Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with an incredible panel for the Wedding Market Chat with the talented DFW Events at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. The panelists included (along with myself): Walt Shepard, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Inside Weddings, Mary-Frances Hurt, Founder & CEO of DFW Events and Gail Wargo, Director of Westin Sales & Marketing.
We answered all of your most asked wedding questions for brides and planners alike.
How did you get involved with the wedding industry?
Walt Shepard: I founded Inside Weddings in 2002 as a newspaper; today it’s the best-selling wedding magazine.
Mary-Frances Hurt: By planning my wedding. There was a need for planners who made the process fun and accessible to everyone!
Me: Entertaining is in my blood. I began in hospitality and gained great knowledge in service and operations.
What makes weddings or destination weddings on Hilton Head Island unique?
Walt: You’re able to choose anything from a laid-back rehearsal dinner by the sea, ceremony on the sand or a reception in the planned oceanfront pavilion.
Mary-Frances: HHI combines an island vibe with southern style! You can do a luxury wedding while enjoy the laid-back feel of the Lowcountry.
Me: The Lowcountry is all about being on the tides and becoming connected with the culture, history and nature.
Gail: An island wedding with southern charm. It has unspoiled coastal beauty, fresh farm and sea cuisine; so much fun.
What makes Hilton Head Island the ideal location for wedding guests?
Walt: SO many things for a planner to use locally. You don’t need to bring everything in to have a destination wedding on HHI. The purity of the landscape here is so unique. Locals take great care to preserve the rich history and natural resources.
Mary-Frances: Loaded with things to do! Biking one minute, kayaking the next, shopping, dolphin tours, fishing, history, live music…
Me: Destination weddings are about experiences and relaxation; Hilton Head offers great options for both!
What does Westin HHI offer for a wedding?
Mary Frances: Multiple options for event spaces indoor/outdoor. Oceanfront views, fabulous service, food and the spa; easy travel!
Me: Westin HHI has a philosophy of well wishes to love well, a great atmosphere, good food and a heavenly bed!
How many different wedding locations does Westin HHI offer?
Me: The Grand Ballroom, the Mitchelville Gazebo Room the Oceanfront Deck and the NEW Oceanfront Pavilion.
Gail: Say “I do” or celebrate on the Oceanfront Deck, sunlit Gazebo Room, the coastal-chic Ballroom or keep your toes in the sand. We just announced our new Oceanfront Pavilion to open in 2017, with glass-enclosed climate comfort and room for up to 200 guests.
How many months in advance are brides planning a destination wedding?
Walt: Planning a destination wedding can really occur as quickly as a few months or be booked out as far as two years.
Mary-Frances: Typically 9-12 months. It allows time to do an initial site visit, learn the area and gather info for save-the-dates.
Me: Nine months is average; however, some brides plan in four months and some plan in twelve. Any timeframe is possible, but a bride has to be more quickly decisive with a shorter window.
Are couples using honeymoon registries to pay for the honeymoon as a wedding gift?
Walt: We see that many brides utilize honeymoon registries. It’s a neat way for guests to purchase experiences for the couple. The excursions can range from romantic spa treatments and sunset dinners to exhilarating outings like bungee jumping.
Mary-Frances: At this time, that’s not really something we’re seeing in our market.
Me: I understand the reasoning, but I’m not in favor of registries that request money toward large purchases.
What are the latest trends in destination weddings?
Mary-Frances: Asking for early responses in the save-the-date. As planners, this allows us to custom tailor the experience for guests. Detailed websites. When building client sites, we like to include Pinterest boards to give a visual attire reference.
Me: For a destination wedding, couples are hosting a weekend celebrations with multiple events and activities.
What types of packages does Westin HHI offer for weddings?
Gail: Check out our #HitchedinaHurry and Intimate Ceremony pages at http://westinhhi.com/ #westinHHI #spaweddings.
What are some HHI weddings trends that you don’t see on a national level?
Walt: We loved experiencing the gospel choir and could see a guest send-off gospel brunch to end a weekend Lowcountry style.
Mary-Frances: Food, décor and entertainment all reflect the unique features of the Lowcountry!
Me: An oyster roast is a perfect welcome where guests can enjoy local sea to table dining with Southern hospitality.
Gail: As “The Beast Beach for Families” in the US, HHI is the perfect summer wedding destination, as well as a memorable family-vacation spot too!
What are some of the latest trends in catering?
Walt: Twists on comfort food appetizers (Think: Pulled Pork Sliders with a layer of Mac-n-Cheese) and unexpected late-night snacks. Scrumptious ideas are individual molten cakes, freshly made donuts, retro bagel stand or a French-style crepe kiosk. When planning a destination wedding, its great for guests to experience local cuisine and get the local experience.
Mary-Frances: Stations curated as a small plate with a crafted cocktail pairing. There’s also a lot more emphasis on local ingredients.
Me: Farm to table, healthy options, small plates or station style receptions.
How are couples making their bar/beverages more customized?
Mary-Frances: Couples are now incorporating specialty bartenders who can create crafted cocktails.
Me: Signature drinks featuring local ingredients, his-and-hers cocktails and local brews.
What type of salon options can couples obtain from Westin HHI?
Me: Mani/pedi, hair-styling, up-do’s, massages, facials, wax services, couple’s massages, aromatherapy…
Gail: Couples mani/pedi at http://heavenlyspahhi.com/, couple’s massage suite, professiona hair, make-up and beauty services on-site. Bridal party treatments, stle packages, champagne luncheons can be created just for you!
How do you use social media to promote your weddings and business?
Walt: We post on social media just about every hour. You’ll see us on Instagram, Google+, etc. We’re always adding new content.
Mary-Frances: We love Instagram – it’s such a visual platform (@dfwevents)! We’re also interested in Periscope to show what we do on a day-to-day basis.
Me: To stay connected, inspired and tuned into current trends, new ideas and name recognition.
Gail: Check out #wedatthewestin on Instagram for a glimpse at all of our all-star wedding professionals fam!
What types of apps or technology do you see couples using to help with their wedding planning?
Walt: Apps that offer easy-to-use tools or services! Beauty teams that come to you are huge. Try GlamSquad or BeGlammed. Efficient ways to share and store photos on the big day and after is a priority. Our brides seems to love WedPics. Registry apps are also especially useful! One of our favorites is Bloomingdales’ Big Brown App.
Mary-Frances: Pinterest is still huge for planning. Google Calendar is an easy way to connect with your wedding party and What’s App is great for a destination!
Me: Grouptext app is popular for any last minute updates! Another good idea is having a wedding website for information about the agenda and local area.
What is unique about the wedding industry in HHI?
Mary Frances: We’ve experienced the best of the best designers, entertainment and more here in Hilton Head!
Me: Hilton Head is a great community. We all work together. Southern hospitality lives in our hearts.
Gail: HHI is a community of 40,000 residents providing many options for world-class designers, wedding planners and entertainment.
How can a dream wedding at Westin HHI pay for a honeymoon?
Gail: Earn #spg points for booking your wedding @westinhhi! Redeem for your honeymoon at Starwood Properties Worldwide!
What airlines fly into Savannah-Hilton Head Airport?
Mary-Frances: American offers such an easy, convenient flight from Dallas to SAV@ Can’t wait to spread the news to our brides!
Me: American, Delta, US Air, Jet Blue and United
Gail: Over 5,200 airline seats arrived daily at two local airports with non-stops to 17 US cities.
Can you tell me about the band last night at the Westin HHI party?
Walt: The music is amazing. The local entertainment options here are as good as you can find anywhere. When your receiption has good food and good music, you know people will leave having has a memorable experience.
Mary-Frances: Deas Guyz are absolutely world class. Their incredible voices kept the dance floor full all night!
Me: The first night, performances by the Gullas Choir and Lowcountry Boil Bluegrass Band were outstanding.
Gail: We love Deas Guyz and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra for weddings here or anywhere you are celebrating!
Can you tell me a little bit about the wellness philosophy and activities available at the Westin HHI?
Mary-Frances: I experienced Westin Well Being by doing morning beach yoga among so many other activities!
Me: What’s great about HHI is the tides allow for bike rides and youga on nice hard sand. Sunrise yoga is amazing.
Gail: The pairing of Westin Wellness and the natural state beauty of HHI make for an amazing rejuvenating experience!
Did anyone try outside activities or tours while here at the Westin HHI?
Walt: Outside Hilton Head created activities with great guides who both kept us safe and provided a rich cultural experience.
Did anyone Zipline HH or yoga here on HHI?
Mary-Frances: Absolutely! I loved zip lining with the Inside Weddings team. Quite the adventure!
Gail: And you can ride you bike all 12 miles of our pristine beach!
What do you want wedding pros and brides to take away from the Wedding Market Chat?
Walt: Couples should focus on elements that most important to them and their wedding should illustrate their individuality. Wedding pros: We can’t wait to see what you come up with and are excited to see your celebrations come to fruition!
Mary-Frances: We want everyone to experience what we discovered at #WedAtTheWestin! From the Westin Well-Being movement to exploring HHI, we feel inspired by what can done at this property and destination thanks to the Westin HHI team!
Me: Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be stressful. Find planners/vendors that you build a trust with. This can happen in a destination location too. Speak to local vendors and see how knowledgeable they are. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your wedding experience. After all, we want you wedding to be a once in a lifetime moment! HHI is an experienced location for the destination wedding market and has wonderful southern hospitality.
Gail: Consider our Island Wedding venue with southern charm. Ocean breezes, live oaks, hanging moss and world-class vendors!
For the full interview, go to http://weddingmarketnews.com/hilton_head_island.