travel Smart
season (outside of school
holidays), the bride flies free
with the groom and only pays
the applicable taxes”
