Do you doubt whether you should hire a wedding planner? Many couples think they can take care of everything just fine by themselves and see hiring a wedding planner as an unnecessary luxury. They wonder if this extra investment is worth the money. In good spirits they start planning and organizing, but after only a few weeks they discover that there is much more to it than expected and that it takes much more time than expected. It often proves harder to find everything and with each week new questions and uncertainties arise.
In practice, however, a wedding planner offers more value than you might think. Think less stress, huge time savings, and in many cases even cost savings due to their network and expertise. Especially when you are planning a destination wedding, such as a wedding abroad, having a wedding planner on site is really not an unnecessary luxury. What may seem like an extra expense at first, ultimately ensures a relaxed and unforgettable wedding, where you can look forward to the big day without any worries.

1. Local expertise and an extensive network
You may have never visited Bonaire before or only during a vacation, so you know the island a little bit. But organizing a wedding on Bonaire requires much more knowledge than discovering beautiful beaches and cozy restaurants. As your wedding planner, I know exactly where you need to be and offer expert advice to make your dream wedding on Bonaire a reality.
Since moving to Bonaire in June 2019, I have built an extensive network and gained a lot of knowledge of the island. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony on a secluded private beach or a party at a trendy beach club, I know how to find your desired venues.
Organizing a wedding involves many tasks that you probably don’t often do, such as finding a wedding photographer, choosing a stylist for your bridal hairstyle, or renting furniture and decorations. At a distance, this can take a lot of time, especially if you don’t know exactly where to look. Plus, not all good reliable vendors are easy to find online. Thanks to my extensive network of reliable professionals, with whom I work regularly, I can put you in direct contact with the best parties on Bonaire.

2. Stress-free remote planning
Getting married abroad can be challenging, especially if you don’t live in Bonaire. Hiring a wedding planner takes away all the stress of organizing remotely. Say goodbye to sleepless nights and endless to-do lists.
I take care of all the details, from permits to reservations and logistics, so you can enjoy the fun parts of this special time, like picking out wedding clothes, choosing wedding rings in the Netherlands, and scrolling through Pinterest looking for the most beautiful bridal hairstyles, wedding cakes and wedding bouquets.
While you dream of the big day, I work on all the practicalities on Bonaire. Because the island is small and accessible, I can easily visit venues and vendors. This ensures short lines of communication, good contact and quick decisions. As your eyes and ears on Bonaire, I make sure that every detail of the wedding is arranged perfectly, even if you are thousands of miles away.

3. Time saver
You have decided to get married, and probably the adventure begins with endless Googling for venues and wedding vendors. You take notes, send emails for more information, and before you know it, many hours have passed. For a year, you may be spending two evenings a week organizing as if it were a full-time job. This can be pretty intense, especially if you also have work, a social life, children or other obligations in addition to that. With such a busy schedule, you don’t want to waste precious time on endless emails and phone calls.
Let me do that for you, so you can focus on what’s really important. I’m sure you could spend those two evenings a week in more fun ways!
A wedding planner saves you an enormous amount of time. Thanks to the extensive network and experience I have built up on Bonaire, I can organize your wedding much more efficiently. No endless searching for the perfect location or suppliers; I work together with reliable professionals and arrange everything from start to finish, so you can enjoy the preparations carefree.

4. A unique, customized experience
Do you sometimes have trouble making decisions? Do you wonder whether you should go for that pink or red dress, whether you feel like spaghetti or nasi? Choice stress takes unnecessary time and energy, and organizing your special day can only increase that stress. Many couples, especially brides, want everything to be perfect-and that’s completely understandable. Your wedding day should be one of the most beautiful days of your life.
In such cases, it can help tremendously to bring me in as an objective third party. As a wedding planner, I take a fresh look at your plans, offer expert advice and give you that final push to make decisions with confidence. My expertise and insights make it easier to make choices that fit your needs.
I believe every bride and groom is unique and their wedding day should reflect this. Therefore, I take a personal approach and offer fully customized weddings tailored to your wishes, style and dreams. I help bring your wishes to life by suggesting creative ideas, incorporating cultural elements of Bonaire into the ceremony, and adding a personal touch to every aspect of the day.

5. Budget management and cost savings
Many couples consider a wedding planner an additional expense, but it can actually be a way to save money.
I manage all contracts, offers and invoices to make sure they are correct and complete. I also monitor payment deadlines and send you timely reminders when necessary. This way I make sure you stay within budget without compromising on the quality of your wedding. Your wedding day should be everything you dream of-and more.
As an independent wedding planner, I do not work with exclusive partnership contracts with venues or vendors. This allows me to think with you objectively and without bias. Some wedding venues offer all-inclusive packages, which at first glance seems like an easy and economical solution. But be careful: this can end up being more expensive.
If a venue does not offer certain services themselves, they have to hire them externally, which incurs additional costs. In addition, they often receive a commission from their regular suppliers, and those costs are passed on directly to you.
My approach is different: I work directly with several vendors without commission fees. This means that your total costs will often be significantly lower.

6. Problem solving and flexibility
On the wedding day, unexpected problems may arise, such as a delayed vendor or a faulty sound system. These are exactly the things you don’t want to worry about during your wedding. You want to enjoy the love between you and the people around you, without having to stressfully contact the wedding venue to make sure that your cousin can later give that speech with a microphone that does not work now.
Unforeseen challenges can always arise while planning and organizing a wedding. A wedding planner is experienced in dealing with these situations and can solve problems quickly and efficiently. I make sure everything runs smoothly and that any problems are fixed without you having to worry about them.

7. Local knowledge for an authentic experience
You want your wedding day to reflect who you are, and what better way to do this than by incorporating Bonaire’s unique culture, customs and beautiful natural surroundings? I have gotten to know the island well since June 2019, and I would love to help you incorporate authentic elements into your wedding to make it unforgettable!
Bonaire has an amazing culture full of history. Consider, for example, the local dishes, such as pastechis and stoba. The latter is a delicious stew often served on festive occasions. Don’t forget traditional drinks such as awa di lamunchi or cactus liquor, either! This will create a special experience for your guests.
Adding these authentic delicacies will surprise your guests and create a sense of connection to the island. I can help you find local caterers who can prepare these dishes perfectly, making your wedding day a culinary journey through Bonaire.
And how about a local salsa or brass band? That will instantly create a festive Caribbean atmosphere! Local dancers in traditional dress can also be a wonderful addition to your ceremony or reception. In short, let’s together ensure an authentic and unforgettable experience that no one will soon forget!

8. Unburdening on the wedding day
Every wedding needs a master of ceremonies. You can ask someone from your circle of friends or family, but this task can often be seen as a huge responsibility. Many people consider being master of ceremonies a burden. While the rest of the guests are relaxing and enjoying the wedding, the master of ceremonies, often inexperienced, is busy arranging everything and thus possibly missing out on much of the revelry.