# Shawndra Long

> Travel Advisor, Destination Wedding Specialist & Technology Leader


## Posts

- [Micro-Weddings & Elopements: Why Couples Are Going Small (and Going Far)](https://shawndralong.com/micro-weddings-elopements-why-couples-are-going-small-and-going-far/): A micro-wedding is a small, fully planned celebration, usually 10 to 30 guests, with a ceremony, dinner, and the details that matter most to you.
- [Wedding Planner vs. Resort Wedding Coordinator: Who Does What for Your Destination Wedding?](https://shawndralong.com/wedding-planner-vs-resort-wedding-coordinator/): A resort onsite wedding coordinator manages the ceremony and reception at the property, while a certified wedding planner and destination wedding travel advisor guides you from your first idea through resort selection, booking, guest travel, and planning, and works on your behalf the entire time.
- [What Couples Should Ask Before Hiring a Destination Wedding Travel Advisor](https://shawndralong.com/destination-wedding-travel-advisor/): Planning a wedding in another country is one of the most exciting decisions a couple can make, and also one of the most logistically complex.
- [Why LGBTQ+ Couples Deserve Safer, More Thoughtful Destination Wedding Planning](https://shawndralong.com/lgbtq-destination-wedding-planning/): Planning a destination wedding is already a complex, emotional process.
- [The Difference Between a Travel Advisor and Someone With Access to a Booking Platform](https://shawndralong.com/travel-advisor-vs-booking-platform-access/): Anyone can get access to a booking platform. A weekend course, a host agency sign-up, and a login is all it takes.
- [How Much Does a Destination Wedding Really Cost? A 2026 Budget Guide](https://shawndralong.com/destination-wedding-cost/): Most destination weddings cost between $5,000 and $15,000 for an all-inclusive resort package covering the ceremony, reception, and the couple's stay — well under the $34,200 average cost of a traditional U.S.
- [Why Destination Weddings Require More Than a Booking Link](https://shawndralong.com/destination-weddings-more-than-a-booking-link/): A couple recently told me they almost booked their entire destination wedding through a resort's online booking link.
- [What My Background in Technology Taught Me About Travel Planning](https://shawndralong.com/technology-background-travel-planning/): Twenty-seven years ago, I started building a career in enterprise technology.
- [Advocacy Rooted in Lived Experience](https://shawndralong.com/lgbtq-travel-advocate/): My LGBTQ+ lived experience is what allows me to advocate authentically and unapologetically for my LGBTQ+ travelers.
- [Why Values Matter: What LGBTQ+ Travelers Look for in a Destination](https://shawndralong.com/why-values-matter-lgbtq-travelers/): And how to choose a place that actually feels like belonging — not just somewhere you visited.
- [Average Cost of a Destination Wedding: What to Expect in 2027](https://shawndralong.com/average-cost-of-a-destination-wedding/): The average cost of a destination wedding ranges from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the destination, number of guests, resort package, and services selected.
- [Where I Would Send You: My Favorite LGBTQ+ Destination Wedding Locations in the Caribbean & Central America](https://shawndralong.com/lgbtq-destination-wedding-locations-where-i-would-send-you/): I want to talk to you directly for a moment — not as a planner, but as a person.
- [Why I Believe Travel Planning Should Be Personal, Not Transactional](https://shawndralong.com/personal-travel-planning/): Let me ask you something.
- [Newly Engaged? Stop. Read This Before Booking Your Destination Wedding.](https://shawndralong.com/destination-wedding-guide/): The biggest destination wedding mistakes happen before couples even realize they're making them.
- [How to Plan a Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Together](https://shawndralong.com/destination-wedding-and-honeymoon-same-trip/): There is a question that newly engaged couples are starting to ask more and more — and honestly, it is one of the smartest questions you can ask.
- [How To Know If You Can Trust a Travel Advisor Before Booking](https://shawndralong.com/trustable-travel-advisor/): There is something vulnerable about handing your vacation — or your wedding — over to someone else.
- [What It Really Means to Work With an LGBTQ+ Affirming Travel Advisor](https://shawndralong.com/why-lgbtq-couples-need-an-affirming-travel-advisor/): Planning a destination wedding or honeymoon should be exciting—not stressful.
- [How to Vet Your Travel Advisor — And Why I Hold Myself to That Same Standard](https://shawndralong.com/vet-your-travel-advisor/): That’s not paranoia. That’s wisdom.
- [What LGBTQ+ Couples Should Know Before Booking a Destination Wedding Abroad](https://shawndralong.com/lgbtq-couples-destination-wedding/): Your love story is yours. The wedding should be too.
- [From IT Boardrooms to Destination Weddings:](https://shawndralong.com/from-it-boardrooms-to-destination-weddings/): Picture this: I’m sitting in a virtual strategy meeting, deep in a conversation about digital banking platforms and product roadmaps.
- [From Hampton Roads to the World:](https://shawndralong.com/from-hampton-roads-to-the-world/): If you’ve ever dreamed of saying “I do” on a sunlit beach in the Caribbean, renewing your vows beneath the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, or finally planning that group trip your friend group has been talking about for years — you’ve come to the right place.

## Pages

- [Photos](https://shawndralong.com/photos/)
- [Diversity, Equality & Inclusion](https://shawndralong.com/diversity-equality-inclusion/): Every person who trusts me with their travel plans or their wedding day deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated exactly as they are.
- [Testimonials](https://shawndralong.com/testimonials/): I recently used Illusionz Travel to plan a family vacation and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
- [Achievements and Certifications](https://shawndralong.com/achievements-and-certifications/): Proudly featured by IGLTA for creating inclusive destination weddings, honeymoons, and luxury travel experiences with personalized planning, LGBTQ+ advocacy, vetted resorts, and seamless celebrations for couples worldwide.
- [BLOG](https://shawndralong.com/blog/): Shawndra is a Certified Wedding Planner known for her attention to detail and creative vision.
- [Videos](https://shawndralong.com/videos/)
- [Contact](https://shawndralong.com/contact/)
- [About](https://shawndralong.com/about/): Shawndra Long is a Certified Wedding Planner, LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist, and entrepreneur based in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
- [Home](https://shawndralong.com/): Luxury destination weddings, romance travel, and curated journeys designed with heart, intention, and expertise.

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