Antigua Carnival - The Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival!
Category: Island LifeApril 24th 2023Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
Antigua is a 108-square-mile island that stretches roughly 13 miles across. The capital of this island is St. John, where most of the residents live.
Antigua Carnival is held annually in early August. Most of the major events for the carnival take place at Carnival City at the Antigua Recreation Ground. If you plan to have the full carnival experience in Antigua, you'll likely attend at least a couple of events at this location. Aside from this, the main parade is a central focus for most, and this marks the climax of the carnival celebrations. Before getting to that point though, there are plenty of boat rides, fetes, and other events you might want to experience first! We've got the breakdown in this post of everything you need to know about the Antigua Carnival!
Good to know: Antigua & Barbuda are two islands that make up a single nation. If you visit Antigua for the carnival, you'll also be able to take a boat across to Barbuda.
What is Antigua's carnival like?
Participating in the Antigua Carnival can feel like the ultimate outdoor masquerade event. This event literally comes to life on the streets of Antigua and includes costumes, pageants, food-related events, and concerts. The soca music and calypso beats along with the bright and sparkly costumes create a tropical vibe to the whole affair and the large numbers of revelers make this quite an exciting event.
Carnival really is the biggest party of the year on this island. Antigua Carnival dates back to 1834. In the earlier years, this event was intended to celebrate emancipation from slavery. Organizers adjusted various elements of the event over the years until, in 1957, Antigua Carnival became a 13-day festival. The 13-day format for the Antigua carnival has stayed the same ever since.
In terms of the history of the Antigua carnival, this event is also said to have replaced another cultural celebration known as the Old Time Christmas Festival. Some of the same elements that you see in the Antigua Carnival today, like the steel band music and dance performances, would usually have been seen in the Old Time Festival. This change saw traditional calypso and soca music being featured at Antigua Carnival as the Old Time Festival faded out.
Good to know: Participating in the carnival in Antigua might be referred to as 'Playing Mas' by the locals. Mas is short for masquerade. In this sense, the masqueraders would be none other than the people involved in the carnival revelry who most often wear costumes and masks.
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Antigua Carnival costumes
The costumes are a large part of the appeal of carnival events anywhere in the world and understandably so. After all, what other time of the year is it acceptable to skip work and dance through the streets of St. John's in practically nothing? The costumes featured at the Antigua Carnival are as varied as the people who participate in this event and if you plan on playing Mas' in Antigua, it would be a good idea to get started on selecting yours.
Antigua carnival costumes range from simple and functional to elaborate and glitzy. Many of these costumes are brightly colored with rhinestones, gems, and other captivating features, but that isn't the case for every single costume. The costume designs and colors featured at the carnival highly depend on the carnival themes being portrayed by the various bands. While participating in Antigua Carnival, look out for traditional costumes like the Carnival Man who dances on one foot, and sways to the right.
Good to know: Some of the longest-standing carnival bands in Antigua include Myst Carnival and Insane Carnival. These award-winning bands have been around for decades and might be a good starting point when it comes to comparing and selecting costumes.
Antigua Carnival music
Antigua is a really great place to experience good soca music. There are loads of events that happen on this island around carnival time. During these engagements and at the grand parade, you'll be able to hear Caribbean soca and other local music. Calypso music, which tends to be a bit of a slower pace as compared to soca, is also popular in Antigua, particularly around carnival time. Soca was invented by Trinidadian Lord Shorty in the 1970s and is known as the 'Soul of Calypso' in some corners. While the origin of soca music is in Trinidad, this genre is popular in many other Caribbean islands including Antigua.
Good to know: Outside of Antigua Carnival, the Antigua Recreation Ground is home to the island's cricket team.
Carnival events in Antigua
The major carnival events in Antigua include J'ouvert, the Carnival Queen Show, the Calypso Monarch Competition, the Soca Monarch Competition, Panorama, and the Carnival Parade. Most of these events take place at Carnival City in St. John's. Carnival events kick off in late July/early August with the main parade and other events taking place on the First Monday and Tuesday of August. During the Carnival Season in Antigua, it won't be hard to find music competitions, concerts, parties, and pageants which happen almost every day.
Antigua pre-opening festivals
The opening of the carnival season is a reason to celebrate in Antigua. There are events held in recognition of this festival which help to set the mood for the occasion. One such event is the T-shirt Mas Parade. For this event, revelers usually wear troupes t-shirts, some of which are glammed up in various ways. You might spot gem-enhanced designs, tye dye, or even fringe-cut looks and bikinis.
Other than the T-shirt Mas Parade there are other events that get underway on this island ahead of the carnival as well. These events include evening concerts, fetes, and other celebrations like the Band Meets Band showdown held at Carnival City -- this event includes lots of music, dancing, and delicious food on sale from local vendors. If you decide to attend pre-opening festivals and events in Antigua, you'll get a taste of what's to come for Antigua Carnival.
Carnival J'ouvert
J'ouvert, which celebrates the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean in the early 1830s, has a long and storied history. In keeping with that history, today the event's focus is on liberation and emancipation. J'ouvert is a carnival staple and certainly worth experiencing in Antigua.
You can expect a carnival-like atmosphere, but without fancy costumes, at J'ouvert. Instead, you might see t-shirt bands and people dressed casually, well-prepared for the event that tends to involve mud, body paint, powder, oil, and tons of dancing. While the most dedicated carnival revelers go straight from J'ouvert to carnival (with little time to shower and change into costumes in between), others prefer to partake in only J'ouvert to get just a taste of carnival. J'ouvert is significantly less expensive than a carnival. A J'ouvert band bundle will typically only include a t-shirt and other assorted carnival memorabilia.
Before the big bands head onto the street later in the morning, you'll find J'ouvert revelers suited up and ready to go from as early as 3 a.m. The French word J'ouvert means 'daybreak,' which is a fairly accurate description of what this party entails. J'ouvert ends in the early morning, often after the sun has risen.
Good to know: If you want to participate in both J'ouvert and carnival in Antigua as well as any parties that may take place the night before the main carnival parade, be prepared to sleep very little!
Queen of Carnival pageants
The Queen of Carnival Pageants are highly anticipated events during the Antigua Carnival. Young Antiguan women vie for the title of Carnival Queen in one of this nation's most popular carnival events, known as the Carnival Queen Show. Participants in this event compete in various categories including talent and also showcase their knowledge of the island's culture and carnival itself. The winner of the Carnival Queen Show is featured prominently as part of the carnival celebrations, particularly on the main parade route. The island's carnival queen for any given year is also responsible for assisting in promoting events, attending festivals, and being the official representative of the island's carnival.
Pageant-wise, Antigua also plays host to one of the most popular youth queen show pageants in the Caribbean, the Jaycees Queen Show. This is a regional event that usually includes participants from various islands including Barbados, St. Croix, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and other islands. The Jaycees pageant has been around since the 1970s and is organized by the Junior Chamber of Antigua and Barbuda.
Party Monarch competition
It's not just the parties that attract a large crowd at Antigua Carnival - the Party Monarch Competition does, too. This event is actually one of the best-attended shows during the Antigua Carnival. At the Party Monarch Competition, you can expect to see some of the best Antiguan soca artists battle it out with up-tempo and groovy selections. As Antigua has some great talent, you can expect to hear some impressive Soca tunes at this event.
As the Party Monarch carnival event is a competition, there's a winner announced at the end of the event in both the Up-tempo and Groovy categories. The winners earn the Party Monarch titles, which really gives their songs a push during carnival. The Party Monarch Competition is attended by locals and visitors of all ages.
Panorama competition
Steel pans, also known as steel drums, are a big part of carnival celebrations in the Caribbean. You might hear the sweet sounds of this instrument being featured at some carnival events, incorporated into some soca tunes or you might have a chance to see live steel bands as well. For an event that focuses on steel pans, you'll want to go to Antigua Panorama which is an annual event on the carnival calendar.
Antigua Panorama is essentially a music competition. Various steel bands or orchestras compete against each other to win the title, giving them the bragging rights of being the best on the island. During this event, you'll be able to learn a little more about the history of steel drums in the Caribbean -- they were invented in Trinidad and Tobago, and popularized on that island as well. Over the years, steel pans have become a carnival staple in Antigua.
Fetes & other celebrations
For most islands, the carnival is the time of year when you'll find the largest concentration of events. In Antigua, there are a variety of events that are part of the national celebrations and lots of parties organized by private promoters and individuals as well. Many of these events have popular local and regional artists as headliners. The emphasis tends to be on soca and Caribbean calypso music during carnival time.
Among the popular carnival parties held in Antigua are events like breakfast fetes that tend to start between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. These events tend to span several hours and are a good place to enjoy traditional Antiguan cuisine and music. If you want to attend some of the more popular carnival concerts and parties in Antigua, you'll need to purchase your tickets well in advance. Events like Powder Party (tickets start at $20 USD) and the Melting Pot ($15 USD) are quite popular. The Powder Party features colored dust (comparable to India's Holi Festival). For this type of event, you'll want to wear something that you don't mind getting stained or messy.
Good to know: In Antigua, small-scale carnival activities are held in some of the smaller towns. During these events, you can try some of the popular
food and drinks in Antigua .
How you can participate in Antigua's carnival experience
If you want to take part in Antigua Carnival, you can either play Mas (join a costumed carnival band) or just watch. If you want to be a part of a costumed band you have a few band options. Insane Carnival, Myst Carnival, Barefoot, DumzTree, Fuze, Flex, and others are among the most popular. Each band has its own theme and sections with unique costumes, and each experience is priced differently (more on this later). A costume is a must to join most carnival bands in Antigua.
Once you purchase a costume, it will be valid for the duration of the parade days. The carnival parade in Antigua is known as the Carnival Road March and it is a huge highlight that pretty much closes off the festival. Of course, there are after-parties as well, but the parade really and truly is the climax of the festivities. If you choose to enjoy the carnival as a spectator, you'll be able to watch from the sidelines and still have some fun dancing to the loud music from the carnival trucks.
How much does Antigua's carnival cost?
The cost of the Antigua carnival will depend on your participation. Whether you opt to watch or get into a costume, your decision will ultimately determine how much it will cost you, and we've got a breakdown below!
Cost as a spectator
As a spectator, Antigua Carnival will cost you not much more than the price of your flight and accommodations. If you choose to go to carnival events, this can increase your cost as well. To calculate, factor in round-trip flights from the United States which are usually a couple of hundred dollars a piece, or flight tickets from Europe to Antigua which can be a thousand dollars (or less).
Being a carnival spectator can be fun. If you get a good spot to watch, it will be like having a front-row seat at the carnival. If you choose to do carnival this way, you'll also have the option to attend fetes to take in more of the carnival experience - most carnival parties cost between $15 and $125 USD. All-inclusive carnival parties can cost upwards of $200 USD. Even still, carnival celebrations in Antigua are less pricey than that of some other Caribbean islands.
Expert tip:
Antigua vs Saint Lucia. It's tough deciding which of these islands to go to, butAntigua beaches certainly do add to the appeal of the former. Antigua has at least 365 beaches which means you'll have lots of options for a beach day.
Cost as a masquerader
Glitter, feathers, jewels, and bright colors - this is what carnival revelers can look forward to in their costumes for this event. No matter which band you choose, you'll need to expect a price tag if you want to play Mas with a costumed band. Keep in mind that the price you'll pay for your carnival package inclusive of your costume will vary depending on the band. There are other things to factor in as well in terms of the price you'll pay, and this includes which events and parties you'll be attending while in Antigua and travel accommodations.
In general, if you will be playing Mas with a costumed band in Antigua, you can expect to spend between $400-$1500 USD for women and between $500-$1500 USD for men. The more elaborate the costume, the more you'll pay. Front line and VIP costumes tend to cost more than the regular costumed sections. Most bands include carnival costumes and accessories as well as drinks and food for the parade as part of the carnival package. Tickets for some activities like band parties can be included in this cost as well.
Good to know: Getting a car rental can add to your cost as a masquerader, but it can be convenient to have one during carnival time as there are often many activities to attend. A car rental in Antigua will cost around $400 USD per week on average.
How to get to Antigua & where to stay
If you want to go to Antigua for the carnival, the best way to get to this island is by plane. The main airport, the V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), is just five minutes away from the capital city. If you'll be traveling to this island, more than likely this is the airport that you will be flying into. From some U.S. states like Florida, you can be in Antigua for a carnival in under four hours by plane.
In terms of where to stay, you'll need to plan this in advance if you will be going to the Antigua Carnival. Staying in a resort on the west side of Antigua in towns like St. John's, Fort James, Dickenson Bay, or Five Islands Village is a good idea if you want to see the best carnival action. These areas are all close to some of the island's best fetes, parades, and events during the carnival season.
Looking a little closer,
Good to know: Guests of
Sandals Grande Antigua can indulge in fine dining at a variety of restaurants, luxury accommodations, day and night entertainment, land and water activities, and more. All of these are included in the price of a Sandals Resorts couple's vacation. The RedLane Spa, available at Sandals Antigua, is ideal for some R&R after the excitement of the carnival.
Experience the vibrant celebration of Antigua Carnival
There you have it - all the reasons going to Antigua carnival is a wonderful idea. This is one of the most exciting
Expert tip: There are so many
things Antigua is known for including the scenic Shirley Heights, its frigate bird sanctuary, and delicious cuisines like the saltfish and fungie.
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Some of our destination weddings
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I wanted to share (with permission) these gorgeous pictures from a destination wedding 2 weekends ago we had the privilege of being a part of and booked by Lia. She chose this over the water wedding chapel in St. Lucia with friends and family there to help celebrate. I love her flower crown and her dress and how happy she is. Picture perfect. Congratulations Kate and Curtis! We are so happy for you!
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Lia was very helpful for us in planning our destination wedding to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had gone through a few other travel planners first who didn't seem nearly as interested in our needs. We really appreciated the way Lia helped us navigate through some of the complexities, including the local laws of Jamaica and the planning with the resort itself. Even once we got to the resort and ran into a few snags, Lia was able to quickly get those resolved very quickly. We would highly recommend her for anyone planning a destination wedding or any other vacation. Thanks, Lia, for making our destination wedding the most special day of our lives.
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Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming, but if you're planning on having a destination wedding, especially with a large group, I would highly recommend using All Inclusive Weddings!
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Incredible Agent For Our Destination Wedding! 10 Out Of 10 For Steph!
Such an amazing week of memories,laughter & love! Thankful for our people and truly blessed beyond words ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸
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My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.
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Why spend hours analyzing vendors and reading reviews, when you can have a pro do it? If you want an intimate wedding, if you want to elope, or if you want a huge all-out, go-into-debt-for-years wedding, and if you're in the market for a wedding travel agent, Lia and Linze should be at the top of your list!
The day of the wedding, everything was so beautiful, and so much better than I could have done on my own. Lia's company finds the best local vendors, so you know you'll get great value in your package, and what's nice is her company offers different packages for different budgets. We worked with and met AMAZING vendors! The reception was so elegant that as soon as I entered the reception, I felt amazement, joy, and relief because being the worrywart and control freak that I sometimes can be, it was hard for me to trust someone to somehow make everything perfect. Lia was able to give us the dream wedding we couldn't have done ourselves. Our family and friends were also amazed, and repeatedly told us how great the wedding, reception, and food were at the resort.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Destination Wedding
I used Stephanie Tindall to help me choose the perfect resort in PV Mexico for where my guests would stay for my destination wedding. She went round and round with me helping me find the perfect location. It had to be nice, trendy, not to outrageously expensive and within a certain mile radius of a marina where my guests needed to go for the wedding. She helped everyone get booked and when things became a little hectic as tracking sometimes can get. She took care of the details. One of my guests had passport issues and she helped talk them through what to do. It was such a relief to have a point of contact for travel related issues so I didn't have to be stressed about it. She did this all with a patient, positive? upbeat and kind attitude through the entire process. I highly recommend her.
Thank you again,
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UNICO, Riviera Maya, Mexico Destination Wedding
Unico was wonderful and the perfect place for our wedding! It was quiet and the ceremony was better than expected. We had it on the gazebo and it was away from everything, which was great. The photography was beyond our expectations. We have not received our video yet, but assume it will be just as great. I also used the in house vendor for make up and hair, and was not disappointed. The wedding coordinator, Nazareth, was so sweet and on point. We used the local host quite a bit with WhatsApp, which was quite convenient. Food and drinks were amazing. We were disappointed that 2087 restaurant was down for half of our stay for repairs. We ate at Mi Carisa on our wedding night, which was the perfect choice. Service was also best there. We scheduled 2 tours through the hotel, a sunset cruise and Chichen Itza express. The boat tour was nice. Chichen itza tour was too fast and ok. We really appreciate your recommendations and help booking our wedding and stay. It was wonderful! Thank you again, Juliet and Jason
Hard Rock Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding
We just got back from an AMAZING wedding weekend yesterday. I can't begin to thank you enough for your help and support during the entire process. Everyone had a great time. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I can't believe how stress-free it was once I got there. Thank you Thank you!
Secrets Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding
I have never used a travel agent before Lia. I have always been the "I can do everything cheaper by myself on the internet" type person; most of the time, it works great. When my husband and I decided to have a destination wedding, we were not sure about anything - number of guests, length of stay, etc; we also have very demanding jobs, requiring constant travels up until the week before our wedding. So we thought that a travel agent may be a lifesaver; as it turned out, she was. Lia was endorsed as an expert in destination weddings on the American Express Travel website. Although she lived over a 1,000 miles away, I felt comfortable.
As I am not a "girly" person, wedding planning was not my thing; however, party planning and event coordination are. Lia and I treated this "event" like a business and I loved that about her; I needed someone to be truthful and provide honest advice. As it is with my job, I like corresponding via emails because I can have all the information on hand and in writing at all time; Lia always accommodated that, and always very promptly. I'm not talking about several emails over a few months; I'm talking about over the course of over a year. Lia was there to provide support when I had a hard time reach the wedding coordinator; she was there when I freaked out at the resort regarding my brother's return transportation (as it turned out, my brother spoke with the wrong transportation company); she was organized to be able to provide me with spreadsheet of all guest arrival information; she always submitted my requests to Classic Vacation and the resort promptly. James and I cannot thank Lia enough to make everything go smoothly for the biggest event of our lives. All 48 of us had such a great time that we absolutely see another group vacation in the future.
UNICO 2087, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Read the full details about this destination wedding in our blog post, Mark and Casey Simpsen's Destination Wedding at UNICO 2087. This couple was also featured in the UNICO 2087 Resort blog post, UNICO Destination Wedding, Casey Shelley & Mark Simpsen
Beach Palace Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Lia being referred to me saved me so much wedding planning mental anguish! I had tried with a few other travel agents before I had two different people give me Lia's name, and with each of the previous TAs they had to look into things and call me back (I'm still waiting for those calls). Getting in touch with Lia was a whole new experience, she answered all my initial questions in that first phone call, had so many recommendations, and it was obvious she knew exactly what she was doing. By the time we hung up the first phone call, I had decided on a destination and venue (per Lia's suggestion). She was a God send! A year later, we are still having people talk about what a great trip it was and people are always amazed by what a great turn out we had. We ended up with about 60 people, all booking through Lia and everyone had a flawless experience. One even asked for her name when planning her destination wedding a few months later and was just as pleased! Lia told me a lot through the planning process that I was such a laid-back bride, but it really was because she left me nothing to worry about. She answered any question I had, was always quick to respond to calls and emails, and helped me plan the most perfect wedding ever. I wish I could re-live it all again!!
Cozumel Palace, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.
Throughout the process we felt completely at ease as she handled some of the most important details of planning for this special time. From her first recommendations of resorts and destinations to her help arranging travel for our closest family and friends we always felt grateful having Lia on our side. We highly recommend Lia Vincent and Palace Resorts for your destination wedding!
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Destination Wedding
I am truly so grateful for you and all of your help! Le Blanc was amazing! NOTHING could have been better, except maybe the weather, but the staff, food, and service were above and beyond! We will definitely go back there!! Love, Love, Love you for all of your help - Can NOT thank you enough!!
Beach Palace, Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Our Dream Wedding!
Lia was a phenomenal help from the beginning. She was referred to me by a friend, and I was incredibly thankful that we used her. When we started planning, we became overwhelmed with all of the information that is available.
We met with her for about 45 minutes one afternoon, took her pictures of spaces we had seen online and liked, and gave her a list of our "must-haves", a list of things that would be nice but didn't matter too much, and a list of things we absolutely did NOT want. She kind of thought about things for a minute, and then listed 3 resorts that fit every single one of our needs. She then ran sample pricing from EVERY location our guests would be traveling from so we could figure out what best fit our and our guests' travel budgets. After about a million more questions from me, we finally settled on her initial recommendation, the Beach Palace in Cancun. As we went through the process, any time I had a question, problem, or was just worried about something not being right, she was my go-to person. I'm not kidding, she would answer me in like, less than an hour 99% of the time. She even took my file home one weekend to give me more time to figure something out before she ran credit cards and got it booked. She was a Godsend!
Riu Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.
Lia with Lia helped us plan our destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We had a total of 11 people and she helped each of them set up their arrangements. From the beginning she was so helpful and always quick to respond. She made the entire process a breeze. She communicated with the wedding coordinator at the Riu Palace and made sure everything was just like we wanted. We did not have any issues at all, thanks to Lia and all of her thorough planning. Each of our guests bragged on her and said how easy it was to work with her. I would recommend Lia for all of your planning needs whether it be just a short vacation or a destination wedding. She knows what she is doing and will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you have the best vacation.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding
My husband and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right off the beach. It was pure bliss, and everything I could have ever dreamed of! I may be biased, but destination weddings are certainly the way to go and thanks to our wonderful Travel Agent Lia Vincent at Vincent Vacations, we were able to find the perfect place! I had the opportunity to be able to edit the straight out of camera photos from my wedding! Here is a glimpse of our wedding day in paradise!
Iberostar, Grand Punta Cana, Destination Wedding
We had the most amazing time at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about what an amazing trip it was! Thank you for your help with organizing this unforgettable time for us, we cannot wait to put our pictures in our new frame!
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding
Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!
Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding
"It was beautiful! Everybody had a fantastic time!"
The staff was wonderful, the rooms were gorgeous, and the food was AMAZING! Our wedding could not have been more perfect and if you have any brides that want a beautiful wedding on a budget, The Excellence Punta Cana would be my number one recommendation. Emy and Livia were fantastic and everything was just PERFECT! Chris couldn't even believe how wonderful it was.
Thank you again for all of your help!!!
Dreams, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding
Our Dream Wedding!
As soon as Jimmy asked me to marry him, I knew we would want a destination wedding. We love to travel, and we love the beach, so there was no more perfect place to start our lives together than a beach in Mexico!
I am not the wedding planning type, and I knew that with a destination wedding, we could get someone else to plan the details for us. Luckily for me, my friend Lia at Vincent Vacations specializes in Destination Weddings. Lia had taken care of trips for us in the past, and I knew she was the perfect person to help me plan this trip. I was right! She helped me look through destinations, and we found the perfect spot: Dreams in Puerto Vallarta! The package came with a wedding planner, who took care of the details for me. 21 of our friends and family came with us, and everyone loved the resort. Our party ranged in age from 7 to 82, and everyone agreed it was an amazing trip. There were activities for the kids, and plenty of excursions for everyone to choose from. The staff was wonderful, and pampered us from the time we arrived. One of my bridesmaids had a broken foot and was on crutches, and was in a wheelchair some. The hotel staff assisted her anytime she needed it, including carrying her and her wheelchair up and down large flights of stairs. They were amazing! All the rooms are ocean front, with beautiful views. Jimmy and I stayed in the "Preferred" tower, and our room came with a great balcony with a hot tub! Most of our guests stayed in the other tower, but the resort is small enough, this was not a problem at all. They all loved their rooms as well. The wedding planner met with me in advance to work out the last minute details and timing. When our wedding day came, everything went perfectly. We got married on the beach right in front of the ocean. We had a sound system and a dj who played all the songs that we picked out in advance. My Dad is a minister, and he performed the service for us. We had 21 in our wedding party, but it felt like a much bigger wedding because lots of people watched the wedding. You could see people everywhere on their balconies watching, which made us feel like rock stars. We had a Mexican band that played a few songs after the wedding. The wedding came with a photographer and videographer who did amazing job! We took pictures right after the wedding, then we had dinner which also came with the wedding. We had steak and chicken which tasted great. Of course, I also asked them for chips and guacamole. (I love the guacamole in Mexico.) They were happy to oblige. They provided the wedding cake after which was amazing. After the wedding, my husband and I stayed for another 4 days, and it was paradise. I could not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married, or a less stressful way to do it. Thanks Lia and Vincent Vacations for making our special day an amazingly unforgettable experience!
Jamaica, Destination Wedding
Love the pictures one of our brides just shared from her elopement in Jamaica! Thank you for sharing with us! Did you know we book Destination weddings of all sizes? If it's just the 2 of you or a group of 250, give us a call!
Grand Fiesta Americana, Los Cabos, Mexico, Destination Wedding
This was the best and easiest decision we made about our entire wedding! Lia at All Inclusive Weddings is the absolute best, extremely intelligent, hard working, and so caring. She truly makes you feel like you are her only client throughout the entire process. We had about 120 people coming to our Cabo wedding and even had to switch resorts, visitors coming from all different states and even Europe. She was calm, and kept the bride and groom calm! Every detail was taken care of and it was made to be the most perfect wedding!
Finest, Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding
I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work to arrange the hotel and transfers for Ashley and Robbie's wedding. It was perfect and everything that she had ever dreamed of! The resort was amazing! We had great food at all the restaurants. The staff went over the top to accommodate any needs that you could have had! Everyone felt safe and the beaches are beautiful. Since it's more private you don't get the crazy vendors walking the beach trying to sell you stuff. Our family loved it so much and we defiantly will be planning another vacation. You will be the first I call if we need help to organize something! Thank you again for everything
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!
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