Weddings and Honeymoons

Sharon Boissonneault
House of Travel
1170 Place du Frère André
Montréal, QC, H3B 3C6
514-842-8000 ext: 285
Email: sharon@hot.ca

www.facebook.com/TravelUnique/

destinationmariage.ca/maison-de-voyages/

Sharon has been in the travel industry for over 15 years. She specializes in destination weddings for the past 11 years. She’s had the opportunity to work on the wholesale side of the business being a wedding coordinator for Transat Holidays & Nolitours doing over 100 weddings a year. This work experience has given Sharon excellent contacts in the industry and the extra skills needed to negotiate & re-negotiate the best contracted rates and group conditions like no one else.

Having done this for many years Sharon is always up to date with the newest venues, resorts and tendencies. From upscale chic weddings in glamorous locations to laid back beach weddings in bungalow style intimate locations. Sharon will gladly assist you with your choice of destination, resort, venue, decorations & group activities according to your wants & needs. She’s always seeking new venues off the beaten path that will bring you and your loved ones to a “picture perfect wedding”.

A touch of tradition & culture adds a special twist to a destination wedding which makes it very unique & memorable. From themed ceremonies to special decorations, Sharon will definitely put everything together with you and have it set months in advance with the local wedding coordinator to relieve the pressure. She also has great ideas of where to shop for wedding favors and your decorations if you wish to lower the cost of the reception.

Sharon’s secret approach to planning every wedding is to organize with as much passion as if it is her own! From the group travel arrangements to the very last wedding detail… everything is planned out to perfection!!

The interview was done with Destination Vows:

How long have you been planning destination weddings?

I have been in the tourism industry for 15 years working both the wholesale & retail sides of the business.  I have been focusing mainly on destinations weddings & honeymoons for the past 11 years.  I also worked as wedding specialist for Transat Holidays / Nolitour groups department which permitted me to learn the back end of the wholesale side.  The knowledge acquired working for Transat Holidays has given me the ability to negotiate excellent group rates & conditions.  Having excellent contacts on the wholesale side is also very important when working on wedding groups and has great benefits for my clients.    

Over the past 11 years I have acquired great experience planning over 200 weddings & honeymoons.  I’m also a certified Destination Wedding& Honeymoon Specialist, AM Resort master agent, Palladium & Barceló expert.  My biggest accomplishment is being a Top 50 Jamaica Specialist in North America & the UK.    

What type of destination weddings do you organize?

I offer every type of destination wedding possible, according to religious beliefs and culture, sexual orientation, from very elegant to laid back weddings off the beaten path.   

Having planned several weddings, what has been your biggest challenge?

In 2009 the swine flu pandemic hit Mexico and I had to relocate a wedding for 40 guests from Riviera Maya to Punta Cana with less than 30 days.  I had to find a resort that was available and fit the couple’s criteria and ensure that they were ready to plan the wedding on short notice.  It was quite the challenge but the experience was very beneficial and the challenge was very exciting.  Everything went perfectly!  In 2017 the Caribbean was hit hard with hurricane season and I had to relocate to weddings from Saint Lucia to Mexico, this was quite the challenge to renegotiate excellent group rates and find availability months later in the planning process.  There's nothing like a good challenge and excelling a finding solutions. 

I approach every wedding project with great enthusiasm and passion.  No challenge is too big and no dreams are impossible to fulfill.  I’m fully dedicated to absolutely every wedding and I plan it as if it were my own.  I negotiate group rates & conditions as if it were my friends & family paying... so I'm always very pleased with the results I get for my wedding parties. 

As a destination wedding specialist, explain to us how your services will facilitate the wedding planning for future couples?  
I offer a turn-key service, from the ceremony to the cocktail and the reception.  I coordinate every activity of the wedding day from the hair styling, decorations to breakfast served in bed the next morning.  I can also coordinate any other activities planned during the week like excursions & tours and other private venues.   

My mission is to minimize the couples stress and to maximize their experience in a magical setting.
 
Do you have a preferred destination for weddings and honeymoons?  

Mexico, offers great diversity in culture, cuisine, attractions, resorts, beaches and the hospitality of the locals is wonderful.  For those who prefer getting married outside the resort they have everything from gorgeous rustic hacienda’s to very sleek modern villas.  From the Yucatan Peninsula to the Pacific Coast Mexico you can find something for everyone’s tastes and budget.  

What are your 5 golden rules for a successful destination wedding?

*    Top priority is definitely to work with a very knowledgeable & organized travel agent.
*    Select the perfect product to fit your dreams, needs and budget.
*    Start wedding planning as soon as the date & time is confirmed, do not wait until a month or 2 prior like some may suggest.  You really want to secure the best venues as soon as possible and start budgeting your wedding.  No room for last minute surprises.
*    It’s also important to start thinking about decorations as soon as you have the official guest list.  Decorations can be purchased here in-order to save and you can’t wait until the last minute.

Have a blast at your beautiful wedding and enjoy every moment with your loved ones! 

 

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