One of the most exciting and stressful parts of being engaged is planning the honeymoon. Thankfully, there are travel agents available to take the grunt work out of booking the trip, so couples can focus on wedding plans and, more importantly, on each other.
Jennifer McLemore is just one local agent who knows how to help couples make memories that last.
An agent for the Disney Earmarked Travel Agency, A Time to Treasure Travel since 2015, McLemore loves helping her clients realize their dream vacation. “I absolutely love seeing my customer’s plans come to life,” McLemore said. “I try to make their trip as flawless as possible.”
McLemore, certified through the Disney College of Knowledge, strives to help couples plan their journey as if it were her own. “Because I keep up with all the new info on an on-going basis and am willing to get up at 4 a.m. to secure the best reservations, fast-passes and current offers for my clients, it’s well worth using my services,” McLemore said.
The best part for brides and grooms on a budget? It’s free. Since McLemore is an agent for a Disney Earmarked Agency, she is paid via Disney for booking a client’s vacation – meaning there are no out of pocket expenses for the customer.
When you hire McLemore, you get an organized, detail-oriented agent who watches current offers, keeps an eye on the crowd calendar so she can plan trips to the right parks on the least crowded days, secures reservations, makes payments and makes any last minute adjustments as needed.
“I stay on the computer, so my clients don’t have to,” McLemore said. Clients are also able to call McLemore from their trip if any issues arise, which goes a long way for peace of mind.
There are also special perks to honeymooning in the Happiest Place on Earth. “Honeymooners receive ‘Just Married’ buttons,” McLemore said. “It’s so much fun to have Disney cast members telling you congratulations all day. Sometimes you may be chosen for surprises because they want your honeymoon to be a magical time! Even dining can be special because desserts often will be delivered with flair.”
McLemore knows all the ins and outs of Disney planning. “I typically recommend getting the dining plan that makes it an all inclusive trip,” McLemore said. She can book trips to Walt Disney World in Florida; Disneyland in California, and Disney cruises. Another romantic option for honeymooners is Disney Aulani in Hawaii.
For the more adventurous couple, there is also Adventures by Disney to consider. “These vacations cover exciting destinations around the world and offer unique experiences,” McLemore said. “There are some adult-exclusive adventures like exploring the rainforest, touring medieval castles or going on safari. There are also opportunities to cruise the rivers Danube or Rhine.”
“My clients get not just a travel agent to take care of the business end of their honeymoon or trip, but they get me personally,” McLemore said. “I fall head over heels for my clients and treat them with the utmost respect, listen to their hopes and dreams for their magical honeymoon or vacation and plan their trips as if they are royalty – because to me they are!” Contact Memorable Moments by Jennifer at [email protected] or jenniferraneymclemore@gmail.com.
Carol Richey, franchise owner of Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, also offers great advice to brides and grooms planning their honeymoon. “Book early!” Richey advised. “Airfare goes up every day, and that usually is the largest portion of a honeymoon.”
“It’s great when a couple has a budget, but it’s imperative to have a realistic budget,” Richey said. “Often, a bride and groom will come in wanting to spend a thousand dollars per person for a week in the Caribbean including airfare, and that’s just unrealistic.”
According to Richey, when it comes to honeymoon locations trends, some of the old favorites remain current hot spots. “The Caribbean is still an affordable favorite for the majority of honeymooners,” Richey said. “Some lucky couples have a bigger budget and can travel both farther and longer. And those couples are also looking for value. Everyone is cost-conscious and wants to make sure they are getting the best deal available.”
For Richey, she believes using a travel agent saves the bride and groom many headaches. “People just don’t have endless hours to research, book and follow up, and a bride and groom have even less time,” Richey said. “Often a honeymoon is the first big trip either one has ever planned. Who wouldn’t want help with that?” Richey also stresses the use of a local travel agent, for a variety of reasons. “Don’t leave the most important trip of your life together to a total stranger who has no accountability in your community,” Richey said. “Support the local economy and establish a relationship with the trained, certified, professional travel planner who can help you for the next thirty years.”
For more information or to book, visit www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-US/Broadmoor/home –Betsy St. Amant
