Published: February 18, 2010

Travel Planning and Tying the Knot Go Hand in Hand, AAA says

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The most memorable of occasions can be even more spectacular by talking to a travel agent before fixing a date and location.

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Couples contemplating future nuptials should talk to a travel agent before the wedding dress is ordered and the band is booked, AAA's travel experts say. That's because the complications and expense of a wedding can be better managed by selecting a honeymoon trip first, or even incorporating the wedding into the honeymoon itself.

"Whether you are planning to cruise, tour or just escape to an isolated dream destination, it is important to realize the costs and availability of certain trips can vary by season, trip-provider, the size of the party and even the day of the week," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services.

"Ideally, couples should make sure their choice of a date and wedding location will be in harmony with their honeymoon vacation plans. By talking to a travel agent first, you increase the odds of being able to leave when you want to, experience everything you had planned, and pay a price that fits within the overall wedding budget," he said.

Consider making the wedding part of the trip itself by either tying the knot at your dream destination, while cruising or at a port just prior to departure.

"Since many weddings frequently involve travel for invited guests, the betrothed may want to consider holding their wedding at a location that appeals to everyone. This can be a chapel in a themed resort, in the ballroom of a luxury hotel, or on board a cruise ship. With ships sailing from a variety of ports including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Baltimore, Norfolk, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Galveston, as well as Cocoa Beach (near Orlando), Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa it may be easier than you think to bring the wedding party with you, or arrange an exchange of vows just prior to sailing," MacDonell said.

AAA, which operates the largest full service leisure travel agency network in North America, is able to provide unmatched access to the travel industry's leading cruise, tour and lodging companies. Their services are available to everyone, although members are frequently entitled to special services and benefits. Most of AAA's travel partners cater to newlyweds and honeymooners with special packages and services designed to elevate their experience. "If you're dream wedding doesn't include worrying right up to the last minute about flowers, table settings, music, food, beverages and the comfort of your guests, then a conversation with one of our travel agents is definitely in order," MacDonell said. "Keep in mind, most luxury hotels, some tour companies and nearly all cruise ships have experienced staff dedicated to wedding events. They are there to handle most of the details and will work with you, and the future in-laws if you wish, to make sure there are no surprises.

A few examples of AAA travel partners that can help make dream weddings and honeymoons come true via AAA's travel agency network include:

    --  David's Bridal, specializing in wedding and honeymoon vacations arranged
        via Travel Impressions, offers travel packages that will appeal to
        honeymooners in many corners of the globe. Newlyweds can select from
        dozens of specials on travel to Europe, South America, the Caribbean,
        Central America, Hawaii, and the South Pacific. Fabulous destination
        weddings can be arranged in affordable and easily-reached locations such
        as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Ask a AAA
        travel agent about destination weddings at Paradisus Resorts, Breezes or
        one of their many honeymoon specials.
    --  Pleasant Holidays, offering honeymoon packages to destinations including
        Maui, Jamaica, Fiji, Tahiti, Dominican Republic and Mexico.
        All-inclusive, 3-day trips to Mexico that include air fare cost as
        little as $359 per person. Five nights in Tahiti, including air,
        inter-island transportation and daily breakfast cost $1,589 per person.
        To make planning as easy as possible, ask a AAA Travel Agent about the
        Pleasant Holidays Weddings Travel Desk.
    --  The Royal Romance Wedding Coordinators of Royal Caribbean International
        are ready to assist couples with planning shipboard weddings while in
        port prior to departure or at many destinations. Weddings can also be
        performed on shore in some locations. Royal Caribbean can also help
        non-sailing guests obtain hotel accommodations at some ports. Couples
        can relax knowing all professional services such as photographers,
        entertainment, cakes, beverages, and fresh flowers are included.
    --  Princess Cruises launched its historic seagoing weddings program in
        1998. Until then, it had been a common misperception that any ship
        captain could join couples in matrimony, but in truth no such ceremony
        had been performed aboard a major cruise ship. Today, Princess' "Tie the
        Knot" wedding program offers at-sea ceremonies in special wedding
        chapels on all of its ships, as well as weddings ashore at select ports
        of call, including locations in Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe. The
        program offers the convenience of an all-inclusive wedding and honeymoon
        in one customizable packaged starting at $1,800 for the ceremony and
        $450 for registration and license fees.
    --  Disney is renowned for making dreams come true, and when it comes to
        weddings and honeymoons, their imagination knows no boundaries. Whether
        you envision a fairy tale exchange of vows in one of their fabulous
        gardens or magnificent resort hotels in California or Florida, aboard a
        Disney Cruise Line ship, or on the beach of Disney's private island,
        Disney's wedding planning experts will guide you every step of the way.
        To make it easier to pay for a Disney wedding, couples can sign up for
        the Disney Honeymoon Registry.

Romantic travel doesn't have to begin with weddings or end with honeymoons. AAA's travel partners can also help with engagement ceremonies, bachelor and bachelorette parties, vow renewals and special anniversary celebrations. For information on any of these activities, visit your nearest AAA's travel agency network or go to AAA.com.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:

Twitter.com/AAAnews

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AAA news releases, high resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA NewsRoom at AAA.com/news.

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