Why You Should Hire a Travel Agency for Your Honeymoon

Although often overlooked due to resources like Expedia and TripAdvisor, it's hard to deny the unparalleled advantage to hiring a travel agency when planning your honeymoon. In a world that is obsessed with "doing-it-yourself" and planning things online, couples often fall into the myth that hiring an agent is an unnecessary additional expense to the already-stretched budget. The reality of the matter is that hiring a travel agency can actually save you money AND give you access to perks that would otherwise be unavailable to you. If you aren't interested in hiring an agent due to what they know, you should be more so interested in hiring one because of who they know!

WeddingDay consulted with Scott Jones from EZTravelPad, an Indianapolis-based travel agency that specializes in honeymoons, destination weddings, and just about any other travel plan one could come up with! Scott is the owner and founder of EZTravelPad, as well as a seasoned domestic and international traveler. We set out to get to the bottom of what is so beneficial to working with an experienced agency versus the convenience of relying on well-known online resources.

WD: What is the number one reason or advantage for couples to hire a planner for their honeymoon?

Scott: Experience and relationships. Perhaps the most important value that I bring to the table is the ability to explain the subtle differences that separate one destination from another—or perhaps separate one resort from another within a particular destination. I spend approximately 30-40 days per year on resorts experiencing and building relationships with the management and staffs. This means that should something not be quite right, a quick call to a friend can often resolve an issue or misunderstanding very quickly. Relationships matter. Experience matters.

WD: What can couples expect when meeting with a travel agency?

Scott: One-on-one consulting. When I meet with a couple planning their honeymoon or destination wedding, I first try to get a sense of what they expect, then try to get a sense of their personalities which is a key component to ensuring the best choice is made from the start. The meeting also provides an opportunity for the couple to ask questions, and provide answers to questions they may not have even thought of yet.

WD: How much does hiring a travel planner cost in addition to the honeymoon costs?

Scott: Some travel agencies do charge fees which can vary widely (service fees, "plan to go" fees, upfront deposits, etc) - EZTravelPad does not. Our services are 100 percent complimentary for the couple and additionally, we can almost always guarantee the lowest price versus any Internet competitors. Resorts, cruise lines and tour operators value the insights that the travel professionals bring to the table. They find that couples who use a travel adviser are happier in their choice and much more likely to be a repeat guest. 

WD: Do couples actually save money by hiring a planner? How?

Scott: Often yes—couples can definitely save money by using a professional for help. The travel pro might know a trick or two on finding the best flight or leveraging a relationship for a better price. Very often, a simple email to the manager of the resort can result in some extra perks that the couple would not otherwise be entitled to. In short, relationships matter!

Additionally I would add this, it's not ALL about the money. A honeymoon is one of the most important and memorable vacations that a couple will ever take, so getting it right is usually more important than shaving a few bucks by skimping here or there. After all, what is more important, your money or your TIME?

WD: What kinds of things do travel agencies do for clients?

Scott: The list of services provided is long. From initial consultation to being there throughout the entire process to answering questions to offering advice on ways to reduce stress or add value. During travel, it's often beneficial to have someone "in your corner." Sometimes, problems can arise and having someone to help in the crunch can be a huge stress reliever. Often a travel adviser has a "special relationship" with a particular resort or destination tourist bureau and can add value. Another very important but often unspoken value-add is helping couples set realistic expectations. Sometimes beautiful resort pictures, excellent marketing brochures, cool websites and online reviews do not tell the whole story and it is really important to understand exactly what is, and what IS NOT included in order to make the best decision possible.

WD: What are some of the downfalls to couples planning their honeymoon on their own?

Scott: Often where a couple thinks that they want to go might not be the best fit for the experience they are looking for, so guidance and advice can come in handy for a couple interested in experiencing a new destination. Also, I believe that the biggest downfall to couples planning their own honeymoon is giving up on perks that they simply cannot arrange on their own. Some people believe that they need to remain "in control" to achieve the best "deal" but the truth is that any good travel consultant can help the couple achieve a better deal and also have more peace of mind all along the way. They are still ultimately in control, but with help that they can rely on all along the way. 

WD: If something goes wrong on the honeymoon, is the travel agency able to help or accountable for anything?

Scott: A quick call, text or email to a travel agency that is on the ball can quickly resolve many issues that might arise. Working directly with a travel adviser that you have built a relationship with is infinitely better than dealing with a call center.

WD: Walk us through the process of how you work with couples to plan their trip.

Scott:

Step 1 - Have a conversation to get a feel for what sort of experience the couple is interested in
Step 2 - Make some suggestions on what might be some of their best options
Step 3- Help them become comfortable in the choice they have made
Step 4- Make it super simple for them to firm up the reservation with a small deposit
Step 5- Make suggestions and answer questions that invariably come up along the way
Step 6- Physically mail travel docs and things they need to know in preparation for their upcoming honeymoon
Step 7- Be available should any issues arise during travel
Step 8- Follow up after they return to work to make sure that their experience was everything that they had hoped for 

EZTravelPad is one of a few partners with WeddingDay for our honeymoon giveaway. WeddingDay Magazine, EZTravelPad, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Fun Jet Vacations and Lomas Travel have united to offer one couple an all-expenses paid honeymoon to Riviera Maya, Mexico for five days! Brides need to register on the WeddingDay website and then they can submit an entry once a day! To read the eligibility requirements and to sign up, click here.