Hi! I'm Kerri!
In 2009, my now husband and I took our first trip out of the country together to Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica. We were so taken aback by how amazing our experience was that we booked our 2010 trip at the Soon Come Back desk (Now Loyalty & Travel) so we could come back and have another amazing Sandals experience.
2010 was even better than 2009!
Fast forward to 2012 and what was our 4th Sandals vacation - which also ended up being our Destination Wedding (or in Sandals terms, Weddingmoon!) at Sandals Emerald Bay. I planned every detail for our guests from group codes, best rooms on property, flights, worked seamlessly with the wedding planner and everything went off without a hitch. Thats when all of this started.
The travel and planning bug. I was hooked.
After a really hard 2013 both personally and professionally, I decided in 2014 to join the well known Travel Agency My Paradise Planner after meeting the owner Kira and created Kerried Away Destinations!
Fun Facts About My Travel:
Jamaica is my favorite country.
My favorite Sandals is Montego Bay.
My favorite Hard Rock is Riviera Maya.
I always sit in the Window Seat.
I cannot fly without my Beats headphones and an adult coloring book (eases flight anxiety).
And yes, I'm a terrible flyer (I know, I don't get it).
The furthest I have flown is Ireland, Iceland & St Lucia.
I take pictures of everything.
I'm addicted to Trip Hashtags, all of mine have them.
If there is an animal to hold or meet, I am doing it! Ive swam with the pigs, pet a nurse shark, kissed a dolphin, held an albino snake, posed with a parrot, held a lemur and got to try falconry!
If there is an in-room jacuzzi or soaking tub, I'm in it.
Foam parties? Yes please.
Fun Facts About Me:
I'm 37 and not afraid of my age!
Married since 2012.
Just welcomed our first child into the world, a son, in May 2018 and he is amazing!
We have 3 cats that are all shelter rescues - I'm a firm believer in Adopt Don't Shop.
My favorite TV Shows are Blue Bloods, Below Deck, The First 48, 90210 and Friends (I know, mostly older shows but they are great!).
Born & Bred NY'er and still live here!
NY Sports is where it is at! Giants, Yankees, Rangers but those that know me know I love LSU thanks to my husband! #GeauxTigers.
I love themed parties and events.
Pink is my favorite color since Glitter is not considered a color.
I work hard but am always up for a good laugh - usually at myself.
Social Media is my life - I love having access to all we do digitally and to share it with all our friends and family - and clients!
Champagne & Prosecco are my favorite drinks to order - and I blame Sandals (in a good way!)! Morning mimosas and in-room house Champagne started the obsession.
About My Paradise Planner:
Speaking of the Travel Agency I joined, let me tell you a little more about my host agency My Paradise Planner. I met the owner Kira via social media and fell in love with the extreme motivation, dedication and incredible knowledge of the travel business.
My Paradise Planner has been in business for 10 years and counting and boasts more awards and recognitions from Resort brands than I have room to type here. This was the perfect company for me to join and be able to put my hard work into, and have it be matched by the Owners. Our FAMiliarization trips to properties are so fun and informative and our knowledge of how to qualify clients at Resorts that are perfect for them is because of the amazing teamwork and immersion on these work trips. You truly can't ask for a better team of agents to work with!
This picture is of Kira and I at the 2016 Sandals Travel Agent Recognition Awards where I won Rising Star!
Our Weddingmoon!
This was our Destination Wedding (Weddingmoon) at Sandals Emerald Bay on November 17, 2012.
We kept our group small, surrounded only by our Parents, Siblings (1 was overseas and could not attend) and 8 of our Best Friends.
Start to finish, I planned 100% of the Wedding. Working with the team at Sandals Weddings was absolutely amazing and our Wedding was actually featured in their Weddingmoon Blog a couple of times!
Not only did we have one of the best Destination Weddings anyone could ask for, it also stoked the fire to want to plan Destination Weddings for other couples. Just over a year later, it came true!
Our Re-Tie the Knot
On November 17, 2017 my husband and I decided to do a Re-Tie The Knot for our 5-year Weddingmoon Anniversary.
We chose Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica because it brought us back to where our first Vacation was, our first Sandals Love. It only seemed fitting!
What helps as a great Travel Agent, is to immerse yourself in all your Brands have to offer. Not only were we able to have this special moment together that we will remember forever, but it allowed me to participate as a guest, the process start to finish with Sandals Wedding Department so I can better service my Re-Tie the Knot clients.
Stay tuned for November 17, 2022 for our 10-year Re-Tie The Knot and its theme!
Baby Announcement
Not only did we have our 5-year Re-Tie the Knot in 2017, but we also used the opportunity since I was 3 months pregnant at the time to do our Baby Announcement and make it a Babymoon!
Sandals & Beaches can capture these moments for you! Their PhotoShop can assist with everything from regular beach photos, to sunset photos, surprise engagements, Weddings, announcements - and even staged photos if you bring your own props like taking your yearly Christmas Photos or Kids Birthday Photos!
Knowing our love for Sandals and for Jamaica, it seemed like a no brainer to have our Baby Announcement done there as well. What was more amazing, was seeing the shocked faces of our Sandals friends who attended our Re-Tie. Memories for a lifetime.