Marriott Rewards You for Saying "I Do" at 42 Hotels & Resorts

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International announced today the re-launch of the popular Vow to Get Away at Marriott promotion, offering up to 150,000 Marriott Rewards ® points for destination weddings booked at 42 participating resorts.  Participating hotels include JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida, Hawaii, Arizona and California, providing professional wedding planners, catering and event staff ready to serve and stunning locations for that most important day.

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According to the 2011 BRIDES American Wedding Study, one in ten engaged couples (15%) have a destination wedding. Of those having a destination wedding, they are staying an average of 6 days/nights on location and their guests are staying 3 days/nights.

To qualify for the Marriott Rewards points, enough for a six-night stay at your choice of luxury locations, your destination wedding package must have a minimum catering budget of $25,000 for Friday – Saturday events or a minimum catering budget of $12,000 for Sunday – Thursday events.  Weddings must be booked by December 1, 2012 and held by December 31, 2013 to be eligible.    For more information, visit www.marriott.com/vowtogetaway.

To generate buzz in the first month and a half of the year-long promotion, Marriott is running a Marriott Honeymoon Starter Giveaway on its Marriott Honeymoon Registry Facebook page, offering a prize of $2,500 Marriott Gift Card to one lucky fan, selected at random.  Visit http://www.facebook.com/marriotthoneymoonregistry  between February 15 and April 1, 2012, to enter and for giveaway terms and conditions.

"We are definitely seeing an increase in destination weddings at our hotels and resorts as more brides discover the ease of planning a reception at a hotel, where everything is under one roof, and the joy of being married in a spectacular location that all their guests can enjoy," said Meltem Priest, vice president of marketing and ecommerce, Americas for Marriott International resort and convention hotels. "And destination weddings do not have to cost any more than a hometown event."

For trends in destination weddings, just ask one of Marriott's certified wedding planners and catering specialists.

"We have noticed a trend that our destination weddings are getting smaller and much higher end, especially with decor. For example, a number of outdoor terrace weddings have gone with themes to enhance the already spectacular backdrop," said Dean Peters, market sales leader for catering, for Marriott properties in Florida. "We are also finding that couples are not planning every detail of their guests' itinerary. If you choose a location with a lot of activities, they will explore on their own. Remember, they are on vacation, too."

For more information on booking your wedding with the Vow to Get Away with Marriott promotion, visit www.marriott.com/vowtogetaway. For terms and conditions of the Marriott Honeymoon Starter Giveaway, visit http://www.facebook.com/marriotthoneymoonregistry

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.