Let Music & Good Times Lead The Way At Curacao Carnival!

We are Sandals Resorts Let Music & Good Times Lead The Way At Curacao Carnival! Travel Agent Specialists

Let Music & Good Times Lead The Way At Curacao Carnival!

Category: Island Life
August 4th 2023Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
Let Music & Good Times Lead The Way At Curacao Carnival!

Cover image credit: Anna Krasnopeeva/Shutterstock.com

It's not hard to see the appeal of carnival in the Caribbean, with its promises of dancing in the streets basked in sunshine, adorning shiny, beautiful costumes, and enjoying the best food and drinks. There are many islands where you can have an authentic carnival experience, including the world-famous carnival country, Trinidad & Tobago. While Trinidad is the ultimate Caribbean carnival hub, there are plenty of other destinations where you can have a unique and fun carnival experience. Curacao is among the best!

Curacao Parade Carnival Costume

Image credit: Anna Krasnopeeva/Shutterstock.com

Much like carnivals elsewhere in the Caribbean, Curacao's carnival is a huge celebration of culture, music, and color. Carnival in Curacao typically involves grand parades, catchy beats, lots of traditional elements, and exciting events that highlight the cultural and entertainment scene on this island. If you want to know more about the carnival in Curacao, read on as we explore some of the key events, traditions, and everything else you need to know!


When is the Curacao Carnival?

Curacao Carnival, also known as Nos Karnaval, is usually held between January and February annually in the weeks leading up to Lent. The entire festival spans a period of around six weeks, during which time various events including parties, shows, competitions, and parades get underway on the island. The exact dates of carnival events in Curacao vary on an annual basis, but the festival itself is always held at the same time of year.

The Curacao Carnival 2024 dates have not been announced yet, but the 2024 carnival season is expected to take place from January 6, 2024 to February 24, 2024. The main carnival events in Curacao will likely take place between February 9 and February 13, with the biggest parade likely falling on February 11.


History of Curacao Carnival

Knowing the history of celebrations like carnivals can certainly help you to appreciate them a bit more. Carnival on the island of Curacao dates back to the early 1900s. Venezuelans who visited Curacao are said to have been the first people to have a celebration of this kind on the island. They held their festivities at a private, exclusive club in the year 1901. Word spread over time of the successes of this event and thus, things caught on quickly.

See the latest deals and offers for Sandals Resorts

Curacao Carnival Costume

Image credit: Anna Krasnopeeva/Shutterstock.com

Carnival would soon reach the streets of Curacao with the first celebration taking place in 1947. This was said to have been quite a modest occasion, with a simple procession. However, the simplicity would be short-lived. People loved this event and it soon transformed into one with more creativity at the center. Today, you'll find a far evolved Curacao carnival where creativity continues to thrive and cultural traditions remain a central focus. In its current form, Nos Karnaval continues to draw hundreds of people from around the globe annually to experience the authentic and extraordinary traditions of this island.

Expert tip: The best time to visit Curacao is generally between the months of December and mid-April. Not only is carnival held during these months but it is a great time to check out some of the best restaurants in Curacao and the best beaches in Curacao.


What do people do at the carnival in Curacao?

Looking for Sandals Resorts travel agents? We offer the best prices and packages, including airfare to and from destination, airport transfers, excursions and activities, travel insurance and so much more.

Festivities and events

If you'll be attending Curacao Carnival, there are lots of festivities and events that you can take part in. These events take place mainly in Willemstad (the capital) over a period of several weeks. Here are some of the most exciting events at Nos Karnaval that you can look forward to:

Horse Parade

The Horse Parade is a unique event that is included on the Curacao Carnival calendar. This event most often happens in February. It takes place in downtown Willemstad and involves riders on horseback parading through the city. Many people look forward to this event as it is the first parade of the carnival season. Once you see the horses being led through the city with usually costumed riders, then you can be sure that the carnival is around the corner!

Tumba Festival

There are a few events that one must include in their Curacao Carnival calendar, and one of these is the Tumba Festival. This event is at the heart of the carnival as it is one that revolves around tumba music. Tumba is a fusion of African, Latin, and Caribbean influences, and it is quite a distinctive sound. In Curacao, there are competitions between the artists, specifically one where talented musicians vie for the title of Rei di Tumba (Tumba King or Queen). While enjoying Curacao Carnival, this event is not to be missed if you really want a true taste of the festival.

Grand Carnival Parade

The Grand Carnival Parade (also known as Gran Marcha) in Curacao is quite electrifying. This is the main event of the Curacao Carnival and it is certainly quite the spectacle. Attending Gran Marcha can be fun whether you're participating in the revelry or just a spectator. Gran Marcha usually starts at around 10 am. During this event, about 25-30 groups showcase their costumes as they parade through the streets. Each band has its own elaborate floats and music trucks that lead the revelers down the parade route.

Curacao Carnival Parade Float

Image credit: Anna Krasnopeeva/Shutterstock.com

The adult parade for Curacao Carnival tends to start at Franklin D. Rooseveltweg and Jan Noorduynweg in the St. Maria neighborhood and end at Brionplein in Otrobanda. There's also a children's and teen's parade that takes place during the carnival season in the lead-up to the main parade. Whether or not you choose to participate in the parades during the carnival in Curacao, you'll still be able to watch the festivities. Some of the best places to watch include along the main roads (through Marchena and Habaai). When selecting a spot to watch the parade, it's a good idea to look for areas that offer paid parking and toilets.

Grand Farewell Carnival Parade

The Grand Farewell Carnival Parade is an exuberant spectacle that often leaves a lasting impression of the vibrant spirit of Curacao. This event is known as The Marcha di Despedida and it takes place on the eve of Ash Wednesday. The Marcha di Despedida marks the culmination of the carnival season. As this is a wind-down event, people enthusiastically immerse themselves in the festivities, making it a memorable experience for all. There is one final event following the Farewell Parade, the Closing Celebration of Carnival Season, which takes place at the Carnival Festival Center. If you still have some energy left, it's definitely worth attending to bid farewell to the Carnival season in style!

Carnival Pageants

Much like some of the other Caribbean islands, Curacao has some major pageants that are part of its carnival celebrations. This includes the Election Teen Carnival King & Queen event, the Election Carnival Queen, Prince & Pancho, and the Election Youth Carnival Queen, Prince & Pancho. These pageants usually take place in the month of January at the Curacao Festival Center. The winners of these competitions are largely seen as some of the most popular faces for the carnival season. With their win, they are not only publicly crowned but also receive lots of other prizes. The winners of the carnival pageants in Curacao hold their titles for a year, until the subsequent carnival festivities.

Expert tip: There are many awesome things Curacao is known for apart from its exciting carnival celebrations. On the more romantic side, Curacao weddings are quite popular. If you stay at Sandals' all-inclusive resorts on this island, you'll have amazing options for wedding venues and even a free wedding (special conditions apply!).


Carnival Carnival traditions

Carnival can bring with it feelings of pure euphoria, particularly when you really get into the events and traditions that come with the season. Curacao Carnival boasts numerous authentic traditions, setting it apart from many other carnivals worldwide. These customs contribute to the uniqueness and allure of the celebration and many have been passed down through the generation. All of this adds to the depth and authenticity of the festival.

Curacao Parade Costumes Carnival

Image credit: wiho1962/Shutterstock.com

Among the traditions that highlight the island's cultural heritage, the jump-ups are undoubtedly a spectacle you won't want to miss. These are street parties that seem to pop up all over the place around carnival time. Some of these will seem spontaneous, but if you keep an ear to the ground you'll be able to find out what's happening, and when. Carnival jump-ups in Curacao and elsewhere are all about revelry, dancing, and enjoying sweet carnival music.

Another one of the popular traditions that come with Curacao Carnival is the Burning of King Momo. Some people consider this to be quite a euphoric event. This particular element of Curacao Carnival takes place towards the end of the festivities and symbolically signifies the conclusion of the revelries. Once this happens, then you know it's time to hang up your costume! The good news is you can look forward to more Curacao Carnival as this is an annual event.


Other important Curacao Carnival tidbits

If you're planning to participate in Curacao Carnival or any other carnival event in the islands, it's essential to come prepared. If you want to join a costumed band, you should do this well in advance of your arrival on the island. The costumes in some bands tend to sell out quickly, so once you've spotted something you like (on the internet or elsewhere), then go ahead and make the provisions to reserve it. Most bands will require a down payment for your costume. You'll need to pay the full price before you can get your costume in hand.

Curacao Carnival Band Parade

Image credit: Diego Vasquez villaseca/Shutterstock.com

If you won't be jumping with a band but still want to watch, there are some things to keep in mind as well. Wear light and comfortable clothing, suitable for the warm weather and all the dancing. Whether you decide to join a band or not, don't forget to pack sunscreen, a hat or sunglasses, some cash for food, drinks, and other expenses, and a water bottle to stay hydrated and ensure you can fully enjoy the festivities! Some carnival bands may provide water bottles and other carnival memorabilia, but it's always a good idea to check beforehand. Another option is purchasing reusable carnival cups (these help with littering). These cups can be found at various locations on the island, including Sambil, Bugs Bunny Snek, Dutch Treat Pietermaai, 24 Uur Uit de Muur, and Pompstation

See the latest deals and offers for Sandals Resorts

Barber.

Expert tip: Carnival is an exciting time to visit Curacao, but there are lots of amazing things you can get up to on this island no matter what time of year you go. Here are some of the most incredible things to do in Curacao.


Feel the rhythms of Curacao Carnival!

While Curacao is a stunning and captivating island all year round, one of the most exceptional times to visit is during carnival season. Curacao Carnival is all about fostering a lively and colorful ambiance, allowing both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the island's culture and traditions while creating unforgettable memories.

Curacao Parade Carnival

Image credit: Anna Krasnopeeva/Shutterstock.com

If you're not sure where to stay for your carnival adventure, the all-inclusive resorts in Curacao are best for a touch of luxury and fun. Resorts like Sandals Royal Curacao have so many quality, couples-centric inclusions guests will love. After all the excitement and fun, returning to this resort for relaxation will feel like a dream come true. So, celebrate, rejuvenate, and cherish the joyful moments during your carnival-included Curacao getaway!


See the latest deals and offers for Sandals Resorts

destination wedding travel agent
destination wedding near me

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

We bring your dream Sandals Resorts vacation to life!

Hi! I'm Lia Vincent. I have been handling all the ins-and-outs of Sandals Resorts vacations for couples and groups since 2002! I know how unique and special your Sandals Resorts vacation is to you and your guests. My team and I want to make sure your group travel is an extraordinary experience, and one to talk about for ages to come.

  •  Local vendors
  •  Customization
  •  Destination options

Lia Vincent
CEO & Founder (and former destination wedding bride!)
All Inclusive Weddings logo
Schedule your free consultation:
Use our Sandals Resorts Vacation Request Form
Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages

Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages

Your next great adventure begins here. Whether you prefer an intimate elopement or a grand affair, every wedding deserves a week-long celebration with a little something extra. Sandals and Beaches wedding packages offer the best of everything from pre-wedding events to unique wedding day and honeymoon experiences.

Click to read more articles about Sandals Weddings: Sandals Resort Wedding Planning

Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

TWO LOVE BIRDS PACKAGE

Applicable for 2 people.

Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license

Pre-Wedding Events
• Scents of Love Couples massage*

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown

On Your Wedding Day
• Bridal attendant*
• 10 digital images

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Witnesses

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d'oeuvres
- Sparkling wine
- Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Private candlelight dinner with four-course menu and prosecco*

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

SWEETHEART WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $200 credit towards select photography packages
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Reception table with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with white or magenta dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package

- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

This package is complimentary when Bride and Groom stay for 7 nights or longer in Club or Butler categories. This offer is available Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm and is applicable only to 10 persons. This offer does not apply to ReTie the Knot ceremonies. Certain restrictions apply. See terms and conditions

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

BLISS WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 12 people or more

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• 20 digital images
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for 1 member of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for 1 member of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen & white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a Private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

EPIC WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 52 people or more

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• 2-hour private pre-wedding celebration dinner
• Wedding day treats : frozen fruit kabobs & small bites with sparkling wine for bride and groom (in-room while getting ready on day of wedding)

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $500 credit towards the Royal Romance photography package
• $500 credit towards the Ultimate videography package

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for up to 2 members of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for up to 2 members of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Three-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen and whitecushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated or buffet menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas
• One sweetheart table to include white linen, standard place setting & 2 white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-hour DJ entertainment

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine in resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
• $100 Credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

RETIE THE KNOT PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people.

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• ReTie the Knot planning team
• Celebration gift registry and website templates
During Your Stay
• Onsite ReTie the Knot team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)
• One 5x7 photo print
• One keepsake gift
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• ReTie the Knot commemorative certificate
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Single-tiered white fondant cake with dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen & white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category


Some of our destination weddings

Kate and Curtis - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Sandals Grande, St. Lucia, Large Group, Destination Wedding

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!

Michael and Shawana Rowles - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beaches Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Destination Wedding

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.

Julie and Chieu Vu - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Playa Del Carmen, Large Group, Destination Wedding

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!

From beginning to end, they help with every step; i.e., finding the venue, creating a custom wedding website, and booking all your guests. Their office manager, Linze, was very responsive, helpful, and so sweet! Everything turned out smoothly and we couldn't be happier!

destination wedding travel agent Cancun
Alison & Alex K. - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Destination Wedding

Stephanie was our incredible travel agent for our destination wedding! She helped with every aspect, quick communication and AMAZING coordination with over 50 different people over 8 states. Stephanie from the beginning, gave options and talked through so many questions I had. I could not have asked for a better right hand woman! 10 out of 10 for Steph, we could not appreciate & trust her more!

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 ♥️♥️

wedding travel agent cancun
cancun wedding travel agent
Leah and Kell Flynn - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Royalton Blue Waters, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Destination Wedding

My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.

Lia & Linze were both very warm and friendly, and from day one, we could tell cared about us as a couple and our destination wedding success, rather than just seeing us as more clients. I get stressed out easily, so planning my own wedding alone was overwhelming, even though my wedding was 10 months out. I ended up working with Linze, and we pushed up the wedding date with a little less than three months to prepare. I was initially nervous about using a travel agent / wedding planner, but it turned out to be a huge blessing, because it took away a lot of the stress and worry I was experiencing. A bride has so many things to worry about, so having someone else bear the brunt of the work and worry about the nitty-gritty details was a HUGE relief for me.

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 wedding travel agent
Darby Brown - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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, Darby Brown

Juliet D. - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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

Jodie Yu - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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 destination wedding review
Vivian and James Chevrier - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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.

Mark & Casey Shelley - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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

UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
Jenni Johnson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!!

Sara Thompson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Bridgette Cariker - All Inclusive Beach 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!!

Saundra Ogden - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Casey Morris - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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.

Mindy Huffman - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Justin and Mariama Jordan - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Kylee & David - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding

Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!

Chelsey Groh - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!!!

Amy Taylor - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

John and Jane - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Marty Hill - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
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!

Tiffany Phillips - All Inclusive Beach 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

And lots more!
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!

Contact us today to learn more about All Inclusive Weddings!

how can we help you?

Your love story is unique and special, and we understand your wedding should be, too!

Everything you need to celebrate your special day at Sandals Resorts with elegance and simplicity. It's the perfect start to the perfect marriage. Our frequently asked questions area has many answers about our process.

Sandals Resorts Wedding Request Form
Read View reviews: in  
wedding wire awards and reviews
the knot awards and reviews
travel leaders reviews

Get in Touch With Us

We are a travel agency specializing in destination weddings, romance travel & experiences.

Dallas Office: 1341 W Mockingbird Ln., Suite 600W, Dallas, TX 75247
OKC Office: 9300 N. May Ave., Suite #400, OKC, OK 73120
destination wedding agent contact
1 (888) 976-0061