Fact one: we all love a good wedding. Fact two: we all love going on holiday. Fact three: when the two collide, the travel agent is well placed to earn a decent commission out of it.
Foreign weddings used to be seen as a cheaper alternative to getting married at home — with minimum hassle and fuss to boot. But while the quick ceremony is still a popular option, it seems we’re getting more adventurous when it comes to saying “I do.”
The travel agents and tour operators we spoke to for this guide all confirmed our suspicions: wedding product is getting more varied, and couples are increasingly willing to part with more cash to make sure their big day goes down as one to remember.
It may have been a while since you’ve made a wedding booking, in which case you might think the wedding business is all about getting as many couples married off in a day as possible — but thankfully the conveyor belt approach is changing fast, and hoteliers are starting to restrict the number of weddings they have on any given day. If you’re in any doubt, have a good read of this guide and prepare to be surprised.
You’ll also find plenty of inspiration for honeymoons in these pages. Because when the big day is over, the holiday of a lifetime is only just beginning. Check out our suggestions for the most demanding clients — book the right break and their bound to come back for more. It doesn’t have to cost the earth — we’ve got holidays for under £1,000 — but if you do find the couple that wants it all, there’s a great round the world trip on page 16 going for £30,000.
Enjoy the guide and remember that variety is the key. Whether your clients want to walk down the aisle, down the beach, or even down the deck of the Starship Enterprise, you can book it for them — and bag the commission. Good luck.
Matthew Hampton
supplements editor
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