How to plan a destination wedding
If you are planning a destination wedding, it can involve a little more ground work since you must first research your possible locations. If you can, give yourself a year for planning in order to have a less stressful experience.
These types of weddings are becoming more popular as couples see them as an opportunity to reduce the guest list to a more manageable size and to have a more relaxed affair.
If you’ve never visited the destination that you are interested in, read books, check out websites and contact the local chamber of commerce.
While you are researching locales, price out how much it will cost your guests to travel and stay at that destination. Look into group discounts, all-inclusive deals and off-season rates.
Feel out your family and friends to see if those costs are comfortable for them. You don’t want to book your dream location only to realize that no one is going to be able to afford to come.
Many resorts and cruise lines offer wedding packages that can take much of the pressure off of the bride by supplying all of the essentials such as photographer, minister, reception and cake built into one price.
If you decide not to go with an all-inclusive option, an invaluable tool can be a wedding planner based in the destination that you choose.
The wedding planner can put you in touch with reliable vendors that they have worked with in the past and can keep tabs on them as the wedding day approaches.
Use the planner to help you navigate any legal paperwork that you may need to fill out before your ceremony.
Visit your destination at least once before making any solid commitments. Have a vision in your mind of what you want, and do your homework on possible vendors before you go. Check out portfolios and call people who have had weddings similar to yours for references.
When you get there, visit the venues you are thinking about using at the time of day that you plan on having your ceremony. Keep in mind what the weather will be like during that time of year. Will it be cold, hot, rainy or windy? Ask these questions.
Try to arrange a tasting with your caterer of choice. Consider including items that are specialties of the area.
Request a trial centerpiece from your florist, so you can see it in person. Plan a hair and makeup session with a salon, and scope out the accommodations for your guests.
Check out local activities, and think about whether you want to plan group outings for everyone. These types of outings are a great way to bring your guests together to take advantage of the location.
Get everything in writing, including policies for cancellations. You may want to consider wedding insurance, which will cover things like natural disasters, illness, vendors who don’t come through and personal liability.
Once everything is set, send out save the date cards, so your guests can start making vacation and travel arrangements. Go ahead and let them know what the dress will be, especially if it is unusual.
Keep in mind your theme and the temperature of your location, when searching for your wedding dress and planning the bridal party attire.
Think about putting a little welcome gift in your guests’ rooms. These can include snacks and items that relate to your theme as well as an itinerary, directions and a list of local activities.
Consider shipping any bulky essentials ahead of time to your hotel.
Plan to get to your destination a few days prior to the big event to handle any last minute paperwork or remaining details. And remember to relax! You are on vacationso treat it like one!
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