Destination wedding specialists share booking insights for the Canadian market like the latest exotic honeymoon destinations and how couples are travelling further for the big day
Tell us a little about yourself and what made you specialize in romance bookings?
MB: Intending to embark on a career in journalism upon graduating, I entered the field just as the newspaper industry was declining and opportunities in journalism were few and far between. As a result, I pivoted into an event coordinator role, supporting an established city festival. I spent several years freelancing across a range of events, from city festivals to conferences. After moving to Vancouver in 2019, I managed a well-established yacht club where I booked and supported weddings. Prior to that, I was quite intimidated by weddings, as I saw them as a highly specialized form of planning that required a deeper understanding of design, hospitality, and guest experience. Over time, I developed that skill set, stepped into the space, and found a genuine passion for it.
Today, I specialize in destination weddings and romance travel because they create space for connection and offer a level of personal enrichment shaped by both the couple and the destination itself. There is nothing quite like the emotional depth of a wedding experience, and it is truly beautiful in every way.
CA: I was working for the federal government for 12 years when I knew that my life needed a change. I knew travel and food had to be a part of it, but romance sort of fell in my lap. As I started my travel business, my sister’s friend decided on a destination wedding and took a chance on a brand new agent. Then, the agency I worked for at the time, encouraged me to work my first wedding show – and the rest is 15 years of history and an amazing team.
What’s trending in the Canadian market for destination weddings?
MB: For couples dreaming of an outdoor wedding, Canada’s short wedding season, combined with the influence of social media, has shifted how they approach their wedding celebration. More are choosing destination weddings to create multi-day experiences rooted in culture, food, and connection, expanding their options beyond traditional favourites within a four-hour flight to destinations such as Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
CA: Given increases in pricing for groups, what clients used to expect as a good enough average price, no longer cuts it. Even when the couple is expecting a certain number to commit, even less are committing – likely due to price and possibly the economic and political climate that is leading to some fear and uncertainty.
What’s the average size of your destination wedding bookings and how far in advance are clients booking them?
MB: The average size of our destination wedding bookings is around 60 to 80 guests. Clients are typically booking at least a year in advance, which we recommend to allow for thoughtful planning and to secure the best availability across destinations and vendors.
CA: Clients are generally booking 12-15 months ahead and average group sizes are 40-70 people although we’ve recently had larger groups of 100-120 guests.
Where are couples going for their honeymoons? Anything exotic or interesting or off the beaten path?
MB: Couples are exploring a wide range of honeymoon destinations, from classic favourites to more adventurous escapes. Popular choices include Italian regions like the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Sardinia, and Mallorca, Spain, which continues to attract Canadians. Portugal is also a standout, especially the Douro Valley and Madeira, both offering rich scenery, outdoor activities, and culture. The Azores is increasingly being considered for its natural beauty and outdoor experiences, and when paired with Madeira, it creates a bucket-list style itinerary.
For couples seeking something more experiential, Iceland is a great option for its dramatic landscapes and immersive natural experiences.
In the Caribbean, destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, Saint Martin and Anguilla remain consistently popular. Tanzania is also emerging as a destination for couples looking for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon experience.
CA: Couples are looking for experiences and are willing to adventure into unknown territory for them – they want to move, and maximize their time in a destination (with a trusted professional by their side!). Portugal, Tanzania, Italy, France and Greece are popular destinations for us. Japan is becoming more popular as well.
Are there any trade-friendly hotels or brands that you think offer an elevated romantic escape? Why?
MB: Absolutely, there are a few that come to mind. Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is a stunning property with thoughtful service. They are highly attentive and consistently go above and beyond for guests celebrating milestone moments such as honeymoons.
Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira, is another favoured place to stay. It is incredibly romantic, with its old-world charm. It is the kind of place where couples can explore, slow down, and truly reconnect. In Funchal, there are also incredible romantic restaurants built into the seaside cliffs, which require a bit of discovery but are well worth it once you find them. I recommend couples invest in a photographer to capture beautiful lifelong memories against these landscapes.
Tuscany is another favourite, particularly for its countryside charm. Driving through the meadows is incredibly romantic. One property that comes to mind is Castelfalfi, with beautiful sunset views over the hills. It also has a lovely restaurant perched on the edge of the landscape, often with live music, offering a beautiful candlelit dinner experience.
Lastly, Hawaii is a couple’s paradise, where from dawn to dusk there are endless ways to explore and enjoy each other’s company by air, sea, and land. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is conveniently located on Ka‘anapali Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in North America.
CA: I think many are already familiar with great brands like Hyatt Inclusive and the Secrets and Zoetry brands, but I recently discovered a boutique hotel chain in Colombia called the Alba Group Hotels that offers small boutique villa style hotels with inner courtyards with semi-private pools – really special – an escape within a city. They also just launched a private island experience (currently only for small groups) but a great Romance and Foodie city/island combo for couples and friends.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started booking weddings?
MB: What I wish I knew earlier in my career is how much opportunity exists when you take a more proactive, investigative approach to sourcing venues.
When you send RFPs through destination management companies, you can uncover incredible properties that are not always visible online. Many have access to a much wider range of venues and accommodations than what is publicly marketed. This is where you can really differentiate your service and add value for clients by presenting options they would not easily find on their own.
CA: I wish I knew how time consuming it would be from an administrative perspective. If you do enough of them, you don’t have a lot of time for anything else given the administrative burden. Luckily I have an amazing team and we share the leads, which allows us each time for other types of travel, and not just weddings, which is important for us.
Do you have anything else to add on the topic of romance that you think other advisors may find interesting?
CA: Romance doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. In reality, the most memorable romantic moments are often the simplest ones. A sunset walk, a hidden wine bar, a scenic train ride, or a thoughtfully chosen room with a view can have just as much impact as a luxury upgrade. The key is understanding what romance means to that particular couple and designing experiences that help them connect in a way that feels authentic to them.
