perfectweddingideas

All-inclusive Wedding Package

$$ DIY: Partial

Best for: couples seeking unique wedding venues

Destination

The honest take

All-inclusive destination packages sell you the fantasy of “everything’s handled”—and then you show up to a ballroom that looks identical to 200 weddings before yours. The décor is often beige linens, plastic vases, and a centerpiece that cost the resort $6 to produce and charge you $40 per table to include.

The good news: you can override 80% of it without fighting the resort. The bad news: “personalization” at an all-inclusive usually means working with their inventory, not replacing it, unless you’re willing to pay landing fees and coordinate a week ahead.

This works best when:

This looks wrong when:

Trend status: Honest destination design—where you acknowledge the setting instead of fighting it—is gaining. Over-styled, imported-everything destination weddings look more dated by the year.

What you need (and how much)

Assumption: resort provides basic linens, tables, chairs, and a centerpiece allowance. You’re enhancing, not rebuilding.

Per-table centrepiece (enhancement layer):

For 10 tables: $150–350 (local) or $350–600 (imported).

Ceremony arch (if resort doesn’t provide):

Note on import: Flowers shipped to all-inclusive resorts often arrive 30–50% wilted due to temperature, humidity, and handling. Budget 1.5x your stem count if flying them in. Better to work with what grows locally—a florist on-site can source within 48 hours without damage.

DIY step-by-step

This assumes you’re working with the resort’s basic setup and adding layers yourself.

1. Confirm what’s included (3 months out) Get a written list from your resort contact: tables, linens, centerpiece budget, ceremony arch availability, refrigeration access. Ask specifically about humidity levels and water sources. This matters for every decision below.

2. Scout local vendors (8 weeks out) Email 3–5 local florists with photos of the venue and your colour palette. Ask for:

3. Sketch a two-layer centrepiece (6 weeks out) Layer 1 (provided by resort): their generic centerpiece. Layer 2 (your addition): one statement element—a single tall branch, a wrapped candle, a small fruit arrangement, or a single large bloom in a separate small vessel. This creates visual hierarchy without wholesale replacement.

4. Order florals (3 weeks out) If importing: book now. If local: confirm availability with florist. If DIY local foliage: identify 2–3 types you can gather yourself 2 days before (palm fronds, banana leaves, local greens). Bring floral scissors and newspaper. Hydrate immediately in resort room.

5. Gather non-perishables (4 weeks out) Candles, vases, floral tape, scissors, floral foam (if needed), catering markers (for place cards). Ship to resort or pack in checked luggage. Buy tea lights locally the day before—cheaper and no import hassle.

6. Ceremony arch build (day-of, 4–5 hours before) If the resort provides a frame:

If you’re renting a frame: arrange delivery 24 hours before. Get photos of assembly from the vendor—don’t assume “arch rental” includes setup labor.

7. Table centrepiece assembly (3–4 hours before ceremony)

8. Storage & humidity

Timing summary:

Hiring a florist instead

When to hire local:

When to hire full-service (vs. just sourcing):

When to hire à la carte (sourcing only):

What to ask a local florist:

  1. “What florals are in season during my wedding month, and which are most heat-resistant?”
  2. “What’s your typical lifespan estimate for a full arrangement in our venue’s climate?”
  3. “Do you do day-of setup, and is that included or extra?”
  4. “Can I see a sample arch and 3–5 table arrangements before committing?”
  5. “What happens if florals damage during delivery—do you have backup stock?”

Local florists are usually $400–600 cheaper than importing + arranging yourself, because they work with what thrives locally.

Works with these colour palettes

1. Terracotta + Sage + Cream Warm, earthy, transitions well from beachside to sunset. Works with local roses, dried grasses, and simple linens. Feels intentional without high florals budget.

2. Navy + Gold + Ivory Classic, reads luxury even on a budget. Pair with white orchids, eucalyptus, gold-painted branches. Works for tropical or Mediterranean settings.

3. Blush + Olive + Natural Wood Soft, organic. Requires local foliage (lots of greenery). Minimal florals = lower cost. Best for jungle or resort-garden venues where the landscape does half the work.

4. Jewel Tones (Emerald, Sapphire) + Brass Bold, intentional. Works only if the venue backdrop is neutral (white walls, sand, rock). Pair with tropical blooms (bird of paradise, anthuriums). Reads expensive; costs moderate if you source locally.

5. Sunset Palette (Coral + Peach + Gold) + Green Works for evening receptions overlooking water. Leans hard on the venue’s light. Requires fewer florals if lighting is right. Most forgiving for “less is more” décor.

Avoid pastels (they fade in harsh sun). Avoid pure white (blends into sand/beach). Avoid trendy “blush” (it looks dated in destination photos).

Common mistakes

1. Ordering florals from the US expecting them to arrive pristine Humidity + heat + 36+ hours in transit = 40–60% loss. Either source locally or order 1.5x what you think you need. Better: skip this and work with what blooms on-site.

2. Assuming the resort’s “included centerpiece” is baseline Most all-inclusive centerpieces are recycled florals from the day before, in unrefreshed water. Treat them as decor obstacles, not starting points. Your layer-on strategy should hide or replace them, not enhance the existing tired arrangement.

3. Over-designing for photos, under-designing for reality Styled shoots are lit by professional crews and shot for 20 minutes max. Your centrepieces will sit in 95° humidity for 4 hours. What looks architectural in a photo wilts in real life. Simplicity + repetition = stronger results than one-off statement pieces.

4. Forgetting to budget for local labour “Setup” sounds free until you realize you’re in a wedding dress 4 hours before go-time trying to assemble 12 centerpieces. Local florist labour is $200–400 well spent. Factor it in.

Alternatives if this isn’t your vibe

Alternative 1: Maximalist local celebration Lean harder into the destination’s culture—source textiles, lanterns, or décor from that country instead of fighting it with imported floral design. This is often cheaper and more photogenic than trying to replicate a Western wedding aesthetic.

Alternative 2: Minimal + high-impact single elements Skip centerpieces entirely. Instead, invest in one statement: a dramatic ceremony arch, elevated lighting (string lights, lanterns), or a striking lounge area with oversized cushions and local textiles. Works for smaller weddings (under 75 guests) and feels more curated than “adding layers to resort default.”

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      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "text": "Scout local florists 8 weeks out. Ask about available blooms, delivery fees, setup time, and humidity durability notes for your wedding date."
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      "text": "Sketch a two-layer centerpiece: use the resort's default as layer one, add a single statement element (tall branch, wrapped candle, or focal bloom) as layer two."
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