If you’re a couple planning a destination wedding, you very well may ’second’ my biggest planning gripe - the lack of professional websites / online portfolios! I have to admit that I am a bit biased in that I am a web developer, however I don’t think I’m the only one that expects potential vendors to have a professional web presence. Do they not understand how much credibility that web presence can give? Maybe they are so busy they don’t need to market themselves, relying on forums and referrals. However, even if they aren’t worried about gaining clients you’d think they could at least appreciate how much time a good site could save them.

Here are some examples — entertainment. First, our DJ… I had a really hard time getting comfortable with the DJ because I was unable to find a website for them. I would have loved to see bios of the DJs available, testimonials, pictures of them playing, samples of their playlists. The best I found was a MySpace page that hasn’t been updated since 2007! And the steel pan player – how great would it be to be able to see a site or at least a youtube video of him playing?

Next – decorating… How about florists? How awesome would it be if the florist(s) had a great online portfolio available to give us ideas of what has been done in that area? Not only that but a comprehensive listing of flowers available (beyond what I’ve come to think of as the “Aruba Three” – calla lilies, gerbera daisies and roses). My life would be so much easier right now if I could see a full list along with a price range. I can appreciate they might not be able to publish actual prices but maybe a $-$$$$ indication that lets you see at a glance what is the most affordable and most expensive? I’m sure there are other brides like me that want more options. I’d also love to see a list of ‘absolutely not available’ flowers which would include flowers too frail for the heat. For example, our planner told us she saw one bride insist on peonies that totally didn’t work (they didn’t open and they are too frail for the heat).

Photographers – there are a couple of photographers that have done wonderful jobs with their portfolios. There are also plenty that haven’t. Photography is one of those cases where I will absolutely not even consider someone who does not have a brilliant online portfolio. Some have just a couple of crude html pages or just google picasa albums. You can go to their albums and see everything they’ve put in there. Helpful for a bride like me that is doing research, however I wouldn’t want my photos available for the world to see. Maybe all of those couples have given the photographers permission to share their photos, but really, what I want to see is a few simple galleries of their best work… I don’t want to dig through dozens of mediocre photo albums. Then again, I guess seeing those mediocre albums helped me quickly rule them out. (Sorry – I am totally a photography snob.)

And cakes – how much time would it save my wedding planner if the Marriott had lots of photos of her pastry chef’s cakes in a single online portfolio which I could review at my leisure? I would love to look through 100-200 pictures of the Marriott’s best work. Since that is not an option, today I looked at over 2000 photos today via TheKnot and ProjectWedding. Instead of seeing a Marriott portfolio I have to ask for and wait for these photos (and of course in the meantime I could fall totally in love with something they can’t do and end up disappointed). If I want to see the arches available, I have to ask and wait… Decorating options, ask and wait… Wouldn’t you think a massive international corporation like Marriott could build a resource for these things that would make easier the lives of their planners and couples?

Finally – wedding planners. We met with an independent wedding planner during our Aruba site visit. There were a few wedding planners that had positive reviews in the forums. Who did we choose? The one that had the most professional website! I could see that this was someone who takes her business seriously. I looked at websites of a few wedding planners that were really bad. Too many ‘coming soon’ placeholders and crude pages. They look like websites the planners tried to create themselves and then gave up. My search was by no means exhaustive, but after trying to find decent websites I gave up when I finally found one good one.

If you are an Aruban wedding vendor reading this I can guarantee you spending some time on putting together a good online resource for your potential clients will be well worth your while! It doesn’t have to cost you a fortune or take as much time as you think. It can be as simple as a clean well thought out blog or a basic website built off of a pre-designed template. You must get tired of answering the same questions over and over again. Answering them online will save you (and us) time! Think about it – many of your clients you will never meet until they show up for their wedding. They have no idea how big or small your company is but a professional web presence can help your company stand out. If you want to hire a web designer with the unique perspective of a destination bride, I could be your girl. I definitely have a warm place in my heart for Aruba. Soliciting business is not my real goal here, but please hear my exasperation. This process could be easier for all of us! I know there are plenty of you that do beautiful work – please – show it off!

Luckily not all Aruba research has been so difficult. Sites like TripAdvisor.com have been a huge help in researching hotels and restaurants. Also, sailing and snorkeling outfits seem to understand the importance of a great website. Thank you!