In this episode of Passports & Promises, Shalene and travel expert Lia Vincent dive into the unpredictable world of destination weddings and group travel. Talking about unique client requests like finding a lost umbrella in Mexico to managing tricky family dynamics and rooming challenges, they share unforgettable stories that reveal the real behind-the-scenes of planning paradise celebrations. In this episode, listeners will hear about common travel mishaps, last-minute changes, and the surprising ways couples and guests navigate the chaos of booking resorts and handling guest lists. Discover insights on enforcing group rules, handling drama, and keeping everyone happy on large trips. If managing travel groups or destination weddings sounds overwhelming, this episode offers laughs and lessons to make the process smoother. Tune in for travel tips, entertaining tales, and real-life advice from two insiders with years of experience.

Follow Passports & Promises:

Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/

Follow Shalene:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/

Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd

Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/

Follow Lia Vincent:

Instagram: @lia.vincent — https://www.instagram.com/lia.vincent/

LinkedIn: Lia Vincent — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-vincent

Website: https://www.vincentvacations.com/agents/liavincent

Every destination wedding planner knows the nightmare: scattered WhatsApp groups, missed announcements, and guests left waiting when plans change. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Chanell Facey shares how her 2015 destination wedding disaster led to the creation of Grouped, an app designed to fix the chaos of group travel and wedding communication. As both co-founder of Grouped and a destination wedding specialist, Chanell explains how the platform helps planners and couples manage large guest lists, coordinate real-time itinerary updates, and send emergency alerts without relying on messy group chats. She shares experiences from coordinating a 96-person family trip in St. Martin to managing smaller wedding groups, showing how technology fills the gaps even in the most organized destination packages. The conversation also explores how planners and travel concierge services are using digital tools to streamline communication, ensuring guests stay informed and engaged throughout the event.

Follow Passports & Promises:

Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/

Follow Shalene:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/

Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd

Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/latitude_concierge_travels/

Follow Chanell Facey:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanellfacey/

Planning the perfect destination wedding just got real for this Toronto couple. In this episode of Passports & Promises with Shalene, Fabiola and Wilfred share their wedding planning guide to navigating an all inclusive destination wedding at one of the best destination wedding locations in Jamaica. Their Couples Resort experience reveals the hidden costs that wedding planning checklists never mention, including a shocking $3000 weather contingency decision for 'Tents,' that blindsided their wedding planning budget. This destination wedding planning nightmare turned into a valuable lessons about affordable destination weddings and managing last minute guest cancelations. They discuss why choosing adult-only destination wedding venues made sense for their lifestyle, the benefits of destination wedding packages with automatic payments, and their biggest wedding coordination mistake that had them scrambling the day before. Fabiola and Wilfred's wedding offers practical insights to couples researching destination wedding locations or wondering how a wedding coordinator manages weather forecasts threatening outdoor ceremonies. Their story proves that even the most organized destination weddings face unexpected challenges, but proper planning and flexibility can still create the perfect celebration.

Follow Passports & Promises!!

Website - https://passportsandpromisespodcast.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/passportsandpromisespodcast/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@passportsandpromisespodcast/

Follow Shalene!!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp%C2%AE-49ab37b/

Latitude Concierge Travels Ltd

Website - https://www.latitudeconciergetravels.com/what-we-do-bedford

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-concierge-travels-ltd/

Planning a destination wedding but don't know where to start? Travel agent Shalene teams up with destination wedding specialist Michelle Vuong to break down the biggest mistakes couples make when planning celebrations abroad. From choosing the wrong time of year that could double your costs to managing guests who disappear last minute, this episode reveals the insider secrets that could save you thousands. Michelle shares why February weddings are budget killers, how hurricane season affects only half the destinations you think it does, and why teachers on your guest list will completely change your planning timeline. Plus, discover the three different booking methods that can make or break your group's success and why some couples should absolutely skip destination weddings altogether. If you are torn between a courthouse ceremony or a Caribbean celebration, this episode gives you the roadmap to make the right choice for your wedding and your wallet.

Connect with Shalene:

Podcast:

Website - passportsandpromisespodcast.com

Instagram - @passportsandpromisespodcast

YouTube - @passportsandpromisespodcast

Shalene:

Website - latitudeconciergetravels.com

LinkedIn - @shalene-dudley-cta-wpicc-dws-pmp

Instagram - @latitude_concierge_travels

Connect with Michelle Vuong:

LinkedIn - @michelle-vuong

Instagram - @michelle_travelconcierge

Bio - futureleadersintravel.com/michelle-v

Get ready for something special - two young travelers, 8-year-old Jordan

Join award-winning destination wedding specialist Shalene as she takes you behind the scenes of dreamy destination weddings and luxury travel experiences. Through real conversations and #LatitudeLessons from over two decades of expertise, Passports and Promises is a unique blend of emotion, humorous stories, and practical travel advice.

As North America's trusted voice, Shalene features destination wedding planning tips, discusses popular and emerging destinations and the local culture, coveted wedding locations, and shares present and past client experiences/advice. With special episodes featuring Shalene's travel-savvy kids and their adventures abroad, Passports and Promises provides a well-rounded, honest, and engaging podcast designed to inspire couples deciding on destination weddings as well as those with a travel bug across Canada and the US.