For the bride planning a destination wedding, the details can be overwhelming. There are many unknowns which are hard to account for, including planning a memorable experience for your guests. Sure, they’ll remember a beautiful bride and a heartfelt ceremony, but as the host, you want your guests to enjoy their vacation time as well. 

Having never experienced either an all-inclusive or a Club Med property, the Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic made me a convert. I found myself sunning under an umbrella, drink in hand, next to the infinity-edge pool thinking of all of the ways I would’ve done my own destination wedding differently. I found my feet getting a bit hot, and without noticing, my umbrella had been shifted to accommodate the moving sun. I also didn’t notice my fresh cocktail, the extra ice water or afternoon snack bar which had been arranged. It dawned on me that service is the keystone of this property, and I wasn’t supposed to notice. Nor was I supposed to ask. At an elite all-inclusive resort, the details are already played out and executed for you. I wasn’t a bride, or a VIP, just a guest – and they had me covered. 

Having recently had a destination wedding of my own, I understand the bride can get hung up on making sure there are plans, meals and even activities to ensure your guests are comfortable. At the Club Med Punta Cana, these details are the responsibility of the friendly guest relations staff who immerse themselves in your vacation. You see them everywhere. They may dine with you or join you for a Latin dance class. From sun-up to sun-down, they are there making your stay more enjoyable. There is an abundance of dining, activity and entertainment options available for your guests throughout the day and property. Therefore, the destination bride is able to focus on just one thing — being a bride. 

The Club Med Punta Cana property is truly breathtaking. Being a bit of a self-proclaimed beach snob, I found the water incredibly clear and blue and the sand soft and white. The beachfront area of this property is massive. The rest of the grounds are tropical and lush, giving you the ultimate “Caribbean destination” ambiance. 

For the active wedding guest, the Club Med Punta Cana provides a plethora of options, all of which are set in a breathtaking scene. There is tennis, archery, kayaking, snorkeling, yoga, Latin dance classes — you can even have a go at the trapeze. You can allow your guests to get lost on the property, knowing they are enjoying every minute of their stay and ultimately knowing you are not responsible for entertaining them the entire trip. 

Focus on being a bride. Unwind. Relax. Treat your bridal party to an amazing treatment at the L’Occitane spa. Grab a bottle of wine at dinner (included, of course) and head down to the beach to catch a glimpse of those Caribbean stars. It’s sure to be an experience neither you, nor your guests, will soon forget.

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall2013/Winter 2014 issue. You can order a copy here.