Sandals Resorts: Millennial Brides Want To Have Their Cake, Eat It Too

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a survey of more than 1000 Millennials who recently wed at Sandals Resorts, these destination brides follow the same mantra of their generation: YOLO, or 'you only live once.' True to form, 77% of those surveyed said the resounding reason to plan a destination wedding was to 'seek a once in a lifetime experience' and nearly two thirds (62%) planned a dream destination wedding at Sandals Resorts in addition to an obligatory function closer to home, enjoying the best of both worlds.

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"Today's Millennial brides want it all, having their cake and literally eating it too," says Marsha-Ann Brown, director of Romance for Sandals Resorts, destination wedding experts and the Caribbean's leading Luxury Included® resort company for couples in love. "We work with destination brides each and every day and know that even though they may plan a second celebration closer to home, they want their Sandals destination wedding experience to be the ultimate wedding experience and an expression of their personality – full of fun, romance and of course set in an exotic locale. They also want to be part of the collaborative planning process to put their personal stamp on the day – from lace table settings to gluten-free cupcakes – but definitely still want the experts to bring their vision to life."

More Sun, Less Stress
Location was key amongst surveyed Millennial brides in fulfilling their 'once in a lifetime' destination wedding. Seventy percent of respondents chose the Caribbean because of its beautiful, warm weather, with 73% specifically hoping to exchange vows with their toes in the sand. More than half (67%) wanted a stress-free wedding planning experience; Sandals Resorts delivered on the promise with 83% believing their wedding planning process with the resort company was a breeze. Perhaps the most revealing reason for Millennials to plan a destination wedding: 82% said it took the pressure off the invitation list.

Wedding Guests…or Resort Guests?
Although a destination wedding may take the pressure off the guest list, those who do make the cut tend to relish the invite. Nearly half of respondents (49%) said their guests loved being able to turn their RSVP 'Yes' into a vacation at Sandals Resorts. "There's no question that the wedding day itself is all about the bride and groom, but on average, we have wedding parties of 10-20 guests that travel in for the big day," says Brown. With this in mind, 66% of Millennial brides said their wedding guests enjoyed scheduled activities, like a welcome cocktail party, private rehearsal dinners and catamaran cruises planned by Sandals Resorts.

Chatter Matters
Known as the digitally connected generation who share updates on every topic from recipes to job announcements, it is no surprise that Millennial brides tend to seek the opinions of others when planning their dream day. Nearly half of respondents (42%) said their parents were involved in their destination wedding planning process, from choosing the resort location to selecting from Sandals Resorts' customizable wedding decor and favors. Additionally, 67% used traditional wedding sites; 51% read bridal magazines; 35% explored Pinterest boards; and 37% tracked conversations via Facebook. Following along with the stress-free theme of a destination wedding, 54% of Millennial brides also used a travel agent to help plan their experience at Sandals Resorts, with many citing them as an 'invaluable' resource.

SOURCE Sandals Resorts