Planning your honeymoon or destination wedding should feel exciting—not overwhelming. That’s where Esme Brink comes in. As a local travel agent and affiliate of Academy Travel, Esme specializes in creating stress-free, unforgettable travel experiences for couples ready to celebrate their love. With a lifelong passion for travel and four years of professional experience, she brings both heart and expertise to every itinerary. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical beach, a romantic European escape, or even a magical Disney honeymoon, Esme handles every detail with care—so all you have to do is enjoy the moment. From destination inspiration to seamless logistics, she’s your go-to guide for turning travel dreams into real-life memories.
To learn more about her journey and expert tips, we sat down with Esme and asked her to share her story, insights, and advice for planning the perfect romantic getaway.
1. What inspired you to specialize in travel planning?
“I grew up traveling across the United States with my family, enjoying cruises and theme parks, which sparked my love for travel early on. In college, I started exploring more off-the-beaten-path destinations, taking road trips through Texas and Louisiana to uncover hidden gems. After college, I spent a lot of time in Orlando, where I discovered Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Disney Cruises. I found myself spending my free time checking flight and travel deals, dreaming of going on adventures or helping others experience them. Eventually, I realized I could turn this passion into a career and help others create unforgettable travel experiences.”
2. What sets your services apart from booking everything online yourself?
“Over the years, I’ve gained extensive knowledge of the travel industry, including insider tips that most people don’t know. One of the big benefits of working with a travel agent is that suppliers often offer perks to guests who book through agents, like special amenities or upgrades. Plus, booking through a travel agent offers more protection for clients in the event of any issues. The price for all trips already includes a travel agent, so you’re paying for a service you’re not getting if you book on your own—why not take advantage of that service and have a little less to worry about?”
3. How early should couples start planning their honeymoon?
Anywhere from a year and a half to three months. If its farther away than a year, often times the best I can do is an estimate, unless airlines have their prices out. If it’s closer to three months, prices for flights and hotels are usually higher because they’re not as many options. I’ve figured out that the sweet spot to plan a trip/honeymoon would be between 6-9 months.
4. What advice do you give couples who are trying to plan a romantic getaway on a budget?
For a honeymoon on a budget, I highly recommend the couple focus on the experience rather than the cost. I suggest exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations or traveling in the shoulder season to find beauty without the high prices. Skip the pricey extras and enjoy meaningful, low-cost activities like sunset hikes, home-cooked dinners, or wandering through charming towns. It’s about making memories, not spending money!
5. How can a travel agent actually help save couples money?
Another great perk to working with a travel agent is we track deals. We see when they come out, if they affect your dates, and can get that changed to a lower price for you. Often times, since you are working with a travel agent, some suppliers will throw in a perk that others don’t get.
6. Do you offer payment plans or other financial planning tips for wedding travel?
Yes. All suppliers I work with offer payment plans on everything except for flights, which need to be paid upfront in your deposit.
7. What are the most popular destinations for weddings right now?
I’m seeing a lot of interest in weddings locally to save money – a lot of couples want to spend a lot of money on their honeymoons. For destination weddings, I’ve been seeing a lot of Hawaii and Cancun requests.
8. Are there any up-and-coming or underrated places you’d recommend for a destination wedding?
I’m seeing some interest and potential in Asia. There are a lot of suppliers who reach out offering destination wedding packages in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and who would love to help couples and their families celebrate a life changing event.
9. What’s one of the most unique weddings or honeymoons you’ve ever planned?
One of my clients wanted to spend their honeymoon exploring Alaska. They were able to fly into Alaska and relax in the city for a few days. They saw whales and the Northern Lights, and were able to spend a few days with each other in the quiet and peace of the Alaskan peninsula. Then they did a road trip around Alaska for 2 weeks and took advantage of every excursion available. Their favorite parts was being in a hot spring while watching the Northern Lights.
10. Any heartwarming stories from couples you’ve worked with?
One of my favorite stories is from a couple who spent their honeymoon at Disney World. While walking through the Italy pavilion at EPCOT, a family approached them, noticed their ‘Just Married’ buttons, and offered to buy them celebratory shots. They happily accepted—and found out that the family was celebrating their 20th anniversary, and another couple had done the same for them on their own honeymoon years earlier. They said my clients just felt like the right people to pass the tradition on to. To this day, my couple returns to EPCOT and takes those same shots in Italy, in honor of that special moment.
11. What are some common mistakes couples make when planning their travel—and how can they avoid them?
A common mistake couples make is booking last-minute, underestimating travel time, or not double-checking travel details, which can lead to stress, higher costs, and missed opportunities. I always recommend booking early, double-checking travel details, and leaving buffer time for flexibility. It’s also important to be honest about where you want to go and what you want to do—if you’re not a morning person, build in relaxation time instead of over-scheduling early starts.
Whether it’s a dreamy cruise, a magical Disney escape, or a quiet retreat in nature, your pre-wedding travel should feel just as special as your big day. These are the moments to relax, reconnect, and soak up the joy before “I do.” With Esme Brink by your side, every detail is taken care of—so all you have to do is enjoy the journey.
