Work With Melissa
Destination weddings, honeymoons, bachelorette trips, cruises, and adult-only getaways planned by someone who will absolutely tell you when something is a bad idea.
Meet Your Travel Advisor
Hi, I’m Melissa.
I’m Melissa Cottone, owner of Beyond the Wedding Travels and the very real human behind Destination Brides Club.
I’ve been a travel advisor for four years, specializing in destination weddings, honeymoons, bachelorette getaways, cruises, Mexico, the Caribbean, and a little bit of Europe and U.S. travel sprinkled in too.
What makes working with me different? I’m going to tell you the truth.
If you come to me with a resort and I know it is not the right fit, I’m going to say that. If pricing is about to jump, rooms are disappearing, or you need to make a decision quickly, I’m not going to dance around it.
I’m very unprofessional in the most professional way. I also cuss sometimes. So if that offends you, we may not be the right fit — and honestly, that’s okay.
I only take on a limited number of clients each month because I want your trip to actually have my attention. I do not stack a bunch of trips over the same travel weeks, and I’m very intentional about what I take on.
Also, because we are being honest here: I do not work for free.
Outside of travel, I’ve been married for over a decade and have two daughters who act like Donnie Thornberry in the absolute best way possible. I love charcuterie boards, fish tacos, fruity drinks, concerts, family time, and planning my next adventure.
We May Be A Great Fit If…
Yes, Please
- You want honest advice, even when it is not what you want to hear.
- You are overwhelmed and need someone to narrow things down.
- You value experience, organization, and straight answers.
- You want someone in your corner when travel gets weird.
Probably Not
- You want 47 resort options with no direction.
- You are shopping multiple travel advisors against each other.
- You expect unlimited free proposals.
- You are looking for someone to price match random third-party websites.
Services
How I Can Help
My job is to take the overwhelming information, narrow down your options, and help you make confident decisions based on your budget, travel style, and what you actually want.
Destination Weddings
Mexico, Caribbean, cruises, select Europe, and U.S. destinations coming soon.
Honeymoons
Beach, cruise, U.S., Europe, luxury, relaxed, adventurous, or tacos-and-a-beach-chair energy.
Bachelorettes
Mexico, cruises, Nashville, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Vegas, Michigan, and more.
Cruises
Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, groups, couples, families, and celebrations.
Adult-Only Getaways
Couples trips, friends trips, anniversaries, birthdays, and “I need a vacation” trips.
Limited Family Vacations
Accepted on a very limited basis. No theme parks.
Destination Weddings
Let’s Clear Up What I Actually Do
Most couples come to me because they’re completely overwhelmed. Every resort says they’re the best. Every photo looks beautiful. Nobody is responding. Facebook groups somehow make it worse.
That’s where I come in. I help you narrow down the destination, resort, hotel, or cruise venue that actually fits your wedding, budget, guest count, and travel style.
The resort wedding planner handles flowers, decor, menus, table settings, and wedding day details. I handle the travel logistics, room blocks, guest support, flights, transfers, excursions, deadlines, and the “how the heck is everyone getting there?” part.
Elopement
For fewer than 10 rooms. Resort matching, wedding planner introductions, and travel logistics.
Room Block Only
You already picked the venue and need someone to take over the travel side.
Grand Celebration
For 10+ rooms when you need resort matching, contracts, guest travel support, and a full room block setup.
Onsite Mexico and Caribbean wedding travel support is available for an additional cost.
Honeymoons
After The Wedding, You Deserve A Vacation
By the time most couples start thinking about their honeymoon, they’ve already paid for the venue, photographer, DJ, flowers, attire, favors, and approximately 17 things nobody warned them about.
I get it. But your honeymoon is one of the few wedding things that is actually just for the two of you.
I book honeymoons in the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, cruises, and select parts of Europe.
Honeymoon Fees
U.S., Mexico, Caribbean & Cruises: $50
Europe & other international destinations: $100
And yes, we need to be realistic. I know weddings are expensive, but friend… seven nights in St. Lucia with flights and all for $2k is not happening.
Bachelorette Trips
Because Getting 10 Adults To Agree On Anything Is Basically A Full-Time Job
Planning a bachelorette trip sounds fun until one person wants Mexico, one wants Nashville, one wants a cruise, someone suddenly can’t go, and somehow the bride is expected to keep everyone organized while planning her actual wedding.
I help with resorts, cruises, hotels, trusted vacation rentals, flights, transfers, excursions, payment deadlines, travel protection, and group chaos management.
Planning Fee
Discounts may be available for groups of 15+ travelers.
I do not book directly through Airbnb, but I do have trusted suppliers for vacation rentals.
Cruises
Oh How We Love The Ocean
Cruises are one of the easiest ways to bring people together because everyone can vacation differently while still traveling together.
My favorites are Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean.
They work beautifully for honeymoons, bachelorettes, families, friend groups, couples, celebrations, and group trips.
Adult-Only Getaways
Sometimes You Just Need A Vacation
Not every trip needs to be a wedding. Sometimes you just need a break, a fruity drink, and a resort where nobody is asking you for snacks.
I help with couples trips, anniversary trips, friend groups, birthday celebrations, girls trips, and adult-only escapes.
Not Ready To Hire A Travel Advisor?
À La Carte Travel Help
Maybe you want to book yourself, but you also want someone to look things over and make sure you’re not accidentally making an expensive mistake. I can help with that too.
Travel Consult
For travelers who are not in the market to hire a travel advisor but want a professional opinion before making a final decision.
Points Itinerary Help
Booking with Delta, Chase, or other points? Tell me what points you have and how many, and I’ll put together an itinerary for you to book yourself.
Limited Availability
Family Vacations With Children
I do book family vacations, but I take on very few of these each year. My primary specialties are weddings, honeymoons, adults-only travel, cruises, and groups.
Family vacation fee: $500 per family, up to 8 travelers.
Please note: I do not book theme parks.
The Process
Easy Peasy. But Let’s Set Expectations.
1. Consult
We chat about your trip, budget, travel style, must-haves, and whether we’re a good fit.
2. Recap Email
You receive everything we discussed, including fees, expectations, deadlines, and next steps.
3. Hire Me
Your concierge fee is due before any work begins. Once paid, planning officially starts.
4. Proposal
Most proposals are sent within 48 hours. Weddings may take up to 2 weeks due to resort availability.
5. Booking
We handle reservations, payment schedules, transfers, flights, excursions, and travel protection.
6. Support
From planning until after you get home, I’m here to answer questions and advocate when things go sideways.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge a fee?
Yep. Pricing is listed throughout this page.
Can I book myself?
Absolutely. I also offer trusted booking links and à la carte consult options.
Do you help with wedding planning?
I help with choosing the resort, hotel, cruise, and travel logistics. You will not find me picking flowers.
Do you offer payment plans?
For my planning fee, no. For the trip itself, usually yes depending on supplier deadlines.
Do you only book all-inclusives?
No, but they are my specialty. I also book cruises, U.S. travel, Europe, groups, and boutique-style trips.
Do you recommend travel insurance?
Every single time. You never know when you’ll need it.
Client Love
Real Travelers. Real Trips.
Ready To Start Planning?
Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, honeymoon, bachelorette trip, cruise, adults-only getaway, or family vacation, I’d love to hear about it.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.
Life is short. Take the trip. Order the fruity drink. Upgrade the room if it makes sense. And for the love of all things travel, please buy the travel insurance.