Not all destination wedding stories involve chaos and disaster. Sometimes, careful planning, the right venue, and experienced coordination create celebrations that couples remember fondly years later. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Kimberly shares her 2018 Dreams Onyx wedding story that proves destination weddings can be both cost-effective and flawless. Referred by her hairstylist , Kim worked with Shalene to narrow down options across multiple Caribbean islands before finding the perfect Dominican Republic resort with the stone gazebo that captured her vision. Her husband, Chad, was actively involved in planning, helping with decor decisions and seating arrangements. Seven years later, with zero regrets, Kim recently attended a poorly-coordinated destination wedding at a resort in Grenada that made her even more grateful for her Dreams Onyx experience. She shares insights about butler service that went beyond expectations, special accommodations for her ill father, celebrating her daughter's birthday during the trip, and why choosing the right resort and working with an experienced travel advisor matters tremendously. This episode offers valuable perspective for couples planning Dominican Republic destination weddings, demonstrating what proper venue selection and experienced coordination can achieve when everything comes together beautifully. #passportsandpromisespodcast #latitudeconciergetravels #latitudeapproved #destinationwedding #destinationweddings #dreamresorts #worldofhyatt #dreamsonyx #dominicanrepublic #weddingvenue #destinationweddingplanning #caribbeanwedding #stonegazebo #weddingsuccess #butlerservice #weddingcoordination #weddingplanning #traveladvisor #flawlessweddings #weddingmemories #celebration #LoveStory #perfectvenue #weddingdecor #familycelebration #travelexperiences #weddinginsights #kidfriendlyresorts Follow Passports & Promises!! Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast Follow Shalene!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/ Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@latitude.concierg Dream Onyx Resort & Spa Website - https://www.hyattinclusivecollection.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dreamsonyx/ Stylist: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyglenna/

Some destination weddings have minor hiccups. Lindsey DaSilva's 2018 Costa Rica celebration had twelve major disasters that would make most couples cancel everything. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Lindsey shares her legendary Dreams Las Mareas wedding story with the humor and perspective that got her through it all. Her mother-in-law got violently sick during the transfer, turning a 90-minute journey into a three-hour ordeal. The spa gave her bright orange eye-shadow instead of natural makeup, requiring her to wash her face and start over. The wedding bar only served the two juices she's allergic to, her dress suddenly didn't fit after being steamed, and her best man had an allergic reaction during his speech. The disasters continued with a DJ who completely ignored their playlist, a wedding video with no audio, and yes, a raccoon attack on Aunt Wendy. Yet seven years later, Lindsey and Mike are happily married with two kids, proving that wedding day catastrophes don't predict relationship success. Her story offers valuable insights for couples planning Costa Rica destination weddings, the importance of experienced coordinators, and why sometimes the worst weddings make the strongest marriages. This episode is essential listening for anyone who needs perspective on what really matters when celebrating love abroad. Follow Passports & Promises!! Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast Follow Shalene!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/ Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/ Follow Lindsey DaSilva: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_s_/ Two for Two Photography: Website: https://www.twofortwophotography.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twofortwophotography/

In this episode of Passports & Promises, Shalene and travel expert Lia Vincent dive into the unpredictable world of destination weddings and group travel. Talking about unique client requests like finding a lost umbrella in Mexico to managing tricky family dynamics and rooming challenges, they share unforgettable stories that reveal the real behind-the-scenes of planning paradise celebrations. In this episode, listeners will hear about common travel mishaps, last-minute changes, and the surprising ways couples and guests navigate the chaos of booking resorts and handling guest lists. Discover insights on enforcing group rules, handling drama, and keeping everyone happy on large trips. If managing travel groups or destination weddings sounds overwhelming, this episode offers laughs and lessons to make the process smoother. Tune in for travel tips, entertaining tales, and real-life advice from two insiders with years of experience. Follow Passports & Promises: Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/ Follow Shalene: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/ Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/ Follow Lia Vincent: Instagram: @lia.vincent — https://www.instagram.com/lia.vincent/ LinkedIn: Lia Vincent — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-vincent Website: https://www.vincentvacations.com/agents/liavincent TikTok - VincentVacations

Every destination wedding planner knows the nightmare: scattered WhatsApp groups, missed announcements, and guests left waiting when plans change. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Chanell Facey shares how her 2015 destination wedding disaster led to the creation of Grouped, an app designed to fix the chaos of group travel and wedding communication. As both co-founder of Grouped and a destination wedding specialist, Chanell explains how the platform helps planners and couples manage large guest lists, coordinate real-time itinerary updates, and send emergency alerts without relying on messy group chats. She shares experiences from coordinating a 96-person family trip in St. Martin to managing smaller wedding groups, showing how technology fills the gaps even in the most organized destination packages. The conversation also explores how planners and travel concierge services are using digital tools to streamline communication, ensuring guests stay informed and engaged throughout the event. Follow Passports & Promises: Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/ Follow Shalene: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/ Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/ Follow Chanell Facey: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanellfacey/ Website - https://thegroupedapp.com/

Planning the perfect destination wedding just got real for this Toronto couple. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Fabiola and Wilfred share their wedding planning guide to navigating an all inclusive destination wedding at one of the best destination wedding locations in Jamaica. Their Couples Resort experience reveals the hidden costs that wedding planning checklists never mention, including a shocking $3000 weather contingency decision for 'Tents,' that blindsided their wedding planning budget. This destination wedding planning nightmare turned into a valuable lessons about affordable destination weddings and managing last minute guest cancelations. They discuss why choosing adult-only destination wedding venues made sense for their lifestyle, the benefits of destination wedding packages with automatic payments, and their biggest wedding coordination mistake that had them scrambling the day before. Fabiola and Wilfred's wedding offers practical insights to couples researching destination wedding locations or wondering how a wedding coordinator manages weather forecasts threatening outdoor ceremonies. Their story proves that even the most organized destination weddings face unexpected challenges, but proper planning and flexibility can still create the perfect celebration. Follow Passports & Promises!! Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/ Follow Shalene!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/ Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/

Planning a destination wedding but don't know where to start? Travel agent Shalene teams up with destination wedding specialist Michelle Vuong to break down the biggest mistakes couples make when planning celebrations abroad. From choosing the wrong time of year that could double your costs to managing guests who disappear last minute, this episode reveals the insider secrets that could save you thousands. Michelle shares why February weddings are budget killers, how hurricane season affects only half the destinations you think it does, and why teachers on your guest list will completely change your planning timeline. Plus, discover the three different booking methods that can make or break your group's success and why some couples should absolutely skip destination weddings altogether. If you are torn between a courthouse ceremony or a Caribbean celebration, this episode gives you the roadmap to make the right choice for your wedding and your wallet. Connect with Shalene: Podcast: Website - passportsandpromisespodcast.com Instagram - @passportsandpromisespodcast YouTube - @passportsandpromisespodcast Shalene: Website - latitudeconciergetravels.com LinkedIn - @shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp Instagram - @latitude_concierge_travels Connect with Michelle Vuong: LinkedIn - @michelle-vuong Instagram - @michelle_travelconcierge Bio - futureleadersintravel.com/michelle-v Email - michellevuong077@gmail.com

Imagine getting a phone call telling you that you've won a completely free destination wedding package worth thousands of dollars. No catch, no hidden fees, just show up and say "I do" in paradise. That's exactly what happened to client and long time friend 'Yola,' when she entered a contest at a bridal show, and her journey exposed every myth about destination wedding planning. In this episode of Passports and Promises with Shalene, we talk about managing guests who bail last minute to choosing resorts that can make or break your celebration, Yola shares the unfiltered truth about what really happens when you plan a wedding abroad. Plus, hear about their recent trip to Dreams Natura - that almost didn't happen due to the worst travel day imaginable, complete with snowstorms, flight delays, and plane crashes! Also hear about a hilarious 6 person hibachi caper. This episode will change how you think about group travel and destination weddings.

Get ready for something special - two young travelers, 8-year-old Jordan and 10-year-old Jacob, also known as “The Potatoes”, share their unfiltered review of Beaches Turks and Caicos straight from their perspective. This adorable episode of Passports and Promises features Jacob and Jordan's hilarious take on resort life, from their daily froyo addiction that got them in trouble to Jacob's newfound independence checking himself out of the kids club. The siblings reveal the inside scoop on the best water slides (the LED-lit red one is "apparently legendary"), their favorite pools, and why the Italian village beats all the rest. Bringing you to a laugh at Jordan's 8th birthday cabana adventures, Jacob's strategic basketball court visits, and their very honest opinions about each resort section. Spoiler Alert: the Caribbean village is "insanely boring" according to them. From toilet overflows to singing Taylor Swift in the resort show, this episode captures the genuine excitement and disappointment of young travelers. Listen to discover their must-know tips about the swim-up bars and which water slides to hit first. These kids don't hold back - they'll tell you exactly which pools to choose, what restaurants to skip, and why you should pack your own spoons for froyo runs.

Join award-winning destination wedding specialist Shalene as she takes you behind the scenes of dreamy destination weddings and luxury travel experiences. Through real conversations and #LatitudeLessons from over two decades of expertise, Passports and Promises is a unique blend of emotion, humorous stories, and practical travel advice. As North America's trusted voice, Shalene features destination wedding planning tips, discusses popular and emerging destinations and the local culture, coveted wedding locations, and shares present and past client experiences/advice. With special episodes featuring Shalene's travel-savvy kids and their adventures abroad, Passports and Promises provides a well-rounded, honest, and engaging podcast designed to inspire couples deciding on destination weddings as well as those with a travel bug across Canada and the US.