The TRUE meaning of a
(real) "Luxury" Destination Wedding Planner
I’m Aleksandra and I’m your lead planner and CEO at Direction Events. I have 10+ years currently in the wedding and hospitality industry, I help soulmate-level couples plan their dream weddings in stunning Grand Cayman
LET'S CONNECT!
It's officially time to get MARRIED!
Your partner dropped down on one knee, asked the question that transformed your world, and finally put a ring on it.
Now, all you can think about is how perfect you want your wedding to be and how to create the experience of a lifetime. We get it; we eat, sleep, and breathe creating the wedding of all wedding experiences.
Every couple we connect with desires the same thing: to celebrate this special milestone in an ideal atmosphere, surrounded by their loved ones..... AND a kick-ass, one-of-a-kind party without all the stress and drama.
However, achieving this can feel more challenging than you expected - especially if you want to plan a destination wedding somewhere far away from home. Planning your wedding can quickly become a stressful experience, and that is the last thing we want for any of our couples on their wedding day.
It truly doesn't need to be this way. Seeking assistance and collaborating on your vision with a (real) luxury planner can change everything, relieving stress and ensuring a perfect wedding day.
You see this word and these promises floating around a lot these days. So, what do we mean by a (real) "luxury" planner?
The difference between support and the support that genuinely takes care of EVERYTHING.
Let us Explain!
@The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman
Chad Munro Photography
What Makes Us (Real) Luxury Planners
Unlike most destination wedding planners, we take on a very limited number of weddings and events at a time.
We are not interested in being spread thin and distracted; when we are working on your special day, it needs to be all about you and leave no room to miss anything. While you may think this should be the standard, sadly, it is not. Many planners take on multiple events in a week/weekend and sometimes even in one day. To us, this is WILD. We cannot imagine not being available for every second of the minutes, hours, days, and weeks leading up to your moment.
Find out more about the difference between a luxury planner and an average planner here.
We help with the actual planning and design process of your wedding, but we also want you to consider us your confidant and the person you can go to for EVERYTHING; we want no one else to know your wedding vision and you inside and out as we do. You, your partner, your friends, and your loved ones deserve no stress, no worries about things being done, and no last-minute requests unmet.
Are we your wedding planner? Yes. But we offer so much more than your standard planning services. Support on every level is necessary to ensure that everything is exactly as you desire.
From the initial contact, we'll take the time to fully understand your unique relationship. Your design and aesthetic desires are fundamental to us, but we also want to know what makes you unique as a couple and what we can do to ensure you are taken care of on a deeper level. This is how we will make your Cayman Islands destination wedding truly yours and a one-of-a-kind personalized, luxury experience.
When it comes to the actual planning, this is, of course, also a very key component. It's great if you are happy, and relaxed and enjoying a personalized service, but we still need to get you married and have the party of a lifetime to enjoy.
Naturally, you want nothing but the best (we feel the same), which is why you would choose us as your wedding planner.
When it comes to all the magical pieces and moments, we are the director of your private show. However, while we do as much as humanly possible on our end, other vendors play a significant role in making your event perfect. This is where our expertise, strong vendor relationships, and impeccable judgment come in. You can rely on us entirely to know who is the right fit for your style and vibe. Our years of experience have allowed us to meet numerous professionals who excel in their work, and we have eliminated the average and created the roster you need for a flawless, stress-free experience. We offer the best and only work with others who do the same because our clients deserve nothing less.
What else, you ask? (oh, there is SO much more, but we will name just a few key elements that we believe make all the difference)
We understand that life can be overwhelming, and the last thing you want is to be stuck by the details of an event you should be enjoying. No more endless back-and-forth emails or lengthy phone calls. We've got it all covered, so you can relax and look forward to your celebration.
But just because you don’t want to be part of every menial detail doesn’t mean you don’t want to be involved (that’s also stressful). That's why we offer the beauty of your online planning system, where we update all the planning details and keep everything streamlined and in one place.
You are always aware and updated on the many things happening behind the scenes, but we want you to feel there are never any last-minute surprises and that you can check in whenever it’s convenient. That is why we include every aspect that goes into your celebration in your portal to keep you in the loop and ensure you know everything is taken care of and precisely as you desire. And honestly, it's just fun to see all the pretty details coming together and the magic that goes into your unique celebration.
We are actually full-service, inclusive of everything. There is nothing we don't manage for you, from designing and managing your wedding website to supporting your guests in anything they may need while getting to the island or on the island, and everything in between.
Now... this is where people start to worry: does this mean I need to have an unlimited budget?
Although we're luxury wedding planners, that doesn't mean we don't consider your budget. We're very mindful that every dollar counts, but we also don't want you to compromise at any point. What makes us stand out is our dedication to your investment. We work our magic and provide recommendations to give you a premium experience while staying reasonable regarding your money.
We are honest about what things cost, where we think you should best allocate your money, and how to get the most value for your money. We believe part of a luxury experience is being able to manage your funds accordingly, not incur unnecessary costs on certain things, but spend money in the right place. A healthy budget is key, but we respect that money and we are not making choices for personal gain or disregard for the big picture.
What About The Execution
It all sounds fabulous, but what about the actual wedding events?
In the two weeks leading up to your wedding, you start to feel all the emotions; the time is here. Some couples may be stressed out and worried about what will come next, but not you. Why, you ask? Because you know for a 100% certainty everything has been taken care of, nothing has been overlooked, and you are not alone if anything arises (as things do), we have got you covered. We are not just with you on the day but also leading up to and after the big day.
The moment you arrive on the island, we start with our pre-wedding meeting, where we go over everything one last time in detail. You sip a tropical cocktail while we do so. It's time to unwind and get in the mood to celebrate. After the big day, what are you doing? Reliving every magical detail and soaking in the glory of all that has been. Why? Because we are still working to make sure everything is covered so you don't need to, just because the day is over does not mean we are finished.
Now, we won't lie. It's not uncommon for unexpected dramas to arise. Sometimes, the weather may not work in our favor, your attire might tear, and missing or damaged items (which happens surprisingly often) might mess up our original plan. But trust us when we say there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We always have a backup plan (or 5) set in place. Whether it's a last-minute rain plan, a handmade sign whipped up ( but still looking fabulous), a drunk aunt being shown to "the special room just for her," or a cocktail and a laugh to take the edge off, we've got you covered. You don't even need to know about half the BS that is going on, we are there to take care of it and you’re there to enjoy every moment.
What about on the actual wedding day (or all event days, because lets be honest this should be at least a three-day extravaganza), we'll be the first ones to arrive on the scene and the last ones to leave, dealing with every unwanted drama.
We are on the clock for you, your guests, and anyone you want us to care for. Anything that comes up will be immediately addressed so your experience goes smoothly. We take care of ALL the details so you don't need to.
The actual "luxury" - no bullshit, no drama, no stress!
The Truth of A Luxury Destination Location
(it's different from your local wedding experience)
Maybe we are biased, but we believe having a destination wedding in the Caribbean is unlike anything else!
Instagram-worthy settings are practically everywhere you turn, and the sun, sand, and waters are 'très romantique.' However, even though it is very beautiful, we all know we want much more than sand on a beach for our wedding. Many elements go into pulling off a flawless design that will make your friends jealous of the destination wedding experience. There are many complexities that go into that process, and one step is missed, it could turn your picture-perfect wedding into your friend's down-the-street potluck extravaganza.
Having a destination wedding in the Cayman Islands can involve a lot of logistics. We are not just talking about the venue, vendor choices, and the song you want to play for your first dance; we are talking about every tiny detail, from the scent in the air to the perfectly executed fireworks display and all the random local laws you need to work around.
Of course, it’s possible to do this by yourself, but it can be a tedious, stressful (and sometimes downright annoying) process that doesn't allow you to be pampered, spoiled, and thoroughly enjoy yourself as you should.
Yes, a luxury planner will help you design stunning décor, mouthwatering menus, rock-your-socks-off entertainment, and so much more, but a true luxury planner (not just a name we give ourselves) will make sure everything is taken care of there is no stone unturned not only on the wedding day but with every detail leading up to a DESTINATION wedding, this includes arranging a private seat on the plane just for your dress, welcome bags for all your guests, electrolytes for the heat, last-minute tan line fixes and much, much more!
OR hop on a discovery call
and experience for yourself the (real) luxury of having a destination wedding in the Cayman Islands.
Now, Why Choose A (real) Luxury Planner
(especially in a destination location)
The big question is, why wouldn't you choose a (real) luxury planner?
Considering your affinity for the finer things in life, an average "luxury" wedding planner won’t do the trick. You need someone who will guide you throughout the entire process, see your vision through your eyes, go above and beyond to realize it, and inform you about even the tiniest details about the most special day of your life (without boring you with unnecessary details).
You see, all wedding planners have unique traits that make them special. Some have a predetermined selection of venues and vendors, assuring you this is just what you need, yet disregarding your vision. Others promise you the wedding of a lifetime. While they may deliver in the initial moments, the second the kiss is sealed, and bottles are popped, they flee the scene in the blink of an eye (umm, who’s going to clean up at the end of the night? Let alone make sure your hotel room is clean, scented, with bubbles and your gifts awaiting).
These things make us shudder with fear.. who could do that?
A (real) luxury wedding planner will promise to achieve precisely what you’re looking for and vastly exceed your expectations!
Want to know what this experience with us could be like?
Check out "What it means to work with us",
