Barbados Crop Over Festival - A Carnival Extravaganza Like No Other!

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Barbados Crop Over Festival - A Carnival Extravaganza Like No Other!

Category: Island Life
September 4th 2023Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
Barbados Crop Over Festival - A Carnival Extravaganza Like No Other!

Cover image credit: Perris Tumbao/Shutterstock.com

Beautiful beaches, amazing weather, and some of the world's best festivals and events-there's so much to love about the Caribbean! Among the events held in this paradisiacal region, Barbados' Crop Over stands out as one of the most popular. This much-talked-about Caribbean festival takes place annually, either in the last week of July or in early August.

Crop Over Festival Barbados Carnival

Image credit: Perris Tumbao/Shutterstock.com

International music sensation Rihanna, born and raised in Barbados, is known to attend the Crop Over festival. Affectionately known as Riri, she regularly returns to her beloved home for this event. Her presence has significantly boosted the event's ratings, drawing larger crowds and creating a buzz around the festival. While Crop Over shares many similarities with other traditional carnivals in the Caribbean, its origins and focus set it apart. While cultural influences for the region's carnival celebrations vary, Crop Over is linked to the conclusion of the sugar cane harvest season.

If you're planning to visit Barbados for Crop Over, this article will cover everything you need to know from Tuk Bands and calypso to steel pan and colorful history!


When is the Crop Over Festival in Barbados?

The Crop Over Festival in Barbados takes place in late July or early August every year. The major events of this festival typically span a few weeks, but the excitement intensifies in the week leading up to the main event. Numerous events come to life before the main Crop Over parade, with even more happening afterward. While the dates can vary annually, Crop Over usually occurs during the first weekend in August. For 2024, Crop Over will happen from July 31st to August 6th.


What is the Crop Over Festival?

Crop Over is a Bajan celebration that highlights the island's culture and agricultural history. This event, which involves both locals and visitors, pays tribute to the men and women who worked in the sugarcane fields of Barbados. Before emancipation, slaves who originated from Africa toiled for years on sugar cane plantations in this region. Barbados was highly regarded as a top producer of sugarcane for quite a while. The Crop Over Festival shines a light on this aspect of the past and celebrates the present through music, events, costumes, and revelry, culminating in a grand street parade.


Crop Over Festival history

Although Crop Over involves lively dancing in flashy costumes to catchy beats, its origin is rooted in sugar cane production. The roots of this festival trace back to the 18th century when Barbados was one of the world's most prominent sugar cane producers. Given the island's intense history of slavery, it's unsurprising that slaves played a significant role in sugar cane harvesting.

Barbados Crop Over Festival Carnival

Image credit: Perris Tumbao/Shutterstock.com

The celebration part of Crop Over initially consisted of small gatherings after the sugar cane harvest. Over time, this small celebration evolved into a full-fledged festival attracting people from around the world. At its core, Crop Over aims to showcase the resilience, cultural heritage, and enduring spirit of the people of Barbados.


What to expect during the Crop Over Festival in Barbados

Traditions, music, and a sense of community are integral to the Crop Over Festival in Barbados. Like other Caribbean festivals, Crop Over is a whirlwind of fun, events, shows, parties, socializing, and a grand parade. Crop Over events unfold over days and weeks, similar to carnival events in the Caribbean. Many events during this time highlight various aspects of Bajan culture.

Some Crop Over events begin as early as June in Barbados and take place across the island. One highly attended event during the Crop Over Season is the Bridgetown Market, a large outdoor street fair. Here, you can sample local dishes, shop for arts and crafts, and enjoy entertainment and cultural performances. This event sets Crop Over apart from other carnival festivities in the region.

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Festivities and events

When attending Crop Over in Barbados, planning which events to attend is crucial due to the abundance of choices. The main events usually take place closer to the main parade, known as The Grand Kadooment. Major Crop Over events include soca and calypso competitions, parties, art shows, street fairs, and craft markets. Selecting events depends on your trip's dates, preferences, and event schedules. Some attendees opt to experience as many events as possible, while others focus solely on the main parade. Still, others aim for a balanced mix of everything to fully immerse themselves in the Bajan Crop Over experience.

Barbados Crop Over Festival Parade

Image credit: ARIMAG/Shutterstock.com

In terms of the Crop Over festivities and events, expect to learn more about Bajan culture, sample local food, become acquainted with local dances, and dive into Barbadian entertainment. Different events come at varying price points, so having a budget is advisable to avoid overspending.

Good to know: Barbados is not only great for festive occasions like Crop Over; it's also an excellent destination for couples. For those looking to tie the knot, Sandals Barbados is a top choice for weddings. When booking an all-inclusive vacation at this resort, inquire about opportunities for a free Sandals Resorts wedding!


The Grand Kadooment

The main parade of the Crop Over Festival in Barbados is known as The Grand Kadooment. This event serves as the highlight of the festivities and unfolds spectacularly on the streets of Bridgetown, the Barbadian capital. The Grand Kadooment shares similarities with carnival celebrations across the region, featuring fancy costumes, lively music, energetic dancing, and a plethora of Barbados food and drinks. This parade marks the culmination of the Crop Over Festival in Barbados.

Barbados Carnival Crop Over Festival

Image credit: Perris Tumbao/Shutterstock.com

Taking a closer look at Grand Kadooment in Barbados, the event draws up to 15,000 people. Revelers dance through the streets of St. Michael in dazzling costumes, some even in T-shirts. The parade, typically featuring energetic participants adorned in vibrant colors, feathers, beads, and more, begins at the National Stadium and winds through the streets to the Mighty Grynner Highway. Soca and calypso jams create a festive atmosphere. Despite the seeming length of the carnival route, participants often express that the distance is hardly noticeable amid the dancing and merriment.

Good to know: Even if you won't participate in Crop Over's Grand Kadooment in costume, you can still enjoy the festivities by watching from the sidelines, which can be equally entertaining.


Crop Over Sermon

Caribbean carnivals often have a religious aspect, often coinciding with religious observances like Lent. In Barbados, a religious ceremony known as The Crop Over Sermon takes place during Crop Over. This special church service occurs either inside local churches or at outdoor venues. The featured sermons typically delve into the festival's history, agricultural roots, and overall significance.

The Crop Over Sermon places a strong emphasis on gratitude. The service expresses thanksgiving for the successes of the harvest season. Prayers, hymns, and biblical readings are integral to the ceremony. Many of the biblical scriptures featured in this event focus on harvest, abundance, and community unity. Presenters at the Crop Over service often share inspirational messages of hope and encouragement, particularly regarding the resilience required to forge ahead toward a more prosperous future. Overall, this event aims to inspire and adds a reflective and unifying dimension to the Crop Over Festival while advocating for cultural preservation.

Calypso music

The Crop Over Festival celebrates not only Barbadian culture but also the island's thriving music industry. Each Caribbean island boasts its own unique music genre popular during festivities like Crop Over. In Barbados, calypso takes center stage. This genre, rooted in West African and Caribbean traditions, serves as the backdrop of the festival alongside infectious soca beats.

Sandals Resorts Canival Party Calypso

Image credit: Perris Tumbao/Shutterstock.com

While many islands share traditions of calypso and soca, what differentiates them are tone, lyrics, and delivery. Calypso tunes from various Caribbean islands often tell stories of love, social commentary, and the highs and lows of everyday life. These stories are delivered with witty wordplay, a hallmark of calypso. Local Calypsonians in Barbados and elsewhere vie for the titles of King or Queen of Calypso. Winning these competitions requires not only compelling lyrics but also stage presence and presentation. Energy, creativity, and crowd engagement are key.

Rocking a calypso audience can be challenging, whereas soca, another significant part of Crop Over, is more approachable due to its upbeat nature. Soca tunes have a knack for getting the crowd moving and grooving instantly. While calypso demands focused energy to win over the crowd, soca takes it a step further. Fortunately, Bajan artists excel in captivating their audience with electrifying soca performances. Both calypso and soca tunes can sometimes feature the steel pan, more commonly associated with calypso. Overall, both genres provide a platform for artists to express themselves, with calypso serving as the primary vessel for political and social commentaries that emerge annually during the Crop Over season.

Did you know?: The steel pan (also known as the steel drum) originated in Trinidad and Tobago. This instrument, made from repurposed oil drums intricately shaped and tuned, is central to many Caribbean islands' steel pan competitions during carnival time, featuring some of the best musicians.


Tuk Bands

Before visiting Barbados for Crop Over, familiarize yourself with various elements of the local carnival, including the lingo. Tuk Bands are an essential aspect of Barbadian carnival celebrations. This term refers to the traditional Barbadian musical ensemble that graces the festivities year after year. Tuk Band players can be spotted wielding a range of instruments, including drums, triangles, penny whistles, and bassoons. The result is a lively and energetic sound that's bound to get you grooving.

Barbados Crop Over Festival Tuk Band

Image credit: WH_Pics/Shutterstock.com

Tuk Bands play a pivotal role in Crop Over festivities, their music resonating throughout the festival's various events. Their presence serves to showcase the island's cultural heritage and preserve tradition. Tuk Bands symbolize the resilience, creativity, and indomitable spirit of the Barbadian people. They represent a celebration of the island's cultural heritage and serve as a symbol of identity for both Bajan people and visitors interested in immersing themselves in the island's traditions.

Similar to other cultural events in the Caribbean, Barbados places a strong emphasis on preserving traditional music and art forms. Showcasing Tuk Bands during the Crop Over Festival is one of the ways the island achieves this. With a musical foundation influenced by both African and European traditions, the energetic Tuk Bands add authenticity and local flair to the event, which revolves around bringing people together, celebrating the present, and looking toward the future.

Expert tip: There are lots of things Barbados is known for aside from the amazing Tuk Bands. This includes exciting attractions like Harrison's Cave. Here are some of the best things to do in Barbados and the best time to visit Barbados.


Bajan cuisine

Barbadian society is shaped by a fusion of cultures, prominently influenced by Africa and Europe. This cultural blend is evident in the island's cuisine, which draws from these influences as well as from other Caribbean islands. When it comes to Crop Over, food plays a pivotal role. During this time, you can savor authentic Bajan dishes from street vendors and some of the best restaurants in Barbados.

Flying Fish Barbados Food

Image credit: topimages/Shutterstock.com

Given that one of Crop Over's highlights is its food, let's explore some dishes you must try on the island. Popular favorites include flying fish and cou-cou. Cou-cou, made with cornmeal and okra or breadfruit and green bananas, is a fantastic starting point. You can also indulge in savory flavors, with options like pudding and souse. Pudding consists of steamed sweet potatoes, onions, salt, pepper, and other ingredients, while souse is a pickled pork dish. Additionally, Bajan Pepperpot, brown stew chicken, and macaroni pie are popular choices to explore during your time in Barbados.

Expert tip: The flavors of Bajan cuisine are rich and quite diverse. This means there is quite a lot to sample and experience! Here are some of the best Barbados food and drinks to try while vacationing on this island.


During Carnival season ... Barbados Crop Over shines in the region!

The Crop Over carnival is a grand celebration in Barbados, showcasing the best of Barbadian music, culture, events, cuisine, and much more. The local community unites during carnival season to ensure seamless festivities. From the lead-up events to the parade and cooldown events, you'll gain an authentic taste of Barbados through this event.

Barbados Carnival Crop Over Festival Aerial

Image credit: eustonmedia/Shutterstock.com

Whether you're drawn by the allure of Calypso or the flavors of Bajan cuisine, finding suitable accommodation is crucial for your Barbados carnival getaway. All-inclusive resorts are ideal for this type of trip, providing everything you need within the resort. Sandals Resorts' Barbados vacation packages encompass luxurious accommodations, gourmet cuisine, unlimited land and water sports, day and night entertainment, and much more. These resorts are perfect for couples seeking a vacation filled with the vibrancy, color, and excitement synonymous with Barbados' Crop Over.

Insider tip: While Crop Over is undoubtedly one of the best reasons to visit Barbados, the island's allure extends beyond special occasions. If you're considering a vacation on these shores, explore the all-inclusive vacation packages available.



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Sandals Resorts Wedding Packages

Your next great adventure begins here. Whether you prefer an intimate elopement or a grand affair, every wedding deserves a week-long celebration with a little something extra. Sandals and Beaches wedding packages offer the best of everything from pre-wedding events to unique wedding day and honeymoon experiences.

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Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

TWO LOVE BIRDS PACKAGE

Applicable for 2 people.

Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license

Pre-Wedding Events
• Scents of Love Couples massage*

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown

On Your Wedding Day
• Bridal attendant*
• 10 digital images

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Witnesses

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d'oeuvres
- Sparkling wine
- Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Private candlelight dinner with four-course menu and prosecco*

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

SWEETHEART WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $200 credit towards select photography packages
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Chef-inspired hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Reception table with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with white or magenta dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen and white cushioned Chiavari chairs

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package

- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

This package is complimentary when Bride and Groom stay for 7 nights or longer in Club or Butler categories. This offer is available Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm and is applicable only to 10 persons. This offer does not apply to ReTie the Knot ceremonies. Certain restrictions apply. See terms and conditions

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

BLISS WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 12 people or more

Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• 20 digital images
• $200 credit towards select videography packages

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for 1 member of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for 1 member of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen & white cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of your choice
• $100 credit towards either a Private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

EPIC WEDDING PACKAGE

Applicable for 52 people or more

Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license
• 6th Room Free* when traveling with 5 paid double rooms between Sept. 1 - Dec. 20 (up to 5 complimentary rooms)
• 12th Room Free* when 11 paid double rooms travel between Jan. 2 - Aug. 31. (up to 5 complimentary rooms)

Pre-Wedding Events
• One-hour private welcome cocktail
- Heavy hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• 2-hour private pre-wedding celebration dinner
• Wedding day treats : frozen fruit kabobs & small bites with sparkling wine for bride and groom (in-room while getting ready on day of wedding)

During Your Stay
• Onsite wedding event team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for the entire group (not applicable to retail items)

On Your Wedding Day
• $500 credit towards the Royal Romance photography package
• $500 credit towards the Ultimate videography package

At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• One speaker and one microphone
• Rose bouquet
• Rose boutonniere
• Rose bouquet for up to 2 members of wedding party
• Rose boutonniere for up to 2 members of wedding party
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs

At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d'oeuvres
- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocktail tables with white linen
• Three-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
• Reception table with white linen and whitecushioned Chiavari chairs
• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated or buffet menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas
• One sweetheart table to include white linen, standard place setting & 2 white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• Two-hour DJ entertainment

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine in resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
• $100 Credit towards either a private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package

RETIE THE KNOT PACKAGE

Applicable for up to 10 people.

RETIE Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• ReTie the Knot planning team
• Celebration gift registry and website templates
During Your Stay
• Onsite ReTie the Knot team: event coordination, setup & breakdown
• 15% off select Red Lane Spa services for bride and groom (not applicable to retail items)
• One 5x7 photo print
• One keepsake gift
At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid boutonniere
• White-cushioned Chiavari chairs
• ReTie the Knot commemorative certificate
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Single-tiered white fondant cake with dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen & white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category


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I wanted to share (with permission) these gorgeous pictures from a destination wedding 2 weekends ago we had the privilege of being a part of and booked by Lia. She chose this over the water wedding chapel in St. Lucia with friends and family there to help celebrate. I love her flower crown and her dress and how happy she is. Picture perfect. Congratulations Kate and Curtis! We are so happy for you!

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Lia was very helpful for us in planning our destination wedding to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had gone through a few other travel planners first who didn't seem nearly as interested in our needs. We really appreciated the way Lia helped us navigate through some of the complexities, including the local laws of Jamaica and the planning with the resort itself. Even once we got to the resort and ran into a few snags, Lia was able to quickly get those resolved very quickly. We would highly recommend her for anyone planning a destination wedding or any other vacation. Thanks, Lia, for making our destination wedding the most special day of our lives.

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wedding travel agent cancun
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My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.

Lia & Linze were both very warm and friendly, and from day one, we could tell cared about us as a couple and our destination wedding success, rather than just seeing us as more clients. I get stressed out easily, so planning my own wedding alone was overwhelming, even though my wedding was 10 months out. I ended up working with Linze, and we pushed up the wedding date with a little less than three months to prepare. I was initially nervous about using a travel agent / wedding planner, but it turned out to be a huge blessing, because it took away a lot of the stress and worry I was experiencing. A bride has so many things to worry about, so having someone else bear the brunt of the work and worry about the nitty-gritty details was a HUGE relief for me.

Why spend hours analyzing vendors and reading reviews, when you can have a pro do it? If you want an intimate wedding, if you want to elope, or if you want a huge all-out, go-into-debt-for-years wedding, and if you're in the market for a wedding travel agent, Lia and Linze should be at the top of your list!

The day of the wedding, everything was so beautiful, and so much better than I could have done on my own. Lia's company finds the best local vendors, so you know you'll get great value in your package, and what's nice is her company offers different packages for different budgets. We worked with and met AMAZING vendors! The reception was so elegant that as soon as I entered the reception, I felt amazement, joy, and relief because being the worrywart and control freak that I sometimes can be, it was hard for me to trust someone to somehow make everything perfect. Lia was able to give us the dream wedding we couldn't have done ourselves. Our family and friends were also amazed, and repeatedly told us how great the wedding, reception, and food were at the resort.

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Darby Brown - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Destination Wedding

I used Stephanie Tindall to help me choose the perfect resort in PV Mexico for where my guests would stay for my destination wedding. She went round and round with me helping me find the perfect location. It had to be nice, trendy, not to outrageously expensive and within a certain mile radius of a marina where my guests needed to go for the wedding. She helped everyone get booked and when things became a little hectic as tracking sometimes can get. She took care of the details. One of my guests had passport issues and she helped talk them through what to do. It was such a relief to have a point of contact for travel related issues so I didn't have to be stressed about it. She did this all with a patient, positive? upbeat and kind attitude through the entire process. I highly recommend her.
Thank you again, Darby Brown

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Unico was wonderful and the perfect place for our wedding! It was quiet and the ceremony was better than expected. We had it on the gazebo and it was away from everything, which was great. The photography was beyond our expectations. We have not received our video yet, but assume it will be just as great. I also used the in house vendor for make up and hair, and was not disappointed. The wedding coordinator, Nazareth, was so sweet and on point. We used the local host quite a bit with WhatsApp, which was quite convenient. Food and drinks were amazing. We were disappointed that 2087 restaurant was down for half of our stay for repairs. We ate at Mi Carisa on our wedding night, which was the perfect choice. Service was also best there. We scheduled 2 tours through the hotel, a sunset cruise and Chichen Itza express. The boat tour was nice. Chichen itza tour was too fast and ok. We really appreciate your recommendations and help booking our wedding and stay. It was wonderful! Thank you again, Juliet and Jason

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We just got back from an AMAZING wedding weekend yesterday. I can't begin to thank you enough for your help and support during the entire process. Everyone had a great time. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I can't believe how stress-free it was once I got there. Thank you Thank you!

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I have never used a travel agent before Lia. I have always been the "I can do everything cheaper by myself on the internet" type person; most of the time, it works great. When my husband and I decided to have a destination wedding, we were not sure about anything - number of guests, length of stay, etc; we also have very demanding jobs, requiring constant travels up until the week before our wedding. So we thought that a travel agent may be a lifesaver; as it turned out, she was. Lia was endorsed as an expert in destination weddings on the American Express Travel website. Although she lived over a 1,000 miles away, I felt comfortable.

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UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
Jenni Johnson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Lia being referred to me saved me so much wedding planning mental anguish! I had tried with a few other travel agents before I had two different people give me Lia's name, and with each of the previous TAs they had to look into things and call me back (I'm still waiting for those calls). Getting in touch with Lia was a whole new experience, she answered all my initial questions in that first phone call, had so many recommendations, and it was obvious she knew exactly what she was doing. By the time we hung up the first phone call, I had decided on a destination and venue (per Lia's suggestion). She was a God send! A year later, we are still having people talk about what a great trip it was and people are always amazed by what a great turn out we had. We ended up with about 60 people, all booking through Lia and everyone had a flawless experience. One even asked for her name when planning her destination wedding a few months later and was just as pleased! Lia told me a lot through the planning process that I was such a laid-back bride, but it really was because she left me nothing to worry about. She answered any question I had, was always quick to respond to calls and emails, and helped me plan the most perfect wedding ever. I wish I could re-live it all again!!

Sara Thompson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Cozumel Palace, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Throughout the process we felt completely at ease as she handled some of the most important details of planning for this special time. From her first recommendations of resorts and destinations to her help arranging travel for our closest family and friends we always felt grateful having Lia on our side. We highly recommend Lia Vincent and Palace Resorts for your destination wedding!

Bridgette Cariker - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Destination Wedding

I am truly so grateful for you and all of your help! Le Blanc was amazing! NOTHING could have been better, except maybe the weather, but the staff, food, and service were above and beyond! We will definitely go back there!! Love, Love, Love you for all of your help - Can NOT thank you enough!!

Saundra Ogden - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace, Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

Lia was a phenomenal help from the beginning. She was referred to me by a friend, and I was incredibly thankful that we used her. When we started planning, we became overwhelmed with all of the information that is available.

We met with her for about 45 minutes one afternoon, took her pictures of spaces we had seen online and liked, and gave her a list of our "must-haves", a list of things that would be nice but didn't matter too much, and a list of things we absolutely did NOT want. She kind of thought about things for a minute, and then listed 3 resorts that fit every single one of our needs. She then ran sample pricing from EVERY location our guests would be traveling from so we could figure out what best fit our and our guests' travel budgets. After about a million more questions from me, we finally settled on her initial recommendation, the Beach Palace in Cancun. As we went through the process, any time I had a question, problem, or was just worried about something not being right, she was my go-to person. I'm not kidding, she would answer me in like, less than an hour 99% of the time. She even took my file home one weekend to give me more time to figure something out before she ran credit cards and got it booked. She was a Godsend!

Casey Morris - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Riu Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Lia with Lia helped us plan our destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We had a total of 11 people and she helped each of them set up their arrangements. From the beginning she was so helpful and always quick to respond. She made the entire process a breeze. She communicated with the wedding coordinator at the Riu Palace and made sure everything was just like we wanted. We did not have any issues at all, thanks to Lia and all of her thorough planning. Each of our guests bragged on her and said how easy it was to work with her. I would recommend Lia for all of your planning needs whether it be just a short vacation or a destination wedding. She knows what she is doing and will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you have the best vacation.

Mindy Huffman - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right off the beach. It was pure bliss, and everything I could have ever dreamed of! I may be biased, but destination weddings are certainly the way to go and thanks to our wonderful Travel Agent Lia Vincent at Vincent Vacations, we were able to find the perfect place! I had the opportunity to be able to edit the straight out of camera photos from my wedding! Here is a glimpse of our wedding day in paradise!

Justin and Mariama Jordan - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Iberostar, Grand Punta Cana, Destination Wedding

We had the most amazing time at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about what an amazing trip it was! Thank you for your help with organizing this unforgettable time for us, we cannot wait to put our pictures in our new frame!

Kylee & David - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding

Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!

Chelsey Groh - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding

"It was beautiful! Everybody had a fantastic time!"

The staff was wonderful, the rooms were gorgeous, and the food was AMAZING! Our wedding could not have been more perfect and if you have any brides that want a beautiful wedding on a budget, The Excellence Punta Cana would be my number one recommendation. Emy and Livia were fantastic and everything was just PERFECT! Chris couldn't even believe how wonderful it was.

Thank you again for all of your help!!!

Amy Taylor - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

As soon as Jimmy asked me to marry him, I knew we would want a destination wedding. We love to travel, and we love the beach, so there was no more perfect place to start our lives together than a beach in Mexico!

I am not the wedding planning type, and I knew that with a destination wedding, we could get someone else to plan the details for us. Luckily for me, my friend Lia at Vincent Vacations specializes in Destination Weddings. Lia had taken care of trips for us in the past, and I knew she was the perfect person to help me plan this trip. I was right! She helped me look through destinations, and we found the perfect spot: Dreams in Puerto Vallarta! The package came with a wedding planner, who took care of the details for me. 21 of our friends and family came with us, and everyone loved the resort. Our party ranged in age from 7 to 82, and everyone agreed it was an amazing trip. There were activities for the kids, and plenty of excursions for everyone to choose from. The staff was wonderful, and pampered us from the time we arrived. One of my bridesmaids had a broken foot and was on crutches, and was in a wheelchair some. The hotel staff assisted her anytime she needed it, including carrying her and her wheelchair up and down large flights of stairs. They were amazing! All the rooms are ocean front, with beautiful views. Jimmy and I stayed in the "Preferred" tower, and our room came with a great balcony with a hot tub! Most of our guests stayed in the other tower, but the resort is small enough, this was not a problem at all. They all loved their rooms as well. The wedding planner met with me in advance to work out the last minute details and timing. When our wedding day came, everything went perfectly. We got married on the beach right in front of the ocean. We had a sound system and a dj who played all the songs that we picked out in advance. My Dad is a minister, and he performed the service for us. We had 21 in our wedding party, but it felt like a much bigger wedding because lots of people watched the wedding. You could see people everywhere on their balconies watching, which made us feel like rock stars. We had a Mexican band that played a few songs after the wedding. The wedding came with a photographer and videographer who did amazing job! We took pictures right after the wedding, then we had dinner which also came with the wedding. We had steak and chicken which tasted great. Of course, I also asked them for chips and guacamole. (I love the guacamole in Mexico.) They were happy to oblige. They provided the wedding cake after which was amazing. After the wedding, my husband and I stayed for another 4 days, and it was paradise. I could not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married, or a less stressful way to do it. Thanks Lia and Vincent Vacations for making our special day an amazingly unforgettable experience!

John and Jane - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Jamaica, Destination Wedding

Love the pictures one of our brides just shared from her elopement in Jamaica! Thank you for sharing with us! Did you know we book Destination weddings of all sizes? If it's just the 2 of you or a group of 250, give us a call!

Marty Hill - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Grand Fiesta Americana, Los Cabos, Mexico, Destination Wedding

This was the best and easiest decision we made about our entire wedding! Lia at All Inclusive Weddings is the absolute best, extremely intelligent, hard working, and so caring. She truly makes you feel like you are her only client throughout the entire process. We had about 120 people coming to our Cabo wedding and even had to switch resorts, visitors coming from all different states and even Europe. She was calm, and kept the bride and groom calm! Every detail was taken care of and it was made to be the most perfect wedding!

Tiffany Phillips - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Finest, Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding

I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work to arrange the hotel and transfers for Ashley and Robbie's wedding. It was perfect and everything that she had ever dreamed of! The resort was amazing! We had great food at all the restaurants. The staff went over the top to accommodate any needs that you could have had! Everyone felt safe and the beaches are beautiful. Since it's more private you don't get the crazy vendors walking the beach trying to sell you stuff. Our family loved it so much and we defiantly will be planning another vacation. You will be the first I call if we need help to organize something! Thank you again for everything

And lots more!
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!

Contact us today to learn more about All Inclusive Weddings!

how can we help you?

Your love story is unique and special, and we understand your wedding should be, too!

Everything you need to celebrate your special day at Sandals Resorts with elegance and simplicity. It's the perfect start to the perfect marriage. Our frequently asked questions area has many answers about our process.

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Get in Touch With Us

We are a travel agency specializing in destination weddings, romance travel & experiences.

Dallas Office: 1341 W Mockingbird Ln., Suite 600W, Dallas, TX 75247
OKC Office: 9300 N. May Ave., Suite #400, OKC, OK 73120
destination wedding agent contact
1 (888) 976-0061