Marriott International, Inc. today
launched a special weddings toll free resource line—877 4 OUR JOY
(877-468-7569). The resource line is part of the company’s Joy—Your
Dream Wedding event and planning service. It provides tips and assistance
on everything from ethnic and multi-cultural weddings to destination
weddings. Offered daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Marriott’s wedding specialists can
answer specific wedding questions, share trends and protocols, and
research appropriate venues and locations. Upon request, the couple can be
referred to a Marriott “certified wedding event planner” who can assist
with scheduling and planning details. There are more than 1,400 Marriott
“certified wedding event planners” on-site at Marriott and Renaissance
hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. and Caribbean.

“Joy—Your Dream Wedding is the most extensive weddings service in the
lodging industry,” said Robin Uler, senior vice president, food and
beverage and retail. “Our new toll-free resource line complements our
on-site certified wedding planners in helping couples plan the perfect
wedding. Each Marriott and Renaissance ‘certified wedding event planner’
has completed specially designed course work that covers a variety of
wedding protocols and etiquette, as well as culinary and decorating
trends. Marriott’s wedding services are also being enhanced with a
dedicated weddings web site.”

Globally, the number of wedding events at Marriott and Renaissance
properties has grown approximately 10 percent over the past two years.
Annually, weddings and wedding-related business generate property revenues
of approximately $300 million for the company’s full-service hotels.

In addition, more couples are also traveling to get married, choosing
destination and resort venues that provide unique and sometimes exotic
backdrops for weddings, as well as transforming the event into a vacation
for family and friends. Marriott offers the most resorts and spas in the
lodging industry.

Members of Marriott Rewards(R), the company’s loyalty program, can also
earn points for their wedding by taking advantage of Marriott’s Rewarding
Events. A substantial number of points can be earned based on qualified
charges, including the wedding room block, banquet space, catering,
flowers, audiovisual and staging. Points can be redeemed for the couple’s
honeymoon or free vacations at more than 2,400 Marriott International
hotels worldwide. Details on Marriott’s Rewarding Events are available at
http://marriottrewards.com/.
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